Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
Destinations

The Three Great Festivals of the Tohoku Region are Akita's Kanto Matsuri, Aomori's Nebuta Matsuri, and Sendai's Tanabata Matsuri. This trip gives visitors in early August the opportunity to experience all three of these colorful, vibrant festivals while also providing them with the chance to hike to the summits of all three of the sacred mountains of the ancient Dewa province — and much, much more. The trip is also filled with visits to a number of thought-provoking museums, relaxing hot spring baths, and traditional temples. The region is also known for its cuisine, with staples including flavorful seafood dishes, fresh fruit, and regional noodles, all of which you will be able to enjoy over the course of this 12-day trip.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

Festivals: From the Nebuta Festival of illuminated lantern floats to the pole lantern festival of Akita, Tohoku's summer festivities are sure to impress and offer an insight into the region's rich traditions.

Hiking: There are a number of mounts to summit on this trip and all have unique qualities, whether it's spiritual significance, rare topographical elements, or gorgeous scenery.

Shirakami Sanchi: Protected by sheer luck, the ecosystem of this virgin beech forest has remained largely undisturbed for the past two million years, creating scenery that is equal parts fascinating and beautiful.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Tokyo

Upon landing in Tokyo, you will be privately transferred to your hotel. The capital city of the Land of the Rising Sun, Tokyo features wonderfully preserved temples and gardens, some of the best food in the world, and a bold approach to fashion. The iconic Mount Fuji dominates the skyline of this economic and cultural powerhouse, beautifully complementing the modern architecture below. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Spread across the top six floors of the Otemachi Tower in Tokyo’s financial district, this lofty hotel presents city superb views and is just steps from Tokyo Station and Ginza shopping district.

History: This newly built-hotel is the first ever ‘city’ hotel from the luxurious Aman Resorts, a group that has over two dozen resorts in their portfolio spread across four different continents.

Services: The wealth of services here all take advantage of the stunning views, whether you’re treating yourself to a massage in the spa, enjoying fine Mediterranean cuisine in the 33rd floor restaurant or doing laps in the infinity pool.

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Aman Tokyo Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Views: The Conrad Tokyo boasts unparalleled views of a 300-year-old garden, Tokyo Bay and Rainbow Bridge

History: Opened in 2005, the Conrad Tokyo boasts some of the city’s finest hotel rooms and suites

Location: The hotel is located next to the world famous Tsukiji fish market, one of Tokyo's best food attractions

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Conrad Tokyo Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

High-tech: in-room amenities.

Pool: Large 65-foot swimming pool and equally sizable hydrotherapy pool.

Views: Superb views of the Imperial Palace.

Location: Within walking distance to the shopping paradise of Ginza.

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The Peninsula Tokyo Preferred Hotel
About

Pioneering a new direction in luxury hospitality, Aman’s sister brand Janu opened its first hotel in the much anticipated Azabudai Hills development in the heart of Tokyo. This urban oasis offers 122 guest rooms and suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of Tokyo Tower or the area’s surrounding greenery.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

Oirase Stream

This morning you’ll take a three-hour shinkansen — Japanese bullet train — ride to Hachinohe Station, Aomori Prefecture. From there, it’s another hour by car to your destination, Oirase, where you will enjoy an afternoon of leisure. Oirase Stream is known for its mountain streams, verdant woods, and picturesque mountain streams. This environment lends itself perfectly to gentle strolls through well-kept wooded trails; and afterward, the hotel’s leisure onsen hot spring bath is certain to set your mind at ease.

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About

Stood alone in the undisturbed serenity of virgin nature, the only sounds filling the air that of the Keiryu mountain stream’s trickle and the echo of chirping birds, Oirase Keiryu hotel is a true haven. Time seems to stop for guests who visit this inn in Towada-Hachimantai National Park and walk or cycle through its surrounding beauty, led by experts from waterfall to waterfall or to discover the fascinating world of moss on a guided tour.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Oirase Stream
Oirase Stream

Day 3

Oirase Stream

You’ll go for a bike ride this morning. Traveling beside the river, cycle upstream for a little under nine miles toward Lake Towada and pass spectacular views of the surrounding landscape on the way. When you reach the lake, you’ll notice that the water of this deep crater is a dazzling shade of blue that reflects the clouds floating above, and the lake itself can be cycled around. There are observation decks along the path that provide sweeping views of the peaceful waters with Mt. Hakkoda lining the horizon. If you wish, there are sightseeing cruises across the lake. Once you return to your accommodations in the afternoon, you have the rest of the day at leisure with plenty of time for a meal, another walk through the woods, and a dip in the hot spring.

