Northern Japan Tours

16 Day Northern Japan Adventure

With the luxury of time, enjoy this Tohoku and Hokkaido adventure and get a comprehensive understanding of Japan's mystical north. Relax and marvel at the many natural wonders in this magical part of Japan. With a two night stay in Nikko, you will have ample time to explore this tremendously important historical gem.

*inclusions shown in the bullet points - package does not include airfares

Day 01 - Arrive Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Narita International Airport clear customs with your luggage and make your way to the Arrivals Lobby.

Present your Limousine Bus Coupon at the Airport Limousine Bus counter and board the bus from the airport to your accommodation at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. (80 min)

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 1/3

Day 02 - Tokyo

At Shinagawa Station, visit the Information Centre at the Central Ticket Gates (09:00 – 19:00) and issue your 14 Day Japan Rail Pass to commence using from Day 3. You can now make reservations at any time for the journeys on your itinerary ahead.

Commence your exploration of Tokyo with a trip to Odaiba - the huge amusement zone where you can enjoy shopping, delicious food, entertainment, and a view of Tokyo Bay simultaneously.

From Shinagawa Station board a JR Yamanote Line train to Shimbashi Station. (7 mins) At Shimbashi Station, using your Pasmo Card, board the Yurikamome Line unmanned monorail across the 918 metre span Rainbow Bridge to Daiba Station. (14 min)

Odaiba was built on reclaimed land in the Tokyo Bay in the southeast of Tokyo. This ultra-modern island is home to the Fuji TV Studio, Toyota Motor Company Showcase, Palette Town, Giant Ferris Wheel, the Museum of Maritime Science, Odaiba Marine Park, and the Sega Game Centre. A visit to the Oedo Onsen Monogatari volcanic hot springs (JPY2,700) is an excellent way to soak away the stresses of exhilarating travel. Luxuriate in open air, foot, sand and steam baths, tatami rooms and massage salons. The hot water spouts up naturally from 1400 meters below the surface.

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 2/3

Day 03 - Tokyo

Continue to explore the highlights of Tokyo. From Shinagawa Station board a JR Yamanote Line train to Shibuya Station. (12 mins)

At Shibuya Station, exit via Hachiko-Guchi Exit for the famous Shibuya crossing. Enjoy a light refreshment at the Starbucks across the road as you sit by the window overlooking the bustling pedestrian crossing. Shibuya is an area popular among young people and rich in cinemas, cafes, restaurants, department stores, fashion-store buildings and boutiques.

From Shibuya Station it is only one stop north to Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line.

For lunch, explore the selection in the side alleys off Takeshita Dori - the lively street that leads out from Harajuku Station (Takeshita Exit) and which prides itself as the font of new teenage Tokyo street fashion. Bargain hunters will enjoy a visit to ‘Daiso’ to delight in what you can buy for only 100 yen!

Running almost parallel to Takeshita Dori is Omotesando, a long street lined with international boutique brands.

From Harajuku Station, board a JR Yamanote Line train two stops north to Shinjuku Station – the busiest train station in Japan! Take time to explore some of the great shopping that surrounds the station. A walk to Takashimaya Times Square and an exploration of a shop called Tokyu Hands which sells a range of unique gadgets is recommended.

From the West Exit of Shinjuku Station walk 10 minutes through the high-rise business district to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building to view the city skyline which is best seen at night. (9:30am-10:30pm / free entry)

Return to Shinagawa from Shinjuku on the JR Yamanote Line. (20 mins)

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 3/3

Day 04 - Tokyo - Nikko

Check-out of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel and from Shinagawa Station board a JR Yamanote Line train to Tokyo Station. (12 mins) Make your way to the bullet train lines and board a Nasuno bullet train to Utsunomiya Station. (55 mins) Change trains and board a JR Nikko Line train to Nikko Station. (50 mins)

Your accommodation at the Nikko Station Hotel Classic is a one minute walk from the station.

