(above cover photo: Sapporo in October) 

Have you been looking to see Japan from a different vantage point? Join us in Northern Japan!

If you’d enjoy engaging with unique Japanese cultures not found outside the region, taking nature walks near lakes, waterfalls, and mountains surrounded by spectacular fall colors, and experiencing international contemporary art in new museums by top Japanese architects… then this small group tour is for you!

Northern Japan’s original Jomon civilization goes back 14,000 years, and the archeological sites and museums reveal their fascinating story. The region’s living indigenous Ainu culture goes back over 1,000 years, and is the focus of Upopoy, a new, highly acclaimed National Ainu Museum and Park. Five new community-focused art museums--designed by Japan’s top architects--have recently opened, and we’ll meet their innovative leaders.

We’ll stay at three award-winning Hoshino resort properties, in Shiroi adjacent to Upopy, the Oirase Gorge, and Misawa, expressly designed to celebrate the culture, history, cuisine, hot springs, and landscape where they are sited. Other highlights include Moerenuma Park, Isamu Noguchi’s last and largest sculpture park, the majestic Towada Shrine hidden in a cedar forest, a warehouse full of monumental wire and painted paper Nebuta festival floats, and a high-speed shinkansen bullet train ride to Tokyo for our final night.

The 11-night/12-day immersion tour has been designed by and will be led by Mark Holzbach and Dana Friis-Hansen. Having lived in Japan for five years during the 1990s, and since then having organized exhibitions and written extensively about Japanese art, their insights, experiences, and insider connections will make this a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

DRAFT ITINERARY (subject to updates)

DAY 1: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026: ARRIVAL IN TOKYO + CONNECTING FLIGHT TO SAPPORO

Welcome to Japan!

Arrive in Tokyo (either Haneda, HND, or Narita, NRT, airports) and transfer on-your-own (a clearly marked / uncomplicated transfer) to your Sapporo-Chitose airport (CTS) connecting flight (not included). An associate will meet you at Sapporo-Chitose airport and transport you and your luggage to our downtown hotel via private car or van (about 1 hour)

Overnight: JR East Hotel Mets Sapporo (or similar)

DAY 5: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 202: HAKODATE

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out, & board bus. Drive to Hakodate Jomon Culture Center for special tour with Jomon cultural expert/scholar. Afterwards, we will drive to Hakodate City a fun lunch at Lucky Pierrot, “Hakodate’s most famous restaurant.” We will tour the downtown historic district, and visit the rich Museum of Northern Peoples, and explore shopping opportunities at the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses. After check in to our hotel near Shin-Hakodate train station, you’ll have a free evening.

Overnight: Hotel La'gent Plaza Hakodate Hokuto (or similar)

DAY 6: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2026: AOMORI

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out, & board Shinkansen (bullet) train for Aomori.

After an informal lunch together, we will head to to visit Sannimaru Jomon Site, an expansive collection of artifacts and open-air museum with reconstructed Jomon structures. Nearby is the notable Aomori Prefectural Art Museum, with its notable architecture inspired by those Joman buildings. Dinner together in Downtown Aomori.

Overnight: Hotel Daiwa Roynet Aomori (or similar)

DAY 7: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2026: AOMORI

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet in lobby walk the shoreline promenade to the eye-popping Nebuta Museum celebrating the famed local festival of lantern-like floats made from wire and paper. We’ll enjoy the culinary treats at the A-Factory for a quick lunch.

After lunch, bus to Jomon Komakino Stone Circle site. Return to hotel for dinner on your own.

Overnight: Hotel Daiwa Roynet Aomori (or similar)

DAY 9: MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2026: OIRASE

This is an unstructured “resort day,” where you can take it easy and/or explore hands-on activities, spa experiences, nature talks, a moss walk on the grounds, join a forest breathing meditation, ta ea service by a brook, or go farther afield by shuttle, for a longer more energetic hike.

Overnight: Hoshino Oirase Keiryu Resort (or similar)

DAY 10: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2026: TOWADA & HACHINOHE

Breakfast at the hotel. Checkout and board bus to Hachinohe

Visit the recently-opened Hachinohe Art Museum, designed around community engagement and civic discourse. We continue on to the Towada Art Center, filled and surrounded with landmark global contemporary art, and meet with the innovative Director. If time permits, we’ll stroll the distinctive downtown to see more notable art and architecture.

Drive to Aomoriya Hoshino Resort near Misawa. Check in. relax, have dinner (& show!)

Overnight: Hoshino Aomoriya Resort (or similar)

DAY 11: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2026: TOKYO

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we’ll travel together on a high-speed shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo, and spend the afternoon exploring the highlights of the Ginza area, including shopping for our lunch at one of the amazing “depachikia,” department store food hall, and lunch on the roof, doing your final shopping, and watching the neon lights start up at dusk… before our special Finale dinner.

