Recently Added or Updated Tours
2023 SPRING NIHON KAI
featuring Sado Island
April 4 - 17, 2023 (14 Days & 12 Nights)
Haneda, Tokyo, Shinkansen, Niigata, Northern Culture Museum, Furusato-Mura, Sado Island, Sado Kinzan Gold Mine, Toki-Forest Park, Sado Rekishi Densetsukan, Tsubame Sanjo, Takada Castle Ruin Park, Nagano, Daio Wasabi Farm, Takayama, Takayama Festival, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Kenrokuen Garden, Noto Peninsula, Wajima Morning Market, Kiriko Kaikan, Chirihama Beach Driveway, Tojinbo, Mikata Go-ko, Amanohashidate, Miyazu, Tottori, Tottori Sand Dunes, Matsue, Izumo Taisha, Matsue Vogel Park, Oshima Island, Museum of Japanese Emigration to Hawaii Yamadaya Manju Factory, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Haneda
$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
(deposit of $100 per person received by 9/1/2022 )
| LAND TOUR COST: $ 3,670 per person |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $ 690 per person |
HONOLULU - HANEDA
Our tour to Japan 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.
Wednesday, April 5 (Day 02)
ARRIVE HANEDA (D)
We’ll arrive Haneda Airport in the afternoon and after completing entry and customs formalities, we’ll transfer to our hotel in Tokyo to spend the night. A dinner is planned for you this evening.
Accommodations at HOTEL METROPOLITAN EDMONT or similar
Thursday, April 6 (Day 03)
TOKYO - BULLET TRAIN TO NIIGATA (B)(D)
We’ll transfer to board a local train to Tokyo Station for our shinkansen (bullet train) ride to Niigata, the largest city on the coast of the Japan Sea - noted as the gateway to Sado Island. Niigata is also known throughout Japan for its high-quality rice and rice-related products, including fine-quality sake. On arrival, we’ll board our motor coach and embark on a brief sightseeing tour of the city. We’ll visit the former residence of the Ito Family, now preserved as the Northern Culture Museum. The museum features an extensive art collection and within the peaceful garden, complex are several relocated farmhouses, traditional earthen warehouses, and individual tea arbors. Enjoy shopping at Niigata Furusato Village Bazaar, a large complex offering a nice selection of local traditional food and craft products of Niigata. We will spend the night in the city of Niigata. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.
Accommodations at ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL NIIGATA or similar
Friday, April 7 (Day 04)
NIIGATA - SADO ISLAND (B)(D)
This morning, we’ll board a hydrofoil from Naoetsu Port in Niigata and cross the Japan Sea to Ryotsu Port on historic Sado-Ga-Shima (Sado Island). On arrival, we’ll board our motorcoach and embark on a full-day sightseeing tour. The island had an image of being remote and associated with political exiles and prisoners, yet has a distinguished history and culture all its own. Sado was the home in exile to some historical figures such as ex-Emperor ‘Juntoku’, Buddhist priest ‘Nichiren’, and Noh drama master ‘Zeami’. At the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine in the town of Aikawa, we’ll descend into the old mining cave to observe life-size animatronic mannequins dramatizing the tough existence of the miners in the past. We’ll visit the Sado Rekishi Denset sukan (Sado Historical Folklore Museum) where the relics of Juntoku, Zeami, and Nichiren Shonin are exhibited, including robots illustrating dioramas of Sado’s history. In addition to Noh, the island is famed for okesa (folk dances), ondeko (demon drum dances) and the toki bird (Japanese crested ibis). The visitor center at the Toki Forest Park will provide us with interesting information and history about these protected birds, and a view of some live birds in captivity. We’ll spend the night on Sado Island. Enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing hot springs this evening at our onsen hotel. For your evening entertainment, a dance performance of okesa will be performed in the lobby (subject to availability).
Accommodations at SADO RESORT HOTEL AZUMA or similar
Saturday, April 8 (Day 05)
SADO ISLAND - NIIGATA - TSUBAME SANJO - NAGANO (B)
We’ll transfer to Ryotsu Port and board a ferry to return to Naoetsu Port in Niigata. On arrival, we’ll board our motorcoach and travel to Tsubame Sanjo, a region noted for its metalware production. We’ll visit the Tsubame Sanjo Regional Industries Promotion Center, a large facility offering a wide selection of various merchandise - including some unique kitchenware products, knives, scissors and gardening tools. Our journey continues on to enjoy ohanami (cherry blossom viewing) on the grounds of Takada Castle. Although only the stone walls and fences of the castle remain today, the site was transformed into Takada Castle Ruin Park featuring thousands of cherry trees planted all around the park. Weather permitting, the cherry blossoms should be in bloom at this time of the year. We’ll continue on to overnight in the city of Nagano - best known as the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics. The area of Nagano prefecture offers a beautiful view of the northern, central and southern ranges of the breathtaking Japan Alps. Dinner will be on your own this evening.
