Discover Japan's Northern Traditions & Landscapes: A Springtime Journey Through Tohoku & Hokkaido

Overview

Discover Japan’s Northern Traditions & Spring Landscapes with Global Family Travels on an immersive spring journey that begins in Tokyo and travels north through Tohoku. Our trip begins with taking in the sakura bloom in Fukushima’s Hanamiyama Park; we then step into samurai history in Shiroishi with an armor experience, and meet local artisans during a hands-on kokeshi doll painting workshop—before unwinding with a classic ryokan stay rooted in Japanese hospitality.

Our journey continues to southern Hokkaido in the port city of Hakodate for coastal scenery, markets, and iconic landmarks, before we return to Aomori for the festive atmosphere of Hirosaki’s cherry blossoms. Slow down with a countryside farmstay near the UNESCO-listed Shirakami-Sanchi beech forests, explore living folklore on the Oga Peninsula, and finish back in Tokyo with a final day blending spiritual heritage at Meiji Jingu with modern wonder at teamLab Borderless.

Global Family Travels

Location :Bellevue, WA, USA

Global Family Travels’ vision is to unite humanity and inspire travelers to take responsibility for the challenges and opportunities facing our increasingly interconnected planet. Our mission is to Learn, Serve and Immerse, using travel as a means to build cultural bridges and to foster global citizens. Using tourism to help solve community challenges, we organize sustainable travel opportunities in partnership with local and global non-profit organizations and support many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Learn more about Global Family Travels here!

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Temple Stay (Shukubo)

Location : Koyasan, Koya, Wakayama, Japan

You will engage in "Shukubo," a traditional temple stay, while visiting Japan. This is an enriching experience that offers numerous benefits. You will be immersed in the tranquility and spiritual depth of Japanese culture, far from the tourist hotspots. Shukubo provides an authentic glimpse into monastic life, including participation in Zen meditation, experience of mindfulness practices, and calming influence of temple rituals. These activities promote mental clarity and relaxation, offering a respite from the fast pace of modern life. Beyond improving your personal well-being, a Shukubo stay will foster your deeper appreciation of Japanese history, architecture, and religious customs, making it a uniquely educational and transformative travel experience.

Visit Mount Fuji

Location : Hakone, Kanagawa, Japan

You will spend multiple days in the area surrounding Mount Fuji, the tallest peak in Japan. Visiting this area will offer a combination of natural beauty, cultural significance, and rejuvenating experiences. Mount Fuji is an iconic symbol of Japan, which is not only a breathtaking sight but also holds spiritual significance. The surrounding region, with its scenic lakes and forests, provides a tranquil escape from urban life. Hakone, renowned for its hot springs, or "onsen," and its stunning views of Mount Fuji, will ad a layer of relaxation and cultural immersion to your journey. These experiences embody the harmony of Japan’s natural landscapes and its deep-rooted cultural traditions.

Climate Change Initiative: Tomorrow's Air

Carbon Removal: According to the State of Global Carbon Dioxide Removal Report by University of Oxford, natural methods of removing carbon from the atmosphere are not enough by themselves due to the amount of pollution currently in the atmosphere. Innovations in removing and permanently storing carbon emissions are needed to conserve nature and reverse the course toward further climate change.

Tomorrow’s Air: Global Family Travels is passionate about encouraging tourism that is not only sustainable but regenerative. To help with our mission, we seek to partner with like-minded brands such as Tomorrow’s Air, which operates within the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).

Tomorrow’s Air is a collective of carbon removal innovators that work to permanently remove and store carbon from the atmosphere. Travel is a large contributor to global emissions, and we feel it is important to educate and empower travelers to support efforts that combat climate change! Therefore, as of January 2024, Global Family Travels will include a $25 contribution to Tomorrow’s Air into every trip. Clients may opt out of the $25 donation by emailing us to request its removal from your invoice.

Itinerary

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DAY 1

Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo

Location : Tokyo, Japan

Welcome to Japan! After arriving at Narita Airport, an assistant will meet you and accompany you to the hotel by Limousine Bus. Upon arrival at the hotel, feel free to relax and enjoy your time as you wish.

