- JPY 1,500 Suica Card
- 14 Day Japan Rail Pass
- 3 nights at the Keio Plaza Hotel - Sapporo
- 2 nights at the Hakodate Kokusai Hotel
- 2 nights at the Art Hotel Hirosaki City inc. breakfast daily - Hirosaki
- 2 nights at the Hotel Jogakura inc. dinner and breakfast daily - Hakkoda
- 2 nights at the Hotel Metropolitan Morioka New Wing inc. breakfast daily - Morioka
- 2 nights at the Kura Hotel Ichinoseki inc. breakfast daily - Ichinoseki
- 3 nights at the Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East - Sendai
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.
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 - 2/3
Japan Package Tours will be happy to prepare you a personalised itinerary to suit your budget and preferences.
Contact us now for a no-obligation quotation.