10D7N Autumn Beauty in East South Hokkaido & North Japan

HIGHLIGHTS

Assemble dates:

27 OCT 2024

29 OCT 2024

30 OCT 2024

Autumn Leaves Viewing:

Sasanagare Dam and Dam Park, Umemura Garden, Lake Onuma Quasi-National Park, Goryokaku Tower & Park, Miharashi Park, Oirase Keiryu, Lake Towada Cruise, Kakunodate, Chusonji Temple “Golden Hall”, Genbikei Gorge

Unique experience:

Greatest View from Hakodate by Ropeway, Train Ride Experience from Shin Hakodate Hokuto to Aomori (~60min), Apple Picking, Kiritanpo Making, Kimono Wearing, Handmade Experience, Matsushima

Sightseeing & Shopping Experience:

Yukumo Town Folk Museum and Bear Woodcarving Museum, Hakodate Morning Market, Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse, Ishigedo Rapids, Chosi-otaki and Shiriaito Waterfalls, Kazuno Antora Rest Area, Akita Furusatomura, Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, Ginzan Onsen Town, AEON Mall Tendo

Hotel/Ryokan Stays:

04 nights Japanese Onsen/Ryokan/Hotel at Hakodate, Appi Kogen & Hanamaki Onsen. 03 nights centrally located hotel in Aomori, Sendai & Yamagata

ITINERARY

Day 1 Assemble at Changi Airport for Check in

JL038 SIN-HND 0215-0950

JL587 HND-HKD 1245-1405

Day 2 Hakodate 函館

Hotel: La Vista Hakodate Bay ANNEX or similar / Western room

Meal: Meal on Board / - / D

Upon arrival at Hakodate Airport, coach transfer to the Sasanagare Dam and Dam Park (笹流ダム) ✿ . A hidden gem for autumn foliage viewing known mostly to locals, the garden here has Japanese maples that turn bright red in the fall. Next, visit the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway (函館山ロープウェイ) . Mt. Hakodate is 334m high and is one of Japan’s best night views. Today, enjoy the view while the sun sets in the horizon, as well as the autumn foliage. Finally, transfer to the hotel for check in. Tonight, enjoy dinner [Kaiseki Dinner] at the hotel restaurant.

Day 3 Hakodate – Yakumo – Onuma – Hakodate 函館 - 八雲 - 大沼 - 函館

Hotel: La Vista Hakodate Bay ANNEX or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / -

This morning, start your day at Umemura Garden (梅村庭園) ✿ . The Japanese-style garden is certified as a Hokkaido landscaping heritage due to the traditional landscaping techniques used. At the middle of the garden, a pond filled with spring water can be found. It is a photo taking spot for maple leaves. Next, visit the Yukumo Town Folk Museum and Bear Woodcarving Museum (八雲町 木彫り熊資料館). Learn more about the history, culture and nature of the town which is known as the birthplace of carved wooden bears! After that, transfer to a local restaurant for lunch [Sushi Set]. After lunch, visit Lake Onuma Quasi National Park (大沼国定公園) ✿. Known for its picturesque island dotted lakes and majestic volcano Mt. Komagatake. In fall, the rich colors of the autumn foliage are reflected on the lake, creating a breathtaking scene. Thereafter, transfer to Goryokaku Park and Tower (五稜郭公園) ✿. The 107m tower overlooks Fort Goryokaku, a massive star-shaped, Western-style citadel built at the end of the Edo period. From here, you would be able to see the grand Mt. Hakodate and Yokotsu mountain range. Autumn leaves paint the city in reds, oranges and yellows so enjoy the spectacular bird’s eye view and up close in the park! Following that, visit Miharashi Park (見晴公園) ✿. The garden consists of an old Japanese-style building and many trees and is considered one of Japan’s finest gardens. In the evening, the lit up trees create a dreamy atmosphere. Finally, transfer to hotel for check in. Tonight, enjoy your dinner during your own free and easy time.

Day 4 Hakodate – Aomori 函館 - 青森

Hotel: Hotel Aomori or similar / Western room

Meal: B / - / D

After breakfast, visit the Hakodate Morning Market (函館朝市). The market offers fresh seafood and produce such as crabs, uni and melons. Try some at the restaurants lining the market! Next, visit Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse (金森赤レンガ倉庫). Spend some time shopping at the renovated warehouses that were built in 1909 and enjoy lunch on your own. After lunch, take the Shinkansen from Shin-Hakodate Hokuto to Shin Aomori. Upon arrival, the apple orchard is awaiting! Experience Apple Picking, which is just in season. Following that, transfer to hotel for check-in. Tonight, dinner [Kaiseki Dinner] will be served at the hotel restaurant.

