North Japan and Hakone

Welcome to Japan! Transfer by coach (SHUTTLE BUS) to hotel.

18H30.- Meeting with guide. Late in the afternoon, we will pay a visit to this fascinating country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku district and see the crowds of people who use this modern and efficient collective transport system. Then we will take a walk around an hour to the restaurant. Shinjuku is one of the most important nightlife districts. Dinner included and return to hotel by metro with our guide.

08.00 hrs.- In the morning, we take part in a 5-hour trip with our guide to see this amazing city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with quiet, peaceful areas. Brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to make a beautiful photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Pay attention to the hundred of Jizos, stone traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those who are weak (such children) and those in dangerous places, and who are dressed including hats, robes and windmills. Then we head to the junction of Shibuya, a junction that is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji Temple is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits. We continue on our bus along the elegant street of Omotesando. We will edge the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and the gardens. Stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. We will pass through the district of Akihabara, the “electric town” with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture and then see Kokugikan, the Sumo stadium, home of this Japanese sport. We will also visit the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo, with its 55-metre high pagoda. Then we will have some free time to visit the traditional commercial street of Nakamise in the district of Asakusa. Lunch included in a local restaurant. Return to hotel.

Free time in the afternoon.

NOTE: With 5 passengers or less than 5 passengers, the city tour will be done by a tourist bus "Hop On-Hop Off" bus that passes through the most interesting parts of Tokyo, in which passengers can hop off, visit the site of their choice and then hop on the next bus

Total distance: 425km.
Note: We recommend to bring comfortable shoes since in Nikko we will have to walk.


08.00hrs- We leave Tokyo for Nikko.
10.30hrs- NIKKO. Arrival to this fantastic where we will visit the impressive Nikko Toshogu Shrine with the room of the crying dragon. We will also visit the Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, set in an impressive, peaceful site, followed by a walk near the river, in Kannanga Fuchi, under the watchful eye of hundreds of Jizo statues!
Free time in the city centre for lunch and a stroll.


15.30hrs- Nikko, departure.
19.45hrs- SENDAI, arrival to this modern, bustling city with over 1 million inhabitants. Passengers can explore the city and have dinner in its busy, thriving centre.

Total distance: 217km.
Landscapes of forests and mountains, wonderful in the area of the thousand islands.


08.00hrs-We depart for the marvellous city of Matsushima.
08.30hrs-MATSHUSHIMA, a city on the “Thousand Islands” Bay in the Pacific Ocean and considered one of the most attractive cities in Japan. After arriving, we will visit a magnificent “tea house” overlooking the sea and enjoy a cup of traditional tea while our guide tells us about the city. Then we will go on a 50-minute cruise (included).


11.00hrs- Departure. Lunch included.
14.00hrs.- HIRAIZUMI to visit its temples and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Takkoku no Iwaya, carved in the rock in 801, followed by a visit to the magnificent Buddhist temples of Chusonji. We take time to relax in the gardens of Motsuji temple, where passengers can take part in a Zen ceremony (admission included).


17.15hrs- We tren carry on to Morioka.
18.45hrs- MORIOKA, the pleasant capital of Iwate province, where we settle in at our hotel and have some free time to explore.

Total distance: 197km.
Note: We recommend you to wear warm clothing to enjoy the deck of the boat.


07.30hrs- Departure. In a region of beautiful scenery we travel to Hirosaki.
09.30hrs- HIROSAKI. Ancient capital cultural during the Edo period with its castle of the seventeenth century. We will visit its castle in a beautiful park where more than 2,500 cherry trees blossom in the spring.


10.30hrs- Departure.
11.40hrs- AOMORI, the provincial capital, located on Mutsu Bay. Time for visit to Nebuta Museum where we will learn about the Japanese festival tradition, which reminds us of the Carnival, with its vivid, painted floats. Lunch included.


Then we board the ferry to HOKKAIDO Island, the departure of the ferry is scheduled at 14.20hrs. The crossing takes just over three and a half hours.


18.00hrs- HAKODATE –Arrival-. Time in the beautiful city pedestrian centre in which to admire the influence of other cultures in the city (Russian Orthodox and Christian churches).

Total distance: 338km
Landscapes: Beautiful landscapes. Impressive volcanic areas.
Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for walking through the Hell’s Valley.


