8D7N Blue Festival in North Central Japan

HIGHLIGHTS

Assemble dates:

06 JUL 2024

12 JUL 2024

Price

06 JUL – S$5,688

12 JUL – S$5,588

Tax & Fuel surcharge: S$140*

Seasonal Scenery:

Suigo Sawara Ayame Park “Lotus Festival”, Hitachi Seaside Park “Lavender & Various Flowers”, Ashikaga Flower Park “Water Lily”, Kamikochi “Kappabashi, Tashirobashi & Hotakabashi Bridges”, Oishi Park “Lavender”

Unique Experiences:

Blueberry Picking Experience, Hoshitouge Terraced Rice Field, Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel, Soba Noodles Making Experience

Sightseeing & Shopping Experiences:

Sawara Town, Kura-no-Machi, Uonuma Jozo, Tamagawa Sake Brewery, Daio Wasabi Farm, Suwa Taisha, Gotemba Premium Outlets

Special Gourmet Delights

Sumptuous Japanese multi-course dinner Japanese Kaiseki or buffet in Ryokans/Hotels, local delights at local restaurants

Hotel/Ryokan Stays:

03-nights authentic Japanese Onsen/Ryokan/Hotel at Yuzawa, Karuizawa & Suwa. 04-nights centrally located hotel in Narita, Mito & Tokyo

ITINERARY

Day 1 Singapore – Narita 新加坡 - 成田

SQ12 SIN-NRT 0925-1730

Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Narita or similar / Western room

Meal: - / Meal on Board / D

Upon arrival at the Narita Airport, coach transfer to Tokyo city for hotel check in. Tonight, enjoy dinner [Buffet] at the hotel.

Day 2 Narita – Sawara – Hitachi – Mito 成田 - 佐原 - ひたちなか - 水戸

Hotel: Mito Plaza Hotel or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

This morning, let’s start your day at Sawara Town (佐原). The town prospered during the Edo Period and has earned the title ‘Little Edo’ for its preserved and restored traditional residences, merchant shops and warehouses. The Sawara Matsuri is held twice a year in July and October, during which floats are topped by giant dolls of mythological warriors and heroes are wheeled through the streets. Next, we will visit Suigo Sawara Ayame Park (水郷佐原あやめパーク) ✿. Suigo Sawara Ayame Park is a Japanese garden like no other as it focuses on aquatic plants. The park occupies a part of Yodaura Bay in the wet plain encompassing several lakes and rivers flowing into the Pacific Ocean in Chiba prefecture’s northeastern side. From July through August, around 300 varieties of lotus flowers can be seen and appreciated, and the Hasu Lotus Festival is also held. After that, proceed to a local restaurant for lunch [Unagi Set]. After lunch, transfer to Hitachi City and visit Hitachi Seaside Park (ひたち海浜公園) ✿. A wide variety of seasonal flower gardens that offers visitors the chance to enjoy spectacular displays of seasonal flowers year-round. Finally, transfer to Mito city for hotel check in. Tonight, enjoy dinner [Japanese Kaiseki] at the hotel.

Day 3 Mito – Kura-no-machi – Iwafune – Ashikaga – Yuzawa 水戸 - 蔵の街 - 岩舟 - 足利 - 湯沢

Hotel: Hotel Futaba or similar / Japanese room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, transfer to Kura-no-Machi (蔵の街). Kawagoe’s warehouse district are lined with clay-walled, Edo-styled buildings which were part of the important commercial town supplying resources to Edo, which is present day Tokyo. Besides shops and restaurants, you can also visit the nearby Bell Tower, a landmark and symbol of Kawagoe. Next, the fruit orchard awaits you! Enjoy Blueberry Picking in Iwafune, which is just in season! After that, proceed to a local restaurant for lunch [Ebi Fry Set]. After lunch, proceed to Ashikaga and visit Ashikaga Flower Park (足利フラワーパーク) ✿. There are hundreds of flowering plants and trees, each showing an enticing color. Enjoy irises, hydrangeas and water lilies which is in season! Tonight, enjoy your dinner [Japanese Kaiseki] at the hotel.

