THE GREAT NORTH
Tour for Independent Travellers
Your Japan trip at a glance
Northern Japan and Hokkaido offer 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.
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| Oirase stream (Lake Towada) | Jigokudani (“Hell Valley”) |
How Our Independent Traveller’s Tours Work
It’s quite straight forward to travel independently in Japan as so much of the signage is in English. Our independent itineraries are available for any departure date (with a few exclusions which coincide 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 as smoothly as possible. You can also add guided tours as indicated and if you do want your own personal guide we can arrange this too.
This Japan tour does not include international flights
Tour Location Guide
View the Full Itinerary and optional tours
Tokyo
Home to over 12 million people, the vast metropolis of Japan's capital must
be seen to be believed. Tokyo embraces the modern and ancient like no other
city on earth and offers something for everyone who wants to delve into the
Japanese phenomenon: the towering skyscrapers and frenzied neon of Shinjuku,
the pop culture and gadget paradise of Akihabara, the sophisticated chic
of Ginza, the biggest and liveliest fish market in the world, the old downtown
area of Asakusa, and the tranquil, understated beauty of Meiji Shrine. Not
to mention superb restaurants and great bars as well as fabulous shopping
and museums befitting the capital of the world's second-largest economy.
Matsushima
Matsushima
is located in the central part of Miyagi Prefecture. There are some 260 beautiful
islands, scattered in picturesque Matsushima Bay. The view of Matsushima
changes from place-to-place and from-season-to-season, and its famous view
is ranked as one of the Top Three Views of Japan.
Nearby cultural properties include Zuigan-ji, Entsū-in, Kanrantei, and the Satohama shell mound.
Lake Towada / Oirase Keiryu Lake
Towada
(Towadako) is the largest caldera lake on Honshu, Japan's main island and is
famous for its scenic beauty. It is characterized by two large peninsulas,
which extend nearly a third of the way across the lake.
The best way to fully appreciate the lake is from a sightseeing boat which offers close up views of the peninsulas that are otherwise difficult to see.
Hokkaido
Home to Japan's native Ainu people, Hokkaido is the second largest, northernmost and least developed of Japan's four main islands.
It is home to the nation’s fifth largest city of Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, pleasant and picturesque rural towns of Biei and Furano, and Hokkaido’s most famous hot spring resort of Noboribetsu.
TOUR INCLUDES:
- 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)
- 7-day Japan Rail Pass allowing you unlimited travel on the entire Japan Rail network including Shinkansen
- Bullet Train services, starting on Day 3.
- Delicious included dinners: on Days 4, 5 and 8 (for the 3*package), or, on Days 3, 4, 5 and 8 (for the 4* and 5*package)
- Train/bus tickets from and to Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
- Meet & Greet service on arrival at Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
The Great North Tour 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, visit the world’s largest
fish market at Tsukiji, 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 guided 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
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 a 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 - Lake Towada
Enjoy Matsushima at leisure this morning. Check out of your hotel and take
a train to Sendai and then transfer by Bullet train to Hachinohe (Aomori)
and bus to Lake Towada. Check into your comfortable hotel near Lake Towada
for 2 nights.
DAY 5 Lake Towada
Relax in beautiful Towada. Take a hike along the Oirase mountain stream
which flows into Lake Towada or ride the ropeway for a beautiful panoramic
view of the volcanic Hakkouda Mountain range.
DAY 6 Lake Towada – Sapporo
Today depart for Aomori from where you’ll travel to Sapporo, the capital
of Hokkaido. You’ll spend most of today travelling by train as the journey
time is around 8 hours. Check into your hotel in the central of Sapporo for
2 nights. (Alternatively, you can take a flight from Aomori Airport which will
allow you to arrive in Sapporo in the afternoon for an additional amount).
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 Sapporo-Noboribetsu Onsen
Today leave Sapporo and travel 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. Check into your ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn) in Noboribetsu
Onsen for 1 night on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis. Your ryokan has
its own private indoor and outdoor hot springs where you can relax and unwind.
DAY 9 Sapporo-Tokyo
Enjoy the morning in the lovely surroundings of your ryokan 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
Transfer from your hotel to Narita International Airport (Tokyo). Return to
the UK (Arrive same day (UK).
Japan
Rail Pass
The JR Pass allows you almost unlimited travel for 7/14/21 days on all Japan Rail lines throughout the country. It allows you to travel on the world-famous Bullet Train (Shinkansen) as well as the popular ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima.
Price Includes
- 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)
- 7-day Japan Rail Pass allowing you unlimited travel on the entire Japan Rail network including Shinkansen
- Bullet Train services, starting on Day 3.
- Delicious included dinners: on Days 4, 5 and 8 (for the 3*package), or, on Days 3, 4, 5 and 8 (for the 4* and 5*package)
- Train/bus tickets from and to Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
- Meet & Greet service on arrival at Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
Not included in Price
- International airfare.
- Domestic flights to/from Sapporo
- Meals not mentioned above
- Entrance fees
- Taxi, subway and tramway fees.
- Travel insurance.
PRICE:
The price for this Great North independent itinerary as detailed above is
as follows:
3* Hotels/ryokan: from £1,299 per
person based on twin/double room occupancy.
4* Hotels/ryokan: from £1,575 per person
based on twin/double room occupancy.
5* Hotels/ryokan: from £1,875 per person
based on twin/double room occupancy.
3* single room supplement: from £199
4* single room supplement: from £260
5* single room supplement on request
OPTIONAL GUIDED EXCURSIONS:
Tokyo: £101 per person
All price estimates are based on current rates of exchange and are subject to availability. All prices are good for travel before the end of 2012 but exclude blackout periods which coincide with Japanese National Holidays and some weekends.
To make a booking, a deposit of £200 per
person is required.
The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to
departure.
Full
terms and Conditions
All price estimates are based on current rates of exchange
and are subject to availability.
TO BOOK NOW: CLICK to
download a reservation form
CALL 020 7766 5267
EMAIL info@japanjourneys.co.uk
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.
Please click on the image below for a quote.
Other Japan Journeys tours for independent travellers
| Total
Japan Our ‘Total Japan’ itinerary is a classic 8 night itinerary which includes visits to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island in the west of Japan |
Essential
Japan Our second itinerary, ‘Essential Japan’, is also a classic, a 13 night itinerary which takes in the beautiful Japan Alps. |
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