Tohoku Food and Flowers Tour 2026
Fantastic flower fields await in magical Tohoku
Journey through the secluded Tohoku region of northern Japan during the fresh, early-summer blooming season and discover eleven different extraordinary flower destinations! You’ll even get to savor two nights with your own private hot springs bath at the exceptional Nippon no Yado Koyo ryokan, consistently ranked as one of the top Japanese inns in the entire country!
Immerse yourself in a journey filled with the sparkling, fresh colors of early summer as you travel across the enchanting Tohoku region. From magical blankets of wisteria to fields of scarlet poppies and golden rapeseed, each day brings an exciting, new garden landscape to discover. Plus, escaping to this lovely northern haven means fewer crowds, cooler air, and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for appreciating the season’s breathtaking beauty. Indulge in local specialty cuisine, slip into soothing hot springs, and bask in the omotenashi hospitality that makes Tohoku one of Japan’s most exceptional destinations.
In addition to the multitude of brilliant blooms that await you, this exquisite tour is filled with original, exclusive activities that allow you to interact with local residents while they teach you their region’s traditions. Examples include a “shogi calligraphy” hands-on craft experience in Yamagata Prefecture, a daruma painting experience in Fukushima Prefecture, and trying “sasa kamaboko” grilled fish cakes in Miyagi Prefecture. Plus, as you meander across Tohoku, you’ll savor seasonal specialties from carefully-selected restaurants, each serving exceptional cuisine sure to please even the most refined palate.
Destination Highlights for the Food and Flowers Tour
Tokyo – Kinugawa Onsen – Nikko – Lake Inawashiro – Kaminoyama Onsen – Matsushima – Aomori – and many more!
One major highlight of this tour is a two-night luxurious stay at Nippon no Yado Koyo in Yamagata, ranked as one of the top ryokan in all of Japan by a poll of travel professionals. Featuring second-to-none deluxe meals and Your room here even has its own private onsen hot springs bath, providing you the ultimate in relaxation. Slip into the comforting waters and drift off to bliss!
Ready to awaken your senses with the aromatic flowers and fantastic flavors of mysterious Tohoku? So much more awaits, from scrumptious ice cream at Koiwai Farm (one of the country’s most famous dairy farms!) to unique omiyage shopping chances. Come escape to this northern region and enjoy a magnificent journey through this truly special area of Japan.
What’s included on the Food and Flowers Tour:
- Start your journey in peace, away from the airport crowds, with a chance to relax at HIS Hawaii’s exclusive LeaLea Lounge at Honolulu Airport before your flight.
- Expert English-speaking local guides and a professional tour escort from Honolulu
- A private professional driver and full-sized bus to spread out and relax in transit between adventures
- Authentic seasonal and cultural activities like watching a live shamisen performance while enjoying dinner, painting traditional daruma dolls for good luck, making your own wagashi Japanese sweets, picking succulent strawberries at a local farm, and much more!
- Relaxing stays at top-rated hotels and onsen (hot springs) resorts
- 27 savory meals, featuring regional and seasonal delicacies
- Portable Pocket WiFi to stay connected to family and friends back home (an HIS exclusive!)
Key Highlights:
- Wander the gorgeous landscapes of eleven different flower destinations, including Ashikaga Flower Park and Hitachi Seaside Park, two of the country’s premier spots for seasonal blossoms. Weather permitting, you’ll get to breathe in the captivating fragrances of wisteria, roses, rhododendrons, poppies, peonies, begonia, tulips, azalea, and many, many more!
- Enjoy an afternoon exploring Edo Wonderland, a fascinating cultural theme park focused on the Edo period (1603 – 1868), full of feudal-style architecture and populated by townspeople in period costumes. Among many others, you can check out a ninja training hall with illusions that make it seem as though the walls are bending and balls are rolling uphill, or try your best to escape from the labyrinthine Ninja Trick Maze. And don’t miss one of the park’s live performances such as comic shows, “water magic,” or the popular Grand Ninja Theater, a live-action battle replete with sword fights and martial arts!
- Savor specialty seasonal and regional cuisine with 27 included exceptional meals, including multiple premium kaiseki dinners throughout the tour. Make sure to try Japan’s famous ice cream at Koiwai Farm, one of the country’s leading dairy farms!
- Touch the richness of history at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nikko Toshogu, the main mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan’s legendary founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
- Relax with a full free day in Tokyo to do any last minute shopping or enjoy certain foods you’ve always wanted to try, all at your own pace! Ask an HIS agent for suggestions.
Tour Itinerary
10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS IN JAPAN
🌷Click here to see the full tour schedule!🌷
Day 0 – May 13 (Wednesday): Departure from Honolulu
- Your journey to Japan begins at Honolulu International Airport. Relax in the exclusive LeaLea Lounge before boarding your nonstop flight with Japan Airlines. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Day 1 – May 14 (Thursday): Arrival in Japan
- Arrive at Haneda International Airport and meet your local Japanese guide, then take a quick ride to your nearby hotel and check in. We will provide a tasty bento dinner for you to enjoy at your leisure. Rest and relax!
- Hotel: Shinagawa Prince Hotel
- Meals included: Bento box dinner plus two meals served onboard the plane
Day 2 – May 15 (Friday): Tokyo to Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen
- Begin by heading to Ashikaga Flower Park, one of Japan’s most renowned botanical attractions, especially famous for its incredible drapes of wisteria. Then, move to Hitachi Seaside Park, well-known for expansive fields of nemophila and other blooms. Finally, transfer to your onsen hotel and slip into warming hot springs to finish your day.
- Hotel: Spa Hotel Mikazuki or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3 – May 16 (Satuday): Nikko and surroundings
- Start with Nikko Hanaichimonme, featuring a fantastic begonia garden and fresh strawberry picking, then sightsee around Nikko Toshogu, the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Spend the afternoon at Edo Wonderland, a fascinating cultural theme park focused on the Edo period, before returning to your hot springs hotel.