Accommodations at HOTEL METROPOLITAN NAGANO or similar
Sunday, April 9 (Day 06)
NAGANO - TAKAYAMA (B)(D)
This morning, we’ll visit Zenkoji Temple, one of the most important temples in Japan. The main hall is nicely ornamented and contains various Buddhist statues. We’ll continue on to Azumino and visit the Daio Wasabi (Japanese Horseradish) Farm, Japan’s largest wasabi farm to see the production of this root. A nice selection of wasabi-related products are available in the shops including fresh wasabi and wasabi-flavored ice cream. We’ll drive through numerous mountain tunnels and enjoy breathtaking scenery as we travel to the quaint and traditional town of Takayama - tucked away between the mountains of the Japan Alps. On arrival, we’ll visit the Matsuri Yatai Kaikan, a hall featuring four elaborately decorated festival floats - some that are several hundred years old and beautiful examples of Takayama’s legendary craftsmanship. Enjoy a stroll through Kamisannomachi, the quaint old-town district preserved with many old homes, craft shops, and sake shops. Enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing hot springs of our onsen resort in Takayama this evening.
Accommodations at TAKAYAMA GREEN HOTELTENRYOKAKU BUILDING or similar
Monday, April 10 (Day 07)
TAKAYAMA - SHIRAKAWA GO - KANAZAWA (B)(D)
Our journey continues on to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go - famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri (hands in prayer) farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Many of them are now functioning as shops and small restaurants. Enjoy a stroll through Shirakawago Village, the main attraction of Shirakawa-go, with old farmhouses standing amid vegetable gardens and rice paddy fields. The farmland around the area continues to be worked on by the local farmers. We’ll continue on to the castle town of Kanazawa to enjoy a leisure stroll through its main attraction - Kenroku-en Garden - noted as one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens. The name Kenroku translates as ‘combined six’ - referring to a renowned Chinese garden from the Sung Dynasty. The Kotojitoro Lantern, uniquely built with two legs stands at the northern bank of Kasumigaike Pond and is an iconic symbol of the garden. Kanazawa is also noted for its gold-leaf production and we’ll visit the Hakukokan Gold Leaf Shop that produces and displays these intricate products. We will spend two nights in the city of Kanazawa. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.
Accommodations at ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL KANAZAWA or similar
Tuesday, April 11 (Day 08)
KANAZAWA - NOTO PENINSULA - KANAZAWA (B)
This morning, we’ll travel to ‘Noto-Hanto’, a scenic peninsula with rugged seascapes surrounded on three sides by the Sea of Japan. Enjoy a shopping excursion in the town of Wajima at the asa-ichi (morning market) - a large indoor and outdoor marketplace with vendors offering a variety of merchandise including dried seafood products: abalone, scallops, and cuttlefish. Wajima, located at the center of the Okunoto area, is known not only for its fishing industry but also for its production of Wajima-nuri (lacquerware). A characteristic of Wajima lacquerware is found in the base coat being repeatedly applied to original wooden materials - taking months to finish - then decorated with chinkin (gold & silver inlaying) and makie (gold or silver raised lacquer painting). We’ll visit a lacquer shop for a brief glimpse into the production of these elegant pieces and to browse through their beautiful merchandise and artwork on display and available for purchase. Kiriko is a form of lantern produced only in the Noto district and is used to lead portable shrines during festivals. We’ll visit the Wajima Kiriko Art Museum featuring beautiful lacquered giant lanterns elegantly displayed in the showroom. On our return to Kanazawa, we’ll travel along the west coast of the peninsula and enjoy a unique and exciting drive along the breakers of the water on the Chirihama Beach Driveway, a beach resembling a sandy motorway. Dinner will be on your own this evening to try some local specialties of the area at some of the restaurants located in the train station nearby our hotel.
Accommodations at ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL KANAZAWA or similar
Wednesday, April 12 (Day 09)
KANAZAWA - TOJINBO - FUKUI - TSURUGA - MIYAZU (B)(D)
We’ll continue our journey along the Sea of Japan to scenic Tojinbo - featuring an impressive view of magnificent pillar-shaped rocks and basaltic cliffs formed through the years by erosion from sea waves. Standing gallantly against the raging waves, this scenic site is well known for several legends and in the past, noted as a famous spot for suicides. We’ll make a stop at Yamatotakahashi Konbukan, a shop offering a wide variety of konbu and other konbu-related product - subject to reopening confirmation. We’ll continue on to enjoy a scenic drive on the Mikata-go-ko Rainbow Line, a sightseeing road leading up to the Mikata go-ko (Five Lakes of Mikata), located in Wakasa Bay Quasi-National Park in Fukui Prefecture. A cable car or an individual chair lift will take us to the park and observatory on top of the mountain to enjoy this breathtaking view of the lakes and Wakasa Bay (weather permitting). Enjoy dinner and relax at our luxurious hot spring resort this evening in Miyazu.