The city of Nikko lies at the foot of Mt. Nyoho and is renowned worldwide for the architectural facilities of Toshogu and Futarasan Shrines and Rinnoji Temple, each set gemlike in a perfect natural setting.

From Nikko Station board a Tobu Nikko Bus to Shinkyo bus stop (8 mins). Here you will find the lacquered Shinkyo (Sacred Bridge) which spans 28 metres across the Daiya River.

A five minute walk from the bridge is the famous and historic Rinnoji Temple, used to receive princes from the Imperial family as priests during the Kamakura period (1192-1333).

Continue walking along to Toshogo Shrine (6 mins) where you will find a synthesis of Buddhist and Shinto architecture featuring an impressive five-story pagoda. The Futarasan Jinja Shrine is the next stop and is said to bring happiness and marriage for those who visit. Legend has it that the Futara-Reisen, the sacred fountain there, has water that restores youth.

*Your stay at the Nikko Station Hotel Classic includes breakfast daily

Stay: Nikko Station Hotel Classic - 1/2

Day 05 - Nikko

Venture out to Lake Chuzenji by boarding a Tobu Nikko Bus from the Shinkyo bus stop to Chuzenji Onsen bus stop. (53 mins) From here you can walk to Kegon Falls and Fune-No-Eki cruise boat pier. Kegon Falls, 97 metres in height, is one of Japan’s finest waterfalls (originating from Lake Chuzenji). Descend 100 metres by elevator through the bedrock to the lookout point at the base of the gorge to see the falls plummeting downward into Lake Chuzenji’s beautiful indigo blue water.

To enjoy more of the lake’s scenery a 50 minute sightseeing cruise is highly recommended. Regular boat service on the lake connects Fune-No-Eki with Shobugahama in 20 minutes.

Chuzenji Onsen, on the north-eastern shore of the lake, is the centre of the Lake Chuzenji area. There are many souvenir shops, restaurants and Japanese-style inn with hot spring baths.

Stay: Nikko Station Hotel Classic - 2/2

Day 06 - Nikko - Aizu-Wakamatsu

Check-out of your accommodation and from Nikko Station board a JR Nikko Line train to Utsunomiya Station. (40 mins) Change to a Yamabiko Shinkanasen and catch the train to Koriyama Station (27 mins). From Koriyama, board a JR Ban-etsu-West Line Rapid to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. (66 mins)

Your accommodation at the Aizu-Wakamatsu Washington Hotel is a 3 minute walk from the station.

The Aizu Loop Bus (600JPY all day ticket/departs every 30 min from 8:00-17:30) runs clockwise (red ’Akabe’ buses) and counter-clockwise (blue, Haikara-san buses) routes with stops at sightseeing locations throughout town. A full loop takes approximately 55 minutes.

Board a bus from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to visit:

Aizu Bukeyashiki (8:30 - 17:00/JPY850) - alight the bus at Aizu Bukeyashiki-mae (Stop A11) to visit this reconstructed residence of the region's most highly ranked samurai. The complex originally housed the samurai and his family, along with employees and servants .The mannequins posed throughout display typical scenes of daily life in the Edo Period.

Oyakuen Garden (8:30 - 17:00/JPY320) - alight from the bus at Oyakuen (Stop H21) or walk approx. 20 minutes from the Bukeyashiki to visit this landscape garden. Wander the garden path along the edge of the pond, and be sure to explore the herb garden. Hundreds of medicinal plants have been grown here since the 18th century.

Tsuruga Castle (8:30 - 17:00/JPY410) - alight from the bus at Tsurugajo Iriguchi (Stop A27). This castle is unique in Japan due to its red roof tiles. Climb the stairs to the top of the castle, exploring the museum displays about the castle's history and local samurai lifestyle, for panoramic views across the area. The park surrounding the castle is a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in the spring. Across the park is Rinkaku Teahouse (JPY200 entry), where samurai held tea ceremonies. You can try green tea and a traditional snack for JPY600.

