Explore Shirakami-Sanchi and Discover Tohoku – 2 Nights 3 Days Tour –

INTRO:

Interested in visiting hidden area in Japan? With this tour, you can visit Tohoku area, which is not well known Japanese middle north part. You will visit one of nature world heritage sight, Shirakami-Sanchi, located in Aomori and Akita area. A forest of beech trees that is said to have come into existence about 8,000 years ago, and you will get to see one of the most beautiful lakes, Juniko lake in that area with short trekking. Not only that, many historical and traditional sightseeing spots are included in this package.

YOU WILL BE VISITING & EXPERIENCING:

• Tachineputa Museum
  The Aomori Prefecture, famous for the Nebuta Festival, a festival where enormous lantern floats, accompanied by large taiko drums and dancers.The Tachineputa Museum harbors large tachineputa floats that is used for the Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival, these floats are 20 meters high, much taller than those found in the Nebuta festival. The tall Tachineputa floats are built every year and used for 3 years until it is replaced, at this museum you will be able to see the many floats that are the pride of the Aomori people.
• Hirosaki Castle
  The castle was constructed in 1611 by the lord Tsugaru Tamenobu who planned the construction in 1603. The original 5 story structure was unfortunately burned down due to lighting in 1627. The single remaining structure, tenshu, has three stories and was rebuild in 1810. This castle is also known for being a moving castle. Due to the base structure of the tower becoming weak, the castle tower will be moved 70 meters without taking the building apart.
• Resort Shirakami (Tourist Train)
  On this train you will be riding along the coast line of the Sea of Japan. Experience the natural beauty with the ocean and the rock formations along the way to your next destination.
• Shirakami-Sanchi (Jyuniko lake)
  The Shirakami-Sanchi in Aomori Prefecture, there is located the Jyuniko. It is said that there was a big earthquake that occurred during the Edo period and with that the mountains broke apart making the 33 lakes. Now there is 33 lakes however, when you see from the collapse mountain you can see 12 lakes hence the name of the Jyuniko lake, which literally translate to 12 lakes. Among the lakes, the blue lake, which looks like the lake is covered with blue ink is especially popular in this area. The Shirakami Sanchi is also home to the largest remaining virgin beech forest in East Asia, and it is also one of the first sites entered on the World Heritage List in Japan.
• Lake Tazawa
  There is a legend that is told here about a lady who wanted to obtain everlasting beauty. Her name is Princess Tatsuko, one night she was foretold to head past the mountain to seek the spiritual spring. Once she got to the spring she saw a char swimming in the springs, caught it and ate the fish. But she then became so thirsty she drank from the spring, however no matter how much she drunk her thirst was never satisfied. Her body had started to gradually changed into a dragon and the earth shook, collapsing the valley mountain and big lake was produced. Princess Tatsuko would become the guardian of this lake, obtaining the everlasting beauty she desired. When going to the lake you may understand when she meant by obtaining the beauty.
• Kakunodate
  In the past, once there stood the Kakunodate Castle, though the castle is no more, the living quarter for the samurai still exist in this area. You will be able to time leap back to the era of the samurai and feel the lifestyle of these warriors while walking around this area.

TOUR ITINERARY:

DAY 1

• 12:30PM Meet with your guide at Aomori station (Recommended train is Shinkansen departs from Tokyo at 9:08AM) *17,350 yen
• (Please have lunch in Shinkansen)
• 2:00PM-3:30PM Tachineputa museum
• 4:30PM-5:30PM Hirosaki castle
• 6:00PM Hotel check-in (Guide will take you to local restaurant)

DAY 2

• 8:00AM Depart from hotel
• 8:48AM Depart from Hirosaki station (Resort Shirakami)
• 11:30AM-12:10PM Lunch time
• 12:30PM-4:30PM Trekking at Shirakami-Sanchi (Jyuniko lake)
• 5:04PM Depart from Jyuniko station (Resort Shirakami)
• 6:56PM Arrive at Akita station
• 7:30PM Hotel check-in D

DAY 3

• 9:00AM Depart from Hotel by private car
  10:30AM-11:30AM Canoeing or ferry ride on Tazawa lake
  11:50AM-12:20PM Lunch time
  12:40PM Depart from Matsuba station (Local train Akita-Nairiku line)
  1:03PM Arrive at Kakunodate station
  1:30PM-2:30PM Kakunodate
  2:50PM Tour ends at Kakunodate station
  (There is Shinkansen depart from Kakunodate to Tokyo at 2:58PM) *16,810 yen

PRICE PER PERSON:

• Group of 2: A$1,890
• Group of 3: A$1,370
• Group of 4: A$1,210
• Group of 5: A$1,030
• Group of 6: A$910
• Group of 7: A$830
• The currency in Australian Dollar

GROUP SIZE:

• Min. 2 persons
  Max. 7 persons
• This is private multi day tour with local guide (Licensed)

OPERATING PERIOD:

• This tour is available from April 1st to November 10th

HOW TO BOOK:

1. Please contact us for availability through ‘CHECK the availability’ button
2. We will check the availability and come back to you within 1 business day
3. Payment request will be sent
4. You can then use ‘BOOK this tour’ button to make your payment through our secure booking system
5. Reservation is done upon receiving your payment. Confirmation e-mail will be sent to you

PAYMENT:

• Program fees shall be paid through Credit Card. Currently, no other payment method is accepted.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

• Reservations may be cancelled without charge up to 15 days prior to the program date.
• Reservations cancelled less than 14 days before the program date will incur the following charges:
  – Between 14 days and 8 days: 20% of the program charge
  – Between 7 days and 2 days: 30% of the program charge
  – The day before the date of travel: 50% of the program charge
  – Less than a day or no show: 100% of the program charge
  *Time is in JST