- Hotel: Spa Hotel Mikazuki or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4 – May 17 (Sunday): To Lake Inawashiro
- Wander Nasu Flower World for tulips, poppies, and many more! You’ll then have a hands-on daruma figurine experience at specialty store Daruma Land. Enjoy two more lovely flower destinations this afternoon at Sukagawa Peony Garden and Okuwara Azalea Garden before heading to your onsen hotel near striking Lake Inawashiro.
- Hotel: Hotel Listel Inawashiro
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5 – May 18 (Monday): Into Yamagata
- Stroll amidst the gorgeous blooms of Inawashiro Herb Garden, then admire the majesty of Tsurugajo Castle. You’ll get to make your own senbei rice crackers at a local specialty store this afternoon, plus enjoy a tour of Obara Shuzo sake brewery. Gaze at the stunning San-no-Kura Highland Flower Fields, then relax at your luxurious ryokan with a private hot springs bath in your room!
- Hotel: Nippon no Yado Koyo or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6 – May 19 (Tuesday): Zao and surroundings
- Ride the Zao Ropeway and take in the expansive vistas of the surrounding landscape, plus admire the deep blue waters of Okama Crater Lake. Try a unique local craft with a hands-on “shogi calligraphy” experience, then return to relax at your ryokan while enjoying the in-room onsen.
- Hotel: Nippon no Yado Koyo or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7 – May 20 (Wednesday): Matsushima to Iwate
- Stop by the Kanahebi Shrine Flower Festival, complete with a peony garden and an impressive 300-year-old wisteria tree, then enjoy a boat cruise around Matsushima Bay, traditionally known as one of the “Three Best Views” in Japan. You’ll also try a local treat by grilling your own sasa kamaboko for a tasty snack! Stroll around Chusonji Temple, established in 850, and its extensive, tranquil grounds, then move to your onsen hotel for the evening.
- Hotel: Mori no Kaze Oushuku or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8 – May 21 (Thursday): Aomori and surroundings
- Start your day by meandering through the hotel’s wonderful flower garden, then head to Koiwai Farm, one of Japan’s most famous dairy farms. Definitely try the ice cream! Continue north and stroll amidst the peaceful greenery adjoining Oirase Stream, including spectacular shibazakura (moss phlox) flowers at Oirase Onsen Ski Resort. Check into your hotel in Aomori city and enjoy the hot springs!
- Hotel: ReLabo Spa & Stay or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 9 – May 22 (Friday): Aomori to Tokyo
- Tour the historical ferry Hakkoda Maru, which used to traverse the straits between Aomori and Hokkaido before being replaced by train and air travel, then enjoy Neputa Museum Wa Rasse, full of giant floats from the famous summer festival. Grab some local omiyage at A-Factory, located next to the museum, then take a quick flight back to Tokyo and savor a deluxe farewell dinner to cap off your trip.
- Hotel: Hotel Groove Shinjuku or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10 – May 23 (Saturday): Free day in Tokyo
- Enjoy the freedom to explore Tokyo your way with a full free day in the city. Shop, dine, revisit favorite sites, or relax at your own pace. Need suggestions? Just ask us!
- Hotel: Hotel Groove Shinjuku or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11 – May 24 (Sunday): Tokyo to Honolulu
- You’ll have a free morning to wander Tokyo, then the group will meet up after lunch and you’ll head to a specialty confectionary shop to create your own wagashi traditional Japanese sweets. Next, get in some last-minute shopping at Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai marketplace before moving to Haneda Airport for your nonstop flight to Honolulu on Japan Airlines. Welcome home!
- Hotel: None
- Meals included: Breakfast, plus two meals served onboard the plane
This vibrant early-summer journey takes care of every detail, so you can fully relax and immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery, cultural richness, and serene onsen retreats while watching northern Japan burst into bloom.
Pricing
Full Package
Land Package
Single Supplement
*includes economy-class air tickets. Please inquire for upgrade information.
$5,990.00*
$5,090.00 **
$700.00
**international & domestic airfare not included
**customer must provide flight details to travel consultant for confirmation
Early-booking Special Offer:
SAVE $100 by being one of the first ten participants!
Here are just a few of the sights and activities you’ll enjoy:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What will the weather be like?
A: Japan during the early summer usually has a pleasant climate. Average high temperatures for Tokyo in the middle of May are about 73 degrees during the day, with a low of around 65 degrees at night.
Q: Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?
A: Absolutely! We can accommodate all types of guests on this tour. If you require special consideration, such as a wheelchair, please let us know in advance.
Q: Will there be free time to explore on our own?
A: Yes. There are periods of unstructured time built into the itinerary, including a full free day in Tokyo.
Q: Are all meals included in the tour?
A: The tour includes 27 exceptional meals: 10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 9 dinners. Meals during free time at the end of the tour are on your own so you can explore local specialties at your own pace.
Q: What kind of accommodations are included?
A: You’ll stay in a mix of premium, modern hotels and traditional onsen (hot springs) resorts, all carefully selected for comfort, location, and atmosphere. A special highlight are two nights at with your own private hot springs bath at Nippon no Yado Koyo in Yamagata, ranked as one of the best ryokan (Japanese inn) by travel professionals.
Q: Are flights included?
A: Yes, roundtrip international airfare from Honolulu to Japan, as well as domestic flights within Japan, are included in the Full Package. If you would like to arrange your own airfare or are interested in extending your dates in Japan, you can select the Land Package.
Q: How big are the tour groups?
A: This group is limited in size (30 participants) to ensure the best accommodations and restaurants, a comfortable pace, and personalized service from your guide and escort.
