AJT 15D/16D Hokkaido, Tohoku & Central Japan

Visit Hokkaido, Tohoku and Central Japan (Tokyo & Kyoto)

Sapporo - Otaru - Shiraoi - Noboribetsu - Lake Toya - Hakodate - Seikan Tunnel - Aomori - Towada - Morioka - Hiraizumi - Matsushima - Nikko - Tokyo - Hakone - Mt Fuji - Takayama - Shirakawa-go - Kanazawa - Kyoto - Nara – Osaka

Tour Highlights

• Journey north to main islands Hokkaido and Tohoku, as well as to famous sites in Central Japan.
• Enjoy a balance of stunning landscapes, historical landmarks, and modern attractions.
• Learn how to makeyour own sushi with a professional sushi chef.
• Visit Nikko, a city known for breathtaking scenery, majestic waterfalls, and many shrines.
• Travel from the hidden-gems of Hokkaido to the busy city of Tokyo, all in one trip!
• Opportunities to see cherry blossoms, festivals, or autumn leaves.
• Experience a traditional green tea ceremony hosted by an apprentice geisha (maiko).
• Select itineraries include the Takyama Autumn Festival, Kyoto Aoi Festival, or the Takayama Spring Festival.

Inclusion

• 12 nights Western style and 3 nights Japanese style accommodation
• Meet and greet upon arrival at Sapporo New Chitose Airport
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Private coach transfers between destinations in Japan
• Comprehensive escorted with AJT professional English speaking tour guide
• Gratuities
• Meals: Daily breakfast, 8 lunches and 7 dinners
• Admission fees and activities: All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary
• Exploring Japan's two main islands: Hokkaido & Honshu during Autumn Leaves season.

Tour Dates: 7 Nov 2020 | 6 Nov 2021 | 5 Nov 2022
Experience Japan's famous cherry blossom trees and captivating wisteria flowers while exploring popular attractions and local gems.
Tour Dates: 18 Apr 2021 | 17 Apr 2022
Exploring Japan's two main islands: Honshu & Hokkaido, as well as the Takayama Hachiman Autumn Festival
Tour Dates: 6 Oct 2020 | 6 Oct 2021 | 6 Oct 2022 Experience one of Kyoto's largest festivals, visit Japan's main cities, see the baby blue eye flowers, and catch sight of cherry blossoms in Northern Japan.
Tour Dates: 3 May 2021 | 3 may 2022
Travel on a cherry blossom filled journey through Honshu and Hokkaido, and experience the Takayama Spring Festival. Tour Dates: 11 Apr 2021 | 11 Apr 2022

Itinerary In Brief
Day 1: Arrive in Sapporo
Day 2: Otaru - Sapporo
Day 3: Sapporo - Shiraoi - Noboribetsu
Day 4: Lake Toya - Hakodate
Day 5: Seikan Undersea Tunnel - Aomori - Towada
Day 6: Morioka - Hiraizumi
Day 7: Matsushima
Day 8: Nikko
Day 9: Tokyo
Day 10: Tokyo
Day 11: Hakone - Mt. Fuji
Day 12: Matsumoto - Takayama
Day 13: Shirakawa-go - Kanazawa - Bullet Train Ride
Day 14: Kyoto
Day 15: Kyoto - Nara - Osaka
Day 16: Tour ends

Day 1 - Sapporo New Chitose Airport

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

Day 2 - Otaru (Otaru Canal / Sakaimachi Street - Kitaichi Garasukan - Otaru Music Box Museum), Sapporo (Clock Tower / Odori Park / Susukino)

In the morning, we will travel to Otaru, renowned for its canals and glassblowing in Kitaichi Garasukan. 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. In the afternoon, we will visit 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.

Day 3 - Sapporo (Nijo Market / Historic Village), Biratori (Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum), Noboribetsu (Jigokudani)

In the morning, our tour of Sapporo continues with a visit to the Nijo Market, where you will see a variety of fresh, local fruits and vegetables. Next is a visit to the Historic Village, you can view architecture from the Meiji and Taisho periods when Japan experienced rapid expansion. Today we will have the opportunity to learn about the Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan. At Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum, you will have a chance to learn about the mukkuri, a traditional, plucked Japanese ideophone that is indigenous to the Ainu. The mukkuri is made from bamboo and is 10 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. Similar to a jaw harp, sounds are made when the strings are pulled and when the reed vibrates in the musician's mouth. In the afternoon, we will stop at Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resort, Noboribetsu Onsen. 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. Tonight we will stay in a traditional Japanese style hotel in Noboribetsu offering hot spring baths.