For dinner, we suggest visiting Nishiazabu Gonpachi. This is the place where the Kill Bill music video by SZA was filmed. They serve all types of Japanese food. We call it the Izakaya (Japanese pub).

Accommodation: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Daimon Ekimae

Meals: N/A

DAY 2

DAY 2 | Fukushima City: A Day Among the Blossoms at Hanamiyama Park

Location : Watari, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan

Enjoy a relaxed first day in Japan with a free day at Hanamiyama Park to see the cherry blossoms. After breakfast at the hotel, head to this “flower mountain” park on the outskirts of Fukushima City, which is best visited in spring for its many varieties of blooming trees. Choose from 30, 45, or 60-minute hikes, each offering beautiful views of the blossoms, downtown Fukushima, and the Azuma Mountains.

Note: Use JR shinkansen ticket from Tokyo Station to Fukushima Station

Accommodation: Hotel Sankyo Fukushima

Meals: B

DAY 3

Day 3 | Shiroishi: Samurai Legacy and Artisan Traditions

Location : 1-16 Masuokachō, Shiroishi, Miyagi, Japan

After breakfast, travel from Fukushima to Shiroishi for a day of cultural immersion. Meet your local guide at Shiroishi Station and continue by private vehicle to Shiroishi Castle, where you’ll don authentic samurai armor, learn about feudal warrior traditions, and take photos inside the historic hilltop fortress. Continue to Yajiro Kokeshi Village, the birthplace of traditional kokeshi dolls, for a hands-on painting workshop with local artisans and create a personalized keepsake. For the evening, transfer to a traditional Japanese ryokan to relax on tatami mats, enjoy in-room meals, and experience communal bathing facilities.

Accommodations: Mogamiya Ryokan

Meals: B, D

DAY 4

DAY 4 | Hakodate: Free Day of Exploration

Location : Gran Palette Hakodate, 1-1 大手町 Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan

After breakfast at the ryokan in Shiroishi, check out and take a taxi to Shiroishi-Zao Bullet Train Station. Board a Yamabiko Shinkansen for a short ride to Sendai, where you’ll transfer to the Hayabusa - the fastest bullet train in Japan - for the scenic journey north to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, passing through the Seikan Tunnel beneath the Tsugaru Strait. Upon arrival in Hokkaido, transfer to the Hakodate-Liner for a short ride into downtown Hakodate, then continue by streetcar to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free to explore Hakodate at your leisure.

Note: Use JR Shinkansen ticket (ordinary car) from Shiroishizao Station to Hakodate station

Accommodation: Gran Palatte Hakodate

Meals: B

DAY 5

DAY 5 | Hakodate: Morning Markets, Mountain Views, and Botanical Gardens

Location : Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan

After breakfast at your hotel or Hakodate’s lively morning seafood market, enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city. Recommended sights include Goryokaku Park and its star-shaped fortress, a National Historic Site with panoramic views from Goryokaku Tower; a ride on the Hakodate Ropeway to the summit of Mt. Hakodate for sweeping city and sea views; or a visit to the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, home to rare plant species, footbaths, and family-friendly attractions.

Accommodations: Gran Palatte Hakodate

Meals: B

DAY 6

DAY 6 | Hirosaki: Cherry Blossoms and Festival Colors

Location : Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan

After breakfast and hotel check-out, travel from Hakodate to Hirosaki via the Hakodate-Liner and Hayabusa bullet train, transferring at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and Shin-Aomori before continuing by local train. Upon arrival, walk to your hotel near the station and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Suggested activities include the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival at Hirosaki Park, a visit to Tsugaru Clan Neputa Village to experience traditional festival culture and performances, or participating in a pre-arranged traditional craft workshop such as Neputa, kite, or ceramic painting.

Note: Use a Bullet train ticket (Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Shin-Aomori, ordinary car), and Local train tickets from Hakodate to Shin-Hakodate and from Shin-Aomori to Hirosaki

Accommodations: Hirosaki Park Hotel

Meals: B

DAY 7

DAY 7 | Fujisatomachi: Rural Traditions and Nature Wonders

Location : Fujisato, Akita, Japan

After breakfast and hotel check-out, meet your guide and travel by private vehicle to the base of the Shirakami Mountains (approx. 2 hours). Explore the Shirakami-Sanchi Forest, one of East Asia’s best-preserved beech forests, surrounded by hot springs, small farms, and scenic nature trails. Enjoy a hands-on food-making experience such as miso, kiritanpo, or tofu, or choose outdoor activities like hiking or cycling, with time to take in the area’s natural beauty.