Accommodations at HOTEL & RESORTS KYOTO-MIYAZU or similar
Thursday, April 13 (Day 10)
MIYAZU - TOTTORI (B)(D)
“Amanohashidate” (Bridge to Heaven), is a pine-tree-covered sand bar resembling the shape of a bridge spanning across Miyazu Bay and is ranked as one of Japan’s three most scenic sights (Nihon Sankei). We’ll proceed to Kasamatsu Park and board an individual chair lift or cable car to take us to the top of the hillside to enjoy this spectacular view. To view the sand bar as a ‘bridge to heaven’, turn your back towards the bay, bend over, and view the scenery from between your legs. We’ll travel along the scenic San-in coast of the Japan Sea to spend the night in Tottori, one of the main cities in the San-in district. The Tottori Sakyu are the largest sand dunes in Japan, created as sand from the nearby Sendaigawa River was washed out to sea and eventually re-deposited along the coast by the ocean’s currents. Climb to the top of one of the dunes to enjoy a beautiful view of the Sea of Japan. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.
Accommodations at HOTEL NEW OTANI TOTTORI or similar
Friday, April 14 (Day 11)
TOTTORI - IZUMO - MATSUE (B)(D)
We’ll travel along the coast of the Sea of Japan to the town of Izumo, home to Japan’s oldest and largest Shinto Shrine - Izumo Tai sha - constructed in the taisha-zukuri-style of architecture. The wooded grounds are pleasant to wander through and the shrine itself enjoys the ‘borrowed scenery’ of Yakumo Hill in the background. Okuninushi, whom the shrine is dedicated to, is the kami (Shinto Spirit God) of marriage. Hence, visitors to the shrine summon the deity by clapping their hands four times rather than the normal two - twice for themselves and twice for their partner. We’ll continue on to spend the night in the city of Matsue, capital of Shimane prefecture, located at the eastern shores of Lake Shinji. We’ll visit the Matsue Vogel Park, a paradise of flowers, plants, owls, and rare birds from all around the world. The park features a beautiful flower conservatory that is the largest in the world, displaying a variety of begonias, fuchsias and other flowers in bloom all year round. A waterfowl aviary is also featured that is home to various aquatic birds. A special performance of several trained owls will be featured for you at the park. Enjoy a delicious dinner and relax in the hot springs at our onsen hotel this evening.
Accommodations at MATSUNOYU or similar
Saturday, April 15 (Day 12)
MATSUE - MIYAJIMA ISLAND - HIROSHIMA (B)(D)
We’ll travel to Miyajima-guchi Pier to board a ferry to Miyajima Island, famed for scenic Itsukushima-jinja, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a large torii gate in the sea, the shrine and the island’s Mt. Misen-san as a backdrop, this scene is classified as one of Japan’s three most scenic sights (Nihon Sankei). Enjoy strolling through Omotesando - the island’s main shopping street featuring many shops offering a nice selection of souvenirs, including the specialties of the island: momiji manju (a maple-leaf-shaped cake filled with a variety of fillings), shakushi (wooden rice paddles), and fresh oysters. We’ll leave the island by ferry and re-board our motorcoach to spend two nights in the city of Hiroshima. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.
Accommodations at RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL HIROSHIMA or similar
Sunday, April 16 (Day 13)
HIROSHIMA - OSHIMA ISLAND - HIROSHIMA (B)
We’ll journey through Yanai City in Yamaguchi prefecture to Oshima Island, one of the largest islands in the Seto Naikai Strait. We’ll visit the Museum of Japanese Emigration to Hawaii located in the town of Suo Oshima, the sister city of Kauai. The museum features an interesting video about Hawaii and its people, including many photos, exhibits and artifacts of the hardships faced by the emigrants in Hawaii, the contributions made with the fortune accumulated through their efforts, and the history of cultural exchanges between the hometown and Hawaii up to now. Momiji Manju continues as one of Hiroshima’s most popular sweets. We’ll travel to the town of Hatsukaichi to visit the Yamadaya Manju Factory & Shop where we’ll view a short video to see the production of momiji Manju. A large selection of these confectionaries with many different fillings are available in the shop for purchase. Dinner will be on your own this evening.
Accommodations at RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL HIROSHIMA or similar
Monday, April 17 (Day 14)
HIROSHIMA TO HANEDA TO HONOLULU (B)
The morning is at your leisure for your own activities. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the Hiroshima Airport to check-in for our domestic flight to Haneda Airport. On arrival, we’ll transfer by shuttle to the Haneda International Terminal to board our evening flight to Honolulu, arriving on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line. A late meal will be served on board the flight.
Land portion based on 125 Yen = $1.00 U.S.
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 7/1/2022. Tour fare is subject to change according to any airfare 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.
2023 General Conditions & Addendum (Japan/International)
2023 SPRING TOKAIDO ODYSSEY
**WAITLIST**
March 23 - April 4, 2023 (13 Days & 11 Nights)
Haneda, Tokyo (2 Nights), Tsukiji Fish Market, Asakusa Kannon Temple, Ameyokocho, Hakone Lake Cruise, Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center, Shiraito-no-taki, Shizuoka, Greenpia Makinohara Tea Factory, Strawberry Picking, Nagoya, Nagoya Castle, Bullet Train to Kyoto, Kyoto (2 Nights), Kinkaku-ji, Heian-jingu, Nara, Kobe, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery, Awaji Island, Awaji Ningyo Joruri, Shikoku Island, Tokushima, Awa Odori Dance Performance, Takamatsu, Ritsurin-koen, Hands-on-Fan Making Experience, Imabari, Shimanami Kaido, Hiroshima (2 Nights), Iwakuni, Kintai-kyo, Miyajima Island , Hiroshima Peace Park & Museum, KurashikI, Koraku-en, Osaka
$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
(deposit of $100 per person received by 9/1/2022 )
| LAND TOUR COST: $ 3,590 per person |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $ 690 per person |
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.
