Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! After completing customs procedures, you’ll be transferred to your hotel by shared shuttle bus. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. In the afternoon, you’ll receive details about the start of your tour.

IMPORTANT:
- Please note that hotel check-in time is usually at around 03:00 p.m. If you require earlier room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.

- The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.

Tokyo

In the morning, we’ll take a long guided tour—about seven hours—through this simply stunning city! Its vibrant energy and cutting-edge neighborhoods coexist with areas full of peace and tranquility.

We’ll make a short stop at Zojoji Temple to capture the most beautiful view of the Tokyo Tower. You’ll notice hundreds upon hundreds of Jizo statues, stone-carved deities considered guardians of children, adorned with knitted hats, bibs, and pinwheels.

Next, we’ll head to the famous Shibuya Crossing, that we will see from the bus. It is known as the busiest intersection in the world. Then we’ll visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife.
Then we’ll head to Tokyo Skytree (admission included up to Tembo Deck at 350 meters high), Japan’s tallest structure, where we’ll enjoy an unmatched panoramic view of the city.

We’ll end our visit in Asakusa, where we’ll explore Sensoji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel passing by Akihabara district, the "Electric City", known as the center of Japanese manga and anime culture; and Ginza district.

6:30 p.m. – We’ll meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the subway (tickets included) to the Shinjuku area. From there, we’ll enjoy a walk through this lively district before heading to a local restaurant for dinner (included). We’ll return to the hotel by subway, accompanied by our guide.

Note: The order of the visits may vary depending on the admission time for Tokyo Skytree. In case of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances, access to Tokyo Skytree may be limited. In that case, an alternative visit to another iconic city viewpoint will be offered.

Tokyo - Nikko - Sendai

Total distance covered: 425 km.

Scenery: Beautiful natural scenery, including river views and historic sites.

Note: We recommend bringing comfortable shoes, as walking will be required in Nikko.

08:00 a.m. - Departure from Tokyo. We’ll travel to Nikko.
10:30 a.m. - Nikko. Arrival in this fantastic city, where we’ll visit the impressive Nikko Toshogu Shrine, famous for its "Crying Dragon" room. We’ll also explore the Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, located in a peaceful, scenic setting. Afterward, we’ll take a walk near the river in Kanmangafuchi, a serene area lined with hundreds of Jizo statues.
Free time in the city center for lunch and a stroll.

03:30 p.m. - Departure from Nikko.
07:45 p.m. - Sendai. Arrival in this modern, bustling city with over 1 million inhabitants. Passengers will have time to explore the city and enjoy dinner in its vibrant center.

Sendai - Matshushima - Hiraizumi - Morioka

Total distance covered: 217 km.

Scenery: Forests, mountains, and the breathtaking scenery of the Thousand Islands area.

08:00 a.m. - Departure for the marvelous city of Matsushima.
08:30 a.m. - Matsushima. Arrival in this picturesque city on the "Thousand Islands" Bay in the Pacific Ocean, considered one of the most beautiful locations in Japan. We’ll visit a magnificent tea house overlooking the sea, where we’ll enjoy a cup of traditional tea as our guide shares insights about the city. Afterward, we’ll embark on a 50-minute cruise (included).

11:00 a.m. - Departure. Lunch will be included.
02:00 p.m. - Hiraizumi. We’ll visit its historic temples, starting with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Takkoku no Iwaya, carved into the rock in 801. We’ll then explore the magnificent Buddhist temples of Chusonji and enjoy a peaceful moment in the gardens of Motsuji Temple, where passengers can participate in a Zen ceremony (admission included).

05:15 p.m. - Departure for Morioka.
06:45 p.m. - Morioka. Arrival in the pleasant capital of Iwate Province. We’ll check into our hotel and have free time to explore the city.

Morioka - Hirosaki - Aomori - Hakodate

Total distance covered: 197 km.

Note: We recommend bringing warm clothing to enjoy the ferry´s open deck.

07:30 a.m. - Departure. We’ll travel north through a region of beautiful landscapes.
09:30 a.m. - Hirosaki. Arrival in this former cultural capital during the Edo period. From the outside, we will see its castle, located in a beautiful park where more than 2,500 cherry trees bloom in spring

10:30 a.m. - Departure from Hirosaki.
11:40 a.m. - Aomori. Arrival in the provincial capital on Mutsu Bay. We’ll visit the Nebuta Museum to learn about Japan’s vibrant festival traditions, reminiscent of carnivals, featuring beautifully painted and illuminated floats. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

Afterward, we’ll board a ferry to cross to Hokkaido Island. The ferry is scheduled to depart at 02:20 p.m. Enjoy a scenic journey of just over three and a half hours.

06:00 p.m. - Hakodate. Free time to explore the charming historical pedestrian center, where we can admire the influence of other cultures, including the Russian Orthodox Church and various Christian churches.

Hakodate - Onuma - Noboribetsu - Sapporo

Total distance covered: 338 km.
Scenery: Beautiful landscapes and stunning volcanic areas.
Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for walking in Hell Valley.

In the morning, we’ll visit the impressive and bustling fish market. We’ll also go up Goryokaku Tower, where we’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and appreciate the star-shaped layout of Hakodate’s historic fortress. You’ll have free time to explore the castle grounds before we continue our journey.

11:00 a.m. - Departure.
11:45 a.m. - Onuma. Free time to explore this magnificent tourist area, known for its countless small islands. You can take a boat ride or walk across the bridges connecting the islands. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

01:45 p.m. - We’ll continue our journey along the coastline.
04:15 p.m. - Noboribetsu. We’ll visit this spectacular volcanic area, walking among the steaming fumaroles of Jigokudani (Hell Valley), admiring the boiling waters of Lake Oyunuma.

05:30 p.m. - Departure.
07:15 p.m. - Sapporo. Arrival in the beautiful capital of northern Japan at the end of the day.

Sapporo - Hill of Buddha - Otaru - Sapporo

Total distance covered: 120 km.

08:30 a.m. - We’ll start the morning with a city tour of Sapporo, making brief photo stops at the Clock Tower and Odori Park Avenue, dominated by the towering TV Tower. We’ll then spend an hour exploring the beautiful Hokkaido Jingu Shinto Shrine, where we’ll take part in a Kito, a traditional ceremonial prayer to give thanks for our journey.

11:00 a.m. - Just outside Sapporo, we’ll visit the Hill of Buddha, a striking example of modern architecture inaugurated in 2015. This lavender-covered hill houses a massive Buddha statue. The complex also features replicas of the Moai statues from Easter Island.

12:15 p.m. - We’ll continue to Otaru.

01:00 p.m. - Otaru. Arrival in this charming town with a distinctly European feel, known for its lively commercial streets, historic canal, and small museums. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

03:30 p.m. - Return to Sapporo, arriving at 04:30 p.m. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore the city at your own pace.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.