Day 4

Aomori City

The first stop this morning is Mt. Hakkoda. After being whisked up the majority of the mountain by the Hakkoda ropeway, set out on a 30- to 60-minute scenic nature trail that takes you through marshes and alpine vegetation to the mountain’s peak. From there, at an altitude of 4,330 feet, there is a stunning view from which you can see as far as the Tsugaru Plains, Mutsu Bay, and even Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. After descending from the mountain, continue to Aomori City, the capital of this prefecture known for its apples, sake, and fresh seafood. Lunch is at Furukawa Fish Market — a public market filled with various local vendors of seafood, vegetables, and pickles — where you can create your own seafood donburi (nokkedon) and fill up your bowl with fish, crab, shellfish, seaweed, fish eggs, and other fresh items. After, head to A-Factory, another local market that is focused on apple products to sample galette and cider and have a look around. Next stop is the Aomori Contemporary Art Center, a museum that shows off both local and international artistic prowess. The grounds were the work of Tadao Ando and are a piece of artwork in and of themselves. Take a stroll around the center before heading back to the hotel to freshen up and have dinner, and be sure to try some sake with your meal. If you happened to come in the first week of August, then you can also enjoy the Aomori Nebuta Festival at night. This parade of enormous lantern floats, large taiko drums, musicians, and dancers is a sight to see and a definite highlight of the trip.

Hotel Options
About

Conveniently located a 5-minute drive from JR Aomori station in the center of the city, the 17-floor Hotel Aomori houses 155 rooms of varying features to suit every guest’s needs. Ranging from standard to luxury, the rooms afford vistas of either the magnificent Mutsu Bay or the spectacular Mt.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 5

Hirosaki

This morning you’ll set out to Inakadate Village, the famous birthplace of Tanbo Art. Literally translated as “rice paddy art,” this unique artistic style involves the strategic planting of different strains of rice bearing different colors to create images within paddy fields. On football field-sized plots of land, the villagers have created crisp images of monks fighting samurai, Napoleon galloping on a stallion, and a replicate of Mona Lisa. From a viewing tower, you can look out at their annual incarnation of the art form. There is also the workshop of renowned Swordsmith Kunihiro to see before you continue on to Hirosaki, another major city of Aomori Prefecture. The first stop is Hirosaki Castle Park, which features a three-story castle tower and other old fortifications within a beautifully landscaped park complete with ponds and gently rolling hills. Owing to the town’s former French influence, outside of the park there are a good deal of beautiful examples of Western-style architecture to be seen, and there is also the Aomori Lacquerware Federation, where you can learn about Tugaru lacquerware — a national craft that originated from Hirosaki. The town also holds its own Neputa Festival at night, and if you’re there in early August you should be certain to check it out.

Hotel Options
About

A stay at Ishiba Ryokan in Hirosaki is reminiscent of the castle town’s atmospheric past. Built in 1879, the traditional Japanese Ryokan inn has had a long time to refine its service and such is clear from the fresh cups of tea served as visitors look out over the natural surroundings, guided tour of the current building restoration project, and explanatory introduction to the kinds of architecture one might find while exploring the rest of the city.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Hirosaki
Hirosaki

Day 6

Hirosaki

Spend this whole day exploring Shirakami Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage primeval beech forestnestled amid deep valleys and steep slopes with a great number of waterfalls. Upon arrival, first watch a short information film at the park’s IMAX theatre before you set out to hike through the forest. There are a number of trails to take through the foliage, the most popular of which is the Anmon Falls. This trail takes about 90 minutes from the trailhead and provides excellent views of three major waterfalls. There are also a number of lakes you can hike past that have unique colors, especially Aoike Lake, which is a striking shade of aquamarine.

