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Japan: Colors of Autumn in Tohoku

Travel Destinations: Japan

14 Day Itinerary | Tokyo, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Naruko Onsen, Kakunodate, Morioka, Oirase Stream, Hirosaki

Perfect for travelers hoping to pair outdoor sightseeing with a mixture of relaxation, culture, and cuisine, this 14-day long excursion through Japan’s scenic Tohoku Region displays the best the region has to offer at a leisurely pace. The highlight is the autumnal foliage, which comes out in force around October to November. You can see mountainous areas like Urabandai transformed by the fall, and the incredible contrast between warm-colored leaves and the intense blue of Lake Towada’s waters. In addition to sightseeing out in the natural world, you’ll also get to visit a number of cultural heritage sites that range from one-of-a-kind Buddhist pagodas to traditional Japanese castles. By taking you through a great number of places, the itinerary also gives visitors the opportunity to tastes a number of local specialty dishes ranging from noodles to sushi.

• MATSUSHIMA BAY: This bay dotted with pine-filled islands and red-lacquered traditional bridges is beautiful in the summer, but during the fall it becomes even more striking.
• MT. HAKKODA: From the mountain summit above or Lake Towada below, the autumnal scenery is beautiful, and the gentle hiking paths are a wonderful way to experience the great outdoors.
• KAKUNODATE: This former samurai village is home to preserved traditional homes and cultural artifacts that date back hundreds of years, and shed light on Japan’s famed warrior class.

14 Days - Japan - Colors of Autumn in Tohoku
Trip Type
Independent Travel

Independent trips are either entire trips you take privately or solo extensions to a group tour.

Travel Style
Classic

Embark on a timeless journey where iconic destinations, historical landmarks, and cultural treasures create a well-rounded and enduring trip.

Service Level
Luxury

Dive into elegance and luxurious perks, enjoying the finer side of travel. Typically $1,000-$2,000 pp/day.

Departure Dates
Flexible

With no pre-set departure dates, choose when you want to go and for how long.

At A Glance

Day 1 – Tokyo

• Airport Meet & Greet
• Airport Transfer

Day 2 – Aizu-Wakamatsu

• Shinkansen (bullet train) to Aizu-Wakamatsu
• Exploration of Aizu-Wakamatsu
• Multi-course kaiseki dinner

Day 3 – Aizu-Wakamatsu

• Urabandai excursion
• Goshikinuma Walk and Bandai-Azuma Lake drive

Day 4 – Aizu-Wakamatsu

• Ouchijuku excursion
• Kitakata Ramen Museum & Shrine tour
• Kura-no-sato warehouse museum tour

Day 5 – Naruko Onsen

• Shiogama Fish Market tour
• Matsushima Bay boat cruise
• Visit Zuiganji and Entsuin temples

Day 6 – Naruko Onsen

• Full day of touring around Naruko Gorge
• Kokeshi Museum tour

Day 7 – Kakunodate

• Exploration of samurai district
• Denshokan Museum visit

Day 8 – Kakunodate

• Lake Tazawa excursion
• Mikaeri Waterfall visit

Day 9 – Morioka

• Iwate Castle Park and Morioka Castle
• Sakurayama Shrine and Hoonji Temple visit

Day 10 – Oirase Stream

• Pass along the scenic Aspite Line Route
• Visit Goshogake Onsen in Towada-Hachimantai National Park

Day 11 – Oirase Stream

• Lake Towada bike ride

Day 12 – Oirase Stream

• Hakkoda ropeway to Mt. Hakkoda

Day 13 – Hirosaki

• Tour of Hirosaki Apple Park
• Visit Hirosaki Castle Park

Day 14 – Hirosaki

• Depart at any time

Itinerary

Captivating Moments

Get captivated by a stunning collection of sample images from this trip.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine Tokyo
Ueno Toshogu Shrine- Tokyo
Naruko Onsen
Naruko Onsen
Tsuruga Castle
Tsuruga Castle
Kakunodate
Kakunodate
Goshikinuma
Goshikinuma Walk
Oirase Stream
Oirase Stream

Book This Trip

This sample itinerary is meant to inspire your next trip. Love what you see? Reach out to us and make it your own! Gilded Travels can quickly offer you information about availability, customization, and pricing.

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