Day 01 (Tue, 07 May’19)
Singapore – Haneda – Tokyo
(-/-/-)
Hotel: Tokyo Station Hotel or similar
 
Arriving in Tokyo today, have a good rest this evening and prepare for your travels ahead.
 

Day 02 (Wed, 08 May’19)
Tokyo – Karuizawa
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Karuizawa Marriott Hotel or similar
 
(Car pick-up at Karuizawa Station)
 
Take a shinkansen ride to Karuizawa this morning in the first-class Gran Class carriage. Picking up your car, head to the Kyu Karuizawa Ginza for a leisurely stroll. Located in the centre of Karuizawa, this charming street is a popular shopping area with a relaxed atmosphere. Lined with shops, cafes, restaurants and a few sights, walk down the street and enjoy the pleasant ambience.
 
When Mt Asama exploded years ago, residents likened it to demons pushing rocks out of the earth. Hence, the name Onioshidashi, meaning ‘demons pushing out’, was given to the area. At Onioshidashi Asamaen, you can see the result of this explosion in a field littered with huge volcanic rocks of different shapes and sizes.

Day 03 (Thu, 09 May’19)
Karuizawa
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Karuizawa Marriott Hotel or similar
 
Get your fill of flowers at Ashikaga Flower Park, famous for its abundant wisteria flowers. Over 350 blooming wisteria trees create spectacular tunnels of purple, pink, white and even yellow flowers overhead. On the ground, over 5,000 bushes of azalea colour the landscape with bright blossoms that complement the hanging wisteria. Surround yourself with the gorgeous colours and sweet scents of flowers here!
 
Moving on to the Gunma Flower Park, see the spread of curated flower beds, arranged in designs that change according to the season. The large park allows you to enjoy various flowers in different settings such as a Japanese garden, an English garden, a rock garden, and a large greenhouse with flowers from around the world.

Day 04 (Fri, 10 May’19)
Karuizawa – Akakura Onsen
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Akakura Kanko Hotel (private hot spring) or similar
 
Located at the base of a mountain, Togakushi Shrine consists of a lower, middle and upper shrine, each housing different gods. A short hike is needed to reach the upper shrine, but the pathways lined with 400-year-old cedar trees and towering Mt. Togakushi in the background make the walk particularly beautiful.
 
Take a walk around Obuse Town, an artistic town known for chestnuts and sake. Stroll down Obuse’s chestnut path, lined with traditional white-walled houses with tiled roofs and brick chimneys, taking in the romantic feel of the town. As the last residence of Japan’s premier ukiyo-e artist, Hokusai, his art can be seen at the Hokusai Museum and Takai Kozan Memorial Museum.

Day 05 (Sat, 11 May’19)
Akakura Onsen – Myoko – Akakura Onsen
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Akakura Kanko Hotel (private hot spring) or similar
 
You will take part in a special Myoko Activity today with the locals! Visit a local farm where you will learn to make the local speciality of takenokojiru – bamboo shoot miso soup. Dine on a homecooked meal against the beautiful scenery of the farm and feel the warm hospitality of the locals as they share their way of life with you.
 
In the evening, you will want to head back early to Akakura Kanko Hotel, Japan’s pioneer resort hotel. Built on an area of 3.3 million square metres at an altitude of 1,000 metres high, you are guaranteed uninterrupted views of the surrounding scenery. Panoramas of Akakura Onsen town below can be seen from large picture windows, and even from your private hot spring bath. When weather conditions are right, you may find yourself dining above a sea of clouds, just like being in a castle in the sky.
 

Day 06 (Sun, 12 May’19)
Akakura Onsen – Niigata
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Niigata or similar
 
An unusual sight for a countryside area like Echigo Tsumari, over 100 art pieces can be found around the area, a result of the local Art Triennale. Serving as the centre of the event, the Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art KINARE is itself an architectural art piece encompassing many smaller artworks by local and international artists that is open to art appreciators year-round.
 
A small village of houses at the base of Mt Hakkai, Uonuma no Sato is a charming area where you can find sake breweries that produce Niigata’s famous Hakkaisan sake, cafes, restaurants and museums. Pick up some sake and local delicacies at the shops here and be sure to check out the snow storage building which uses snow collected in winter to preserve sake and other food items.
 
Learn to appreciate Japan’s national fish, the Koi, at this next location. Nishikigoi Village is a facility built for the enjoyment of these beautiful fish. You can learn about the different varieties and breeding methods of Koi and spend some time watching them weave colourful patterns as they swim freely in aquariums and garden ponds.
 
Tsubamesanjo is a major production centre for metal products and at the Tsubamesanjo Jibasan Centre, you can find a huge variety of cutlery, houseware and other metal ware here. In addition, local specialities like sake, rice and confectionary are available, perfect for picking up some souvenirs of your trip!

Day 07 (Mon, 13 May’19)
Niigata – Haneda
(Breakfast/-/-)
 
Enjoy some free time in Niigata City this morning before your flight back to Singapore.
 
(Car drop-off at Niigata Airport)

DRIVE TOUR (GOLD)
Assemble date:   07 May, Tues (SO13298)

Flight schedule: (for suggestion only, not included in tour price)
07May    SQ 632              Singapore - Haneda    
0800 / 1555

13May    NH 3240            Niigata - Narita    
1435 / 1540

13May   SQ 11              Narita - Singapore     
2010/ 0225*1

1st & 2nd passenger
Vitz                           :  Adult twin share $4,580; Adult single $6,780
Corolla/Corolla Fielder :  Adult twin share $4,680; Adult single $6,980
New Prius*/Isis          :  Adult twin share $4,780; Adult single $7,180
Estima/Velfire            :  Adult twin share $4,980; Adult single $7,380
3rd & 4th passenger 
(sharing same car with 1st & 2nd passenger)
Adult twin share $4,180; Adult triple share $3,980
Child twin share $4,180; Child with bed $3,780
Child no bed (age 4 & below) $1,380

Tour price includes:
Hotel accommodation as stipulated in itinerary
Meals as stipulated in itinerary
FMJ driving guidebook (1 per car)
ETC card and Japan Handphone (1 per car)
Comprehensive travel insurance
Car rental with insurance coverage

Tour price excludes:
Air ticket
Airport taxes & fuel charges (Estimated, subject to change)
Parking & Entrance fees to sightseeing spots
Petrol or Oil refilling
Child seat (if required)
Application fee for IDP
Visa application fee (if any)
Any other charges not stated as included

Remarks:
English Voice-over GPS Navigation system subject to availability.
The prices are subject to change upon fluctuations of currency exchange rates.  Flight schedule and the sequence of the itinerary are subject to change with or without prior notice to ensure the smooth running of the tour.
Minimum group size to confirm tour is 10 adults/children with bed.
Child no bed will be served simple meals.
Please refer to booking form for further terms and conditions.