Tokyo・Gunma・Niigata・Fukushima・Yamagata・Iwate・Miyagi

Experience Tohoku at peak blossom—castle towns, nostalgic onsen retreats, scenic gorge cruises, and regional spring flavors, guided with care from Honolulu to Tokyo and back.

From Castles to Cherry Trees: A Journey Through Niigata’s Coast, Aizu’s Samurai Legacy, and the Blossoming Landscapes of Tohoku

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Tour Overview:

Experience the serene beauty of Tohoku in spring, where cherry blossoms blanket castle towns, riverside parks, and historic mountain villages. From sake breweries and samurai heritage to scenic gorge cruises and nostalgic hot spring towns, each day invites you into a quieter, more intimate side of Japan. Travel by private coach through lesser-known regions rich in craftsmanship, local flavors, and natural splendor—staying in both modern hotels and traditional onsen ryokan. This 11-day, 9-night journey offers a thoughtful balance of culture, scenery, and seasonal magic in Japan’s northern heartland.

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What’s Included:

• Expert English-speaking guides—including an H.I.S. escort from Honolulu—who share the stories, traditions, and regional charm of Japan’s northern countryside with care and insight.
• Immersive cultural experiences, from sake tasting in Niigata and indigo dyeing in Gunma to rice cracker making, ramen crafting, and a nostalgic yukata stroll through a Japanese garden.
• Comfortable accommodations at hand-selected hotels and ryokan, including hot spring stays in Minakami, Aizu, Hanamaki, and Matsushima—with a balance of Western comforts and traditional touches.
• A thoughtfully paced itinerary that weaves together castle towns, coastal views, cherry blossom strolls, craft villages, gorge cruises, and onsen retreats—offering both scenic variety and time to breathe.
• A seasonal journey celebrating spring, as sakura bloom across historic sites, riverside parks, and remote mountain villages—capturing the quiet elegance of Tohoku in full bloom.

Key Highlights:

• Tokyo & Minakami: Begin your journey with a warm welcome in Tokyo before heading to the mountain town of Minakami. Visit a traditional craft village to create indigo-dyed accessories and enamelware, and relax in a serene onsen resort nestled in nature.
• Niigata & Yahiko: Savor regional sake at a local brewery, enjoy a refined kappo dinner with geigi entertainment, and explore the scenic beauty of Yahiko Shrine and its mountaintop views. Try your hand at metalworking in Tsubame and sample Niigata’s fresh seafood.
• Aizu & Tohoku Highlands: Discover samurai legacy and springtime beauty in Aizu, with hands-on ramen and rice cracker making, plus hanami at Tsuruga Castle. Stay in a peaceful onsen town surrounded by forests and mountain lakes.
• Yamagata & Ginzan Onsen: Taste sweet strawberries near Mt. Bandai, enjoy premium Yonezawa beef, and chase blossoms at Eboshiyama and Tendo Parks. Wander the nostalgic streets of Ginzan Onsen—one of Japan’s most charming hot spring towns.
• Hiraizumi & Hanamaki: Reflect at Chuson-ji Temple and float through the scenic cliffs of Geibikei Gorge. Experience Tenshochi Park’s riverside cherry trees and enjoy the unique culture of Wanko soba and samurai-era re-creations at Esashi-Fujiwara Heritage Park.
• Matsushima & Sendai: Cruise the pine-covered islets of Matsushima Bay—one of Japan’s Three Great Views. Stroll a traditional garden in yukata, visit hilltop Funaoka Castle Park (or local landmarks), and return to Tokyo via bullet train for a special farewell dinner.
• Culinary Experiences: Enjoy 29 included meals—from hands-on food workshops to kappo cuisine, kaiseki dinners, regional ramen, and fresh coastal fare. Seasonal specialties and local flavors take center stage throughout the journey.
• Relaxed Travel Style: Travel comfortably with an H.I.S. escort from Honolulu and expert Japanese guides. Enjoy a well-paced itinerary with multi-night stays, private coach transport, and time to truly experience the beauty of spring in Tohoku.

Perfect for:

• Travelers seeking a thoughtful blend of culture, comfort, and seasonal beauty—from strolling beneath thousands of cherry trees to relaxing in quiet onsen towns tucked into the mountains.
• Onsen and nature lovers who appreciate time to slow down and soak in healing waters, with multiple nights in scenic hot spring regions like Minakami, Aizu, Hanamaki, and Matsushima.
• Cultural travelers drawn to hands-on experiences, such as indigo dyeing, sake tasting, ramen and rice cracker making, and dressing in yukata for a garden walk in coastal Matsushima.
• Curious explorers looking to uncover the quieter side of Japan, with visits to lesser-known castle towns, heritage parks, and UNESCO sites like Chuson-ji and Geibikei Gorge.
• Food lovers eager to taste the season, with 29 meals included—from Yonezawa beef and kappo dinners to regional ramen, strawberries, and Niigata’s famous rice and sake.

