Northern Japan Discovery

Today, depart Australia (or New Zealand) for one of the most captivating cities in the world - Tokyo, Japan. Upon arrival, transfer to your Tokyo hotel.

Please note: Flights are not guaranteed to be direct from your departure city to Tokyo. Some flights may depart Day 0.

Overnight: Hotel Mystays Tachikawa or similar, Tokyo

Meals included: In-Flight

Enjoy free time at leisure to explore this incredible city.

Overnight: Hotel Mystays Tachikawa or similar, Tokyo

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, depart Tokyo and venture north to the stunning beauty of Nikko National Park. Most of the park is comprised of mountains in the Nasu volcanic zone, and includes Mount Shirane (2,578 m), Mount Nantai (2,496) and Mount Nasu (1,917 m). At the foot of these mountains are magnificent lakes, marshes, waterfalls, valleys and mixed forests, which are home to flourishing wildlife. Here you will visit the opulent Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a lavishly decorated masterpiece.

On your way, you'll navigate the winding Iroha Slope, a famous road with 48 hairpin turns. You'll then stand in awe of the magnificent Kegon Waterfall, one of Japan's most beautiful falls.

Afterwards, depart Nikko and travel onwards to Koriyama, the commercial capital and central transportation hub of Fukushima Prefecture. With a population of approximately 320,000 residents, it is Fukushima's economic heart and a key gateway between Tokyo and northern Honshu.

Today's driving distance is approximately 300 km.

Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Hotel or similar, Koriyama

Meals included: Breakfast

Today offers a powerful and important lesson in modern Japanese history. You'll travel to Futaba and you will learn about the 2011 triple disaster and Hope Tourism which offers travellers the opportunity to actually see the places where the effect of the earthquake and nuclear disaster still remain, as well as the places where revitalisation efforts are taking places.

First stop will be The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum. Through poignant exhibits and personal testimonies, you'll gain a profound understanding of the 2011 triple disaster and the incredible resilience and rebuilding of the Fukushima region. Afterwards, visit the nearby Ukedo Elementary School Earthquake Ruins where you'll be able to walk through the ruins of the school while learning about how the brave children and teachers survived the 2011 tsunami.

You will then travel approximately 230 kilometres to Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region. It is famously known as the "City of Trees" (Mori no Miyako) and is celebrated for its rich samurai history, having been founded by the powerful feudal lord Date Masamune in 1600. It serves as a fantastic tourist base that blends nature, deep historical roots and modern convenience.

Overnight: Richmond Hotel Sendai or similar, Sendai

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy free time at leisure to explore this incredible city or take part in an optional activity.

Optional Activity - Matsushima Day Tour including Bay Cruise
Venture just beyond Sendai to Matsushima, celebrated for centuries as one of the “Three Great Views of Japan.” More than 200 pine-clad islands dot the bay, shaped by wind and waves into endlessly photogenic forms.

Begin with the Matsushima Bay Cruise, gliding past rocky islets and sculpted sea caves while seabirds wheel overhead. From the water, you’ll see why poets, including the haiku master Basho were left speechless by this landscape.

Back on shore, step into the hushed grounds of Zuiganji Temple, a Zen temple founded in the 9th century and rebuilt by Date Masamune in grand Momoyama style. Walk the cedar-lined approach, explore the main hall with its richly painted sliding doors, and discover the quiet cave carvings where monks once meditated. Just steps away, Godaido Temple sits on a tiny island linked to the shore by a red lattice bridge. This small, elegant hall, one of the oldest in the Tohoku region, houses five Buddhist deities that are revealed to the public only once every 33 years. The view of the bay from here is a favourite among photographers.