Accommodations: Minshuku Farmstay

Meals: B, D

DAY 8

DAY 8 | Akita City: Oga Peninsula and Traditions

Location : Oga Peninsula, Anzenji 北浦安全寺 Oga, Akita, Japan

After breakfast and check-out at the farmstay, travel by train from JR Futatsui Station to Oga Station, where you’ll be met by your guide and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel. After check-in, head out with your guide to explore the Oga Peninsula, beginning with the Namahage Museum to learn about Akita’s iconic oni folklore, followed by scenic stops at Nyudo-zaki and the famous Godzilla Rock overlooking the coastline. Return to your hotel in the evening to enjoy dinner and your final night in Tohoku before traveling back to Tokyo the following day.

Accommodations: Oga Hotel

Meals: B, D

DAY 9

DAY 9 | Kakunodate & Tokyo: Samurai Streets and Scenic Rails

Location : Tokyo, Japan

After breakfast and hotel check-out, take a private transfer to Oga Station and travel by local train to Akita, then continue on the Akita Shinkansen to Kakunodate. Disembark to explore this beautifully preserved samurai town, home to one of Japan’s largest collections of historic samurai residences, offering insight into life after the warrior era when samurai became scholars and artisans. After your visit, reboard the Akita Shinkansen for the journey to Tokyo, then transfer to the Yamanote Line to reach your downtown hotel.

Accommodations: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Daimon Ekimae

Meals: B

DAY 10

DAY 10 | Tokyo: Hands-On Adventures and City Sights

Location : Tokyo, Japan

Spend a full day exploring Tokyo with an English-speaking guide, beginning at Meiji-Jingu Shrine in Yoyogi Park before heading to the waterfront for a walk through Daiba Park and a visit to the immersive digital art museum TeamLab Borderless. Optional add-on activities include a private Taiko drumming lesson or an Origami workshop with a master artisan (reservations required).

Accommodations: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Daimon Ekimae

Meals: B

DAY 11

Day 11 - Farewell Tokyo and Journey Home

Location : Tokyo, Japan

Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Tokyo before checking out of your hotel around 11:00 AM. Travel to Tokyo Station to board the reserved-seat Narita Express to Narita Airport (or the airport rapid train from Daimon Station to Haneda), marking the end of your journey.

Meals: B

DAY 13

HOTELS

Location : Japan

Asakusa View Hotel

Welcome to Asakusa View Hotel. This hotel has nice restaurants, banquet halls, meeting rooms, and much more. Rooms are available on the Sky Tree View Side, overlooking Tokyo Sky Tree and the streets of Asakusa that unfold below, and the City View Side, boasting a panorama of central Shinjuku and beyond to Mount Fuji. Have a wonderful, unforgettable time at Asakusa View Hotel that overlooks Tokyo Skytree.

Nol Kyoto Sanio

Nol Kyoto Sanjo represents a new style from the ancient capital. Even now, after many eras, the ancient capital of Kyoto continues to send out new culture. Nol Kyoto Sanjo continues to be such a space, inheriting the good old Japanese culture and transforming it into a new form. Contemporary artists have created new ideas while inheriting the traditional townhouse culture and preserving the comfort of a 'mature' space.

Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka

Respire combines the meanings of the words "rest," as in to take rest, and "inspire," as in to have one's senses stimulated and be filled with vitality. Respire also means "to breathe." Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE aims to offer guests a place where they can rest and be revitalized for tomorrow, giving them the sensation of having taken a deep breath of fresh air. Despite being situated in the heart of Umeda, Osaka, Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA, the brand's first hotel, is designed in a way so that guests will be made to forget the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and can enjoy their stay without stress. It also includes features inside the hotel so guests can enjoy the charm of Japan and Osaka's unique character.