June 1 - 9, 2023 1 seat remaining
9 days of condensation of what Japan is all about. This tour is for seafood lovers and travellers who like to go deeper, far more profound, than the normal organised trip. Untouched nature, Onsen, Sake, Seafood and regional culture. Northern Japan is at its best. Immerse yourself in a natural, cultural, and food lover’s dream with this in-depth tour of Japan’s diverse northern region. With incredible attention to detail, you can expect an authentic adventure into all things Japanese. Often left unexplored, the northern region of Japan is home to some of the finest foods, the most beautiful nature and riveting history.
Immerse yourself in some divine, untouched nature in north Japan and dine like a local.
Sip Sake at an old local brewery, tread through hills carpeted with flowers, soak in natural hot springs, wander through a canal city, indulge at local fish markets, hike through peaceful forests and streams, and more. see the itinerary below Also read our customers testimonials following the itinerary.
This tour is our most sensual and luxurious experience in Japan -it has been crafted around all your senses and will immerse you in the local Japanese culture and tastes.
We travel in style using a mixture of local flights, private vehicles, legendary public transport, and an undersea bullet train. The tour starts and finishes in Tokyo, and all transfers to and from Tokyo are included.
Travel Features
Small Group
A maximum of 8 travellers on this tour means we can have the best of both organized and personalized tour. It will be executed efficiently and seamlessly yet we will still have room to enjoy for spontaneity. We try our best to accommodating your requests as much as possible.
Food
Hokkaido is known as food heaven for Japanese. This tour is packed with deliciousness that Japan can offer, freshest sushi, local seafood, dessert, dairy products, sweetest fruits, regional cuisine. Mouth watering memories guaranteed.
Nature
From the window view of vast rolling hills of Furano to walking along a tranquil stream and waterfall in a misty forest, this tour offers you a deep relaxation to your soul. Enjoy the lush greenery of Japanese spring.
Onsen
You will experience varieties of Onsen in this tour. From a thousand years old traditional Onsen inn hidden quietly in a deep forest of beech tree to a modern outdoor Onsen with a specular view. Relaxation you will receive from Onsen is next to none.
Itinerary
Dates: June 1 - 9, 2023 Start: Haneda, Tokyo End: Tokyo Destinations: Asahikawa, Furano, Otaru, Hakodate, Aomori B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Day 1 Thu, June 1 – Tokyo to Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Fly to Hokkaido and warm up your tastebuds at a local Sake brewery. AM: Meet at Haneda Airport, Tokyo.
Make the quick trip and fly from Tokyo to Asahikawa, Hokkaido.
Here, we’ll get acquainted at a famous local Sake brewery. You’ll learn and sample some of the finest sake in Hokkaido. After warming up your tastebuds, enjoy a welcome dinner at a “Robata”, atraditional Japanese charcoal BBQ restaurant. Here, you can indulge in Hokkaido’s renowned seafood from scallops, sea urchins and prawns. We then stay the night at a comfortable western-style hotel in Asahikawa to relax and prepare you for more Hokkaido adventures.
Day 2 Fri, June 2 – Furano, Biei food: B+L+D
A food lover’s dream. Explore local delicacies and be whisked around by private vehicle. Between our foodie indulgences, take a relaxing walk in flower-carpeted gardens and a fairy-tale-like village.
Hokkaido is known for its delicious dairy products, so today is a naughty day. We indulge ourselves with Biei and Furano’s renowned dishes, sweet and velvety ice creams, rich and umami-packed cheese and more.
Yes, today we’ll be travelling by private vehicle, so you can relax and travel with ease. Along with its cuisine, the Biei ＆ Furano area is known for its picturesque rural landscapes. Furano’s flowing flower fields and Biei’s bouncing rolling hills are some of the most iconic scenes in Hokkaido.
All with a picturesque backdrop of the Tokachi, the views take your breath away. Along the way, we will indulge in more local delicacies such as Black sesame buckwheat noodles, cheese from a local factory & handmade ice cream using Furano’s fresh milk Next, we will visit an English-style Windy Garden, “Kaze no Garden”. With over 450 varieties of flowers and 20,000 plants, this is the perfect place for a tranquil walk in the cool Hokkaido weather. Finally, we will continue to visit Ningle Terrace, a fairytale-like village set in a forest with 15 log cabin art & craft studios. Here, you’ll find some unique souvenirs and trinkets - the perfect memorabilia for your trip to Hokkaido.
Day 3 Sat June 3 – Otaru food: B+L+D
Surround yourself with history in a charming canal town, Otaru.
Take an express train to the quaint harbour town of Otaru. Formerly a simple fisherman’s village, Otaru became increasingly wealthy in the late 1850s as merchant's vessels began plying their trade to the rest of the archipelago. From this, the city is filled with unique western-style architecture harmoniously blended in with traditional Japan.
Here, we’ll sample freshly caught seafood among other local delicacies. Finally, we stroll along the picturesque Otaru canal and soak in the city’s charm and architectural heritage.
Day 4 Sun June 4 – Otaru, Hakodate food: B+L+D
Visit a historical palace and marvel at the wealth brought in by the local herring fishery before being treated to some of the finest sushi in Japan.
In the morning, visit a historical Herring palace. Herring fishing, like merchant trading, also brought a fortune to Otaru from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Witness the wealth of a successful Herring fisherman at his luxury wooden mansion. Take a glimpse into Japan's stunning architecture and interior design with traditional tatami mats and shoji (sliding doors).
