Japan Private Tour (JPN038) Natural Charms of Japan: Sakura, Volcano Craters & Fruit Picking 7 Days 6 Nights

We will welcome you at Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, and take you to Nakaminato Fish Market, located in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture. This is one of the prefecture's largest markets and a hub for fresh seafood straight from Nakaminato Port. Here, you can sample fresh seafood and shop for marine delicacies at reasonable prices. The market attracts over a million visitors a year and is packed with restaurants serving fresh seafood from the port, such as flounder, sea bream, and Japanese squid, along with generously portioned, mouthwatering sushi and seafood rice bowls.

Noon: Lunch

After lunch, we will take you to "Hitachi Seaside Park," situated on Kochia Hill across more than 35,000 square meters. Here, you will see the "Kochia field," featuring bushes that change color with the seasons—from green in summer to vibrant red and yellow in autumn, turning brown as winter arrives. Once dried, these bushes can also be used to make brooms. In addition, there is a "Cosmos flower field" blooming in a stunning variety of colors throughout the park, giving you plenty of time to stroll and take memorable photos at your leisure. (Flower blooming conditions depend on weather conditions.)

Afterward, continue to "Oarai Isosaki Shrine (Oarai Isosaki Jinja)" in Oarai Town, Ibaraki Prefecture. This shrine is renowned for its sacred spiritual presence, where people come to pray for health, happiness, a good life, and marriage blessings. The shrine's iconic feature is the torii gate standing out in the sea, symbolizing the mythical descent of the deities. The shrine enshrines the deities Onamuchi no Mikoto and Sukunahikona no Mikoto, believed to bestow prosperity upon agriculture, industry, and medicine. Both are revered as guardian deities of medicine, happiness, love, and virtue.

Evening: Dinner

Transfer to your hotel for check-in and rest.

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant

Afterward, we will take you to Sendai, one of the most important commercial hubs in the Tohoku region. With a population of around 1 million, Sendai is known as the "City of Trees" thanks to its lush greenery and historic sites such as castle walls, creating a calm and refreshing atmosphere. You will stay at a European fairytale castle-style hotel.

Noon: Lunch

After lunch, we will take you to Sendai's most bustling shopping district, Ichibancho, located near Sendai Station. Enjoy exploring a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and local department stores.

Next, head to Iwate Prefecture to visit "Chusonji Temple," one of the key attractions of Hiraizumi and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the southern part of Iwate Prefecture, Hiraizumi is a picturesque countryside town that serves as a gateway to Japanese history. Chusonji is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect founded in 850. Originally home to numerous buildings, only two survive today following the fall of the Fujiwara clan in the late 12th century. The most prominent structure is "Konjikido," the Golden Hall, now housed within a protective outer building to preserve it from decay. There is also the Kyozo sutra repository, used to store Buddhist scriptures.

Evening: Dinner

Transfer to your hotel for check-in and rest.

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant

Afterward, take you up "Mount Hachimantai" along the Aspite Line. This flat-topped mountain rises 1,613 meters above sea level and ranks among the top three highest peaks in Towada National Park, linking Akita and Iwate prefectures. Along the drive up, you can admire the stunning autumn foliage lining both sides of the road, blazing in vivid reds and yellows during this season. Next, travel along the 27-kilometer Jukai Line to scenic viewpoints in Hachimantai, which change character with the seasons—especially in October during peak autumn colors. You can photograph the small weir with azure-blue water contrasting beautifully with the fall colors around Mori no Ohashi Bridge and its scenic surroundings.

Noon: Lunch

After your meal, we take you to Hirosaki, where "Hirosaki Castle" is the city's highlight. Built in 1611 and restored in 1810, the castle retains its original structure to this day, making it the only castle in the Tohoku region that was not rebuilt in modern times. You will visit Hirosaki Castle Park, surrounded by beautiful scenery featuring mature trees, moats, lovely bridges, and views of Mount Iwaki from within the grounds. In autumn, the foliage turns vibrant red, welcoming the Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival. Cherry tree leaves turn orange, maples blaze bright red, and ginkgo trees turn brilliant yellow, enhancing the breathtaking atmosphere.

Next, we take you to visit a seasonal fruit orchard in Hirosaki (apple orchard), where you can freely enjoy tasting fresh fruit straight from the orchard.