Day 7

Akita City

It’s a one-hour drive to Odate, Akita Prefecture, this morning to visit the Akita Inu Museum where you’ll learn about the dog breed with origins that are intimately tied to the region: the Akita. The museum provides a number of interesting displays and artifacts about the dog, and afterward you’ll head to another niche workshop, Kurikyu Bentwood, to learn about their award-winning magewappa (bentwood) products — a craft that originated in Odate. From there, continue to the Oga Peninsula, a region known for its charming coastline, vibrant local cultures, and for being the birthplace of the Namahage, which refers to the tradition of men dressing up like demons with ogre masks and straw capes. You’ll stop at the Mt. Kampu Revolving Observatory for lunch. The restaurant offers second-to-none views of the surrounding sea and rolling hills, and the food there is great as well. We recommend trying the hinai chicken oyaku-don, a mixture of tender, juicy chicken, creamy eggs, and a sweet sauce drizzled atop steamed rice. Afterward you’ll head to the Namahage Musuem to learn more in-depth information about the local Namahage culture; attached is the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum, where local actors reenact demons bursting into homes. Next you will check out the peaceful, seaside scenery of Cape Nyudo and Godzilla Rock, which gained the name for its likeness to the internationally known monster. After returning to Akita, you can also enjoy the Kanto Matsuri if you happen to be there in the first week of August. This "pole lantern festival" is a true feat of skill in which performers balance long bamboo poles in the air with a wall of lanterns affixed to them. They balance them on their hands, backs, and foreheads, and in the crisp fall evening it is a real treat to see.

Hotel Options
About

The Hotel Metropolitan Akita provides a comfortable city stay in a relaxing atmosphere with a touch of luxury. The hotel is conveniently connected to JR Akita Station and located near many of the city’s most worthwhile places to visit such as Senshu Park, Atorian, Akita Senshu Museum of Art, Akita Central Library, Omoriyama Zoo, and Masakichi Hirano Museum of Fine Art.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 8

Sendai

Today you’re headed for Sendai to enjoy its Tanabata Festival, but you’ll first spend the morning in the preserved former samurai town of Kakunodate. There, you’ll visit former samurai residences that have been been converted into museums in the town’s Samurai District. It’s a unique opportunity to see a traditional-style dwelling and loads of artifacts. There is the option to take a rickshaw through the Kakunodate city streets, and you’ll also stop by Denshokan Museum to learn about the renowned birch craft of Akita before you board a Sendai-bound train. A number of Tanabata festivals, also called "star festivals," are held across Japan, but Sendai's is the most celebrated incarnation in the country. The main feature of the festival is thousands of colorful streamers that turn the city's shopping arcades into brightly colored forests. A number of other crafts line the streets while stage performances, live music, and traditional dances commence. The festival space at Kotodai Park is great for on-stage events, and you should make sure to check out the Sendai Suzume and Tanabata dancing; come nightfall, fireworks fill the sky. The arcades are great for shopping, particularly for hand-woven silk fabric and paper, and there are food stalls offering all manner of local treats.

Hotel Options
About

Set upon the top floors of the Sendai Trust Tower, the Westin Hotel Sendai occupies a central location with ready access to department stores, market places, restaurants, and travel links such as the subway. Classic Japanese hospitality, style, and service are hallmarks of this high-end property.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Sendai
Sendai

Day 9

Yamagata City

Your first stop this morning is the Yamadera Risshaku Temple, just outside of the city. The mountainous temple was founded in 860 CE, and its structures made of beech wood and stone hug the mountainside from the base all the way up to the summit. The buildings at the summit offer stunning views of the surrounding valley. The nearby Yamadera Basho Memorial Museum honors Matsuo Basho, and you can enjoy tea and refreshments on the hill. Your next stop is Tendo to visit a fruit orchard. Yamagata produces 70 percent of Japan’s cherries, which you can pick in the summer, and come early August there will be peaches ripe for picking that you can eat to your heart’s content. After arriving in Yamagata City, you’ll first check in to your hotel and relax. In the afternoon, you can step out to explore Yamagata’s heritage Western-style buildings and the Kajo Castle Park, the former site of Yamagata Castle, which was originally built in 1357. The remnants of moats and stone fences can be seen among a forest of cherry trees. If you arrive in season, you can also attend the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival parade at night in which processions of vibrantly dressed people dance through the streets alongside colorful floats.

