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Leave Fri. Mar. 31
Return Tue. Apr. 11

$4,785 - Total Package
fr $37 - Travel Insurance

$100 - possible Sign-up Discount

* This program will NOT be offered in 2018.

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2017 Tohoku with Sado Island 12 Days

Tokyo - Kusatsu - Nagano - Sado Island - Akita - Tsunagi - Sendai - Nasu Kogen

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Honolulu Departure.

Our Tohoku journey begins today with a late morning departure for Narita, Japan. We lose one day crossing the International Date Line. Once the preliminary flight schedule is ready it will be displayed online at doldworldjourneys.com under the journey's page.

Day 2 Arrival in Narita, Japan.

A comfortable flight brings us to the Narita International Airport in the mid-afternoon. After completing Immigration and Customs formalities, we meet our English-speaking Japan guide and transfer by private coach to the Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba Hotel for the night. Alex and our Japan guide will be available to make the most out of our stay.

Day 3 To Kusatsu, Gunma Prefecture.

After breakfast we board our coach and head for Kusatsu, one of the Japan's top three hot spring towns. In a country known for its hot springs, Kusatsu has the largest natural flow (1,300 gallons a minute). We stop at a Daimonya Workshop with a 200-year history of making intricate Daruma (traditional Japanese round wooden dolls) by hand. Hear the history, watch the crafters at work, and maybe even try to make your own doll. Next take a lunch break at Aeon Takasaki Mall.

In the mid afternoon we arrived at Yubatake or "Hot Water Field," one of the Kusatsu's main sources of hot spring water. After bubbling to the surface at more than 150 degrees, the water is cooled down in the Yubatake's wooden conduits before being distributed to the various Ryokan and public baths. Enjoy an Ashiyu or "Foot Bath" before we watch the Yumomi Show - a traditional method of cooling down the spring water by stirring the water with large wooden paddles while singing local folk songs. Dinner, Onsen and overnight at the Nakazawa Village Hotel. (B), (D)

Day 4 To Nagano, Nagano Prefecture.

Today we travel a short distance west to Nagano, the capital of the Nagano Prefecture and home of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. The area is famous for its production of Soba or "Buckwheat Noodle" and for a unique experience we visit the Takagi Workshop to try our hand at making Soba. Choose to eat yours there or bring it home as a souvenir. Lunch is included at the restaurant (and no not the Soba you just made - someone else in the group made it - SMILE). Next a short drive brings us to Matsumoto, the second largest city in the Nagano Prefecture. Here we visit the Matsumoto-jo, one of Japan's most beautiful original castles. Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano. (B), (L) **Please remember to pack an overnight bag for tomorrow (Sado Island).

Day 5 Via Niigata to Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture.

Our coach works its way up north to Niigata Port for our hour long Hydrofoil ride to Ryotsu Port, the main port of Sado Island. Niigata was a key location along the Kitamaebune route, and as such thrived both as a major maritime transportation hub as well as a center of cultural and gourmet growth. The area is famed for its abundance of seafood. Before we continue to the port we break at the Aeon Mall Niigata Minami.

Just about 20 miles off the coast of Honshu in the Sea of Japan, Sado Island seems remote even today. For centuries it was a colony of exiles and prisoners and most of them never came back once they were shipped off. Enjoy a half day guided exploration of the island before experiencing a unique Tarai Bune or "Tub Boat" ride. At one time they were a practical way to navigating around the cliffs to collect seaweed and abalone. Dinner, Onsen, and overnight at the Yoshidaya Hotel. (B), (D)

Day 6 Via Niigata to Akita, Akita Prefecture.

Before saying good-bye to Sado Island we explore the Sado Kinzan or "Gold Mine." This was Japan's largest gold mine which was in operation for 388 years. In total, 15,000,000 tons of ore were mined here producing 78 tons of gold and 2,300 tons of silver. Head to Ryotsu Port for our Hydrofoil ride back to Niigata. Transfer to the train station to catch the scenic Inaho Limited Express and travel along the Japan Sea Coast. Our destination is Akita, located between the Dewa Mountains to the east and the Japan Sea to the West. The city is best known for hosting the Kanto Matsuri or "Pole Lantern Festival," a large festival in which revelers balance long bamboo poles with dozens of paper lanterns attached to the end. After checking into the Hotel Metropolitan Akita we savor dinner at a local restaurant. (B), (D)

Day 7 Via Kakunodate to Tsunagi, Iwate Prefecture.

