8D CHARMING TOHOKU + NIIGATA

Begin your vacation with a pleasant flight to Tokyo (for morning departures, check into hotel upon arrival).

Start your day at Kawagoe Koedo Yokocho (Warehouse District) street lined by historic, warehouse style buildings and Kawagoe Narrow Alley, lined by candy stores. Next, Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel, one of the Three Great Gorges of Japan. Gigantic stone cliffs straddle a river, forming a large, V-shaped gorge. The grand rock surface and strong current of the river in combination are both dynamic and beautiful. In the evening, visit the only Sake Vending Machines with 117 selections in Yuzawa & Nîigata station . Tonight, stay the night at an onsen hotel .

*Ashikaga Flower Park (Mid Apr – Mid May) - Walk through the magical garden of enchanting wisteria vines. Visit to Ashikaga Flower Park is based on departure date. 

Lunch / Dinner

After breakfast, head to Northern Culture Museum, an open-air museum in Kōnan-ku, Niigata. It contains the well-known mansion of a wealthy farming family called gōnō as well as gardens and houses from the Edo period.

Next, proceed to Shirone Fruits Garden and enjoy year-round fruit-picking. Seasonal offerings include Niigata’s famous Echigo Hime strawberries, grapes and more,

Visit the Imayo-tsukasa Sake Brewery where you can sample sake and go on a  brewery tour to see how sake is made.  (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)

After breakfast, visit Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata.  Travel back in time to classical Japan in Ginzan Onsen! The town is home to wooden hot spring inns lining each side of the Ginzan River and resonates with nostalgic beauty when illuminated at night by gas street lamps. The view is  reminiscent of  the famous Hayao Miyazaki film “Spirited Away”.

Next, Mount Zao, an active volcano and also one of Tohoku’s tallest mountains. A stunning crater lake lies at its summit. The crater is called Okama due to its resemblance to a large cooking pot. Winter Replace by cablecar up to : *Mt Zao Ropeway “Snow Monster” *(Dec –feb) 

In the afternoon, visit Zao Fox Village. Also known as Kitsune Mura, it is a tourist attraction and sanctuary for foxes in Shiroishi, Miyagi where visitors can feed and interact with foxes . 

 Winter Bonus: *Mt Zao Ropeway “Snow Monster” *(Dec – Mar)

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a Sendai Matsushima Cruise Ride, at one of the three most beautiful locations in Japan. 

Visit Godaido, a must-see symbol of Matsushima with its prominent location overlooking Matsushima Bay. Shop to your heart’s content at Sendai Mitsui Outlet Park, with a diverse array of shops, eateries and is famous for having Tohoku’s biggest Ferris wheel— “Port Flower”.

Next, Goshikinuma,  or Five Coloured Pond. The eruption imparted mineral deposits to the Goshikinuma, giving each of them their own delicate color, ranging from reddish green to cobalt blue.

Lake Inawashiro is the fourth-largest lake in Japan, located in central Fukushima. It is also known as the Heavenly Mirror Lake.

Tonight, stay the night at an onsen hotel.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

After breakfast, visit Aizu Wakamatsu, an old traditional town that Dr. Noguchi lived. He was the first scientist whose portrait was printed on a Japanese bank note (the thousand yen note)

Next, paint your own Akabeko (DIY). Akabeko is a cow-shaped folk toy of the Aizu region. Akabeko is a talisman of good fortune and health, as well as a symbol of the Aizu region. Paint your design on your very own Akabeko.

Next, visit Ouchijuku. This village was established under the post station system of the Edo period and played a vital role as a rest stop for travellers. It is famous for the numerous traditional thatched buildings from the Edo Period that lines its main street.

Tonight, stay the night at an onsen hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

This morning after breakfast drove to Irohazaka Road has a total of 48 turns. Well-known for its autumnal sights and it’s also the filming location for “Initial D” movie. Next visit the Lake Chuzenjiko also called Sea of Happiness is a scenic lake in Nikko National Park Kegon Waterfall the water from Lake Chuzenjiko to form a 100m height waterfalls .It is the most famous of Nikko’s beautiful waterfalls .After lunch heading to Tokyo,

*Dep: HND - SIN flght Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple, the oldest in Tokyo with a history of more than 1,330 years. Shop along Nakamise Shopping Street, an authentic lane lined with vendors selling souvenirs. Next, head to Tokyo Tower and take the lift up 150m to have a spectacular Tokyo city view. Continue to Shinjuku - A true shopping paradise!

*Dep: NRT- SIN flight visit Shisui Premium Outlets – Narita, Shisui Premium Outlets first opened in 2013 and features over 120 shops for major brands.

Breakfast / Lunch

Today transfer to the airport for your flight home and we hope you have had an exciting holiday with SA Tours!

Breakfast