Northern Japan Tours

17 Day Northern Japan Autumn Leaf Tour

Commencing in Sapporo, see the glorious autumn colours of Northern Japan. Travel by train from Hokkaido down to Tokyo with short stays in between.
This 17 day tour combines many highlights with a superb backdrop of autumn colours. *Extra nights can be added in Tokyo to make a longer Tour.

Day 01 - Arrive Sapporo

Welcome to Sapporo Japan!

Cathay Pacific fly internationally in Sapporo. Or consider a domestic flight with Jetstar, JAL or ANA from Tokyo.

Make your way to the train station within the airport and purchase a ticket on the spot to board the airport train to Sapporo Station. (40 min - JPY 1,590)

Your accommodation at the Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo is a five-minute walk from the station. Spend the day using your maps and guides to explore the sights around Sapporo.

Or you may like to visit the Sapporo Beer Hall. Here you can try some locally brewed beers, explore the museum and visit the Genghis Khan Hall where you can feast on the popular local dish of bbq lamb.

From stop #2 at the Sapporo Station North Exit bus terminal, board the Sapporo Beer Garden Ario Line Shuttle Bus (Line #188).

Stay: Keio Plaza Sapporo - 1/3

Day 02 - 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 1950s 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 Sapporo - 2/3

Day 03 - Sapporo

Using the maps and brochures provided, spend the day exploring Sapporo City.

From Sapporo Subway Station, board a Nanboku Line train to Odori Station. (2 min)
Odori Station is located at the eastern end of Odori Park, a wide median of parkland that stretches over 12 blocks through the centre of Sapporo City.

At one end of the park is Sapporo TV Tower (09:00-22:00 / JPY1000), which has an observation deck 90m up, and at the other end is the Former Sapporo Court of Appeal (Sapporo Shiryokan / 09:00-19:00) where you can observe the restored courtroom, learn about the history of Sapporo and enjoy the changing exhibitions in the gallery room. The historical building overlooks an extensive rose garden.

Next, from Odori Station board a Tozai Line train to Maruyamakoen Station. (5 min) From here it is a five-minute walk to Maruyama Park, a popular spot for locals to view the cherry blossoms. This expansive park around the foot of Mt Maruyama is surrounded by woodland, and squirrels are not an uncommon site. Trails lead up Mt Maruyama which can be hiked in about 45 mins.

In the late evening visit Susukino downtown area (just 2 stations from Sapporo station) where Japan's largest entertainment district. You can find variety of restaurants and bars for dinner.

Stay: Keio Plaza Sapporo - 3/3

Day 04 - Sapporo - Hakodate

Commencing using your 14 Day Japan Rail Pass. From Sapporo Station board a Limited Express Hokuto train to Hakodate. (3 hrs & 45 min)

Your accommodation at the Kokusai Hotel is a seven minute walk from the station.

After check in, commence sightseeing in Hakodate. Walk to the Hakodate Ekimae tram stop and using your Suica Card board a #2 or #5 tram to Goryokaku-Koen-Mae stop. (10 min/ JPY 230) From here it is a 10 minute walk to Fort Goryokaku, an impressive star-shaped citadel from the Edo period, and now registered as a special historic site. Go to the top of the nearby Goryokaku Tower (09:00-18:00/JPY900) for the best view of the fort and enjoy the autumn colours from the observation deck.

Return to the tram stop and board a #2 or #5 tram to Jujigai stop. (21mins/JPY230) From here, it is an 8 minute walk to the Mt Hakodate Ropeway (JPY 1,800/adult for return trip). Take a ride up to the mountain for an extraordinary panoramic view of Hakodate City.

Return to your accommodation in the evening.

Stay: Hakodate Kokusai Hotel - 1/2

Day 05 - Hakodate

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)

Visit the Morning Markets (06:00 – 14:00) 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. which is famous for its beautiful nature scenery. Have a relaxing day exploring 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 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 lake and islands which are connected by small bridges. Sightseeing boats are available to take you on 30-minute tours for JPY 1,460/person

Stay: Hakodate Kokusai Hotel - 2/2

Day 06 - Hakodate - Hirosaki

From Hakodate Station board a Limited Express Super Hokuto train to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. (20 mins) Make your way to the bullet train lines and board a Hayabusa bullet train to Shin-Aomori Station. (60 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. During autumn, the autumn foliage on the castle grounds is lit up from sunset to 21:00, perfect for an evening stroll.

