Thursday, May 11 (Day 01) 

HONOLULU TO HANEDA

Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the check-in lobby at the airport for baggage check-in procedures. We will depart Honolulu for Haneda International Airport. A meal and a snack will be served on board the flight.  

Friday, May 12 (Day 02) 

ARRIVE HANEDA TO CHITOSE

Upon arrival at the Haneda Airport, we’ll clear entry and customs formalities, then proceed to the domestic terminal to check-in for our flight to Chitose International  Airport in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost and second largest island. On arrival at  Chitose, we’ll check-in for the night at a hotel located within the airport terminal. 

Accommodations at CHITOSE AIR TERMINAL HOTEL or similar

Saturday, May 13 (Day 03) 

CHITOSE - OTARU - SAPPORO (B)(D)

We’ll travel to Otaru, a charming port city noted for historic Otaru Canal adorned with Victorian-style street lamps and old warehouses, providing a nostalgic atmosphere. Many of the buildings along the canal have been restored into museums,  restaurants and shops. Enjoy strolling along Sakaimachi-hondori, a preserved merchant street in the center of the town featuring sweet shops, glassware shops,  and a unique music box museum offering a wide selection of elegant music boxes.  In front of the entrance to the building stands an old-fashioned steam clock, pre-sented to Otaru by the city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Enjoy a hands-on activity to decorate your own music box to take home as a souvenir. Otaru is also noted for its intricate glassware featuring its most popular item to bring home as a souvenir - a drip-free soy sauce bottle. Created in all sizes, shapes, and colors, you’ll find them available at ‘Sa Shi Su Se So’, an outlet shop specializing in soy sauce bottles. Enjoy a visit of Kaitaku Kinenkan (the Historical Museum of  Hokkaido), an interesting museum located in the Nopporo Forest Park. The museum features well-presented exhibits that document the history of Hokkaido with artifacts and fossils including displays of the fascinating Ainu culture. We’ll continue on to spend the night in Sapporo, the fifth largest city in Japan and capital of  Hokkaido. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at a local restaurant.  

Accommodations at SAPPORO CENTURY ROYAL HOTEL or similar

Sunday, May 14 (Day 04) 

SAPPORO - TAKIKAWA - ASAHIKAWA (B)(D)

We’ll travel north to Takikawa, a city best known for its fields of beautiful yellow nanohana (canola blossoms) dominating the scenery (weather permitting). As we travel on the Hokkaido Expressway, we’ll make a stop at the Sunagawa Highway  Oasis, a large and bustling rest stop that was the first to open in Hokkaido. Enjoy sampling many selections of local products of Hokkaido that is available for purchase. We’ll continue on to Asahikawa, the second largest city in Hokkaido to spend the night. The island of Hokkaido is known to have the ideal climate and water conditions to produce superior sake. For sake enthusiasts, Otokoyama is  Asahikawa’s most famous sake - both in Japan and worldwide. We’ll visit the  Otokoyama Sake Brewery & Museum to see some tools and equipment utilized in the process of making sake. At the conclusion of the tour, some of their delicious products will be available for you to sample and enjoy. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel. 

Accommodations at ART HOTEL ASAHIKAWA or similar

Monday, May 15 (Day 05) 

ASAHIKAWA - YUBETSU - ABASHIRI (B)(D)

Our drive continues on to the town of Yubetsu to enjoy the breathtaking view of colorful tulips blooming vividly all in rows at the Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park, site of the annual Tulip Fair - one of the most popular flower festivals in Hokkaido. Many of the tulips are imported from Holland featuring several colorful varieties. We’ll continue on to spend the night in Abashiri, a small city located on the northern coast of Hokkaido, noted for its drift ice during the winter and as the site of Japan’s first maximum security prison. We’ll visit the Okhotsk Ryuhyo (drift ice) Museum located on Mount Tento, a hands-on science center providing the history of the drift ice that flows into the Sea of Okhotsk through an interesting video projected on a wide-screen in a theater. Experience walking through a room with freezing temperatures while swaying a wet towel that freezes as you exit the room. The Abashiri Prison Museum consists of many buildings which were in use until the year 1984. Only the most heinous criminals were banished to this forbidden northern outpost known as the ’Alcatraz’ of Japan. The cells, watch towers, and prison farm buildings show how stark and monotonous life was for inmates - relieved only by restricted bathhouse visits. Anguished-looking mannequins bring it all to life as we retrace the history of convict labor and the harsh life of a prisoner on a guided tour of this open-air site. Enjoy dinner and relax in the hot springs of our elegant ryokan overlooking Lake  Abashiri this evening. 

