A Northern Soul: Day-by-Day Itinerary

Please read this page for a detailed day-by-day itinerary for the tour or click HERE for a print friendly version.

Day 1: Tokyo - meals: none

The tour begins today in Tokyo, Japan's electric capital city. You'll be arriving at Narita airport and your tour buddy will be there to meet you and escort you into Tokyo itself. Many of our customers choose to come in a day or two early to get over jet-lag and get the most out of the tour. Whatever the case we will still have someone there to meet you.

The hotel is situated in the Asakusa area, the former downtown and entertainments district of Edo, as Tokyo was formally known. This friendly district still maintains a traditional atmosphere and is home to Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple.

This evening may be a good chance to visit the kabuki for a bit of traditional Japanese theatre. If you buy a full ticket a simultaneous taped translation is available which will enable you to understand quite why it is that everyone around is splitting his or her sides with laughter! Or perhaps you'd rather go to the imposing Tokyo Dome and catch a spot of baseball, Japan's modern day national sport. Your Buddy will be able to offer advice on what's available.

Day 2: Tokyo - meals: breakfast and dinner

Today you'll have a full day to explore Japan's famous capital city. There's a lot to see and do so we'd recommend an early start... about 4.30am if you'd like to join us at the city's morning fish market! This is a fascinating excursion and we are sure you will have seen nothing like it before in your life! There are more fish and marine creatures here than you probably imagined existed. The auctions of giant tuna fish make for most entertaining viewing even if it is somewhat tricky to understand what's going on! The Japanese are serious about their fish and here you'll get to see where it all comes from.

Following the fish market it will be time to take a spot of breakfast. Perhaps some sushi?! If this isn't for you we'll be taking breakfast at a restaurant diner near the hotel.

For those with an interest in seeing some sumo this morning you may have a chance to visit a sumo stable to watch a morning practice. This is up close and very personal. The wrestlers battle it out just a few feet from where you will be sitting and after seeing this you'll see this toughest of sports in a completely different light.

From mid-morning there is the option of a boat trip on the Sumida River that runs through the centre of Tokyo. The boat takes you down to Hamarikyu tei-en, a tranquil garden that is just a few minutes walk from the lively Ginza shopping district. You can take a cup of freshly made green tea served in the teahouse that is the focal point of the garden.

After leaving the garden there are a whole host of different options. You might like to take a ride on the new elevated light-railway which sweeps out into and across Tokyo bay affording stunning views of the Tokyo skyline; or perhaps take the walk into the Ginza for some shopping and a look at the latest electronic wizardry at the Sony Building; or maybe a walk down Ometesando, the 'Champs-Elysee' of Tokyo to Meiji shrine would appeal to you more. Whatever it is you want to do your Buddy will help you out.

Dinner is included tonight and you will get to try your hand at cooking your own Okonomiyaki - a Japanese style pancake.

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Day 3: Sado Island - meals: breakfast and dinner

Today will begin with a bullet train line across central Japan to the sea port of Niigata where we will board the ferry bound for Sado Island. The crossing takes 2h30 so even for those land-lovers amongst you there shouldn’t be too many problems with sea-sickness!

Sado ga Shima (Sado Island) is an incredible place. The sixth biggest of Japan's islands, Sado was used as the place of harshest exile for opponents of the ruling dynasties. Dangerous political opponents were banished here to live side by side with subversive artists, playwrights and actors; And thus developed Sado's uniquely rich culture and heritage.

We will be staying in a Japanese style hotel in the port town of Ryotsu with sumptuous evening meals included on both nights.

Day 4: Sado Island - meals: breakfast and dinner

Today we will have a full day to explore this fascinating island using the Kotsu Bus Company. The itinerary will include a visit to the Sado Gold Mine, the Noh-Gaku-no-sato drama village, the Ibis bird sanctuary, Konponji temple and Meoto-Iwa husband and wife rocks. In the evening we may have the chance to catch a performance of Okessa Odori for which the island is renowned. Dinner will again be served at the hotel and as with all meals a variety of local specialties will be served.

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Day 5: Niigata - meals: breakfast

We’ll be taking the ferry back to Niigata today. The crossing time is 2h20. Niigata is a modern port city famed for its good food and drink. We’ll arrive in time for lunch which you might like to take at the traditional Honcho market. After eating our fill, we’ll be able to take in some of the down town area with its interesting mix of old streets, modern department stores and the attractive Hakusan park.

Day 6: Mt. Haguro - meals: breakfast and dinner

From Niigata station we’ll take Ltd Express train northwards to the town of Tsuruoka, access point for the three spiritual mountains known as Dewa-sanzen and home to the Yamabushi or mountain priests. The journey takes about 2 hours so we’ll arrive in Tsuruoka in time for lunch. From Tsuruoka we’ll take a mountain bus to the peak of Mt. Haguro where we will enjoy a nights stay at a Buddhist temple lodging (shukubo).

We’ll arrive early afternoon offering a chance to explore before sitting down to our delicious vegetarian evening meal.

