Hokuriku Springtime Explorer and Festivals Tour 2021

May 12th -20th, 2021 7nts/9 days from: $3095 triple $3195 double $3695 single Cancel for any reason up to 60 days prior-FULL REFUND!

Maximum Tour size is 24 tour members!

We are off to explore the Hokuriku region, bordered by the Sea of Japan and the Japan Alps. It is an area rich in tradition along with a pleasant countryside and spectacular natural scenery.

We begin in Japan’s Capital, Tokyo for a fun filled two days and then off on the Hokuriku shinkansen to Toyama, along a route known for its natural beauty. On one side enjoy the view of the mountain range and on the other, the spectacular Sea of Japan.

On tour, enjoy two festivals, Shinminato Shishimai (lion dance) Festival and the Fushiki Kenkayama Festival, where lantern floats ram into each other in the streets in this crazy annual festival Much more yet as we have included a fish auction, a river sightseeing cruise, morning market, an onsen stay, and two hands-on experiences.

For scenery, Shiroyone Senmaida, a steep slope with a thousand green rice paddies against the background of the beautiful blue sea. There is also a drive along the Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, an 8-kilometer sandy beach, one of the few in the world that is both beach and road. Lastly, Kenrokuen Garden, a gorgeous and expansive park-like garden in the center of Kanazawa. It is considered one of the three great gardens of Japan.

Our tour ends in Osaka, Japan’s third most populous city, famous for food, the Dotonbori and shopping along the Shinsaibashi. With accommodations just steps from both and a complete free day, you will be in heaven.

Itinerary/Details

Day 1 – May 12th, Wednesday – Depart from Honolulu

Hawaiian Airlines #863 Departs Honolulu 1:25 pm – Arrive Haneda 5:10pm +1

Check in for international flights begin 3 hours prior to departure. Please check in with your Panda Travel representative and proceed to the departure gate area.

Day 2 – May 13th, Thursday – Haneda-Tokyo

After clearing customs, our local English-speaking guide will be waiting and join us for the drive to the Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro, ideally situated in the Ikebukuro section of Tokyo. This 4-star hotel is less than a 10- minute walk from the Ikebukuro JR Station. There are four department stores, a variety of shops and restaurants steps away.

The remainder of the evening is free.

Accommodations: Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro free

Day 3 – May 14th, Friday – Tokyo (B/L)

After breakfast at our hotel we will head out for a full day of touring. Please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am. If you have ever dreamed about melt-in-your-mouth, out-of-this-world sushi, then you might have heard of Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world. Most of Tokyo, and even high-end sushi restaurants in Hong Kong and San Francisco, gets their fish from this cultural landmark near the center of Japan's capital city.

Opened in 1935, Tsukiji sprang to life after the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed most of Tokyo in 1923. It has since become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. While the auction has moved to a new location, the popular outer market remains and thrives.

It is our first stop on tour and we will be here for 1.5 hours so that you have ample time to walk around and enjoy the outer market, visit knife-making artisan shops, tasting candies, nuts, and spices, and learning more about seasonal produce

If you are a foodie, love markets, enjoy photography – or simply like visiting unique places – then you will probably love Tsukiji.

After a good stroll around the market, there is nothing like a sushi breakfast to complete the experience. There are plenty of sushi shops – make sure to choose one where you see locals dining. If you do not feel like sushi, there are other options including ramen, donburi and more.

Tsukiji Fish Market

From here we are off to Ameyoko Shopping Street, famous throughout Japan for its wide variety of products.

The name "Ameyoko" is a short form for "Ameya Yokocho" (candy store alley), as candies were traditionally sold there. Alternatively, "Ame" also stands for "America", because a lot of American products used to be available there when the street was the site of a black market in the years following WWII.

You can get just about EVERYTHING here, clothes, bags, cosmetics, fresh fish, dried squid and spices are sold along Ameyoko. It is quite the scene to just walk around through the very crowded and narrow streets. An awesome place to sightsee, shop and eat! We will remain here for 1.5 hr., so you can shop at leisure.

Ameyoko- best spot to find omiyage items

Now, off to lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon we are in for quite an experience, a visit to Shibuya Scramble Square, recently opened on November 1st, 2019. This 230-meter tower overlooks famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing and on top, Shibuya Sky, an observatory offering a 360-degree view of Tokyo.

