TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- Cherry blossoms at Kajo Park, Mogami Park and Tsutsujigaoka Park
- Matsushima Bay cruise through one of Japan’s celebrated coastal landscapes
- Samurai heritage through Uesugi Shrine, Iai sword-drawing and taiko drumming
- Hands-on sake tasting, shiitake picking and miniature tatami mat making
- Kaiseki dinner paired with traditional Maiko entertainment
- Fresh Matsushima oysters with an all-you-can-eat grilled oyster lunch
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
- Roundtrip international airfare from Honolulu on Alaska Airlines
- Deluxe accommodations, including two nights at natural hot spring hotels
- 18 meals and admissions as stated in the itinerary
- Shinkansen bullet train travel between Tokyo, Yamagata and Sendai
- Gratuities for local tour guides and drivers
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1–2 | APR 14 – APR 15 | HONOLULU – TOKYO | OVERNIGHT FLIGHT & ARRIVAL
Depart Honolulu on your international flight to Tokyo. After arriving at Haneda International Airport, meet the Air & Sea Travel representative and walk together to the airport hotel. Check in and settle in for the evening after the overnight journey.
DAY 3 | APR 16 | TOKYO – YAMAGATA | SHINKANSEN TO TOHOKU (B/D)
After breakfast, transfer to Tokyo Station and enjoy free time to browse its shops before boarding the Shinkansen bullet train to Yamagata. On arrival, continue to the hotel and settle into this northern Japan region known for mountain scenery, traditional culture and samurai heritage. Tonight, walk to a local restaurant for dinner.
DAY 4 | APR 17 | YAMAGATA | CHERRY BLOSSOMS & YAMADERA (B/L/D)
Begin at Kajo Park, set around the historic remains of Yamagata Castle and one of the city’s popular spring cherry blossom locations. Continue to Yamadera, or Risshakuji Temple, a Buddhist temple set into the mountains. Those reaching the upper temple area can enjoy views across the surrounding landscape. Later, return to Yamagata Station for free time to shop or relax. Tonight’s dinner features Yamagata Wagyu beef.
DAY 5 | APR 18 | YAMAGATA – YONEZAWA – TENDO | SAMURAI CULTURE & KAISEKI (B/L/D)
After breakfast, visit Toko Sake Brewery to learn about traditional sake production and enjoy a tasting. Continue with a taiko drumming performance showcasing the powerful rhythms of Japanese festival culture. Next, visit Uesugi Shrine, dedicated to samurai lord Uesugi Kenshin and closely connected with Yonezawa’s heritage. Continue to Tendo and check in at the hotel. This evening, enjoy a multi-course Kaiseki dinner accompanied by a traditional Maiko performance.
DAY 6 | APR 19 | TENDO – MURAYAMA – TSURUOKA | IAI, BLOSSOMS & ONSEN (B/L/D)
Begin in Murayama with a visit to Iai Shrine and an Iai experience introducing the discipline and controlled movements of traditional Japanese sword drawing. Continue to Mogami Park in Shinjo City, where cherry blossoms surround the historic grounds of former Shinjo Castle. Later, visit Honcho Tsukemono Factory to learn about Japanese pickled vegetables, sample local products and shop for specialties. Arrive at the hot spring hotel in Tsuruoka, enjoy dinner and relax in the onsen.
DAY 7 | APR 20 | TSURUOKA – KURIHARA – SENDAI | SHIITAKE & TATAMI CRAFTS (B/L/D)
After breakfast, enjoy a shiitake mushroom picking experience and learn how this familiar Japanese ingredient is cultivated. Continue to a tatami mat factory in Kurihara to see how natural materials are prepared and woven into traditional flooring. Then create a miniature tatami mat to take home as a personal souvenir. Later, continue to Sendai, check in at the hotel and enjoy time to rest after the day’s hands-on experiences.
DAY 8 | APR 21 | SENDAI – MATSUSHIMA – SENDAI | CHERRY BLOSSOMS & BAY CRUISE (B/L)
Start at Tsutsujigaoka Park for a spring stroll among blooming cherry trees. Continue to Aoba Castle Park, former site of Aoba Castle, to see the Date Masamune equestrian statue and take in views over Sendai. Next, travel to Matsushima for a scenic bay cruise through its island-dotted coastal landscape and toward the area’s oyster farms. Visit Matsushima Fish Market, then enjoy an all-you-can-eat grilled oyster lunch; a suitable alternative is available on request for guests with shellfish allergies. Afterward, enjoy free time for shops, cafés and seaside scenery before returning to Sendai. Tonight is free to explore the city independently.
DAY 9 | APR 22 | SENDAI – TOKYO | SHINKANSEN & FREE TIME (B)
After breakfast, board the Shinkansen bullet train from Sendai to Tokyo. Upon arrival, transfer one way to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is yours to relax, shop, sightsee or explore Tokyo at your own pace.
DAY 10 | APR 23 | TOKYO – HANEDA – HONOLULU | FREE DAY & RETURN FLIGHT (B)
After breakfast and hotel check-out, enjoy a leisurely free day in Tokyo for last-minute shopping, sightseeing or a meal on your own. In the late afternoon, return to the hotel and transfer to Haneda International Airport for the flight home to Honolulu, concluding the spring journey through Yamagata and Miyagi.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY RANGE Level 2–3 | Moderate to Active
Most sightseeing days involve one to several hours of walking across parks, shrine and temple grounds, factories and multi-stop city visits. Yamadera’s mountain setting may require more effort.