Charms of Northern Japan Tour (Reverse): Cherry Blossoms & Wisteria

Day 1

Tokyo Narita Airport

Welcome to Tokyo! You will be met at the arrival gate by an AJT representative holding an "All Japan Tours" sign.

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class

NOTE 1: The meet and greet is ONLY available for flights arriving at Narita Airport after 11:00 AM on the first day. If you will be flying into Haneda Airport (HND) instead of Narita Airport (NRT), we will provide with full instructions to get to the hotel in advance, or we can arrange shared shuttle service for you at US$60.00 per person per way.

NOTE 2: If you wish to stay extra nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.

Day 2

Tochigi (Ashikaga Flower Park), Nikko (Toshogu Shrine)

Today we travel to Tochigi Prefecture to visit Ashikaga Flower Park, beloved for its many-colored wisteria flowers. The bright umbrella of hanging blue, white, and pink flowers hang over your strolling paths as you head to the centerpiece of the park. The main attraction of the park is undoubtedly the Great Wisteria Tree, which is over 150 years old and blooms every year a vast canopy of blue flowers. Additional flowers such as azaleas can be seen - a lovely complement to the wisteria hanging throughout Ashikaga Flower Park. Afterward, we'll travel overland to Nikko National Park, a lovely region set in the mountains north of Tokyo. As the Japanese say, "Don't say kekko (wonderful) without seeing Nikko." The shrines and temples of Nikko, together with their natural surroundings, have been connected to the Tokugawa family for centuries. We will visit the main attraction of Nikko - Toshogu Shrine. Toshogu enshrines the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate and is lavishly decorated with a large amount of gold leaf and countless wooden carvings of various creatures. Be sure not to miss the carving of the Three Wise Monkeys over the stable of the sacred horse, and look for the carving of Sleeping Cat. The shrine also contains a magnificent grove of ancient Japanese sugi cedars along a path of hundreds of stone steps leading to Tokugawa Ieyasu's grave. Toshogu Shrine is, without doubt, one of the grandest monuments of ancient Japan.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Hotel Floracion Nasu or similar class

Day 3

Matsushima (Matsushima Fish Market / Matsushima Cruise / Godaido / Zuiganji Temple)

In the morning, travel to Matsushima, a picturesque bay full of small islands covered in pine trees where we will explore ancient caves once frequented by meditating monks. We first will stop by the Matsushima Fish Market, with fresh seafood of the highest quality. Be sure to visit the restaurants to try the famous Miyagi Oysters, known for their creamy and slightly nutty flavor. Many of the restaurants even offer all-you-can-eat oysters! Matsushima is also famous for being one of Japan's three most scenic views alongside Miyajima and Amanohashidate. The bay is dotted by over 200 small islands covered by pine trees. We will enjoy the best way to view the islands by boarding one of the sightseeing boats. We will then visit Godaido and Zuiganji Temples, the most famous in the Tohoku region, built by Date Masamune and designated as a national treasure. Tonight, we will stay in a Japanese-style room in Matsushima, where you can soak in the soothing waters of a spa bath and feast on a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel Matsushima Taikanso or similar class

Day 4

Hiraizumi (Chusonji Temple), Kitakami (Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival), Morioka (Wanko Soba)

This morning, we will head to Hiraizumi for a cultural interlude and to stroll around the magnificent Japanese Cedar Trees and photogenic buildings at Chusonji Temple. Hiraizumi is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the site of Konjiki-do, or “Golden Hall”, within Chusonji Temple, which attempts to create the ideal world, as seen through the eyes of the particular brand of Buddhism that developed in this region. As such, many artifacts on display here exhibit a “culture of gold” which calls back to said brand of Buddhism which was able to develop in the Tohoku region independent from the influence of the cultural center that was, and still is, Kyoto. This makes Chusonji a rare example of a local culture being allowed to mature to such a degree without outside influence, and for such a long period of time – from the ancient to medieval period. In Kitakami, you will be able to enjoy the Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival where you can see over 300 carp streamers hung from one side of the river to the other or walk through the tunnel of cherry blossom trees. Before heading to your hotel, you will stop in Morioka for dinner. Here, you will have the chance to try one of the city’s most famous eating experiences: Wanko Soba. This is not so much a dish as it is an eating challenge. Many locals get competitive and strive to eat over 100 bowls of soba in one sitting! But don’t worry, there’s no shame in sitting back and enjoying the flavor.

Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel Metropolitan Morioka or similar class

Day 5

Bullet Train from Morioka to Hakodate through the Seikan Undersea Tunnel, Hakodate (Fort Goryokaku / Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse / Mt Hakodate Ropeway)

In the morning, we will travel across the Tsugaru Channel between the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu by train via the undersea train tunnel, before arriving to Hakodate. It is a small city that has some of the most authentic and best- preserved historic buildings in Japan. Upon arrival in Hakodate, visit the Goryokaku Pentagonal Fort, built in 1868 and the only structure of its kind in Japan. The surrounding moat and defensive grounds are now a city park and garden which are particularly well known for their beautiful cherry blossom trees. You will then visit the group of warehouses which face Hakodate bay. These warehouses can trace their roots to the Kanemori Haberdasher’s shop, which first opened in 1869. In the evening, take a tram and ropeway ride up to Mt Hakodate from where you can look down upon the twinkling lights that surround Hakodate Bay. The views from the mountain are spectacular and included among Japan's three best night views.

Breakfast / Lunch

Hakodate Kokusai Hotel or similar class

Day 6

Hakodate (Morning Market), Onuma Park, Lake Toya (Usuzan Ropeway)

In the morning, we will be going to the Hakodate Morning Market. It has over 450 shops and was established after World War II. This morning market is the third largest in Hokkaido. We’ll then visit Onuma Quasi National Park. This picturesque park is filled with lakes dotted by islands with the majestic volcano, Mount Komagatake, overtaking the horizon. Next to Lake Toya, travel up the Usuzan Ropeway to get excellent views of the mountain and the lake below. At the volcano’s summit, you can also get views of the ocean.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Noboribetsu Manseikaku or similar class

Day 7

Noboribetsu (Jigokudani), Shiraoi (Upopoy National Ainu Museum), Sapporo (Clock Tower / Odori Park / Susukino)

In the morning, we will visit the Jigokudani. The valley generates 10,000 tons of bubbling water everyday, and visitors can walk to the nearby Oyunuma Lake and watch the plumes of steam rise. Today we will have the opportunity to learn about the Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan. We will visit the Upopoy National Ainu Museum, a newer museum facility that celebrates the cultural heritage of the native Ainu people, including exhibits on Ainu language, culture, history, crafts, music, and dance. In the afternoon, we proceed to Sapporo city. The tour includes a visit to the Sapporo Clock Tower and Odori Park, where you can stroll along the promenade. The next stop is Susukino, Hokkaido's largest entertainment district. In the evening is for you to enjoy your free time.

Breakfast / Lunch

ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo or similar class

Day 8

Sapporo (Historic Village of Hokkaido / Sapporo Beer Museum), Otaru (Otaru Canal / Sakaimachi Street - Kitaichi Garasukan - Otaru Music Box Museum)

In the morning our tour of Sapporo continues with a visit to the Historic Village of Hokkaido, you can view architecture from the Meiji and Taisho periods when Japan experienced rapid expansion. From there we will visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, dedicated to all things beer. Sapporo is Japan's oldest brewery and exports its beer throughout the world. Then, we will travel to Otaru, renowned for its canals and glassblowing. During the first half of the 20th century, the Otaru Canal was a vital part of the city's busy harbor. The canal allowed large vessels to be unloaded onto smaller ones, then transported to local warehouses. Although the canal became obsolete when modern dock facilities allowed for the direct unloading of large vessels, the canal remains an integral part of the city's history and culture. As part of a citizen's movement in the 1980s, the canal was beautifully restored and former warehouses have been transformed into cafes, restaurants, museums, and shops. Next, we will visit glass workshops and Music Box Museum in Sakaimachi Street.

Breakfast

ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Chitose or similar class

Day 9

Tour Ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am and New Chitose Airport can be reached by hotel shuttle bus.

Breakfast