Accommodations at ABASHIRI KOSO HOTEL or similar

Tuesday, May 16 (Day 06) 

ABASHIRI - MT. MOKOTO - KUSHIRO (B)(D)

We’ll travel to the base of Mt. Mokoto to enjoy a spectacular view of shibazakura (pink & white phlox flowers) blooming vividly on a hill overlooking the picturesque town of Takinoue at the Higashimokoto Flower Park. Winding paths leading up to the top of the hillside provides a magnificent view of delicate pink and white blossoms spread-out like a beautiful floral carpet  (weather permitting). Enjoy a view of Lake Mashu, a scenic caldera lake in Akan National Park, one of Japan’s deepest and most beautiful lakes with its clear blue water. Weather permitting, enjoy the breathtaking view of the lake from the observation deck. We’ll visit the Akan International Crane Center to view some cranes and to learn about the history and biology of these endangered species through audio-visuals and exhibits. We’ll continue on to spend the night in Kushiro, a misty port town situated in southeastern Hokkaido, capital of Kushiro Subprefecture. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at a  local restaurant. 

Accommodations at ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL KUSHIRO or similar

Wednesday, May 17 (Day 07) 

KUSHIRO - LAKE AKAN - TOKACHIGAWA ONSEN (B)(D)

This morning, we’ll browse through Washo Market, a large marketplace offering a wide variety of fresh local delicacies of  Kushiro. We’ll travel to Lake Akan, a beautiful crater lake in Akan National Park, Hokkaido’s oldest national park. On arrival,  we’ll visit the Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikoro to enjoy performances of Ainu traditional dancers expressing their lifestyle with wildlife, nature, and hunting through songs and dances. Iomante is one of their important rituals where they send the spirit of a bear to God’s world. Lake Akan is best known for its marimo, a rare algae species - designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan. Marimo is formed when separate pieces of algae at the bottom of the lake roll around and eventually form into balls, gradually growing larger and larger. Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Akan, providing us with a close-up view of the mountains, islets, and into remote sections of the lake. A brief stop will be made at Churui Islet to view live marimo kept in  large tanks at the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center. We’ll continue on to spend the night in Tokachigawa, a  region noted for its abundant sunshine and rich soil. The gently flowing Tokachi River creates majestic scenery with the backdrop of the Hidaka and Taisetsu mountain ranges and also creates rare botanical-based moor hot springs, also known as ’hot springs for beauty’. Enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing waters of our onsen hotel this evening. 

Accommodations at TOKACHIGAWA DAIICHI HOTEL or similar

Thursday, May 18 (Day 08) 

TOKACHIGAWA - FURANO - BIEI - ASAHIDAKE (B)(L)(D)

We’ll travel north to Furano, a town located in the geographical center of Hokkaido and best known for its fields of fragrant lavender flowers that bloom in abundance during the late summer season. We’ll visit Farm Tomita, one of Hokkado’s premier flower farms to enjoy some seasonal flowers in bloom (weather permitting). We’ll travel on through Biei, a small town surrounded by a picturesque landscape of gently rolling hills and vast fields. The scenic view of this landscape has been used as a backdrop for many Japanese commercials and television programs. The town of Biei is also noted for Takushinkan (Shinzo Maeda Photo Art Gallery) an exhibition hall displaying beautiful landscape photography dedicated to Shinzo  Maeda, an internationally known photographer and his son. Enjoy the vibrant and colorful photos of the Tokachi region displayed in the gallery. We will continue on to spend the night in Asahidake, a hot spring resort located in Higashikawa city.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening. 

Accommodations at LA VISTA DAISETSUZAN or similar

Friday, May 19 (Day 09) 

ASAHIDAKE - SAPPORO (B)

The first beer brewed in Japan was in Sapporo and Hokkaido has since had a reputation of brewing the best beer. Enjoy a  guided tour of the Asahi Beer Brewery, a leading brewery and soft drink company in Hokkaido - noted as one of the “Big  Four” breweries. At the conclusion of the tour, samples of some of their products will be available for us to enjoy in the tasting room. We’ll visit the Shiroi Koibito Park, a large theme park operated by Ishiya, a popular local cookie company in Sapporo.  The company’s flagship product is Shiroi Koibito cookies - two thin butter cookies with a layer of white chocolate in between - one of the most popular souvenirs to bring home from Hokkaido. We may have an opportunity to observe the cookie production in the factory. Subject to confirmation, we’ll enjoy a hands-on-activity to make your own cookie in the workshop.  We’ll spend our last night in the city of Sapporo. The afternoon is at your leisure for your own activities or to explore the various shopping malls located nearby the hotel. Dinner will be on your own this evening.  

