The charms of Northern Japan (Reverse)

The must-see sights of Tohoku and Hokkaido … plus cherry blossoms and wisteria in spring.

Destinations

Tokyo/Ahikaga/Nikko/Matsuhima/Hiraizumi/Morioka/Towada/Aomori/Hakodate/LagoToya/Noribetsu/Shiraoi/Sapporo/Otaru

Simple itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Tokyo
Day 2 Ashikaga – Nikko
Day 3 Matsushima
Day 4 Hiraizumi – Morioka
Day 5 Towada – Aomori – Seikan Underwater Tunnel – Hakodate
Day 6 Hakodate – Lake Toya
Day 7 Noboribetsu – Shiraoi – Sapporo
Day 8 Sapporo – Otaru
Day 9 End of the trip

Trip description

In Japan, when you see that the cherry blossoms are in bloom, it means that spring has arrived. It marks the beginning of another cycle of the four seasons and brings out the special feelings among the Japanese. Cherry blossoms bloom in northern Japan about a month later than in central Japan, between the period from late April to early May. Northern Japan has a long winter compared to other parts of Japan. Therefore, the symbol of the arrival of spring has an even more special meaning for the people in northern Japan.

We have designed this tour for people who want to see both cherry blossoms and wisteria. At Ashikaga Flower Park you can sunbathe under a variety of wisteria and see the large Wisteria tree that is over 150 years old, which is designated as a Natural Monument. In addition, the park has also been selected as one of the 9 international dream destinations as well as one of the 31 most beautiful places in Japan by CNN.

Upon arrival in Tokyo, you will be transferred directly to the hotel for an overnight stay. The next day, we will first visit the Ashikaga flower park in Tochigi prefecture. Then we will continue our journey to Nikko. The Japanese have a saying: “Don’t say kekko (wonderful) without seeing Nikko.” We will first visit the Kegon waterfall located on Lake Chuzenji. It is one of the three most beautiful waterfalls in Japan. Then, discover the wonderfully adorned Toshogu Shrine. These sites have been designated as World Heritage sites in Nikko.

Continue to Matsushima, a picturesque bay filled with small pine-covered islands, where we will explore ancient caves, once frequented by meditating monks. Matsushima is famous for being one of the three most beautiful natural attractions in Japan. Then we will head to Hiraizumi for a cultural interlude and stroll through the magnificent Japanese cedar trees and photogenic buildings at Chusonji Temple. We head to Morioka for a visit to Morioka Handi-Works Square, a facility where you can “see, touch, and create” various traditional Morioka crafts and foods. In Towada, we will visit Lake Towada, the third deepest lake in Japan. A 44 km circumference volcanic crater lake is the perfect backdrop for our nature walk along the stream through the Oirase Gorge. We then visit the Nebuta Warasse in Aomori, before moving on to Hakodate crossing the Tsugaru Channel between the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu, through the underwater train tunnel.

Our journey continues in Hokkaido, the second largest, northernmost and least developed land of the four main islands of Japan. On Hokkaido Island, we will visit Hakodate, Onuma Park, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu, Shiraoi, Otaru, and finish our tour in Sapporo. We designed this tour for tourists who want to discover parts of Japan that are rarely seen.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1
Narita airport

Welcome to Tokyo! An AJT representative will greet you at the arrival gate with a “All Japan Tours” sign.
Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo or similar class

NOTE 1: The meet and greet is ONLY available for flights arriving after 11:00 AM.

NOTE 2: If you want to stay more nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodation.

Day 2
Tochigi (Ashikaga Flower Park), Nikko (Lake Chuzenji / Kegon Waterfall / Toshogu Shrine)

Today we will visit the Ashikaga flower park in Tochigi prefecture for the first time. There you will find the Great Wisteria Tree over 150 years old, designated a Natural Monument in Tochigi. Not only will you be shaded by the large wisteria tree, but as you venture through the park, different colored wisteria will decorate your walk from above. Beneath the various flowers, such as azaleas, the hanging wisteria will be complemented throughout the Ashikaga Flower Park. Afterwards, we traveled overland to Nikko National Park in the mountains north of Tokyo and discovered this beautiful region. The Japanese have a saying: “Don’t say kekko (wonderful) without seeing Nikko.” Nikko shrines and temples, along with their natural surroundings, have for centuries been closely associated with the history of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Visit Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Waterfall. The nearly 100-meter high Kegon Falls is the most famous of Nikko’s many beautiful waterfalls. In fact, it is even ranked as one of the three most beautiful falls in Japan, along with the Nachi waterfall in Wakayama prefecture and the Fukuroda waterfall in Ibaraki prefecture. Next is a visit to the lavishly decorated Toshogu Shrine, nestled in a forest of magnificent ancient Japanese cedars. Tonight, we will stay at the Onsen Ryokan at Kinugawa Onsen, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a hot tub and enjoy a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Kinugawa Onsen Hotel or similar class

Day 3
Matsushima (Matsushima Cruise / Godaido / Zuiganji Temple)

After a Japanese breakfast at the ryokan, you will visit Matsushima, a picturesque bay full of small pine-covered islands, where we will explore ancient caves, once frequented by meditating monks. Matsushima is famous for being one of the three most picturesque sights in Japan along with Miyajima and Amanohashidate. The bay is dotted with more than 200 small pine-covered islands. We will take the best way to see the islands by boarding one of the tourist boats. Then we will visit the Godaido and Zuiganji Temple, the most famous in the Tohoku region, it was built by Date Masamune and is designated as a national treasure.