In the morning we visit the impressive and busy fish market. Then we climb the GORYOKAKU Tower with its impressive views, from where we can make out the star-shaped fortress of Hakodate. Then we will take a stroll through the castle area before continuing our journey.


11.00hrs- Departure.
11.45hrs- ONUMA. Free time in this wonderful tourist site, with its countless small islands in which to explore the islands, go on a boat trip and have lunch included.


13.45hrs- Departure. Our journey takes us towards the ocean.
16.15hrs- NOBORIBETSU, an impressive volcano site, where we can walk amidst geysers in Jigoku Dani (Hell’s Valley), admire the hot spring lake of Oyunuma and follow the path next to the hot spring to the site of the footbath.-


18.30hrs- Departure.
20.15hrs- SAPPORO.- At the end of the day, we arrive at this beautiful city, the capital of North Japan.-

Total distance: 120 km.

08.30hrs- City tour (included) stopping at the clock tower and Odori Koen avenue-park, dominated by the telecommunications tower. We will enjoy for an hour the beautiful Shinto shrine of Hokkaido Jingu. The visit includes a ceremonial Kito (prayer session) in which we give thanks for the journey.

11.00hrs- We will leave Sapporo, we know the HILL OF BUDDHA, new center of avant-garde architecture opened in 2015, the hill covered with lavenders keeps the giant statue of Buddha, in the complex we will also see the replica of the statues Moai (Easter Island).

12.15hrs- We continue to Otaru.
13.00hrs- OTARU, arrival to this small city with a European air and streets filled with shops, an old canal and tiny museums. Lunch included.

15.30hrs-Departure. We return to Sapporo at about 16.30hrs. Free time in the afternoon in Sapporo.

Total distance: 200 km.

Landscapes: Beautiful landscapes of the interior of the island, snow on the peaks, volcanic areas.

Note: We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes in the high area of the cable car. We recommend wearing warm clothing. Prepare a small travel bag so you do not have to lower your bags on the night ferry.

08.15hrs- Sapporo departure to the interior of Hokkaido Island. We visit the Pirko Kotan, the Ainu village museum. Here we will see the culture of the Eskimo people who inhabited this island before the Japanese. Amidst beautiful scenery in the interior of Hokkaido Island, we pass lakes and mountains and eventually come to the spa city of Toyako.

11.45 hrs- TOYAKO, at the foot of an impressive volcano, on the banks of a pretty lake that occupies a former crater. Free time to wander along the bank. We will visit the volcanology museum to learn about the eruptions suffered by this region. Then we will take the cable car to the summit of the USU Volcano with time to walk around the volcano and its awesome landscape. Lunch included.

15.30 hrs- Departure. Then our journey takes us along the coast.

17.15hrs- TOMAKOMAI. We take a modern ferry for a night crossing. The departure of the ferry is scheduled at 19.00hrs. Dinner included. Accommodation in double cabins with private bathrooms. We spend the night on board crossing the Pacific Ocean.

Total distance: 215 km
Landscapes: Mountains, forests, green landscapes.
Note: Provide comfortable footwear and a waterproof for Yamadera.


10.00hrs- We reach Sendai port and continue our journey.


11.30hrs.- YAMADERA.- arrival to the very beautiful complex of temples founded more than 1,000 years ago in the mountain’s, amidst forests of immense trees. The landscapes are spectacular, you will have to climb 1000 steps to reach the temples. Time to see this magical place. Lunch included.


14.30 hrs.- Yamadera.- Departure to Yonezawa.


15.45 hrs.- YONEZAWA. We are in one of the main producer regions of Sake, we will visit the Sake Museum with its small distillery.


16.45hrs.- Yonezawa.- Departure through pretty scenery.


18.00hrs- AIZUWAKAMATSU. Free time to explore this bustling city.


Note: In winter, as it gets dark earlier, the climb to Iimoriyama will be done on arrival in Aizuwakamatsu (instead of Saturday)

Total distance: 345 km


In AIZUWAKAMATSU we visit the SAMURAI MANSION, a historical mansion where we will learn about the Samurai Warriors. After this we stroll in the Castle Garden and maybe we will see children doing martial arts on the Dojo. We will go up to Iimoriyama, where we will see the sculptures donated by Mussolini and they will tell us about the child martyrs of this city.