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 07 - Hirosaki

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.

Stay: Art Hotel Hirosaki City - 2/2

Day 08 - Hirosaki - Hakkoda

Check-out of your accommodation and spend the morning further exploring Hirosaki. In the afternoon, board a Limited Express Tsugaru train from Hirosaki to Aomori Station. (33 mins) From here, board your courtesy shuttle to the Hotel Jogakura. (50 mins)

Set in the mountains, the Jogakura Onsen area is beautiful in Autumn. Nearby, the Jogakura Bridge is a popular sightseeing spot in autumn and an impressive sight amongst a sea of maple and birch trees. The bridge is the longest deck arch bridge in Japan at 360 meters long, and 120 meters above the Jogakura Keiryu stream.

In the other direction is Sukayu Onsen, well-known for its Sennin-buro ("1,000 Person Bath"), a mixed-gender public bath large enough to fit 1,000 people. The Sukayu Onsen area has various walking courses to enjoy the autumn colours, and which take you past natural attractions such as Manjufukashi and Jigokunuma ("Hell Pond"), a crater lake from which 2,700 liters of boiling, acidic water flows from the bottom every minute.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxing soak in the outdoor hot spring bath, which has a superb view of the birch forest and the soothing sound of a bubbling brook.

*Your stay at the Hotel Jogakura includes dinner and breakfast daily

Stay: Hotel Jogakura - 1/2

Day 09 - Hakkoda - Oirase Stream - Hakkoda

Request the hotel's courtesy shuttle to Tsuta Onsen. (30 mins) A visit to the Tsutanuma Pond is highly recommended in the early morning of mid to late October, when the trees glow a fiery red. A nature trail winds its way from the bath house to Tsutanuma and 5 other ponds with beautiful autumn colours.

Next, from the Tsuta Onsen bus stop, board the JR bus to the Yasumiya bus stop (51 mins), located on the southern bank of Lake Towada. Sightseeing cruises operate across Lake Towada, Honshu's largest Caldera Lake. The 50 minute cruise departs every 90 minutes from Yasumiya to Nenokuchi Port and costs JPY1,400pp.

At Nenokuchi, commence a walk along the scenic Oirase Stream which stretches approximately 14km, and is a popular spot for viewing the autumn colours. The JR Bus stops at various points along the route, from where you can board a JR Bus (bound for Aomori Station) back to Jogakura Onsen. (60-90 mins)

Stay: Hotel Jogakura - 2/2

Day 10 - Hakkoda - Morioka

Check-out of your accommodation and board the hotel courtesy shuttle bus back to Aomori Station at 09:00. From Aomori Station board a JR Ou Line train to Shin-Aomori Station. (5 mins) Transfer to the bullet train lines and board a Hayabusa bullet train to Morioka Station. (55 mins)

Your accommodation at the Hotel Metropolitan Morioka New Wing is a three minute walk from the station.

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 tea room 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 - 1/2

Day 11 - 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 - 2/2

Day 12 - Morioka - Ichinoseki

Check-out of your accommodation and from Morioka Station board a Yamabiko bullet train to Ichinoseki Station. (40 mins)

Your accommodation at the Kura Hotel is a two minute walk from the station.

Leave your luggage at the hotel and return to Ichinoseki Station. From Ichinoseki Station, board a JR Ofunato Line train to Geibikei Station. (30 mins) Geibikei Gorge is a five minute walk from the station. Alternatively, board an Iwate Kotsu bus from bus stop #7 in front of Ichinoseki Station to Geibikei-guchi stop. (42 mins/JPY620)

Admire the natural scenery on a 90 minute (JPY1,600/round trip) boat ride down the Satetsu river, through the Geibikei Gorge. The boat rides depart at 08:30, 09:30, then hourly from 10:00 to 16:00.