After breakfast we head east toward the Iwate Prefecture and the Tsungai Hot Springs. Before leaving the Akita Prefecture we make a stop at Kakunodate a former castle town and samurai stronghold. The town is famous for its hundreds of Shidarezakura or "Weeping Cherry Trees." Remarkably unchanged since its founding in 1620, the city has some of the best examples of samurai architecture in all of Japan. Next visit Lake Tazawa, one of the most scenic spots in the Akita Prefecture. This picturesque sapphire-blue colored lake is the deepest in Japan at 1,400 feet and almost a prefect circle. Spend some time around the lake and at one its Rest Houses before heading to Tsunagi Hot Spring and the Hotel Shion, our home for the night. Located by Lake Goshoko on the boarder of Morioka this resort area has a 900 year old history. Dinner and an opportunity to enjoy a soothing Onsen bath at our hotel. (B), (D)

Day 8 Via Hiraizumi and Matsushima Bay to Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.

Our first stop this morning is at the Chusonji Temple in Hiraizumi. Once the "Northern Branch" for the Fujiwara Family (the most powerful clan in Japan during the Heian Period), Hiraizumi grew into a cultural center and political power rival to Kyoto, the national capital. One of most famous attraction is Chusonji (a UNESCO site) established in 850 as a Tendai Buddhist Temple. Our highlight here is the gold covered Konjikido Hall.

Next we view the stunning Genbikei Gorge shaped by the rapid flowing water of the river. The gorge is designated as a national site of scenic beauty and a natural monument. Before arriving in Sendai and the Metropolitan Sendai Hotel we take a cruise on Matsushima Bay. Dotted by over 200 small pine tree covered islands, the bay is one of Japan's three most scenic views. (B)

Day 9 To Nasu Kogen, Tochigi Prefecture.

Our heading today is south to Nasu Kogen, on the slopes of Mount Nasudake, and our last spot for a relaxing Onsen bath. Before lunch we explore the Tsuruga (Wakamatsu) Castle, previously known as Kurokawa Castle. Built in 1384 the Castle was one of the last samurai strongholds loyal to the Edo shogunate. Later we visit the Byakkotai Memorial Hall. After the decisive defeat at Tsuruga Castle in 1868, a group of young Aizu soldiers from the Byakkotai or "While Tiger Corps" looking out from Limoriyama Hill, saw their castle engulfed in flames and committed Seppuku or "Harakiri." The Hall located at the bottom of the hill contains a rich collection of articles and documents associated with the Boshin War. Dinner, Onsen and overnight at the Rindoko Royal Hotel. (B), (D)

Day 10 To Tokyo, Tokyo Prefecture.

Today our coach continues south to Tokyo, the capital and largest city of Japan. Along the way we spend time at Nikko Edomura or "Edo Wonderland." This historic theme park is built in Edo (1603-1868) style architecture and populated by townspeople in period costume. There are many restaurants and shops to be found. Many shops sell souvenirs such as teapots, woodblock prints and toy weapons, but a few such as the Blacksmith and Armor Repair Shop, are replica storefronts that show period craftsmen at worked. There are also two wax museums, Kodenmacho Jail House and Kira-Kozukenosuke Residence which show grisly scenes of prison life, torture, battle and vengeance. We end our day at the Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba, our home for the next two nights. (B)

Day 11 Exploring Tokyo.

We start our guided sightseeing with a ride up the Tokyo Tower for a panoramic view of the city. Next we visit Tsukiji Outer Market, the largest wholesale market for fish (handling over 2,000 tons of marine products per day), fruits and vegetable in central Tokyo. Then to Asakusa Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo's oldest and most popular Buddhist Temples. Entering from the outer gate we pass the colorful Nakamise Arcades. Here we can find typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata, folding fans, and various traditional local snacks. Later we make our way back to our hotel for a delicious Sayonara Buffet Dinner. (B), (D)

Day 12 To Honolulu.

This morning we are free until departure. A little afternoon, we check out and head to the Edo-Tokyo Museum housed in a unique looking building. Experience and learn about various aspects of Tokyo's Edo period, such as the way of life, architecture, cultural heritage, political climate, commercial situation and more. Through numerous models of towns, figurines and life-sized figures, the museum is a fascinating way to discover.

Later we transfer to Narita International Airport and check in for our United Airlines flight. We arrive in Honolulu in the morning of the same day, clear Immigration and Customs, and remember our fabulous time exploring Tohoku, Japan. (B)