Hokkaido, Tohoku and Central Japan Tour (Reverse route)

Destinations

Osaka / Nara / Kyoto / Kanazawa / Shirakawago / Takayama / Matsumoto / Mt. Fuji / Hakone / Tokyo / Nikko / Matsushima / Hiraizumi / Morioka / Towada / Aomori / Hakodate / Lake Toya / Noboribetsu / Shiraoi / Sapporo / Otaru

Itinerary in brief

Day 1 Arrival in Osaka
Day 2 Osaka – Nara – Kyoto
Day 3 Kyoto
Day 4 Bullet Train Ride – Kanazawa – Shirakawa-go – Takayama
Day 5 Takayama – Matsumoto
Day 6 Matsumoto – Mt. Fuji – Hakone
Day 7 Hakone – Tokyo
Day 8 Nikko
Day 9 Matsushima
Day 10 Hiraizumi – Morioka
Day 11 Towada – Aomori – Seikan Underwater Tunnel – Hakodate
Day 12 Hakodate – Lake Toya
Day 13 Noboribetsu – Shiraoi – Sapporo
Day 14 Sapporo – Otaru
Day 15 End of the Trip

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Trip description

Exploring the two main islands of Japan: Honshu and Hokkaido.

Japan stretches from north to south and fall really happens at a different time. Historically, October is the best month to see the most fall colors in Tohoku and southern Hokkaido, in the far north of Japan, and in the high mountains of central Japan. You can experience this tradition and many others. We designed this tour for tourists who want to discover rarely seen parts of Japan and the famous sights of Tokyo and Kyoto. This tour will focus on modern city attractions, festivals, historical cities, romantic rural landscapes, and other tourist attractions in Japan.

This tour begins with a visit to Osaka and Nara, as well as the ancient city of Kyoto, where you will have exclusive access to the city’s gardens, temples, shrines, and specialty shops. You will also have the opportunity to experience a green tea ceremony and meet a maiko (apprentice geisha). Visit Arashiyama, located on the outskirts of Kyoto, famous for its bamboo forest and traditional Zen garden at Tenryuji Temple.

Stroll through the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa and see what six attributes make a perfect landscape. Next, we will visit the charming town of Shirakawa-go and understand what is the architectural style of gassho-zukuri. In Takayama, you will experience 15th century Japan as you watch thousands of people in costumes, performances of traditional music, and marvelous ornate floats parading through the classical city. See how awesome Mother Nature is at Hakone and Mt. Fuji. Enjoy a guided tour in Tokyo. Visit Tokyo’s cultural landmarks, trendy neighborhoods, and various shopping districts.

In the Tohoku area, let’s explore the wonderfully ornate temples and shrines that have been designated as World Heritage sites in Nikko. We continue to the Kegon waterfall located on Lake Chuzenji, one of the three most beautiful waterfalls in Japan. After that, we will visit Matsushima, a picturesque bay full of small pine-covered islands, where we will explore ancient caves, once frequented by meditating monks. Then we will head to Hiraizumi for a cultural interlude and stroll through the magnificent Japanese cedar trees and photogenic buildings at Chusonji Temple. Next we will go to Morioka to visit the Morioka Castle Ruins for its beautiful autumn leaves.

In Towada, we visit Lake Towada, the third deepest lake in Japan. A 44 km circumference volcanic crater lake and nature walk along the creek through Oirase Gorge. Then from Aomori, we continue to Hakodate crossing the Tsugaru channel between the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu, through the underwater train tunnel. On Hokkaido Island, we will visit Hakodate, Onuma Park, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu, Shiraoi, Otaru, and finish our tour in Sapporo.

 

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Detailed itinerary

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Day 1
Osaka Kansai Airport

Welcome to Osaka! An OOT representative will meet you at the arrival gate with a “Only One Travel” sign.
Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class

NOTE 1: The meet and greet is ONLY available for flights arriving at Terminal 1 after 11:00 AM. For guests arriving at Terminal 2, airport pickup is not included, but we will provide directions to your hotel in advance.

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

 

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Day 2
Osaka (Dotonbori), Nara (Todaiji Temple / Nara Deer Park), Kyoto (Fushimi-Inari)

In the morning, your first destination will be Dotonbori, the popular shopping, entertainment and food district, Dotonbori is known for the hundreds of neon and mechanized signs that line the street, including the famous Glico Running Man and Kani Doraku Crab signs. .

From Osaka, our coach leaves for Nara, the oldest capital of Japan. We will visit the Todaiji Temple, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. This temple is also home to one of the largest bronze Buddha statues at 16.3 meters high. Outside the temple is the Nara Deer Park, where more than 1,000 Sika deer roam freely.

Afterwards, we will head to Kyoto to visit the impressive vermilion-colored Fushimi Inari Shrine, whose 2.5-mile tunnel of scarlet torii gates was featured in the movie Memories of a Geisha. This resort surrounds a bamboo wilderness that includes mountains, streams, and ponds, the perfect backdrop for a scenic hike.

Breakfast lunch
Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class.

 

 

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Day 3
Kyoto (Arashiyama – Tenryuji Temple Zen Garden – Bamboo Grove – Togetsukyo Bridge / Green Tea Ceremosnia with a Maiko / Kimono Show / Golden Pavilion)

Today we will continue our tour of Kyoto, which was once the capital of Japan and is still considered its cultural center. We will first visit Arashiyama to see Tenryuji Temple where you can catch a glimpse of the traditional design of the Zen landscape garden. Then proceed through a dense bamboo grove, passing several small shrines, tea shops and private houses before reaching the Togetsukyo Bridge. on the river Hozu. Then we will experience a traditional Japanese green tea ceremony. In the meantime, you will also have the opp

 

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Day 4

Shinkansen Bullet Train Ride, Kanazawa (Kenrokuen Garden), Shirakawa-go, Takayama (Takayama Night Festival)

After breakfast, take a Shinkansen bullet train ride for some experience, which can reach speeds of up to 300km / h. Then, transfer to Kanazawa to visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. The name Kenrokuen literally means a garden that combines the 6 attributes of a perfect landscape: space, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water features and panoramic views. Here you will find the oldest fountain in Japan and Kotoji-toro, the two-legged stone lantern that is the icon of Kenrokuen and Kanazawa.