Next, we take an express train to the seafood heaven, Hakodate.For dinner, we will dine at one of the city’s most highly regarded Sushi restaurants, where you can experience, arguably, the finest & freshest sushi in Japan.
Day 5 Mon June 5 – Hakodate food: B+L+D
Explore Hakodate, visit a rare star-shaped fort and fall in love with the famous night views from the top of Mt.Hakodate.
Walk and explore the city of Hakodate. As one of the first Japanese harbour cities to be opened to international trade after the country's In era of isolation, Hakodate has experienced notable influence from overseas. Much like Otaru, you can enjoy the charm of western style architecture seamlessly blended with traditional Japanese architecture. We take a city tram and visit the foreign population's former residential district and a rare, star-shaped Western-style fort and moat.
We will take a cable car up Mount Hakodate at night, where you can look out over the sparkling city lights and bay views. Voted as one of Japan's top three night views, this will be like no other
Day 6 Tue June 6 – Tsuta, Aomori food: B+L+D
Take an undersea bullet train to your next destination, a traditional Japanese hot spring in the middle of a beech forest.
Today, you can choose between enjoying a relaxed morning in bed or visiting a local fish market. For those who want to get up early, you’ll be able to see and indulge in the day’s seafood catches.Next, we travel in an undersea bullet train to Aomori and take a local bus to our lodging at a traditional hot spring Ryokan (inn).
The inn is nestled deep within a quiet Japanese beech forest and is one of the oldest Onsen (hot springs) in Japan, as described in a document published in 1146 AD.From all the travelling, There is no better way to relax than soaking in these natural onsens. After check-in, take a walk in the tranquil Tsuta Forest behind the lodging, marvelling at Japan’s beautiful nature. Enjoy a degustation “tasting” dinner with a variety of local ingredients.
Day 7 Wed June 7 – Oirase, Aomori food: B+L+D
Explore the wonder of the mountain stream and forest of Oirase and finish your day soaking in a vitality-boosting Onsen.
We travel to nearby Oirase, a location famed for its picturesque mountain stream and forest. We hike a 9 km trail with over a dozen waterfalls cascading into a meandering stream (bus options are available instead of hiking). The walk finishes at Japan’s second-largest biggest Lake Towada - a giant caldera lake nestled in a dormant volcano. Enjoy a heavenly outdoor hot spring bath while taking in the surrounding views.
Day 8 Thu June 8 – Oirase, Aomori food: B+D
Free day
Today, choose your activity.
If you are an art lover, take a bus to Towada Art Center and be inspired by Yayoi Kusama, known for her iconic sculptures, installations and live art.
For Onsen lovers, Oriase is Onsen Paradise. Take a local bus and enjoy Onsen hopping, soaking and rejuvenating your body.
For nature lovers, revisit your favourite Oirase spot. Enjoy an outdoor hot spring bath with stunning views.
Or, stay in the hotel’s amazing facilities, indulging yourself with massages and afternoon tea. Your tour leader will assist you in planning your day and make sure it’s delicious and memorable.
Day 9 Fri June 9 – Aomori - Tokyo food: B
Transfer and departure to your next destination.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Aomori. Depart on a bullet train from the Shin Aomori train station to Tokyo or your next destination. Travellers returning home after this tour take a bullet train to Tokyo, then transfer to Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport by bus. The train transfer to Tokyo station is included in the tour cost and can be changed to another destination.
* All the schedules above are subject to change due to operating requirements or circumstances beyond our control.
Inclusion:
One domestic flight from Haneda, Tokyo, to Asahikawa.
Bullet train ride from Aomori to Tokyo
All land transportation from Asahikawa Airport (fixed time) to Aomori, a mixture of public and private transfers
8-nights accommodation, high-quality western-style hotels and authentic Japanese Onsen Ryokan.
All entrance fees and activities listed in the itinerary.
Daily breakfast, dinner and six lunches.
Kuroko Boutique Tours guiding and interpreting service throughout the tour.
Exclusion:
International flights.
Travel insurance.
Snacks and drinks.
Meals not listed in the itinerary.
Extension and extra tour components.
Talk to us also about extending your stay in Kyoto or Tokyo to explore the cities (including a private guide for one day).
Testimonials
Ray Flanagan "I have now done two of Kuroko's tours to Japan. Both have been a delight. I enjoyed her very professional weaving of nature and culture and particularly the incredible choice of venues for such a wonderful variety of Japanese style cooking and meals. I really felt so well looked after. Any special request she willingly obliged. Which made the tours special just to me. I can not wait for my third trip with Kuroko."
Judith Packington
"Travelling with Rika in her native Japan was an opportunity for a cultural experience like no other. Imagine having a friend who seamlessly moves between two languages and who is able to help you interpret the traditional and contemporary customs of the Japanese way of life. Rika brings a quiet, respectful and unassuming demeanour to her responsibility as a guide and helps the mystery of Japan unfold."
Andrew Smith
"The best and most stress-free trip I've ever had. The tour was an introduction to Japan, its people, its culture, its food and its physical beauty. It was interesting and exciting and exceptionally well-organised by Rika. We learnt so much about Japan, especially Hokkaido. All I dream of now is our next Japan adventure. I have always been a bit wary of tours. In fact, this was my first. It was small and personal, very much boutique style, very much my style. Rika actively sought out our wishes and preferences before and during the tour and where possible, built them in. It was so relaxing and a lot of fun. "