Friday, March 24 (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
Saturday, March 25 (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
Sunday, March 26 (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 HOTEL MT. FUJI or similar
Monday, March 27 (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
Tuesday, March 28 (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
Wednesday, March 29 (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, it 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
Thursday, March 30 (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
Friday, March 31 (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
Saturday, April 1 (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 RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL HIROSHIMA or similar
Sunday, April 2 (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 RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL HIROSHIMA or similar
Monday, April 3 (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
Tuesday, April 4 (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.
Land portion based on 125 Yen = $1.00 U.S.
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 7/1/2022. Tour fare is subject to change according to any airfare 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.
2023 General Conditions & Addendum (Japan/International)
2023 SPRING CIRCLE KYUSHU
featuring Huis Ten Bosch ‘Kingdom of Lights’
March 16 - 28, 2023 (13 days & 11 nights)
Haneda, Fukuoka/Hakata, Dazaifu Tenman-gu, Hakata Machiya Furusato-mura, Kushida-jinja, Karatsu, Niji-no-Matsubara, Imari Okawachiyama, Mifuneyama Rakuen, Kujukushima, Sasebo, Huis Ten Bosch, Kingdom of Lights Festival, Nagasaki, Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Nagasaki International Peace Memorial Hall Nagasaki Heiwa-Koen, Nagasaki Castella Land, Shimabara, Kumamoto, Suizen-ji-koen, Kagoshima, Senga-en, Shoko Shuseikan Museum, Chiran, Tokko Heiwa Kaikan, Chiran Samurai District, TOTO Museum, Beppu, Beppu Hatto, Beppu Park, Yufuin Mingei Mura, Fukuoka, Haneda
$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
(deposit of $100 per person received by 9/1/2022 )
| LAND TOUR COST: $ 3,650 per person |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $ 725 per person |
HONOLULU TO HANEDA
Our tour to Japan commences this morning when we assemble at the check-in lobby 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.
Friday, March 17 (Day 02)
ARRIVE HANEDA TO FUKUOKA
We’ll arrive Haneda Airport in the afternoon and after completing entry and customs formalities, we’ll transfer with our luggage to the domestic ticket lobby to check-in for our flight to Fukuoka International Airport in Kyushu, the third-largest and southernmost island of Japan. We’ll transfer to our hotel to check-in for two nights in downtown Fukuoka, the largest city in Kyushu and capital of Fukuoka prefecture.
Accommodations at MIYAKO HOTEL HAKATA or similar
Saturday, March 18 (Day 03)
FUKUOKA/HAKATA (B)(D)
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing as we travel to Kitakyushu to discover the interesting world of toilets at the Toto Museum, Japan’s premier manufacturer of toilets and washroom products. The museum provides us with the history of Toto, its products, and its production from the past to the present. One of the highlights is to view the super-modern architectural design of the building, featuring rounded and rimmed curves with a glowing white finish. We’ll continue on to the cultural city of Dazaifu, visiting Dazaifu Tenman-gu, an important shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar and politician of the Heian period. His rise to power during his political career resulted in a rivalry with the Fujiwara clan and he was later exiled to Dai zaifu. Michizane passed away in Dazaifu and the main shrine was built on his gravesite. Set on a hill above Dazaifu, we’ll visit the Kyushu Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan (Kyushu National Museum), the fourth national museum in the country. The museum hosts a permanent exhibition of historical artifacts and national treasures dedicated to the history of Kyushu. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.
Accommodations at MIYAKO HOTEL HAKATA or similar
Sunday, March 19 (Day 04)
FUKUOKA *KARATSU * IMARI * SASEBO (B)(D)
The pottery towns of Arita and Imari in Saga prefecture has been a major manufacturing source of ceramics for centuries with Imari-yaki and Arita-yaki as the most famous and distinctive. Korean potters were brought to Imari to produce porcelain mainly for the Nabeshima domain. Enjoy a stroll through Imari Okawachiyama (The Village of Secret Kilns) - a small artisans’ village located in the city of Imari that has produced unique pottery for centuries and kept its methods a secret—hence the name ‘Village of Secret Kilns’. We’ll continue on to visit Mifuneyama Rakuen, a flower-laden site at the base of Mt. Mifune in Takeo city to view cherry blossoms, azaleas and plum trees in bloom (weather permitting) including statues depicting the 500 disciples of Buddha. We’ll proceed to Kashimae Port to board a sightseeing boat and enjoy a relaxing and scenic cruise around Kujuku-shima (99 pine studded islets) in the inland sea. Enjoy some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in Japan as you cruise through the islands. We’ll spend the night in Sase bo, the second-largest city in Nagasaki prefecture and home to the U.S. Navy Base as well as a base for the Japan Self Defense Force. Enjoy dinner and relax in the hot springs of our onsen hotel this evening.
