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    Tohoku (Group Tour Add-On)

    5 Nights: from US$897 per person (twin share) Trip Code: AOTC

    There's still so much left to see. Spend a few nights in historical Nikko, final resting place of Japan's most famous shogun, followed by a trip further north to explore the intriguing city of Sendai and the nearby highlights of Matsushima Bay or the Yamadera temple complex. Read more >

    Your Small Group Tour Hands On Japan is coming to a close, so what better way to finish your time in Japan than with an extension in Tohoku?

    In this add-on module you will travel independently from Tokyo to Nikko for two nights, then further north to Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region, for an additional two nights before returning to Tokyo. Nikko is famous for the intricately decorated Tosho-gu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate which ruled from 1603-1868. We want you to get the most out of your visit here, so we've arranged for you to have the services of a local professional guide for a fascinating private half day tour.

    History isn't all that Nikko has to offer; the sprawling Nikko National Park has sunlit forests and impressive waterfalls and mountains, and you could easily spend several days here exploring off the beaten track.

    You will then spend two nights in the northern city of Sendai, home to around 1 million people. Sendai is perhaps most known these days for being the closest city to the epicentre of the devastating earthquake in 2011. At InsideJapan we are keen to help contribute to revitalising the economy of the Tohoku area by encouraging visitors to travel there and learn more about this often overlooked, charming corner of the country.

    On your second day you can either continue to explore Sendai or you can venture further afield to the pine-clad islands of Matsushima, or west to the temple complex of Yamadera perched high on a cliff top.

    At the end of this extension you will return for a last day and night in Tokyo before heading home. On your final morning you'll take the Narita Express train out to Narita Airport, but if you would rather fly from Haneda Airport just let us know and we can alter plans accordingly.

    Notes
    This extension package is designed to be bolted on to one of our Small Group Tours. It works best when combined with Hands On Japan. Please note that the extension is Self-Guided. This means you will not be travelling in a group or with a tour leader, but full instructions including details of your journeys and directions to your accommodation will be included in your complimentary InsideJapan Tours' Info-Pack.

    At a glance

    What's Included

    What's included

    • Five nights' accommodation
    • Breakfast every day
    • All transport between destinations
    • Airport transfer to Narita Airport at the end of your trip
    • Half day private guide service in Nikko
    • Your personalised InsideJapan Info-Pack

    What's NOT included:

    • International flights
    • Local transport (buses, subways, taxis) at any destinations
    • Any entrance fees including those for shrines, temples and museums
    • Baggage handling - you will be expected to carry your own bags for the duration of the trip

    Trip Highlights

    • Spend half a day with a local professional guide to learn about the history of Nikko
    • Speed north on the bullet train to Sendai
    • Venture on a day trip to Matsushima Bay or the cliff-top Yamadera temple complex
    • Visit the spectacular waterfalls and lakes of Nikko National Park
    • Soak up the friendly, cosmopolitan atmosphere of Sendai, Tohoku's largest city
    • Have a final night in vibrant Shinjuku

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380

    What, where, when and how...

    • Map & Dest.
    • Day by Day
    • Accommodation
    • Experiences
    • How to Book

    Tohoku (Group Tour Add-On) - 6 Days

    Map for Tohoku (Group Tour Add-On)

    Destinations

    • Nikko
      Nikko

      Read more >

    • Sendai
      Sendai

      Read more >

    • Tokyo
      Tokyo

      Read more >

    Tohoku (Group Tour Add-On) - 6 Days - Day by Day

    • Day 1-2 Nikko
      Day 1-2 Nikko
    • Day 3-4 Sendai
      Day 3-4 Sendai
    • Day 5-6 Tokyo
      Day 5-6 Tokyo
    View all days

    Tohoku (Group Tour Add-On) - 6 Days - Accommodation

    • Nikko Station Classic
      Nikko
      Nikko Station Classic

      Moderate

    • Hotel Vista Sendai
      Sendai
      Hotel Vista Sendai

      Moderate

    • Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku
      Tokyo
      Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku

      Moderate

    Tohoku (Group Tour Add-On) - 6 Days - Experiences

    • Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum
      Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum

      Read more >

    • Matsushima day trip
      Matsushima day trip

      Read more >

    • Yamadera day trip
      Yamadera day trip

      Read more >

    • The Shinkansen bullet train
      The Shinkansen bullet train

      Read more >

    • Neon lights of Shinjuku
      Neon lights of Shinjuku

      Read more >

    • Day 1-2

      1-2

      Leave the big city behind and head north for two days of historic shrines and peaceful nature in Nikko National Park.

