Self Drive Tours

14 Day Northern Japan (Tohoku) Self-Drive Adventure

Discover the hidden gems of the northern region of Honshu, Japan on this 14-day adventure which includes 3 days of exploration by hire car.

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

Day 01 - Tokyo

Arrive at Narita Airport and exchange your 14 Day Japan Rail Pass for immediate use.
Board the Narita Express train to Shinagawa Station. (80 min). Walk across the road to your accommodation at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel.

During your stay in Shinagawa, visit the Travel Service Centre to reserve your seats for your many journeys on your itinerary ahead.

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 1/3

Day 02 - Tokyo

Start today by boarding a JR Yamanote Line train from Shinagawa Station to Ueno (18 mins) to visit the Ameyoko Ueno Markets. The long market lanes run from JR Ueno Station to JR Okachimachi Station. There are over 500 shops that sell everything from basic foods to high-class imported goods at reasonable prices, and thus it is always crowded with shoppers.

In the nearby Ueno Park, there is a concentration of cultural institutions such as the first zoo in Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo Cultural Hall, National Western Art Museum, National Science Museum and Tokyo National Museum, all offering recreation and relaxation for the citizens.

Next, board a Tokyo Metro Ginza Line train to Asakusa Station (5 mins) to visit the nearby Sensoji Temple (popularly known as Asakusa Kannon Temple), Tokyo’s oldest and most impressive temple which is said to have been founded in the 7th century. Nakamise Dori, the colourful shopping promenade, extends from Kaminarimon Gate to Hozomon Gate and is an excellent place to buy everything from kimono to traditional sweets. Positioned across the road from Kaminarimon Gate the Asakusa Rickshaw tour guides await to guide you around the area by rickshaw.

Return to Ueno on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line (5 mins) and change trains to board a JR Yamanote Line train from Ueno to Akihabara Station. (3 mins) Akihabara boasts the largest area of electronic appliances and devices in the world. Here, the very latest in technology and system compatibility is available to both the Japanese and foreign market. In recent years Akihabara has become home to a number of shops specialising in Japanese animation Anime and Manga which is growing increasingly popular around the world.

In the evening, return to Shinagawa Station on the JR Yamanote Line.

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 2/3

Day 03 - Tokyo

Continue 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 - 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 - Sendai

From Nikko Station board a JR Nikko Line train to Utsunomiya Station. (40 mins) Change trains and board a Yamabiko bullet train to Sendai Station. (75 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 Natinoal 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 barbeque, 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 07 - Sendai - Matsushima Bay - Sendai

From Sendai Station board a JR Senseki Line train to Matsushima Kaigan Station. (40 mins/JPY410) 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 08 - Sendai - Hirosaki

From Sendai Station board a Hayabusa bullet train to Shin-Aomori Station. (105 mins) Change trains and board a JR Ou Line train to Hirosaki Station. (40 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.

Stay: Art Hotel Hirosaki City - 1/2

Day 09 - 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. 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)

Return to Hirosaki Station and 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.

Stay: Art Hotel Hirosaki City - 2/2

Day 10 - Hirosaki - Oirase Stream

Check-out of your accommodation and at Hirosaki Station pick-up your rental vehicle and set your navigation for the Oirase Mori no Hotel, which is an hour and a half drive east of Hirosaki.

After check-in, walk along the scenic Oirase Stream which leads to Lake Towada. (approximately 14km) Buses run along the route with various stops along the way, so it is possible to walk any length of the stream and return on the bus.

At Lake Towada, take a sightseeing cruise along Honshu’s largest Caldera Lake. The 50 minute cruise departs hourly from Nenokuchi to the Yasumiya Port and costs JPY1,400pp.

Later, return to your accommodation by boarding a JR Bus from Towadako (Yasumiya) or Nenokuchi bus stop to Towadako Onsenkyo bus stop.

Your accommodation at the Oirase Mori no Hotel is a 13 minute walk from the Towadako Onsenkyo bus stop.

