Tailor-made

Self-Guided Adventure

Japan's Undiscovered North

from US$4620 per person (twin share)

11 Nights Trip Code: AOM

Embark on an 11-night journey starting in Tokyo, heading north to Sendai to begin your Tohoku adventure, explore Aomori's most iconic sights � Hachinohe, Lake Towada, Oirase Gorge, Aomori City, Hirosaki, immerse yourself in the samurai heritage of Kakunodate, and return to Tokyo to conclude your trip. Read more >

Experience the charm of Japan's Tohoku region on this 11-night journey that blends vibrant cities, cultural heritage, and breathtaking nature. You'll start in Tokyo with time to explore the capital's iconic sights before boarding the Shinkansen to Sendai, the gateway to Tohoku. Here, you can enjoy local flavours and nightlife on a back-alley bar hopping tour, then take a day trip to Matsushima Bay, famed for its scenic pine-covered islands.

Continue north to Hachinohe for a coastal adventure, including trekking along the Tanesashi Coast and savouring a fisherman's lunch. From there, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada with a guided walking tour, staying at a luxury hot spring resort. Next up is Aomori city to discover Nebuta traditions at the Nebuta Warasse Museum and explore the city's cultural highlights on a private walking tour. Then you'll visit Hirosaki, where you'll experience Tohoku traditional crafts like lantern-making, its historic castle and gardens before heading to Kakunodate, a beautifully preserved samurai town.

Then you'll finish your adventure with a scenic return to Tokyo for last-minute shopping and sightseeing. It's also a great jumping-off point if you want to go explore the rest of Japan. This itinerary offers a perfect balance of history, culture, and Northern Japanese natural beauty that's great as a return trip, or a wonderful introduction to Japan for the adventurous traveller.

At a glance

What's included

11 nights' accommodation in Japan (1 nights Japanese style)

Breakfast every day

Back-alley bar hopping in Sendai

Trekking tour and lunch at Tanesashi Coast

Oirase Gorge Guided Walking Tour

Aomori City Private Walking Tour

Kuroishi Neputa Lantern-Making

All transport between destinations

Manaca transport card with 2,500 yen credit for city transport

Pocket WiFi device

Your personalised InsideJapan Info-Pack

What's NOT included:

International flights

Local transport (buses, subways, taxis) at any destination unless otherwise specified

Any entrance fees including those for shrines, temples and museums

Baggage handling and luggage forwarding

Trip Highlights

Enjoy bar hopping in Sendai
Explore Oirase Gorge on foot
Make your own Neputa lantern

Trek scenic Tanenashi coast
Explore Aomori, the city of apples and vibrant seasonal festivals
Step into the samurai town of Kakunodate.

Ready to plan your trip?

For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3470

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What, where, when and how...

Japan's Undiscovered North - 12 Days

Destinations

Japan's Undiscovered North - 12 Days - Day by Day

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Japan's Undiscovered North - 12 Days - Accommodation

Tokyo

Shiba Park

Moderate
Sendai

Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East

Moderate
Hachinohe

Dormy Inn Hon-Hachinohe

Moderate
Lake Towada

Oirase Keiryu Hotel By Hoshino Resorts

Superior
Aomori

Daiwa Roynet Aomori

Moderate
Hirosaki

Ishiba Ryokan

Moderate
Kakunodate

Wanoi Kakunodate

Superior

Japan's Undiscovered North - 12 Days - Experiences

Day 1-2

Begin your adventure in Japan's vibrant capital.

Arrive in Tokyo, where neon lights and soaring towers frame the city's vibrant energy. Your base is in the heart of the capital, offering easy access to bustling districts and serene gardens. Spend your first evening strolling through lively streets, sampling izakaya dishes, and soaking in the rhythm of modern Japan. The following day, board the Shinkansen and watch Tokyo's skyline melt into rolling hills and rice fields as you journey north to Sendai.

Overnight: Shiba Park
Day 3-4

Discover culture and flavours in Tohoku's largest city.

Known as the �City of Trees,� Sendai blends urban sophistication with a relaxed atmosphere. After checking in, dive into local culture with a back-alley bar hopping tour, sampling regional sake and dishes like gyutan (grilled beef tongue). Wander through lantern-lit lanes and feel the warmth of Tohoku hospitality. Take a day trip to Matsushima Bay, celebrated as one of Japan's three most scenic views. Cruise among pine-clad islands scattered across calm waters, visit Zuiganji Temple with its centuries-old halls, and stroll through gardens that frame the bay's shimmering beauty. Pause for fresh oysters or seafood at a local eatery before returning to Sendai for a relaxed evening.

Overnight: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East
Day 5

Trek along rugged shores and savour local traditions.

Travel to Hachinohe, a charming port city where the sea shapes daily life. Begin with a trek along the Tanesashi Coast, a rugged shoreline dotted with wildflowers and sweeping ocean vistas. Enjoy a fisherman's lunch featuring the day's catch, then explore morning markets brimming with local flavours. In the evening, unwind at your hotel or venture out to discover Hachinohe's lively food stalls and izakayas.

Overnight: Dormy Inn Hon-Hachinohe
Day 6-7

Immerse yourself in Tohoku's natural wonders.

Journey inland to Oirase Gorge, a paradise of cascading waterfalls and moss-covered rocks. Stay at a luxury hot spring resort and savour seasonal dinners after a day of exploration. A guided walk reveals hidden trails and crystal-clear streams, while Lake Towada's serene expanse offers breathtaking views. This is Tohoku at its most tranquil, a retreat into nature's embrace.

