9D8N JAPAN Essence of Tohoku

9D8N Japan – Essence of Tohoku

On arrival in Japan, head to Sendai, the capital of Miyagi Prefecture and the largest city in Tohoku in the north-eastern part of Japan’s main island of Honshu encompassing 6 prefectures.  Tohoku is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, cultural treasures and great outdoor activities in summer and particularly so in winter with its endless powder snow.  Thanks to its location, Sendai is a great base to explore a significant area of Tohoku.  Known locally as the “City of Trees”, Sendai is a green city by the sea with a mountainous hinterland.  Upon arrival in Sendai, enjoy the city at your own leisure.

Day 02 – SENDAI : YAMADERA and GINZAN ONSEN  [B]

Today, head to Yamagata Prefecture to visit 2 of its top attractions – Yamadera and Ginzan Onsen.  Yamagata’s most iconic attraction, Yamadera (“mountain temple”), is a beautiful temple complex extending up a steep mountainside with an observation deck at the top offering stunning views of the valley below.  Ginzan Onsen, nestled in the mountains of Yamagata, is an onsen (hot spring) town with wooden hot spring inns lining each side of the Ginzan River that runs through the town.  This highly picturesque town ranks as one of the most popular onsen towns in Japan!  While there, you may wish to treat yourself to an onsen experience (own expense).  Return to Sendai thereafter.  

Day 03 – SENDAI : GEIBIKEI GORGE or GENBIKEI GORGE or MATSUSHIMA  [B]

Today, head to Iwate Prefecture to visit one of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes that has been designated a “National Site of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument” – the Geibikei Gorge, a stunning ravine with cliffs over 50m to 100m high on both sides towering over it.  A great way to appreciate the gorge is to take a boat cruise – on traditional wooden flat-bottomed boats propelled with bamboo poles – along the Satetsu River that flows through the ravine (own expense).  

In lieu of the boat cruise, you may wish to proceed to the nearby Genbikei Gorge, a smaller but no less stunning gorge with the Iwai River running through it which has also been designated a “National Site of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument”.  Whether from a bridge that spans the ravine or along easy walking trails along the sides of the ravine, enjoy the sights of the magnificent rocks and emerald-green waters of the Genbikei Gorge.

Alternatively, you may wish to forego Geibikei/Genbikei Gorge and spend a day in the nearby coastal town of Matsushima whose bay is renowned for being one of Japan’s 3 most scenic spots.

Day 04 – SENDAI – AOMORI  [B]

Today, leave Sendai and head to Aomori, the capital of Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture of Honshu renowned for its apples – not just its quality but also its production quantity! – and for being the snowiest city in the world with about 8 metres of snowfall on average every winter!  After hotel check-in, head to the nearby town of Hirosaki to enjoy its key attractions including its highly iconic Hirosaki Castle that has persisted through the ages in its original structure.  Return to Aomori where in addition to exploring the city, enjoy savouring its famous apples and related products.

Day 05 – AOMORI : TOWADA or HACHINOHE  [B]

Today, head to the Hakkoda Mountains renowned for its beautiful colours in autumn and as a ski destination in winter.  There is a ropeway (optional) that can take you to the summit to enjoy spectacular views from high up.  Next, head to Oirase Stream, a picturesque mountain steam, and Lake Towada, the largest caldera lake in Honshu, to enjoy more of the natural wonders of Aomori Prefecture.  

Alternatively, and especially outside of autumn, you may wish to spend the day in Hachinohe to visit, among others, Hasshoku Centre, a large marketplace with reputedly the freshest seafood from Hachinohe Port, and Kabushima, a designated “National Natural Monument” famous as a breeding site for the black-tailed seagull.

Day 06 – AOMORI – KORIYAMA  [B]

After breakfast, you may wish to visit either the Auga Fish Market or Furukawa Fish Market to enjoy a self-selected donburi.  Thereafter, travel to Koriyama, the commercial centre of Fukushima Prefecture renowned among others for its gorgeous parks.

Day 07 – KORIYAMA – TOKYO  [B]

Today, head to Aizu-Wakamatsu, a castle town in Fukushima Prefecture that is popularly known as a “samurai town” and also for its award-winning sake.  Highlights in Aizu-Wakamatsu include the Tsuruga Castle famous for its unique red-coloured roof tiles, the Aizu Samurai Residences, the Sake Brewery History Museum and the lovely Oyakuen, a “medicinal herb garden” that has been designated a “National Site of Scenic Beauty”. Enjoy visiting these highlights with your private driver-guide. 

After Aizu-Wakamatsu, return to Koriyama before continuing on to Tokyo.  Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the world’s most populous metropolis and a vibrant city with endless attractions and enjoyments – be it landmarks, shopping, entertainment or dining.

Day 08 – TOKYO  [B]

Explore Tokyo on a sightseeing bus tour.  Highlights include the world famous Shibuya Intersection, Tokyo Tower, bustling Shinjuku, Sensoji Temple, Nakamise shopping street, electronics mecca Akihabara, and more.  Last but not least, explore Nihonbashi Ningyocho for an authentic historic old town experience right in the heart of modern Tokyo.

Day 09 – TOKYO – TOKYO NARITA AIRPORT  [B]

Free time until your transfer to Tokyo Airport for your departure flight.

Whether you prefer the above itinerary “as-is” or have it customised, if you will indicate the start/end dates of your intended travel and provide your contact details, we will get in touch with you to discuss the itinerary on a no-obligations basis on your part.