Stay: Aizu-Wakamatsu Washington Hotel - 1/2

Day 07 - Aizu-Wakamatsu

Today take a trip to explore the spectacular Five Coloured Marshes 'Goshikinuma.'
From Aizu-Wakamatsu Station ride the Jr Ban-Etsu-West Line to Inawashiro Station (30 min). Then take an Aizu bus about 30 minutes to Goshikinuma-iriguchi bus stop (tell the driver, 'Goshikinuma', JPY720 one way).

The Urabandai Visitor Centre is located at the eastern end of the Goshikinuma Pond trail, a two minute walk from the bus stop. Ask for the English map of the area and brochure before you set off on the walk along the trails. The walk takes about one and a half hours one way (4km). The path begins at the largest lake, Bishamon-numa which is home to a number of beautiful koi fish, one in particular is well known for the large heart-shaped orange spot on its tail. You can rent a rowboat (approx. JPY700/30 min) to explore the lake up-close.

The trail passes by about 30 lakes and ponds in total, each with unique colouring due to the different elements and minerals from the nearby volcano. At the other end of the trail there is a rest area with an upstairs cafeteria overlooking Lake Hibara, downstairs there is a large selection of locally produced food and other souvenirs.
To return to your hotel, board a bus from the Urabandai Kougen-eki bus stop to Inawashiro Station (50 mins). From Inawashiro Station board a train to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station (30 mins).

Stay: Aizu-Wakamatsu Washington Hotel - 2/2

Day 08 - Aizu-Wakamatsu - Sendai

Check out from your hotel and from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, board a Ban-Etsu-West Line Rapid train to Koriyama Station (64 mins) Change trains and board a Yamabiko bullet train to Sendai Station. (45 mins)

Your accommodation at the Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East is a directly connected to the station.

A city sightseeing loop bus, the Loople Sendai, departs from JR Sendai Station (West Exit) bus stop #15-3 and does a one-hour loop around a number of major attractions. An all-day pass can be purchased for JPY620.

Board the bus to visit:

Zuihoden Mausoleum (09:00 - 16:30/JPY550) - the ornate Zuihoden Mausoleum features intricate, and brightly coloured woodwork, and is site where Date Masamune, one of the most powerful feudal lords during the Edo period, is entombed.

Sendai City Museum (09:00 - 16:15/JPY400) - features a number of exhibits relating to various aspects of Sendai's history. Here you will find the suit of armour belonging to Date Masamune, which is a Important Cultural Asset, on display.
Osaki Hachimangu Shrine - a beautiful shrine covered mostly in black lacquer and decorated with gold leaf. Designated as a National Treasure, it enshrines the guardian deity of the Date family.

For dinner tonight, visit one of the restaurants on Gyutan Dori (Beef Tongue Street) for Sendai's most popular delicacy. Most commonly grilled on a barbecue, many restaurants will also serve it on top of rice, in a curry or in a stew.

Stay: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East - 1/2

Day 09 - Sendai - Matsushima Bay - Sendai

From Sendai Station board a JR Senseki Line train to Matsushima Kaigan Station. (40 mins) From here it is a ten minute walk to Zuiganji Temple. (08:00 - 15:30/JPY700)
Originally established in 828AD, Zuiganji is one of the most important Zen Buddhist temples in northern Japan. Built at the end of a period of long, civil wars, the temple features a watchtower and nightingale alarm floors which are more commonly defence features found in castles. The temple is surrounded by small caves where monks once lived and prayed.

Next, visit Etsuin Temple (08:30 - 16:00/JPY300), a short walk from Zuiganji. Etsuin Temple is home to the mausoleum of samurai ruler, Date Masamune's grandson, who died mysteriously at age 19. The Mausoleum is decorated with western designs and symbols brought back from Europe on a trade mission sent by Date Masamune.
Enjoy a hot matcha green tea and Japanese sweet at the Kanrantei Tea House. (08:30 - 16:30/JPY150 entry; JPY300-700 for tea) *Place your tea and sweet orders at the ticket booth. The Kanrantei Tea House is the tea house of the ruling Date family and once served tea to samurai and royal guests. Now the tea house is open to the public and overlooks Matsushima Bay.