Shibuya Crossing and shopping area is rumored to be the world’s busiest, this intersection in front of Shibuya Station is famously known as ‘The Scramble’. It is an awesome spectacle of giant video screens and neon, guaranteed to give you a 'Wow – I'm in Tokyo!' feeling. People come from all directions at once – sometimes over a thousand with every light change – yet still manage to dodge each other with a practiced, nonchalant agility.

From the 46th floor Sky Stage, enjoy many of Tokyo’s landmarks, the New National Stadium, Shinjuku, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Bay. Should we be blessed with a clear weather day, there’s even a special spot to view and photograph Mt. Fuji.

We will also be visiting for a brief photo stop at the Hachiko Dog statute, Tokyo's most famous pooch, Hachikō. This Akita dog came to Shibuya Station every day to meet his master, a professor, returning from work. After the professor died in 1925, Hachikō continued to come to the station daily until his own death nearly 10 years later. The story became legend and a small statue was erected in the dog’s memory in front of Shibuya Station

From here, back to our hotel, arrival by 5:00pn. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.

Accommodations: Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro free

Day 4 – May 15th, Saturday – Tokyo-Toyama (B/L)

After breakfast, please meet your guide by 8:00am as we are off on a full day of touring. Our destination today is Toyama City, a seaside city on the coast of the Sea of Japan. It is also the capital and largest city in the Toyama Prefecture.

Please prepare an overnight bag for two days as our larger pieces will be sent separately to Kanazawa.

The morning begins with a drive to Tokyo Station for the bullet train, Kagayaki 507 that departs at 9:20am and arrives at Toyama Station at 11:34am. On arrival, off by chartered coach for a half day tour beginning with a visit to the fish auction at the Fisherman’s Wharf. Midday fish auctions are a rarity in Japan, but this one begins at 1:00pm. Everything sold at the auction is same day, freshly caught. You will be able to watch and observe as they bid on fresh seafood. Please note: this event is held subject to weather permitting.

Now, off to a seafood donburi lunch at a local restaurant followed by sightseeing cruise on the Uchikawa River. The river is nicknamed “the Venice of Japan” for its twelve characteristic bridges and its riverside atmosphere. Each bridge has its own unique characteristic. The Ninomaru Bridge has castle-like features, the Azuma Bridge, a red gabled roof, the Sanno Bridge features sculptures made by local artist, Mitsuyuki Takeda, and the Kagura Bridge with its bright stained glass.

We are now off to the Shinminato Shishimai Festival, a lion dance. While lion dance is usually associated with China, many Asian countries each have their own version. The Japanese lion dance is traditional arts dancing to festival music. Originated in the 16th century, folks in the Mie Prefecture created a lion head and held the dance on the New Year’s holiday to avoid famine and disease.

From here, off to our second festival, the Fushiki Kenkayama (fighting floats) Festival, held in the port town of Fushiki. During the day, the floats are adorned with flowers, and at night they are decorated with paper lanterns. The floats are rammed into each other to the beat of the yamaga war drums. We will remain here for just under 2-hours so that you can enjoy watching the Kenkayama (fighting floats) which begins at 7:30pm. Dinner is on your own this evening, choose from variety of venues along the festival area. Now, off to our hotel, Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu, arrival by 9:45pm. It is located close by to the JR Toyama Station in case you need any late-night shopping or food items. Our departure tomorrow is a little later so that you can sleep in longer.

Accommodations: Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu free

Day 5 – May 16th, Sunday –Toyama-Wakura (B/D)

After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:30am as we are off on another full day of touring.

The morning begins with a visit to Masu no Sushi Museum, where you can learn and watch how masuzushi is made by experts. Enjoy a cultural exhibition and viewing of the factory where it is made.

Masuzushi is a type of oshizushi (pressed sushi) where thin slices of cured trout are placed over a round bed of rice. It is then covered tightly in bamboo leaves and compacted. The chemicals from the vinegar in the rice and the natural ingredients of the bamboo leaves serve to preserve the fish and keeps the rice soft. This process allows for the sushi to keep much longer than the standard nigiri or maki options.

Due to its longer shelf life, masuzushi was among Japan's first "takeaway" sushi, used both as gifts and as a staple food for travelers making the trek to Tokyo from Toyama. This was especially important in the sankin kotai days of the Edo period, where long processions of feudal lords and their clansmen would make the treks to and from Edo.

