Japan – North to Hokkaido

Day 1 – London to Tokyo

Scheduled flight from London to Tokyo.

Day 2 – Arrive Tokyo

Arrive Tokyo and transfer to a hotel in central Tokyo for a 3-night stay.

Day 3 – Sightseeing in Tokyo

Explore Japan’s capital city. Either join our guided tour or strike out on your own on the immaculately clean and efficient Metro and suburban trains. This evening includes a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4 – Mooka Railway\

We sample three types of train in quick succession today. We race out of Tokyo by Shinkansen Bullet train to Oyama, then by local electric train to Shimodate and finally the Mooka Railway steam train through the countryside of northern Kanto to Motegi. Normally hauled by a C11 Tank engine this is a gentle introduction to travel in Japan.

Day 5 – Banetsu Monogatari Steam

Today we leave Tokyo for Niigata on the Sea of Japan coast. We will experience the Shinkansen travelling at more than 300km/h as we travel from Tokyo to Koriyama. We will then travel by electric train to Aizu Wakamatsu before joining the SL Banetsu Monogatari as it travels along the scenic Banetsu West Line to the outskirts of Niigata. This is the longest steam train run in Japan and a C57 class locomotive will be hauling the train. We overnight in Niigata.

Day 6 – By Train to Akita

Journey on the ‘Inaho’ limited express train along the scenic Sea of Japan coastline north to Akita for a 1-night stay. Marvel at the stunning coastline on one side, and mountains and rice paddies on the other. Afternoon at leisure to explore the city or, you may wish to travel to Oga, famous for its ‘Oga no Namahage’ Festival (a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage). Although the festival will not be taking place, the Namahage Museum features over 150 masks.

Day 7 – Onward to Hokkaido

Depart by ‘Komachi’ service along the ‘Mini Shinkansen’ line to Morioka, changing here for Aomori. We continue by Hokkaido Shinkansen train to Hakodate through the Seikan Tunnel, the world’s second longest railway tunnel at 53.85km, linking Honshu and Hokkaido. We have a 2-night stay in Hakodate.

Day 8 – Hakodate Sightseeing

A day’s guided sightseeing in Hakodate to include the city’s trams. This city was the first to open to the West in the 19th Century and boasts an international feel with its many churches and western style architecture.

Day 9 – Across Hokkaido

Today we travel across Hokkaido to the Eastern city of Kushiro for a 2-night stay. We travel by Limited Express trains via Chitose, with both journeys offering great views of the wild and mountainous countryside.

Day 10 – At Leisure in Kushiro

Day at leisure to look around Kushiro. You may wish to visit Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf where you will find a selection of restaurants serving gourmet meals. North of Kushiro is Japan’s largest Marshland, Kushiro Marsh, now a National Park and home to the magnificent Tancho Cranes.

Day 11 – Return to Sapporo

Today we will travel along one of the most atmospheric local lines in Japan, the JR Senmo Line. It runs from the Pacific Ocean at Kushiro to the Sea of Okhotsk at Abashiri through two national parks. We will have a brief stop for lunch, before continuing by ‘Okhotsk 6’ limited express train through the Daisetsuzan mountain range to Sapporo where we stay for 2 nights.

Day 12 – At Leisure in Sapporo

Day at leisure to explore Hokkaido’s capital city. You may wish to take an all day trip to Wakkanai, Japan's most northerly station or opt to travel to Otaru and visit the Railway Museum or maybe the Railway Technology Museum at Naebo. Sapporo trams are also an easy and efficient way to explore the city.

Day 13 – Return to Honshu

Today we return to Honshu (the main island of Japan) by limited express to Shin Hakodate Hokuto where we will change to the Shinkansen for Sendai and a 2-night stay.

Day 14 – Matsushima Bay Cruise

A short trip along the coast by train to Hon Shiohamaguchi where we take a boat trip around Matsushima Bay, with over 260 islands, regarded as one of Japan’s three most scenic locations.

Day 15 – Sendai to Nikko

Travel by Shinkansen Bullet train to Utsunomiya and continue by regional train to historic Nikko. Tonight we will be staying in a modern Japanese-style Onsen Hotel for 1 night with dinner included.

Day 16 – Free Day in Magical Nikko

After a leisurely morning, we will transfer to the Nikko Station Hotel for 1 night. The rest of the day is free to explore Nikko’s world famous Temples and Shrines, many of which are UNESCO Sites. The Toshogu Shrine and Taiyuin Temple are must do visits however, do go early or late to enjoy them without the crowds.

Day 17 – To Haneda

We will return to Haneda Airport on Tobu Railway’s luxury Spacia X limited express train to Asakusa and then local train to Haneda Airport for an overnight stay at an airport hotel.

Day 18 – Fly Tokyo to London

Flight from Tokyo to London arriving same day.