      After saying goodbye to your tour leader and group in Tokyo, you will make your way by train north to Nikko. We'll extend your Japan Rail Passes to cover the additional trains and will provide full instructions for each self-guided journey. From the window of the train you can watch as the city falls away and is replaced by the sight of rice fields and forests as you head deeper into Tochigi Prefecture on your two hour ride.

      Your hotel is located right next to the station, making it a very convenient base for your two days there. Upon arrival at Nikko Station you will be met by your local guide who is eager to share their wealth of knowledge about the Nikko area with you during your half day tour. You will certainly visit Tosho-gu Shrine which is one of the most lavishly decorated shrines in Japan, so be sure to take your time to look closely at the myriad intricate embellishments on the dozen buildings of the shrine complex.

      On the following day you will have a day at leisure to explore further afield in Nikko National Park. Kegon Falls is particularly impressive, and nearby Lake Chuzenji, the highest lake in Japan, makes for a pleasant walk and has some lovely lakeview restaurants offering local specialities. If one last hot spring experience sounds enticing, you can while away a leisurely afternoon in the hot spring town of Yumoto Onsen where the hot water bubbles up from Yunodaira marsh.

      Overnight: Nikko Station Classic

    • Day 3-4

      3-4

      Fall in love with the northern charm of Sendai then take a day trip to the pine-covered islands of Matsushima or the scenic mountain temple of Yamadera.

      The journey from Nikko to Sendai is an easy two hour ride with one change at Utsunomiya where you'll hop aboard the bullet train to speed further north. Sendai has an intriguing mix of modern culture in the form of Sendai Mediatheque, a complex housing art exhibits, and historical buildings such as Zuihoden Mausoleum where the feudal lord Date Masamune and his family is buried.

      We have several suggestions for day trips from Sendai using your included Japan Rail Pass. To the east is the pine-covered islands dotting Matsushima Bay, and it is well-loved owing to its centuries-long status as one of the top three scenic ocean views of Japan, along with Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto. If you'd prefer to head into the hills, we recommend Yamadera, a temple complex just across the border in Yamagata Prefecture. It's famous for its beautiful temple buildings perched on the mountain, and it's where Matsuo Bassho, one of Japan's most famous poets, composed some of his best haiku poetry.

      Overnight: Hotel Vista Sendai

    • Day 5-6

      5-6

      Make your way back to Tokyo where you can indulge in your favourite food or a bit of shopping surrounded by the bright lights of Shinjuku.

      The bullet train ride from Sendai back to Tokyo will take just over two hours, and after arrival you will have the rest of the day to spend as you please in this vibrant city. Your hotel is located in the lively Shinjuku district where you will have easy access to the huge number of eateries and bars, like Golden Gai and its veritable maze of dinky watering holes, or you can roam further afield to nearby Shibuya or other areas of the city.

      On the following morning you'll use your Japan Rail Passes one last time on the Narita Express out to Narita Airport, or if it's more convenient to fly from Haneda Airport we can adjust arrangements to suit your needs.

      Overnight: Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku

    View all days
    • Day 1-2

      1-2

      Leave the big city behind and head north for two days of historic shrines and peaceful nature in Nikko National Park.

      After saying goodbye to your tour leader and group in Tokyo, you will make your way by train north to Nikko. We'll extend your Japan Rail Passes to cover the additional trains and will provide full instructions for each self-guided journey. From the window of the train you can watch as the city falls away and is replaced by the sight of rice fields and forests as you head deeper into Tochigi Prefecture on your two hour ride.

      Your hotel is located right next to the station, making it a very convenient base for your two days there. Upon arrival at Nikko Station you will be met by your local guide who is eager to share their wealth of knowledge about the Nikko area with you during your half day tour. You will certainly visit Tosho-gu Shrine which is one of the most lavishly decorated shrines in Japan, so be sure to take your time to look closely at the myriad intricate embellishments on the dozen buildings of the shrine complex.

      On the following day you will have a day at leisure to explore further afield in Nikko National Park. Kegon Falls is particularly impressive, and nearby Lake Chuzenji, the highest lake in Japan, makes for a pleasant walk and has some lovely lakeview restaurants offering local specialities. If one last hot spring experience sounds enticing, you can while away a leisurely afternoon in the hot spring town of Yumoto Onsen where the hot water bubbles up from Yunodaira marsh.

      Overnight: Nikko Station Classic

    • Day 3-4

      3-4

      Fall in love with the northern charm of Sendai then take a day trip to the pine-covered islands of Matsushima or the scenic mountain temple of Yamadera.

      The journey from Nikko to Sendai is an easy two hour ride with one change at Utsunomiya where you'll hop aboard the bullet train to speed further north. Sendai has an intriguing mix of modern culture in the form of Sendai Mediatheque, a complex housing art exhibits, and historical buildings such as Zuihoden Mausoleum where the feudal lord Date Masamune and his family is buried.

