AUTUMN HOKKAIDO & TOHOKU

Thursday, October 16 (Day 01)
HONOLULU to NARITA to CHITOSE
Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the Japan Airlines lobby at the airport for baggage check in procedures. We will depart Honolulu on Japan Airlines for Narita International Airport. Lunch and a snack will be served on board the flight. After completing entry and customs formalities at Narita Airport, we’ll transfer for our domestic flight to Chitose International Airport in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost and second largest island.

Friday, October 17 (Day 02)
ARRIVE CHITOSE
We’ll arrive Chitose Airport in the evening, then transfer to our hotel to check in for the night.
 

Saturday, October 18 (Day 03)
CHITOSE - LAKE SHIKOTSU - OTARU - SAPPORO (B)(D)
Enjoy a view of scenic Lake Shikotsu, a caldera lake located in the central part of Hokkaido. Famed for the clarity of its water and surrounded by hills, it forms a part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. We’ll travel on to Otaru, a charming port city known for its historic Otaru Canal. Sections of the canal are lined with many photogenic Meiji and Taisho-era buildings, giving it the atmosphere of an old harbor town. Otaru is also known for its glassware and we’ll have an opportunity to browse through some glass shops displaying some of their intricate products. We’ll continue on to the city of Sapporo to visit the Historical Museum of Hokkaido in the Nopporo Forest Park. The Main Exhibition is divided into eight chronological themes that examine the lifestyles and cultures of Hokkaido, starting with basic survival right up to the present, and with a look into the future as well. We’ll drive by to view “Tokei-dai” (Clock Tower), the symbol and landmark of Sapporo and Odori Park, a wide promenade stretching from east to west in the center of the city connected to a large underground shopping mall. Enjoy a stroll through the park displaying art objects, fountains, acacia plants and beautiful flowerbeds. This evening, we’ll enjoy a delicious Genghis Khan dinner at the Sapporo Beer Garden.
 

Sunday, October 19 (Day 04)
SAPPORO - SHIRAOI - NOBORIBETSU (B)(D)
We’ll travel south to Shiraoi and visit Poroto-kotan, a recreated Ainu Village with thatched communal huts and a museum. The museum displays many interesting exhibits and artifacts relating to the history, culture and lifestyle of the Ainu people. Lectures on Ainu culture are given in the straw huts and traditionally dressed Ainu men and women perform the ritual song and dance - “iyomante rimse” - including a demonstration of how to play the “mukkur”, a mouth harp made of a piece of thin shaved bamboo with a thread attached to it creating a strange, resonating sound. We’ll continue on to Noboribetsu, Hokkaido’s most famous hot spring resort beautifully surrounded by forested hills to spend the night. Enjoy dinner and relax in the fabulous onsen at the hotel this evening.
 

Monday, October 20 (Day 05)
NOBORIBETSU - HAKODATE (B)(D)
This morning before departing Noboribetsu, we’ll visit “Jigokudani” (Valley of Hell), a volcanic ravine with steaming and sulfurous vents and streams of hot water bubbling out of the rocks. We’ll continue our drive around picturesque Uchiura Bay and scenic Toya-ko, a large and attractive caldera lake in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. We’ll make a stop to see a spectacular view of Showa Shin-zan, a dome located on the east flank of Mt. Usu - created as a result of hundreds of explosive eruptions. Hissing steam still escapes through some of the fissures of this new mountain. We’ll continue our drive around the bay to spend the night in the seaport city of Hakodate, Hokkaido’s third largest city located at the island’s southern tip. The city is overlooked by Mt. Hakodate and famous for “Fort Goryokaku”, Japan’s first Western style fortress built in the shape of a five-pointed star. Most of the fort was demolished and its ruins are now Goryokaku Park. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and this star-shaped fort from the observation deck of Goryokaku Tower. Dinner will be provided for you tonight.
 

Tuesday, October 21 (Day 06)
HAKODATE - SEIKAN UNDERSEA TUNNEL - AOMORI (B)(D)
This morning enjoy a shopping excursion at the Hakodate (asaichi) Morning Market where many indoor and outdoor local vendors offer a wide selection of dried seafood products and various other merchandise. We’ll transfer to the Hakodate Railway Station to board a train for a relaxing ride through the Seikan Undersea Tunnel - connecting Hokkaido to the main island of Honshu. We’ll arrive in Aomori, the capital city of Aomori Prefecture in the afternoon and transfer to our hotel to check in for the night. The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure to explore the city on your own or do some shopping at the various shops located around the hotel. Dinner will be provided for you this evening.
 