Hotel Options
About

Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata is a classic city hotel that promises comfort and convenience. Both Western and Japanese-style guest rooms are available, just as Western and Japanese dining options are served at the hotel’s restaurant, Mogami Tei, where teppanyaki and Kaiseki menus represent the best of authentic local cuisine.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 10

Tsuruoka

This morning, set out for Tsuruoka. After a one-and-a-half-hour drive, you’ll arrive at Mt. Haguro and prepare to hike the mountain. Mt. Haguro is one of Japan's three sacred mountains of the ancient Dewa province, and a path of 2,446 stone steps meanders through a forest of massive sugi trees — that is, Japanese red cedars — to the summit. Along the way, stop by the impressive five-story Gojunoto Pagoda and try to spot all 33 of the auspicious figures that are carved into the stone steps. At the top, you can visit the Dewan Sanzan Historical Museum and the shrine at the summit, which is coated in a vibrant shade of vermilion and has a thatched roof that is more than six feet thick. Directly connected to the shrine is the Saikan, a building where you can enjoy a lunch of shojin ryori, a traditional vegetarian cuisine commonly eaten by monks. A car will take you down the mountain, and then you will be at leisure for the rest of the day. If you wish, you can tour the Kamo Jellyfish Aquarium or Foodever. The Kamo Aquarium holds the largest jellyfish tank in the world that can be viewed through a glass circle of 16.4 feet in diameter. Foodever, on the other hand, is a food culture market where you can learn and experience Tsuruoka’s unique culinary culture. The city is a designated UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and the dadacha-mame, a variety of edamame, and fresh seafood at Foodever will definitely hit the spot.

Hotel Options
About

In a country affectionately referred to as the “Land of the Rising Sun”, to be described as one of the top sunsets is quite a moniker. Such is the honor bestowed upon the views of the Yura coast from Tsuruoka.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Japan has a celebrated tradition of hospitality tracing back hundreds of years and Tsukasaya Ryokan, an inn with over 300 years of history, is a living example of that tradition. The small size of the inn, which houses only ten rooms, provides an intimate yet private setting for experiencing Japanese culture.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 11

Tsuruoka

Of the Three Mountains of Dewa, Mt. Haguro symbolizes birth while Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono represent death and rebirth, respectively. Today, you will spend the entirety hiking these latter two mountains. You’ll start out the day by driving to Mt. Gassan’s 8th station, and from there you’ll set out on a three-hour ascent to the mountain’s summit. Mt. Gassan lacks any tree cover, which spells a need for higher SPF — and spectacular wide-open views. The shrine at the top, which requires a short purification ritual to enter, is filled with incense, a shrine, and sips of sake. There are two paths to make it to Mt. Yudono: the first is to descend back to the 8th station and get to Mt. Yudono by car, but more serious hikers can descend Mt. Gassan’s precipitous slope. Covered by lush green foliage, this mountain is veiled in secrecy — especially its shrine, which is considered to be so sacred that no photographs can be taken of it. In fact, any discussion of it is strictly prohibited.

Tsuruoka
Tsuruoka

Day 12

Departure

Today marks the end of your trip. You’ll head to Shonai Airport in the morning and fly to Tokyo, where you’ll connect to a homeward-bound flight.

Suggested Hotels For Day 1

Aman Tokyo
Preferred Hotel

Aman Tokyo

Since its opening at the end of 2014, Aman Tokyo has been one of the most talked-about luxury hotels in the city. The most striking thing about it is its location; spread across the top six floors of a 40-storey tower in the Otemachi business district, the panoramic views are simply incredible. What’s more, all of the 84 rooms and suites take full advantage of the lofty position with floor-to-ceiling windows letting light in during the daytime, while also framing the breathtaking lit-up cityscape at night. Aman Tokyo has also received praise for its impressive interiors, which have been inspired by minimalistic design, including the use of camphor wood, washi paper and stone surfaces throughout the rooms as well as traditional Japanese facilities such as large ‘furo’ baths. Situated on the 33rd floor, both guests and non-guests can enjoy the fine Mediterranean food at the hotel’s signature restaurant, not forgetting more of those incredible views across Tokyo stretching as far as the Imperial Palace Gardens and Mount Fuji in the distance. Elsewhere, there is a spa, enclosed garden area, swimming pool, wine cellar, cigar lounge and a whole host of other facilities to keep guests entertained.

