8D Remote Tohoku
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Transcript of 8D Remote Tohoku
8 Days Remote Tokoku (Specially Prepared for Pauline & Yitian)
Tohoku has well and truly recovered from the catastrophes of 2011 when the earthquake and tsunami unleashed
disaster upon the locals. Fast forward 3 years later, the resilience of the people and the region has shone.
Emphasis on food safety is perhaps the most stringent of standards. From a touring perspective, Northern
Tohoku-Honshu charms travellers with some of the most fascinating landscapes, unspoiled onsen towns, serene
temples and remote settings away-from-the-crowds. Be ready to uncover the many facets of Tohoku!
Yokoso Nippon!
Flights At A Glance:
#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909
Tel: (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) [email protected] Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg
Fly xxJan Singapore / Tokyo Haneda SQ 636 2240/0610+1 (6h 30m) – Daily
Fly xxJan Tokyo Haneda / Singapore SQ 633 1640/2305 (7h 25m) – Daily
DAY 01 SINGAPORE / TOKYO
Make your way to Singapore Changi Airport for your flight departure to Tokyo.
DAY 02 TOKYO / YAMAGATA / KAMINOYAMA ONSEN
On arrival at Tokyo Haneda Intl Airport, be met at the arrivals by your English-Speaking driver and private
vehicle and transfer to Tokyo Station for your shinkansen bullet train journey to Yamagata.
Arriving at Yamagata Station, be met by your English-Speaking guide at station platform and then be escorted
to your private car and then proceed to visit the long-established Shoji-ya Soba Restaurant where the city of
Yamagata has a long tradition of soba. Sample the creation of Shoji with freshly-made soba right before your
eyes and enjoy the ultimate soba experience! Thereafter, we drive to Kaminoyama Onsen (40mins drive), an
onsen town with lots of samurai houses from the Edo Period. There are a number of hot springs - Yumachi,
Tokamachi, Shinyu, Takamatsu, Hayama, and Kawasaki - collectively referred to as Kaminoyama Onsen. With
its abundant hot spring waters, the town is home to seven public bathhouses and five foot bath facilities. The
area around Shinyu and Yumachi prospered as a castle town around Kaminoyama Castle (built in 1535) and
still retains some of the old storehouses and mansions. Takamatsu and Hayama are on a quiet hill away from the
center of the town with great views of the Zao mountain ranges. The area is dotted with shrines and temples
which adds to the traditional atmosphere. Take a stroll around the buke-yashiki district to get the atmosphere of
an old castle town before retreating to your ryokan in the mesmerizing environments of Meigetsuso.
Overnight: Meigetsuso, Kaminoyama Onsen (Yamagata)
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
DAY 03 KAMINOYAMA ONSEN (YAMADERA EXCURSION)
After breakfast, be met by your English-Speaking guide and private vehicle as we take an excursion to one of
Japan’s most astonishing temple sites, Yamadera (45mins drive). Extended high up on a steep mountainside,
experience the spectacular surroundings of the Risshakuji Temple, founded more than a millennium ago where
during the Heian Period, Emperor Seiwa despatched priests to Japan’s northern frontiers Enjoy a hike up the
mountain trail with 1000 stone steps and witness scenes and settings reminiscent of bygone eras. Enjoy
mesmerizing views of the valleys from the Godaido Hall observation deck. Thereafter, return to base where you
may spend time for lunch (on own expenses) and patronizing the shops. We then return back to Kaminoyama
Onsen where you may relax and enjoy rejuvenating baths.
Overnight: Meigetsuso, Kaminoyama Onsen (Yamagata)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909
Tel: (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) [email protected] Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg
Fly xxJan Singapore / Tokyo Haneda SQ 636 2240/0610+1 (6h 30m) – Daily
Train xxJan Tokyo / Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa #129 0856/1137 (2h 41m) – Daily
DAY 04 KAMINOYAMA ONSEN / MOGAMI RIVER / GINZAN ONSEN
Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast and thereafter, be met by your English-Speaking guide and private vehicle as we
travel to the beautiful 224km long Mogami River (1.5hrs drive), one of Japan’s three most rapid rivers which
flows into the Sea of Japan. Enjoy a spectacular 1hr boat ride (with electric heater) witnessing mesmerizing
views of the gorge and the Shiraito Waterfall. Disembark at Kusanagi and then spend some time for lunch (on
own expenses) in the small village of Tozawa. Thereafter, we drive to the beautiful and remote onsen town of
Ginzan Onsen (1hr drive), literally known as the “Silver Mountain Hot Spring”. Admire the nostalgic
architecture and enjoy soaking in the therapeutic waters.