Overnight: Hotel Muji Ginza (or similar)

DAY 12: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2026: FLY HOME (or extend trip)

The tour ends with a nice breakfast, which is provided by the hotel. OR, if you want to get up early for a special adventure, consider joining our guided walk for an optional sushi breakfast in the famed Tsukiji Outer Market, and browsing the unique culinary shopping. The rest of the day is yours until it is time to head to the airport. We will arrange your airport transfer according to your flight schedule. Otherwise, we are glad to help you plan more adventures if you are interested extending your time in Japan.

Tour Highlights

This tour will especially be for you if you enjoy the following:

• Discovering the ancient Jomon civilization through archaeological sites and museums, revealing Japan’s earliest culture

• Exploring the living indigenous Ainu culture at the acclaimed Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park

• Visiting Northern Japan’s newly opened community-focused art museums, designed by Japan’s top architects

• Experiencing the stunning autumn landscapes of lakes, waterfalls, and mountains, with vibrant fall colors

• Walking through Isamu Noguchi’s iconic Moerenuma Park, his largest and last sculpture park

• Visiting Takayama Inari Shrine and the majestic Towada Shrine hidden in the forests

• Marveling at the massive Nebuta festival floats in a unique warehouse exhibition

• Staying at award-winning Hoshino resorts, with emphasis on local culture, history, and cuisine

• Enjoying locally sourced, seasonal Japanese cuisine, highlighting the culinary traditions of Northern Japan

• Traveling with a small group (limited to 14 participants) for a more personal and immersive experience

What’s Included

• Expert-guided 10-night/11-day tour through Northern Japan, including Hokkaido and Aomori

• Accommodations at award-winning Hoshino resorts and other carefully selected lodgings

• Daily breakfast, plus additional meals as specified in the itinerary

• Private transportation throughout the tour, including domestic travel between destinations

• Entrance fees to all included cultural, historical, and art sites, including museums, shrines, and archaeological sites

• Exclusive access to the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park, and private tours of Northern Japan's new art museums

• Guided walks through Moerenuma Park, Towada Shrine, and Takayama Inari Shrine

• Visit to the Nebuta festival float warehouse and other unique local landmarks

• Personalized service from knowledgeable local guides and your tour leaders

• Assistance with checking international flight options

• Advice on optional travel insurance, including CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) policies

• Guidance on extending your stay with additional hotel nights or further travel within Japan before or after the tour

What’s Not Included

• International airfare to and from Japan

• Travel insurance (especially recommended for anyone with specific concerns…please inquire for advice)

• Meals not specified in the itinerary

• Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, snacks, etc.)

• Optional activities or excursions not listed in the itinerary

• Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) outside of included meals

• Costs for additional hotel nights or extended stays before or after the tour

Salient Tour Details:

• Tour Cost: $9,000 per person, double occupancy

• Estimated Single occupancy charge: $TBD(only for single travelers requiring their own private room if available…please inquire if you are a single traveler seeking a roommate to avoid this charge)

• Minimum Participants: 6

• Maximum Participants: 14 (This ensures an intimate experience for all travelers)

• Tour Go/No-Go Decision Date (when it is determined if there are enough refundable deposit-paying registrants to meet the minimum): 15 June 2025

• If our minimum number is not met by our tour go/no go decision date, the tour will be cancelled and full refunds issued, or those still wishing to proceed may have the option for a modified itinerary with increased costs possible.

• Payment in full due date: 15 June 2025

• This trip begins in Sapporo and ends in Tokyo. Tokyo is conveniently served by many airlines (both Haneda and Narita Airports).

• Tour Design: Tiny World Tours (Mark & Dana)

• Tour Leaders: Tiny World Tours (Mark & Dana)

Physical Activity and Expectations:

• This is a moderately active tour with average walking 2-4 miles per day in both urban and rural settings (and possibly even more if you enjoy walking).

• You’ll need to be able to climb up and down multiple flights of stairs (indoors and out)

• Occasional sitting on the floor (e.g. cross legged or legs stretched) and/or getting up and down from the floor.

• You’ll encounter uneven cobblestone streets, sidewalks, and trails.

Please Note:

• This itinerary is a sample and is subject to change. The final schedule will be determined approximately 30 days prior to departure to allow for the inclusion of special opportunities which may arise.  In the event that a requested visit is not available, a similar visit will be substituted.  A finalized itinerary and Travelers’ Notes document will be sent to all participants about two weeks prior to tour departure.

• An optional trip insurance policy such as a “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) policy may reimburse you for unforeseen cancellations or itinerary changes.

• Although we do our best to accommodate allergies and food preferences, Japanese cuisine, both traditional and contemporary, is unique and a key part of this tour. Please inform us of any dietary needs at the time of booking. We regret that we cannot provide gluten-free, vegan, or fish-free meals.

• We also offer bespoke custom tours for groups. Contact us for more information.

• We strongly recommend coming at least one day early to recover from the long flight and adjust to time zone and have a little extra time to explore, or stay longer at the end to deepen the experience. Tiny World Tours can arrange pre-trip and post-trip accommodations and local experiences based on your interests.

Reserve Your Space Now!

Scroll down to make a refundable $1000 deposit for each participant.

This page was last modified on 2024-10-17