Stay: Oirase Mori no Hotel - 1/1

Day 11 - Oirase Stream - Morioka

Check-out of the Oirase Mori no Hotel and set your navigation for the Hotel Metropolitan Morioka New Wing, which is a 3 hour drive south from the Oirase area.

After check-in, commence your exploration of Morioka. The DenDen-Mushi, a city sightseeing loop bus, runs a circuit of the city centre every 15 mins and cost JPY100 per journey, or an all-day pass can be purchased from the bus terminal at Morioka Station for JPY300. Please use your maps and guides to explore the city. Places of interest include:

Iwate Koen – Stroll through the picturesque park which was originally the site of Morioka Castle, home to the Nanbu clan. Surrounding the castle site are many of Morioka’s old merchant districts, such as Konya-cho and Sakana-cho where traditional buildings remain intact.

Nansho Estate – (10:00-17:00/JPY200) built in 1885 as a private residence to Morioka businessman, Yasugoro Segawa. The landscaped gardens, which took years to complete, are designated as a Registered Monument of Japan. The estate remains as one of Morioka’s few residences and gardens from the Meiji era. Wander through the estate which often holds various exhibitions. Take a break in the tearoom while sipping green tea.

Hoonji (500 Disciples of Buddha Temple) – (09:00-16:00/JPY300) This temple houses 499 statues of Buddha’s disciples, each with a different expression and pose. Include yourself to make 500 disciples.

Asabiraki Sake Brewery – (09:00-16:30) opened in 1871 by a samurai of the Nanbu clan, the Asabiraki Sake Brewery is renowned for its techniques, known as Nanbu style. “Nanbu Toji”, a group of sake brewing experts formed in the area over 300 years ago, has become famous throughout Japan and are often invited to sake breweries throughout Japan to impart their brewing expertise. Free sake sampling is available. Free tours of the brewery are available when an English-speaking staff member is available.

Stay: Hotel Metropolitan Morioka New Wing - 1/3

Day 12 - Morioka

Today make a trip to Ryusendo Cave which is a 2 hour 15 minute drive from Morioka.

Ryusendo Cave (08:30-18:00/JPY1,000) is one of Japan’s three great limestone caves and has been designated, along with the bats inside, as a national treasure.

The cave extends to at least 3,600m of so far explored passage, but is thought to be 5,000m or more. Visitors are able to explore 700m into the cave and see three of the underwater lakes, the deepest at 98m and with a brilliant blue appearance.

Return Morioka and drop your rental vehicle at Morioka Station.

Stay: Hotel Metropolitan Morioka New Wing - 2/3

Day 13 - Morioka - Kakunodate - Morioka

From Morioka Station board a Komachi bullet train to Kakunodate. (50 mins)

Kakunodate is a small castle town, famous for its 390-year old, well-preserved samurai mansions that lie in the Inner District. South, in the Outer District, was a bustling merchant district. Many old buildings and storehouses remain, and are used today as shops and restaurants.

The small town of Kakunodate can easily be explored on foot. Stroll through the historic streets for the atmosphere of the Edo period.

Walk to Bukeyashiki Street (15 mins) where a number of samurai houses are open to public. The Ishiguro House (08:00 – 17:00/JPY300) is still inhabited by descendants of the original Ishiguro family, the most prestigious samurai family in the Kakunodate region. The Aoyagi House (09:00 – 17:00/JPY500) was home to descendants of the Aoyagi family until 1985 and is now home to a number of exhibitions and small museums in the old buildings on the property.

Visit the nearby Kaba Craft Denshokan (09:00 – 17:00/JPY300) where you can observe a demonstration of the local traditional craft ‘Kabazaiku’, which involves crafting boxes, tea utensils and furniture with a veneer of the bark of mountain cherry blossom trees.

In the afternoon, visit the merchant district to explore the kura storehouses where local handicrafts are exhibited and sold.

Stay: Hotel Metropolitan Morioka New Wing - 3/3

Day 14 - Depart Tokyo

Check-out of your accommodation and from Morioka Station board a Hayabusa bullet train to Tokyo Station. (150 mins) Change trains and board the Narita Express train to Narita Airport. (50 mins)

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