Day 4 Yuzawa – Tokamachi – Uonuma – Karuizawa 湯沢 - 十日町 - 魚沼 - 軽井沢

Hotel: Karuizawa Prince Hotel West or similar / Japanese Western room

Meal: B / L / D

This morning, you will be visiting Hoshitouge Terraced Rice Field (星峠の棚田). Niigata is one of Japan’s most favored rice-growing districts and the rice fields are one of Tokamachi’s most picturesque tourist attractions. In summer, the landscape turns into shades of verdant green and is considered part of Japan’s Top 100 magnificent sights. Next, visit Uonuma Jozo (魚沼醸造). One of the world’s largest factories producing fermented food such as rice koji and Amazake. The abundance of clean and clear water and rice makes the city ideal for producing good quality fermented goods. After lunch [Sashimi Set] at a local restaurant, visit the Tamagawa Sake Brewery (玉川酒造). Niigata prefecture has the largest number of sake breweries in Japan and this brewery has been around since 340 years ago. The traditional techniques and taste has been passed down for generations. Learn about the sake brewing process and sample the different types of sake produced here! Thereafter, visit Kiyotsu Gorge (清津峡). One of the 3 Great Gorges of Japan, the gorge has clear blue waters, panoramic views and unique formations formed by an underwater volcanic eruption millions of years ago. The popular ‘Tunnel of Light’ is filled with water that reflects the gorge and forest and is a prime photo spot. Finally, transfer to Karuizawa for hotel check in. Tonight, enjoy your dinner [Buffet] at the hotel.

Day 5 Karuizawa – Azumino – Kamikochi – Suwa 軽井沢 - 安曇野 - 上高地 - 諏訪

Hotel: Hotel Beniya or simlar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, visit Daio Wasabi Farm. It is one of Japan’s largest wasabi farms, with fresh water from the Northern Alps for every wasabi plant. Explore the walking trails and shops selling wasabi related products such as fresh wasabi paste, pickles, wasabi beer, wasabi chocolate and more. After lunch [Set with Seasonal Local Vegetables and Wasabi] at the farm, transfer to Kamikochi (上高地). Kamikochi is a popular mountain valley resort in the Northern Alps of Nagano. Surrounding mountains include Yakedake and Nishihotakadake, which offers some of the country’s most spectacular mountain scenery. Along the trails, you will come across points of interest such as Kappa-bashi, Tashiro-bashi and Hotaka-bashi bridges. Finally, transfer to Kamisuwa Onsen for hotel check in. Tonight, enjoy your dinner [Japanese Kaiseki] at the hotel.

Day 6 Suwa – Lake Kawaguchi – Gotemba – Tokyo 諏訪 - 河口湖 - 御殿場 - 東京

Hotel: Sunshine City Prince Hotel or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / -

After breakfast, visit Suwa Taisha (諏訪大社), an ancient Shinto complex that stretches along the shoreline of Lake Suwa. It is one of the oldest shrines in Japan history, at over 1,200 years old. Next, enjoy a Soba Noodle Making Experience, which will be part of your lunch [Set with Tempura Soba] today! After lunch, transfer to Lake Kawaguchi and visit Oishi Park (大石公園) ✿. Oishi Park on the north shore of Kawaguchiko is a park with a superb view of lake and Mt.Fuji at once. Various flowers bloom on the promenade along the lakeside according to the season. From late June to early July, The Herb Festival is held where lavender is in full bloom. Next, transfer to Gotemba Premium Outlets for shopping. Gotemba Premium Outlets is the flagship center, and one of the largest centers in Japan. It is situated on an extensive site within view of World Cultural Heritage site, Mt. Fuji. Lunch is at your own expense at the premium outlets. After that, transfer to Tokyo city for hotel check in. Tonight, enjoy your dinner during your own free & easy time in Tokyo.

Day 7 Tokyo – Singapore 東京 - 新加坡

Hotel: Sunshine City Prince Hotel or similar / Western room

Meal: B / - / -

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy the whole day free at your own leisure.

Day 8 Singapore 新加坡

SQ633 HND-SIN 1705-2305

After breakfast at the hotel, free at your own leisure until departure.

Bid farewell to Tokyo as we proceed to the airport and take a flight back to Singapore. We hope that you have enjoyed this vacation with JTB and we look forward to helping you create your next perfect moments, always!