Chasing the Cherry Blossoms: A Journey Through Hidden Tohoku | Apr 15 - 21

from $400.00
Number of guests:

NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS!

Follow spring north through Japan’s beautiful Tohoku region, from the peaceful landscapes of Iwate to the spectacular cherry blossoms of Hirosaki.

Along the way, we’ll explore historic towns, discover local traditions, enjoy regional cuisine, and unwind at traditional hot spring inns.

Beyond the famous cherry blossom spots, this journey is about discovering a side of Japan that many travelers miss.

Tour Dates: April 15–21, 2027


Pricing: $3,590 per person (double occupancy)
Single-room supplement: $540


Reserve your spot with a $400 deposit.
Remaining balance due by February 14, 2027, once we’ve confirmed that the tour will operate.

Small group: Minimum 6 / Maximum 12 guests

Day 1 | April 15 Thu

Please share your flight details and expected arrival time with us in advance.
We’ll coordinate with you to arrange a meeting at the Haneda Airport arrival gate or another convenient meeting point.
The rest of the day is free to relax, explore the area around the hotel, or simply rest and prepare for the journey to Tohoku beginning the following day.

Stay: Haneda Airport  (Feel free to leave any extra luggage at the hotel while we’re in Tohoku. We’ll be back at the same hotel on Day 6.)

Day 2 | April 16 Fri

We’ll fly from Haneda Airport to Akita. After arriving, we’ll enjoy a lunch featuring local Akita cuisine before continuing to Iwate by private charter bus.

Kitakami Tenshochi
Our first major cherry blossom destination of the journey. Around 10,000 cherry trees line the Kitakami River, making this one of Iwate’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots.

We’ll take a leisurely walk among the blossoms and enjoy the peaceful spring scenery of rural Tohoku as we begin following the cherry blossom front northward.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue through mountain and countryside landscapes to Tsunagi Onsen.

After checking into our ryokan, take some time to relax in the hot springs and enjoy a dinner featuring local ingredients.

Stay: Tsunagi Onsen (Night 1)
One of my favorite parts of traveling in Japan is ending a day of sightseeing with a soak in an onsen. Tonight, you’ll have time to enjoy that experience for yourself.

Day 3 | April 17 Sat

Geibikei Gorge Boat Ride
Travel through the dramatic Geibikei Gorge aboard a traditional boat. Surrounded by towering cliffs, we’ll enjoy a peaceful journey through nature while listening to stories and songs from our boatman.

Enjoy local cuisine from the Ichinoseki area.

Hiraizumi
We’ll visit Hiraizumi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important center of culture and history in northern Japan.

Explore Chusonji Temple and its famous Konjikido, the Golden Hall, a National Treasure that symbolizes the prosperity of the Oshu Fujiwara clan.

This is a chance to discover a unique chapter of Tohoku’s history, when a flourishing culture once developed far from the political center of Kyoto.

Stay: Tsunagi Onsen (Night 2)

Day 4 | April 18 Sun

Leaving Iwate behind, we’ll continue north toward the Tsugaru region of Aomori.

As we travel through Iwate, Akita, and Aomori, watch the mountains and countryside gradually change as we make our way farther north.

Tsurunomai Bridge
A beautiful wooden bridge surrounded by the peaceful countryside of Tsugaru. With views toward Mount Iwaki, it offers a lovely opportunity to enjoy the scenery and tranquility of northern Japan.

Takayama Inari Shrine
Known for its rows of vivid red torii gates, this shrine offers a glimpse into the local traditions and spiritual culture of the Tsugaru region.


We’ll then explore Kuroishi’s historic Nakamachi Komise Street, where traditional wooden arcades, historic buildings, and local sake culture offer a glimpse into the area’s past, before continuing to Owani Onsen for the evening. Dinner at the ryokan.

Stay: Owani Onsen (Night 1)
Tonight, the stay is part of the experience. Enjoy the hot springs, take in the surroundings, and make the most of a relaxing evening at a Japanese onsen property.

Day 5 | April 19 Mon

The highlight of our journey. We’ll continue following the cherry blossom front northward to Hirosaki, home to some of the most celebrated cherry blossoms in Japan.

