Northern Highlights

16 Days/15 Nights
Gateway: Tokyo
Standard Tour: from £2767pp
Superior Tour: from £3147pp
Based on twin-share
Prices valid for 2009
Rail & car upgrades also available

Japan Tours Japan Tours 

When the famous Haiku poet Matsuo Basho set off on his pilgrimage to the North he was to find a quieter rural Japan, a land of lush landscapes and rich in legend. As you journey through the pilgrimage towns of Tohoku and on to remote Sado Island you’ll see that the contrast with modern Tokyo is in many ways even greater today.

Day 1: Arrival and overnight in Tokyo

You’ll be met on arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport and will transfer by seat-sharing taxi to your hotel in Asakusa, the historic quarter of the capital city. The remainder of today is free for you to settle in and explore the nearby sights which include Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. There are numerous restaurants nearby covering the full range of Japanese cuisine.
Accommodation: Asakusa Sunroute - Reliable and well located business hotel.

Day 2: Tokyo with a private guide

Today you’ll be met at your hotel by an English speaking guide - a great chance to ask questions and hear a local’s insight into Tokyo and Japan. The plan today is up to you; perhaps visit Hama Rikyu gardens, followed by a walk to the impressive Meiji Shrine and a view of Tokyo from the Metropolitan Government Buildings. Your guide will have plenty of suggestions and the Info-Pack we provide in advance is also full of ideas.

Day 3: Travel to Nikko

Travel to Nikko will be by local train. As for all your journeys full instructions will be in your Info-Pack. You’ll be met on arrival by a local guide who will take you round Toshogu. Lunch is also included. The craftsmanship of the Toshogu shrines is truly amazing - keep an eye out for the “hear-no-evil” monkeys carved into the buildings. Your hotel this evening is a short walk from Toshogu – possibly the closest you’ll ever stay to a World Heritage site. A sumptuous French-style dinner is included this evening and tomorrow night.
Accommodation: Green Age Inn -Family run pension with great food located next to Toshogu.

Day 4: Nikko full day

The Nikko National Park will be your destination today – you’ll have a full day to explore this area of natural beauty and the local transport is covered by the included bus pass. Highlights include the impressive Kegon waterfalls, the hot spring temple at Yumoto and a cable car ride for some great views of Chuzen-ji Lake as well as hiking trails if you wish.

Day 5: Travel to Sendai

From Nikko you’ll take a local train and then the Shinkansen on to Sendai, a modern city and the gateway to the north. Here you will stay at the hillside Tenryukaku ryokan, a traditional Japanese-style inn famous for its beautiful location, fine food and onsen baths. The ryokan is right next to the elaborate mausoleum for Sendai’s founding father Date Masamune and is a good base for visiting the castle ruins and exploring the town itself. A top quality dinner will be served tonight at the ryokan.
Accommodation: Tenryukaku - Quality ryokan overlooking the city with famous radon baths

Day 6: Matsushima Islands day trip

This second day in Sendai will give you the chance to visit the famous island-studded bay of Matsushima. Although the characterisations of the various little islands as tortoises, whales and human profiles may stretch your imagination, this is a beautiful area and the boat trip around the bay is well worthwhile. The small town of Matsushima also has a sleepy temple complex to wander around with a fi ne collection of Japanese art. In the evening you’ll be free to sample some of the local cuisine in Matsushima or Sendai.

Day 7: Travel to Hiraizumi

On by Shinkansen and local train to the small town of Hiraizumi - the Kyoto of northern Japan with its long samurai history stretching back through the ages. Highlights here include the wonderful gardens of Motsu-ji and the 900 year old golden Konjikido hall. Dinner is included at your lodgings tonight and there are also relaxing hot spring baths to try.
Accommodation: Musashibou - High quality Japanese-style hotel - great food and hot spring baths.

Day 8: Hiraizumi boat ride

Another day in this peaceful area will give you the chance to head out to Geibikei Gorge for a boat ride complete with traditional songs! There are also several walking trails to explore.

Day 9: Naruko Onsen

Travelling first south and then west, you’ll reach the hot spring village of Naruko Onsen. The historic old Taki-no-Yu bath house is a must-see; the 150 year old wooden buildings housing an atmospheric old spa. You may also want to try the waters at the bath house designed and built by Waseda University students. Dinner is included at your Japanese-style hotel and once again hot springs are available at your accommodation.
Accommodation: Bentenkaku - Charming ryokan with lively English speaking owner.

Day 10: Naruko natural sights

A full day in Naruko will give you the chance to walk down Naruko Gorge as well as see Naruko’s geyser. There is also a nice countryside walk which starts at the Shitomae check-point and is the same path as the poet Basho took. Back in town there are numerous shops showcasing the area’s famous wooden Kokeshi dolls.

Day 11: Travel to Haguro-san

A really special journey and destination as you travel to Mt. Haguro, one of the three sacred mountains of Dewa. The journey takes you on local train lines through Tohoku’s rural heartlands. You will be staying at a Buddhist temple lodging (shukubo). To complete your pilgrimage, climb the 2446 steps to the summit of the mountain – a certificate is available at the tea house en route to reward your efforts and gird you for the final few steps! This evening you’ll have a delicious vegetarian meal of traditional Buddhist cuisine.
Accommodation: Saikan - Mountain top temple lodging with a haunting atmosphere.

Day 12: To Niigata city

There’s further time in Haguro this morning to check out the fascinating museum which explains about the esoteric practices of the Yamabushi – mountain priests. This afternoon you’ll travel to the major port-city of Niigata, famed for its good food and drink. Your Western-style hotel here is located conveniently close to Niigata Station.
Accommodation: Tokyu Inn - 3 star business hotel with modern facilities.

Day 13: Ferry to Sado-ga-Shima

This morning will see you board the ferry bound for Sado Island. The sixth biggest of Japan’s islands, Sado was used as the place of harsh est exile for opponents of the ruling dynasties. Dangerous political opponents were banished here to live side by side with subversive artists, playwrights and actors; thus developed Sado’s uniquely rich culture and heritage. On arrival at Sado’s main port we have arranged for you to pick up a hire car and from there it’s a short drive to your luxury Japanese-style accommodation. After dropping off your bags, you may want to begin your touring of the island perhaps taking the breathtaking skyline road and visiting the fascinating gold mine which in its day was one of the most productive in the world.

Day 14: Full day on Sado-ga-Shima

Today you will have a full day to explore the island. In the evening you may have the chance to catch a Noh play, something for which the island is renowned. Dinner will again be served at the hotel - the final included evening meal on this gourmet tour!
Accommodation: Yoshidaya - Superb lakeside Japanese hotel with wonderful food.

Day 15: Return to Tokyo

You’ll drop off your car this morning and take an early ferry across to the mainland before picking up the Shinkansen to Tokyo. Total journey time will be around 6 hours. This will give you some time in the afternoon for gift shopping or further Tokyo sightseeing. You’ll be staying in the heart of the bright lights of Shinjuku, a complete contrast from the Asakusa district where you began your adventures two weeks ago.
Accommodation: Kadoya - Classy small business hotel in the heart of Shinjuku.

Day 16: Departure

Alas time to head home – transfer by limousine bus to Tokyo Narita Airport is included.

15 night tour includes breakfast, 10 evening meals, 1 lunch in Niko, most transport, meet and greet, airport transfers, car hire in Sado Island, f ull day private guiding in Tokyo, half day private guide service in Nikko, and complimentary info pack. All prices are based on twin share (excluding international flights, entrance fees, local transport & baggage handling).