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Day 7: Naruko Onsen - meals: breakfast and dinner

We’ll be travelling on a succession of JR trains this morning to the hot spring village of Naruko Onsen. There are a number of nice walks to take in this scenic rural area but we will also have plenty of time to indulge in the hot spring baths. You may also be interested to check out the area’s famous Kokeshi dolls. A sumptuous dinner and breakfast are included at our ryokan.

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Day 8: Hiraizumi - meals: breakfast and dinner

Today we’ll take a combination of Shinkansen and local JR train to Hiraizumi - the Kyoto of northern Japan. The journey takes just over 1 hour and we’ll arrive in time to be able to drop of our bags and explore some of the many temples in this lovely town. Highlights include the wonderful gardens of Motsu-ji and the golden 900 year old Konjiki-do hall.

Day 9: Hiraizumi - meals: breakfast and dinner

A second day in Hiraizumi will give us a chance to head out to the lake to and do some walking in the beautiful surroundings or, weather permitting, take a boat trip down the Geibikei gorge.

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Day 10: Sendai - meals: breakfast and dinner

We will take the JR local train to Ichinoseki where we’ll pick up the modern Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train) bound for the area’s largest city Sendai. In Sendai we will stay at the hillside Tenryu-kaku ryokan, a traditional Japanese style inn famous for its beautiful location, fine food and radon baths. The ryokan is right next to the interesting mausoleum for Sendai’s founding father Date Masamune and makes for a good base for visiting the castle ruins and exploring the town itself. A top quality dinner will be served tonight at the ryokan.

Day 11: Sendai - meals: breakfast

Our second day in Sendai will give us the chance to visit the famous island studded bay of Matsushima. Although the characterizations of the various little islands as tortoises, whales and human profiles may be stretching things a little, this is a beautiful area and the boat trip around the bay is well worthwhile. The small town of Matsushima also has a pleasant temple complex to wander around with a fine collection of Japanese art. In the evening you’ll be free to sample some of the local cuisine in Matsushima or Sendai.

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Day 12: Nikko - meals: breakfast and dinner

After breakfast we will move on by train to Nikko and today’s journey will involve one change of trains at Utsunomiya. We’ll be staying right next to the splendid Tosho-gu shrine complex so you’ll be able to drop of your bags and explore this area this afternoon. Don’t miss the famous “see no evil” monkeys hidden in amongst the bright vermillion shrines.

In the evening we’ll be enjoying a sumptuous dinner expertly prepared at our hotel.

Day 13: Nikko - meals: breakfast and dinner

After breakfast we’ll have the chance to explore some of the national park around Nikko. We’ll take the cable car up to Akechi-daira peak for some great views of Chuzen-ji lake before walking down to the lake itself and the 97 metre high Kegon-no-taki waterfalls. We’ll then be able to take a relaxing boat cruise across the lake which, with a depth of 161metres, is a beautiful deep blue in good weather.

Other options in this area include a visit to the pottery centre of Mashiko where you can try your hand at the famous kilns and a visit to the hot springs of Yumoto Onsen just beyond Lake Chuzenji. There is another hot spring resort at Kinugawa where as well as bathing you can take man-oared boat trips and visit the nearby Edomura historical theme park.

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Day 14: Tokyo - meals: breakfast

Today we will take the local line to Utsunomiya and then make our way via Bullet train back to Tokyo. The last night of the tour will be spent in the Tokyo’s exciting Shinjuku district.

This evening may be a good opportunity to visit the kabuki for a bit of traditional Japanese theatre. Or perhaps you’d rather go to the imposing Tokyo Dome and catch a spot of baseball, Japan’s modern day national sport.

We hope that you might join with your Buddy for a farewell meal in the evening. A chance for one last night of good food before heading home.

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Day 15: sayonara!

It is that sad time when we all have to say our goodbyes and head our separate ways. Your ticket back to the airport is included and your Buddy will help you make the transfer and ensure that you are in good time for checking in. We wish you all the best for a safe journey home and hope that perhaps one day you will return to Japan for some more adventures in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Important Practical Information

Transport: Please note that all transfers are by public transport making use of Japan’s first-rate transport network. All the hotels and ryokan have been chosen for their location close to the nearest station. However, you will have to carry your bags for short distances and some stations do not have escalators. We highly recommend that to make your stay more enjoyable you pack reasonably light. Large suitcases will be an inconvenience to you. A small case or bag or best of all, a rucksack, are most appropriate for this tour. Clothes washing machines are available in Tokyo, Sendai and Niigata for a small fee.

Accommodation: The hotels in Tokyo, Nikko and Niigata are equipped with full en-suite facilities (attached bath, shower and toilet) as are the Japanese style accommodations in Hiraizumi, Naruko Onsen and Sado Island. At the Ryokan in Sendai some guests may have rooms without bath and toilet and at the temple stay on Mt. Haguro private-use communal facilities only are available. All Japanese style hotels have communal bathing available as well. We do not charge a single supplement but we may ask single travellers to share a room (same sex share) in Sendai, Hiraizumi, Naruko Onsen, Mt. Haguro and Sado.

Tour Summary