Conrad Tokyo
Preferred Hotel

Conrad Tokyo

The Conrad Tokyo is situated in the high-rise Shidome area. The hotel boasts some of the city’s most spacious rooms featuring awesome vistas of the Hamarikyu Gardens and Tokyo Bay. The well-appointed rooms come with many added luxuries and modern-conveniences such as flat screen TVs, DVD players and sound systems. The hotel’s world-class facilities range from a large indoor pool with far reaching city views and a modern fitness center with yoga classes to a spa on the 29th floor offering authentic Japanese inspired treatments. All food and drink tastes are covered in the Conrad’s five onsite dining options serving sushi, teppanyaki, kaiseki, Chinese and western cuisine.

The Peninsula Tokyo
Preferred Hotel

The Peninsula Tokyo

Mere steps from the Imperial Palace sits Tokyo’s newest luxury hotel, The Peninsula Tokyo. Located in Marunouchi district just a short walk from the shopping paradise of Ginza, the hotel is perfectly located for business or pleasure. With a total of 314 elegantly decorated rooms and 47 suites, the Peninsula Tokyo’s accommodations are among the most spacious in all of Tokyo, and offer plenty of amenities including espresso machines, complimentary Internet access, multifunction fax machines, nail polish drying machines, and shoe shining service. The hotel’s culinary options include Cantonese cuisine at the Hei Fung Terrace, regional Japanese fare at Kyoto Tsuruya, and International food and beverages at Cirque Culinaire and Peter. For relaxation, enjoy the hotel’s state of the art health club with pool complex, undergo a “spa journey” at the Peninsula Spa by ESPA, or try a leisurely jog around the Imperial Palace. Other amenities include a business center and a boutique store that offers food, gifts and souvenir items.

Janu Tokyo

Janu Tokyo

Pioneering a new direction in luxury hospitality, Aman’s sister brand Janu opened its first hotel in the much anticipated Azabudai Hills development in the heart of Tokyo. This urban oasis offers 122 guest rooms and suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of Tokyo Tower or the area’s surrounding greenery. A ‘Modern Urban Village’, Janu Tokyo delivers a vibrant dining scene consisting of 8 distinctive dining venues, including two Japanese outlets, a Chinese restaurant, a patisserie, a grill restaurant and a vibrant Italian food emporium, a bar, and lounge and garden terrace. Facilities include one of Tokyo’s largest wellness facilities (4,000 sqm), which offers group classes such as spinning, boxing, yoga, and Pilates, as well as simulated golf training, circuit training, and a well equipped gym. Additionally, wellness therapies are offered in seven dedicated treatment rooms, and a sprawling hydrotherapy and thermal area, centered around a 25-meter heated swimming pool. Taking cues from traditional Japanese culture, the hotel also has a separate pool lounge as a place for socializing, besides two spa houses. This hotel is a 1-hour drive from the Narita International Airport (NRT).

Suggested Hotel For Days 2–3

Oirase Keiryu Hotel

Oirase Keiryu Hotel

Stood alone in the undisturbed serenity of virgin nature, the only sounds filling the air that of the Keiryu mountain stream’s trickle and the echo of chirping birds, Oirase Keiryu hotel is a true haven. Time seems to stop for guests who visit this inn in Towada-Hachimantai National Park and walk or cycle through its surrounding beauty, led by experts from waterfall to waterfall or to discover the fascinating world of moss on a guided tour. The inn’s luxurious rooms are modern and sleek in style featuring elegant décor and all the amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. With their source bubbling up from within Mount Hakkodasan, its hot springs wash away stress, tiredness, and soreness and leave the mind and body feeling rejuvenated. The outdoor baths afford incredible views of the neighboring stream and “Kokono-e Waterfall.” In the lounge, guests can enjoy a coffee and look out at picturesque vistas of the local beauty before enjoying a dinner rich with the exquisite tastes of Aomori Prefecture. Both breakfast and dinner buffets are available, and the delicious meals can be enjoyed out on the terrace or within the Aomori Ringo Kitchen serving Aomori apples in many imaginative ways.  Alternatively, a Western adaptation of the kaiseki style traditional multi-course dinner promises to excite the taste buds with dishes of seasonal ingredients prepared with a Japanese touch. 

