1. Land Itinerary:

Tokyo – Izu: Shuzenji Onsen – Izunokuni – Hakone: Lake Ashi – Owakudani – Kawagoe: Omiya – Senboku – Daisen – Lake Tazawa – Kakunodate – Nyuto Onsenkyo – Morioka – Hiraizumi – Ichinoseki: Gembikei Gorge – Tokyo

 

2. Tour Program:

* Day 1 (Sun 12 April): TOKYO (Arrival)

Arrival at Tokyo-Narita (NRT) International Airport. Transfer to Tokyo by motor coach [Located on Tokyo Bay in the Kanto region, known as Edo prior to 1868 and established as Japan’s political center during the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1868), Tokyo is now Japan’s capital and the world's most populous metropolis (14 million). Tokyo is also Japan's leading center of business and finance, the largest urban economy in the world with over 500 high-rise buildings. The ultra-modern megapolis offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors]. Lunch at a local restaurant. Your half-day tour in Tokyo: View Tokyo Imperial Palace, the actual residence of Japan’s Imperial Family, located on the site of former Edo Castle and surrounded by moats and massive stone walls, from the outside; Then view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form the entrance to the inner Palace grounds. Visit Sensō-ji, also called Asakusa Kannon, a colorful Buddhist temple built in the mid-7th century and dedicated to Kannon Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of compassion and mercy, known as Tokyo’s oldest temple; View the striking five-story red Pagoda (Goju-no-tō), the temple’s most iconic structure. Free time will be yours to stroll along the 800-foot-long Nakamise-dori shopping street nearby, browsing for Japanese souvenirs and local snacks. Dinner at a local restaurant. Transfer to your hotel to check in.

Overnight at Sunshine City Prince Hotel Ikebukuro.

 

* Day 2 (Mon 13 April): TOKYO

Breakfast at your hotel. Your full-day Tokyo tour by coach: Visit Meiji Jingu, the Shinto shrine built in 1920 and dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken, of which the spacious and forested grounds offer walking paths for an enjoyable stroll; You may unexpectedly come across a wedding Shinto ceremony on the shrine grounds. Visit Akihabara, Tokyo’s central district famous for its many electronic shops and in recent years for its growing number of establishments devoted to Anime and Manga culture. Transfer to Shibuya, Tokyo's most colorful and busy district, a center for youth fashion and culture packed with shopping, dining and nightclubs; Experience the incredible and world-famous “Shibuya Crossing,” one of Tokyo’s most iconic and recognizable landmarks, at the large intersection in front of Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Exit (“You don’t truly know Tokyo until you experience the Shibuya Crossing”). Transfer to Harajuku-Aoyama, a nearby lively area, where you will spend some free time at leisure either on Takeshita Street, center of Tokyo’s most extreme teenage culture, or on Omotesando Street, a major luxury shopping destination. Lunch on your own. Transfer to Shinjuku's skyscraper district, home to many of Tokyo's tallest buildings, to visit the 798-foot high Metropolitan Government Building, nicknamed “Tokyo’s Twin Towers”, of which the Observation decks provide fantastic panoramic views of Tokyo and beyond when weather conditions are favorable. Transfer to Akihabara Electric Town, and visit Tokyo’s central district famous for its many electronic shops and in recent years for its growing number of establishments devoted to Anime and Manga culture. Dinner at a local restaurant. Transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight at Sunshine City Prince Hotel Ikebukuro.

 

* Day 3 (Tue 14 April): TOKYO – SHUZENJI ONSEN (IZU PENINSULA)

Breakfast at your hotel. Hotel check-out. Depart for Izu Peninsula (Shikuoka Prefecture) by coach [A large peninsula jutting into the Pacific Ocean southwest of Tokyo and Yokohama, Izu Peninsula (Izu Hantō) is one of Japan’s most famous resort areas, known for its hot springs, scenic coastlines, mountains, and fresh seafood]. Lunch at a local restaurant upon your arrival. Transfer to Shuzenji Onsen for a half-day of sightseeing [A historic hot spring town located in the Izu Peninsula, Shuzenji Onsen, famed for its natural beauty, tranquil atmosphere, and traditional Japanese charm; It’s one of the oldest onsen (hot spring) resorts in Izu that have been used for over 1,400 years]. Visit Shuzen-ji Temple, a Sōtō-sect Zen Buddhist temple founded in 807 AD; Visit Hōmotsuden, the temple’s Treasure Hall, and Shigetsuden, its Kamakura-style Sutra Library. Visit Hie Jinja, a small and quiet Shinto shrine founded in the early 9th century, and originally built to serve as a guardian shrine for the Shuzen-ji Buddhist temple; View the Kodakara‑no‑Sugi, a pair of 800-year-old cedar trees that are linked with a sacred straw rope, and whose roots are fused together; Also view the Ichii-kashi, a magnificent 82-foot-tall oak tree designated as “Shikuoka’s Natural Monument”. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy at leisure in downtown Shuzenji Onsen. Dinner at a local restaurant. Transfer to your hotel to check in.

