HOKKAIDO, TOHOKU TRAIN TOUR with Eki-ben
Oct. 22 ~ Nov. 2 (10 nights, 12 days)

Date	Place and Hotel ♨=onsen	Activity	B	L	D
Oct. 22 (Sat.)		Depart Honolulu to Shin-Chitose.
23 (Sun.)	CHITOSE AIR TERMINAL HOTEL	Arrive at Shin-Chitose airport, hotel within airport terminal.
24 (Mon.)	CHITOSE AIR TERMINAL HOTEL	Sightseeing within Sapporo area by car (van or bus). After leaving the hotel we ride the Sapporo Mt. Moiwa Ropeway. Enjoy autumn color scenery and the spectacular view out over the Sapporo city. Then we visit Former Hokkaido Government Office. One of Sapporo's most obviously western influenced landmarks, the splendid Former Hokkaido Government Office was built in 1873. Lunch is crab cuisine at Kaniya Restaurant. After lunch we go to Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park to see the red autumn foliage of 2,400 Kochia balls. Next go to see Hakusen Waterfalls. Then we visit Chitose Salmon Aquarium, you can see salmon returning to their hometown to lay their eggs in the river from underwater observation room in September to October. During which as many as 30,000 fish can be captured on a plentiful day. After that we go back same hotel.	×	×
25 (Tue.)	HAKODATE ROUTE INN♨	From Chitose station we ride a limited express Hokuto and go to Onuma station. Lunch is Hokkaido famous eki-ben Temari Sushi. Then we go to Onuma Park, the autumn colors scenery is nice. Next ride a car (van or bus) and sightseeing the Hakodate area. We’ll visit the Kombu Museum, you can learn about Kombu and see the factory. Then we go to Goryokaku, it is a western-style fort completed almost 150 years ago, designated in Japan as a special historic site. After that we go to the hotel, in the evening drive up to Mt.Hakodate and see the night view.	×	×
26 (Wed.)	AOMORI DAIWA ROYNET	In the morning we go to Hakodate Morning Market. Enjoy shopping and browsing at the market and be sure to check out the live crabs and shellfish in their massive tanks. Then from Hakodate station riding the H5 series Hokkaido shinkansen go to Aomori station. On the way, we go through the Seikan tunnel, world’s longest undersea tunnel. Lunch is Hakodate famous eki-ben Nisshin Migaki bento, Nisshin (Herring) is like a big sardine marinated & cooked. After we arrive at Aomori station, we visit Wa Rasse Nebuta Museum. The museum is about the Nebuta festival which is held annually in early August. It captures the spirit of the festival and gives visitors a taste of it's lively atmosphere, tradition and history. Then go to hotel.	×	×
27 (Thu.)	AOMORI DAIWA ROYNET	Sightseeing within Aomori area by car (van or bus). We go to Tsutanuma pond (swamp) through the Oirase Gorge where the autumn leaves are beautiful. If there is no wind the pond is like a mirror, the reflection is beautiful. After lunch we enjoy excursion boat on Lake Towada, beautiful during autumn season. Then we go to Jogakura Bridge, it is Japan’s longest arched bridge. The fall foliage here is a perfect view. Next enjoy apple-picking. Then return to same hotel.	×	×
28 (Fri.)	AKITA RICHMOND HOTEL	From Aomori station, we ride one of the most beautiful train rides in Japan, the Resort Shirakami train. Travels between Aomori and Akita, following the scenic coastline of northern Tohoku. Watch the Tsugaru shamisen playing in the train. Lunch is famous eki-ben Hotate (Scallop) Bento. After Akita station we visit a Citizen’s Open Space Market where you'll find Akita food items, misc. goods, souvenirs all in one place. Then go to hotel in Akita.	×	×
29 (Sat.)	AKITA RICHMOND HOTEL	Sightseeing within Akita area by car (van or bus). In Oga peninsula we visit a Namahage Museum. Namahage is known throughout the country as a folk event. Why this custom was born and rooted in Oga, many questions still remain. The museum is where you can experience all of the mysteries and the history of such history. Then we go to Mt. Kanpuzan, the panoramic vista from the top of the mountain is truly spectacular, as there is nothing to obstruct the views. After lunch we visit Michi no Eki Ogare, a roadside station. We can see the Akita dogs. Next go to Neburi Nagashikan (Akita Traditional Folk Museum). It has displays & description about their Kanto festival which they have in August. Then return to same hotel.	×	×
30 (Sun.)	OSHU PLAZA INN	From Yokote station take the Tohoku local Kitakami Line. We ride a train and go to Kitakami station. Enjoy the view of the autumn color mountains, the beautiful river and Lake Kinshu from the train window. Lunch is your choice at stand-up-eating soba store. Enjoy Japanese office worker lunch style, but you can also sit down and eat. After lunch we ride a car (van or bus), to visit Oni no Yakata. An Oni is a figure in Japanese folklore that resembles a supernatural ogre or demon. Legends of these human-like hulks abound throughout the country, and each region has their own kinds of Oni and Oni legends. Then we visit Tohoku most famous temple, Chusonji Temple. We can enjoy autumn leaves and see Konjiki-do (Golden Hall). Next go to Motsuji Temple, famous for Japanese garden. We can see Japanese garden with autumn leaves. (It is one of 31 Japan’s most beautiful places selected by CNN). Then we go to the hotel, in the evening we visit Fujiwara no Sato to see the illuminations of the autumn leaves.	×	×
31 (Mon.)	OSHU PLAZA INN	Sightseeing by car (van or bus).From the hotel we go to Geibikei gorge, a beautiful ravine and gorge by the Satetsu river surrounded by tall cliffs. Take a riverboat and enjoy the scenery of the autumn leaves. Then we go to Rikuzentakata city. After lunch we visit the Miracle Pine, a symbol of reconstruction and the Iwate Tsunami Memorial, it is a museum about the March.11.2011 tsunami. Next visit the Temporary Housing, you can see the lives of the evacuees of that time. Then we go back to the same hotel.	×	×
Nov. 1 (Tue.)	SENDAI JAL CITY HOTEL	From Furukawa station we ride a train and go to Naruko Onsen station. Enjoy the wonderful autumn colors of Naruko Gorge from the train window. After arrive at the station we ride a car (van or bus), and go to Naruko Gorge Observatory. After lunch go to Matsushima, we take a sightseeing boat cruise through the islets in the bay of famous Matsushima, one of three Japan’s best view places. Then we go to hotel in Sendai city, the largest city in the Tohoku region. There are many shops around the hotel, so please enjoy shopping.	×	×
Nov. 2 (Wed.)		From Sendai station ride the shinkansen (bullet train) to Utsunomiya station. Then we ride a car (van or bus) and go to Mashiko Pottery Fair. There are about 50 shops and as many as 550 tents set up selling pottery. There is a great variety of pottery sold from traditional Mashiko pottery such as vases and pots to articles for daily use such as cups and plates. Next go to Narita Aeon Mall for shopping before going to Narita airport for your departure.	×

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