Accommodations at QUINTESSA HOTEL SASEBO or similar
Monday, March 20 (Day 05)
SASEBO * NAGASAKI * HUIS TEN BOSCH (B)(D)
We’ll travel on the Saikai Bridge to Nagasaki, the largest city of Nagasaki prefecture - noted as the second city after Hiroshima to be devastated by a nuclear weapon on August 9, 1945. We’ll visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum featuring displays, photos, relics and documents related to the bombing and the Nagasaki International Peace Memorial Hall, built in memory of those who perished in the atomic bombing. The Nagasaki Heiwa-koen (Peace Park) was established near the hypocenter of the explosion and remnants of a concrete wall of Urakami Cathedral is still visible. At the park’s north end stands a 10-meter-tall Peace Statue and the south end features a Fountain of Peace. We’ll continue on to spend the night in Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park resort recreating a Dutch town located in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. Named after one of the residences of the Dutch Royal Family, this resort features a European atmosphere with picturesque canals, iconic windmills, beautiful gardens and unique architecture. In the evening, enjoy the Kingdom of Lights Festival, featuring thousands of lights illuminated and ranked as the ‘No. 1’ night scenery in Japan. Enjoy dinner and relax in the hot spring waters of our onsen hotel this evening.
Accommodations at HOTEL OKURA JR HUIS TEN BOSCH or similar
Tuesday, March 21 (Day 06)
HUIS TEN BOSCH * SHIMABARA * KUMAMOTO (B)
Castella (fluffy & moist sweet sponge cake) is a popular local food product of Nagasaki. Enjoy a visit of Nagasaki Castella Land for an interesting tour of the factory. Our journey continues on to the Shimabara Peninsula passing by Mount Unzen, an active volcanic in the center of the peninsula recognized for its natural beauty and made part of the Unzen Amakusa National Park, one of the first national parks in Japan. Weather permitting, enjoy a relaxing ride on the Unzen Ropeway, to view dynamic sceneries of pink azaleas on the slopes of Mount Unzen and spectacular views of Kyushu, including Mount Aso and Kirishima Island. We’ll proceed to the Shimabara Pier and board a ferry to cross the Ariake Sea to Kumamoto, capital city of Kumamoto prefecture to spend the night. The city is home to Suizen-ji-koen, a spacious and beautiful Japanese-style landscape garden designed with an impression of views seen when traveling along the Tokaido - the old highway between Kyoto and Edo (present-day Tokyo). As you stroll around the park, you’ll have a magnificent feeling of nature with its small ponds, lakes, trees, and blooming cherry blossoms (subject to availability). Featured at the east end of the park is Horaitsukiyama, a beautiful representation of a miniature Mt. Fuji. We’ll pass by to view Kumamoto Castle before checking into our hotel for the night. Weather permitting, the cherry blossoms should be in bloom surrounding the castle grounds. Dinner will be on your own this evening to try some of the local specialties of this prefecture.
Accommodations at KUMAMOTO CASTLE HOTEL or similar
Wednesday, March 22 (Day 07)
KUMAMOTO * KAGOSHIMA (B)(D)
We’ll travel south to Kagoshima, the southernmost major city in Kyushu and capital of Kagoshima prefecture. The city is often compared with its Italian sister city - Naples, due to its similar mild climate and Sakurajima, Kagoshima’s Vesuvius. The city’s principal attraction is Sengan-en, a beautiful Japanese-style garden with one of the most impressive pieces of ‘borrowed scenery’ - Kagoshima Bay and the fuming peak of Sakurajima as a background. Enjoy a leisure stroll through this beautifully landscaped garden featuring small ponds, streams, and a bamboo grove. Located adjacent to the garden, visit the Shoko Shuseikan Museum, containing exhibits and historical materials about the Shimazu family related to the Satsuma clan. Both the garden and the museum were recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2015. We’ll spend the night in Kagoshima, capital city of Kagoshima prefecture, and Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.
Accommodations at SHIROYAMA HOTEL KAGOSHIMA or similar
Thursday, March 23 (Day 08)
KAGOSHIMA * SATSUMA PENINSULA * CHIRAN * IBUSUKI (B)(D)
This morning, we’ll travel south to the Satsuma Peninsula to Chiran, noted for its fine collection of preserved samurai houses and gardens. Enjoy a stroll through the Chiran Samurai District, a nicely preserved samurai street to visit a few old samurai residences and beautifully landscaped gardens. We’ll visit the Tokko Heiwa Kaikan (Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots), a museum displaying an extensive collection of documents, correspondence, photographs, relics, and mementos belonging to the members of the Special Air Force Attack Group also known as the Kamikaze Pilots. We’ll continue on south to spend the night in Ibusuki, an onsen town famous for its sunamushi onsens (steaming black sand baths), where bathers are buried in warm black volcanic sand, heated by natural steam. As an option, you may want to experience this unique activity. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.