Overnight at New Hakkeien.

 

* Day 4 (Wed 15 April): SHUZENJI ONSEN – IZUNOKUNI

Breakfast at your hotel. Your full-day tour in Izu: Visit the Bamboo Forest Path (Chikurin-no-Komichi) in Shuzenji Onsen, a peaceful walking path lined on both sides by tall bamboo trees, running along the Katsura River which flows through the hot spring town. Transfer to Izunokuni City to visit the Izu Panorama Park, an observation park centered around the ropeway that runs up to the summit of Mount Katsuragi; From Ao Terrace at the top, enjoy the panoramic views of Mount Fuji, Suruga Bay, and the surrounding mountains. Transfer to Numazu City to spend leisure time on LaLaLa Sun Beach, an artificial beach facing Suruga Bay, where you can enjoy stunning views of Mount Fuji [Mount Fuji or Fuji-san, standing 12,390 ft on the central island of Honshu, is an active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707-1708. Mt. Fuji’s exceptionally symmetrical and snow-covered cone is revered for its majestic beauty since the most ancient of times, and commonly used as a cultural icon of Japan]. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer back to downtown Izunokuni City, which offers a more laid-back Japanese town feel, to spend some leisure time before returning to your hotel to enjoy the traditional open-air hot spring bath (onsen).

Overnight at New Hakkeien.

 

* Day 5 (Thu 16 April): IZUNOKUNI – HAKONE – KAWAGOE – ŌMIYA

Breakfast at your hotel. Hotel check-out. Depart for Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture) by coach [Located at the historic, cultural, and natural crossroads of Japan, Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, famous for its hot springs, natural beauty and the view of Mount Fuji across Lake Ashi]. Transfer to Motohakone Port on Lake Ashi. Take a 45-minute memorable boat cruise across Lake Ashi, Hakone’s iconic crater lake formed by volcanic activity nearly 3,000 years ago; Glide over tranquil waters aboard a sightseeing vessel styled as a majestic European pirate ship; Weather permitting, you may catch a view of snow-capped Mount Fuji from on board. Take a 20-minute ride on the Hakone Ropeway, a famous gondola lift carrying visitors over Hakone’s volcanic mountains from Togendai Station to Owakudani Station, and enjoy the dramatic volcanic landscape. Visit the viewing platforms and try the famous black eggs (kuro-tamago), boiled in the hot springs. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to Kawagoe (Saitama Prefecture) [Nicknamed “Little Edo”, Kawagoe is a charming historic city that still preserves the look and feel of an Edo-period (1603-1868) merchant town, a rare find so close to Tokyo]. The remainder of the day will be yours to spend at leisure exploring Kawagoe’s Old Town: Visit the Kurazukuri Warehouse District, a well-preserved street lined with traditional clay-walled merchant warehouses that gives visitors a feel of Edo-era town life; Visit Toki no Kane, Kawagoe’s iconic 17th-century wooden clock tower, which still chimes four times a day; Visit Kawagoe Hikawa Jinja, a Shinto shrine famous for matchmaking and love blessings… Transfer to your hotel to check in. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Candeo Hotels Ōmiya.

 

* Day 6 (Fri 17 April): ŌMIYA – KAKUNODATE – DAISEN – SEMBOKU

Breakfast at your hotel. Hotel check-out. Transfer to Ōmiya Station to board the Komachi 15 Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kakunodate (Akita Prefecture). Obento lunch on board the high-speed train (approx. 2 hr 50 min). Transfer to Daisen City upon your arrival. Visit Suzuki Shuzō “Hideyoshi”, a famous sake brewery that has maintained traditional brewing methods since its foundation in 1689, using locally grown rice, pure water, and the cold winter climate, which is well suited for slow fermentation; Sample a variety of sake from the brewery. Transfer Semboku City. Enjoy some leisure time at Lake Tazawa, Japan’s deepest volcanic caldera lake, surrounded by mountains and hot spring villages. Visit Tatsuko Chaya, a traditional lakeside teahouse and the birthplace of Miso Tanpo (a local grilled rice skewer dish). Transfer to your hotel to check in. Dinner at the hotel. Enjoy the traditional open-air hot spring bath (onsen), an amazing experience every visitor to Japan should try.