Suggested Hotel For Day 4

Hotel Aomori

Hotel Aomori

Conveniently located a 5-minute drive from JR Aomori station in the center of the city, the 17-floor Hotel Aomori houses 155 rooms of varying features to suit every guest’s needs. Ranging from standard to luxury, the rooms afford vistas of either the magnificent Mutsu Bay or the spectacular Mt. Hakkoda and the skyline of Aomori city itself. The three restaurants cover Japanese and European cuisine, with both à la carte and buffet options. Only locally sourced ingredients are used which, naturally, means that the rice served is the Aomori-produced “Tsugaru Roman”. There is also an in-house bar for guests to enjoy and an opportunity to sample the local Aomori cuisine while listening to “Tsugaru shamisen” music. Furthermore, even the most adventurous of guests will remain entertained at this hotel, as nearby there are Asamushi Aquarium, Hakkoda Ski Area, Sakayu Onsen, Tsuta Hot Spring, and much more while bikes can be rented from the hotel for navigating the city.

Suggested Hotel For Days 5–6

Ishiba Ryokan

Ishiba Ryokan

A stay at Ishiba Ryokan in Hirosaki is reminiscent of the castle town’s atmospheric past. Built in 1879, the traditional Japanese Ryokan inn has had a long time to refine its service and such is clear from the fresh cups of tea served as visitors look out over the natural surroundings, guided tour of the current building restoration project, and explanatory introduction to the kinds of architecture one might find while exploring the rest of the city. The rooms are of the traditional timber and paper screen Japanese style and provide bright, open spaces furnished with tatami mats, futon beds, and air-conditioning. Many of them face out onto the tree-lined garden within the inn grounds. Home-style cooking of local dishes, all prepared with freshly sourced, seasonal ingredients is what comprises the multi-course kaiseki meals served for breakfast and dinner. Moreover, Ishiba Ryokan is situated not far from the listed Tangible Cultural Property Hirosaki Park, famous for its cherry blossoms, Hirosaki Castle, the city museum, and many spots for fishing and hiking.

Suggested Hotel For Day 7

Hotel Metropolitan Akita

Hotel Metropolitan Akita

The Hotel Metropolitan Akita provides a comfortable city stay in a relaxing atmosphere with a touch of luxury. The hotel is conveniently connected to JR Akita Station and located near many of the city’s most worthwhile places to visit such as Senshu Park, Atorian, Akita Senshu Museum of Art, Akita Central Library, Omoriyama Zoo, and Masakichi Hirano Museum of Fine Art. The 115 sleek, spacious, air-conditioned guest rooms are carpeted and equipped with a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, and a luxurious bathtub. The larger rooms also come with a seating area where guests can relax. In terms of dining, the hotel houses two restaurants and a bar, which are all serviced with the WiFi that runs through the entire property. Cuore offers a breakfast buffet featuring both Japanese and Western dishes while Dining Manyo serves a variety of cuisines prepared with local produce. The café and bar are ideal for guests to begin and end their days by enjoying a beverage.

Suggested Hotel For Day 8

Westin Hotel Sendai

Westin Hotel Sendai

Set upon the top floors of the Sendai Trust Tower, the Westin Hotel Sendai occupies a central location with ready access to department stores, market places, restaurants, and travel links such as the subway. Classic Japanese hospitality, style, and service are hallmarks of this high-end property. The spacious suites and rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows affording panoramic city and mountain vistas, comfortable armchairs and ottomans, 40-inch flat screen TVs, walnut-dark wood furnishings, and calming palette tones of décor. Moreover, for those visitors not wanting to fall behind on their workout regime, there is the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, and for those looking to self-pamper, the flow spa is a minimalist haven staffed by therapists highly trained in age-old treatment methods with a distinctive modern twist.

Suggested Hotel For Day 9

Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata

Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata

Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata is a classic city hotel that promises comfort and convenience. Both Western and Japanese-style guest rooms are available, just as Western and Japanese dining options are served at the hotel’s restaurant, Mogami Tei, where teppanyaki and Kaiseki menus represent the best of authentic local cuisine. Lobby Lounge You also offers a range of hot beverages and freshly baked goods throughout the day, while Bar Lovin hosts an impressive collection of select whiskeys. Well situated in the city center, the property provides convenient access to the bullet train, Yamagata Airport and local shopping and sightseeing locations, such as Mt. Zao and Yamadera.

