Sado Island Hidden Treasures Tour 2027
Destination Highlights for the Sado Island Hidden Treasures Tour
Tokyo – Niigata – Sado Island – Aizu
Tour Dates (Full Package):
March 11 – 21, 2027
Full Package: $6,390/person
(includes roundtrip air tickets from HNL)
Land Package: $5,090/person
(does not include any air tickets)
Special Offer: Book by September 15, 2026 for $100 off!
Sado Island Hidden Treasures Tour Overview
Experience the rich traditions of Sado Island, Niigata, and Aizu
Featured in National Geographic, Sado Island is Japan’s next up-and-coming destination. Now’s your chance to beat the crowds and experience this hidden gem for yourself! The Sado Island Hidden Treasures Tour offers an immersive journey through the island’s rich history, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant traditions with hands-on cultural experiences, historic villages, relaxing hot springs, and unforgettable local cuisine. Plus, enjoy the option to visit Niigata’s Sake no Jin, Japan’s most iconic sake festival—or choose a traditional knifemaking craft experience instead.
What’s included on the Sado Island Hidden Treasures Tour
Transportation
- Round-trip flights with ANA from Honolulu (Full Package only)
- A private driver and full-sized bus to spread out and relax in transit between adventures
- Two one-way bullet train tickets (from Tokyo to Niigata and from Aizu to Tokyo)
- Round-trip Jet Foil tickets to Sado Island from Niigata Port
Meals
- 26 delicious meals, carefully curated with local flavors and regional specialties
- No hidden fees! HIS includes more meals than any other travel agency!
Accommodations
- 9 nights at premium accommodations, including five nights with first-class hot springs
- Tired of switching hotels all the time? We include consecutive stays multiple times throughout the tour. No unpacking and repacking every night!
And More!
- Portable Pocket WiFi to stay connected to family and friends back home (an HIS exclusive!)
- $200 repeater discount on all future HIS tours
Cultural Activities
- Participate in Japan’s most iconic sake tasting festival, Niigata Sake no Jin OR try a hands-on traditional knifemaking workshop
- Hands-on experiences such as strawberry picking, senbei making, and okoshigata pastry making
- Cultural experiences exclusive to Sado Island, such as a tarai-bune tub boat ride and an onidaiko (Sado taiko drum) workshop
- Authentic craft workshops such as mizuhiki lucky charm making and Aizu lacquerware maki-e painting
Sado Island Hidden Treasures Tour Itinerary
March 11, 2027: Honolulu Departure (Day 0)
Begin your journey meeting your tour escort and fellow travelers at Honolulu Airport (HNL). Relax before your nonstop flight to Tokyo with ANA, known for their excellent in-flight service and surprisingly good food!
March 12, 2027: Arrival in Japan (Day 1)
Welcome to Japan! After landing at Narita International Airport, pass through immigration and customs before meeting your local Japanese guide. Enjoy dinner right at the hotel restaurant, relax, and rest up for your big adventure!
- Hotel: Shinagawa Prince Hotel (or similar)
- Meals: Light dinner, plus two meals onboard your flight
March 13, 2027: Niigata Charm (Day 2)
Start the day with a bullet train ride up to Niigata. After lunch, take a visit to the Northern Culture Museum, a former wealthy farmer’s mansion that houses over 6,000 antiques. Then, shop for Niigata specialties at Pia Bandai. Finish the day with a delicious local seafood dinner.
- Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Niigata (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
March 14, 2027: Choose – Sake or Crafts! (Day 3)
Spend the morning making your very own senbei (rice crackers) at Senbei Kingdom. For lunch, enjoy Niigata regional specialties, complete with a geisha show. Then, choose your afternoon! Will you go to Niigata Sake no Jin sake festival or will you try your hand at a knifemaking workshop?
- Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Niigata (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
March 15, 2027: To Sado Island (Day 4)
All aboard! Take a morning jetfoil ride to Sado Island. Visit Toki Forest Park, a nature preserve known for bringing back the crested ibis from near extinction. After lunch, visit Sado Kirarium to learn about the island’s mining history and participate in a mizuhiki craft experience. In the evening, relax in the hotel onsen.
- Hotel: Hotel Azuma (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
March 16, 2027: Fishing Village Fun (Day 5)
Your morning starts with a hands-on okoshigata pastry making workshop. Enjoy a ride on Sado’s unique tarai-bune tub boats, then stroll around Shukunegi fishing village. Later, enjoy an exciting taiko drum workshop, then fuel back up with a special Sado beef dinner!
- Hotel: Hotel Azuma (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
March 17, 2027: Sado Golden Age (Day 6)
Start the day at Sado Gold Mine and Kitazawa Flotation Plant Ruins to learn more about Sado’s “rich” mining history. After lunch, enjoy a tour and tasting at Obata Sake Brewery. Pay a visit to Myoenji Temple and then learn how locals shop at Super Marui Market.
- Hotel: Hotel Azuma (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
March 18, 2027: Back to Honshu (Day 7)
Back to mainland Japan! Take the jetfoil to Niigata Port. After a delicious local lunch, satisfy your sweet tooth with a strawberry picking experience. Then, head to your next onsen hotel.
- Hotel: Onyado Toho (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
March 19, 2027: Amazing Aizu (Day 8)
Head to Aizu, famous for its lacquerware, and enjoy a hands-on lacquerware maki-e painting experience. Later, visit Sazaedo and Tsuruga Castle, two major historically significant cultural sites in Aizu.
- Hotel: Onyado Toho (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
March 20, 2027: City of Culture – Tokyo! (Day 9)
Take the bullet train back to Tokyo in the morning. Enjoy a special chanko-nabe (hot pot served to sumo wrestlers) for lunch. Then, step back in time to the at the Edo-Tokyo Museum before admiring the beautiful goldfish art at Art Aquarium Museum in Ginza. Finally, celebrate the end of your journey with a deluxe farewell dinner.
- Hotel: InterContinental Tokyo Bay (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
March 21, 2027: Return to Honolulu (Day 10)
Enjoy free time in Tokyo in the morning and afternoon, with late check-out included. In the evening, head to Narita Airport for your flight back to Honolulu. Welcome home!
- Hotel: N/A
- Meals: Breakfast, plus two meals onboard your international flight
Pricing
Early-booking Special Offer:
Book by September 15, 2026 to SAVE $100!
Full Package
Land Package
Single Supplement
*includes economy-class air tickets. Please inquire for upgrade information.
$6,390.00*
$5,090.00**
$950.00
**international & domestic airfare not included
**customer must provide flight details to travel consultant for confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What will the weather be like?
A: Mid-March is a wonderful time to explore northern Japan, with cool, comfortable temperatures and the first signs of spring. Expect daytime highs ranging from the upper 40s to low 60s °F (10–17 °C), with cooler mornings and evenings. While snow is unlikely in Tokyo, there may still be small amounts of lingering snow in Sado Island and Aizu. We recommend dressing in layers and bringing a warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and a compact umbrella, as occasional rain is possible.
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 time for shopping at Niigata’s Pia Bandai and Sado Island’s Super Marui market. Additionally, a free morning and afternoon in Tokyo are included prior to departure on the last day.
Q: Are all meals included in the tour?
A: The tour includes 26 exceptional meals: 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 9 dinners. Meals during free time 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.
Q: Are flights included?
A: Yes, roundtrip international tickets between Honolulu and 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.