      We have several suggestions for day trips from Sendai using your included Japan Rail Pass. To the east is the pine-covered islands dotting Matsushima Bay, and it is well-loved owing to its centuries-long status as one of the top three scenic ocean views of Japan, along with Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto. If you'd prefer to head into the hills, we recommend Yamadera, a temple complex just across the border in Yamagata Prefecture. It's famous for its beautiful temple buildings perched on the mountain, and it's where Matsuo Bassho, one of Japan's most famous poets, composed some of his best haiku poetry.

      Overnight: Hotel Vista Sendai

    • Day 5-6

      5-6

      Make your way back to Tokyo where you can indulge in your favourite food or a bit of shopping surrounded by the bright lights of Shinjuku.

      The bullet train ride from Sendai back to Tokyo will take just over two hours, and after arrival you will have the rest of the day to spend as you please in this vibrant city. Your hotel is located in the lively Shinjuku district where you will have easy access to the huge number of eateries and bars, like Golden Gai and its veritable maze of dinky watering holes, or you can roam further afield to nearby Shibuya or other areas of the city.

      On the following morning you'll use your Japan Rail Passes one last time on the Narita Express out to Narita Airport, or if it's more convenient to fly from Haneda Airport we can adjust arrangements to suit your needs.

      Overnight: Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku

    Close all days

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    How to book

    If you would like to book this Self-Guided Adventure, all you need to do is make an enquiry using our online form or give us a call at one of our offices in Bristol (UK), Boulder (USA), Brisbane (Australia) or Nagoya (Japan) to begin planning your holiday.

    There are no blackout dates for this trip. However, please be aware that at the busiest times of the year the named accommodation may not be available, in which case the price can not be guaranteed. However, we will always do our best to match the prices you see here as closely as possible.

    All of our Self-Guided Adventures are completely flexible, so if you like what you see here but would like to make a few changes - where it's to add in destinations, request special experiences, upgrade accommodation or plan extra nights - please don't hesitate to get in touch and one of our expert consultants will help you tailor a trip to suit you.

    Self-Guided Adventure Styles

    To help you get a feeling for our Self-Guided Adventures, we have divided the itineraries into four grades outlined below. Of course this style of travel is fully tailorable, so it’s not a problem to mix elements and grades to suit you!

    Essential Tailor-made

    Just the basics included so you can choose how much you spend

    Style Facts

    • Two- to three-star accommodation
    • No airport transfers (but a city transport pass and detailed airport transfer instructions are provided)
    • Ordinary class Japan Rail Passes
    • Breakfast every day plus some dinners
    • Cultural experiences

    Classic Tailor-made

    Mid-range hotels and Japanese inns, some private guiding and cultural experiences

    Style Facts

    • Three-star accommodation
    • Local professional guides for sightseeing in key destinations
    • Airport meet-and-greet and transfers
    • Ordinary class Japan Rail Passes
    • Breakfast every day plus some dinners
    • Cultural experiences

    Superior Tailor-made

    Enjoy in-depth cultural immersion while staying in high-quality accommodation

    Style Facts

    • Four- to five-star accommodation
    • Local professional guides for sightseeing in key destinations
    • Entrance fees and lunch included with the private guides
    • Private airport transfers
    • Green car (first class) Japan Rail Passes
    • Breakfast every day plus several lunches and dinners
    • In-depth cultural experiences

    Deluxe Tailor-made

    Luxurious hotels and Japanese inns, fine dining and exclusive experiences with a focus on comfort and ease of travel

    Style Facts

    • The very best five-star accommodation
    • Exclusive cultural experiences
    • Local professional guides with drivers and private cars for sightseeing in key destinations
    • Entrance fees and lunch included with the private guides
    • Private airport transfers
    • Private car transfers between stations and hotels
    • Green car (first class) reserved seat train tickets
    • Breakfast every day plus several lunches and dinners

    Contact us

    • GB Inside Japan UK office

      + 44 117 244 3380
    • US Inside Japan US office

      + 1 303 952 0379
    • AUS Inside Japan Australia office

      + 61 7 3186 8800
    • JAP Inside Japan - Japan office

      + 81 52 253 6068

    ABTA: Travel with confidence ASTA: American Society of Travel Agents Click for the Business Review of Inside Japan Tours, a Japan Specialist Tour Operator in Boulder CO ATOL: Air Travel Organisers Licensing ATAS AFTA AITO: Association of Independent Tour Operators ABTOT: The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust JATA logo ACTA logo

    Order a brochure or enquire today

    If you'd like any help or want to know more about Japan, feel free to either enquire today, give our Japan travel experts a call, or why not get one of our beautiful Japan brochures.

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