Take a sightseeing boat trip around Matsushima Bay and its 260 islands. A number of companies offer 50 minute cruises that depart from the pier next to the rest house. (departs hourly 09:00 - 15:00/JPY1,500)

Return to Sendai in the late afternoon.

Stay: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East - 2/2

Day 10 - Sendai - Hirosaki

Check-out of the Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East and from Sendai Station board a Hayabusa bullet train to Shin-Aomori Station. (110 mins) Change trains and board a JR Ou Line train to Hirosaki Station. (35 mins)

Your accommodation at the Art Hotel Hirosaki City is a one minute walk from the station.

Hirosaki is a small castle town in Aomori with a varied architectural heritage featuring temples, samurai residences and a castle from the Edo period, and churches, libraries and civic buildings from the Meiji Period when many foreign scholars were invited to Hirosaki.

With Aomori producing more than half of the nation's apples, and being the birthplace of the Fuji apple, you will find apple-incorporated sweets throughout Hirosaki. A Hirosaki Pie Guide Map will direct you to 47 of the best apple pies around.

After check-in, commence your exploration of Hirosaki by boarding a Dote-Machi city sightseeing loop bus from in front of Hirosaki Station to Shiyakusho-mae bus stop. (15 mins) From here it is a two minute walk to the Otemon Gate of Hirosaki Castle (09:00 - 17:00/JPY310). Built in 1611, this castle of the Tsugaru Clan is one of the 12 remaining original castles in Japan.

Visit the Tsugaru-han Neputa Village (09:00 - 17:00/JPY550) where you can watch as artists create traditional crafts, and enjoy a performance of the Tsugaru-jamisen, a three-stringed folk instrument.

A short walk from here is the Nakacho Traditional Buildings Preservation District where the traditional townscape has been maintained. Visit the Kawasaki Dyeing Plant where the traditional art of natural indigo dyeing is still carried out.

*Your stay at the Art Hotel Hirosaki City includes breakfast daily

Stay: Art Hotel Hirosaki City - 1/2

Day 11 - Hirosaki

Start today by boarding a Konan Railway Konan Line train from Hirosaki Station to Tambo Art Station. (23 mins/JPY430)

From here it is a short walk to one of the two famous Rice Paddy Art sites, for which the prefecture of Aomori is famous for. Since 1993, the small town of Inakadate has been creating images in their rice paddy fields by carefully planting rice of varying colour. In their first year, they used two colours, yellow and purple, to create a simple image of Mt. Iwaki. Each following year, the designs become more elaborate and now consist of 7 colours and 11 variety of rice. The images can be seen from June to mid-October, but are best from mid-July to mid-August. Entry to the viewing platform is JPY300.

A courtesy shuttle bus departs every 30 mins from this art site and will take you to the second site. (10 mins)

OR

From Hirosaki Station board a Limited Express Tsugaru train to Aomori Station. (33 mins)

Visit Nebuta Warasse (09:00 – 19:00/JPY600) which is a one minute walk from the station, to view the large, glowing floats used in Aomori’s Nebuta Festival. Get a taste of the lively festival atmosphere and learn about the history and traditions of one of Tohoku’s ‘Big Three Summer Festivals’.

For lunch, visit the Furukawa Fish Market (07:00 – 16:00) where you can create your own nokkedon, or bowl of rice topped with fresh seafood. Purchase tickets in sets of five (JPY540) or ten (JPY1,080) which are exchanged for rice and various seafood toppings sold in the market.

Return to Hirosaki in the afternoon. For dinner tonight you may like to visit one of the izakaya where local specialties are served and Tsugaru folksongs are performed.