Overnight at Kamenoi Hotel Tazawako.

 

* Day 7 (Sat 18 April): SEMBOKU – KAKUNODATE – SEMBOKU

Breakfast at your hotel. Your full-day tour in Kakunodate Old Town, the historic “Samurai District” in Semboku City [Nicknamed the ‘Samurai District,’ Kakunodate was laid out around 1620 with wide streets and residences for middle- and upper-ranking samurai families, which still retain their Edo-period (1603-1868) atmosphere]. Stroll along Bukeyashiki-dori, a 17th-century street lined with weeping cherry trees. Visit Ishiguro-ke, the residence of a high-ranking Samurai family, considered the oldest Samurai house in Kakunodate, with parts dating back to the early 17th century; Explore tatami rooms, living spaces, and an armory with samurai weapons, armor, and artifacts that once belonged to the Ishiguro clan. Visit Aoyagi-ke, also called Samurai Manor Museum, the residence of another high-ranking Samurai family, the Aoyagi clan; Explore the museum complex grounds, including the main house, storehouses, gardens, and multiple exhibition halls that offer a broad picture of Samurai life and Edo-period culture. Visit another tangible piece of Japan’s feudal history: the Nishinomiya-ke, residence of a middle-ranking samurai family, now transformed into a lively cultural complex with preserved storehouses, gardens, shops, and cafés; Explore this late Edo-period blend of samurai architecture and merchant-style features, reflecting the Nishinomiya family’s prosperity. Lunch on your own. Spend some leisure time in Kakunodate Old Town, strolling along the peaceful Hinokinai River, visiting local craft workshops, or relaxing in one of the many samurai or merchant houses now serving as cozy cafés. Dinner at a local restaurant. Transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight at Kamenoi Hotel Tazawako.

 

* Day 8 (Sun 19 April): SEMBOKU – NYUTO ONSENKYO – MORIOKA

Breakfast at your hotel. Hotel check-out. Depart for Nyūtō Onsenkyō hot spring village [Tucked away in the foothills of Mt. Nyūtō in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, Nyūtō Onsenkyō is one of the most famous hot spring areas in northern Japan that offers a rustic, secluded atmosphere surrounded by forests and streams]. Visit Tsurunoyu (Crane’s Hot Spring) hot spring inn, once an exclusive retreat for the lords of the Akita domain. Soak in Tsurunoyu Onsen, the oldest and most iconic inn of Nyūtō Onsenkyō, renowned for its thatched-roof charm and milky-white open-air baths once reserved for the lords of Akita - a unique and rejuvenating experience not to be missed. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to Morioka (Iwate Prefecture) [Developed around the 17th-century Morioka Castle, Morioka is framed by the dramatic backdrop of Mt. Iwate and intersected by three rivers, giving it an open, scenic atmosphere. It is also a food lover’s city, best known for its “Three Great Noodles”]. Visit Morioka Handcrafts Village, one of Morioka’s best cultural attractions, with hands-on workshops showcasing traditional crafts and local specialties from Iwate Prefecture. Stroll through Iwate Park, a scenic public garden built on the ruins of Morioka Castle and designed by Japan’s famous landscape architect Honda Seiroku, where stone walls and seasonal blossoms preserve the legacy of the Nanbu clan. View the stunning Rock-Breaking Cherry Tree (Ishiwarizakura), a 400-year-old yamazakura cherry tree that grew out of a crack in a massive granite boulder in front of the Morioka District Court. Dinner at a local restaurant. Transfer to your hotel to check in.

Overnight at Art Hotel Morioka.