Accommodations at SAPPORO CENTURY ROYAL HOTEL or similar

Saturday, May 20 (Day 10) 

SAPPORO - CHITOSE to HANEDA to HONOLULU (B)

The morning is free at your leisure until we transfer to the Chitose Airport for our domestic flight to Haneda Airport. On arrival,  we’ll transfer by shuttle to the Haneda International Terminal to board our evening flight home. We’ll arrive Honolulu in the morning on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line. A meal will be served on board the flight.

Monday, March 27(Day 01) 

HONOLULU TO HANEDA

Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the Japan Airlines Lobby  #5 at the airport for baggage check-in procedures for our flight to Haneda International Airport. A meal and a snack will be served on board the flight. 

Tuesday, March 28 (Day 02) 

HANEDA - TOKYO (D)

We’ll arrive Haneda Airport in the afternoon and after completing entry and customs formalities, we’ll transfer to our hotel in Tokyo by chartered motorcoach.  A dinner is planned for you this evening at the hotel. 

Accommodations at SUNSHINE CITY PRINCE HOTEL or similar

Wednesday, March 29 (Day 03) 

TOKYO (B)(L)

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in this exciting metropolitan city. This morning,  we’ll visit the outer market of the original Tsukiji Fish Market, featuring many shops offering Japanese kitchenware and supplies, seafood products and a nice selection of shops selling prepared meals. We’ll travel to Asakusa, the center of  Tokyo’s shitamachi districts, where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of the past decades still survives. Asakusa’s main attraction is Senso-ji (Asakusa Kannon  Temple), Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple dedicated to the goddess of Kannon.  Located between the main hall of the temple and the famous red lantern of Kami narimon (Thunder Gate) is Nakamise-dori, a lively pedestrian street lined with colorful shops providing visitors with typical Japanese souvenirs and traditional local snacks. A delicious lunch will be provided for you at a popular local restaurant. In Enjoy a shopping adventure at Ameyokocho, a busy and exciting district with many indoor and outdoor vendors offering a variety of snack and food products at discounted prices. This evening, dinner will be on your own to try some of the local specialties at one of the restaurants in the mall located adjacent to our hotel. 

Accommodations at SUNSHINE CITY PRINCE HOTEL or similar

Thursday, March 30 (Day 04) 

TOKYO - HAKONE - LAKE YAMANAKA (B)(D)

We’ll travel to Hakone - a mountainous region - part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and noted as one of Japan’s most popular hot spring resorts with its volcanic hot springs and natural beauty. Hakone was an important check-point for the Old Tokaido Highway - the old road that linked the ancient capital of Kyoto to  Edo (now known as Tokyo) during the Edo period. Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on scenic Lake Ashino-ko - a beautiful crater lake formed in the caldera of Mount  Hakone. Weather permitting, a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji (Japan’s most sacred mountain) can be seen as we cruise on the serene lake. We’ll visit the Mt.  Fuji World Heritage Center located in Yamanashi prefecture at the entrance of the Subaru Line - the toll road leading up the slopes of Mt. Fuji. The center provides some interesting history and information about the Fuji Five Lakes and the value of Mt. Fuji as a World Heritage site. Relax and enjoy the hot springs at our beautiful hotel overlooking Lake Yamanaka, the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel. 

Accommodations at LA VISTA FUJI KAWAGUCHIKO or similar

Friday, March 31 (Day 05) 

LAKE YAMANAKA - MT. FUJI - SHIZUOKA - NAGOYA (B)(D)

Weather permitting, we’ll continue on to visit picturesque Shiraito-no-taki (White Thread Falls), located in the southwestern foothills of Mt. Fuji. Ranked among the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan, the falls were recently added to the World Heritage List as part of the Fujisan Cultural Site. Fed by the volcano’s spring water, the falls flow off the edge of a high cliff in thin streams that resemble hanging threads. The falls are particularly striking at this time of the year as the snows of the mountain melt and strengthen the flow. We’ll continue our drive along the Pacific Coast through Shizuoka prefecture, the largest tea producing region in Japan and once home to the first Tokugawa Shogun Ieyasu. Enjoy an interesting guided tour of Greenpia Makinohara (tea factory) to observe the process of tea production, including a close-up view of tea plants growing in the fields. The scenery of  Shizuoka prefecture offers a beautiful view of the Southern Japan Alps, a breathtaking view of Fuji-san, and miles of scenic coastline as we drive along Suruga Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy an all-you-can-pick & eat fresh strawberry adventure in covered greenhouses at a local orchard. We’ll continue on to the castle town of Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture to spend the night. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel. 

