dreams Series
15 Day Japan Northern Dream Ainu Marimo Festival 2024
15 days in Japan
Small Escorted Luxury Tour
Departs
Wednesday 7th October 2024
From $9,940
Per person / twin share / Economy Air & Package
Single supplement from $2,300
Learn about the hidden culture of Japan’s “Ainu” aboriginal people, with an itinerary organised to coincide with the Ainu Marimo festival in Hokkaido.
This JANESCO Japan Northern Dreams tour has been designed for experienced Japan visitors to learn about the hidden culture of Japan’s “Ainu” indigenous people. Experience the colourful and evocative Ainu Marimo festival in Hokkaido. Take in the wonderful wild nature in the unspoiled Northern Mountains and in the sea and rivers. Tour the Tohoku region, the Northern part of the main island of Japan, which still holds on to its proud history, and retains a very modest, rustic way of life. Visit many hidden places which other package tours do not offer. The tour is also designed to allow you to discover the real Japan by exploring small towns and parks. The Autumn colours at this time of year start in Hokkaido
Days 1-3
Sydney – Tokyo – Kushiro – Laka Akan
Day 4-7
Lake Akan – Shiretoko – Sapporo – Otaru – Sapporo
Days 8-10
Sapporo – Hakodate – Lake Towada – Oirase Gorge – Misawa – Towada – Misawa
Days 11-13
Misawa – Kakunodate – Sendai – Matushima – Sendai – Tokyo
Days 14-15
Tokyo – Sydney
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Sydney – Tokyo
21:45 Depart Sydney for Haneda by overnight ANA flight NH880, arrive at Haneda Airport early morning, 8th October
Day 2 Tokyo – Kushiro – Lake Akan [B, D]
Arriving in Tokyo at 05:35, we take a connecting flight on to Kushiro on the east coast of Hokkaido. From Kushiro, we will be transferred to Lake Akan, the centre of Ainu culture in Hokkaido. Ainu from all over Japan congregate at Lake Akan each year for the ancient Marimo Festival, which we will be enjoying tomorrow. We check in at the Akan Gozensui hotel for 2 nights. After dinner at the hotel we will soak up some of the local culture with a walk around the Lake Akan shopping strip, lined with little shops plying handicrafts and sculptures for which the Ainu are so famous.
Accommodation: Akan Gozensui Hotel for 2 nights or similar
Day 3 Lake Akan [B, D] Ainu Marimo Festival
Mid morning, we will take a stroll along the shore of Lake Akan and perhaps visit the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center on Churui Island. This evening, after an early dinner, we will watch the traditional Marimo festival of the Ainu people (Japanese Aboriginals) including the colourful torch-lit parade and ceremonial traditional folk dances of the different Ainu tribes.
Day 4 Lake Akan – Shiretoko [B, D]
We leave the hotel by chartered bus this morning for beautiful caldera lake, Lake Mashu. After viewing the lake and exploring the visitor centre, we head on to the peaceful rustic fishing village of Utoro in the world heritage listed Shiretoko Peninsula National Park, home to deer, foxes and squirrels. We visit Oshinkoshin waterfall and may be able to see the salmon run in the local stream as they head upstream to spawn. We make our way to The Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel and check in for 2 nights.
Accommodation: The Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel for 2 nights or similar
Day 5 Shiretoko [B, D]
Morning at leisure. This afternoon we will visit Shiretoko Goko (5 lakes) and do a little bush walking along carefully curated tracks and take in the scenery. Dinner at hotel.
Day 6 Shiretoko – Sapporo [B]
After checking out from our hotel we travel by chartered coach to Memanbetsu domestic airport to catch a flight for Sapporo to arrive mid-afternoon. Upon arrival at Sapporo, we will travel to an Ainu culture demonstration village “Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park” in the town of Shiraoi. Travel on to Sapporo and check in at the Sapporo Stream Hotel.
Accommodation: Sapporo Stream Hotel for 2 nights or similar
Day 7 Sapporo – Otaru – Sapporo [B]
Today we will visit Otaru port town by chartered coach to the picturesque port town of Otaru which is a small harbor city, about half an hour northwest of Sapporo by train. Its beautifully preserved canal area and interesting herring mansions make Otaru a pleasant day trip from Sapporo
Day 8 Sapporo – Hakodate [B]
We travel from Sapporo to Hakodate by JR train along the coastline of Southern Hokkaido. In the afternoon, we visit Asaichi market and Motomachi town, boasting a unique blend of Japanese and western architecture. We will also visit Mt. Hakodate to view the spectacular night lights of Hakodate town and bay.
