Tohoku Spring Serenade

Day 00 (Sat, 18 Apr’26) 

Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Haneda. 

Day 01 (Sun, 19 Apr’26)
Singapore – Haneda – Shonai
(-/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Suiden Terrasse (Hot Spring) or similar

Your first stop for this tour is a visit to Kamo Aquarium, home to the world’s largest collection of jellyfish. Backlit by colourful lights, the numerous species of jellyfish are without a doubt the stars of the aquarium and utterly mesmerizing to watch. For the adventurous, unique snacks such as jellyfish ice cream are sold as well.  

Spend the night in Suiden Terrasse, a charming hotel ‘floating’ in the rice fields. With natural wooden interiors complementing the rural landscapes, natural hot springs, and farm to table dining, the experience peaceful countryside life here. 

Day 02 (Mon, 20 Apr’26)
Shonai
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Suiden Terrasse (Hot Spring) or similar 

This morning starts with a visit to the Homma Museum of Art. An art museum established in the post war era to lift the spirits of people through art and culture, the museum is now better known for its beautiful garden and Kyoto-style villa, creating a space where art, nature and history combine. 

Surround yourself with flowers next at Tsuruoka Park, one of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom spots with 730 cherry trees of different varieties blooming in spring. Built on the site of the former Tsurugaoka Castle, the remains of castle walls, moats and ancient cedar trees add a touch of history to the seasonal blooms. 

Day 03 (Tue, 21 Apr’26)
Shonai – Kaminoyama Onsen
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Nippon no Yado Koyo (Private Hot Spring) or similar

Make a stop at JA Tsuruoka farmer’s market Montearl this morning. Carrying an extensive range of agricultural products, this is where you can find all kinds of local specialties from this city of gastronomy. 

Check in early and relax at Nippon no Yado Koyo, ranked among Japan’s best ryokans for over 40 years. Soak in the beautifying waters of your private hot spring bath and enjoy delectable local gourmet along with sweeping views of the Zao mountain range. 

Day 04 (Wed, 22 Apr’26)
Kaminoyama Onsen – Hanamaki Onsen
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Hanamaki Onsen Kashoen (Private Hot Spring) or similar 

Known as one of the three most scenic views of Japan, the 260 pine covered islands of Matsushima promise a beautiful view from each vantage point. The abundant pine trees, many of them bent into a permanent slant by the wind, give character to the islands by decorating each in a unique way. A stroll along the bay provides you with different angles to enjoy nature’s artwork, and a couple of the islands can be accessed via bridges from the mainland as well. 

Soak in the silky-smooth hot spring waters at Hanamaki Onsen Kashoen, your accommodation this evening. Known as a ‘beauty hot spring’, the water here has moisturising properties which will leave your skin refreshed. 

Day 05 (Thu, 23 Apr’26)
Hanamaki Onsen
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Hanamaki Onsen Kashoen (Private Hot Spring) or similar

Admire the flowers at Kitakami Tenshochi Park, one of the top three sakura-viewing spots in Tohoku and one of the top 100 in Japan. Over 10,000 cherry trees line the Kitakami River forming a sakura tunnel of over 2km. These fragile pink blossoms spread over an area of 293 hectares, equivalent to 62 Tokyo Domes. 

Move on to the spectacular Genbikei Gorge, a Place of Scenic Beauty known for its dramatic rock formations carved out by the strong currents of the flowing river. It is also where you can find ‘flying dango’, skewered rice ball snacks that are delivered via a pulley system from across the gorge. 

Day 06 (Fri, 24 Apr’26)
Hanamaki Onsen – Aomori
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: ReLabo Medical Spa & Stay (Hot Spring) or similar 

Do some strawberry picking this morning and savour the fruit which is in season now. Pick and eat your fill of sweet, juicy strawberries at their freshest, right off the vine. 

The volcanic plateau of Hachimantai stands at 1,613m 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 travel through the snow corridor of the Hachimantai Aspite Line. 

Day 07 (Sat, 25 Apr’26)
Aomori – Oirase – Towada – Aomori
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: ReLabo Medical Spa & Stay (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 this morning. 

In the afternoon, linger at the hotel to enjoy its facilities, or head out to 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 08 (Sun, 26 Apr’26)
Aomori – Hirosaki – Aomori
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: ReLabo Medical Spa & Stay (Hot Spring) or similar 

The site of 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. Enjoy the canopies of beautiful flowers throughout the park and the annual cherry blossom festival held at this time. 

Day 09 (Mon, 27 Apr’26)
Aomori – Tokyo
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: The Tokyo Station Hotel or similar 

Take the shinkansen down to Tokyo today for the final leg of your journey. 

Day 10 (Tue, 28 Apr’26)
Tokyo
(Breakfast/-/-)
Hotel: The Tokyo Station Hotel or similar 

Free and easy 

Day 11 (Wed, 29 Apr’26)
Tokyo – Haneda – Singapore
(Breakfast/-/-)  

Flight back to Singapore