New! 2025 Central Honshu Journey

Featuring Kusatsu Onsen

May 9 - 20, 2025  (12 Days & 10 Nights)

Haneda, Omiya, Tabi to Kurashi no Museum, Togyoku Doll Museum, Iwatsuki, Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Kawagoe, Kashiya Yokocho, Takasaki, Daruma no Furusato Daimon-ya, Konnyaku Park, Kyu-Karuizawa, Karuizawa Ginza , Kumoba-ike Pond, Shiraito no Taki, Kusatsu Onsen, Yumomi Performance, Nagano, Zenkoji Temple, Matsumoto, Kofu, Mitake Shosenkyo, Shosenkyo Gorge Ropeway, Iyashi no Sato, Lake Yamanaka, Mishima Skywalk, Izu Fruit Park, Inatori, Kamakura, Amida Buddha, Yokohama, Sankeien Garden, Yokohama Chinatown, My CupNoodles Factory, Odaiba , Imperial Palace Grounds, Meiji Jingu, Ameyokocho, Haneda

$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
(deposit of $100 per person received by 1/25/2025)

Friday, May 9  (Day 01)
HONOLULU - HANEDA
Our tour to Japan commences this morning when we assemble at the airport for baggage check-in procedures.  We will depart Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines for Haneda International Airport.  Lunch and a snack will be served on board your flight.

Saturday, May 10  (Day 02)
ARRIVE HANEDA  (D)
We’ll arrive Haneda International Airport in the early afternoon and after completing entry and customs formalities, we’ll transfer to our hotel for the night.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at HOTEL VILLA FONTAINE HANEDA or similar

Sunday, May 11  (Day 03)
HANEDA - GYODA - IWATSUKI - OMIYA  (B)(D)
This morning, we’ll transfer by chartered motorcoach to Gyoda city, noted as the largest producer of tabi (Japanese socks with a split toe) during the peak of the Showa era.  We’ll visit Tabi to Kurashi no Museum, a museum that preserves the image of a tabi sock factory.  Subject to availability, we may be able to view craftsmen producing tabis.  We’ll travel to the city of Iwatsuki, Japan’s largest “Doll’s Town” featuring hundreds of doll workshops and doll retail shops.  We’ll visit the Togyoku Doll Museum featuring rare & historical dolls, including those used for the celebration of children - Hina-ningyo for girls and Gogatsu-ningyo for boys.  We’ll visit the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, an excellent art museum explaining the various aspects of bonsai and how to appreciate the art form.  We’ll spend the night in Omiya, a ward in Saitama Prefecture.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening.

Accommodations at PALACE HOTEL OMIYA or similar

Monday, May 12  (Day 04)
OMIYA - KAWAGOE - TAKASAKI - KYU-KARUIZAWA  (B)(D)
We’ll continue on to Kawagoe, a charming town that preserves its Edo period atmosphere with traditional buildings.  Enjoy a stroll along the main street of the town in the Warehouse District lined with kurazukuri (clay-walled warehouse-style buildings) constructed with an Edo architectural flavor.  A wonderful place to try some traditional Japanese sweets are available at the shops along the streets of Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley).  We’ll continue on to Takasaki city, famous as the hometown of the Daruma Doll, a symbol of good luck.  We’ll enjoy a hands-on activity to paint your own face on a Daruma Doll at the Daruma no Furusato Daimon-ya.  We’ll visit Konnyaku Park, an interesting theme park located in Gunma Prefecture featuring many varieties of konnyaku (a low-calorie, rubbery, block of jelly).  Observe the production process through large windows on a self-guided tour of the factory.  Prepared in all shapes, flavors, and forms, enjoy samples of a wide variety of this product at the ‘konnyaku buffet’ (subject to availability).  We’ll continue on to spend the night in the town of Kyu-Karuizawa, a mountain resort area located at the foot of Mount Asama in Nagano prefecture.  On arrival, enjoy a stroll through the Karuizawa Ginza, noted for its various fruit jams and honey, specialties of Karuizawa.  The shopping street is lined with many cafes, food stalls and souvenir shops offering a nice variety of fruit jams.  We’ll spend the night in Karuizawa.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening.