Finish with a relaxed stroll along the waterfront, where you can browse seaside shops, sample fresh oysters or grilled seafood, and enjoy the sea breeze as the light softens over the islands before returning to your hotel. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Overnight: Richmond Hotel Sendai or similar, Sendai

Meals included: Breakfast

Transfer to Sendai Station for a high-speed train to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. This impressive journey will have you travelling over 500 kilometres in just 3 hours. This includes crossing the Tsugaru Strait between Tohoku and Hokkaido via the Seikan Tunnel, the world's longest undersea tunnel with a railway track.

Finish your rail journey in Hakodate, once a fishing port famed for its high quality fish and shellfish. It's quickly became Hokkaido's largest city and one of Japan's most important ports. On arrival, visit the Motomachi area which is known for its charming Western-style buildings and historic churches. The tour concludes in the picturesque Bay Area that's home to the famous red brick warehouses where you can enjoy shopping and photos by the waterfront.

This well-balanced course of food, history and scenery is especially recommended for first-time visitors to Hakodate.

Overnight: Hotel MyStays Hakodate Goryokaku or similar, Hakodate

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, depart Hakodate for Muroran. Along the way, stop at the picturesque Lake Toya, which features hot springs and an active volcano, Mount Usu, which last erupted in the year 2000.

On arrival in Muroran, enjoy a sightseeing tour before checking into your accommodation where you may enjoy an evening at leisure. Situated in southeastern Hokkaido, Muroran stands out as an industrial port city that seamlessly integrates heavy manufacturing with breathtaking natural landscapes. Rather than succumbing to urban sprawl and pollution, thoughtful planning has allowed the city to preserve its rugged Pacific coastline and dramatic cliffs alongside its factories. This deliberate harmony between industrial infrastructure and wild ocean scenery yields a striking contrast by day and powers the city's famous nightscapes, making Muroran an unexpectedly captivating travel destination.

Today's travel distance is approximately 220km.

Overnight: Dormy Inn Higashimuroran or similar, Muroran

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning travel to nearby Noboribetsu. Here you'll witness the dramatic, otherworldly landscape of Jigokudani (or Hell Valley). Marvel at the spectacle of steaming vents, bubbling sulphurous streams and the raw volcanic activity that serves as the source for the town's famous hot spring waters.

Afterwards, travel onwards to the charming port city of Otaru which is known for its glassworks, music boxes, sake and beer breweries. Here you can enjoy some time at leisure to stroll along its beautifully preserved canal, lined with Victorian-style street lamps and historic warehouses.

Your day concludes as you arrive in nearby Sapporo, Hokkaido's dynamic and sophisticated capital city. Framed by dramatic mountain backdrops and dotted with lush urban oases like Odori Park and Nakajima Park, the city offers an effortless blend of vibrant downtown energy and tranquil green spaces. Beyond its scenic parklands and panoramic summit views from Mount Moiwa, Sapporo is globally celebrated for its winter sports culture, iconic annual snow festival, and rich culinary heritage spanning world-famous regional ramen, historic breweries and fresh seafood markets. Todays travel distance is approximately 220km

Overnight: Hotel Route-Inn Sapporo Ekimae Kitaguchi or similar, Sapporo

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is a free day to explore Sapporo at leisure or take part in an optional activity.

Optional Activity: Sappporo Day Tour - 10,000 JPY per person
Your day begins at the open-air Historical Village of Hokkaido, set in the forested Nopporo Forest Park. Stroll through more than 60 restored and reconstructed buildings from the Meiji and Taisho eras, including old fishing houses, merchant shops, a post office and a farmhouse. Costumed staff and seasonal activities bring the pioneer days to life. In winter, the snow-covered streets, horse-drawn sleighs, and warm wood-stove interiors make the village especially atmospheric.

Just a short walk away, the Hokkaido Museum offers a deeper look at the island’s story. Explore exhibits on the Ainu people, the region’s natural history and the development of Hokkaido from its early settlement to the modern era. Displays are accessible and engaging, with plenty to interest both history lovers and curious first-timers.