Day 5 Aomori – Oirase – Lake Towada – Appi Kogen 青森 - 奥入瀬 - 十和田 - 安比高原

Hotel: ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

This morning, start your day at the Ishigedo Rapids (石ヶ戸の瀬) . The trail begins from here to Oirase Keiryu (奥入瀬渓流) ✿. Recognised by the Michelin Green Guides, it is Tohoku’s most renowned clear stream, flowing from Lake Towada and features waterfalls, rapids and lush foliage. One of the main sights to see is Chosi-otaki Waterfall (銚子大滝) which is known as Japan’s mini Niagara Falls. Take a light hike to Shiraito Waterfall (白糸の滝), nicknamed White String Waterfall for its appearance. Next, time for lunch [] at a local restaurant. After lunch, board the Lake Towada Cruise (十和田湖クルーズ) ✿. The largest caldera lake on Honshu, well known for its autumn colors, the cruise will bring you around beautiful scenery that can only be seen on the lake. Next, stop at Kazuno Antora (あんとらあ), a roadside station with stores selling local specialty products, an exhibition hall displaying floats from the Hanawa Bayashi Festival. Here, you will also Experience Kiritanpo Making, a local traditional delicacy of mashed steam rice roasted over a charcoal fire. Finally, transfer to Appi Kogen for hotel check in. Tonight, dinner [Buffet] will be served at the hotel restaurant.

Day 6 Appi Kogen – Kakunodate – Hanamaki Onsen 安比高原 - 角館 - 花卷溫泉

Hotel: Hotel Hanamaki or similar / R.O.H.

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, visit visit Kakunodate (角館) ✿. You will get to experience Kimono wearing while walking the former castle town and samurai district. Since its founding in 1620, the town’s magnificent samurai houses have been well-preserved and unchanged. The historic town looks especially good with the fall backdrop! Next, enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Yokote for the Akita Furusatomura (秋田ふるさと村). It is an all-weather theme park that has activities and attractions for different interests. Visitors can enjoy the planetarium, folk craft museum and the Akita Museum of Modern Art. Here, you will also have a Handmade Experience, to bring a souvenir from this trip home! Finally, transfer to the hotel for check-in and enjoy dinner [Buffet] at the hotel restaurant.

Day 7 Hanamaki Onsen – Chusonji - Sendai 花卷溫泉 - 中尊寺 - 仙台

Hotel: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / -

After breakfast, start your day at Chusonji Temple (中尊寺) ✿. Hiraizumi’s most famous attraction was established in 850 and has a Golden Pavillion, a hall completely covered in gold which is similar to Kyoto’s Kinkakuji. On the temple grounds are a colorful display of Japanese maples in shades of crimson. Today’s lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Next, visit Genbikei Gorge (厳美渓) ✿. Located along the Iwai River flowing from Mt. Kurikoma, watch the dynamic waterfalls and unique rock formations contrast well with the autumn foliage. Another highlight here is the ‘flying dango’, whereby a quaint shop amongst the gorge sends the mochi snack via a zipline. Finally, transfer to Sendai for hotel check in. Tonight, enjoy the evening free and easy, dinner will be under your own arrangement.

Day 8 Sendai – Matsushima – Yamagata 仙台 - 松島 - 山形

Hotel: Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, start your day at Matsushima (松島) . Ranked as one of Japan’s three most scenic views, the bay is dotted by 260 pine-clad islets and is home to Zuiganji, one of the region’s most important Zen temples. Walk and explore the many islands’ forests and temples or take a cruise around the bay to make the most of your trip! Next, lunch is served at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit the Osaki Hachimangu Shrine (大崎八幡宮). It is a beautiful family shrine of the Date clan from 1607. The shrine’s deity Hachiman is the Shinto god of war and is considered the general guardian and protector of the city. Finally, transfer to the hotel for check-in and dinner [Dinner Course].

Day 9 Yamagata – Ginzan Onsen – Singapore 山形 - 花卷溫泉 - 新加坡

Meal: B / - / -

JL178 GAJ-HND 1915-2020

JL035 HND-SIN 0005-0615

This morning, visit Ginzan Onsen (銀山温泉). The old-fashioned onsen town also known as ‘Sliver Mountain Hot Spring’ used to be developed around a silver mine. Take a stroll, soak in a hot spring and enjoy lunch on your own before we move on to Aeon Mall Tendo (イオンモール天童). Enjoy some free and easy time at one of the largest shopping malls before heading to Yamagata Airport.

Bid farewell to Japan this evening as we depart for 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 10 Singapore 新加坡

Arrive Singapore