9D7N Autumn Colors in North Japan

HIGHLIGHTS

Assemble dates:

16 OCT 2024

18 OCT 2024

20 OCT 2024

Autumn Leaves Viewing:

Oyaji Temple, Tanigawa Gorge Ropeway, Utsukushigahara, Shin Hotaka Ropeway, Kamikochi “Kappabashi Bridge to Lake Taishoike”, Mt Fuji 5th Station

Unique Experiences:

Ashikaga Flower Park “Rose”, Apple Picking Experience, Grape Picking Experience, Lake Ashi Cruise, Hakone Ropeway

Sightseeing & Shopping Experiences:

Oya History Museum, Fukiware Waterfall, Free time in Kusatsu Onsen, Matsumoto Castle, Nawate Dori, Oshino Hakkai Village, Gotemba Premium Outlets

Special Gourmet Delights:

Sumptuous Japanese multi-course dinner Japanese Kaiseki or buffet in Ryokans/Hotels, local delights at a restaurant

Hotel / Ryokan Stays:

04 nights of authentic Japanese Onsen experience at Ikaho Onsen, Kusatsu Onsen, Kamizuwa & Lake Kawaguchi. 03 nights in centrally located hotels in Matsumoto & Tokyo

ITINERARY

Day 1 Singapore – Tokyo 新加坡 - 東京

JL712 SIN-NRT 0800-1610

Hotel: Hotel Metropolitan or similar / Western room

Meal: Meal on Board / - / D

Upon arrival at Narita Airport, coach transfer to Tokyo city for dinner at a local restaurant before heading to the hotel for check in.

Day 2 Tokyo – Utsunomiya – Ashikaga – Ikaho Onsen 東京 - 宇都宮 - 足利 - 伊香保温泉

Hotel: Tembo or similar / Japanese room

Meal: B / L / D

This morning, experience the Bullet Train Shinkansen from Ueno Station to Utsunomiya Station. Upon arrival, transfer to Oya History Museum (大谷資料館). The underground museum was once the Oya Stone Mine which was a major source of wealth in the area. You can learn more about the local geology and explore the vast underground network of caverns with more than 20,000 square meters of open space. Next, visit Oyaji Temple (大谷寺) ✿, a 1200-year-old Buddhist temple constructed within the volcanic stone cliffs. Within the main hall, lies what are considered Japan’s best stone sculptures of various Buddhist goddesses. The temple garden also looks stunning in autumn with foliage dotting the area. After that, lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Following that, transfer to Ashikaga and visit Ashikaga Flower Park (あしかがフラワーパーク) ✿. The park draws large crowds throughout the year with various flowers blooming and illumination displays all year round. In October, flowers such as autumn roses, amethyst sage and water lilies will be in full bloom. Next, transfer to Ikaho Onsen town for hotel check-in and dinner.

Day 3 Ikaho Onsen – Numata – Kusatsu Onsen 伊香保温泉 - 沼田 - 草津温泉

Hotel: or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, the apple farm awaits you! Enjoy an Apple Picking Experience which is just in season. Next, you will visit Fukiware Waterfall (吹割の滝). Known as Japan’s version of Niagara Falls, the natural erosion of the rocks over 10,000 years created a 7m high and 30m wide waterfall. Here, you can enjoy the vivid autumn leaves of the surrounding mountain valley. Lunch today will be served in a local restaurant. After lunch, head to Tanigawa Gorge Ropeway (谷川岳ロープウェイ) ✿. The ropeway will bring you along Mt. Tanigawa and Tenjindaira, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain range. The slopes are a popular destination all year round, in winter, it transforms into a ski resort and during the warmer months, climbing and trekking are popular. In autumn, gorgeous foliage draws crowds to one of Japan’s top mountains. Finally, transfer to Kusatsu Onsen for hotel check in. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Day 4 Kusatsu Onsen – Utsukushigahara – Matsumoto 草津温泉 - 美ヶ原 - 松本