Enjoy some free time at Sapporo Beer Garden, housed in a historic red-brick brewery building. Enjoy the famous Genghis Khan grilled lamb and fresh Hokkaido ingredients alongside a cold glass of Sapporo beer, brewed right here in its birthplace.

Finish your day at Shiroi Koibito Park, a whimsical, European-style chocolate theme park. Tour the factory viewing areas, explore the confectionery exhibits, and try your hand at decorating your own cookie. Browse the shop for sweet souvenirs, including the iconic white chocolate sandwich cookies the park is named for. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Overnight: Hotel Route-Inn Sapporo Ekimae Kitaguchi or similar, Sapporo

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, at the appropriate time, you'll be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.

Please note:
• Standard checkout time is 10:00 or 11:00.
• Some flights may depart in the evening.
• Perth departures may depart Japan and Arrive back in Australia on same day.
• Luggage storage is available at reception for those with later flights so they may enjoy the day at leisure before making their way to the airport.

Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight

Welcome home!

Meals included: None

Today, depart Australia (or New Zealand) for one of the most captivating cities in the world - Tokyo, Japan.

Upon arrival, transfer to your Tokyo hotel. Please note: Flights are not guaranteed to be direct from your departure city to Tokyo. Some flights may depart Day 0.

Overnight: Hotel Mystays Tachikawa or similar, Tokyo

Meals included: In-Flight

Enjoy free time at leisure to explore this incredible city.

Overnight: Hotel Mystays Tachikawa or similar, Tokyo

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, depart Tokyo and venture north to the stunning beauty of Nikko National Park.

Most of the park is comprised of mountains in the Nasu volcanic zone, and includes Mount Shirane (2,578 m), Mount Nantai (2,496) and Mount Nasu (1,917 m). At the foot of these mountains are magnificent lakes, marshes, waterfalls, valleys and mixed forests, which are home to flourishing wildlife. Here you will visit the opulent Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a lavishly decorated masterpiece.

On your way, you'll navigate the winding Iroha Slope, a famous road with 48 hairpin turns. You'll then stand in awe of the magnificent Kegon Waterfall, one of Japan's most beautiful falls. Afterwards, depart Nikko and travel onwards to Koriyama, the commercial capital and central transportation hub of Fukushima Prefecture. With a population of approximately 320,000 residents, it is Fukushima's economic heart and a key gateway between Tokyo and northern Honshu.

Today's driving distance is approximately 300km.

Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Hotel or similar, Koriyama

Meals included: Breakfast

Today offers a powerful and important lesson in modern Japanese history. You'll travel to Futaba and you will learn about the 2011 triple disaster and Hope Tourism which offers travellers the opportunity to actually see the places where the effect of the earthquake and nuclear disaster still remain, as well as the places where revitalisation efforts are taking places.

First stop will be The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum. Through poignant exhibits and personal testimonies, you'll gain a profound understanding of the 2011 triple disaster and the incredible resilience and rebuilding of the Fukushima region. Afterwards, visit the nearby Ukedo Elementary School Earthquake Ruins where you'll be able to walk through the ruins of the school while learning about how the brave children and teachers survived the 2011 tsunami.

You will then travel approximately 230 kilometres to Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region. It is famously known as the "City of Trees" (Mori no Miyako) and is celebrated for its rich samurai history, having been founded by the powerful feudal lord Date Masamune in 1600. It serves as a fantastic tourist base that blends nature, deep historical roots and modern convenience.

Overnight: Richmond Hotel Sendai or similar, Sendai

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy free time at leisure to explore this incredible city or take part in an optional activity.

Optional Activity - Matsushima Day Tour including Bay Cruise
Venture just beyond Sendai to Matsushima, celebrated for centuries as one of the “Three Great Views of Japan.” More than 200 pine-clad islands dot the bay, shaped by wind and waves into endlessly photogenic forms. Begin with the Matsushima Bay Cruise, gliding past rocky islets and sculpted sea caves while seabirds wheel overhead. From the water, you’ll see why poets, including the haiku master Basho, were left speechless by this landscape.