Overnight: Ryokan Fujiya, Ginzan Onsen
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel: (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G)
[email protected] Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg
DAY 05 GINZAN ONSEN / HIRAIZUMI / HANAMAKI ONSEN
After breakfast, be met by your English-Speaking guide and private vehicle and set off to the UNESCO World
Heritage-listed city of Hiraizumi (2.5hrs drive), where it once was on the same status as Kyoto in political and
religious importance. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed city provides a setting that takes you back in time to
the Heian Period more than 900 years ago. We first visit the Takkoku no Iwaya, a temple constructed partially
in the rock face of a cliff. It was built and dedicated to the god of warriors in the 9th century, during the
Japanese expansion northwards and the ensuing battles with the indigenous Emishi people. Thereafter, we
continue to the Chusonji – established in 850 as a temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism. The temple came to
prominence when the northern branch of the Fujiwara clan moved their base to Hiraizumi. Thereafter, enjoy
time for lunch (on own expenses) before continuing our drive to Hanamaki Onsen in Iwate Prefecture (1hr
drive), a popular onsen town village renowned for its healing and therapeutic properties. Arrive at the beautiful
Yusen Shidate set on the banks of the Toyosawa River.
Overnight: Yusen Shidate, Hanamaki Onsen
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 06 HANAMAKI ONSEN (EXCURSION TO TONO)
Today, be met by your English-Speaking guide and private vehicle as we set off the rural town of Tono, notable
for its rustic landscapes and traditional farming culture with many traditional thatched-roof farmhouses known
as “Nambu Magariya” named after the lords who ruled in the Nambu region. Tono is also renowned for its
distinctive Japanese folklore where pioneering folklorist Yanagita Kunio came during the Meiji Period to
publish stories of the “Legends of Tono” and these tales are told till today and performances are held regularly
in the folk villages and museums in the town. Visit the Tono Furusato Village displaying well-preserved
farmhouses, storehouses and watermills that will take you back in time. Worth a visit is the beautiful Takamuro
Suikoen with a beautiful large pond around rustic buildings. Recommended are visits too to the Tono
Monogatarikan Museum which uses movies, sculptures, illustrations and displays featuring moving lights and
shadows to bring the local folklore from Yanagita Kunio’s “The Legends of Tono” to life. After some time for
lunch (on own expenses), we return back to Hanamaki Onsen where you may spend the rest of the day
luxuriating in the beautiful winterscapes while taking a rejuvenating onsen bath.
Overnight: Yusen Shidate, Hanamaki Onsen
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel: (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G)
[email protected] Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg
DAY 07 HANAMAKI ONSEN / MORIOKA / TOKYO
After breakfast, be met by your English-Speaking guide and private vehicle and transfer to Morioka (50mins
drive) for boarding of your Shinkansen bullet train journey return to Tokyo.
Arriving at Tokyo Station, you will be met by your English-Speaking driver at station platform and then be
escorted to your private vehicle for transfer to your hotel for check in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure and
enjoy shopping, dining in the bustling districts such as Ginza or Shinjuku.
Overnight: Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 08 TOKYO / SINGAPORE
Spend a leisure morning in Tokyo and later in the afternoon, be met by your English-Speaking driver and
private vehicle for transfer to Tokyo Haneda Intl Airport for your flight return to Singapore.
Meals: Breakfast
END OF TOUR
#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel: (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G)
[email protected] Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg
Train xxJan Morioka / Tokyo Shinkansen Komachi #14 1050/1304 (2h 14m) – Daily
Fly xxJan Tokyo Haneda / Singapore SQ 633 1640/2305 (7h 25m) – Daily
TOUR PRICE PER PERSON:
- The following prices are based on 2 Persons travelling together;
- The prices stated can only be indicative and may be adjusted once we have your date of
travel, the exact number of people in your groups and other specific requirements.
Package: BEST Price Per Person
2N in Meigetsuso, Kaminoyama Onsen (Yamagata)
1N in Ryokan Fujiya, Ginzan Onsen
2N in Yusen Shidate, Hanamaki Onsen
1N in Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
TO BE ADVISED
GRAND TOTAL (2 PERSONS)
TO BE ADVISED
Cost includes: - One-way Green Seat Bullet train from Tokyo – Yamagata;
- One-way Green Seat Bullet train from Morioka – Tokyo;
- All accommodations with daily breakfast & dinner as stated;
- Other meals as stated;
- All visits, activities and admission as stated unless stated as “Optional” or “At Leisure”
- Services of Private Driver & Private Vehicle as stated;
- Services of Professional English-speaking Guide as stated;
Cost excludes: - International airfare on Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Tokyo;
- Visas if any;
- Gratuities to driver/guides;
- Personal and other expenses not stated;
- Travel Insurance;
- Any extra meals other than specified;
- Any expenses incurred beyond our control due to natural disaster, weather conditions, etc.