Wednesday, October 22 (Day 07)
AOMORI - MORIOKA (B)
This morning we’ll visit the Nebuta Gallery where colossal floats featured during the Nebuta Matsuri held in the summer are displayed. These floats are huge colorful paper-mache “nebuta” - created as a figure of a theme from history or the Kabuki Theatre. Our tour continues on to enjoy a scenic drive through the breathtaking Hakkoda mountain range and the serene Oirase Valley. Plunging waterfalls and cascades of water gush between moss-covered boulders - winding along the pretty Oirase River. We’ll drive by scenic Towada-ko, a large crater lake en route to Morioka, one of the most appealing old castle towns in Japan and famous for its production of nanbu tetsubin (cast ironware). We’ll visit the Morioka Tezukuri Mura (Handy Works Center), a local industry promotion center. Wood work, pottery, metal work, food, and dye workshops are set up to observe experienced craftsmen at work and many of these local products are displayed and available for purchase. Enjoy the experience of making your own nambu senbei at one of the workshops. We will spend the night in the city of Morioka. Dinner will be on your own this evening to try some of the local style cuisine at one of the restaurants located around the hotel.
 

Thursday, October 23 (Day 08)
MORIOKA - HIRAIZUMI - MATSUSHIMA (B)(D)
This morning our drive takes us to Hiraizumi to enjoy a scenic and relaxing ride on the peaceful waters through Geibi-kei Gorge with a serenading boatman on board a flat-bottomed boat. Enjoy the breathtaking view of numerous rock formations and sheer cliffs as we glide on the river through the gorge. We’ll continue on to spend the night in Matsushima - a picturesque town with a breathtaking view of scenic Matsushima Bay . The view of the pine-studded islets in the bay is noted as one of the three most beautiful sites of Japan - Nihon Sankei. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to stroll through the shops in this quaint little town. As an option, you may want to visit Zuigan-ji, one of Tohoku’s finest Zen Temples with its beautiful painted screens and interior carvings. Relax in the grand bath and enjoy a fabulous dinner this evening at the hotel.
 

Friday, October 24 (Day 09)
MATSUSHIMA - FUKUSHIMA - NIHONMATSU - URA BANDAI (B)(D)
Kokeshi dolls are one of the most popular and famous products in Japan as a traditional folkcraft with a long renowned tradition in the Tohoku area. Every doll has its own characteristic and we’ll enjoy the experience of painting your own creation on a wooden kokeshi doll to take home as a souvenir. Our journey continues on to Fukushima, the southernmost prefecture of Tohoku to Nihonmatsu. One of the highlights is the “Kiku-Matsuri” (Chrysanthemum Festival) held annually on the grounds of Kasumigajo Castle. Enjoy a beautiful display of brightly colored chrysanthemum flowers draped on mannequins displayed as scenes of various themes. These flowers were introduced into Japan in the 8th century and the Emperor has adopted this flower as his official seal. We’ll continue on to spend the night at the peaceful mountain onsen resort of Ura Bandai. Enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing hot springs this evening.
 

Saturday, October 25 (Day 10)
URA BANDAI - AIZU WAKAMATSU - NIKKO - KINUGAWA SPA (B)(D)
Our journey continues on to Aizu Wakamatsu, a small castle town to visit the famous “Buke-Yashiki” (Samurai Mansion), a sprawling complex that includes the reconstructed estate of the principal retainer of the Aizu clan. This residence, which consists of 38 rooms, was recreated as they would be during the Edo period - including the furniture, household effects and armor. We’ll continue on to visit Nikko, a small city located at the entrance to Nikko National Park. This area is considered one of Japan’s major tourist attractions due to its splendid shrines and temples and beautiful autumn foliage. (weather permitting) Enjoy the breathtaking view of Kegon-no-taki - a 97m waterfall flowing out of Lake Chuzenji, regarded as one of the three most beautiful waterfalls in Japan and Tosho-gu - a huge stone torii (Shinto Shrine entrance gate). Relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery as we drive along the Iroha-zaka winding road. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at our elegant onsen hotel.
 

Sunday, October 26 (Day 11)
KINUGAWA SPA - TOKYO (B)
We’ll depart this morning to spend our last evening in the exciting metropolitan city of Tokyo. On arrival, enjoy a stroll through Nakamise-dori, a shopping street with a variety of shops offering typical Japanese souvenirs and traditional local snacks located adjacent to the Asakusa Kannon Temple, Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple. We’ll make a stop at Ameyokocho, a busy wholesale district with indoor and outdoor vendors offering a wide variety of food products and various merchandise at discounted prices. The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure for shopping or independent activities. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own at one of the local restaurants in the shopping mall located adjacent to the hotel.
 

Monday, October 27 (Day 12)
TOKYO - NARITA TO HONOLULU(B)
The morning is at your leisure to enjoy some activities on your own - shopping, visiting with friends, or more sightseeing of this exciting metropolitan city. We will depart for Narita International Airport in the afternoon. Our evening flight home will be arriving Honolulu in the morning of the same day due to the crossing of the International Dateline. A meal will be served on board the flight.

The tour price is based on double occupancy and a minimum group size of 20 passengers. Fare adjustment may apply for groups of 20 or under. The rate is based on tariffs and exchange rates effective 12/31/07. Tour fare is subject to change according to any airfare and government tax increase, additional fuel surcharges and fluctuation of the rate of exchange between U.S. and foreign currency. In the event of revaluation, the land portion of the tour price may be adjusted prior to your final statement.