 

* Day 9 (Mon 20 April): MORIOKA – TOKYO

Breakfast at your hotel. Hotel check-out. Transfer to Hiraizumi town [A small town in Iwate Prefecture, Hiraizumi was once a major political and cultural center in the 11th-12th centuries under the powerful Ōshū Fujiwara clan]. Visit Chuson-ji, founded in the mid-9th century and one of the most important Buddhist temples in all of northern Japan; Walk up the Tsukimizaka slope, a cedar-lined path leading to the temple complex; Visit Konjikidō (Golden Hall), completed in 1124 and entirely adorned with gold leaf and mother-of-pearl, the temple’s greatest treasure where the mummified remains of three generations of Fujiwara lords are enshrined. Lunch at local Shōjin Ryōri (Buddhist vegetarian) restaurant. Transfer to Ichinoseki [With both urban areas and surrounding countryside, Ichinoseki is best known as the gateway to Geibikei and Genbikei Gorges, as well as for its unique food culture like mochi dishes]. Visit Kakkō-ya, a local “Flying Dango” shop at Genbikei Gorge. Try the Flying Dango - sweet rice dumplings delivered via a pulley-and-basket system that crosses the gorge. Take a 90-minute Genbikei Gorge River Cruise; Glide along the serene Iwai River, propelled by wooden poles past towering cliffs and jade-green water, with a mid-stop walk amid nature’s rock sculptures and seasonal beauty. Transfer to Ichinoseki Station to board the Hayabusa 112 Shinkansen (bullet train) back to Tokyo. Obento dinner on board the high-speed train (approx. 2 hr). Transfer to your hotel to check in upon your arrival at Tokyo Station.

Overnight at Hotel Monterey Ginza.

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* Day 10 (Tue 21 April): TOKYO (Departure)

Breakfast at your hotel. Your full-day exploration and shopping tour in Tokyo by coach: Visit Tokyo’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery in the Nakameguro area - a flagship location that offers an experience far beyond a typical coffee store; Explore its open spaces, design elements inspired by nature, transparent views of coffee processes, and multiple bars and levels for a truly amazing experience. Transfer to Azabudai Hills, a newly developed multi-purpose complex in the Minato area; Enjoy some leisure time to explore, eat and shop in this modern urban-village concept - a self-contained “city within a city” of Tokyo, where you can admire Japan’s tallest building, the Mori JP Tower. Lunch on your own. Make a photo stop at the orange-and-white Tokyo Tower, the capital’s most famous landmark [Built in the late 1950s and modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tokyo Tower serves as both a communications tower and a sightseeing attraction]. Transfer to Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s busiest and most dynamic districts, renowned for its maze of skyscrapers;  Spend your leisure time at Takashimaya Department Store and Tokyu Hands, a destination that blends luxury, daily essentials, culture, and food - bringing you everything from world-class designer brands to creative hobby shops, all in one place. Transfer back to your hotel, just a short walk from Ginza, Tokyo’s most elegant district, renowned worldwide as a center of luxury shopping, dining, and culture. Stroll along Chūō-dōri, the main boulevard of Ginza, where the dazzling night lights create a breathtaking spectacle (a truly memorable sight!); Discover the district’s blend of tradition and modernity with grand department stores such as Mitsukoshi, Matsuya, and Wako, alongside luxury brands, chic boutiques, refined cafés, gourmet restaurants, and hidden treasures tucked away in its side streets. Dinner on your own.

Overnight at Hotel Monterey Ginza.

 

* Day 11 (Wed 22 April): TOKYO (Departure)

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer by coach to Narita International Airport. Check in for your departure flights back to the US.

 

3. Land Tour Package Cost:

$3,850 (Japan Land package)

International airline tickets are to be booked and paid for separately. We offer a special group airfare of $XXXX per person from Los Angeles (LAX) with Asiana Airlines, including all taxes, fees, and surcharges. Seats are limited and subject to availability at the time of booking.

Single supplement: $1,000

(Voyages Saigon, Inc.’s Terms & Conditions)

 

Your journey includes:

• Accommodation: Stay in carefully selected upscale 4-star hotels, based on double occupancy

• Meals: Enjoy daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, except for meals not specifically listed in the itinerary

• Transportation: Travel in comfort aboard a private, air-conditioned motor coach, including airport/hotel transfers

• Rail Experience: Ride aboard Japan’s iconic Shinkansen bullet train, with reserved seats in non-smoking cars

• Sightseeing: All guided tours, excursions, and entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary

• Insurance: Comprehensive medical insurance coverage for your peace of mind

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** Travel insurance, such as trip cancellation and interruption, lost baggage, health insurance for medical emergencies is strongly recommended in order to protect your travel plans. Please ask Voyages Saigon, Inc. for additional information.