Japan Private Tour (JPN037) Northern Japan In-Depth Adventure: Nikko Shrine to Geibikei Gorge Boat Ride 5 Days 4 Nights

Welcome you at Narita Airport in Japan and depart for Tokyo, the capital city located in the Kanto region. Tokyo is beautiful year-round and serves as an important hub of business and culture.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch.

Afterwards, take you to visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine, built in dedication to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is one of the most famous shrines and temples in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shrine buildings were rebuilt in the 17th century, comprising 8 National Treasure structures and 34 Important Cultural Property buildings crafted by master artisans from across Japan, showcasing elaborate and colorful wood carvings.

Next, travel to Lake Chuzenji (Chuzenjiko), situated high in the mountains above Nikko at an altitude of 1,270 meters above sea level, keeping the climate pleasantly cool all year. The lake is almost entirely surrounded by forested hills, except at its eastern end, which is home to the small hot-spring town of Chuzenji Onsen and the famous Kegon Falls in Nikko National Park. Several other waterfalls also feed into this lake.

Kegon Falls, cascading down almost 100 meters, is one of the most celebrated and scenic waterfalls in Japan. It is ranked as one of the "Three Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Japan," alongside Nachi Falls in Wakayama Prefecture and Fukuroda Falls in Ibaraki Prefecture. Flowing out from Lake Chuzenji, it offers a stunning viewing platform at the base of the falls, accessed via a 100-meter elevator ride, allowing you to take in the impressive scenery of the falls up close (elevator ticket included).

Dinner: Enjoy dinner.

Afterwards, transfer you to your hotel.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Then, we will take you to Ouchi-Juku, a historic post town that flourished during the Edo period. It features traditional Japanese houses built hundreds of years ago, with steep thatched roofs lining both sides of an approximately 500-meter street, totaling around 40-50 houses.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch.

Afterward, take photos in front of Tsuruga-jo Castle, located in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. Known as the "White Crane Castle," it is distinctive for its red roof tiles and is a grand castle that has survived numerous earthquakes and wars without being destroyed.

Next, head to Lake Inawashiro, a large lake in Fukushima Prefecture and one of the largest in Japan. Surrounding the lake is Inawashiro Town, a popular destination for sightseeing activities during autumn and winter. On clear days, you can also admire the beautiful reflection of Mount Bandai on the water's surface.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at

Then, transfer to your hotel.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant before traveling to Miyagi to visit Mt. Zao, a complex volcanic mountain range situated on the border between Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures. In winter, this area is blanketed in pure white snow and is a popular destination for seeing the "Ice Monsters" known as Juhyo. There are also a variety of ski slopes here, suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch.

Afterward, take the Zao Ropeway to admire the "Snow Monsters" (Juhyo)—a natural phenomenon caused by heavy snow encasing the leaves and branches of the Maries' fir trees growing along the mountain slopes. Their peculiar shapes create a stunning sight, and looking down from the ropeway, you can see rows of white snow monsters covering the slopes. In the evening, the area is illuminated, adding an enchanting touch to the scenery.

Next, we head to Ginzan Onsen (winner of the Best Onsen in Tohoku Award), a traditional hot spring town ranked among the top 5 in Tohoku. Nestled in the mountains with high-quality natural mineral water, it features a historic ryokan village renowned as one of the most picturesque onsen towns in Japan. Here, you can soak in the nostalgic atmosphere of a quaint Japanese village dating back over 100 years.

Next, we travel toward Sendai, then continue to Iwate Prefecture in Japan's Tohoku region, renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery and abundant onsen hot springs for ultimate relaxation.

Evening: Enjoy dinner.

After dinner, we will transfer you to your hotel to rest and relax.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Afterward, we take you to Geibikei Gorge to experience a unique boat ride. The boat is propelled by a boatman using a single pole without an engine, allowing you to take in the beautiful autumn foliage amidst the stunning valley.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch.

Next, travel to Ichinoseki Station in Iwate to board the Shinkansen high-speed bullet train to Tokyo.

(Note: Train schedules may change. Luggage transfer service to the hotel is provided. We recommend packing a small bag with essential personal belongings to take on the train, while your luggage will be delivered to the hotel.)

Afterward, we transfer you to your hotel.

Evening: Free time for dinner at your leisure.

After dinner, you can choose to go shopping in Shinjuku, enjoying a variety of stores such as Sanrio shops, electronics stores, digital camera shops, watch shops, and cosmetics at Matsumoto Kiyoshi, featuring diverse products such as tofu masks, Whip Foam face wash at prices 3 times cheaper than back home, the popular Shiseido Anessa sunscreen well known to Thai travelers, and many other items.

You can also shop for popular brand-name fashion here, such as Louis Vuitton, Uniqlo, Bao Bao Issey Miyake bags, Comme des Garçons apparel, H&M, or various sneaker brands like Nike, Converse, New Balance, and Reebok at ABC-MART.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Next, head up to take in the 360-degree panoramic view at SHIBUYA SKY, perched 229 meters above ground level. Experience the serene and expansive cityscape high above Shibuya. The venue is divided into three zones: SKY GATE, connecting floors 14 to 45; SKY STAGE, the open-air rooftop observation deck; and SKY GALLERY, the indoor observation corridor on the 46th floor. Shibuya is a vibrant hub of urban culture, and SHIBUYA SKY is the perfect spot to complete this unforgettable experience.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch.

When it is time, we will transfer you to Narita Airport for your flight back home, filled with wonderful memories.