THE GREAT NORTH
9 nights (Self-guided)
Tokyo, Matsushima, Nyuto Onsen & Sapporo
From £1,695.00
per person
THE GREAT NORTH TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
The Great North Tour is a self-guided trip through Hokkaido & Tohoku in Northern Japan and offers some of the country's most breathtaking scenery. In summer, it's a great place to go to escape the heat whilst in winter you can luxuriate in some of the loveliest onsen ('hot springs') whilst looking out over the snow-covered landscape. This 9-night itinerary takes in some of the region's most lovely spots.
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9 nights' accommodation including ryokan accommodation for 1 night
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7-day Japan Rail Pass
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Train/bus tickets from and to Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
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Meet & Greet service on arrival at Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
DAILY ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN JAPAN
Welcome to Japan. Our friendly Meet & Greet service representative will be waiting in the Arrivals lobby in Narita Airport (Tokyo) and will direct you to the Narita Express train or limousine bus bound for Tokyo. Check into your clean and comfortable hotel in Tokyo for 2 nights on a bed & breakfast basis.
DAY 2: TOKYO
Your options are unlimited in this incredible city. Explore Tokyo's past in the bustling, traditional Asakusa district, shop in the fashionable districts of Shibuya and Harajuku, and dine on Japan's finest cuisine. Tokyo is relatively straightforward to navigate, and our Information Pack will make travelling around the city a breeze.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing by coach in Tokyo, with lunch included. Your guide will show you the highlights of this vast metropolis, from the Imperial Palace and serene Meiji Shrine to the ‘Electric City’ of Akihabara.
DAY 3: TOKYO-MATSUSHIMA (START USING YOUR 7 DAY JAPAN RAIL PASS TODAY)
It's time to say goodbye to Tokyo and speed on the Bullet Train to Matsushima. The journey takes less than 3 hours and you have plenty of time in the afternoon to visit the sights of Matsushima including the famous Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple and Zuiganji Temple as well as nearby cultural properties. Visit some of the islands in the Bay (via the picturesque red-painted bridge) or enjoy a cruise across Sendai Bay to take in the beautiful views of Matsushima. You will stay in a comfortable hotel in Matsushima for 1 night.
DAY 4: MATSUSHIMA – NYUTO ONSEN
Spend the morning visiting some of the islands in the Bay (via the picturesque red-painted bridge) or enjoy a cruise across Sendai Bay to take in the beautiful views of the picturesque archipelago – designated one of Japan's top 3 most beautiful places. This afternoon, set off to Nyuto Onsen. You will stay at Tsurunoyu onsen, the oldest onsen in the region, regarded as among the most beautiful in the country. Here you will have a truly authentic and relaxing experience. Check-in here for 2 nights.
DAY 5: NYUTO ONSEN
Spend today exploring the surrounding area. You can make a short trip over to Kakunodate, where you can feel the atmosphere of a past age as you stroll down the beautifully preserved samurai-era streets, or go for a bracing hike on Mt Komagatake. There's nothing better than a good soak in a hot spring after an invigorating walk!
DAY 6: NYUTO ONSEN TO SAPPORO
Depart from Nyuto Onsen to Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido. You'll spend most of today travelling by train as the journey time is around 7 hours. Check into your hotel in the central of Sapporo for 3 nights. Whilst in Hokkaido you might want to visit the 147.2m Sapporo TV tower which offers a superb observation deck over the city. Hokkaido is also well known for its delicious local food so good places to visit include Nijo Food Market, Shiroi Koibito Park (a theme park run by a local chocolate company) as well as the Sapporo Beer Museum. Alternatively you may want to visit the lovely harbor city Otaru near Sapporo.
DAY 7: FURANO
Today we suggest you make the day trip to Furano situated in the centre of Hokkaido which is famous for its beautiful scenery and fine farming. Visit one of Hokkaido's premier flower farms complete with its own cafes, and delicious local ice cream stalls including the famous local lavender ice cream. You could also visit the Furano Winery (a working winery) as well as the Furano Cheese Factory where you can observe its production process and join hands-on workshops.
DAY 8: NOBORIBETSU ONSEN
Today we suggest you make the day trip to Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resort, Noboribetsu Onsen in southwestern Hokkaido. Jigokudani or “Hell Valley” is a spectacular, appropriately named valley just above the town of Noboribetsu Onsen, where you can view hot steam vents, sulfurous streams and other volcanic activity.
DAY 9: SAPPORO-TOKYO
Enjoy the morning in the lovely surroundings of your hotel before heading back to Tokyo. You have a choice of returning to Tokyo by train (approximately 10 hours) (included in the package price) or by plane (for an additional amount). Spend your last free day in Tokyo and check into your comfortable hotel for 1 night.
DAY 10: DEPART JAPAN
Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Tokyo. (Non-UK passengers will have to make their own flight arrangements).
HOW INDEPENDENT TOURS WORK
ENJOY INDEPENDENT TRAVEL BUT NOT THE HASSLE OF PLANNING?
OUR INDEPENDENT TOURS COULD BE JUST THE TICKET!
Carefully put together by our team of specialists, our excellent collection of sample itineraries is designed to inform and inspire your next Japan adventure. Every one of our Independent Tours is fully tailor-made for you, ensuring your trip is everything you want it to be.
It's quite straightforward to travel independently in Japan. We will provide just the right amount of support and logistical planning to make you feel comfortable in a very foreign land. These itineraries are available for any departure date (with a few exclusions coinciding with Japanese National Holidays and some weekends). We'll do all the work for you and provide you with an information pack to make your trip run smoothly. You can also add guided tours as indicated and if you do want your own personal guide we can arrange this too.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS & LOCATION GUIDE
PRICING & INCLUSIONS
3* Hotels/ryokan: from £1,695.00 per person based on twin/double room occupancy.
4* Hotels/ryokan: from £2,295.00 per person based on twin/double room occupancy.
3* single room occupancy: from £2,195.00
4* single room occupancy: from £2,795.00
PRICE INCLUDES:
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9 nights' accommodation in a double/twin room on a bed and breakfast basis (hotel accommodation for 8 nights and ryokan accommodation for 1 night)
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7-day Japan Rail Pass allowing you unlimited travel on the entire Japan Rail network including Shinkansen/Bullet Train services, starting on Day 3.
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Train/bus tickets from and to Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
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Meet & Greet service on arrival at Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
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International airfare.
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Domestic flights
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Meals not mentioned above
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Entrance fees
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Taxi, subway, and tramway fees.
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Travel insurance.
OPTIONAL GUIDED TOURS
Tokyo: £101.00 per person
BOOKING INFORMATION
To make a booking, a deposit of 10% of the total price is required.
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The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to departure.
INSURANCE
Travel can be a great experience, but it can also be fraught with problems, so when going anywhere it is essential you are properly covered with good travel insurance. You should be protected against cancellation, curtailment, and loss or damage to your belongings as well as medical emergencies and have peace of mind if the unexpected happens.
Japan Journeys in association with Holiday Extras, is now able to offer excellent low-cost cover to their customers.