Accommodations at IBUSUKI ROYAL HOTEL or similar
Friday, March 24 (Day
IBUSUKI * SAKURAJIMA ISLAND- * MIYAZAKI (B)(D)
We’ll travel to the Kagoshima Port to transfer by ferry to Sakurajima Port on Sakurajima Island, located in the middle of Kagoshima Bay. Sakurajima has three main peaks, Kita-dake (north peak), Naka-dake (middle peak) and Minami-dake (southern peak). On arrival, we’ll visit the Sakurajima Visitor Center providing models, pictures and videos about Sakurajima. We’ll continue east to the scenic Nichinan Kaigan Coast, located in the southern part of Miyazaki prefecture. We’ll visit Aoshima Island, a small beautiful island south of Miyazaki city ringed with white beaches, palm trees and subtropical plants in the center of the island. Enjoy the view of eroded rock formations known as Oni-no-Sentakuita (devils’ washboard), natural straight rows of basalt rock formations. We’ll spend the night in Miyazaki, capital city of Miyazaki prefecture located on the eastern coast of Kyushu Island. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.
Accommodations at MIYAZAKI KANKO HOTEL or similar
Saturday, March 25 (Day 10)
MIYAZAKI * NOBEOKA * TAKACHIHO * MOUNT ASO (B)(D)
Situated in the northwestern region of Miyazaki prefecture between Nobeoka on the coast and Aso-san in the center of Kyushu Island is the town of Takachiho. This little village is a remote mountain resort and considered one of the most sacred places in Japan, surrounded by the Gokase River featuring breathtaking waterfalls, overhanging rocks, and sheer walls - formed through the erosion of the Aso lava plateau. We’ll visit Takachiho Gorge, a narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River. The sheer cliffs lining the gorge are made of slow forming volcanic basalt columns resembling the scales of a dragon. Midway along the gorge is Minaino taki Waterfall, an impressive waterfall against a backdrop of dense green foliage and surrounding cliffs. We’ll continue on to spend the night at a unique hot spring resort overlooking the majestic Aso outer ring mountain in the vicinity of Mount Aso and Aso National Park. Enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing hot springs this evening at the our hotel.
Accommodations at ASO RESORT GRANDVRIO or similar
Sunday, March 26 (Day 11)
MOUNT ASO * BEPPU (B)(D)
We’ll continue on along north along the eastern coast to spend the night in Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts that produce more hot spring water than any other resort in the country. Beppu is noted for two types of hot springs; jigoku or hells - hot springs for looking at and onsen - hot springs for bathing in. Beppu is also known for unique thermal vents known as the Hells of Beppu featuring seven spectacular hot springs for viewing known as jigokus. Five of the seven jigokus are located in the Kannawa District, and we’ll visit one of the most beautiful - Umi-Jigoku, (sea hell), a pond of boiling, steaming blue water. Located within the spacious garden area is another reddish-colored jigoku and another clear water pond with lotus flowers floating on the surface. Another interesting jigoku to visit in the district is the Kamado Jigoku, (cooking pot hell) featuring several boiling ponds and a flashy demon statue as a cook. Weather permitting, we’ll visit Beppu Park, a popular spot to view cherry blossoms in the spring. Enjoy dinner and relax in the hot spring waters of our onsen hotel this evening.
Accommodations at BEPPU KAMENOI HOTEL or similar
Monday, March 27 (Day 12)
BEPPU * FUKUOKA/HAKATA (B)
We’ll proceed to spend our last night in Fukuoka/Hakata. Hakata dolls is one of the most beautiful and famous arts and crafts in Japan. Enjoy a visit of the Hakata Doll Hall Shogetsudo to enjoy a Hakata Doll Painting Experience to create your very own original Hakata doll to take home as a special souvenir. The afternoon is free to explore Fukuoka city at your leisure. Dinner will be on your own this evening to enjoy some local specialties of this prefecture.
Accommodations at MIYAKO HOTEL HAKATA or similar
Tuesday, March 28 (Day 12)
FUKUOKA to HANEDA to HONOLULU (B)
The morning is at your leisure to relax or do some last-minute shopping for omiyage to bring home to your friends and family. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the Fukuoka Airport to check-in for our domestic flight to Haneda Airport. On arrival, we’ll transfer by shuttle to the Haneda International Terminal for our flight home to Honolulu, arriving 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.
Land portion based on 125 Yen = $1.00 U.S.
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 7/1/2022. Tour fare is subject to change according to any airfare 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.
