Tohoku Trails
“A tour created to showcase Japan’s ancient samurai, spiritual & farming traditions still living on strongly in the present ”
On Tohoku Trails, enjoy the incredible natural scenery with countless lakes, waterfalls, rivers, native forests, mountain ranges, coastal views, and islands. Learn about the rich samurai and spiritual past and discover how these traditions are kept alive and still practiced in both rural and modern-day Japan. Avoid the crowd of foreign tourists heading south towards Kyoto and join the domestic Japanese tourists traveling north from Tokyo. Only 1% of international visitors go to Tohoku, so the actual experience as a foreign visitor to the region would be akin to what it was like visiting Kyoto 30 years ago before its explosion in popularity with foreign visitors. Whether this is your first time to Japan, or you are a regular repeat visitor, join us in exploring this off-the-beaten-track trail before the rest of world discovers it!!
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Tokyo - 'Izakaya' Evening
Day 2: Ultra-Luxurious Bullet Train to the north of Honshu & check into a luxurious Ryokan
Breakfast at your hotel
Transfer to Aomori by “Granclass”; Japan’s ultimate luxury bullet train. Enjoy the longest journey of your trip – traversing all the way to the very north of Honshu by the highest class bullet train.
Evening at leisure at your Ryokan
HIGHLIGHTS
- Kaiseki Dinner at your Ryokan
- Granclass car: The ultimate luxury bullet train
Japanese Style Accommodation:
Hoshino Resorts Kai Tsugaru or similar
(Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 3: Full day guided tour to UNESCO native forest & in Aomori city
- Shirakami Sanchi UNESCO World Heritage site Hike (weather permitting). There will be bear bells to ring in Shirakami Sanchi along the hiking paths. Some paths may be closed due to a bear appearance. If guests are worried about bears, they can take a free day in Aomori city instead of going to the national park native forest.
- Spring highlight will be the Hirosaki castle park Cherry Blossom Festival (depending on timing of trees blossoms)
- Nebuta Festival (August tours)
- Tsugaru-han Nebuta Village Museum (April and October tours)
Japanese Style Accommodation:
Hoshino Resorts Kai Tsugaru or similar
(Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 4: Transfer to Kakunodate Samurai Village via a 300 year old Onsen
Transfer to Nyuto-Onsen by Shinkansen & Bus
- Nyuto-Onsen Experience
This is the ultimate Onsen experience, and if you left the big cities alarmed at the pace of modern Japanese life, a visit to Nyuto Onsen Tsuruno-yu will reassure you that traditional ways are very much alive and well in Japan.
Short transfer to Kakunodate by Shinkansen or train (Just 10 -20 minutes by either)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Viewing Kakunodate Sakura (Cherry blossom) Festival on April Tour (depending on timing of trees blossoming)
- “Kabazaiku” Craft experience – learn the unique Akita art of cherry blossom bark crafting
Japanese Style Accommodation:
Tamachi Bukeyashiki Hotel
(Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 5 : Half day tour of Samurai village before traveling to family farm for homestay
Today we will visit Kakunodate Original Samurai Residences & Edo Era Merchant district with a private local guide for an interesting walking tour of the area and a local craft experience.
Highlights include:
- Tour of the authentic samurai residences on Bukeyashiki street
Transfer to Tono village
Walking tour of historical Tono village before transferring to accommodation.
Homestay at a traditional Japanese family farm
- Farming, picking, cooking experience at a Japanese Farm
- Stay with a welcoming Japanese farm family
Farm-House Accommodation:
Agriturismo Omori-Ke
(or similar farm homestay pending availability)
(Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 6: Visit UNESCO World Heritage temple & ride a gondola through a river gorge before checking into hotel in Sendai City
Breakfast at your farm
Transfer to Ichinoseki.
What to expect:
- Geibikei Gorge River Cruise
- Chuson-ji Temple UNESCO World Heritage Site
Transfer to Sendai by Shinkansen (bullet train)
Evening at leisure in Sendai. Join your tour leader for a walk around taking in:
- Tanabata Big Fireworks Festival (August Tour)
- Iroha Yokocho (Street Food & Drinks)
Western Style Accommodation:
Richmond Hotel Premier Sendai Eikmae
(Breakfast)
Day 7: Full day guided tour with a boat cruise on Matsushima bay followed by a hike to a mountain-top temple on Yamadera
✪ Matsushima & Yamadera (full day with local guide)
- Matsushima Bayside stroll
- Matsushima Bay boat cruise
- Yamadera village stroll with guide
- Yamadera Mountain Temple Hike (1,015 steps up to mountain-top temple – actual hike unaccompanied by guide)
Evening at your leisure in Sendai city.
Suggested evening itinerary:
- Shopping Opportunity
- Try the famous Yamagata beef
- Drinking district in the evening time
Western Style Accommodation:
Richmond Hotel Premier Sendai Eikmae
(Breakfast)
Day 8: Check into a stunning Ryokan in Aizuwakamatsu
Transfer to Aizuwakamatsu station by train
Digital Detox at your Ryokan Retreat :
- Relax in the Onsen
- Kaiseki Style Dinner
Day 9: Samurai castle tour and Japanese archery experience followed by hike around stunning lakes
What to Expect:
- Tsuruga Castle Cherry blossom festival (Spring only, blossoms may or may not be in bloom depending on the seasonal weather)
- Iimoriyama (Sazaedo temple)
- Nisshinkan former Samurai School – Traditional Samurai school experience Japanese kyudo (Japanese archery)
- Visit top Sake brewery (award-winning sake tasting)
- 4km/2.5miles hike around 5 stunning lakes at Goshikunuma
Transfer to Ouchijuku and check in into Minshuku
Day 10: Explore historic Ochijuku before a scenic train journey to Nikko
Morning Stroll at your own leisure
- Walkthrough the old traditional Japanese village where you can feel old Japanese lifestyles.
Transfer to Yunokami Onsen Station
- Dip casually into the foot bath at the station while waiting for your train.
Transfer to Nikko by Aizu Mount Express Train
- Enjoy the stunning countryside scenery over mountains and rivers from the train
Transfer to your Hotel – Luxury awaits! Brand new Ritz Carlton Nikko.
Day 11: Nikko UNESCO World Heritage Site & back to Tokyo
Breakfast at your hotel
✪ Nikko Sightseeing (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Full Day Sightseeing with Local Guide ✪
What to expect:
- Observe the impressive Kegon waterfall
- Soak in the stunning views of Chuzenji lake from the historical Italian & British Embassy Summer Villas that date back to 1896.
- Visit Nikko Toshogu shrine (UNESCO world heritage site)
- Stop off for photo opportunities at the beautiful wooden Shinkyo bridge
Your last leg is back to Tokyo (just under a 3-hour journey). More bullet/express trains.
Evening free time at your own leisure in Tokyo
*suggested Tokyo itineraries will be available in your travel pack
Day 12: Tokyo Free Day
Enjoy a free day at your own leisure in Tokyo city
You will have the option to join your tour leader for a hop-on/off the subway system around Tokyo. If you prefer to go alone, your tour leader can provide you with up to date real-time information on where to go and how to go there!
Evening Option:
Farewell Dinner at a local izakaya (pay locally)
Day 13: Tour Ends
The Tohoku trails tour comes to an end after breakfast today and you will be provided with an airport transfer service from your hotel. If you would like to stay longer in Tokyo, discuss some post-tour options with your travel consultant. Don’t forget to send us your flight details as soon as you know them. Transfers need to be booked early!
Dates and Prices
| Triple Room | €6,270 | £5,272 | US$6,510 | AU$9,360 |
| Twin/Double | €6,600 | £5,550 | US$6,850 | AU$9,850 |
| Single Room | €8,150 | £7,150 | US$8,570 | AU$12,990 |
Tour Starts:
July 31, 2024Tour Ends:
August 13, 2024 (Summer Tanabata Festival, Nebuta Festival) Book NowAccommodation
Tokyo (Total 3 Nights)
Daiwa Roynet Nishi-Shinjuku Premier (or similar)
Aomori (2 Nights)
Hoshino Resorts Kai Tsugaru or similar
Kakunodate (1 Night)
Tamachi Bukeyashiki
Tono (1 Night)
Agriturismo Omori-ke (or similar farm homestay)
Sendai City (2 Nights)
Richmond Hotel Premier Sendai Ekimae
Aizuwakamatsu (1 Night)
Aizu Higashiyama Onsen Mukaitaki (Japanese Style) or similar
Ochijuku (1 Night)
Honke Ogiya (Japanese style)
Nikko (1 Night)
The Ritz Carlton 5* Nikko
Tour Testimonial
Whats Included
| Date | Service |
|---|---|
| 12 Nights Accommodation | 3, 4 & 5* Western (6 nights) Superior Ryokans with hot springs & kaiseki dinner (2 nights) Traditional Minshuku (3 nights) Farm homestay (1 night) |
| English Speaking tour leader | Fully Escorted (Groups of 6 – 12): You will be escorted by our friendly English- speaking tour leader who will travel with you from Day 1 to 13. On day 13, your tour leader will say goodbye as you travel to the airport or onwards in Japan solo. Semi Escorted (Groups of 1 – 5): If we do not have the minimum numbers to run the tour with a tour leader throughout, don’t worry! We never cancel our scheduled tour dates. Instead of having a full-time tour leader, you will be met in each area by our local assistants on days you don’t have private guides. So you will be given a very private style tour – with no change to the cost! |
| Transfers | All transfers required for your tour as well as arrival & departure airport transfers to & from Tokyo hotel |
| Private Tour Guides | Local English speaking tour guides in Aomori (including Shirakami Sanchi), Kakunodate, Sendai (including Yamadera & Matsushima), Aizuwakamatsu & Nikko. |
| Entrance Fees | Included into all sights listed in the itinerary |
| Cultural Experiences |
|
| Meals | Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 7 evening meals |
| Other Inclusions: |
|
|---|
| This package does not include: |
|
|---|
