Tour Route:

Tokyo – Ishinomaki (Miyagi) – Matsushima (Miyagi) – Hirosaki (Aomori) – Odate (Akita) – Noboribetsu (Hokkaido) – Sapporo (Hokkaido) – Hakodate (Hokkaido) – Shiraishi Zao (Miyagi) – Tokyo

Highlights:

• Tashirojima cat island (Ishinomaki)
• Matsushima Bay (Matsushima)
• Hirosaki
• Hachi (a famous Japanese Akita – ken dog) town (Odate)
• Noboribetsu Bear Park (Hokkaido)
• Sapporo city (Hokkaido)
• Hakodate city (Hokkaido)
• Shiraishi Zao Fox Village (Miyagi)

Day 1: Tokyo – Ishinomaki – Tashirojima – Ishinomaki – Matsushima – Hirosaki

From Tokyo to Ishinomaki by train, then to Tashirojima Cats Island by ferry

Matsushima bay: The bay is famous for being dotted by over 200 islands covered with pine trees. It’s ranked as one of the Three Best Views in Japan.

Stay in: a Japanese Inn (Ryokan) in Matsushima
Meals: breakfast & dinner

Day 2: Hirosaki– Odate

Sightseeing in Hirosaki City: Visit Hirosaki Castle, Fujita Garden (a beautiful Japanese
landscape garden), and don’t forget to try a famous Aomori Apple, or the delicious pie.

Stay overnight at Ishiba Ryokan (a traditional Japanese – style inn) in Hirosaki, which is a registered tangible cultural property built in 1880, where you can enjoy a traditional banquet (Kaiseki) made with local ingredients.

Stay in: Ishiba Ryokan (a traditional Japanese – style inn) in Hirosaki
Meals: breakfast & dinner

Day 3: Hirosaki

Free time
Dinner at a local Izakaya enjoying Shamisen traditional live music. Shamisen is a three – stringed musical instrument similar to a guitar.

Stay in: Ishiba Ryokan (a traditional Japanese – style inn) in Hirosaki
Meals: breakfast

Day 4: Hirosaki – Noboribetsu Onsen (Hot Springs)

Noboribetsu Bear Park

Stay in: a Japanese – style Inn (Ryokan) in Noboribetsu Onsen
Meals: breakfast & dinner

Day 5: Noboribetsu – Sapporo

Free day: Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, and you can enjoy diverse activities such as the Chitose Salmon Aquarium, Maruyama Zoo, hot springs, Nikka Whisky Distillery, and many other sights. The snow festival (Sapporo Yuki-Matsuri) held in February is well known. Sapporo Ramen and beer are popular too.
Stay in: a Western – style hotel in Sapporo
Meals: breakfast

Day 6: Sapporo – Otaru

Stroll along the Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Street: there are many historical buildings, glass makers, seafood shops and bakers, which whisk you back in time. Enjoy the old time atmosphere and delicious fresh seafood & savory snacks!

Stay in: a Western – style hotel in Sapporo
Meals: breakfast

Day 7: Sapporo – Hakodate 

Hakodate City sightseeing.
Enjoy the night view from Mt. Hakodate 
Go to the morning market, where you can enjoy various fresh sea food.
Yunokawa Hot springs: where you might see the hot – tubbing monkeys.
Motomachi: a unique atmosphere with foreign and Japanese culture.
Bay Area: there are red brick buildings used as warehouses 100 years ago. You can stroll the bay area and enjoy the historic ambience.

Stay in: a Western – style hotel in Hakodate
Meals: breakfast

Day 8: Hakodate – Shiraishi Zao (Miyagi) – Tokyo

Shiroishi Zao fox village: where you can see the wild foxes up close.

Back to Tokyo

Meals: breakfast

INCLUDED:

• Orientation on the first day at your hotel
• 4 Nights at a Japanese – style hotel
• 3 nights at a Western – style hotel
• JR Pass for 14 days (ordinary class)
• Fox Village admission fee
• Meals: 8 breakfasts and 3 dinners
• Moboribetsu Bear Park admission fee

NOT INCLUDE

• Accommodation in Tokyo
• International Air fee
• Gratuities (Optional)
• Food and drinks unless specified
• Travel insurance
• Taxi fee from Ishinamaki station to Ishinamaki port
• Guide Fee

NOTES

Any meal requests should be made in advance.
Extending the trip is possible.
The tour schedule & price are subject to change without notice.
Single traveler, or any number of travelers are welcome.
We are happy to organize a customized trip for you.
Let us know if you already have a JR Rail Pass.