Hotel: Hotel Buena Vista or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast this morning, spend some free time strolling Kusatsu Onsen Town (草津温泉). One of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan, it is said that the high-quality hot spring water has many health benefits. Next, stop for lunch at a local restaurant on the way to Utsukushigahara. After lunch, proceed to UItsukushigahara (美ヶ原高原) ✿. The highlands sit at an altitude of 2,200 meters and overlooks Ueda and Nagano cities. The name means ‘beautiful fields’, and at its highest point, you can get a panoramic view of the Japan Alps, Mt. Asama, Mt. Fuji and Yatsugatake. Enjoy the lush bright red, orange and yellow autumn leaves that blend perfectly with the idyllic scenery of the plateau. Next, transfer to Matsumoto and visit the Matsumoto Castle (松本城). It is one of the most complete and beautiful among the original castles. The grand, rare striking black-colored castle contrasts well with the vivid autumn leaves. Thereafter, spend some time roaming Nawate Dori (縄手通り), just a short walk from the castle. The small shopping street has a quirky frog theme, which pays homage to the city’s past lively spirit. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant before transferring to the hotel for check in.

Day 5 Matsumoto – Kamikochi – Kamisuwa 松本 - 上高地 - 上諏訪温泉

Hotel: Hotel Beniya or similar / Japanese room

Meal: B / L / D

This morning, start the day at the Shin Hotaka Ropeway (新穂高ロープウェイ) ✿. One of Japan’s most unique ropeways, it features double-decker gondolas and has one of the largest elevation gains that go along Oku-Hotakedake, Japan’s third-highest peak. Transfer to Kamikochi and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, take a brief hike at Kamikochi (上高地) ✿ from Kappabashi Bridge to Lake Taishoike. Kamikochi is a popular mountain resort in the Japanese Alps that only opens from April to November. Being just moderately developed, it offers spectacular autumn mountain scenery. We will start the journey from Kappabashi Bridge, a suspension bridge over the Azusa River and end at Lake Taishoike, which was formed by a volcanic eruption in 1915. Finally, transfer to the hotel for check in. Tonight, dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant.

Day 6 Kamisuwa – Mt Fuji – Oshino – Lake Kawaguchi 上諏訪温泉 - 富士山 - 忍野 - 河口湖

Hotel: La Vista Fuji Kawaguchiko or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, we will be visiting a grape orchard for a Grape Picking Experience. After that, transfer to Mt. Fuji and stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, head over to the Mt. Fuji 5th Station (富士スバルライン五合目) ✿. At about 2300 meters above sea level, the 5th station is a popular sightseeing spot all year round. On clear days, you can get a commanding view of Mt. Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes area below. It is one of the autumn must-see spots in Japan! Thereafter, visit the Oshino Hakkai Village (忍野八海). A set of 8 ponds are fed by snow melt from Mt. Fuji that have been filtered through porous layers of lava along the mountain, resulting in very clear spring water revered by locals. Here, you can even try the spring water straight from the source. Finally, transfer to the hotel for check in. Tonight, dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant.

Day 7 Lake Kawaguchi – Gotemba – Hakone – Tokyo 河口湖 - 御殿場 - 箱根 - 東京

Hotel: Hotel Metropolitan or similar / Western room

Meal: B / - / -

After breakfast, we will be visiting Gotemba Premium Outlets (御殿場プレミアムアウトレット). Spend the morning shopping around the 300 stores, and enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji from the foot of the mountain. Lunch will be under your own arrangement here. In the afternoon, we will take the Lake Ashi Cruise (芦ノ湖クルーズ). The serene caldera lake has a grand view of Mt. Fuji on clear days and is known as the icon of Hakone. There is a beautiful contrast of the white clouds, blue lake and bright autumn colors here. Next, we will take the Hakone Ropeway (箱根ロ－プウエイ). The journey first starts from Lake Ashi Togendai Station to Owakudani Station. Along the journey, you can see the active sulfuric hot spring “Owakudani Valley”, seasonal autumn leaves and Lake Ashi’s glittering surface in the early evening. Thereafter, transfer to Tokyo city for hotel check in. The rest of the evening will be free and easy and dinner will be under your own arrangement.

Day 8 Tokyo 東京

Meal: B / - / -

JL035 HND-SIN 0005-0615+1

After breakfast at the hotel, free at your own leisure until departure.

Bid farewell to Tokyo in the evening as we proceed to the airport and take a flight back to Singapore. We hope that you have enjoyed this vacation with JTB and we look forward to helping you create your next perfect moments, always!

Day 9 Singapore 新加坡

Arrive Singapore