From here, we will be traveling to Inami, best known for its extensive wood carving district which traces its origins to the construction of the Inami Betsuin Zuisen-ji Temple in 1390. Along the drive, a roadside stop for lunch on your own. If you want to try masuzushi, just about every rest stop in this area will offer it.

This afternoon a visit to Inami Kibori no Sato Soyukan, a unique roadside station with many fun things to see, eat, and experience. This is also where we will enjoy our first hands-on experience, making a wooden sake cup. Here, you can also learn about Inami woodcarving at Nanto Rakuichi, an artisan workshop offering a variety of local Toyama souvenirs and wooden items.

From here, a short drive to Himi, a seaside town known for Himi Kanburi, or winter yellowtail. We will be visiting Himi Banya-gai, another unique roadside station with a spectacular view of the Tateyama Mountain Range over Toyama Bay. With a total of 33 shops, enjoy free time for shopping. Besides a variety of Toyama sea products do not miss their processed food items using locally produced plums.

Now off to our 4-star ryokan, Tadaya, built in 1885, under the ownership of the Tada family for six generations. Located in Wakura Onsen Hot Spring District, this traditional Japanese inn is situated on a hill offering beautiful sunset views overlooking Nanao Bay. The inn features a bar, tea lounge and karaoke booths.

We will be arriving by 5:00pm, followed by dinner at 6:00pm. After dinner, do enjoy a relaxing soak in the large common baths or open-air bath while gazing at the scenery.

Accommodations: Tadaya free- Japanese style rooms

Day 6 – May 17th, Monday – Wakura-Kanazawa (B)

After breakfast, please meet your guide by 8:30am as we are off again on tour, ending the day in Kanazawa

The morning begins with a visit to Shiroyone Senmaida, the rice terraces located in Shiroyone town. Enjoy the scenery of 1,004 small green rice paddies on steep slopes with the blue sea as a background, simply splendid. This famous spot among the many other rice terraces in Japan was selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Paddies" and nationally designated a "Special Place of Scenic Beauty".

From here, a short drive to the lacquer-making town of Wajima, the hub of the rugged north, known as Oku-Noto. Famous products include Wajima-nuri lacquerware, Suzu-style pottery, locally harvested sea salt and iwanori seaweed.

Our first stop is at the Wajima Morning Market, the city's most famous attraction, believed to date back over a thousand years. Daily between 8:00 and 12:00, the pleasant pedestrian street in the city center is lined with vendors selling various goods, including fresh seafood and produce. Elderly women, who bring in their goods from local farms, contribute a lot to the market's character.

Also, on sale at the morning market is lacquerware, the city's most well-known handicraft. Known as wajima nuri, the local lacquerware is distinguished for its durability, which is achieved from extra stages of coating. To create a single piece of Wajima lacquerware requires many specialized artisans and dozens of processes.

Enjoy free time to explore, shop, and have lunch on your own.

Next, a visit to Kiriko Art Museum, a museum of the Kiriko Festival. The museum houses "kiriko lanterns", the huge paper lanterns used in summer festivals in different parts of Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa.

Each lantern has its own personality, with kanji calligraphy, lacquer coating and ornate decoration, so it is fun to discover these differences. There is also a small souvenir shop. Enjoy some free time here to explore.

Last on our touring day, but truly an experience, a drive by the Chirihama Nagisa Driveway. It is a beach facing the Sea of Japan where cars can drive right to the edge of the surf. Sit back and enjoy this 8-kilometer drive. This is the only road of its type in Japan.

Now, off to our hotel for the evening, ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa Sky, located in the heart of the city and just steps from Omicho Fish Market. While the Kanazawa is about a 15-minute walk, there is a Mza Shopping Center.

Our arrival will be by 4:15pm and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.

Accommodations: ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa Sky free

Day 7 – May 18th - Tuesday– Kanazawa (B)

After breakfast, please meet your guide by 8:40am as we are off to explore Kanazawa, one of Japan’s loveliest and best-preserved historical cities. While Kanazawa is often compared to Koyo, although small, it is renowned for its geisha and samurai districts, iconic Kenrokuen Garden, and its wonderful cuisine-including some of Japan’s highest quality seafood.

The morning begins with a visit to Sakuda Gold and Silver Leaf Shop for a hands-on gold leaf pasting experience.