Accommodations at NAGOYA TOKYU HOTEL or similar

Saturday, April 1 (Day 06) 

NAGOYA - NAGOYA CASTLE - BULLET TRAIN TO KYOTO (B)(L)

This morning, we’ll view Nagoya Castle, one of the largest and greatest castles in Japan. It was constructed on the orders of  Ieyasu Tokugawa in order to secure an important position on the Tokaido road. One of the main features of the castle are the  kinshachi (golden dolphins) adorning the main ridge of the castle roof, signifying prosperity. Located on the grounds of the castle is Honmaru Palace, regarded as the finest masterpiece of modern castle architecture in Japan and designated as a National  Treasure. We’ll proceed to the Nagoya Train Station and board the shinkansen (bullet train) to experience a ride on this high-speed train to Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. A delicious obento will be provided for you to enjoy on the train. On arrival at the Kyoto Station, we’ll transfer by foot to our hotel located nearby the train station to check-in for two nights. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore some of the shops at the station or at the mall located nearby our hotel. Dinner will be on your own this evening.  

Accommodations at MIYAKO HOTEL KYOTO HACHIJO or similar

Sunday, April 2 (Day 07) 

KYOTO - NARA - KYOTO (B)(D)

We’ll travel to the ancient city of Nara located at the northern end of the Yamato Plain - a fertile valley where members of the  Yamato clan rose to power as the original emperors of Japan. On arrival, we’ll visit the Todai-ji Temple Complex, a magnificent  Buddhist temple in Nara-koen - a park that is home to many sacred deer roaming freely about. The Daibutsu-den (Hall of the  Great Buddha) located within the Todai-ji Temple Complex is considered the largest wooden structure in the world and home to the Daibutsu, an enormous bronze statue of Buddha, perhaps the most famous sight in Nara. Within the hall is a large wooden pillar with a hole at its base and local tradition has it that those who pass through the opening will find their way to an afterlife of paradise. Located nearby is Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara’s most celebrated shrine, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage  Site. The shrine is famous for its hundreds of stone lanterns, donated by worshippers, lining the approach-way to the entrance and around the shrine. We’ll return to Kyoto city to visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), an impressive Zen Buddhist Temple, designated as a National Special Historic Site. Officially named Rokuon-ji, this magnificent golden structure sits serenely on a lake,  providing a beautiful reflection in the calm waters. We’ll stroll through the gardens of Heian-jingu, an imperial Shinto shrine listed as an important cultural property of Japan. The scenic garden features a stepping-stone path across a large pond, a Chinese-inspired bridge and weather permitting, is best known for its shidare-zakura (weeping cherry blossoms). Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel. 

Accommodations at MIYAKO HOTEL KYOTO HACHIJO or similar

Monday, April 3 (Day 08) 

KYOTO - KOBE - AWAJI ISLAND - TOKUSHIMA (B)(D)

We’ll continue on to the port city of Kobe, Japan’s top sake producing region due to its high quality rice, suitable water and favorable weather conditions. We’ll visit the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum featuring interesting video clips explaining the step-by step process of producing traditional sake. Life-sized replicas of tools, sake containers and machinery used in the production of sake in the past are displayed throughout the museum. Samples of some of their delicious products will be provided for you to enjoy at the end of the tour. We’ll continue on to cross the Akashi Kaikyo Ohashi, a bridge connecting Honshu to Awaji Island - the inland sea’s largest island. On arrival, enjoy a performance of the Awaji Ningyo Joruri (Puppet Play) at the Awaji Puppet  Theatre. The separate arts of puppet manipulation, gidayu narration and shamisen accompaniment blend together to present an emotional performance of a tragic drama. Our travel continues on as we cross the Naruto Channel on the Naruto Ohashi, a  bridge connecting Awaji Island to Shikoku Island, home of the 88 Temples Pilgrimage. Tidal currents between the Seto Inland  Sea and the Pacific Ocean passing over undersea ridges creates uzushio (whirlpools) of various sizes and we may be able to see some as we drive on the bridge to Shikoku Island. We’ll arrive in Tokushima, capital city of Tokushima prefecture to spend the night. Enjoy a lively dance performance of the famous Awa Odori, the pride of Tokushima at the Awa Odori Kaikan. Learn to dance and participate with the special ‘Awanokaze’ dancers accompanied by the sounds of shamisen (three stringed guitars),  taiko (drums) and fue (flutes). A delicious dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel. 