Overnight: Oirase Keiryu Hotel By Hoshino Resorts
Day 8

Step into the heart of Aomori's cultural heritage.

Continue to Aomori, a city steeped in festival spirit. Visit the Nebuta Warasse Museum to see vibrant floats and learn about the artistry behind this iconic celebration. A private walking tour introduces you to local markets, waterfront views, and cultural landmarks. Sample Aomori's famed apples or savour a bowl of miso-laden ramen before settling in for the night.

Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Aomori
Day 9-10

Experience history in a picturesque setting.

Step into history at Hirosaki, home to one of Japan's most beautiful castles. Wander through its grounds, framed by seasonal blossoms or fiery autumn leaves, and explore samurai residences that whisper tales of the past. Taste Hirosaki's renowned apple treats and stroll through quaint streets lined with traditional architecture.

Overnight: Ishiba Ryokan
Day 11

Walk through time in a preserved samurai town.

Travel to Kakunodate, a town frozen in time. Walk along streets flanked by black wooden fences and preserved samurai houses, each echoing centuries of tradition. Join a hands-on lantern-making experience, a craft passed down through generations, before savouring local delicacies. In the evening, return to Tokyo aboard the Shinkansen, watching rural landscapes fade into the city lights.

Overnight: Wanoi Kakunodate
Day 12

Conclude your journey with a taste of modern Japan.

Spend your last day in Tokyo at leisure, perhaps shopping, exploring art galleries, or enjoying a final sushi feast. Reflect on your journey through Tohoku's landscapes and traditions before departing with unforgettable memories.

Overnight: Shiba Park

View all days

Day 1-2

Begin your adventure in Japan's vibrant capital.

Arrive in Tokyo, where neon lights and soaring towers frame the city's vibrant energy. Your base is in the heart of the capital, offering easy access to bustling districts and serene gardens. Spend your first evening strolling through lively streets, sampling izakaya dishes, and soaking in the rhythm of modern Japan. The following day, board the Shinkansen and watch Tokyo's skyline melt into rolling hills and rice fields as you journey north to Sendai.

Overnight: Shiba Park
Day 3-4

Discover culture and flavours in Tohoku's largest city.

Known as the �City of Trees,� Sendai blends urban sophistication with a relaxed atmosphere. After checking in, dive into local culture with a back-alley bar hopping tour, sampling regional sake and dishes like gyutan (grilled beef tongue). Wander through lantern-lit lanes and feel the warmth of Tohoku hospitality. Take a day trip to Matsushima Bay, celebrated as one of Japan's three most scenic views. Cruise among pine-clad islands scattered across calm waters, visit Zuiganji Temple with its centuries-old halls, and stroll through gardens that frame the bay's shimmering beauty. Pause for fresh oysters or seafood at a local eatery before returning to Sendai for a relaxed evening.

Overnight: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East
Day 5

Trek along rugged shores and savour local traditions.

Travel to Hachinohe, a charming port city where the sea shapes daily life. Begin with a trek along the Tanesashi Coast, a rugged shoreline dotted with wildflowers and sweeping ocean vistas. Enjoy a fisherman's lunch featuring the day's catch, then explore morning markets brimming with local flavours. In the evening, unwind at your hotel or venture out to discover Hachinohe's lively food stalls and izakayas.

Overnight: Dormy Inn Hon-Hachinohe
Day 6-7

Immerse yourself in Tohoku's natural wonders.

Journey inland to Oirase Gorge, a paradise of cascading waterfalls and moss-covered rocks. Stay at a luxury hot spring resort and savour seasonal dinners after a day of exploration. A guided walk reveals hidden trails and crystal-clear streams, while Lake Towada's serene expanse offers breathtaking views. This is Tohoku at its most tranquil, a retreat into nature's embrace.

Overnight: Oirase Keiryu Hotel By Hoshino Resorts
Day 8

Step into the heart of Aomori's cultural heritage.

Continue to Aomori, a city steeped in festival spirit. Visit the Nebuta Warasse Museum to see vibrant floats and learn about the artistry behind this iconic celebration. A private walking tour introduces you to local markets, waterfront views, and cultural landmarks. Sample Aomori's famed apples or savour a bowl of miso-laden ramen before settling in for the night.

Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Aomori
Day 9-10

Experience history in a picturesque setting.

Step into history at Hirosaki, home to one of Japan's most beautiful castles. Wander through its grounds, framed by seasonal blossoms or fiery autumn leaves, and explore samurai residences that whisper tales of the past. Taste Hirosaki's renowned apple treats and stroll through quaint streets lined with traditional architecture.

Overnight: Ishiba Ryokan
Day 11

Walk through time in a preserved samurai town.

Travel to Kakunodate, a town frozen in time. Walk along streets flanked by black wooden fences and preserved samurai houses, each echoing centuries of tradition. Join a hands-on lantern-making experience, a craft passed down through generations, before savouring local delicacies. In the evening, return to Tokyo aboard the Shinkansen, watching rural landscapes fade into the city lights.

Overnight: Wanoi Kakunodate
Day 12

Conclude your journey with a taste of modern Japan.

Spend your last day in Tokyo at leisure, perhaps shopping, exploring art galleries, or enjoying a final sushi feast. Reflect on your journey through Tohoku's landscapes and traditions before departing with unforgettable memories.

Overnight: Shiba Park

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