Gold leaf production in Kanazawa dates back 400 years and today is one the city’s many flourishing traditional crafts with gold leaf decorated goods featuring heavily in the city’s souvenir stores. Gold Leaf Sakuda is one of the more popular specialty gold leaf stores.

The story of Kanazawa gold leaf began in 1583, an important point in the city’s history. That was the year that Lord Toshiie Maeda, the first ruler of the local Kaga clan, rode into the city and established himself at Kanazawa Castle. That same year he ordered the first production of gold and silver leaf. This was part of a wider push by the Maeda family to encourage the development of arts and crafts in Kanazawa which resulted in the city becoming one of Japan’s leading centers of culture. Traditional handicrafts still flourish today in Kanazawa and among them perhaps nothing better expresses the local pride in workmanship and artistry than the use of gold leaf. Gold leaf is used to decorate folding screens, lacquerware, ceramics, glassware, sculptures, calligraphy, and Noh drama costumes. It is also essential for decorating temples, shrines, and Buddhist altars.

Next, a visit to Kanazawa’s Higashiyama Higashi District, a beautifully preserved traditional neighborhood. Kanazawa was one of the few major cities in Japan that was not bombed during World War Two, leaving its architectural heritage well preserved. Enjoy a sophisticated retreat from modern life.

During the Edo Period, it prospered as a district with many chaya, or teahouses, which offered exclusive entertainment by geisha. The tranquil ambience created by historical wooden buildings with latticework and traditional streetlamps will take you back in time. You can still visit some of the teahouses where Japanese high society was once entertained and indulge in reminiscence of the old days.

From here, off to Kenrokuen Garden, classified as one of Japan's "three most beautiful landscape gardens" alongside Mito's Kairakuen and Okayama’s Korakuen. The spacious grounds used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle and were constructed by the ruling Maeda family over a period of nearly two centuries. Opened to the public in 1871, Kenrokuen features a variety of flowering trees which provide the garden with a different look for each season.

The name Kenrokuen literally means "Garden of the Six Sublimities", referring to spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water, and broad views, which according to Chinese landscape theory are the six essential attributes that make up a perfect gaden. Enjoy a stroll around Kenrokuen to understanding this landscape theory as the grounds are teeming with water features, bridges, teahouses, trees, flowers, stones, viewpoints, and hidden nooks to discover.

Now, a visit to Omicho Ichiba, a lively covered food market which has been in operation since 1721. Nicknamed “Kanazawa’s kitchen”, here you will find 186 different stores, selling seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables, and confectionery. There are also several grocery stores, clothing stores, flowers stalls, and restaurants. The market has a very cheerful atmosphere and is a great place to explore Kanazawa’s food and drink culture. Enjoy free time to explore and have lunch on your own.

We will walk back to our hotel and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.

Accommodations: ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa Sky free

Day 8 – May 19th - Wednesday– Kanazawa-Osaka (B)

After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am. Our bags will be sent separately to Osaka and meet us on arrival later today.

The morning begins with a drive over to the Kanazawa Station for our train ride to Osaka, Thunderbird 16, departs at 9:54am and arrives at Osaka Station at 12:37pm.

Once here, a short drive over to the Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi area for a walking tour and free time to explore, shop, and have lunch on your own.

Welcome to Osaka, Japan's third-largest city. Ultra-urban, hard-working Osaka is an unabashed antidote to the fashion- forward frenzy of Tokyo and the prim propriety of Kyoto. This longtime capital of commerce is filled with down-to- earth citizens speaking colorful Kansai-ben (Kansai dialect) and neon-clad streetscapes bursting with over-the-top 3D signage.

Osaka's real treasures are in the bustling street life in its arcades, markets, and byways. And Osaka really comes into its own at night, when locals come out for delicious eats and good times. Accommodations for this evening is at the Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka, right in the heat of everything you would want to experience of Osaka. We are literally right around the corner from the Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and Dotonbori. You will quickly see this is the ideal spot to be in Osaka.

Check-in at the hotel will be by 3:30pm and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.

Accommodations: Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka free

Day 9 – May 20th - Thursday– Osaka-Kansai (B)

After breakfast, enjoy a complete free day to shop and explore on your own. We have confirmed a late check-out from the hotel so that you can come and go at your leisure.

Please meet your guide in the lobby by 4:30pm for the transfer to the Osaka Airport for our flight home.

Hawaiian Airlines #450 Departs Kansai 8:45 pm – Arrive Honolulu 9:40am