Day 4 - Lake Toya (Usuzan Ropeway), Onuma Park, Hakodate (Fort Goryokaku / Mt Hakodate Ropeway)

After breakfast, we will head to Lake Toya and take the Usuzan Ropeway to the observation deck and have a panoramic view of Lake Toya and neighboring Showa Shinzan. Along the way we stop at the Lake Onuma before arrive in Hakodate. Hakodate was one of the first Treaty Ports in Japan which opened up to world trade in 1854, so there are many preserved buildings around the area from that time. We will continue our tour to visit 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 gardens. In the evening, we will take a ropeway ride up to Mt Hakodate from where we can look down upon the twinkling lights that surround Hakodate Bay. The view from the mountain are spectacular and it's listed as Japan's three best night view alongside with the view from Nagasaki's Mount Inasa and Kobe's Mount Rokko.

Day 5 - Undersea Train from Hakodate to Aomori (Nebuta Warasse), Towada (Lake Towada / Oirase Gorge)

Today, we will travel across the Tsugaru Channel between the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu by train via the undersea train tunnel, before arriving to Aomori. We will visit the Nebuta Warasse, a well done museum about the Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori. Then we will visit Japan's third deepest lake - Lake Towada, a volcanic crater lake 44 km in circumference. We will go for a nature walk along the creek through Oirase Gorge. Over a dozen waterfalls cascade down into the stream all along its length from the walls of the gorge.The stream flows along the floor of the Oirase Gorge, winding among trees which a lush green in spring and summer and turn brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange from late October through early November.

Day 6 - Morioka (Morioka Handi - Works Square), Hiraizumi (Chusonji Temple)

In the morning, we head to Morioka for a visit to the Morioka Handi-Works Square, a facility where you can “see, touch, and create” various traditional craftworks and foods of Morioka. Then, visit 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 World Heritage site and is home to Konjiki-do (Golden Hall) within Chusonji Temple, which attempts to re-create an ideal Buddhism world. As such, it is host to an ensemble of exquisite "culture of gold" remnants from the brand of Buddhism that developed independently in the Tohoku region far away from the cultural center of Kyoto in the late Heian era of the 11th century. UNESCO has recognized this area as being a globally rare example of local culture to manifest on such a high level in the transitional period from the ancient era to the medieval period. Tonight we will stay in Matsushima where we will have dinner in the hotel.

Day 7 - Matsushima (Matsushima Cruise / Godaido / Zuiganji Temple)

Today, you will be visiting Matsushima, a picturesque bay full of pine tree covered small islands, where we explore ancient caves once frequented by meditating monks. Matsushima is 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 take the best way to view the islands by boarding one of the sightseeing boat. We will then visit Godaido and Zuiganji Temple, the most famous in the Tohoku region, thatwas built by Date Masamune and is designated as a national treasure. Tonight, we will stay in the Onsen Ryokan at Kinugawa Onsen, where you can soak in the therapeutic water of a spa bath and feast on a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Day 8 - Nikko (Toshogu Shrine / Futarasan-Shrine / Rinnoji Temple / Kegon Waterfall / Lake Chuzenji)

After a Japanese breakfast at the ryokan, we will start a tour of Nikko. The shrines and temples of Nikko, together with their natural surroundings, have for centuries been closely associated with the history of the Tokugawa Shoguns. We will visit the lavishly decorated Toshogu Shrine set in a grove of magnificent ancient Japanese cedars. Then, visit Futarasan-Shrine and the Rinnoji complex of Buddhist temples founded in 766 BC by the Buddhist hermit Shoto. Next is a visit to the Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Waterfall. The almost 100 meter tall Kegon Waterfall is the most famous of Nikko's many beautiful waterfalls. In fact, it is even ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful falls, along with Nachi Waterfall in Wakayama Prefecture and Fukuroda Waterfall in Ibaraki Prefecture. In the evening, we will proceed to Tokyo for a night stay before your return flight on the next day.

Day 9 - Tokyo (Free day)

Today you will have a free day in Tokyo. Tokyo is Japan's most well-known and populated city. From pop culture or historic temples to relaxation or shopping, there is no shortage of things to do here! You are free to plan your own route or we are happy to provide suggestions. Tokyo is well known for its culinary diversity so we recommend that you take this opportunity to explore and find yourself some great eats! Lunch and dinner are not included today so you will be free to choose from the wide range Tokyo has to offer.

