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Explore the northern regions of Japan, starting in Sapporo. Highlights include a scenic canal city tour in Otaru, stunning views from Mount Hakodate, a bustling morning market and historic architecture in Hakodate. Experience a tranquil temple visit and scenic boat cruise in Matsushima, before ending your journey in the vibrant city of Tokyo.
October-November 2026 & Feb-Nov 2027
*Advertised pricing is based on per person twin share on 27 August 2027 departure. Pricing may vary depending on departure date. Subject to change & availability at time of booking.
Highlights & Inclusions
Highlights
Sapporo - Otaru Canal
Sapporo - Sakaimachi Street
Sapporo - Tanaka Sake Brewery
Hakodate - Morning Market
Hakodate - Red brick warehouse
Hakodate - Motomachi district
Sendai - Zuiganji Zen Temple
Sendai - Matsushima Bay cruise
Inclusions
Experience the iconic, exhilarating Japanese bullet train
7 nights in 3 and 4 star accommodation
Breakfast daily
Fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader
Incredible sightseeing including entrance fees as per itinerary
7 Day cooling off period
Itinerary
Day 1 - Sapporo
Hotel Karaksa Hotel Sapporo
Welcome to Japan! Today begins your magnificent tour through Japan! Please make your own way to the starting point hotel. Take the evening to relax after your flight and prepare for your first full day of touring tomorrow.
Day 2 - Sapporo Otaru Sapporo
Hotel Karaksa Hotel Sapporo
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will meet your guide and fellow passengers in your hotel lobby. Today is a full day tour of Otaru. Located about half an hour north-west of Sapporo, Otaru is a stunning port city famous for its wonderfully preserved canal, sake distilleries and rich fishing culture.
You'll visit Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, Tanaka Sake Brewery and other landmarks throughout the town. On arrival back to Sapporo this afternoon, around 5pm, enjoy time at leisure to explore the nightlife of Hokkaido's largest city.
Inspiring Highlights
Otaru Canal
Sakaimachi Street
Tanaka Sake Brewery.
Day 3 - Sapporo Hakodate
Hotel Hotel Resol Hakodate
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, you will join your group and guide and make your way to the train station to start your travel to Hakodate.
It's an approximately 4 hour train journey through stunning countryside. On arrival, make your way to your centrally located hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps make your way via cable car up Mount Hakodate for stunning night-time views over the city. The mountain looms 330m over the city and is the best place to get a bird's-eye view of the city.
Day 4 - Hakodate
Hotel: Hotel Resol Hakodate
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will meet in the hotel lobby around 9am for a half-day walking tour of Hakodate.
Your first stop will be the Hakodate morning market. The market boasts over 250 stalls offering fresh produce and souvenirs. You might like to try the mouth-watering seafood donburi here to start your day with a bowl of steaming rice topped with freshly-caught seafood.
Next up we visit the famous Red Brick Warehouses of Hakodate. Dating back to the trading days of the past, the warehouses have been thoughtfully restored and now host an atmospheric shopping, dining and entertainment complex.
Afterwards we visit the Motomachi district and wander through the eclectic mix of Russian, British and Chinese architecture that was built when Japan ended its period of isolation from the world in the 1850s.
We will finish the day with a visit to the Goryokaku Fort at around 1pm.
Inspiring Highlights
Hakodate Market
Red Brick Warehouses
Motomachi District
Goryokaku Fort
Day 5 - Hakodate Sendai
Hotel Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, make your way with your guide and group to the train station to board the Shinkansen bullet train to Sendai. On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure.
Day 6 - Sendai
Hotel Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning, meet your group and guide in the lobby around 9:30am for your half day tour to Matsushima.
The first stop is the Zuiganji Temple, founded in 828 AD during the Heian period by Jikaku Daish. The temple is a National Treasure and one of the most important Buddhist sites in northern Japan.
Afterwards you will enjoy a scenic cruise around the islands of Matsushima Bay. The bay is known as one of the most scenic spots in Japan, and is characterised by hundreds of islands covered in pine trees.
Return to Sendai around 3pm and enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Matsushima
Zuiganji Temple
Scenic Bay Cruise
Day 7 - Sendai Tokyo
Hotel Shinjuku Washington Hotel - Tokyo
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast today, make your way to the station with your guide and group and board the train to Tokyo. On arrival, you will make your way to the centrally located hotel where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 8 - Tokyo
Today marks the end of your spectacular journey through northern Japan. At the appropriate time please make your own way to the airport for your flight home or embark on your own independent onward journey. Alternatively, you may wish to join another Inspiring Vacations Japan tour.
Booking terms and conditions apply.
*
Term and conditions apply: All pricing subject to change and availability. Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change. Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies. Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.
