Hokkaido + Aomori Food & Foliage Tour 2026
Feast on fun! See Japan’s Great North this autumn!
Hokkaido and Aomori, a brilliant combination
Signature autumn tour! Fully guided and including 23 delicious meals, a free pocket WiFi router, and much more, this carefully crafted itinerary has everything from picking Aomori’s famous apples fresh at the orchard, reveling in stunning scenery at Nakano Momijiyama “Maple Tree Mountain”, and even learning first-hand cooking tips from a local fisherman’s family. There’s a fireworks show, superb local ice cream in Hakodate, a hands-on glass blowing experience in Otaru, and free time to explore Japan’s bustling metropolis of Tokyo.
Japan’s “Great North” of Hokkaido and Aomori feature some the country’s best fall colors destinations, including Oirase Gorge and nearby Lake Towada, so if you love to see leaves exploding with scintillating colors you won’t be disappointed! Equally as important, your palate is sure to be fully satisfied with regional specialties (don’t miss the crab kaiseki in Sapporo!) served every day. We’ve even added a fun treat for 2026: a parfait experience to ensure you get to taste Hokkaido’s yummy ice cream. With this many delicious offerings you won’t want to go home!
Destination Highlights for the Food and Foliage Tour
Sapporo – Otaru – Lake Toya – Hakodate – Aomori City – Hirosaki – Towada-Hachimantai National Park – Tokyo – and more!
A special highlight of this tour is TWO nights at Hoshino Resorts’ spectacular 5-star luxury resort Aomori-ya. Dedicated to regional Tsugaru culture, this incredible destination features distinctive touches like an “Aomori Apple Juice Fountain” where you can drink your fill of the prefecture’s famous juice, plus specially designed illumination in the onsen baths that make you feel like you’re floating in another world and an extravagant buffet dinner that will have you going back for seconds, thirds, fourths, and more! Watch a preview video of this truly unique accommodation and see why Aomori-ya is an absolute can’t-miss location.
Ready to feast with all of your senses as you journey through Hokkaido and Aomori? Marvel at spectacular wide-open natural vistas and slip into deluxe, relaxing onsen (hot springs), come visit Japan’s Great North this autumn.
What’s included on the Hokkaido + Aomori Food & Foliage Tour:
- Comfortable, smooth flights with All Nippon Airways (Full Package only)
- 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 cultural activities like picking Aomori’s famous apples fresh off the tree, a “Fisherman’s Wife” cooking class, a hands-on Tsugaru arts and crafts activity, and more!
- Relaxing stays at exceptional hotels and onsen (hot springs) resorts
- 23 fantastic meals, featuring regional and seasonal delicacies, including a deluxe crab kaiseki dinner!
- Portable Pocket WiFi to stay connected to family and friends back home (an HIS exclusive!)
Key Highlights:
- Stay two exquisite nights at Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts, a destination offering five-star accommodations wrapped in the region’s unique Tsugaru culture, and one of Japan’s finest hot springs destinations.
- Ride Japan’s efficient shinkansen bullet train twice, once as you travel through the undersea Seikan Tunnel connecting Hokkaido and Aomori, and again as you jet down from Aomori to metropolitan Tokyo. Make sure to try eating an ekiben bento lunch while on board!
- Pick exceptionally sweet apples right off the tree at a local orchard in Aomori. This area is renowned for their apples, and you’ll find all manner of scrumptious apple products as you travel through the prefecture.
- Learn from local residents and try the truly unique “Fisherman’s Wife” cooking class where you’ll prepare and enjoy the freshest seafood you’ve ever tasted!
- Take a lake cruise atop sparkling Lake Towada while gazing at the shore alive with a spectacular autumn shower of reds, oranges, and yellows.
- Savor specialty seasonal and regional cuisine with 23 included exceptional meals, including a premium crab kaiseki-style dinner, followed by a parfait experience for dessert. Hokkaido is especially well-known for its seafood and its dairy products, and you’ll get your fill of both!
- Feel the richness of the country’s culture through hands-on activities that let you meet local residents and learn from experienced artisans. Try traditional aizome indigo dyeing, watch a marvelous swordsmithing demonstration, and make your own name stamp by carving kanji characters. You’ll definitely treasure this omiyage souvenir!
- 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! You can also add an optional day tour if you’d prefer. Ask us for suggestions!
Tour Itinerary
9 NIGHTS/10 DAYS IN JAPAN
Click here to see the full tour schedule!
