- 14 Day Japan Rail Pass
- Nikko World Heritage Tour (inc. lunch)
- 3 nights of accommodation at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo
- 2 nights of accommodation at the Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East
- 2 nights of accommodation at the Kura Hotel inc. breakfast in Ichinoseki
- 2 nights of accommodation at the Art Hotel Hirosaki City inc. breakfast
- 2 nights of accommodation at the Hotel Resol Hakodate
- 2 nights of accommodation at the Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Enjoy a two week long adventure in Japan's most northern regions Tohoku and Hokkaido. Indulge in local, fresh seafood, take in breathtaking natural scenery and uncover the unique culture of Japan's north. Take a traditional boat ride through the natural phenomenon Geibikei Gorge and visit the spiritual highlands of Hiraizumi.
*inclusions shown in the bullet points - package does not include airfares
Konjikido (Golden Hall), Chusonji Temple, Hiraizumi
From Ichinoseki, board a JR Tohoku Line train to Hiraizumi. (8 mins)
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
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