Guide

・Fully Escorted from Day 1 to 13 with local guides meeting you along the way. ・Semi Escorted (Groups of 1 – 5): If we do not have the minimum numbers to run this tour with a full time tour leader, we will have local guides meet you at each point instead. Like a private style tour – with no change to the cost!

Accommodation

12 Nights Stay in carefully selected top-class hotels and ryokans: 6 Nights Western (Superior & Deluxe) in Tokyo (3 nights), Sendai (2 nights), Nikko (1 night) 6 Nights in traditional style Ryokans with hot springs & Kaiseki dinner in Aomori, Kakunodate, Aizuwakamatsu. Also Japanese farm homestay in Tono. Experience the atmosphere of different styles of ryokans, some small & traditional, others larger and more modern. All ryokans have hot spring baths and include an exquisite evening meal. Sleeping will be on futons, generally. If you have any issues with this, tell us early. We can request a bed for you instead. If you have any dietary requirements or allergies, we need to know this at booking stage too.

Optional

Add one or two Pre/Post tour nights in Tokyo for a little extra time to explore the capital.

Transport

Reserved Seats on all long-distance trains including the Grand Class Bullet train north of Tokyo & other bullet train seats. Luggage transfer when using shinkansen (one bag per person) Chartered vehicles & local taxis/minivans/coaches on private city tours Arrival & Departure Airport transfers to & from Tokyo hotel (door to door service)

Meals

・Welcome Dinner at local izakaya on Day 1 ・Breakfast daily ・1 Lunch ・7 Japanese meals at your ryokans (taste the seasonal local produce from each region where you stay)

Others

1. Emergency Contact We will also give you full EMERGENCY CONTACT details while in Japan and have instant messaging to our local team in Japan. 2. Customised Travel App With full details and instant messaging tools to keep in touch with our team in Japan locally at all times. 3. Full Financial Protection 4. Cultural Experiences including: - Granclass car Shinkansen: The ultimate luxury bullet train - Hiking in a virgin native forest (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - Aomori Museum of Art & Nebuta festival Museum (seasonal) - Overnight stays in traditional Japanese style accommodation with kaiseki dinner - Hirosaki Castle Park in Aomori City (depending on the season) - Multiple Stunning Onsen / Hot Spring retreats - Kakunodate samurai village guided tour - Japanese traditional kimono dressing and rickshaw ride - Sake tasting and sake brewery tour - Tono authentic farm experience - Hiraizumi UNESCO World Heritage Site including Chuson-Ji Golden Temple - GeiBeiki river gorge gondola boat ride - Sendai City shopping & drinking district pub crawl - Yamadera Mountain Temple Hike (Optional - if you don’t want to climb the steps, you can wait at the bottom) - Matushima Bay Boat Cruise - Tsuruga Samurai Castle & grounds tour - Iimoriyama (Sazaedo temple) - Goshikinuma crater lake viewing, light hike & rowing boat trip - Taste Kitakata Ramen (one of the best three ramens in Japan) - Nisshinkan former Samurai School (Traditional Samurai training experience) - Explore Ouchijuku Stray Roof Village (preserved 300-year-old traditional Japanese village) - Aizu Mount Express Scenic Train Journey - Nikko temples and shrines, lakes & waterfalls, etc (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included. All passengers must take out adequate travel insurance.

Flights

International flights are NOT included. Please arrange yourself and send us details of your flight in/out numbers as soon as you have them. Always check the arrival date on your flight; e.g. if flying from Europe/US, you will arrive into Tokyo the following day (depending on the airline you use).

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Welcome To Tokyo - ’Izakaya’ Evening
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Welcome To Tokyo - ’Izakaya’ Evening

Arrive in one of Tokyo’s International Airports (Haneda or Narita).

Our team will take care of you from the moment you exit the arrivals hall where you will be met by our transfer staff on arrival and be taken directly to your Tokyo hotel.

You will have free time in Tokyo until tour orientation in the evening where you will meet your guide. Meeting time is usually 6pm but will be announced in your travel pack.

Enjoy a welcome dinner at local izakaya (included)

Western Style Accommodation: Tokyo Metropolitan Hotel (or similar) including Izakaya Welcome Dinner
Day 2 Sit Back On Granclass Bullet To Northern Honshuu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sit Back On Granclass Bullet To Northern Honshuu

Breakfast at your hotel

Transfer to Aomori by “Granclass”; Japan’s ultimate luxury bullet train. Enjoy the longest journey of your trip – traversing all the way to the very north of Honshu by the highest class bullet train.

Evening at leisure at your Ryokan

HIGHLIGHTS

・Kaiseki Dinner at your Ryokan

・Granclass car: The ultimate luxury bullet train

Japanese Style Accommodation: Hoshino Resorts Kai Tsugaru (or similar) (Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 3 Aomori Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Aomori Sightseeing

Breakfast at your hotel

✪ Shirakami Sanchi Forest (UNESCO World Heritage Site)✪

・Shirakami Sanchi UNESCO World Heritage site Hike

・Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse

・Hirosaki Castle Park (Spring: Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival)

・Aomori Museum of Art

・Auga Fresh Market

・Tsugaru-han Neputa Village

・Sannai-Maruyama Ruins

Japanese Style Accommodation: Hoshino Resorts Kai Tsugaru (or similar) (Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 4 Kakunodate Samurai Village - Meet The People!
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kakunodate Samurai Village - Meet The People!

Breakfast at your hotel

Transfer to Kakunodate by Shinkansen & Bus

Kakunodate, founded in 1620, is one of Japan’s best preserved samurai towns of its kind, a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s feudal past, showcasing traditional samurai architecture. The blend of spacious streets, large courtyards, and the picturesque weeping cherry trees creates a unique atmosphere, especially during the hanami season in mid – late April when visitors flock to appreciate the stunning cherry blossoms.

The six samurai houses open to the public, including the Aoyagi and Ishiguro houses, provide valuable insights into the lifestyle of samurai families. If we are in luck, we will also get to meet and sit with a descendant from the Ishiguro family, who opens his home to the public. These well-preserved homes allow visitors to understand the architectural styles, furnishings, and daily life of both middle-class and wealthy samurai. During our time in Kakunodate we will stay in a rural friendly ryokan, experience making some wood carvings, and enjoy nice sake and food that evening.

Japanese Style Accommodation: Tamachi Bukeyashiki Hotel (or similar) (Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 5 Farm-Stay With Japanese Family
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Farm-Stay With Japanese Family

Breakfast at your hotel

Free time in the morning to stroll the area on your own before we haead off again towards Tono, where we meet our hosts for the evening.

Homestay at a traditional Japanese family farm

Farming, picking, cooking experience at a Japanese Farm

Stay with a welcoming Japanese farm family

Farm-House Accommodation: Agriturismo Omori-Ke (or similar farm homestay, Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 6 Visit Unesco World Heritage Temple & Gondola River Ride
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Visit Unesco World Heritage Temple & Gondola River Ride

Breakfast at your farm.

Today we will visit a peaceful temple set amid the forests along a beautiful river gorge.

✪ Chuson-ji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site) & Geibiki Gorge River Cruise ✪

What to expect:

・Chuson-ji Temple UNESCO World Heritage Site

・Geibikei Gorge River Cruise

・Ichinoseki Summer Festival (July Only)

Transfer to Sendai by Shinkansen

Evening at leisure in Sendai. Join your tour leader for a walk around taking in:

・Tanabata Big Fireworks Festival (July/August Tour)

・Iroha Yokocho (Street Food & Drinks)

Western Style Accommodation: Sendai Westin Hotel (or similar) including breakfast
Day 7 Yamadera Mountain Temple & Boat Cruise On Matsushima Bay
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Yamadera Mountain Temple & Boat Cruise On Matsushima Bay

Breakfast at your hotel

✪ Yamadera & Matsushima (full day with local guide) ✪

・Yamadera Mountain Temple

・Matsushima Bay

・Matushima Bay Boat Cruise

Suggested Itinerary

・Shopping

・Try Yamagata beef

・Drinking district in the evening time

Western Style Accommodation: Sendai Westin Hotel (or similar)
Day 8 Rural Ryokan In Aizuwakamatsu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Rural Ryokan In Aizuwakamatsu

Breakfast at your hotel

Transfer to Aizuwakamatsu station

Digital Detox at your Ryokan Retreat :