Day 10 - Tokyo (Asakusa Sensoji Temple / Sushi Making Experience / Tsukiji Outer Market / Imperial Palace / Tokyo Tower)

Today, you will be taken to the Asakusa Kannon Temple, an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. You will also be able to explore the Nakamise Market, which is located right after the temple's outer gates. It is a traditional-style shopping street with centuries of history. Next, you will have the chance to enjoy a sushi making experience with a professional sushi chef. Whatever you prepare, you will get to eat! Afterwards, we will proceed to the Tsukiji Outer Market, where various restaurants and shops line the streets. Then, pay a visit to the Imperial Palace, the former site of Edo Castle and current residence of Japan's Imperial Family. In the afternoon, we will visit the the world's tallest self-supporting steel tower. At 333 meters high, Tokyo Tower is 13 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower. You will be able to sightsee 150 meters up at the main observatory deck and get a bird's eye view of the city.

Note: For Sushi Making Experience, if you are vegetarian, on gluten-free diets, have seafood allergy, or don't eat raw fish, please contact us for other ingredient options.

Day 11 - Hakone (Hakone Ropeway / Owakudani), Mt Fuji

We will depart from Tokyo to Hakone on our private luxury coach. We will take a tour of Hakone by taking a 20 minute ropeway from Togendai to Owakundani. Most of the area around Owakundani is considered an active volcanic zone since its creation from the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. Now, you can experience hot springs and hot rivers there, where sulfurous fumes still linger. Owakundani also has splendid views of Mount Fuji in good weather. From Hakone we will proceed to Mt. Fuji. Along the way, enjoy the changing scenery, from thick vegetation to lowlands to rolling clouds. Stop at Mt. Fuji 5th station (depending on weather) to admire the world famous peak. We will stay at the Onsen Ryokan at Yatsugatake, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a spa bath and feast on a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Day 12 - Matsumoto (Matsumoto Castle), Takayama (Old Town / Takayama Jinya)

Today we will head to Matsumoto where we'll visit the photogenic Matsumoto Castle, or Black Crow Castle, dating back over 400 years. Then, we will continue on to Takayama. This city is located amongst the Japanese Alps and is known as "Little Kyoto" for its preserved historical structures and environment. Due to its remote position in the mountains, it was cut off from the rest of Japan for most of its history and thus has maintained a very unique and traditional atmosphere. We'll explore the old town of Takayama. Along the way you'll notice the huge cedar balls hanging from the eaves of several shops - these indicate that the shops are sake. Next, visit Takayama Jinya, the only traditional local government office in existence and a fine example of a miniature palace containing offices, an interrogation room with torture devices and a 440- year old rice granary.

Day 13 - Takayama (Morning Market), Shirakawa-go (Shiroyama Viewpoint - Gassho-zukuri Minkaen), Kanazawa (Kenrokuen), Shinkansen Bullet Train Ride from Maibara to Kyoto

This morning, we'll enjoy the lively city market before heading to the World Heritage-listed rural area of Shirakawa-go. Shirakawa-go is home of the UNESCO designated gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Gassho-zukuri translates to "prayer hands", in which the roofs resemble hands in prayer. Visitors can see great views of Ogimachi Village from the Shiroyama Viewpoint. We will also tour the Gassho-zukuri Minkaen, an open air museum of farmhouses and other structures. From Shirakawa-go, we will depart to Kanazawa to visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of three most beautiful strolling gardens of Japan. The name Kenrokuen literally means a garden combining the 6 attributes of a perfect landscape: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water features, and panoramas. Here, you'll find the oldest fountain in Japan and Kotoji-toro, the two- legged stone lantern that is iconic of Kenrokuen and Kanazawa. Next, experience a Shinkansen bullet train ride from Maibara to Kyoto, which can reach speeds of up to 300 km/hr. We will stay two nights in Kyoto, a historical city. During World War II it was spared from air raids and saved from the atomic bomb for its cultural and historical value.

Day 14 - Kyoto (Kiyomizu Temple / Nishijin Kimono Show / Golden Pavilion / Arashiyama - Tenryuji Temple Zen Garden - Bamboo Grove - Togetsukyo Bridge / Gion Geisha District)

Today we will start our tour of Kyoto, once the capital of Japan and still considered its cultural center. First is a visit to the famous Kiyomizu Temple, best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. The stage affords visitors a nice view of the numerous cherry and maple trees below that erupt in a sea of color in spring and fall, as well as of the city of Kyoto in the distance. At the Nishijin Textile Center, you can view displays of kimonos and even watch a kimono fashion show. Visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) covered with 18 carat gold leaf. This three story structure was originally built by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. Next is a visit to Arashiyama to see Tenryuji Temple where you can have a glimpse of traditional Zen landscape garden design. Then proceed through a dense bamboo grove, past several small shrines, tea shops and private houses before arriving at the Togetsukyo Bridge over Hozu River. Lastly, we will tour Gion, the old Geisha Quarter, and Pontocho, whose cobblestone alleys vibrate with night life.

