Day 00 (Mon, 20 Apr’20)

Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Haneda

Day 01 (Tue, 21 Apr’20)
Haneda – Akita
(-/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Akita Castle Hotel or similar
 
(Car pick up at Akita Airport)
 
Arriving in Akita this morning, start off at the “kitchen of Akita”, the Akita Citizen’s Market. Selling everything from seafood, meat, mountain vegetables and fruits to clothing, souvenirs and household items, there’s lots to see and buy in this casual and lively market. Try some of the locally produced food, including regional fish not available elsewhere, and experience the food culture of Akita first hand.
 
Aside from the 800 cherry trees that welcome the arrival of Spring with their precious pink blooms, Senshu Park is also home to the ruins of Akita Castle, a temple and a shrine. Walk along the paths through these historical and natural treasures and enjoy one of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots.

Day 02 (Wed, 22 Apr’20)
Akita – Kakunodate
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Kakunodate Sanso Wabizakura (Private Hot Spring) or similar
 
Seitai Hoshikai is a catholic church housed in a Japanese-style building akin to temples and shrines. Set in a semi-rural area with tranquil gardens, the church is most famous for its crying statue, Our Lady of Akita. Tears were found coming out of the statue’s eyes one day in 1975, a phenomenon that continued intermittently over the next few years.
 
Take a stroll around the charming streets of Kakunodate and soak in the atmosphere of this former castle town and samurai stronghold. Built with two distinct areas, the samurai district and merchant districts, the town has not changed much since its founding in 1620. Admire the old samurai houses along with the bountiful cherry blossom trees that surround them.
 
Head to Dakigaeri Gorge next, one of the most beautiful valleys in the Tohoku region. Its name comes from the words “daki” (to hug) and “kaeri” (to switch) as the trekking path in the past was so narrow that people coming from opposite directions had to hug each other to pass through.  An iridescent blue stream runs through the gorge, surrounded by fresh green foliage on the magnificent mountains. A short walk along the hiking trail will bring you to the impressive Mikaeri Waterfall, a hidden cascade in the forest.

Day 03 (Thu, 23 Apr’20)
Kakunodate – Appi Kogen
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Hotel Appi Grand (Hot Spring) or similar
 
Blooming for only a short period of time each spring, see the skunk cabbage flowers at Sashimaki Wetland while you can! The wetland is home to 60,000 Asian and Eastern skunk cabbage which can be best admired by taking a stroll on the raised boardwalk through the marsh.
 
See the cherry blossoms at one of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots, Takamatsu Park! Centred around a peaceful pond, roughly 800 cherry trees can be found here. Take a stroll around the pond, or even a paddle boat into the water, and marvel at the beauty of the flowers against the backdrop of a snow-capped Mt Iwate in the distance!

Day 04 (Fri, 24 Apr’20)
Appi Kogen – Oirase
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel (Hot Spring) or similar
 
Spring is the season for strawberries, so indulge in some strawberry picking! Pick and eat your fill of delicious, sweet strawberries at a strawberry farm this morning!
 
The volcanic plateau of Hachimantai stands at 1,613 metres above sea level and many scenic roads run through the area. Take one of them on the way to Oirase and marvel at the scenery as you drive through the snow corridor of the Hachimantai Aspite Line.
 
Make a stop at the Hakkatoge Observatory for a panoramic view of Lake Towada, the largest caldera lake on the main island of Japan. Situated at a height of 631m, the observatory is considered the best of the viewpoints in the area as it provides a clear, panoramic view of the lake, the forested cliffs of the caldera’s rim, and the surrounding mountain ranges. 

Day 05 (Sat, 25 Apr’20)
Oirase
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel (Hot Spring) or similar
 
Flowing along the floor of the Oirase Gorge, the Oirase River winds through a pristine forest made up of towering white cedar, Japanese beech and maple trees. Take your time to stroll through the forested paths and bask in the fresh air, lovely greens of the foliage and the clear river water as you follow the river round its bends.
 
Visit the Towada Art Center, a contemporary art museum housing works by internationally acclaimed artists like Yayoi Kusama, created specifically for this museum. Each piece of art is incorporated into the museum’s building and seemingly on display for the world to see. Art here is not always found where you would expect it to be and often spills out into the city around it.

Day 06 (Sun, 26 Apr’20)
Oirase – Aomori – Haneda - Singapore
(Breakfast/-/-)
 
One of Japan’s 100 famous mountains, Mt Hakkoda consists of a few volcanic peaks surrounded by expanses of greenery. Take the Hakkoda Ropeway up the side of the mountain for breath-taking panoramic views of fresh greens and snow caps covering the mountainous landscape.
 
Home to the three-storey Hirosaki Castle, a historical monument, Hirosaki Park is a large park in the middle of the city. Home to over 2,500 cherry trees which cover the park in gorgeous pink blossoms each spring, it is easy to see why this is one of the most popular cherry blossom-viewing spots in Tohoku, and perhaps Japan.
 
(Car return at Aomori Airport)

DRIVE TOUR
Assemble date:   20 Apr, Mon (SO13977)

Flight schedule: (for suggestion only, not included in tour price)
20 Apr 20    JL 36              Singapore - Haneda    
2150 / 0550*1

21 Apr 20    JL 161             Haneda - Akita 
0700 / 0805

26 Apr 20    JL 150             Aomori - Haneda    
2035 / 2155

27 Apr 20    JL 35               Haneda - Singapore     
0005 / 0615

** Discounts **
- Early Bird Discount - 3% off tour price (after other discounts) Valid for bookings made by 20th September 2019. T&C apply. 
- 1st to 10th pax discount - S$ 200
- Loyalty Discount - Subject to number of times joined FMJ Tours

1st & 2nd passenger
Vitz                           :    Adult twin share $4,080; Adult single $5,380
Corolla / Fielder          :   Adult twin share $4,180; Adult single $5,580
New Prius/Isis            :   Adult twin share $4,280; Adult single $5,780
Estima/Vellfire            :   Adult twin share $4,480; Adult single $6,180
3rd & 4th passenger 
(sharing same car with 1st & 2nd passenger)
Adult twin share $3,680; Adult triple share $3,480
Child twin share $3,680; Child with bed $3,380
Child no bed (age 4 & below) $1,680

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.