Download - Audley Travel

Suggested itineraries
Tailoring your trip
The itineraries shown are designed to give you a
flavour of what is possible, and are routes that
work particularly well. We can use these as a
basis to plan your trip or can design a completely
different itinerary to suit your tastes and interests.
Please call one of our Japan specialists to start
planning your itinerary.
Telephone: 01993 838 210
Daisetsu-zan
National Park
Sapporo
Asahidake
Shiretoko
Akan
National
Park
Kushiro
Lake Towada
Kakunodate
Dewa-sanzan
Niigata
Nikko
Nyuuto Onsen
Matsushima
Getting around
Although much of Tohoku and Hokkaido are
accessible by public transport, we recommend
hiring a car as this provides more freedom and
flexibility and the chance to experience sights not
easily reached by bus or train. With most road
signs in both Japanese and English, satellite
navigation equipment provided in all vehicles
and driving also on the left, car hire is a very
achievable option.
When to go
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
~ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ~
✓✓ The best time to travel.
✓ A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of.
~ Travel is possible, but this is not the best time of year.
✕ Travel is not recommended.
Northern Japan can be visited year round
although do be prepared for heavy snow fall and
low temperatures in the winter months of
December through to April. The summer brings
with it a slightly cooler climate than southern
Japan and in autumn the temperature begins to
drop but it is none-the-less a pleasant time to
travel due the spectacular autumn leaves.
Time difference: GMT+9 hours
Flight time from UK: 12 hours
Prices
We offer trips to cater for a wide range of
budgets. You can find up-to-date guideline prices
for your trip to Japan on our website, alternatively
please call our specialists to discuss your plans.
Stay longer
In early August be sure to add on time in
Aomori, near Lake Towada and Akita, to see the
vibrant Nebuta and Kanto festivals, real highlights
of the Tohoku region. Alternatively in August the
small island of Sado plays host to the Earth
festival, an international music and performing arts
event hosted by the world renowned Kodo taiko
drumming troupe.
Wild Hokkaido
For those seeking out the wilder side of japan, this
comprehensive self-drive tour explores Hokkaido’s
splendid national parks and modern thriving cities.
Hike in the high mountains of Daisetsu-zan, watch
out for bears along the Shiretoko Peninsula, and
savour the wide, open spaces.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Fly overnight from London to Tokyo.
Arrive in Tokyo.
Tokyo
Explore Tokyo at your own pace.
Take the short flight to Kushiro in
eastern Hokkaido. Drive to the Akan
National Park, via the Wetlands.
Explore Lake Akan by boat to enjoy
the lake and mountain scenery.
Drive north-easterly to the
Shiretoko Peninsula.
Explore Shiretoko and surroundings.
Take a boat trip along the peninsula,
hike in the woods or simply drive
along open roads.
Drive from Shiretoko to the
Daisetsu-zan National Park.
Spend the night in the small town
of Sounkyo.
After a morning exploring Sounkyo
drive to Asahidake, at the foot of
Mount Asahidake.
Walk around Mount Asahidake.
Visit the pretty town of Biei by car,
returning to Asahidake in the
afternoon.
Drive to Sapporo and explore this
cosmopolitan city in the afternoon.
Explore Sapporo further, including
the historical village of Hokkaido.
Fly back to Tokyo and then spend
the final afternoon at leisure.
Fly back to the UK, arriving the
same day.
Tohoku Discovered
This fascinating itinerary offers the chance to
escape the crowds and explore a magical area of
Japan rarely seen by overseas visitors. This region
blends ancient culture and spectacular scenery.
Travel by train and rental car to explore the clear
lakes, deep forests and secluded inns of Japan’s
best kept secret.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Fly overnight from London to Tokyo.
Arrive in Tokyo.
Tokyo
Explore Tokyo at your own pace.
Take the train out to Nikko and visit
the Toshogu Shrine complex.
Explore Lake Chuzenji and the
Kegon Falls.
Take the bullet train to Matsushima
and then cruise on the beautiful bay.
Travel by bullet train to Hachinohe.
Drive on to Lake Towada.
Explore Lake Towada and the
Oirase Gorge.
Drive from Lake Towada to the rural
Nyuuto Onsen hot spring resort.
Relax at Nyuuto in the morning then
drive to Kakunodate via the crystal
clear Lake Tazawa.
Explore Kakunodate’s samurai district
and then drive to the small town of
Haguro, part of Dewa-sanzan. Spend
the night in simple temple lodgings.
Climb Mount Haguro’s 2,446 stone
steps to the temple at the summit.
Climb Mount Gas-san, a hike of
around two to three hours, to be
blessed at the summit by a
Yamabushi Buddhist priest.
Drive to the small town of Tsuruoka
and then return by train to Tokyo.
Fly back to the UK, arriving the
same day.
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