**Hotels subject to change in case of unexpected circumstances
Day 0 – October 15 (Thursday): Departure from Honolulu
- Your journey to Japan begins at Honolulu International Airport. Relax before boarding your nonstop flight to Tokyo-Narita with All Nippon Airways (ANA). Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Day 1 – October 16 (Friday): Arrival in Japan
- Arrive at Narita International Airport, pass through immigration and customs, then have a bit of time to relax while waiting for your short domestic flight to Hokkaido. Upon arrival at New Chitose Airport, walk to your hotel directly connected to the terminal. Have a bento box dinner at your leisure and enjoy hot springs!
- Hotel: Portom International or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Two meals served onboard the international flight plus bento box dinner at the hotel
Day 2 – October 17 (Saturday): Sapporo and Otaru
- Begin by visiting the “Hill of the Buddha”, designed by famous architect Tadao Ando. Head to Otaru, where you’ll make your own “name stamp” and have free time to explore charming Sakaimachi Street. Move back to Sapporo for a deluxe crab kaiseki dinner plus a sweet treat (Hokkaido specialty parfait!) to close out the evening.
- Hotel: Fairfield by Marriott Sapporo
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3 – October 18 (Sunday): To Shiraoi and Lake Toya
- Touch the culture of Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu people at Shiraoi’s Upopoy Ainu Museum, Japan’s only national museum dedicated to the Ainu. Engage in an indigo-dyeing experience and marvel at a Japanese swordsmith’s skill. Enjoy a magical fireworks display tonight at Lake Toya.
- Hotel: Toyako Manseikaku Hotel ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4 – October 19 (Monday): Hakodate Exploration
- Try a truly unique hands-on experience in Shikabe, where you’ll meet the locals for a “Fisherman’s Wife” cooking class. Stop by Shikabe Geyser Park, then enjoy tasty Hokkaido ice ceam at Ice 118. Browse around the Hakodate Bay shopping district, and cap off the day with the famous night view from the top of Mt. Hakdate, said to be among Japan’s best.
- Hotel: Hakodate Umi no Kaze ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5 – October 20 (Tuesday): Down to Aomori
- Wander Hakodate’s renowned morning seafood market, then hop on the shinkansen (bullet train) and travel from Hakodate to Aomori in style. Pick fresh apples, the region’s specialty, at a local orchard, plus take in the vibrant autumn foliage at “Maple Tree Mountain”.
- Hotel: Art Hotel Hirosaki
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6 – October 21 (Wednesday): Aomori Adventures
- Delve into the cultural heart of Aomori with a visit to Neputa Village, where you can try your hard at traditional Daruma painting. Visit Nebuta House Wa Rasse, a museum showcasing the astonishing floats of the city’s summer Nebuta fesival, and stop by an award-winning sake brewery.
- Hotel: Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7 – October 22 (Thursday): Towada Treasures
- Discover the stunning landscapes of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, with scenic stops along Oirase Stream, one of Japan’s most famous fall colors destinations. Take a cruise across gorgeous Lake Towada and soak up tranquility before returning to your luxury hot springs hotel.
- Hotel: Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8 – October 23 (Friday): On to Tokyo
- Visit Hachinohe’s Hasshoku Seafood Market this morning for a little shopping. Board the shinkansen to Tokyo, where you’ll enjoy a deluxe farewell dinner at a local restaurant and celebrate your journey’s memories with your fellow travelers.
- Hotel: Hotel Groove Shinjuku
- Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Day 9 – October 24 (Saturday): Free day in Tokyo
- Explore Tokyo at your own pace! Dine, shop, or just relax. Need other ideas? Ask us for suggestions or optional day tours.
- Hotel: Hotel Groove Shinjuku
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10 – October 25 (Sunday): Tokyo Morning and Return to Hawaii
- Enjoy some free time in the morning, then reassemble and visit Toyosu Market and Odaiba’s DiverCity shopping mall complex. Move to Narita and fly back to Hawaii with ANA. Welcome home!
- Hotel: —
- Meals included: Breakfast, plus two meals served onboard the flight
This brilliantly colorful autumn journey takes care of every detail, so you can fully relax and immerse yourself in Japan’s exceptional foliage-filled beauty, plus cultural experiences, gourmet cuisine, and comforting onsen (hot springs) retreats.
Pricing
Full Package
Land Package
Single Supplement
*includes economy-class air tickets. Please inquire for upgrade information.
$5,790.00*
$4,890.00 **
$1,600.00
**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: Autumn in Hokkaido and Aomori is usually pleasant and refreshing. Average high temperatures for Sapporo in the middle of October are in the high 50s during the day, with a low in the mid-40s 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 23 exceptional meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 8 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. This tour is highlighted by two nights at Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts, one Japan’s most memorable hot springs destinations.
Q: Are flights included?
A: Yes, roundtrip international airfare from Honolulu to Japan, plus the domestic flights to/from Hokkaido, 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.
