Tokyo & Tohoku Snow Monsters and Hidden Onsen

Board the Komachi Shinkansen and travel through snowy landscapes to Kakunodate.

Take a romantic rickshaw ride through the preserved samurai district lined with snow-draped traditional residences.

Check into a converted historic storehouse inn (Kura inn). In the evening, savor Akita’s signature Kiritanpo hot pot paired with premium local sake.

Travel by private vehicle around the quiet, snow-covered shores of Lake Tazawa.

Arrive at Nyuto Onsen Village (such as the historic Tsurunoyu). Soak in milky outdoor hot springs (Yukimi Rotenburo) surrounded by pristine snowfields.

Enjoy a traditional dinner cooked over an open hearth (Irori) at your ryokan.

Travel north via Morioka aboard the Shinkansen to Aomori City.

Visit the Nebuta Museum WARASSE to see giant illuminated festival floats. For lunch, create your own customized seafood bowl (Nokkedon) at Furukawa Market.

Spend the night in Aomori City and enjoy a dynamic live performance of Tsugaru shamisen at a local izakaya.

Ascend Mt. Hakkoda to witness the spectacular “Snow Monsters” (Juhyo)—giant trees covered in heavy frost and snow.

Warm up in the famous Hiba 1000-Person Cypress Bath at Sukayu Onsen.

In the afternoon, board the Shinkansen south to the samurai stronghold of Aizu-Wakamatsu.

Explore snow-covered Tsuruga Castle, the unique double-helix wooden architecture of Sazae-do Temple, and historic samurai manors.

Visit a historic local brewery for a private sake tasting session.

Check into your ryokan in Higashiyama Onsen and relish local Fukushima specialties such as Basashi (horsemeat sashimi) and Kozuyu vegetable soup.

Visit Ouchi-juku, a preserved Edo-period post town nestled in the snow, and enjoy a unique lunch of Negi Soba (eaten using a whole green onion as chopsticks).

Head to Sendai by private vehicle. In the evening, savor Sendai’s famed thick-cut grilled ox tongue (Gyutan).

Excursion to Matsushima Bay—one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views. Board a heated cruise boat and enjoy an all-you-can-eat grilled oyster lunch.

Return to Sendai and spend the evening bar-hopping through the atmospheric, retro Yokocho alleyways.

Enjoy a guided distillery tour and whisky tasting in the scenic red-brick surroundings of Miyagikyo.

Drive to Ginzan Onsen in the late afternoon to capture the nostalgic scene of warm gas lanterns lighting up snow-draped wooden inns along the river.

Return to Sendai for your evening stay.

Take the Hayabusa Shinkansen back to Tokyo in the morning.

Spend the afternoon browsing luxury boutiques and trendsetting shops in Ginza, Omotesando, or Akihabara.

End your last evening enjoying cocktails at a stylish rooftop bar overlooking the Tokyo skyline.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at a trendy café followed by last-minute tax-free shopping.

Transfer to Narita or Haneda Airport by private vehicle for your international flight home.