#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel: (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G)
[email protected] Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg
Hotels
Kaminoyama Onsen (Yamagata): Meigetsuso – Built on a 10,000 square metre property, Meigetsuso is located a 10-minute drive from
Kaminoyama Onsen Station. Guests can enjoy the various flora of the Japanese Garden and Free Wi-Fi is
available at the lobby. Rooms are equipped with air conditioning/heating, an en suite bathroom, and a fridge.
Each room also comes with a seating area, a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. At Meigetsuso Ryokan, all meals
are served at the guest rooms. For dinner, a Japanese-style course meal is served. For breakfast, guests can
choose between a Western-style or Japanese-style breakfast. Guests can unwind and relax in the indoor and
outdoor public hot spring baths. Private outdoor baths are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Massages, yoga lessons and Pilate’s lessons are offered at a surcharge. Guests can also visit the library with a
courtyard view for some quiet reading. The property is a 20-minute drive from the Saito Mokichi Memorial
Museum and a 30-minute drive from one of the most famous skiing and snowboarding resorts, the Zao Onsen
Ski Resort. Guests can also access the Kaminoyama Castle within a 10-minute drive from the property.
http://www.meigetsuso.co.jp/
Ginzan Onsen: Ryokan Fujiya – Husband-and-wife owners Atsushi and Jeanie Fuji recently enlisted architect Kengo Kuma
to renovate this 350-year-old ryokan, about a three-hour bullet-train ride from Tokyo. He did away with
communal onsen (baths), instead paying homage to the Ginzen Onsen area’s famed hot springs with
fantastically simple private baths - many made of cypress wood. From a distance, the front facade looks fresh
but not radically out of place.
http://www.fujiya-ginzan.com/index.shtml
#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel: (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G)
[email protected] Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg
Hanamaki Onsen:
Yusen Shidate – Yusen Shidate features indoor/outdoor hot spring baths and spacious rooms with a terrace
and a private open-air hot spring bath. Free WiFi is available at public areas. Each room is air conditioned and
equipped with a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a safety deposit box. A refrigerator, an electric kettle and a green
tea set are also available in rooms. Private bathroom comes with free toiletries and a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy
the beautiful scenery while soaking in the open-air bath. Yusen Shidate Ryokan’s 24-hour front desk offers a
luggage storage service and safety deposit boxes. Guests can take a stroll in the garden, get a soothing massage
or relax in the shared lounge. A Japanese set menu is served for breakfast, while a kaiseki (Japanese multi-
course) meal is served for dinner. All meals are served in a private dining area.
http://www.shidate.info/
Tokyo:
Mandarin Oriental – Boasting fine restaurants and an award-winning spa on the 37th floor, Mandarin
Oriental offers 5-star luxury in the historical Nihonbashi area in the heart of Tokyo. Among the most spacious in
Tokyo, rooms feature gorgeous city views. Mitsukoshimae Subway Station and JR Shin-Nihonbashi Train
Station are directly connected to the hotel. This hotel was selected as one of Top 25 Hotels in Japan by
TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2014. Rooms at the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo pair wide windows with
chic design inspired by Japanese aesthetics. A full range of modern amenities are offered, including a satellite
flat-screen TV. Bathrooms have a large bathtub and separate shower. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Tokyo
Stock Exchange and an 8-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station. Ginza area is a 5-minute subway ride and the
Imperial Palace is a 3-minute subway ride away. Akihabara Electric Town and popular Tsukiji Fish Market are
both within a 10-minute drive or taxi ride from the property. Guests can work out to city views at the 38th-floor
fitness room, or relax in the hot tub or sauna. The spa offers exclusive Asian and Western-fusion treatments in a
tranquil setting. The hotel’s concierge helps with sightseeing. Among the hotel’s 9 dining options is Sushi Sora,
offering traditional culinary experience and skyline views. Cantonese and French cuisines also tempt the tongue.
Mandarin Bar pours cool cocktails.
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/tokyo/
#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel: (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G)
[email protected] Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg