Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll land in Tokyo and clear customs, then catch a shared shuttle to your hotel. After you get settled, the afternoon is yours to relax and explore on your own. Later you'll receive information about when your tour officially starts.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
- Day 2
Tokyo
A five-hour guided tour takes you through Tokyo's diverse neighborhoods. You'll see Zojoji Temple with views toward Tokyo Tower, check out the famous Shibuya Crossing, visit Meiji Shrine, walk through the Imperial Palace gardens, and drive past Akihabara. Tokyo Skytree gives you panoramic views of the city. Later in the day, head to Asakusa to walk through Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street. By evening, take the subway to Shinjuku, wander the lively streets, and have dinner at a local restaurant before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant in Shinjuku area)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour (approximately five hours)
- Short stop at Zojoji Temple to view Tokyo Tower
- Visit Shibuya Crossing
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Tour along Omotesando Avenue by bus
- Explore Imperial Palace and gardens
- Visit Nijubashi Bridge
- Drive through Akihabara
- Tokyo Skytree admission and panoramic city views
- Explore Sensoji Temple
- Visit Nakamise Street
- Subway tour to Shinjuku area
- Walk through Shinjuku district
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Zojoji Temple Tokyo Tower Shibuya Crossing Meiji Shrine Omotesando Avenue Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge Akihabara Tokyo Skytree Sensoji Temple Nakamise Street Shinjuku 
- Day 3
Tokyo - Nikko - Sendai
You'll leave for Nikko and arrive around 10:30 a.m. Check out the impressive Nikko Toshogu Shrine, including the 'Crying Dragon' room, then visit the Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum. Walk around the Kannanga Fuchi river where hundreds of Jizo statues line the path. The afternoon is free to explore Nikko's downtown area before traveling to Sendai. Once there, spend time in this modern city of over a million people and grab dinner in the bustling center.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Metropolitan Sendai East)
Included Activities
- Visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine including 'Crying Dragon' room
- Visit Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum
- Stroll near Kannanga Fuchi with Jizo statues
- Free time to explore Nikko city center
Optional Activities
- Explore Sendai city center
Landmarks Nikko Toshogu Shrine Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum Kannanga Fuchi 
- Day 4
Sendai - Matsushima - Hiraizumi - Morioka
Start by heading to Matsushima on the famous 'Thousand Islands' Bay. You'll visit a tea house overlooking the water for traditional tea and local conversation, then take a 50-minute boat ride that includes lunch. After that, continue to Hiraizumi to see historic temples, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Takkoku no Iwaya carved into rock back in 801. Explore Chusonji and Motsuji Temple, where you'll participate in a Zen ceremony in the gardens. End the day in Morioka with time to explore your new surroundings.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board cruise)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Metropolitan Morioka New Wing)
Included Activities
- Visit tea house overlooking Matsushima Bay
- Traditional tea experience
- 50-minute cruise with lunch on board
- Visit Takkoku no Iwaya Temple
- Explore Chusonji Temple
- Zen ceremony at Motsuji Temple gardens
Landmarks Matsushima Bay Takkoku no Iwaya Chusonji Temple Motsuji Temple 
- Day 5
Morioka - Hirosaki - Aomori - Hakodate
Travel through scenic landscapes to Hirosaki and see its castle set in a park with over 2,500 cherry trees that bloom in spring. Next, head to Aomori on Mutsu Bay and visit the Nebuta Museum to learn about Japan's famous festivals and see the painted and lit floats. Have lunch at a local spot, then board a ferry to Hokkaido, a journey of just over three and a half hours. Arrive in Hakodate with free time to explore the historic district and see landmarks like the Russian Orthodox Church.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant in Aomori)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Four Points By Sheraton Hakodate)
Included Activities
- View Hirosaki Castle from outside in castle park
- Visit Nebuta Museum
- Lunch at local restaurant in Aomori
- Ferry crossing to Hokkaido
Optional Activities
- Explore Hakodate historic district
- Visit Russian Orthodox Church
Landmarks Hirosaki Castle Nebuta Museum Russian Orthodox Church 
- Day 6
Hakodate - Onuma - Noboribetsu - Sapporo
Start at Hakodate's fish market to see local culture in action, then head up Goryokaku Tower for panoramic views and a look at the historic fortress's star shape. Spend time in the castle area before traveling to Onuma. In this natural setting with many small islands, you can take a boat ride or walk scenic paths. After lunch at a local restaurant, travel along the coast to Noboribetsu and walk through the steam vents of Jigokudani with views of Lake Oyunuma. Continue to Sapporo, arriving in the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant in Onuma)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sapporo Park)
Included Activities
- Visit Hakodate fish market
- Goryokaku Tower with panoramic views
- Free time to explore castle area in Hakodate
- Free time in Onuma for boat ride or walking trails
- Lunch at local restaurant in Onuma
- Walk among steam vents of Jigokudani (Hell Valley)
- View Lake Oyunuma
Optional Activities
- Boat ride at Onuma
Landmarks Hakodate Fish Market Goryokaku Tower Onuma Jigokudani (Hell Valley) Lake Oyunuma 
- Day 7
Sapporo
Explore Sapporo on a city tour starting with the Clock Tower and Odori Koen, a park-lined avenue with Sapporo TV Tower at its center. Visit Hokkaido Jingu Shinto shrine and take part in a traditional Kito ceremonial prayer for gratitude. On the city's outskirts, see the Hill of Buddha, an architectural project from 2015 with a massive Buddha statue and Easter Island Moai replicas. Then head to Otaru, a charming European-style town with shopping streets, a historic canal, and museums. Have lunch locally and get back to Sapporo around 3:30 p.m. for free time.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant in Otaru)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sapporo Park)
Included Activities
- City tour with stops at Clock Tower
- Visit Odori Koen park
- View Sapporo TV Tower
- Visit Hokkaido Jingu Shinto shrine
- Kito traditional ceremonial prayer
- Visit Hill of Buddha
- See Buddha statue and Moai replicas
- Excursion to Otaru
- Explore Otaru shopping streets
- Visit Otaru historic canal
- Lunch at local restaurant in Otaru
Optional Activities
- Visit Otaru museums
Landmarks Sapporo Clock Tower Odori Koen Sapporo TV Tower Hokkaido Jingu Shinto Shrine Hill of Buddha Otaru 
- Day 8
Sapporo - Toyako Onsen - Mount Usu - Tomakomai
Travel south on Hokkaido to the Upopoy Museum, where the name means 'singing together in a group' in the Ainu language. The museum focuses on Ainu culture and heritage. Head to Toyako, a resort town at the base of a volcano on a crater lake. Walk along the lakeside and visit the Volcanology Museum to learn about past eruptions. Take a cable car to Mount Usu's summit and walk through the volcanic terrain for great views. After lunch, continue to Tomakomai and board an overnight ferry with a double cabin and private bathroom included. Dinner is provided as you sail across the Pacific.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant), Dinner (Dinner on ferry)
Included Activities
- Visit Upopoy Museum (Ainu Museum)
- Stroll along Toyako lakeside
- Visit Volcanology Museum in Toyako
- Cable car to Mount Usu summit
- Walk through volcanic landscape at Mount Usu
- Lunch at local restaurant near Mount Usu
- Board overnight ferry to Sendai
- Dinner on ferry
- Overnight accommodation in double cabin with private bathroom
Landmarks Upopoy Museum Toyako Mount Usu - Day 9
Sendai - Yamadera - Yonezawa - Aizuwakamatsu
Arrive at Sendai Port around 10:00 a.m. and head to Yamadera, a temple complex founded over 1,000 years ago in the mountains with towering trees creating a special atmosphere. Have lunch and time to explore, then continue to Yonezawa, one of Japan's main sake regions. Visit the Sake Museum with its small distillery, then drive through beautiful landscapes to Aizuwakamatsu for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Yamadera)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Washington)
Included Activities
- Visit Yamadera temple complex
- Lunch at Yamadera
- Visit Sake Museum in Yonezawa
- Explore small distillery at Sake Museum
Optional Activities
- Explore Yamadera
Landmarks Yamadera Temple Sake Museum Yonezawa 
- Day 10
Aizuwakamatsu - Ouchi-Juku - Tokyo
In Aizuwakamatsu, tour the Samurai Mansion to learn about legendary samurai warriors and their traditions. Walk through the castle garden where you can see the castle in the distance with its red roof tiles. Visit Iimoriyama, which has sculptures donated by Mussolini and tells the story of the city's young martyrs. Continue to Ouchi-Juku, a charming village with traditional thatched-roof houses, and have lunch. Explore the impressive Oya Museum, set in former stone quarries. By evening, return to Tokyo, arriving at the end of the day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Samurai Mansion (Aizu Bukeyashiki)
- Stroll through castle garden in Aizuwakamatsu
- Visit Iimoriyama
- Explore Ouchi-Juku village with traditional thatched-roof houses
- Lunch in Ouchi-Juku
- Visit Oya Museum in former stone quarries
Landmarks Samurai Mansion (Aizu Bukeyashiki) Aizuwakamatsu Castle Iimoriyama Ouchi-Juku Oya Museum - Day 11
Tokyo
After breakfast, your trip comes to an end, leaving you with lasting memories from your journey through Japan.
- Meals
- Breakfast
