What’s special about this tour?

●　Exclusive for JAS members & staff of corporate members

●　Small group of 15-20 pax only

●　High quality tour

●　Good Hotel

Special Highlights:

●　Tsuruoka Sakura Matsuri (Subject to seasonal conditions)

●　Kawabata Daruma Matsuri

●　2008 Academy Award, Best Foreign Language Film “Departures” Movie Filming Location
●　Hot Spring

Schedule
Day 1 (9 Apr): Singapore-Narita

Assemble at Changi Airport for our flight to Akita via Tokyo.

Day 2 (10 Apr): Narita-Akita

In the afternoon, you will transfer to the Haneda Airport for your flight to Akita.

Hotel: Akita View Hotel or similar

Meals: Meals on board

Day 3 (11 Apr): Akita

Begin today’s tour with a visit to Lake Towada, Japan’s third deepest lake (326m) which lies 400m above sea level. This crater lake sits on the border of Akita and Aomori Prefectures. You can admire the beauty of cherry blossoms and fresh spring greenery from the Hakka Toge Ridge. At the same time, you will view the Oirase Mountain Stream, a picturesque mountain stream which flows from Lake Towada.

Hotel: Akita View Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 (12 Apr): Akita  

This morning, we visit Nyudozaki Light House, a prime spot to view The Sea of Japan. We will then visit the Mayama Shinto Shrine before we go on a shopping spree. Thereafter, we visit the Selion Tower. Let the elevator takes you to the observatory room standing at 100m above ground level in about 70 seconds and you can enjoy a 360 degrees panoramic view of the Akita city and The Sea of Japan while enjoying the sea breeze. We will then have fun at the Kawabata Daruma Festival held at the Hoshitsuji Shrine. The deity of this shrine protects from fire and catching of cold. Continue to the Akita Wholesale market for another shopping spree.

Hotel: Akita View Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 (13 Apr): Yamagata (Sakata city)

In the morning, visit the filming location for the movie “Departures” which has won the 2008 Academy Award for the best foreign language film. Next, we will visit Somaro. Somaya was one of the most famous Japanese restaurants in Sakata since the Edo period and it has been renovated to become Somaro. Thereafter, proceed to the traditional Sankyo Storehouse. The Sankyo Storehouse served as a backdrop for the famous Japanese TV drama series broadcasted in over 150 countries, “Oshin.”. It was built over 110 years ago to store rice and is still used to store agricultural products today. Both the Sakata Souvenir Shop and the Shonai Rice Historical Museum are located here. In the afternoon, visit the Homma Museum of Art, which was converted from the mansion owned by the once famously wealthy Homma family. The beautiful garden and pond are a must see. We will then continue our journey to the Hatsumago Shuzo Sake Brewery, where you can savour the tastes and aromas of Sake while acquiring a deep knowledge of this unique beverage. In the evening, we will stay in a Japanese style hotel (sleep on futon) and enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional Japanese food. You can experience and relax at the hot spring bath (outdoor & indoor) in the resort after dinner.

Hotel: Mankoen Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 (14 Apr): Yamagata (Tsuruoka city)

Enjoy a scenic boat ride, a popular attraction in Yamagata for tourists and residents alike, along the Mogami River, known as the mother river of Yamagata Prefecture. It runs from North to South through the entire prefecture and the natural scenery surrounding the river offers a picturesque all year round. After lunch, visit Mount Haguro (414m), the one of the 3 sacred mountains of Dewa and the Dewa Sanzan Shrine. The 2,446 steps stone stairway leading to the peak of Mt. Haguro is said to be the oldest in Japan, and the colonnade of cedar trees that can be seen on this path is classified as a Natural Monument of Japan. Next, we stop by the Tsuruoka Park, the most famous place in Yamagata prefecture for viewing of cherry blossoms and photo-taking (subject to seasonal conditions). Thereafter, you can shop to your heart’s delight before returning to the hotel. Rejuvenate at the hot spring bath after a sumptuous Japanese dinner.

Hotel: Mankoen Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 (15 Apr): Tokyo

After breakfast, you will transfer to Haneda Airport for your flight to Tokyo.

Free and easy.

Hotel: Prince Shinagawa Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 (16 Apr): Tokyo 

Today is yours free at leisure.

Hotel: Prince Shinagawa Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 (17 Apr): Tokyo-Singapore

After breakfast, spend some time free at leisure until we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Singapore.

Meals: Breakfast, meals on board

** Note: The sequence of itinerary is subject to changes

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