Accommodation: Premium Hotel Cabin President Hakodate for 1 night or similar
Day 9 Hakodate – Lake Towada – Oirase Gorge – Misawa [B, D]
We leave Hokkaido today travelling to the main Japanese island of Honshu by Bullet Train. This train trip from Hakodate to Shin-Aomori is via an under-sea tunnel (approximately 25 minutes in the tunnel) delivering us to Shin-Aomori station. We travel to the beautiful OiraseGorge by coach and enjoy some quiet time “forest bathing” before heading to our hotel. Free time for the rest of the afternoon until dinner.
Accommodation: Hoshino Resort Aomoriya for 2 nights or similar
Day 10 Misawa – Towada – Misawa [B, D]
After enjoying a relaxing breakfast, today we will visit the Towada Art Centre Houses which exhibits a permanent collection of 41 commissioned artworks, all made exclusively for the Towada Art Centre by 36 world-renowned artists from Japan and abroad, including Yoko Ono, Yayoi Kusama, Choi Jeong Hwa, and Ron Mueck.
Day 11 Misawa – Kakunodate – Sendai [B]
We travel from Aomoriya Hotel in Misawa to Hachinohe JR station to catch Bullet Train through the mountains to Kakunodate, an old samurai town famous for cherry wood craft and rustic buildings. We spend some time strolling through this picturesque little town and exploring some of its historical samurai houses. After soaking up the ambiance, we travel on to the coastal town of Sendai by Bullet Train and check for 2 nights.
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Sendai Hotel or similar
Day 12 Sendai – Matushima – Sendai [B]
Morning at leisure. This afternoon we travel to Matsushima by local train. Visit the Zuigan-ji temple; Kanrantei the country house of a feudal lord with views of Matsushima Bay, where one can experience traditional green tea and sweets. Visit also Entsuin garden.
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Sendai Hotel or similar
Day 13 Sendai – Tokyo [B, D]
Mid-morning, we check out from the hotel and travel by Bullet Train to Tokyo. Arriving mid-afternoon in Tokyo, we check in at the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo for 1 night. The remainder of the day is free to either relax or explore a bit of Shinjuku. Enjoy a farewell dinner at local restaurant.
Accommodation: Kei Plaza Hotel Tokyo for 1night or similar.
Day 14 Tokyo – Home [B]
Today is our last day in Japan, so you might wish to do some last minute souvenir hunting or an optional half day activity. Perhaps follow your escort to the Meiji shrine and Omotesando promenade of Harajuku, where Tokyo’s old & new cultures meet. Transfer to Tokyo airport by airport limousine bus service from the doorstep of the Keio Plaza Hotel. 22:45 Depart Haneda for Sydney by overnight ANA flight NH880 arriving in Sydney next day at 10:25
Day 15 Australia/Sydney
10:25 arrive in Sydney. Interstate passengers connect to flights to their home.
-Sayonara-
Other Tour Inclusions
JANESCO 12 Day Japan Spring Tour – Platinum 2023
TOUR INCLUSIONS
Tour Inclusions
- Fully Escorted Tour by Experienced, Licensed staff
- 4 Star accommodation
- All flights: Economy class international flights and 2 domestic flights: Tokyo-Kushiro & Memanbetsu-Sapporo,
- Hot spring onsen resort stay
- Learn about the Ainu Aboriginal people, take part in the Ainu festival at Lake Akan
- Total Meals: 19 meals, Daily Breakfast (12) Dinner (7)
- Visiting Shiretoko Peninsula, Utoro, Lake Mashu, Lake Akan, Sapporo, Hakodate, Oirase, Misawa, Kakunodate, Sendai,
Matsushima, Tokyo - Luggage delivery handling service (1 suitcase/person), all tipping
Air and Land Package Prices From:
- Economy Class $9,940 + taxes & fees*
- Business Class $14,800+ taxes & fees*
- Single room arrangement from $2,300
Flights are subject to availability.
*Plus tax $228 (as at 13 JUN ’24)
EXCLUSIONS: your travel insurance, beverages during meals (except where specified)
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