15 Day Northern Japan Discovery Tour                    
Departing : Wed.07 Oct 2009
ex. Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Business class:
Twin Share $ 12,600 cost per person (plus Airport Taxes & Charges)

Economy class:
Twin Share $ 7,760 cost per person (plus Airport Taxes & Charges)

Single surcharge $ 1,150

This tour has been designed for experienced visitors to learn about the hidden culture of Japan’s “Ainu” aboriginal people. The itinerary is organised to coincide with the Ainu Marimo festival in Hokkaido. Experience the wonderful natural beauty of the unspoiled northern mountains, sea and rivers.

Day 1 - SYDNEY/TOKYO Day flight to Narita airport, transfer to Hotel in Tokyo. Light dinner at hotel.
Day 2 - TOKYO / SHIRETOKO Morning, fly to Memanbetsu in Hokkaido. Travel by bus to Utoro fishing village; world heritage site Shiretoko peninsula. Optional ferry cruise around peninsula is available weather permitting. Shiretoko Goko (five lakes). Transfer to hotel in Shiretoko. Dinner –hotel.
Day 3 - SHIRETOKO/LAKE ASHU/LAKE AKAN Visit Oshinkoshin waterfall, view salmon migrating up-stream in the river. Travel on to beautiful Lake Mashu After dinner at hotel, enjoy Marimo festival of the Ainu people (Japanese Aboriginals), Ceremonial dances and colourful parade.
Day 4 - LAKE AKAN - LAKE ONNETO/LAKE AKAN Morning , the ritual closing ceremony of the festival. Afternoon visit Lake Onneto foreshores and scenic lookout . Relaxing afternoon. Dinner at hotel.
Day 5 - AKAN/SOUNKYO/SAPPORO Leave Lake Akan for Sounkyo National Park where we may find some Autumn colour. Ginga water fall. Hotel dinner.
Day 6 - SAPPORO/HAKODATE Travel from Sapporo to Hakodate by JR train along coastline of Southern Hokkaido. Afternoon, visit Asaichi market, Motomachi town, boasting a unique blend of Japanese and western architecture. After dinner at local restaurant, visit Mt. Hakodate for spectacular night lights of Hakodate town and bay.
DAY 7- HAKODATE - LAKE TOWADA Morning travel from Hakodate to Aomori by Super Express train; Bus though Hakkodasan National park, on to Lake Towada. Afternoon spectacular 2 hour Oirase Gorge walk. Dinner at hotel.
DAY 8- LAKE TOWADA - MORIOKA Morning stroll at leisure around beautiful Lake Towada. Bus and Bullet train to Morioka. Visit Konya district, home to some surviving artisan manufacturers, including handcrafted iron pot factory, Japanese traditional biscuit manufacturer.
DAY 9- KAKUNODATE - MORIOKA Day trip by bullet train through mountains to Kakunodate, an old samurai town famous for cherry wood craft and rustic buildings. Back to Morioka.
DAY 10- MORIOKA - SENDAI Bullet train and local train to Sendai. Transfer to hotel in Sendai. Afternoon, bay cruise trip to Matsushim. Visit Most beautiful garden of Entsuji (or Zuigan-ji) temple, Enjoy green tea ceremony at Kanrantei country house of feudal lord with views of MatsushimBay. Return to Sendai. Dinner at local restaurant.
DAY11 - SENDAI - YAMAGATA-SENDAI Travel to Yamagata to see the striking Zao okama (Cauldera), a volcanic lake and Yamadera, a temple perched on a cliff in the mountains. Return to Sendai. Dinner at hotel.
DAY12 - SENDAI - TOKYO Travel to Sendai and Tokyo. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at local restaurant.
DAY13 - TOKYO Day at leisure. Relaxing day shopping at leisure around Tokyo (on your own). Farewell Dinner.
DAY 14 - TOKYO - AUSTRALIA Free time until 4:30pm transfer to Narita Airport to catch flight to Australia. Enjoy your last day in Japan. Your guide will assist you to decide and organise your activity.
DAY 15 - AUSTRALIA Morning Arrival in Sydney. connecting flights interstate.

Basic Tour Package includes:

• Economy class return international airfares
• All transfers as specified
• Travelling by chartered bus for 4 days in Hokkaido.
• JR train ticket from Sapporo to Hakodate
• Accommodation with private facilities.
• Baggage porterage — one piece
• Sightseeing tour to Sounkyo, Daisetsuzan National Park.
• Taking part in the Ainu Festival at Lake Akan.
• Sightseeing to Lake Mashu, Shiretoko, Yutoro,
• Sightseeing tickets - 2 admission tickets for historical
  building in Hakodate.
• Night tour to Mt. Hakodate by Ropeway
• Matsushima harbour cruise, visiting Entsuji garden, experience green tea ceremony at Kanrantei former
• Full day tour by chartered bus to Yamagata, Zao Okama
• (Cauldera) and Yamadera temple, also visit a Kokeshi
  doll museum.
• One sector on Japan domestic flight
• 7 day Japan Rail Pass.
• Escorted throughout
• Total of 26 meals included -
• Daily Breakfast, Morning tea by the lake &
• 12 Magnificent dinners.
• All admission for sightseeing as specified
• Sightseeing to Lake Onnetou
• Sightseeing to Oshinkoshin waterfall
• Sightseeing to Shiretoko Goko (5 Lakes)
• Introductory talk on Ainu culture and history at Hakodate Northern culture museum
• Oirase Gorge walk and Lake Towada visit
• Tour to Kakunodate, samurai residential town.
• Cruise tour of Matsushima.