Matsuri Time! Feel the Heat of Summer Excitement in Japan with the “Great Festivals of Tohoku” Plus a Taste of Tokyo- Tour #2
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Matsuri Time! Feel the Heat of Summer Excitement in Japan with the “Great Festivals of Tohoku” plus a taste of Tokyo- Tour #2 Tohoku’s Summer Festivals Rice Paddy Art Fields August 1st – 12th, 2019 with 10 nights/12 days from: $4995 double/triple $5595 single When the snow completely melts, and the summer heat turns up, Tohoku becomes the liveliest region in Japan. Summer festivals in Japan are incredibly fun, some of the best, passed down from long ago. Every festival has its own distinct charm and attraction. They dance, they shout, they cheer, they rule! Come along, meet, and join the people behind these energetic and vibrant festivities-the soul of Tohoku summer festivals. This unique tour takes in the “Three Great Summer Festivals “of Tohoku, The Nebuta Festival in Amori, Akita Kanto Festival and the Sendai Tanabata Festival. But, this is only the beginning as we have also included Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri, where over 10,000 city residents participate and a stop at Inakadate Village to view the “Field of Dreams”, dramatic scenes among the rice fields created by local villagers. They attract thousands of visitors each summer. It’s still not over as we have included night tour on the Hakodate Ropeway, 2 hands-on experiences, sake brewery visit and Matsushima Bay cruise. Not so quick, as there’s 3 nights in Tokyo for that big city feel. Here we will be visiting a few of the more popular spots, Tsukiji Market, Ameyoko, Asakusa and Tokyo Tower. Shopping, yes, enough free time to shop your heart out! Also experience the bullet train, not once, but twice! Itinerary/Details Day 1 – August 1st, 2019 Thursday – Depart from Honolulu Hawaiian Airlines #441 Departs Honolulu 1:40 pm – Arrive Chitose 5:00 pm + 1 International check in begins 3 hours prior to the departure time. Please meet your Panda Travel representative at the Hawaiian Airlines international check-in counters located in Terminal 1, formally the Hawaiian Airlines Terminal, Lobby 3, Maiaki side. After clearing security, you will meet up once again at the gate area. Day 2 – August 2nd, 2019 Friday – Chitose – Noboribetsu (D) After passport control and customs, we will meet our local English-speaking guide for the charter bus ride to Noboribetsu, Hokkaido’s most famous hot spring resort. The drive time is approximately one hour. For over 150 years, people from all over Japan have flocked to soak in the natural hot springs of Noboribetsu. The infamous Jigoku-dani, or Hell Valley, is especially popular, as waters from deep below the earth gush to the surface here in spectacular fashion. In keeping with the Hell theme, many colorful demon sculptures can be seen around the town. Accommodations for the evening are at the Hotel Mahoroba, an onsen hotel that features 31 different hot spring baths with 4 separate water sources. Our arrival will be by 7:00pm, followed by a buffet dinner at 7:30pm. After dinner, consider the onsen or a walk in the town area. Accommodations: Hotel Mahoroba Free Day 3 – August 3rd, 2019 Saturday – Noboribetsu-Hakodate (B/D) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we have a full day of touring on tap. The morning begins with a visit to nearby Noboribetsu Jigokudani, (Hell Valley). “Some hot springs are in picturesque mountain valleys, or in mystical high desert plateaus. The springs that feed the thermal baths in Hokkaido’s most popular spa town, however, flow from a blasted primordial caldera so infernal and reeking of sulfur that it was traditionally known as a gateway to hell.” A volcanic eruption created this a 24-acre smoking crater of geothermal activity 20,000 years ago. Rusty mountain vistas surround fiery black sulfur mud ponds and hot rivers that flow down to feed the baths in the nearby well-frequented resort town of Noboribetsu. The formal spas of Noboribetsu date back to the 19th century and were used as hospitals were wounded soldiers recovered after the Russo-Japanese War. From here a visit to Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura Village, a historical theme park highlighting the Edo Period, one of the most attractive eras in Japanese history. Step back in time to enjoy traditional games, activities, theaters, street performances and more. The charm of ancient Japan is abundant as you mingle with the Ninja and Oiran courtesans so symbolic of the Edo Period. Enjoy free time here to explore and have lunch on your own. Now, on to Lake Toya area, approximately 1hour, for lunch at a local restaurant. From here we are off to Hakodate with a drive time of approximately 2 hours. Hadodate is Hokkaido’s third largest city located at the