2023 General Conditions & Addendum (Japan/International)
2023 HOKKAIDO ICE & SNOW WINTER FESTIVALS
(featuring seven winter festivals in Hokkaido)
February 8 - 17, 2023 (10 Days & 8 Nights)
Haneda, Chitose, Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival , Otaru, Sakaimachi Dori, Music Box Hands-on-Activity, Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi , Sapporo (1 night), Susukino Ice Festival, Ramen Yokocho, Sapporo Yuki Matsuri, Asahikawa, Asahikawa Winter Festival, Asahikawa Heiwa-dori Kaimono Koen Otokoyama Sake Brewery, Sounkyo Gorge, Sounkyo Hyobaku Ice Festival Abashiri, Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, Lake Akan Snow Activities, Akan International Crane Center Tokachigawa, Hakucho Matsuri (Sairinka), Soba Making Hands-on-Activity, Sapporo (2 nights), Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, Kaitaku Kinenkan, Shiroi Koibito Theme Park, Chitose, Haneda
$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
(deposit of $100 per person received by 9/1/2022 )
| LAND TOUR COST: $ 2,675 per person |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $ 525 per person |
Wednesday, February 8 (Day 01)
HONOLULU to HANEDA to CHITOSE
Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the check-in lobby at the airport for check-in procedures for our flight to Haneda International Airport. Lunch and a snack will be served on board the flight. After completing entry and customs formalities at Haneda Airport, we will transfer to check-in for our domestic flight to Chitose in Hokkaido, the second largest and northernmost island of Japan.
Thursday, February 9 (Day 02)
ARRIVE CHITOSE
We’ll arrive Chitose Airport in the evening, then transfer to our hotel to check-in for the night.
Accommodations at CHITOSE AIR TERMINAL HOTEL or similar
Friday, February 10 (Day 03)
CHITOSE - LAKE SHIKOTSU - OTARU (B)(D)
We’ll travel to picturesque Lake Shikotsu, Japan’s northernmost ice-free caldera lake to visit the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (subject to confirmation of opening date). Enjoy strolling through this fantastic world of ice with various snow and ice sculptures lined nearby the lake. We’ll continue on to spend the night in historic Otaru, a charming and romantic port city best known for the iconic Otaru Canal, beautifully restored with old-fashioned gas lamps and preserved stone warehouses, providing a nostalgic and romantic atmosphere. Enjoy strolling along Sakaimachi Dori, the main shopping street featuring a variety of sweet shops, glassware shops, and cafes. At the end of the street is a Music Box Museum featuring a huge selection of elegant and unique music boxes. In front of the entrance of the museum stands an old-fashioned steam clock presented to Otaru by the city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Enjoy a hands-on-activity to decorate a music box to take home as a souvenir in a music box workshop. Otaru is also noted for its intricate glassware, featuring its most popular item - 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 elegant soy sauce bottles. Subject to confirmation of the opening date of the festival in Otaru, we’ll visit the Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi (Otaru Snow Light Path Festival) in the Unga Kaijo area located along the Otaru Canal. The combination of the snowy town, illuminated candles, and glittering lanterns create a romantic and scenic winter spectacle. Dinner will be provided for you this evening.
Accommodations at AUTHENT HOTEL OTARU or similar
Saturday, February 11 (Day 04)
OTARU - SAPPORO (B)
We’ll continue on to spend the night in Sapporo, capital city of Hokkaido, best known for its ramen, beer, and the annual winter festival. One of the main highlight during the winter season in Hokkaido is visiting the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri, the largest and most popular winter festival in Hokkaido. Centered on Odori Park, hundreds of spectacular snow sculptures and statues of all sizes are exhibited here, including a huge snow sculpture used primarily to host concerts and events. Created by various artisans, each block displays its own individual creation, turning Odori Park into a fabulous winter dreamland. In the evenings, the festival venue is beautifully illuminated with colored lights, providing a breathtaking sight. We’ll visit Susukino, a lively entertainment district of Sapporo - home to hundreds of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Susukino also hosts its own spectacular winter event - the Susukino Ice Festival. Featured along the main street are hundreds of intricately hand-carved ice sculptures created by various artisans and business establishments. Susukino is also noted for Ramen Yokocho, a narrow alley lined with many small shops offering a variety of delicious Sapporo ramen. Dinner will be on your own this evening. Our hotel is located adjacent to the train station with many restaurants to select for your dinner option.
Accommodations at SAPPORO CENTURY ROYAL HOTEL or similar
Sunday, February 12 (Day 05)
SAPPORO - ASAHIKAWA (B)(D)
Discover a fantasyland of snow and ice sculptures displayed on a beautiful white snowfield at the spectacular Asahikawa Winter Festival, Hokkaido’s second-largest winter festival (subject to confirmation of the opening date) Located on the banks of the Ishikari River, the centerpiece of the festival is a magnificent giant snow sculpture created with a different theme every year. This huge sculpture is primarily used as a stage for concerts, events and for the opening and closing ceremonies of the festival. We’ll enjoy a stroll through Asahikawa Heiwa-dori Kaimono-koen, Asahikawa’s main pedestrian-only street lined with restaurants, shops and department stores. The main highlight is an international ice sculpture competition where teams from all over the world compete to create extraordinary ice carvings. Hokkaido has the ideal climate and water conditions to produce superior sake. For sake enthusiasts, we’ll visit the Otokoyama Sake Brewery & Museum, featuring exhibits and displays of the tools utilized to observe the step-by-step process of sake production. At the conclusion of the tour, some of their delicious products will be available for you to sample and enjoy. We’ll spend the night in Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s second largest city. Dinner will be provided for you this evening.