Back on shore, step into the hushed grounds of Zuiganji Temple, a Zen temple founded in the 9th century and rebuilt by Date Masamune in grand Momoyama style. Walk the cedar-lined approach, explore the main hall with its richly painted sliding doors, and discover the quiet cave carvings where monks once meditated. Just steps away, Godaido Temple sits on a tiny island linked to the shore by a red lattice bridge. This small, elegant hall, one of the oldest in the Tohoku region, houses five Buddhist deities that are revealed to the public only once every 33 years. The view of the bay from here is a favourite among photographers.

Finish with a relaxed stroll along the Waterfront, where you can browse seaside shops, sample fresh oysters or grilled seafood, and enjoy the sea breeze as the light softens over the islands before returning to your hotel. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Overnight: Richmond Hotel Sendai or similar, Sendai

Meals included: Breakfast

Transfer to Sendai Station for a high-speed train to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. This impressive journey will have you travelling over 500 kilometres in just 3 hours. This includes crossing the Tsugaru Strait between Tohoku and Hokkaido via the Seikan Tunnel, the world's longest undersea tunnel with a railway track. Finish you rail journey in Hakodate, once a fishing port famed for its high quality fish and shellfish. It's quickly became Hokkaido's largest city and one of Japan's most important ports.

On arrival, visit the Motomachi area which is known for its charming Western-style buildings and historic churches. The tour concludes in the picturesque Bay Area that's home to the famous red brick warehouses where you can enjoy shopping and photos by the waterfront. This well-balanced course of food, history and scenery is especially recommended for first-time visitors to Hakodate.

Overnight: Hotel MyStays Hakodate Goryokaku or similar, Hakodate

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, depart Hakodate for Muroran. Along the way, stop at the picturesque Lake Toya, which features hot springs and an active volcano, Mount Usu, which last erupted in the year 2000. On arrival in Muroran, enjoy a sightseeing tour before checking into your accommodation where you may enjoy an evening at leisure. Situated in southeastern Hokkaido, Muroran stands out as an industrial port city that seamlessly integrates heavy manufacturing with breathtaking natural landscapes.

Rather than succumbing to urban sprawl and pollution, thoughtful planning has allowed the city to preserve its rugged Pacific coastline and dramatic cliffs alongside its factories. This deliberate harmony between industrial infrastructure and wild ocean scenery yields a striking contrast by day and powers the city's famous nightscapes, making Muroran an unexpectedly captivating travel destination. Todays travel distance is approximately 220km

Overnight: Dormy Inn Higashimuroran or similar, Muroran

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, travel to nearby Noboribetsu. Here you'll witness the dramatic, otherworldly landscape of Jigokudani (or Hell Valley).

Marvel at the spectacle of steaming vents, bubbling sulphurous streams and the raw volcanic activity that serves as the source for the town's famous hot spring waters. Afterwards, travel onwards to the charming port city of Otaru which is known for its glassworks, music boxes, sake and beer breweries. Here you can enjoy some time at leisure to stroll along its beautifully preserved canal, lined with Victorian-style street lamps and historic warehouses.

Your day concludes as you arrive in nearby Sapporo, Hokkaido's dynamic and sophisticated capital city. Framed by dramatic mountain backdrops and dotted with lush urban oases like Odori Park and Nakajima Park, the city offers an effortless blend of vibrant downtown energy and tranquil green spaces. Beyond its scenic parklands and panoramic summit views from Mount Moiwa, Sapporo is globally celebrated for its winter sports culture, iconic annual snow festival and rich culinary heritage spanning world-famous regional ramen, historic breweries and fresh seafood markets. Todays travel distance is approximately 220km

Overnight: Hotel Route-Inn Sapporo Ekimae Kitaguchi or similar, Sapporo

Meals included: Breakfast

Today explore Sapporo at leisure or take part in an optional activity

Optional Activity: Sappporo Day Tour
Your day begins at the open-air Historical Village of Hokkaido, set in the forested Nopporo Forest Park. Stroll through more than 60 restored and reconstructed buildings from the Meiji and Taisho eras, including old fishing houses, merchant shops, a post office and a farmhouse. Costumed staff and seasonal activities bring the pioneer days to life.