From Kanazawa we crossed the mountains by coach to the rural area of ​​Shirakawa-go (listed as a World Heritage Site). In this very photogenic village, we will walk past thatched thatched houses, through cultivated fields and see wooden buildings from the Edo period.

Then, we continue to Takayama, where a festival dating from the 15th century will heat up. This city is nestled among the Alps of Japan and is known as “Little Kyoto” for its preserved historical structures and surroundings. Due to its remote position in the mountains, it was isolated from the rest of Japan for most of its history and thus has maintained a unique and traditional atmosphere.

Enjoy staying at a traditional Ryokan hotel, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a hot tub.

Breakfast lunch
Oyado Koto No Yume or similar class

 

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Day 5

Takayama (Morning Market / Takayama Jinya / Old Town / Matsumoto)

After breakfast, we will continue sightseeing in Takayama, which includes Miyagawa Market, Takayama Jinya, and Old Town. You can explore the market stalls for local crafts and fresh farm produce. Takayama Old Town has been beautifully preserved, with many buildings and entire streets of houses dating back to the Edo period (1600-1868). In some streets, like Sannomachi Street, you can find many old houses, shops, cafes and sake breweries, some of which have been on the market for centuries.

After that, we will travel to Matsumoto.

Breakfast lunch
Matsumoto Hotel Kaguetsu or similar

 

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Day 6

Matsumoto (Matsumoto Castle / Oshino Hakkai / Hakone)

We will have breakfast at the hotel, and then we will visit Matsumoto Castle (Black Crow Castle), which dates back more than 400 years.

We visit Nascentes de Oshino Hakkai, after the Oshino Lake dried up, the springs of Oshino Hakkai were formed, which have their origin in the water coming from Mount Fuji; the melted snow water for several decades has been seeping through the porous layers of volcanic earth originating eight springs of a water of unique purity. Oshino Hakkai is a pilgrimage site due to the religious belief in the spiritual power of Mount Fuji, and the water from these springs is believed to purify the body. With water of a color as clear as that of the Caribbean seas, it is a very famous place among tourists who come to enjoy the landscape of the four seasons of Mount Fuji and the beauty of these waters.

We will visit Hakone and experience a ferry ride on Lake Ashiko, it is possible to see Mt. Fuji from the ferry when it is clear. You will see the torii gate standing on the lake.

After the tour, transfer to a traditional Ryokan hotel, enjoy hot springs and traditional Japanese dinner.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Ichinoyu Shinkan or similar class

 

 

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Day 7

Hakone – Tokyo (Skytree / Harajuku / Omotesando / Shibuya)

After the Japanese breakfast, we travel to the capital of Japan Tokyo and we will do a city tour.

You will be taken to the tallest steel tower in the world, Tokyo Sky Tree Tower. With 634 meters high. Enjoy the Tokyo scenery from above, and also Mt. Fuji when it’s clear. At the base of the tower, this Solamachi is the great shopping, dining and entertainment complex. It has more than 300 established and original shops and restaurants, and even several anime themed stores such as Pokemon Center, STRICT-G (Gundam shop), NHK Characters shop, Jump shop and much more.

Then we visit Harajuku, it is a central neighborhood of Japanese youth culture. You will find many thematic, curious and rare shops and restaurants. Exploring this area is very interesting for everyone. Next, Omotesando, is the cultural area of ​​Japan but more refined and elegant, for adults.

Lastly, you can walk through Shibuya Crossing, a popular photo and movie spot. From there, continue to one of Tokyo’s most famous gathering spots, the Hachiko statue. The statue is dedicated to a loyal dog and his famous story, where he faithfully waited for his master at Shibuya Station for years, even after his owner had passed away.

Breakfast lunch

Tobu Hotel Levant Tokio or similar class

 

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Day 8

Nikko (Toshogu Shrine / Futarasan Shrine / Rinnoji Temple / Kegon Waterfall / Lake Chuzenji)

Today we will take a 2 hour ride in a luxury coach to Nikko. Nikko shrines and temples, along with their natural surroundings, have for centuries been closely associated with the history of the Tokugawa Shoguns. We will visit the lavishly decorated Toshogu Shrine in a forest of magnificent ancient Japanese cedars.

Next is a visit to Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls. 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.

Breakfast lunch
Nikko Kanaya Hotel or similar class

 

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Day 9

Matsushima (Matsushima Cruise / Godaido / Zuiganji Temple)

After a breakfast at the hotel, 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 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 lunch
Hotel Matsushima Taikanso or similar class

 

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Day 10

Hiraizumi (Chusonji Temple), Morioka (Morioka Castle Ruins)

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 drive to Morioka for a visit to the ruins of Morioka Castle, considered one of the most popular fall leaf viewing spots in the Tohoku area.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Towadako Lake View Hotel or similar class

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Day 11
Towada (Lago Towada / Oirase Gorge), Aomori (Nebuta Warasse), Tren submarino desde Aomori a 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 festival in Aomori.

In the afternoon, we will cross the Tsugaru Channel between the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu by car or train through the underwater 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 surrounding 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

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Day 12
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

 

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Day 13

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

 

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Day 14

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

 

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Day 15

Tour ends

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

Breakfast