Accommodations at AWA KANKO HOTEL or similar

Tuesday, April 4 (Day 09) 

TOKUSHIMA - TAKAMATSU - IMABARI (B)(D)

We’ll travel to the castle town of Takamatsu, capital of Kagawa prefecture, to visit Ritsurin-koen (chestnut grove garden). Known as one of the most famous historical gardens in Japan, this was once the summer retreat for the Lords of the Matsudaira family. This scenic garden follows a classical Japanese design, featuring pine trees winding around a series of ponds, bridges and rock formations, including the ‘borrowed scenery’ of Mount Shiun in the background. Experience making your own fan to take home as a  souvenir at the Uchiwa Minato Museum, a shop specializing in uchiwa (rounded paper fans). The fans are made with a decorated piece of paper pasted over a thin bamboo frame. We’ll continue on to spend the night in Imabari, the second largest city in Ehime prefecture noted for its shipbuilding and towel industry. Enjoy dinner and relax in the hot springs of our hotel this evening.  

Accommodations at IMABARI KOKUSAI HOTEL or similar

Wednesday, April 5 (Day 10) 

IMABARI - SHIMANAMI KAIDO - IWAKUNI - HIROSHIMA (B)(D)

We’ll depart Shikoku Island via the scenic Shimanami Kaido - an expressway linking Shikoku to Japan’s main island of Honshu through a series of bridges and small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Our scenic drive will take us from Imabari in Ehime prefecture to  Onomichi in Hiroshima prefecture, arriving in the city of Hiroshima to check-in for two nights. En route, we’ll travel to Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture, to visit the city’s major attraction, Kintai-kyo (Brocade Sash Bridge), a historical wooden arch bridge. Its five linked wooden arches are built on massive stone pillars forming a span across the serene Nishiki River located at the foot of Mt. Yokoyama. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel..  

Accommodations at ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL HIROSHIMA or similar

Thursday, April 6 (Day 11) 

HIROSHIMA - MIYAJIMA - HIROSHIMA (B)

We’ll proceed to the pier at Miyajimaguchi and board a ferry to Miyajima Island, famed for its scenic Itsukushima-jinja, a UNESCO  World Heritage Site. With a large torii gate extending into the sea, the shrine, and the island’s Mt. Misen-san as a backdrop, Miyajima  Island is classified as one of Japan’s three most beautiful sights. Enjoy strolling through Omotesando - the island’s main shopping street featuring many shops offering a nice selection of souvenirs, including momiji manju, one of Hiroshima’s most popular sweet.  This maple-leaf-shaped cake is made with a variety of fillings: sweet red beans, custard, and more. We’ll return to the main island by ferry and travel back to the city of Hiroshima to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park. Exhibits and displays within the museum relive the history of the atomic bomb and the destruction it brought on Hiroshima and its people. The most poignant memorial in the Peace Memorial Park is the Children’s Peace Memorial, inspired by leukemia victim Sadako Sasaki. Thousands of colorful paper cranes brought by school children, various clubs and groups are displayed there. Dinner will be on your own this evening. Accommodations at ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL HIROSHIMA or similar

Friday, April 7 (Day 12) 

HIROSHIMA - KURASHIKI - OKAYAMA - OSAKA (B)(D)

We’ll travel on to visit the quaint city of Kurashiki, located in Okayama prefecture. Enjoy strolling through Bikan Chiku, a historical area featuring many old traditional buildings, storehouses and souvenir shops located along the picturesque willow-lined canal. We’ll continue on to Okayama city, visiting its most famous attraction - Koraku-en - a beautiful Japanese garden, noted as one of Japan’s three best-landscaped gardens. A large pond, walking paths, pavilions, a crane aviary, and groves of plum and cherry trees are contained in this scenic garden. Weather permitting, the cherry blossoms should be in bloom at this time of the year. Okayama also serves as the locale for the popular Japanese fairy tale - Momotaro (Peach Boy). We’ll continue on to spend the night in the exciting city of Osaka. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel. 