Hirosaki Park
Hirosaki Park is home to thousands of cherry trees in dozens of varieties.

We’ll enjoy the views around Hirosaki Castle, the West Moat, the famous cherry blossom tunnel, and hanaikada, where fallen cherry blossom petals cover the surface of the moat like a pink flower raft.

We’ll then explore Hirosaki’s historic castle town, with its preserved samurai residences, merchant houses, and Western-style architecture from the Meiji and Taisho periods.

Tsugaru-han Neputa Village | Goldfish Neputa Painting
Get to know
Neputa, one of Tsugaru’s traditional summer festivals, and paint your own goldfish Neputa to take home as a unique souvenir from the journey.

If the cherry blossom conditions and evening illumination schedule align, we’ll also visit Hirosaki Park after dark to enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms before returning to the ryokan.
Dinner at the ryokan.

Stay: Owani Onsen (Night 2)

Day 6 | April 20 Tue

On our final full day of sightseeing, we’ll travel from Hirosaki to Aomori, journeying through the history of Tohoku from ancient times to modern-day Aomori culture.

Sannai-Maruyama Archaeological Site
Visit one of Japan’s largest and most significant Jomon-period settlement sites.
Long before the age of samurai, castles, or even the rise of Kyoto, people were already living and building communities here. We’ll take a deeper look into the ancient history of northern Japan.

After exploring the ancient Jomon settlement at Sannai-Maruyama, we’ll enjoy local Aomori cuisine before discovering more of the region’s culture.

We’ll visit Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse to learn about Aomori’s spectacular Nebuta Festival. If time allows, we’ll also stop at A-FACTORY to browse local food and regional specialties before heading to the airport for our flight to Tokyo.

We’ll then fly from Aomori Airport to Haneda Airport and check into a hotel near the airport.

Stay: Haneda Airport, same hotel as Day 1

Day 7 | April 21 Wed

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Our journey following the cherry blossoms north through Tohoku comes to an end.

After breakfast, you are free to continue with your own travel plans or make your way to your international departure flight.

NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS!

Follow spring north through Japan’s beautiful Tohoku region, from the peaceful landscapes of Iwate to the spectacular cherry blossoms of Hirosaki.

Along the way, we’ll explore historic towns, discover local traditions, enjoy regional cuisine, and unwind at traditional hot spring inns.

Beyond the famous cherry blossom spots, this journey is about discovering a side of Japan that many travelers miss.

Tour Dates: April 15–21, 2027


Pricing: $3,590 per person (double occupancy)
Single-room supplement: $540


Reserve your spot with a $400 deposit.
Remaining balance due by February 14, 2027, once we’ve confirmed that the tour will operate.

Small group: Minimum 6 / Maximum 12 guests

Day 1 | April 15 Thu

Please share your flight details and expected arrival time with us in advance.
We’ll coordinate with you to arrange a meeting at the Haneda Airport arrival gate or another convenient meeting point.
The rest of the day is free to relax, explore the area around the hotel, or simply rest and prepare for the journey to Tohoku beginning the following day.

Stay: Haneda Airport  (Feel free to leave any extra luggage at the hotel while we’re in Tohoku. We’ll be back at the same hotel on Day 6.)

Day 2 | April 16 Fri

We’ll fly from Haneda Airport to Akita. After arriving, we’ll enjoy a lunch featuring local Akita cuisine before continuing to Iwate by private charter bus.

Kitakami Tenshochi
Our first major cherry blossom destination of the journey. Around 10,000 cherry trees line the Kitakami River, making this one of Iwate’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots.

We’ll take a leisurely walk among the blossoms and enjoy the peaceful spring scenery of rural Tohoku as we begin following the cherry blossom front northward.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue through mountain and countryside landscapes to Tsunagi Onsen.

After checking into our ryokan, take some time to relax in the hot springs and enjoy a dinner featuring local ingredients.

Stay: Tsunagi Onsen (Night 1)
One of my favorite parts of traveling in Japan is ending a day of sightseeing with a soak in an onsen. Tonight, you’ll have time to enjoy that experience for yourself.