Evening: Dinner.

Transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Next, we take you along the Zao Echo Line, a scenic route offering stunning views of Mount Kattadake in Yamagata Prefecture, rising to 1,758 meters, before descending toward Miyagi Prefecture. At the summit of Mount Kattadake, you can view the Okama Crater, located on Mount Zao at an elevation of 1,841 meters—one of the most prominent volcanoes in the Tohoku region. Inside the crater is a clear blue lake known as Okama, shaped like a traditional cooking pot.

Next, we take you to the Zao Cheese Factory, which uses fresh milk from cows raised at the foot of Mount Zao. The center offers a wide variety of dairy products to choose from, such as natural cheese, cream cheese, cheesecake, cheese drinks, and more, as well as a product tasting corner. There is also a cafe serving cheese dishes, a handmade bakery, and a rose garden open for free visits. Everyone can also join in a fun ice cream making activity together.

Noon: Lunch.

Afterward, we take you to admire the beautiful autumn foliage at Jonahana Garden, a popular attraction visited throughout the year. Whether in spring or summer, it is filled with diverse plants and flowers, but the most magnificent season is undoubtedly autumn, when the foliage transforms into stunning colors.

Evening: Dinner.

Transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Next, we take you to Fukushima Prefecture in the Tohoku region. This prefecture is famous for many aspects: beyond being home to a nuclear power plant, it has a thriving fishing industry offering a wide variety of fresh seafood. Fukushima is also one of Japan's renowned fruit-growing hubs, boasting sweet, juicy fruits to enjoy across all seasons, such as peaches, cherries, and grapes, as well as being one of the most stunning spots to view autumn leaves.

We take you to explore the grounds around Tsuruga Castle, which was built in 1384 and underwent several changes of rulers in the past during its time as part of the Aizu region. The castle was destroyed following the Boshin War in 1868, marking the end of the feudal era and the Tokugawa shogunate. Later, the castle was reconstructed in concrete in 1960 and completed in 2011, featuring a distinctive red-tiled roof unlike any other castle in Japan. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful park.

Afterward, we take you to Ouchi-juku Village, an ancient post town that served as an important hub during the Edo period. The traditional houses here feature thick thatched roofs lined up along a stretch of about 500 meters, comprising roughly 40-50 historic homes. In 1981, the village was designated a national preservation district. Many houses have been restored and opened as souvenir shops, restaurants, and traditional lodgings, welcoming more than 1.2 million visitors each year.

Noon: Lunch.

Next, we take you to admire the breathtaking mountain scenery and colorful autumn leaves around Goshikinuma Lakes, a cluster of more than 40 lakes known as the “Five-Colored Lakes,” set amidst stunning nature.

Later, we visit Hanitsu Shrine, built in honor of Hoshina Masayuki, the daimyo of the Aizu domain in the early Edo period. The shrine was rebuilt in 1880 after being destroyed during the Boshin War. Inside the shrine stands Japan's largest stone monument set upon a turtle-shaped stone base, measuring 7.3 meters tall and weighing up to 30 tons. In autumn, the shrine grounds are painted in reddish-orange foliage that falls to cover the ground like a natural carpet, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere perfect for a stroll.

Evening: Dinner.

Transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Next, we take you to Nanko Park, one of Japan's oldest historic parks, created in 1801 by Matsudaira Sadanobu, the lord of Shirakawa at the time. A favorite relaxation spot for locals, the park is surrounded by over 800 cherry blossom trees along with a variety of seasonal flowers. In autumn, maple trees around Lake Nanko turn vibrant shades of orange and red, making the area especially magnificent—particularly at night when illuminations create a romantic atmosphere.

Noon: Lunch.

Afterward, we take you to Nasu Garden Outlet, designed to seamlessly blend lifestyle shopping with nature. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing ambiance while browsing well-known brand-name shops offering simple, casual styles perfect for everyday life.

Next, we take you to Aeon Plaza Narita. You can browse a wide variety of items, such as clothing, bags, shoes, home decor, and souvenirs. Enjoy shopping at the 100-yen shop where everything costs just 100 yen, and explore the Jusco department store inside the complex at your leisure.

Evening: Dinner.

Transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant, then get ready to head to Narita Airport for your flight back to Thailand.