Accommodations at ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL OSAKA or similar

Saturday, April 8 (Day 13) 

OSAKA - KANSAI TO HONOLULU (B)

The day is at your leisure for your own activities until we transfer to the Kansai International Airport in the afternoon to check-in for our evening flight to Honolulu. We’ll arrive in the morning on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line. A late meal will be served on board the flight. 

HONOLULU TO HANEDA

Our tour to Japan commences this morning when we assemble at the airport for baggage check-in procedures for our flight to Haneda International Airport. Lunch and a snack will be served on board the flight. 

Monday, April 17 (Day 02) 

ARRIVE HANEDA - MITO (D)

We’ll arrive Haneda Airport in the afternoon and after completion of entry and customs formalities, we’ll board our chartered motor coach to begin our Tohoku Ohanami tour. We’ll travel on the Joban Expressway to Mito, the capital city of Ibaraki prefecture to spend the night. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel. 

Accommodations at MITO PLAZA HOTEL or similar

Tuesday, April 18 (Day 03) 

MITO - HITACHI SEASIDE PARK - DAIGO - IWAKI (B)(D)

Enjoy a stroll through Kairakuen Garden, ranked as one of Japan’s three finest landscape gardens. Built by the local lord Tokugawa Nariaki, the garden features a bamboo grove and cedar woods. The name kairakuen means “park to be enjoyed together”. We’ll continue on to visit Hitachi Seaside Park, a beautiful flower paradise featuring “Miharashi No  Oka”, a hillside commanding a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. The park is best known for its delicate nemophilas (translucent-petaled blue flowers also known as baby blue-eyes) blooming over the hillside, creating an unforgettable sight (weather permitting).  Daffodils, colorful tulips, and several other varieties of flowers are also in bloom, spread-out in various gardens throughout the park. We’ll travel to the town of Daigo to enjoy a view of the breathtaking Fukuroda Falls - ranked as one of the three most beautiful waterfalls in  Japan. The falls drop down in four cascades to the bottom from a giant cliff dashing against the rocks, creating an awesome sight. We’ll continue on to spend the night at the  Spa Hawaiians Resort - formerly known as the Joban Hawaiian Center located in the city of Iwaki, a coal mining town. The film “Hula Girls” was based on the true story of the founding of the resort. Dinner will be provided for you at our onsen resort hotel. After dinner,  enjoy an evening of entertainment of Hawaiian dance performers including spectacular fire dancers held in the main showroom.  

Accommodations at SPA RESORT HAWAIIANS or similar

Wednesday, April 19 (Day 04) 

IWAKI - AKIU - MATSUSHIMA (B)(D)

We’ll continue on to the town of Miharu - home of Miharu Takizakura (waterfall cherry tree), an ancient cherry tree said to be over 1,000 years old. Weather permitting, enjoy a  view of this giant weeping cherry tree with its light pink flowers spread-out in all directions from the branches, like a cascading waterfall. Designated as a national treasure in 1922,  this tree is classified as one of the five great cherry trees in Japan. Kokeshi dolls are one of the most popular as a traditional folk craft product in the Tohoku area. These dolls are handmade from wood with a simple trunk and an enlarged head with no arms or legs.  We’ll visit the Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Museum to enjoy a hands-on activity of drawing your own creation on a blank kokeshi doll to take home as a souvenir. We’ll continue on to Shi ogami Pier and board a ferry to enjoy a relaxing cruise on picturesque Matsushima Bay,  designated as one of the three most scenic sights in Japan - nihon sankei. Enjoy the view of hundreds of pine-studded islets in the bay - each one with a name relating to a Japanese legend. We’ll arrive in the city of Matsushima to spend the night in a beautiful hotel overlooking the bay. Enjoy a delicious dinner and relax in the soothing hot springs this evening.  

