Best of Hokkaido and Tohoku Tour

16 Days/14 Nights

2013 Dates & Prices •
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Optional Cultural Activities

The northernmost of the main islands, Hokkaido is Japan's last frontier, kept at bay by wild mountains, virgin forests, sapphire lakes and surf-beaten shores. The attitudes of the inhabitants are akin to those of the pioneers of the American West, but still unmistakably Japanese. Tohoku, literally translating to "Northeast", is also relatively unpopulated and was for a long time the buffer zone between the heavily populated areas of Japan to the south and the Ainu tribes to the north. Today, Tohoku is primarily a rural, agricultural area. But with its many mountain ranges, volcanic caldera lakes and onsen (hot springs) it is also one of the best places in Japan for outdoor activities.

Destinations:
Tokyo, Sapporo, Shiraoi, Noboribetsu Onsen, Toya-ko, Hakodate, Towadako, Oirase River Gorge, Kakunodate, Chusonji, Matsushima, Nikko

You'll enjoy Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city and host to the 1972 Winter Olympics with it's many, fine restaurants, visit Noboribetsu Onsen, one of Japan's largest and most popular hot springs resorts, walk along the rim of an active volcano at Toya-ko, explore the morning market of Hakodate, where you can have the local specialties of crab, sea urchin or squid prepared for you for breakfast, and learn about Hokkaido's original inhabitants, the Ainu, whose culture almost disappeared until recent efforts of restoration. Walk along the banks of one of Japan's most scenic rivers with its many waterfalls, visit one of Japan's best preserved Samurai districts in the old castle town of Kakunodate, explore Chuson-ji with its "Golden Hall" built in the 12th century and considered to be one of the most important national assets of Japan, enjoy Matsushima, considered to be one of three most scenic places in Japan and the ostentatious, over-the-top shrines and temples of Nikko.

Every day you'll enjoy the friendliness, fun and flexibility of small group travel by experiencing sights, Japanese restaurants and family-run ryokans that are off-limits to larger groups. From start to finish, all group transportation, group admission fees, lodging, travel insurance, all breakfasts, eleven dinners, tour guide tips and more are included. All while our tour guides bring Japan alive with their insights.