In winter, the snow-covered streets, horse-drawn sleighs and warm wood-stove interiors make the village especially atmospheric. Just a short walk away, the Hokkaido Museum offers a deeper look at the island’s story. Explore exhibits on the Ainu people, the region’s natural history and the development of Hokkaido, from its early settlement to the modern era. Displays are accessible and engaging, with plenty to interest both history lovers and curious first-timers.

Enjoy some free time at Sapporo Beer Garden, housed in a historic red-brick brewery building. You could taste the famous Genghis Khan grilled lamb and fresh Hokkaido ingredients alongside a cold glass of Sapporo beer, brewed right here in its birthplace. Finish your day at Shiroi Koibito Park, a whimsical, European-style chocolate theme park. Tour the factory viewing areas, explore the confectionery exhibits and try your hand at decorating your own cookie. Browse the shop for sweet souvenirs, including the iconic white chocolate sandwich cookies the park is named for. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Overnight: Hotel Route-Inn Sapporo Ekimae Kitaguchi or similar, Sapporo

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, at the appropriate time, be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Taipei, Taiwan. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel accommodation.

Please note:
• Standard checkout time is 10:00 or 11:00.
• Some flights may depart in the evening.
• Some flights may depart from nearby Kobe airport.
• Luggage storage is available at reception for those with later flights so they may enjoy the day at leisure before making their way to the airport.

Overnight: The Place Taipei or similar, Taipei

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, depart Taipei and travel to the nearby Pingxi district to enjoy a quick ride along the Pingxi Branch Line. This 8-mile stretch of narrow-gauge railroad runs alongside the Keelung River. Take a step back in time on one of the most popular day trips from Taiwan.

Disembark in the town of Shifen, a popular town for launching sky lanterns. Sky lanterns are a Taiwanese tradition and Pingxi district is one of the only places where you are allowed to launch them. The paper lanterns inscribed with one's hopes for the coming year are launched into the sky and the preferred place to launch them is right on the tracks which makes for some great people watching. Here you will have the opportunity to launch a sky lantern (4 travellers to one sky lantern).

Afterwards, continue to the small mountainous village of Jiufen, made famous largely due to its similarity to the village in Spirited Away, arguably Hayao Miyazaki’s most popular movie. Enjoy time at leisure to enjoy lunch (not included) and to explore Jiufen. You could explore the picturesque Old Street, a narrow alleyway lined up with small food stalls, tea houses, souvenir shops and pottery stores.

The most picturesque tea house in Jiufen is A-Mei Teahouse. This multi-story teahouse is strategically located just a little off the main street, perched on top of a hill. From their balcony, you can admire the picturesque view, Keelung Mountain to the right and the Northern shores of Taiwan to the left.

Return to Taipei and enjoy a quick stop at a duty free shop before continuing to Taipei 101, once the tallest building in the world (from 2004 to 2010). Enjoy time at leisure to explore the modern shopping centre and foodcourt, or alternatively take a trip up to the observatory at the top of the tower (not included, additional cost paid on tour).

Overnight: The Place Taipei or similar, Taipei

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, explore Taipei at your own pace.

Overnight: The Place Taipei or similar, Taipei

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, at the appropriate time, be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.

Please note:
• Standard checkout time is 10:00.
• Some flights may depart in the evening, and luggage storage will be available at reception so travellers may explore Taipei at leisure before departure.

Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight

Welcome home!

Please note: Some flights may arrive + 1 day due to flight schedules.

Meals included: None