Accommodations at MATSUSHIMA CENTURY HOTEL or similar

Thursday, April 20 (Day 05) 

MATSUSHIMA - ICHINOSEKI - KITAKAMI - MORIOKA (B)

We’ll travel on to the city of Ichinoseki in Iwate Prefecture to visit picturesque Genbikei Gorge - shaped by the rapid flowing water of Iwai River that carved the rocks, resulting in smooth and interwoven rock faces. One of the highlights at the gorge is enjoying some delicious kakko dango (flying dumplings). Hit the wooden board with a mattock, then send the basket swinging on the wire across the river to a teahouse. For a small fee, a gentleman in the teahouse will send the basket back to us with a box of dumplings and hot tea across the river on the wire for you to enjoy. We’ll continue on to visit Chusonji Temple featuring its main attraction - Konjiki-do (Golden Hall) - designated as one of the National Treasures by the government in 1951.  The hall was constructed to house the remains of three generations of the Fujiwara family and received its name from the unique golden walls covered in gold leaf and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. We’ll make a stop in Kitakami, a city famous for its cherry trees growing alongside the Kitakami River in Tenshochi Park. Weather permitting, the cherry blossoms should be in bloom to form a beautiful tunnel of sakura, earning a spot as one of the three best cherry blossom viewing sites in Tohoku.  We’ll continue on to spend the night in Morioka, capital city of Iwate-ken - noted for its cast-ironware. On arrival, we’ll visit Mo rioka Tezukuri Mura (Morioka Handi-Works Square), a village featuring various workshops offering hand-crafted traditional goods such as cast ironware, pottery, wooden toys, and more. Enjoy a hands-on-activity to make your own nambu senbei at one of the workshops. We’ll drive by the grounds of the district courthouse in the city to view the 400-year old Ishiwarizaku ra (stone–splitting cherry blossom tree) growing through a huge boulder (weather permitting). Dinner will be on your own this evening to try some local cuisine. 

Accommodations at HOTEL METROPOLITAN MORIOKA or similar

Friday, April 21 (Day 06) 

MORIOKA - TOWADA - AOMORI - ASAMUSHI ONSEN (B)(L)(D)

We’ll continue our journey to scenic Towada-ko, the third deepest caldera lake in Japan located in the Towada-Hachimantai  National Park. Enjoy a relaxing and scenic drive along the picturesque Oirase Gorge, one of the most beautiful river valleys in  Japan. The crystal-clear Oirase Stream runs through a beautiful forest of trees and a number of interesting rock formations and cliffs. Plunging waterfalls add to the beauty of the gorge, creating a breathtaking sight. Subject to weather conditions,  relax and enjoy the beauty of the mountains with its snow-covered trees as we drive through the snow corridor of the Hakkoda 

-Towada Gold Line. We’ll visit Sannai Maruyama Ruins in Aomori, a Jomon-period archaeological site designated as a Special National Historical Site of Japan in 2000. This special historical site features the artifacts that reveal how people lived in this settlement including excavated items such as pottery, stone artifacts, clay figures, earthenware and more. We’ll continue on to spend the night at an elegant onsen hotel in Asamushi. Enjoy a delicious dinner and relax in the soothing hot springs this evening. 

Accommodations at ASAMUSHI KAISENKAKU HOTEL or similar

Saturday, April 22 (Day 07) 

ASAMUSHI - HIROSAKI - HACHIROGATA - AKITA (B)(D)

We’ll continue on to Goshogawara city, famous for its Tachineputa Festival held annually during the summer. We’ll visit  Tachineputa no Yakata, an interesting museum featuring exhibits of three massive tachineputa parade floats including footage from the festival. We’ll continue on to the castle town of Hirosaki, visiting the ruins of Hirosaki Castle, the city’s most famous landmark. Weather permitting, enjoy a spectacular view of cherry blossoms in bloom on the castle grounds in the surrounding Hirosaki Park. The park is designated as one of Tohoku’s most famous ’ohanami’ sites featuring thousands of cherry trees planted all around the park. Enjoy a hands-on-activity to make kiritanpo, a popular and traditional cuisine of Akita.  We’ll form the cooked rice around a stick, toast it on a grill, then spread some miso sauce on it to enjoy. We’ll continue on to spend the night in Akita, the capital city of Akita prefecture. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at our hotel. 

Accommodations at ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL AKITA or similar

Sunday, April 23 (Day 08) 

AKITA - KAKUNODATE - YOKOTE - TENDO (B)(D)

Our journey continues on to the town of Kakunodate, noted as one of Tohoku’s most popular ohanami sites where hundreds of shidare-zakura (weeping cherry trees) line the central avenue of the town. Weather permitting, we may also be able to view delicate somei yoshino cherry blossoms in bloom lined along the left bank of the Hinokinai River that flows through the town.  Kakunodate is also famed for its well-preserved bukeyashiki (samurai houses) and gardens located behind wooden fences and gates along the main avenue. Among one of the most interesting mansions open to the public is the Ishiguro Samurai House  - the former residence of Kakunodate’s highest-ranked family. A visit to this house and garden offers a fine example of traditional samurai house architecture. Kakunodate is also noted for their traditional kaba-zaiku (wooden craft-ware) using the bark of wild cherry trees. Several of these intricate pieces are displayed in the Kakunodate Cherry-Bark Craft Museum. We’ll continue on to overnight in Tendo, a town noted for the manufacture of shogi (Japanese chess pieces). Enjoy dinner and relax in the hot springs at our onsen hotel this evening.  

