Colours of Northern Japan – Spring Discovery

Discover a different side of Japan as you journey from Tokyo through Tohoku to Hokkaido. Explore scenic bays, historic temples and samurai heritage, experience regional traditions and spend two nights in a traditional Japanese ryokan.

Travel with Bunnik Tours in a small group of no more than 20 guests, with an English-speaking local guide and time to explore independently. Return flights, 13 nights’ accommodation, 25 meals and extensive sightseeing are included, bringing together comfort, culture and memorable experiences.

Your Holiday Package Includes:

• Return economy-class flights from Australia to Japan, including taxes
• 13-night small-group tour with Bunnik Tours
• 11 nights in 3–4-star hotels
• Two nights in traditional Japanese ryokan accommodation at Tsunagi Onsen
• 13 breakfasts, five lunches and seven dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners
• Three rail journeys in Japan
• Included sightseeing and cultural experiences
• English-speaking, locally based national guide
• All touring in air-conditioned vehicles
• Airport transfers on the first and last day of the tour

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel from 17 April to 02 May 2028.

Other travel dates available; surcharges may apply.

Solo pricing available.

Experiences to Remember:

• Explore Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu Shrine and teamLab Digital Museum, then enjoy a traditional Yakatabune dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay
• Wander through Ashikaga Flower Park on spring departures and visit Nikko’s Toshogu Shrine
• Cruise Matsushima Bay and Geibikei Gorge, and discover historic temples in Hiraizumi
• Experience indigo dyeing, the local Wanko Soba tradition and sake brewing at Asabiraki
• Discover samurai heritage in Kakunodate and regional folklore on the Oga Peninsula
• Explore Hirosaki’s gardens and apple park, enjoy a Shamisen performance and visit Tsugaru Neputa Village
• Admire Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada, and visit the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site
• Take in panoramic views from Goryokaku Tower and ascend Mount Hakodate by ropeway, with free time to explore Hakodate
• Learn about Indigenous Ainu culture at the National Ainu Museum
• Visit Hokkaido Shrine and the Sapporo Olympic Museum, and enjoy beer tasting at the Sapporo Beer Museum

Seasonal sightseeing varies. Autumn departures visit Kegon Waterfall and Lake Chuzenji instead of Ashikaga Flower Park.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Depart Australia

Day 2: Arrive Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo, a city where peaceful shrines and centuries-old traditions sit alongside neon-lit streets and futuristic architecture. Settle into your hotel before meeting your guide and fellow travellers over dinner, marking the beginning of your Japanese adventure.

Arrival by 5.30pm is recommended to join tonight’s gathering. If you arrive later, you’ll meet the group the following morning. Check your welcome letter at the hotel for your guide’s details and tomorrow’s arrangements.

Day 3: Tokyo

Discover the contrasting faces of Tokyo, beginning at Meiji Jingu Shrine. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, this tranquil sanctuary offers a peaceful introduction to Japan’s spiritual traditions. Afterwards, enjoy free time in the lively Shibuya district to explore, browse or find a local spot for lunch.

Special Experience: Step into the immersive world of teamLab Digital Museum, where interactive installations surround you with changing light, colour and movement.

Explore artworks that respond to your presence, creating an experience that feels different with every step. One exhibit involves walking barefoot through knee-high water, so dress comfortably. This evening, board a traditional Yakatabune houseboat for dinner on Tokyo Bay, enjoying the sparkling city skyline from the water.

Day 4: Tokyo – Nikko – Sendai

Leave Tokyo’s busy streets behind and travel into the scenic Tochigi region. Visit Ashikaga Flower Park, where seasonal blooms bring colour to beautifully maintained gardens. On spring departures, there may be an opportunity to admire the park’s celebrated wisteria, including its magnificent old trees and cascading floral displays.

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the UNESCO-listed Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Set among towering cedars, this richly decorated shrine honours Tokugawa Ieyasu and is known for its intricate carvings, including the famous three wise monkeys. Later, board a bullet train from Utsunomiya to Sendai and settle into your hotel for the next two nights.

Day 5: Sendai – Matsushima – Sendai

Journey to Matsushima Bay, where hundreds of pine-covered islands rise from the water to create one of Japan’s most celebrated scenic views. Enjoy a boat trip from Shiogama to Matsushima Pier, taking in the peaceful coastal setting before visiting Zuigan-ji Temple, known for its craftsmanship and serene atmosphere.

Spend some free time exploring Matsushima and choosing your own lunch before joining a Kokeshi doll painting activity. These traditional wooden dolls are closely associated with the Tohoku region, and you’ll have the opportunity to decorate your own keepsake. Return to Sendai after a day combining coastal scenery and local culture.

Day 6: Sendai – Morioka (Tsunagi Onsen)

Travel to Geibikei Gorge, where the Satetsu River flows between dramatic cliffs. The quiet surroundings provide a refreshing contrast to Japan’s cities, with striking rock formations and natural scenery unfolding along the water.

Special Experience: Glide through Geibikei Gorge on a scenic boat trip, admiring its limestone cliffs, waterfalls and caves.