Day 15 - Kyoto (Green Tea Ceremony with Maiko Interaction / Fushimi Inari Shrine), Nara (Todaiji Temple / Deer Park), Osaka (Dotonbori - Shinsaibashi)

The day begins with a green tea ceremony and a meet- and-greet with a maiko – an apprentice geisha. You will have photo-taking opportunities and a chance to interact with the maiko. After that, make your way to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. The shrine is famous for its thousands of stunning vermilion torii gates that are lined along a 4 km (2.5 mile) long tunnel, which was even featured in the film "Memoirs of a Geisha". This complex wraps around a bamboo wilderness that consists of mountains, streams, and ponds, making it the perfect backdrop for a scenic hike. We will then travel to Nara, where we will go to Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in Japan. The temple also houses one of the largest bronze statues of Buddha at 15 meters (49 feet) tall. Nearby, explore the surrounding Deer Park, filled with over 1,000 Sika Deer. Our final stop of the day will be in Osaka. We will spend some time in Dotonbori, a popular shopping, entertainment, and food district. It is known for the hundreds of neon and mechanized signs that line its streets. Our group will also stop by Shinasaibashi, one of Osaka's oldest shopping destinations.

Day 16 - Tour Ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am and Osaka Kansai Airport can be reached in a three minute walk.

Travel through three stunning regions of Japan for the journey of a lifetime: Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Central Japan.

For those who wish to have a more meaningful and in- depth exploration of Japan, this tour offers insight into three of Japan's stunning regions. On this tour, you'll visit the northern island of Hokkaido, northern Honshu, also known as Tohoku, and Central Japan. Enjoy your trip with All Japan Tours as you travel on private coach bus accompanied by a professional English-speaking guide. Stay at comfortable accommodations throughout the tour in selected cities. This itinerary focuses on historical towns and scenic rural landscapes, while also including modern city attractions and famous must-see sights in Japan.

Start your journey in Hokkaido, home to several National Parks, unique wildlife, and an abundance of beauitful scenery. Explore Sapporo, where you will have the chance to visit the Sapporo Clock Tower and learn more about the city's rich history. Continue through Noboribetsu and Biratori before reaching Hakodate, one of the first port cities to be open to foreign trade. Here, you will be able to visit the morning market known for their fresh seafood or you can witness the beautiful cherry blossoms at Goryokaku Fort. Board the bullet train from Hakodate to Morioka through the Seikan Undersea Tunnel where you will experience being 240 m (790 ft) below sea level as you travel the world's longest tunnel with an undersea segment.

Once on the island of Honshu, explore the Tohoku region, visiting scenic places such as Hiraizumi and Matsushima. In Hiraizumi, visit Chusonji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by colorful autumn leaves during the fall months. Matsushima Bay has been known as one of the top most scenic places in all of Japan. Hop abaord a short cruise ship, touring the bay area and taking in the marvelous views. Make your way towards Nikko, a place known for its breathtaking sceneries, magnificent craftsmanship and cultural impact. Visit the Toshogu Shrine, home to the famous carving of the “See no Evil, Hear no Evil and Speak no Evil” monkeys.

Journey through Tokyo, the capital of Japan, as you learn to make your own sushi with a professional chef and explore Tokyo's oldest temple, Asakusa Senso-ji Temple. Take in the majestic views of Mt. Fuji as you travel to the 5th Station, the end of the Fuji Subaru Line toll road and the highest point that general cars can reach. Depending on the tour selected, you may then travel to either Takayama, where you can witness the beautiful biannual Takayama festival during spring or autumn, or travel to Koka or Hikone, where you will find the famous Miho Museum and the original Hikone Castle. Once in Kyoto, allow your guide to help you navigate the anceint city filled with temples, shrines, and serene gardens. End your tour with a visit to Nara and Osaka, where you can do some last- minute shopping at Shinsaibashi, Osaka's large shopping district.

All Japan Tours selects dates aligning with seasonal attractions, such as the Takayama Spring Festival, Wisteria and Cherry Blossom viewing, Baby Blue Eyes Flowers at the Hitachi Seaside Park, and the Kyoto Aoi Festival in Spring. During the autumn season, travelers have the opportunity to experience the Takayama Autumn Festival and fall foliage viewing on select departure dates. Get the most out of your trip to Japan by learning more about the culture and history while allowing us to take care of the details. You can relax knowing that All Japan Tours will show you the highlights of Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Central Japan.