Accommodations at THE PRINCE KARUIZAWA or similar  

Tuesday, May 13  (Day 05)
KYU-KARUIZAWA - KUSATSU  (B)(D)
This morning, we’ll visit scenic Kumoba-ike Pond, an artificial pond also known as “Swan Lake” due to the many swans that visit here during the winter season.  We’ll continue on to visit Shiraito no taki (white thread falls, a picturesque waterfall in Karuizawa - a name shared by several waterfalls throughout Japan.  The falls are impressive as cascading sheets of water drape over the mountain surface to form a white curtain of water falling into a pond.  We’ll spend the night at Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts located in Gunma prefecture.  The sulfurous, highly acidic hot spring waters at Kusatsu have been considered Japan’s best and are said to cure every illness.  The symbol of Kusatsu is Yubatake, a hot water field considered to be one of the resort’s main sources of hot water and also ranked as one of Japan’s most productive hot spring sources.  Yumomi is the centuries-old traditional method to cool down Kusatsu’s hot spring water to bathing temperature.  This cooling method is achieved by stirring the water using large wooden paddles performed by a troupe of locals together with the singing of traditional folk songs and dances.  Enjoy this special Yumomi performance held in the Netsu-no-Yu located adjacent to the Yubatake.  Enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing hot spring waters at our onsen hotel this evening.

Accommodations at HOTEL ICHII or similar  

Wednesday, May 14  (Day 06)
KUSATSU - NAGANO - MATSUMOTO  (B)(D)
We’ll travel to Nagano, capital city of Nagano prefecture, noted for Zenkoji Temple, one of the most important and popular temples in Japan.  The temple’s main hall is nicely ornamented and contains various Buddhist statues.  As an option (own expense), the basement of the inner chamber has an underground passage where you can walk through in complete darkness in search of the ‘key to paradise’.  The key is attached to a wall along the corridor and is believed to grant salvation to anyone who touches it.  The approach way to the temple is lined with many souvenir shops, coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants.  We’ll continue on to spend the night in Matsumoto, the second largest city in Nagano prefecture and most famous for Matsumoto-jo, one of Japan’s most beautiful original castles.  We’ll make a photo stop at the castle before checking into the hotel.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at HOTEL BUENA VISTA or similar

Thursday, May 15  (Day 07)
MATSUMOTO - KOFU - LAKE YAMANAKA  (B)(D)
We’ll continue our journey to Kofu, capital city of Yamanashi prefecture.  The city lies in the Kofu Basin surrounded by majestic mountains.  We’ll visit Mitake Shosenkyo, one of Japan’s most beautiful gorges, part of the Chichibu Tama Kai National Park.  On the Shosenkyo Gorge Ropeway, enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Southern Japan Alps and Mt. Fuji from an observation point on the platform at the Panorama-dai Station (weather permitting).  We’ll continue on to visit Iyashi no Sato Historical Village, the site of a former farming village located on the western shores of Lake Saiko, the smallest of the Fuji Five Lakes.  After its destruction by a landslide in 1966, the village’s traditional thatched roofed houses were reconstructed and reopened as an open-air museum and craft village offering local handicrafts.  Many houses have been converted into shops, restaurants, museums, and galleries, with each of the shops specializing in a traditional craft such as pottery, incense, or weaving.  We will continue on to overnight at an onsen hotel in Hakone.  Enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing hot spring waters of our onsen hotel this evening.

Accommodations at HAKONE SENGOKUHARA PRINCE HOTEL or similar  

Friday, May 16  (Day 08
LAKE YAMANAKA - MISHIMA - INATORI  (B)(D)
We’ll travel to Mishima to enjoy a spectacular view of the majestic Mr. Fuji to the northwest and Suruga Bay to the southwest from Japan’s longest suspension bridge - Mishima Skywalk (weather permitting).  Stretching across a valley on the western slope of Mount Hakone, the bridge was constructed by Mishima-based pachinko company Fujico Corporation and opened to the public in December, 2015.  We’ll visit the Izu Fruit Park, a farm that cultivates various seasonal fruits.  Subject to availability due to weather, we may be able to enjoy a fruit picking experience.  We’ll continue on to spend the night at our hotel in Higashi-Izu, a town well-known for hot springs located on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture.  Enjoy dinner and relax in the hot spring waters at our onsen hotel this evening.