Accommodations at TAKINOYU HOTEL or similar

Monday, April 24 (Day 09) 

TENDO - YAMAGATA - YONEZAWA - AIZU WAKAMATSU - INAWASHIRO (B)(D)

Our drive this morning takes us through Yamagata prefecture to view beautiful cherry blossoms in bloom at Kasumiga-jo Park noted as one of the 100-best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan (weather permitting). Enjoy a leisure stroll to view more cherry blossoms in bloom on the grounds of Matsugasaki Koen, the former residence of the Date and Uesugi clan. We’ll proceed to the castle town of Aizu Wakamatsu in Fukushima prefecture to visit Tsuruga-jo, a traditional castle noted as an important Tokugawa stronghold in the Tohoku region. We’ll visit Iimoriyama, the site where twenty young Aizu soldiers of the  Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps) committed seppuku or ritual suicide when they presumed that their castle Tsuruga-jo was on fire and all was lost. On the top of the hillside are several monuments including the nineteen tombs for the Byakkotai soldiers.  Although there were twenty of them on the hill, one of the boys was not successful in his suicide attempt. Along the pathway down the hillside are several monuments, statues, and other buildings of interest devoted to the Byakkotai. We’ll spend the night in the city of Koriyama in Fukushima prefecture. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at our hotel. 

Accommodations at HOTEL LISTEL INAWASHIRO or similar

Tuesday, April 25 (Day 10) 

INAWASHIRO - SUKAGAWA - NIKKO - TOBU - KINUGAWA (B)(D)

We’ll travel south to Kinugawa, a popular hot spring resort town in Tochigi Prefecture. Enjoy a visit to Toshogu Shrine, a  Shinto shrine established to enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The lavishly decorated shrine complex consists of many buildings set in a beautiful forest - including a five-story pagoda located in front of the main entrance gate. Many elaborate wood carvings decorate some of the buildings, including the most famous “see no evil, speak no evil,  and hear no evil” monkeys. We’ll continue on to visit Tobu World Square, a theme park that exhibits replicas of famous buildings from all around the world. Models include ancient monuments, cultural treasures, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites reproduced with detailed cars, trains, gardens, and miniature people. Tobu World Square is divided into zones based on re gions of the world: Japan Zone, Asia Zone, Europe Zone, Egypt Zone, and America Zone (featuring the White House and a  section of downtown New York City). We’ll spend the night at an elegant onsen hotel in Kinugawa. Enjoy a delicious dinner and relax in the soothing hot springs this evening. 

Accommodations at KINUGAWA GRAND HOTEL or similar

Wednesday, April 26 (Day 11) 

KINUGAWA - ASHIKAGA - TATEBAYASHI - TOKYO (B)(D)

The Japanese people love flowers and wisteria (fuji) are among their favorites. One of the best places to view these elegant flowers is at the Ashikaga Flower Park in the city of Ashikaga in Tochigi Prefecture. This spacious park features several tunnels or trellises of breathtaking blue and white wisteria in bloom throughout the park and a yellow laburnum (kingusari) that looks like yellow wisteria flowers. The highlight of the park is viewing a large 100-year-old tree with its branches spread-out, creating a huge umbrella of blue wisteria flowers (weather permitting). We’ll continue on to the city of Tatebayashi and visit Tsu tsujigaoka Park, the largest azalea park in Japan. Enjoy strolling through the park featuring hundreds of colorful azalea plants representing over 50 varieties of flowers in bloom (weather permitting). We’ll continue on to spend our last night in the city of  Tokyo. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel. 

Accommodations at HOTEL GRAND NIKKO TOKYO DAIBA or similar

Thursday, April 27 (Day 12) 

TOKYO - HANEDA TO HONOLULU (B)

The morning is free at your leisure for your own activities. In the afternoon, we will transfer to Haneda International Airport to check in for our evening flight home to Honolulu, arriving on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line. A  meal will be served on board the flight.