Continue to Chuson-ji Temple, a UNESCO-listed site renowned for its richly decorated Konjikido Hall. After time for lunch, explore Motsu-ji Temple and its peaceful Pure Land Garden before travelling to Tsunagi Onsen.

Your home for the next two nights is a traditional Japanese ryokan, where tatami-style rooms and Japanese cuisine offer a closer connection to local hospitality. Enjoy dinner together and take the opportunity to relax in the natural hot springs.

Day 7: Morioka

Begin the day at Tezukurimura, where local artisans preserve the region’s traditional crafts. Discover the skill and care behind these techniques before creating something of your own.

Special Experience: Try traditional indigo dyeing, using a centuries-old process to create a fabric design with its own distinctive pattern.

Afterwards, stroll through Morioka Castle Ruins Park, where surviving stone foundations recall the city’s samurai past. At lunchtime, discover one of Morioka’s best-known food traditions.

Special Experience: Join a lively Wanko Soba lunch, with small bowls of noodles served one after another until you’ve had your fill.

Later, visit Asabiraki Sake Brewery to learn how Japan’s famous rice-based drink is produced and enjoy a tasting. Return to your ryokan for free time before another Japanese-style dinner.

Day 8: Morioka (Tsunagi Onsen) – Oga – Akita

Travel to Kakunodate, a town celebrated for its preserved samurai district. Its historic buildings offer a glimpse into an earlier Japan, where family homes reflected both status and tradition.

Special Experience: Explore the Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum, discovering the possessions, craftsmanship and everyday lives of samurai families.

Continue to Oga, where distinctive folklore remains an important part of regional identity. After lunch, visit the Namahage Museum to learn about the imposing masked figures associated with New Year traditions. The nearby Shinzan Folklore Museum provides further insight into local customs. Arrive in Akita with the evening at leisure.

Day 9: Akita – Hirosaki – Aomori

Journey to Hirosaki, a city known for its apple-growing heritage and historic architecture. Visit Hirosaki Apple Park to explore its orchard setting and discover the importance of apples to the region. What you see in the orchards will vary with the season.

Continue to Tsugaru Neputa Village, where local crafts and festival traditions come to life. Enjoy a performance of the Tsugaru shamisen, a three-stringed instrument with a powerful, expressive sound.

Later, stroll through the grounds surrounding Hirosaki Castle, taking in its moats, gardens and historic setting. Spring departures may coincide with seasonal blossoms, depending on the weather. Continue to Aomori for a two-night stay.

Day 10: Aomori

Discover the natural scenery surrounding Aomori, beginning with Oirase Gorge. Streams wind through wooded surroundings, passing moss-covered rocks, quiet pools and waterfalls. Take time to appreciate this scenic landscape before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit Lake Towada, a striking double-caldera lake surrounded by mountains. Take in elevated views from the Hakkoda Toge Observation Deck before returning to Aomori. Your evening is free to relax or explore independently.

Day 11: Aomori – Hakodate

Begin at the Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site, where the remains of a Jomon settlement reveal a much earlier chapter of Japanese history. Explore the site before boarding a bullet train from Shin-Aomori to Hakodate on Hokkaido.

Visit Goryokaku Tower for panoramic views of the distinctive star-shaped fort below. Its geometric layout is particularly striking from above, with the surrounding landscape changing through the seasons.

Later, ride the Hakodate Ropeway up Mount Hakodate to enjoy views across the city and harbour. Finish the day with dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 12: Hakodate

Explore Hakodate Morning Market, where stalls showcase fresh seafood and regional produce. Enjoy time to browse, chat with vendors or purchase something to taste before discovering the city’s historic Motomachi district.

Visit the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, whose architecture reflects the city’s international influences. Continue to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse precinct, where restored waterfront buildings now house shops and cafés. Return to the hotel in the afternoon, with the remainder of the day free to enjoy at your own pace.

Day 13: Hakodate – Upopoy – Sapporo

Travel by local train to Shiraoi and visit Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park, dedicated to preserving and sharing the culture of Japan’s Indigenous Ainu people. Discover their history and traditions through exhibitions and a performance of traditional songs and dances.

Enjoy time to explore the recreated Kotan village and browse the museum’s displays and shops. Afterwards, continue to Sapporo, Hokkaido’s lively capital, where you’ll spend your final two nights.

Day 14: Sapporo

Enjoy a relaxed morning with free time to discover Sapporo independently. In the afternoon, visit Hokkaido Shrine in Maruyama Park, a peaceful setting that becomes especially colourful during the spring blossom season.

Continue to the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium and Sapporo Olympic Museum. Take a chairlift ride for elevated views and learn about the city’s winter sporting heritage.

At Sapporo Beer Museum, discover the history of one of Japan’s best-known breweries and taste a brew made using historic methods. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner and reflect on the discoveries shared throughout your journey.

Day 15: Depart Sapporo

Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the airport for your return flight to Australia, taking home memories of northern Japan’s landscapes, traditions and hospitality.

Day 16: Arrive Australia

Prices listed are per person in AUD, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on the lowest category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 05-10-2026 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included.  Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.