Day 12 - Hirosaki - Hakodate

Check-out of the Art Hotel Hirosaki and from Hirosaki Station board a Limited Express Tsugaru train to Shin-Aomori Station. (30 mins) Make your way to the bullet train lines and board a Hayabusa bullet train to Shin-Hakodatehokuto Station. (60 mins) Change trains and board a Hakodate Liner train to Hakodate Station. (15 mins)

Your accommodation at the Hotel Resol Hakodate is a three minute walk from the station.

After checking in at your hotel, commence sightseeing in Hakodate City. Walk to Hakodate Ekimae tram stop and board a tram #5 to Suehiro Machi (10 min). Suehiro Machi is bayside area and interesting buildings and museums such as glass museum (old post office), Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse (inside of the warehouse is refurbished as shopping mall).

In the late afternoon, visit Mt Hakodate which is walking distance from Suehiro Machi area. Take a ropeway (JPY1,160/adult for return trip) up to the mountain for an extraordinary panoramic view of Hakodate City.

Return to your accommodation in the evening.

Stay: Hotel Resol Hakodate - 1/2

Day 13 - Hakodate

Visit the Morning Markets (05:30 – 12:00) which span an area of four blocks near the JR Hakodate Station area and enjoy a fresh, seafood breakfast!

Next, take a day trip to Onuma. Onuma is famous for its beautiful nature scenery. Have a relaxing day in Onuma. From Hakodate Station, board a Limited Express Super Hokuto train to Onuma Koen Station. (20 min)

Onuma is famous for its beautiful, natural scenery. This quasi national park covers over 9,000 hectares and has two very attractive lakes, Onuma and Konuma. The area has several walking trails which lead you around the lakes’ peninsulas and islands and are interconnected by small bridges. Sightseeing boats are available to take you on 30 minute tours for JPY1,100/person.

Stay: Hotel Resol Hakodate - 2/2

Day 14 - Hakodate - Sapporo

Check-out of your accommodation and from Hakodate Station board a Limited Express Super Hokuto train to Sapporo Station. (225 mins)

Your accommodation at the Keio Plaza Hotel is a five minute walk from the station.

Spend the day using your maps and guides to explore the sights around Sapporo.

For dinner, you may like to visit the Sapporo Beer Garden’s Genghis Khan Hall where you can feast on the popular local dish of barbequed mutton, washed down with the famous Sapporo Beer.

Stay: Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo - 1/2

Day 15 - Sapporo - Otaru - Sapporo

Make a day trip to Otaru by boarding a JR Semi Rapid Ishikari Liner, JR Hakodate Line or JR Airport Rapid train to Otaru Station. (30-50 mins)

Otaru is a small harbor city full of character thanks to the beautiful warehouse-lined canals and buildings from former trade and shipping companies.

Stroll along the canal, and visit Sakaimachi Street with its attractive, old buildings that have since been converted into cafes, boutiques and museums. Visit the Otaru City Museum (09:30 – 17:00/JPY300) to discover Otaru’s history and the early development of Hokkaido.

Next visit the Herring Mansion (09:00 – 17:00/JPY300) by boarding a city bus #10 or #11 from Otaru Station (25 mins/JPY220). View the tools and living conditions of herring fisherman during the heyday of herring fishing, once one of Otaru’s major industries. Since the early days of the town’s development right through to the 19050s when the industry collapsed due to a drop in herring stocks, large fortunes were made by leading fishing enterprises. Visit the Aoyama Villa (09:00 – 17:00/JPY1,080), the luxurious villa of one of the most successfully families in the herring industry.

Stay: Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo - 2/2

Day 16 - Depart Sapporo

Today is the final day of your 14 Day Japan Rail Pass.

Check-out of the Keio Plaza Hotel and from Sapporo Station, board the Airport train to New Chitose Airport. (40 mins)

Be sure to check-in for your flight at least 2 hours prior to its scheduled departure.