Tohoku is famous for many regional festivals throughout the year. Among these, three cities are famous for their local festivals: Kanto Matsuri in Akita from August 3rd through 6th, Nebuta Matsuri in Hirosaki from August 1st through 7th, Tanabata Matsuri in Sendai on July 7th. Tanabata Matsuri is also known as the “star festival” held across Japan, but the one in Sendai is the most famous of all.

Tour Route:

Tokyo – Akita (Akita) – Hirosaki (Aomori) – Sendai (Miyagi) – Tokyo

Highlights:

• Akita City Folklore & Performing Arts Center (Akita)
• Oga Hot Springs
• Hirosaki Castle, Gallery of Nebuta Festival. (Hirosaki)
• Hiking of Oirase Stream (Towada)
• Tanabata Museum (Sendai)

Day 1: Tokyo – Akita City Folklore & Performing Arts Center – Oga Onsen From Tokyo to Akita by Shinkansen (Bullet train)

Visit Akita City Folklore & Performing Arts Center to get the feeling of the Kanto Festival and Performing Arts Heritage.

Oga Hot Springs: Stay overnight and see a Japanese drum performance, the Namahage Taiko live show (Akita) starting at 20:00.

Stay in: a Japanese Inn (Ryokan) in Oga Hot Springs
Meals: dinner

Day 2: Akita – Hirosaki

After breakfast on the way to Hirosaki we will stop by Odate city to visit Hatch Town (home of the famous Japanese Akita ken dog).

Hirosaki City: free time. You can enjoy visiting sites such as 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 inn) in Hirosaki, which is a registered tangible cultural property built in 1880. There you can enjoy a traditional banquet (Kaiseki) using local ingredients.

Stay in: Ishiba Ryokan (a traditional Japanese Inn in Hirosaki)
Meals: breakfast & dinner

Day 3: Hirosaki – Lake Towada Hot Springs area (Aomori)

Nebuta House Wa Rasse (Nebuta Festival museum).

Stay in: a Japanese Inn (Ryokan) in Lake Towada Hot Springs
Meals: breakfast & dinner

Day 4: Towada – Sendai – Tokyo

After breakfast enjoy beautiful nature while hiking along the Oirase Stream.

Stop by Sendai to visit the Tanabata Museum, where you can see and experience how the Tanabata Festival is held. Tanabata Festival, also known as “Star Festival” is held across Japan on the 7th of July, but the one in Sendai is the most famous of all.

Meals: breakfast

INCLUDED:

• Orientation on the first day at your hotel
• 2 Nights at a Japanese- style Inn (Ryokan)
• 1 Night at a Western- style hotel
• JR East Pass (Ordinary class)
• Meals: 3 breakfast and 3 dinners
• Akita City Folklore and Performing Arts Heritage Center admission fee
• Namahage Taiko show admission fee
• Nebuta House Wa Rasse admission fee
• Hiking Oirase Stream admission fee
• Tanabata Museum admission fee

NOT INCLUDED:

• Accommodation in Tokyo
• International Air fare
• Food and drinks unless specified
• Travel insurance
• Taxi fee from Sendai to Tanabata Museum
• Guide fee

NOTES:

Any meal requests should be made in advance.
Extending the trip is possible
The tour schedule and price are subject to change without notice.
Single traveler, or any numbers 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.