Japan First Sakura and Onsen: Nagoya to Okinawa Tour 2027
Destination Highlights for the Japan First Sakura Tour
Nagoya – Toba Onsen – Tokoname – Naha – Yomitan – Motobu – and more!
Tour Dates (Full Package):
January 19 – 30, 2027
Full Package: $5,790/person
(includes roundtrip air tickets from HNL)
Land Package: $4,390/person
(does not include any air tickets)
Special Offer: Book by August 15, 2026 for $100 off!
Japan First Sakura and Onsen Tour Overview
Journey from Nagoya to Okinawa to experience both amazing onsen and the year’s first cherry blossoms!
Have you been wanting to visit Okinawa, but still would love to slip into some luxurious hot springs? Want to stroll beneath the year’s first ephemeral, deep-pink cherry blossoms? This tour is here to meet your desires! Although Okinawa doesn’t have many hot springs like mainland Japan, by starting in the central heartland of Nagoya you’ll get premium hot springs (plus much more!) and then move to Okinawa to immerse yourself in the island’s unique Ryukyuan culture and food. Plus, with a relaxed itinerary featuring several consecutive night stays and later departures each morning, you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the local atmosphere of each memorable destination without feeling rushed. Join us and enjoy a unique dual perspective on Japan!
What’s included on the Japan First Sakura Tour
Transportation
- Round-trip flights with Japan Airlines from Honolulu (Full Package only)
- Domestic flights from Nagoya to Okinawa and Okinawa to Tokyo
- A private driver and full-sized bus to spread out and relax in transit between adventures
- Luxury sightseeing train “Shimakaze” ride experience
Meals
- 28 delicious meals, carefully curated with local flavors and regional specialties
- No hidden fees! HIS includes more meals than any other travel agency!
Accommodations
- 10 nights at premium accommodations, including four 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
- Ryukyu Lantern Festival, featuring over 3,000 spectacular paper lanterns
- Hands-on experiences such as strawberry picking and pearl harvesting
- Ryukyu Mura and Okinawa World cultural theme park visits
Japan First Sakura and Onsen Tour Itinerary
January 19, 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 Nagoya with Japan Airlines, known for their excellent in-flight service and surprisingly good food!
January 20, 2027: Arrival in Japan (Day 1)
Welcome to Japan! After landing at Chubu International Airport, pass through immigration and customs before meeting your local Japanese guide. Head to your comfortable hotel, rest, relax, and slip into your first onsen. 17 types of baths await!
- Hotel: Hotel Nagashima (or similar)
- Meals: Light dinner, plus two meals onboard your flight
January 21, 2027: Nagoya and Surroundings (Day 2)
Have a leisurely morning at your hotel, then head out to Nagoya City. Take in the splendor of Nagoya Castle, one of the country’s most impressive keeps, plus shopping at Kinshachi Yokocho. Head back to your hot springs hotel and spend the evening enjoying the many baths!
- Hotel: Hotel Nagashima (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
January 22, 2027: Snow and Strawberries (Day 3)
Take a ropeway ride up Mt. Gozaisho and pass into a snowy world far removed from ordinary life. If you’re fortunate, you’ll get to see juhyou “ice monsters” on the trees, formed by moisture freezing onto the branches. After returning from your alpine excursion, savor sweet strawberries at a local fruit farm, then move to your hotel in Toba Onsen.
- Hotel: Toba Ocean Resort (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
January 23, 2027: Pretty Pearls (Day 4)
Travel to Mikimoto “Pearl Island”, where pearl cultivation began in the late 19th century. Have a special seafood lunch from traditional ama female divers, then try a pearl harvesting experience to find your own shiny jewel. Return to your hotel and slide into soothing hot springs.
- Hotel: Toba Ocean Resort (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
January 24, 2027: Ise and Shimakaze Train (Day 5)
Get in some shopping at Okage Yokocho, then explore Ise Grand Shrine, the country’s most sacred and important Shinto location. Ride the luxury sightseeing “Shimakaze” train back to Nagoya. Have a premium teppanyaki steak dinner and get ready for Okinawa!
- Hotel: Nagoya Tokyu Hotel (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
January 25, 2027: On to Okinawa (Day 6)
Spend the morning in Tokoname, a town known for its pottery traditions and sake breweries, then depart for Okinawa, arriving in Naha in the early evening. Enjoy your first meal on the island complete with a ryukyu dance performance. Check into your comfortable hotel and relax.
- Hotel: Hotel Collective (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
January 26, 2027: Ryukyu Village and Sakura (Day 7)
Discover Ryukyu Village, an open-air cultural park dedicated to preserving the distinct history, architecture, and lifestyle of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Take in the pink wonder of some of Japan’s earliest cherry blossoms at Nangusuku Park, then move to your resort hotel.
- Hotel: Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
January 27, 2027: Whale Sharks and Sakura (Day 8)
Marvel at the beheamoth whale sharks at famous Churaumi Aquarium, home to one of the largest tanks in the world. Explore UNESCO World Heritage site Nakijin Castle Ruins for the gorgeous rows of dark pink cherry blossom trees blooming along the castle’s pathways.
- Hotel: Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
January 28, 2027: Ryukyu Lantern Festival (Day 9)
Absorb the stunning scenery of Cape Manzamo, famous for a unique rock formation that resembles an elephant’s trunk. Explore Yachimun Pottery Village renowned for authentic Okinawan earthenware. Spend the evening at the colorful Ryukyu Lantern Festival, filled with glowing paper lanterns.
- Hotel: Hotel Nikko Alivila (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
January 29, 2027: Naha and Surroundings (Day 10)
Wander UNESCO World Heritage site Shuri Castle, then find your perfect gifts at Parco City shopping mall, including favorite brands like Daiso, Muji, and Uniqlo. Check in to your Naha hotel and enjoy some free time before savoring a deluxe farewell dinner to celebrate your journey.
- Hotel: Hotel Collective (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner
January 30, 2027: Return to Honolulu (Day 11)
Immerse yourself in Ryukyu culture and activities at Okinawa World Theme Park, then fly back to Hawaii via Tokyo-Haneda with Japan Airlines. Welcome home!
- Hotel: —
- Meals: Breakfast, plus two meals onboard your international flight
Pricing
Early-booking Special Offer:
Book by August 15, 2026 to SAVE $100!
Full Package
Land Package
Single Supplement
*includes economy-class air tickets. Please inquire for upgrade information.
$5,790.00*
$4,390.00**
$900.00
**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: You will be visiting two distinct regions of Japan during this trip. January in Nagoya is wintertime but the area experiences little snow, with daytime temperatures in the low 40s. Okinawa is significantly warmer and quite pleasant, with temperatures hovering around the mid 60s during the day.
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 around Naha’s “International Street” district.
Q: Are all meals included in the tour?
A: The tour includes 28 exceptional meals: 10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 10 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, plus the domestic flights to and from Okinawa, 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.