Breakfast dinner
Hotel Matsushima Taikanso or similar class

Day 4
Hiraizumi (Chusonji Temple), Morioka (Morioka Handi – Plaza de las Obras)

This morning, we will head to Hiraizumi for a cultural interlude and to wander through the magnificent Japanese cedars and photogenic buildings at Chusonji Temple. Hiraizumi is now listed as a World Heritage Site and is home to the Konjiki-do (Golden Hall) within the Chusonji Temple, which attempts to recreate an ideal Buddhist world. As such, it is home to a set of exquisite remnants of the Buddhism brand “gold culture” that developed independently in the Tohoku region, far away from the cultural center of Kyoto, in the late 11th century Heian era. . UNESCO has recognized this area as a globally exceptional example of local culture manifesting itself at such a high level in the transition period from ancient to medieval times. Then, we head to Morioka for a visit to the Morioka Handi-Works Plaza, a facility where you can “see, touch and create” various traditional Morioka handicrafts and foods.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Towadako Lake View Hotel or similar class

Day 5
Towada (Lake Towada / Oirase Gorge), Aomori (Nebuta Warasse), Underwater Train from Aomori to Hakodate (Mt Hakodate Ropeway)

Today we will visit the third deepest lake in Japan, Lake Towada, a volcanic crater lake 44 km in circumference. We will have a nature walk along the stream through Oirase Gorge. More than a dozen waterfalls cascade into the stream along its length from the walls of the gorge. The stream flows along the floor of the Oirase Gorge, winding through trees that glow lush green in spring and summer and turn brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange from late October to early November. Then visit the Nebuta Warasse, a well-done museum about the Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori. In the afternoon, we will cross the Tsugaru Channel between the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu by train through the underwater train tunnel, before reaching Hakodate. It is a small city that has some of the most authentic and best preserved historical buildings in Japan. Upon arrival in Hakodate, we will take a tram and cable car to Mount Hakodate from where we can see the twinkling lights that surround Hakodate Bay. The views from the mountain are spectacular and ranked among the top three night views in Japan along with the views from Nagasaki’s Mount Inasa and Kobe’s Mount Rokko.

Breakfast lunch
Four Points By Sheraton Hakodate or similar class

Day 6
Hakodate (Hakodate Morning Market / Fort Goryokaku), Onuma Park, Lake Toya (Usuzan Ropeway)

Today we will continue our tour in Hakodate. Hakodate was one of the first Treaty Ports in Japan to be opened to world trade in 1854, so there are many preserved buildings in the area from that time on. First is a visit to the famous morning market, where you will see a variety of fresh seafood, local fruits and vegetables. Then visit the Goryokaku Pentagonal Fort, built in 1868 and the only structure of its kind in Japan. The surrounding moat and defense grounds are now a city park and gardens. From Hakodate, we head to Lake Toya, on the way we stop at Lake Onuma. At Lake Toya, we will take the Usuzan cable car to the observation deck and have a panoramic view of Lake Toya and neighboring Showa Shinzan. Tonight we will stay in Noboribetsu where we will have dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Noboribetsu Manseikaku or similar class

Day 7
Noboribetsu (Jigokudani), Shiraoi (Ainu Village), Sapporo (Clock Tower / Odori Park / Susukino)

In the morning, we will visit the Jigokudani. The valley generates 10,000 tons of bubbling water every day, and visitors can walk to nearby Lake Oyunuma and watch the plumes of steam rise. Today we will have the opportunity to learn about the Ainu, the indigenous peoples of northern Japan. At Shiraoi Ainu Village, you will experience an authentic Ainu performance with music, dancing and singing. In the afternoon, we drive to the city of Sapporo. The tour includes a visit to the Sapporo Clock Tower and Odori Park, where you can stroll along the boardwalk. The next stop is Susukino, Hokkaido’s largest entertainment district. At night it is for you to enjoy your free time.

Breakfast lunch
ANA Hotel Sapporo or similar class

Day 8
Sapporo (Historic Town / Sapporo Beer Museum), Otaru (Otaru Canal / Sakaimachi Street – Kitaichi Garasukan – Otaru Music Box Museum)

In the morning, our Sapporo tour continues with a visit to the Historic Village, you can see the architecture of the Meiji and Taisho periods when Japan experienced rapid expansion. From there we will visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, dedicated to all things beer. Sapporo is the oldest brewery in Japan and exports its beer around the world. Then, we will travel to Otaru, famous for its canals and glass blowing. During the first half of the 20th century, the Otaru Canal was a vital part of the city’s busy port. The canal allowed large vessels to be unloaded onto smaller ones, and then transported to local warehouses. Although the canal became obsolete when modern port facilities allowed the direct unloading of large ships, the canal remains an integral part of the city’s history and culture. As part of a citizen movement in the 1980s, the canal was restored and its former warehouses transformed into cafes, restaurants, museums, and shops. Next, we will visit the glass workshops and the Music Box Museum on Sakaimachi Street.

Breakfast lunch
ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Chitose or similar class

Day 9
Final tour

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Check out time is at 11am. And you can get to Chitose Airport by hotel shuttle service.

Breakfast