・Relax in the Onsen

・Kaiseki Style Dinner

・Stunning garden and explore authentic Japanese Ryokan building

Ryokan Accommodation: Aizu Higashiyama Onsen Mukaitaki (or similar) (Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 9 Samurai Castle & School, Sake Tasting & Brewery Tour, & Gentle Hike & Rowing Boat Before Checking Into Minshuku In Ouchijuku
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Samurai Castle & School, Sake Tasting & Brewery Tour, & Gentle Hike & Rowing Boat Before Checking Into Minshuku In Ouchijuku

Breakfast at your Ryokan

Day trip to Ouchijuku & Tsuruga Castle

✪ Samurai Castle & School, Sake Tasting & Brewery Tour ✪

What to Expect:

・Tsuruga Castle Cherry blossom festival (Spring only)

・Iimoriyama (Sazaedo temple)

・Visit top Sake brewery (award-winning sake tasting)

・Nisshinkan former Samurai School

(Traditional Samurai training experience including

Japanese kyudo (archery), kendo, tea ceremony, etc.)

Ryokan Accommodation: Aizu Higashiyama Onsen Mukaitaki (or similar) (Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 10 Explore Historic Ochijuku Before A Scenic Train Journey To Nikko
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Explore Historic Ochijuku Before A Scenic Train Journey To Nikko

Breakfast at your Ryokan

Step back in time at Ouchijuku’s Edo era village. The beautiful thatched roofed buildings adn culinery heritage blend seamlessly to transport you to a bygone time. Beyond its postal town aesthetics, Ouchijuku is celebrated for its Negi Soba (noodles), offering flavours as authentic as its preserved streets. Climb to Takakura Shrine for panoramic vistas, or savour tochimochi amidst the town’s tranquil charm, a serene escape preserving the essence of yesteryears.

Dip casually into the foot bath at the station while waiting for your train.

Transfer to Nikko by Aizu Mount Express Train

・Enjoy the stunning countryside scenery over mountains and rivers from the train

Transfer to your Hotel – Luxury awaits! at The Ritz Carlton Nikko.

Super Deluxe Accommodation: The Ritz Carlton Nikko (incl. Breakfast)
Day 11 Nikko Unesco World Heritage
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Nikko Unesco World Heritage

Breakfast at your hotel

✪ Nikko Sightseeing (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Full Day Sightseeing with Local Guide ✪

What to expect:

・Chuzenji Lake

・Nikko Toshogu shrine (UNESCO WHS)

・Kegon waterfall

・Italian & British Embassy Villa Memorial Park

Your last leg is back to Tokyo (just under a 3-hour journey). More bullet/express trains.

Evening free time at your own leisure in Tokyo

*suggested itinerary will be available in your travel pack

4* Western Accommodation: Shiba Park Hotel (or similar) (w/Breakfast)
Day 12 Tokyo Free Day
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tokyo Free Day

Breakfast at your hotel

Enjoy a free day at your own leisure in Tokyo city

You will have the option to join your tour leader for a hop-on/off the subway system around Tokyo. If you prefer to go alone, your tour leader can provide you with up to date real-time information on where to go and how to go there!

Evening Option: Farewell Dinner at a local izakaya (pay locally)

4* Western Accommodation: Shibuya Tokyu Excel Hotel (or similar) (Breakfast)
Day 13 Day 13: Tour Ends
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Tour Ends

Breakfast at your hotel

The Tohoku trails tour comes to an end after breakfast today and you will be provided with an airport transfer service from your hotel. If you would like to stay longer in Tokyo, discuss some post-tour options with your travel consultant.

Don’t forget to send us your flight details as soon as you know them. Transfers need to be booked early!

+10

13 days tour

Tohoku Trails

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Tohoku Trails

Welcome To Tokyo - ’Izakaya’ Evening

Sit Back On Granclass Bullet To Northern Honshuu

Aomori Sightseeing

Kakunodate Samurai Village - Meet The People!

Farm-Stay With Japanese Family

Visit Unesco World Heritage Temple & Gondola River Ride

Yamadera Mountain Temple & Boat Cruise On Matsushima Bay

Rural Ryokan In Aizuwakamatsu

Samurai Castle & School, Sake Tasting & Brewery Tour, & Gentle Hike & Rowing Boat Before Checking Into Minshuku In Ouchijuku

Explore Historic Ochijuku Before A Scenic Train Journey To Nikko

Nikko Unesco World Heritage

Tokyo Free Day

Day 13: Tour Ends

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