Day 3 | April 17 Sat

Geibikei Gorge Boat Ride
Travel through the dramatic Geibikei Gorge aboard a traditional boat. Surrounded by towering cliffs, we’ll enjoy a peaceful journey through nature while listening to stories and songs from our boatman.

Enjoy local cuisine from the Ichinoseki area.

Hiraizumi
We’ll visit Hiraizumi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important center of culture and history in northern Japan.

Explore Chusonji Temple and its famous Konjikido, the Golden Hall, a National Treasure that symbolizes the prosperity of the Oshu Fujiwara clan.

This is a chance to discover a unique chapter of Tohoku’s history, when a flourishing culture once developed far from the political center of Kyoto.

Stay: Tsunagi Onsen (Night 2)

Day 4 | April 18 Sun

Leaving Iwate behind, we’ll continue north toward the Tsugaru region of Aomori.

As we travel through Iwate, Akita, and Aomori, watch the mountains and countryside gradually change as we make our way farther north.

Tsurunomai Bridge
A beautiful wooden bridge surrounded by the peaceful countryside of Tsugaru. With views toward Mount Iwaki, it offers a lovely opportunity to enjoy the scenery and tranquility of northern Japan.

Takayama Inari Shrine
Known for its rows of vivid red torii gates, this shrine offers a glimpse into the local traditions and spiritual culture of the Tsugaru region.


We’ll then explore Kuroishi’s historic Nakamachi Komise Street, where traditional wooden arcades, historic buildings, and local sake culture offer a glimpse into the area’s past, before continuing to Owani Onsen for the evening. Dinner at the ryokan.

Stay: Owani Onsen (Night 1)
Tonight, the stay is part of the experience. Enjoy the hot springs, take in the surroundings, and make the most of a relaxing evening at a Japanese onsen property.

Day 5 | April 19 Mon

The highlight of our journey. We’ll continue following the cherry blossom front northward to Hirosaki, home to some of the most celebrated cherry blossoms in Japan.

Hirosaki Park
Hirosaki Park is home to thousands of cherry trees in dozens of varieties.

We’ll enjoy the views around Hirosaki Castle, the West Moat, the famous cherry blossom tunnel, and hanaikada, where fallen cherry blossom petals cover the surface of the moat like a pink flower raft.

We’ll then explore Hirosaki’s historic castle town, with its preserved samurai residences, merchant houses, and Western-style architecture from the Meiji and Taisho periods.

Tsugaru-han Neputa Village | Goldfish Neputa Painting
Get to know
Neputa, one of Tsugaru’s traditional summer festivals, and paint your own goldfish Neputa to take home as a unique souvenir from the journey.

If the cherry blossom conditions and evening illumination schedule align, we’ll also visit Hirosaki Park after dark to enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms before returning to the ryokan.
Dinner at the ryokan.

Stay: Owani Onsen (Night 2)

Day 6 | April 20 Tue

On our final full day of sightseeing, we’ll travel from Hirosaki to Aomori, journeying through the history of Tohoku from ancient times to modern-day Aomori culture.

Sannai-Maruyama Archaeological Site
Visit one of Japan’s largest and most significant Jomon-period settlement sites.
Long before the age of samurai, castles, or even the rise of Kyoto, people were already living and building communities here. We’ll take a deeper look into the ancient history of northern Japan.

After exploring the ancient Jomon settlement at Sannai-Maruyama, we’ll enjoy local Aomori cuisine before discovering more of the region’s culture.

We’ll visit Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse to learn about Aomori’s spectacular Nebuta Festival. If time allows, we’ll also stop at A-FACTORY to browse local food and regional specialties before heading to the airport for our flight to Tokyo.

We’ll then fly from Aomori Airport to Haneda Airport and check into a hotel near the airport.

Stay: Haneda Airport, same hotel as Day 1

Day 7 | April 21 Wed

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Our journey following the cherry blossoms north through Tohoku comes to an end.

After breakfast, you are free to continue with your own travel plans or make your way to your international departure flight.