Cliff walls on either side soar over 50 meters high, and provide a canvas for the lush green foliage. Enjoy the folksongs of the boatsmen and feed the Japanese koi that swim alongside the boat. The turning point for the boat ride is the limestone shaped like a lion's nose, from which Geibikei gets its name. Here, passengers can alight from the boat and purchase lucky charms which they try to throw into a small cave in the cliff face on the other side.

Return to Ichinoseki in the late afternoon.

*Your stay at the Kura Hotel includes breakfast daily

Stay: Kura Hotel - 1/2

Day 13 - Ichinoseki - Hiraizumi - Ichinoseki

From Ichinoseki, board a JR Tohoku Line train to Hiraizumi. (8 mins/JPY200)

Hiraizumi was the administrative centre of the northern realm during the 11th and 12th centuries and produced gold and the fine paper and lacquer that was used in Kyoto's courts.

Hiraizumi is considered a Buddhist Capital and is home to five World Heritage-listed sites, a group of well-preserved temples and gardens based on the concept of Pure Land Buddhism.

The Hiraizumi "Run Run" loop bus departs Hiraizumi Station every 15 minutes and visits a number of attractions around the city. Purchase an all-day pass for JPY400 and visit:

Motsu-ji Temple (08:30 - 17:00/JPY500) - designated as both a Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty, Motsu-ji was once a complex of 40 temple buildings and 500 priests' quarters. The 'Pure Land Garden', which simulates the Buddhist afterlife, has been fully restored to its original state and is one of the most important sites in Japan's garden history.

Chuson-ji Temple (08:30 - 17:00/JPY800) - Chuson-ji was built to placate the spirits of all those who died in the bloody conflicts of the late eleventh century. Though much was destroyed by fires, over 3,000 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties remain. Among them the Konjikido, the first structure to be designated as a Japanese National treasure, is covered in gold leaf inside and out. The inside is intricately decorated with shell inlays, lacquer and metal fittings and entombs four consecutive generations of the first Oshu Fujiwara lord.

Next, travel to Genbikei by returning to Ichinoseki Station and boarding an Iwate Kotsu bus from bus stop #9 in front of Ichinoseki Station to Genbikei. (20 mins/JPY490)

Genbikei Gorge's 2km stretch of dynamin rock formations, emerald-green river and trees that lend a vast array of colours throughout the seasons has been designated as a national site of scenic beauty and national monument. Horse-drawn carriages lead tourists around the area, and the local specialty dango, or sweet rice dumplings, are a popular treat. Of the many dango shops, the most popular is the Kakko-Ya, which is positioned across the gorge and sells its "flying dango' via a rope a pulley system. Place your money in the basket and signal to the shop staff by striking a wooden mallet against a board, and watch as the basket flies across the gorge to collect your dumplings and some hot tea.

Stay: Kura Hotel - 2/2

Day 14 - Ichinoseki - Sendai

Check-out of the Kura Hotel Ichinoseki and from Ichinoseki Station board a Yamabiko bullet train to Sendai Station. (32 mins)

Your accommodation at the Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East is 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 barbeque, many restaurants will also serve it on top of rice, in a curry or in a stew.

Stay: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East - 1/3

Day 15 - Sendai - Matsushima - 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 - 2/3

Day 16 - Sendai - Yamadera - Sendai

Make a day trip to Yamadera by boarding a JR Senzan Line train from Sendai Station to Yamadera Station. (62 mins/JPY840)

Officially known as Risshakuji Temple (08:00-17:00/JPY300), Yamadera (its common name, meaning "Temple Mountain") is a temple sprawled across a mountainside, designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty. A hike up 1,000 stone steps will take you to the upper part of the temple grounds which offers spectacular views.

Stay: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East - 3/3

Day 17 - Depart Tokyo

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

Check-out of your accommodation and from Sendai Station board a Hayabusa bullet train to Tokyo Station. (95 mins) Change trains and board the Narita Express train to Narita Airport. (50 mins)

Be sure to check in at least 2 hours prior to your flight's scheduled departure.