Accommodations at INATORI GINSUISO or similar  

Saturday, May 17  (Day 09)
INATORI - ENOSHIMA - KAMAKURA  (B)(D)
A popular souvenir of Izu is the Japanese orange wine (Mikan Wine), a delicious wine made with local oranges.  We’ll visit the Izu Higashi Winery located in Higashi-Izu city to see the production of this delicious local specialty including enjoying some samples of their wine. (subject to confirmation).  We’ll continue on our scenic drive along the coast to the city of Kamakura, sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan.  We’ll view The Great Buddha of Kamakura, a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, the second tallest in Japan, surpassed by the statue in Nara’s Todaiji Temple.  Weighing close to 93 tons, the Great Buddha was originally housed in a temple but today sits serenely in the lotus position in the open court on the grounds of Kotoku-in Temple.  We’ll spend the night in Kamakura.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening.

Accommodations at KAMAKURA PRINCE HOTEL or similar

Sunday, May 18  (Day 10)
KAMAKURA - YOKOHAMA - TOKYO/ODAIBA  (B)(D)
We’ll travel to Yokohama, capital city of Kanagawa prefecture and enjoy a leisure stroll through Sankeien Garden.  This spacious and scenic Japanese-style garden features historic buildings, small rivers, a pond, and strolling trails.  Among the historic buildings featured in the park are tea houses, an elegant daimyo (feudal lord) residence and a three-storied pagoda of Kyoto’s old Tomyoji Temple.  We’ll stroll through Yokohama Chinatown, noted as Japan’s largest Chinatown offering many souvenirs from China and a variety of delicious Chinese cuisine at the food stalls and restaurants located on the main street.  Subject to confirmation, enjoy a hands-on-activity at the My CUPNOODLES Factory.  Design your own cup and select your favorite soup and toppings to create your very own ‘Cup of Noodles’ to take home as a souvenir.  We’ll continue on to spend two nights in Odaiba, a popular shopping and entertainment district on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at GRAND NIKKO TOKYO DAIBA HOTEL or similar

Monday, May 19  (Day 11)
TOKYO  (B)
Enjoy a full day tour of Tokyo, visiting some of the attractions in the city.  The current Imperial Palace, residence of Japan’s Imperial Family, is located in Kokyo.  This former site of Edo Castle, surrounded by moats and massive stone walls, is located in the center of Tokyo city.  We’ll view the Nijubashi - two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds.  The stone bridge in the front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) due to its resemblance to a pair of eyeglasses.  We’ll visit Meiji Jingu, an important shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, noted as one of Japan’s most popular shrines in Yoyogi Park.  At the entrance stands a massive torii gate followed by a tranquil forest with thousands of trees.  Enjoy a shopping experience for some last minute souvenirs and food snacks at Ameyokocho, a busy and exciting district with many indoor and outdoor vendors offering a variety of snack and food products at discounted prices.  Enjoy bargaining with the local vendors for the best prices for your merchandise.  Dinner will be on your own this evening.

Accommodations at GRAND NIKKO TOKYO DAIBA HOTEL or similar

Tuesday, May 20  (Day 12)
TOKYO/ODAIBA - HANEDA TO HONOLULU  (B)
The morning is at your leisure for your own activities.  In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the Haneda International Airport to check-in for our flight home to Honolulu, arriving in the morning on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line.

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 11/1/2024.  Tour fare is subject to change according to any airfare increase 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.  We reserve the right to revise content of the itinerary if necessary due to unforeseen issues, weather and safety concerns.

Land portion based on 145 Yen = $1.00 U.S.

2025 General Conditions
Tour Registration Form