island's southern tip, best known for the spectacular views from Mount Hakodate and its delicious, fresh seafood. Along the way we will make at stop at Hokkaido Konbu Kan, its motto, “feel and experience everything about kelp”. This unique attraction is a combination of museum, factory and community market. The museum helps to convey the importance of kelp cultivation to the Japanese diet and its long history. The community market offers a vast array of kelp samples and products. Do sample the flavored kelp oshima, in which several layers of kelp are pressed together, finely shredded, and seasoned. The kelp flavored ice cream also makes for a fun experience. Arrival at our hotel in Hakodate, La Vista Hakodate Bay will be approximately 5:15pm. After some time to relax and freshen up, please meet in the lobby for Western dinner at 6:00pm. Our hotel offers breathtaking panoramic views of Hakodate. Additionally, you can enjoy views from the large communal baths fed with natural hot spring water. Tonight, for those who would like to join, a night tour up to Mt. Hakodate via ropeway. We will be departing the hotel at 8:00pm and the return will be approximately 9:30pm. Awarded the highest rating of three stars in the "Michelin Green Guide Japan", the view from Mt. Hakodate is described as "worth taking time out to see." Tourists from around the world flock to Mt. Hakodate throughout the year. Highlights of the night view from Mt. Hakodate change with the seasons. In summer on a foggy night, the mountain looks down on a mysteriously veiled panorama. Accommodations: La Vista Hakodate Bay Hotel Free Day 4 – August 4th, 2019 Sunday – Hakodate-Aomori (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:30am. Our luggage will be transported separately by truck and meet up with us in Akita. Please prepare a small overnight bag for the next 2 nights. The morning begins with a visit to the Hakodate Morning Market, another must see attraction when visiting the city. It opens daily from 6:00am until noon and spans about four city blocks. With about 250 stores offering fresh and dried seafood, fruits and produce, souvenirs and restaurants offering up fresh seafood breakfasts. Shopping at this morning market is a lot of fun! Enjoy free time to explore on your own. Now, off to visit Goryokaku Tower, a star shaped fort in the city offering commanding views of Goryokaku Park, Mt. Hakodate, Tsugaru Strait and the Yokotsu mountain range from the observatory decks. Off to the Shin Hakodote Hokuto Station to catch our bullet train to Shin Aomori Station on the Hayabusa 28 departing at 1:35pm and arrives at 2:36pm. A bento lunch will be provided on the train. Once we arrive in Aomori, off for an afternoon of touring that begins with a visit to the Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse, dedicated to the city's famous Nebuta Matsuri which is held annually in early August. The museum is housed in a unique building covered in red metal slats and stands along Aomori’s waterfront district just north of Aomori Station. The museum attempts to capture the spirit of the festival and gives visitors a taste of its lively atmosphere, history, and traditions. Upon entering the second-floor entrance to the exhibitions, visitors are presented with the sights of the festival along a red corridor lined with photos and images from the Nebuta Matsuri's 300- year history. Lanterns in the shape of red goldfish, another symbol of the festival, hang along the corridor where the recorded sounds of taiko drums, flutes, and voices play. From here, a stop at the Sun Road Aomori Shopping Mall where you will have time to shop and enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many restaurants there. Now, off to the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, perhaps one of the most famous summer festivals, held each year between August 2nd and 7th. Drawing up to three million visitors to the city, this is one festival you don’t want to miss. During this festival, many large floats are paraded through the streets. Decorative washi is placed and painted on the frames of the float and then decorated with three-dimensional images of warriors, gods, and demons that resemble kabuki actors. These floats are quite intricate and can take up to one year to make. According to legend, the colorful burst of drums and dances are intended to rouse people from their summer lethargy. Come, enjoy these magnificent floats as the haneto dancers jump about and dance alongside, their vigorous chants of “Rasse-ra-! Rasse-ra-!” echoing throughout the street. Now off to our hotel for the evening, Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land, a traditional Japanese inn which offers the popular apple bath as well as a natural free-flowing alkaline bath to rejuvenate both body and soul.