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Join us for the Tohoku Spectacular Sakura Tour and discover the perfect balance of cherry blossoms, cultural heritage, and northern Japan’s natural beauty. From the riverside sakura of Kitakami and the nostalgic charm of Ginzan Onsen to the sacred temples of Hiraizumi and coastal views of Matsushima, each day offers a deeper look into Tohoku’s rich traditions. With hand-picked onsen stays, immersive hands-on experiences, and 29 included meals, this 11-day, 9-night guided journey is limited to just 30 participants.

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Day-by-Day Itinerary

10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS

🌸Click here to see your Kyushu Splendid Sakura Tour Experience 🌸

Day 00 – Thu, April 7 | Honolulu → Tokyo

• Your adventure begins as you meet your H.I.S. escort and fellow travelers at Honolulu Airport. Board your non-stop flight to Tokyo, filled with excitement for the cherry blossoms ahead.

Day 01 – Wednesday, April 8 | Arrive in Tokyo

• Arrive at Haneda Airport in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel in Shinagawa. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your group and settle in for the journey ahead.
  • Hotel: Shinagawa Prince Hotel
  • Meals: Dinner

Day 02 – Thursday, April 9 | Tokyo → Minakami

• Leave the city behind and head into the mountains of Gunma. If in bloom, visit the riverside sakura of Kodama Senbon Zakura. Try your hand at Shippo-yaki enamel and indigo dyeing crafts before checking in at your onsen hotel.
  • Hotel: Sennotani Matsunoi
  • Meals: Breakfast

Day 03 – Friday, April 10 | Minakami → Niigata

• Journey into scenic Niigata Prefecture with a stop at the stunning Kiyotsu Gorge. Savor a local lunch, then visit a sake brewery before enjoying an elegant kappo dinner accompanied by a traditional geigi performance.
  • Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Niigata
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04 – Saturday, April 11 | Niigata → Yahiko → Niigata

• Ride the ropeway at Yahiko Shrine for sweeping views and cherry blossoms in bloom. Visit Tsubame for a hands-on hammered metal craft experience, then return to Niigata for a cultural museum visit and fresh seafood dinner.
  • Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Niigata
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 05 – Sunday, April 12 | Niigata → Aizu

• Make your own rice crackers at Senbei Oukoku and enjoy a fun ramen-making lunch. Visit the iconic Tsuruga Castle surrounded by sakura before heading into the mountains for an evening in a peaceful onsen town.
  • Hotel: TBD (Urabandai or Aizu Onsen)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 06 – Monday, April 13 | Aizu → Tendo

• Pick strawberries in Inawashiro, then enjoy a sake museum and Yonezawa beef lunch. Continue north to visit the scenic sakura parks of Eboshiyama and Tendo, with panoramic mountain views.
  • Hotel: Azuma So
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 07 – Tuesday, April 14 | Tendo → Ginzan → Hiraizumi → Hanamaki

• Start the day with a walk through the nostalgic hot spring town of Ginzan Onsen. Then visit the UNESCO site of Chuson-ji and take a tranquil boat cruise through Geibikei Gorge before arriving in Hanamaki.
  • Hotel: TBD (Hanamaki Onsen)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 08 – Wednesday, April 15 | Hanamaki → Kitakami → Hanamaki

• Enjoy riverside hanami at Kitakami’s Tenshochi Park, one of Tohoku’s best cherry blossom spots. Try a Wanko soba eating challenge and explore a samurai-era theme park with hands-on activities before returning to your onsen hotel.
  • Hotel: TBD (Hanamaki Onsen)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 09 – Thursday, April 16 | Hanamaki → Oshu → Matsushima

• Discover traditional Nanbu ironware in Oshu, then travel to Matsushima for a yukata rental and garden stroll in one of Japan’s most scenic coastal towns.
  • Hotel: Matsushima Taikanso
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 – Friday, April 17 | Matsushima → Sendai → Tokyo

• Take a morning cruise through the pine-covered islands of Matsushima Bay. Stop at Funaoka Castle Park for one last cherry blossom viewing before returning to Tokyo via bullet train for a farewell dinner.
  • Hotel: Keio Plaza Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 – Mon, Apr 6 | Fukuoka → Tokyo → Honolulu