11.00 hrs- We travel south between pleasant green landscapes. Stop en route for lunch.
14.00 hrs.- MITO. On the way, we will stop in this pretty Mito. We include the entrance to the gardens of KAIRAKUEN, considered some of the most beautiful in Japan, with more than 3,000 cherry trees. Free time in the city centre before leaving to TOKYO


15.30hrs.- Mito departure.
18.45 hrs.- TOKYO – Arrival at the end of the day-.

Total distance: 120 km.
Landscape: Scenic beauty along the Pacific Ocean.

8 a.m. - TOKYO- Departure
9 a.m. - KAMAKURA- Arrival. This "oasis of peace" was the capital of Japan for two centuries. It houses numerous shrines, temples and gardens. We will visit the Zen temple of Hokoku-ji and walk through its bamboo forest (admission included) where we can have a cup of green tea. We will also visit Sugimoto-dera, the oldest temple in the city, founded in 734.

11 a.m. - Sugimoto Dera- Departure
11:20 a.m. - Komachi Street – Arrival. We will have some free time to explore this charming area in the city center.


11:50 a.m.- Komachi Street – Departure.
12:15 p.m.- Kotoku in- Arrival. Admission included to the Big Buddha (Daibutsu), a bronze sculpture dating back to the 13th century and the second tallest Buddha in Japan.


1 p.m. - KAMAKURA – Departure
1:35 p.m.- ENOSHIMA- Arrival. Our route is of great scenic beauty along the Pacific Ocean. Free time for lunch and a stroll in ENOSHIMA, a small island in the ocean linked by a bridge.

2:35 p.m. - ENOSHIMA- Departure.
3:40 p.m. - ODAWARA- Arrival. Here we include admission to one of Japan’s most renowned castles, an imposing medieval fortress (restored in the 20th century) from the Edo period. This historic site houses a museum inside. One of the highlights of the visit is the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of Odawara City from the castle’s top floor.

5 p.m. . Arrival at Odawara´s hotel.

Total distance: 195 km.
Landscapes: Nice mountain scenery, great views on the climb to Mount Fuji
Notes: Bring warm clothes as it can be cold on Mount Fuji. In winter, the route up Mount Fuji is often closed due to snow or other weather-related reasons; on those dates we will go as far as permitted.

8:15 a.m.- ODAWARA- Departure. Our journey begins as we head towards the picturesque Hakone region, known for its lakes and mountains, located near Mount Fuji.
9 a.m. - OWAKUDANI- Arrival. Known as the "valley of hell", this area is distinguished by its bubbling mud steam vents and sulfurous gases. We start the tour from the parking lot entrance. During the walk, you will be able to see the geothermal activity of the area. Visitors are given the option to try the famous black eggs, which are cooked in the region´s volcanic hot springs.


Note: Sometimes the access is closed due to high volcanic activity or toxic gases; if this happens, we will include a visit to the Arakurayama Sengen park.


9:50 a.m. - OWAKUDANI – Departure-
11 a.m. - OSHINO HAKKAI- Arrival at this small and picturesque village with 8 ponds and views of Mount Fuji.

12 p.m. - OSHINO HAKKAI- Departure
12:30 p.m. - KAWAGUCHIKO – Arrival in this idyllic town of small houses, flowers and mountains by its beautiful lake, we include a lovely boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko. Later, we start the climb to Mount Fuji along the road that takes us to the "fifth station" passing through spectacular forests and views, reaching an altitude of 2,305 meters.

Note: In winter the route up Mount Fuji is often closed due to snow or other weather-related reasons; on those dates we will go as far as permitted.

3:45 p.m. - KAWAGUCHIKO- Departure
6:30/6:45 p.m.- TOKYO – Arrival at the end of the day. End of our services. Check your flight time to see if you´ll need an extra night. Airport departure transfer is not included. Our guide will advise you on the best public transport for your departure.

End of our services. Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.

Important Note: In case you have to book an external service (plane/train...) on the day of the end of your tour with activities included, please remember that the schedules of the detailed itineraries are the "planned" ones but may be affected by different circumstances (traffic density, customer delays, breakdowns...). Do not book a flight/train with a tight schedule without taking this into account.
Always leave a margin in the schedule for unforeseen events.