Accommodations at ART HOTEL ASAHIKAWA or similar
Monday, February 13 (Day 06)
ASAHIKAWA SOUNKYO GORGE - ABASHIRI (B)(D)
Daisetsu-zan is the largest of Japan’s national park and contains the very essence of rugged Hokkaido: vast plains, soaring mountain peaks, hidden gorges, cascading waterfalls, forests, and wilderness. The main route through the park is Sounkyo Gorge - a scenic ravine that extends into the park. The gorge is renowned for its picturesque waterfalls featuring two of the main ones: Ryusei-no-taki (Shooting Star Falls) and Ginga-no-taki (Milky Way Falls) - both selected as two of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan. We’ll make a photo stop to view both of these falls which are frozen during this time of the year, creating an awesome sight. Subject to confirmation of the opening date, enjoy a visit of the Sounkyo Hyobaku Ice Festival, a fantastic world of ice featuring spectacular man-made ice sculptures, fascinating ice caves, pillars, domes, and tunnels lined along the riverbed of the Ishikari River. We’ll continue on to spend the night in Abashiri, an important local port city located in Okhotsk sub-prefecture on the northern coast of Hokkaido. We’ll visit the Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum located on Mount Ten to, a hands-on science center providing interesting information about the history of sea drift ice (ryu-hyo) that floes into the Sea of Okhotsk from Russia. Experience walking through a room with freezing temperatures while swaying a wet towel that freezes as you exit the room. This evening, enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing hot springs at our onsen hotel.
Accommodations at ABASHIRI KOSO or similar
Tuesday, February 14 (Day 07)
ABASHIRI - LAKE AKAN - TOKACHIGAWA ONSEN (B)(D)
We’ll continue on to Lake Akan, a beautiful crater lake in Akan National Park. On the frozen surface of the lake, experience and enjoy some of the outdoor winter activities offered: snowmobile rides, smelt ice fishing, ice skating and exciting banana boat rides (at own expense). We’ll visit the Akan International Crane Center, a breeding center and sanctuary dedicated to red-crested Japanese cranes (tancho). These cranes represent longevity and we’ll be able to view some of these cranes as they roam about in the facility. The museum features interesting exhibits about the history and ecology of these endangered species. We’ll continue on to spend the night in Tokachigawa, a region noted for its golden-brown onsen waters and breathtaking scenery of the Tokachi Plains. The Tokachi River creates rare botanical-based moor hot springs, known as ‘hot springs for beauty’ and is known to provide shelter to thousands of migratory graceful swans. In the evening, (subject to confirmation of the opening date) we’ll visit the Hakucho Matsuri (Sairinka Festival), a festival based on the theme of hundreds of white swans that fly to Tokachigawa Onsen. Attractions at the festival features a laser show and a view of hundreds of colorful LED lights illuminating the snowy grounds - creating a majestic sight. Enjoy dinner and relax in the hot spring waters of our onsen hotel this evening.
Accommodations at HOTEL DAIHEIGEN or similar
Wednesday, February 15 (Day 08)
TOKACHIGAWA - SAPPORO (B)(L)(D)
Soba is the Japanese name for a thin noodle made from buckwheat flour. Enjoy a hands-on-activity to knead, roll, and cut your own soba . Enjoy tasting your own creation as you slurp the delicious noodles together with a dipping sauce for lunch. We’ll continue on to spend our last two nights in Sapporo. On arrival, we’ll visit the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, a ski jumping venue located on the eastern slope of Mt. Okura. The stadium has hosted a number of winter sports events, including the 1972 Winter Olympics. Currently, it is used primarily as a training facility for athletes at Nordic events. Weather permitting, we’ll ride on a chairlift to the top of the observation deck to enjoy spectacular views of Sapporo city. You’ll experience the same view as the ski jumpers as they sit on the plank preparing to fly in the sky. We may be fortunate enough to see some skiers practicing their jumping skills. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at a local restaurant.
Accommodations at SAPPORO CENTURY ROYAL HOTEL or similar
Thursday, February 16 (Day 09)
SAPPORO (B)
This morning, we’ll visit 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 throughout the region, including exhibits of the fascinating Ainu culture. Enjoy a visit of the Shiroi Koibito Park, a large theme park operated by Ishiya, a popular local cookie company in Sapporo. The company’s flagship product is the 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. Subject to availability, we’ll observe the cookie production in the factory through large glass windows. Dinner will be on your own this evening. Accommodations at SAPPORO CENTURY ROYAL HOTEL or similar
Friday, February 17 (Day 10)
SAPPORO - CHITOSE to HANEDA to HONOLULU (B)
The morning is at your leisure to do some last-minute shopping in the underground mall located near our hotel. We’ll transfer to Chitose Airport in the afternoon to check-in for our domestic flight to Haneda Airport. On arrival, we’ll transfer by shuttle bus to the Haneda International Terminal for our evening flight home to Honolulu, arriving in the morning on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line.
Land portion based on 120 Yen = $1.00 U.S.
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 6/1/2022. Tour fare is subject to change according to any airfare 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.
2023 General Conditions & Addendum (Japan/International)