• Enjoy a leisurely morning to relax, pack, or do some last-minute exploring. Late check out included! In the late afternoon, transfer to Haneda Airport for your return flight to Honolulu.
  • Hotel: –
  • Meals: Breakfast

Celebrate the blossoms, heritage, and natural beauty of Japan on our exclusive Tohoku Spectacular Sakura Tour 2026. Limited to just 30 participants, this 11-day, 10-night journey takes you from Tokyo’s urban energy to the castle towns, hot spring retreats, and cherry-lined rivers of Japan’s northern heartland. Wander craft villages in Gunma, sip sake in Niigata, cruise through the cliffs of Geibikei Gorge, and stroll coastal gardens in Matsushima. Along the way, enjoy regional cuisine, hands-on cultural experiences, and the quiet charm of onsen stays—discovering a gentler side of Japan, one blossom, one bath, one hidden treasure at a time.

This carefully crafted journey invites you to celebrate Tohoku’s cherry blossoms, wander through castle towns and onsen villages, and cruise the serene waters of Geibikei Gorge. With every detail thoughtfully arranged, you’re free to savor local flavors, relax in soothing hot springs, and experience the quiet beauty and deep traditions of Japan’s northern regions—at a comfortable, unhurried pace.

Experience the blossoms, culture, and mountain-to-coast beauty of Northern Japan in comfort and confidence on the Tohoku Spectacular Sakura Tour 2026, limited to just 30 guests. Travel with a Honolulu-based tour escort and expert English-speaking local guides who will be by your side throughout the journey. From seamless flights and private coach transport to a thoughtfully paced itinerary, we’ll take care of every detail—so you can stroll through castle towns draped in sakura, cruise the cliffs of Geibikei Gorge, soak in peaceful onsen retreats, and explore the quiet charm of Tohoku’s hidden gems.

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Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Land package only; international and domestic airfare not included. Single occupancy supplement applies. Customers must provide confirmed flight details to their travel consultant for itinerary coordination. All prices, inclusions, and itinerary details are subject to change without notice.

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From gliding through the towering cliffs of Geibikei Gorge on a sunny spring day to the quiet delight of picking ripe strawberries in the countryside, each experience brings you closer to the heart of Tohoku. Share laughter over a Wanko soba challenge—where tiny bowls stack up faster than you expect—and find peace beneath blooming cherry trees, where time seems to slow. These are the moments—scenic, seasonal, and deeply rooted in tradition—that make your Tohoku Spectacular Sakura journey unforgettable.

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Q: How many people are in the group?

A: This is an exclusive small-group tour limited to 30 participants, allowing for a more relaxed pace and personalized experience.

Q: Who escorts the tour?

A: The tour is accompanied by a professional H.I.S. escort from Honolulu as well as expert English-speaking local guide throughout Japan.

Q: What kind of accommodations are included?

A: You’ll stay in a mix of modern hotels and traditional onsen ryokan, with hot spring baths featured in several locations such as Minakami, Aizu, Hanamaki, and Matsushima.

Q: How many meals are included?

A: A total of 29 meals are included: 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 10 dinners, featuring local specialties, hands-on food experiences, and traditional Japanese cuisine.

Q: What are the activity and walking levels like?

A: The itinerary is moderately paced, with some walking required at historical sites, castle grounds, and scenic parks. Comfortable footwear is recommended.

Q: Will we see cherry blossoms during the tour?

A: Yes—this tour is timed to coincide with peak sakura season across the Tohoku region. Since bloom timing varies by area, multiple hanami (blossom viewing) locations are planned, with alternatives in case of early or late blooming.

Q: Are there any hands-on cultural activities?

A: Yes, you’ll enjoy a variety of immersive experiences, including indigo dyeing, sake tasting, rice cracker and ramen making, hammered metal crafting, and a yukata garden stroll.

Q: What type of transportation is used in Japan?

A: Travel within Japan is by private chartered coach, with one scenic bullet train (Shinkansen) ride from Sendai to Tokyo included near the end of the tour.

Q: Can dietary restrictions or mobility needs be accommodated?

A: We will do our best to accommodate special dietary needs or mobility concerns with advance notice. Please inform your H.I.S. travel consultant at time of booking.

Q: What is the weather like in Tohoku during this time?

A: Early to mid-April in Tohoku brings mild spring weather, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 50–65°F (10–18°C). A light jacket and layered clothing are recommended.

Q: Are gratuities included?

A: Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included and are appreciated at your discretion. Your H.I.S. escort will offer guidance during the tour.

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