Japan

Depart the United States for Sapporo, Japan

Upon your arrival in Japan, you’ll land at Sapporo New Chitose Airport, the main gateway to the stunning northern island of Hokkaido. After passing through customs, N&N Tours representative will warmly welcome you and assist with your transfer to your hotel in Sapporo, the bustling capital city of Hokkaido.

In the evening, we’ll head straight into the vibrant Susukino District, one of Japan’s most lively entertainment hubs. This area is renowned for its dazzling neon lights and boasts over 4,500 restaurants, bars, and izakayas, offering a wide variety of  dining options.

We’ll enjoy a welcome dinner together, a perfect opportunity to start exploring local
flavors and to get acquainted with fellow travelers in a relaxed and friendly setting.

Today after breakfast we’ll begin the day with a visit to the Hill of the Buddha, a serene shrine at Makomanai Takino Cemetery. Designed by Tadao Ando, it features a 13.5-meter-tall Buddha statue surrounded by an artificial hill planted with 150,000 lavender plants.

Next, we’ll explore the Historic Village of Hokkaido, an open-air museum where horse-drawn carriages and trolleys are still in use. The village showcases buildings from the Meiji and Taisho eras, offering a glimpse into Japan’s architectural evolution.

In the evening, we’ll head to the Sapporo Beer Museum, Japan’s only beer museum, for a tour, beer tasting, and a group dinner, rounding off the day with a taste of local culture.

This morning, we’ll visit the Okurayama Ski Jump Observatory, offering stunning views of Sapporo.

Afterward, we’ll take a short trip to Otaru, a charming city known for its beautiful Sakaimachi shopping street. Here, you can explore shops famous for glasswork and music boxes, with plenty of time to pick up souvenirs.

We’ll then enjoy a seafood lunch by the harbor, where the fresh catch is a highlight.

In the afternoon, we’ll take the Mt. Tengu Ropeway for breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding landscape.

In the morning, we’ll head to Tomita Farm to explore their stunning lavender fields, where you can wander through the gardens and even try some lavender ice cream.

In the afternoon, we’ll tour the nearby town of Biei, starting with a visit to the striking Blue Pond, known for its vivid blue color caused by natural aluminum hydroxide deposits.

Next, we’ll visit the beautiful panoramic flower gardens of Shikisai-no-oka. Later in the afternoon, we’ll travel to Asahikawa.

*Please note that this day’s itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions.

Today, we’ll begin with a tour of Otokoyama Sake Brewery, where we’ll enjoy a tasting of their renowned sake.

For lunch, we’ll head to Asahikawa Ramen Village to discover one of Hokkaido’s best ramen shops. Afterward, we’ll visit Ueno Farm, followed by a pottery workshop at Arashiyama Pottery Village.

If time permits, we’ll wrap up the day with some souvenir shopping at Asahikawa Heiwadori Retail Park.

This morning, we’ll journey to Sounkyo to visit two of Hokkaido’s most iconic waterfalls: Ginga, known as the “Galaxy,” and Ryusei, the “Shooting Star.” These majestic falls are set against a backdrop of rugged cliffs, creating a stunning natural spectacle.

From there, we’ll drive to Kitami to explore the Kitakitsune Farm, a sanctuary dedicated to the Ezo red fox, one of Hokkaido’s native treasures. In Shinto mythology, the Ezo red fox is revered as a heavenly messenger, often depicted in shrine decorations throughout Japan.

Our next destination is the Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, where you’ll experience Hokkaido’s most impressive projection mapping and an immersive theater with five 400-inch screens that vividly portray the mesmerizing world of drifting ice, or “ryuhyo.” At the museum, you can touch real drift ice in the Drift Ice Experience Room and enjoy a breathtaking panorama of Okhotsk from the rooftop observatory.

This morning, we’ll set out for the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005, recognized for its rich ecosystem and remarkable biodiversity. The peninsula is a sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife, including brown bears, deer, and foxes.

Today, we’ll embark on a nature cruise, where we’ll have the opportunity to spot sperm whales, killer whales, dolphins, and shearwaters, all against the stunning backdrop of the Shiretoko Mountain Range.

Today, you’ll travel from Memanbetsu Airport to Osaka Kansai Airport. Upon arrival in Osaka, we’ll check into our hotel and get settled in.

In the evening, we’ll embark on an Osaka Food Tour. Known as Japan’s kitchen, Osaka is famous for its vibrant culinary scene. This tour will take you to some of the city’s hidden gems, where you’ll have the chance to savor local specialties like yakitori, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu.

In the morning, we will visit Osaka Castle, which played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century.

After exploring the historic grounds and learning about its significance, we will head to Nara, the oldest capital city of Japan. There, we will visit Todaiji Temple, known for being the largest wooden building in Japan and housing the impressive Great Buddha, a large bronze statue. As we explore the temple grounds and the surrounding park, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to photograph the famous Sika deer that roam freely, making for some memorable shots.

Today we will start by visiting Arashiyama to see Tenryuji Temple. Afterward, we’ll stroll through the enchanting Sagano Bamboo Grove.

Next, we’ll visit a traditional wooden townhouse to experience Japanese arts such as Calligraphy and Ikebana. Our journey will then take us to Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, which is adorned with 18-karat gold leaf.

Later, we’ll enjoy a relaxing Green Tea Ceremony before ending the day in the Gion Geisha District, where the streets are lined with charming ochaya (teahouses).

We will start the morning with a visit to Daitokuji Temple, where we’ll take part in a short meditation session and then enjoy a cup of green tea while speaking with a monk to learn more about his spiritual practices.

Afterward, we’ll visit the Miho Museum, which is featured in the “1000 Places to See Before You Die,” followed by a stop at the Koka Ninja Mansion. Our next destination will be Kiyomizu-dera Temple, renowned for its stunning views and historic significance.

After our tour, we will take the Shinkansen bullet train to our accommodations. This evening, we’ll stay in a traditional Japanese onsen, where you can relax in the hot springs and enjoy a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

This morning, we will travel to Hakone and take the Togendai to Owakundani ropeway, which holds the Guinness World Record as the “Busiest Gondola Lift” in the world.

After our ride, we will head to Mt. Fuji’s 5th station, where you’ll experience magnificent views and appreciate the mountain in all her glory.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll make our way into Tokyo and visit the famed Shibuya Crossing. While in Shibuya, be sure to see the Hachiko Statue, a monument dedicated to Hachiko the dog, known for his unwavering loyalty to his deceased owner.

Today you will experience some of the many things that Japan’s capital city has to offer. Start with a visit to the TeamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum, where you’ll immerse yourself in an interactive art experience.

Next, see the famous Harajuku Street, known for its vibrant fashion and culture. Continue to the Asakusa Kannon Temple, home to Japan’s largest paper lantern, and explore the Nakamise Market nearby.

Afterward, visit the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Tower.

In the evening, we will gather for a Farewell Dinner to conclude our adventure.

Today you will depart Japan from Narita International Airport, in Tokyo, cherishing
all the memories you have made on this adventure.