Best of Northern Honshu (Small Group Tours)

Highlights

• Tokyo - See highlights including Harajuku, Hamarikyu Gardens, Akihabara and the busy Shibuya crossing on a guided tour
• Nikko - Take in the highlights of this lesser-visited town including a cable car ride, and explore scenic Nikko National Park
• Hiraizumi - Admire the golden temple at Chuson-ji and enjoy an included visit to the impressive Yugendo Caves
• Ishinomaki - Learn about the devastating tsunami that struck this area in 2011 and the resilience of the local people who built it back up
• Matsushima Bay - Cruise this picturesque ocean inlet, known as Nihon San-Kei, or one of the "Three Great Sights of Japan"
• Sendai - Enjoy free time in this picturesque and green city, an unintended consequence of the devastation caused by bombing during WWII
• Niigata - Visit the elegant Saito Family Summer Villa, wander around Hakusan Park and browse through the Honcho Market
• Sado Island - Join a two-day excursion to this cultural island, a former colony of exiles and a once-crucial gold mining hub

Included in Price

• 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 9 dinners
• 14 nights 3-4 star hotels & traditional ryokans
• Escorted by a tour leader
• Arrival airport transfer on day 1 and departure transfer on day 15 by shared shuttle bus
• All relevant transportation and transfers including by minibus, private coach and train
• Transport card with 2,500 yen (USD $16) credit for city transport
• Loop bus pass for transport in Hiraizumi
• Entrance to Hamarikyu Gardens in Tokyo
• Full day private guide service in Nikko
• Entrance fees for temples and shrines in Nikko
• Day trip to the Yugendo Caves, including boat trip & paper-making workshop
• Kokeshi doll painting workshop and a visit to the doll museum (2024 departures) or Excursion to Izu Numa town and mochi rice cake making experience (2025+ departures)
• Entrance fees to Kesennuma City Memorial Museum and Rias Ark Museum of Art (2025+ departures)
• Sightseeing tour of Matsushima Bay
• Dairy visit & ice cream making in Zao Onsen
• Two full days' private guide service on Sado Island
• Entrance fees for two days' sightseeing on Sado Island
• Taiko drumming experience on Sado Island
• Luggage forwarding from Tokyo to Hiraizumi, Niigata to Tokyo and Ishinomaki/Kesennuma to Sendai
• Information pack on arrival
• Shared portable Wi-Fi access throughout trip

NOT included in price

• International flights
• Any local transport (subways, taxis, buses) unless covered by the included transport passes
• Entrance fees (including those for temples, shrines and museums) unless otherwise specified
• Baggage handling and luggage forwarding unless otherwise specified

Travel Package

This is an Organised Group Tour: the itinerary has been predefined by the tour operator. The tour destinations, duration, accommodations, departure dates and the price are fix. You can join, enjoy and meet other people.

Memberships and Financial Protection