Suggested Hotels For Days 10–11

Hotel Sun Resort Shonai

Hotel Sun Resort Shonai

In a country affectionately referred to as the “Land of the Rising Sun”, to be described as one of the top sunsets is quite a moniker. Such is the honor bestowed upon the views of the Yura coast from Tsuruoka. Hotel Sun Resort Shonai affords these same vistas from a more elevated location: the comfortable bedrooms of the guest rooms whose large windows provide unbroken panoramas of Hakusanjima island and the Japan Sea. Such seascapes can be enjoyed from either a traditional Japanese tatami mat room or a Western-style bed. The hotel serves the cuisine of Shonai, known as the food production capital of Japan, most notable amongst the meals being Shonai pig. The on-site hot springs also should be taken advantage of, especially as the waters are drawn from 1525m below the surface of the very sea visible through the windows of the bathing room. Beside enjoying the long stretched of beach which line that sea, its also recommended that guests visit the nearby Kamo Aquarium which houses one of the largest jellyfish exhibits in the world.

Tsukasaya Ryokan

Tsukasaya Ryokan

Japan has a celebrated tradition of hospitality tracing back hundreds of years and Tsukasaya Ryokan, an inn with over 300 years of history, is a living example of that tradition. The small size of the inn, which houses only ten rooms, provides an intimate yet private setting for experiencing Japanese culture. All rooms feature tatami mat floors, WiFi, and access to private personal dining rooms where guests can enjoy meals of locally-sourced ingredients, such as fish, rice, and vegetables, and sake rice wine brewed nearby. Every visitor is also provided with a yukata to wear throughout their stay. A highlight feature of this inn is the hot spring bath which is sourced directly from the mountains beside which this city sits. The waters from the spring guarantee a dip which is both relaxing and rejuvenating. Sites for guests to explore include Yutagawa Onsen founded around 1300 years ago, Nangakuji Temple, and the Dewanoyuki Sake Brewery Museum. The accommodation is also conveniently located a mere 20 minutes from JR Tsuruoka Station.

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Authentic Japanese Culture on the Islands of Kyushu and Shikoku

Experience a side of Japan that very few visitors get to see on this exciting two-week adventure through Kyushu and Shikoku. Enjoy breathtaking hikes in some truly beautiful places, marvel at spectacular scenery and soak up the local culture in these two unique, remote areas of Japan.

Duration
17 days / 16 nights
Price Per Person
From $50,300
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Castles and Coastline: From Kyoto to Osaka

Step off the tourist trail for this exciting 11-day luxury journey through Japan’s less-visited areas. Take to Japan’s southwest shores as you journey from Kyoto to Osaka, stopping at UNESCO-listed sites, old castle towns, Shrine Island, and Asia’s largest limestone cave, while staying in luxury hotels like the Hyatt. 

Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Price Per Person
From $20,500
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Colors of Autumn in Tohoku

In the fall, temperatures in Tohoku are mild, and the trees adopt a breathtaking pallet of red, orange, and yellow. This 14-day long itinerary takes tourists on a leisurely tour of the Tohoku Region’s top outdoor destinations while also giving plenty of opportunities to enjoy the hot springs and taste the local cuisine.

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
From $26,500
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Contemporary Art Wonders of Japan: Touring the Seto Inland Sea

Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, with its roughly 3,000 islands, is known for having a mild climate that is reminiscent of the Mediterranean shores of Greece or Spain, an extensive ferry network, and a burgeoning modern art culture. Many of the Seto Inland Sea’s islands, especially the eastern ones around Naoshima, are home to numerous excellent museums and play host to the Setouchi Triennale, a modern art festival held every three years. On this eight-day tour spanning four of these primary eastern islands – Naoshima, Teshima, Inujima, and Shodoshima – explore some of the world’s foremost modern art pieces and museums that are featured in the 2019 Setouchi Triennale.

Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
From $27,300
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Culture, Food, and White Sand Beaches: A Honeymoon to South Korea and Okinawa

Embark on an exhilarating honeymoon through South Korea and the Okinawa islands of South Japan, two fascinating destinations for newlyweds to experience together. From the high-energy cities of South Korea to the secluded semi-tropical islands of Okinawa, this 12-day itinerary promises a spectacular mix of adventure, relaxation, and romance.

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
From $16,700
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Exploring Japanese Culture, Kyushu-style

Take in Japan’s historically- and culturally-rich Kyushu island on this whirlwind 5-day luxury tour. You’ll shop vibrant Fukuoka’s stylish boutiques, pay your respects in the once-devastated Nagasaki, visit the iconic Kumamoto castle, and spend your nights in some of Japan’s most luxurious hotels. 

Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Price Per Person
From $11,000
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Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

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