Customized Tour

Diamond Route: Historical Site & Culture Experience (2days/1night)

  • Shinkansen
  • Onsen
  • New Tour

per person USD 0
JTB9464

Discover Aizu Wakamatsu, famous for its samurai traditions, and learn how to make Akabeko Red Cow, Aizu’s best known folk craft. Taste some of the best local sake, relax in natural hot springs, travel back in time and discover Ouchijuku, a former post town.

Day 1: Tokyo - Aizu Wakamatsu - Ouchijuku - Higashiyama Onsen


Explore the Diamond Route and discover the soul of Japan.

Easily reached from Tokyo via the JR Tohoku Shinkansen, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Tochigi Prefectures are known for their scenic beauty, fertile lands that produce some of Japan’s best fruit and sake, old castles, rich history, unique culture, fine local cuisine, outdoor activities and many relaxing onsen (hot springs).

To learn more about the Diamond Route, visit here


Meet your English-speaking guide at your hotel. Depart from Tokyo Station for Aizu Wakamatsu by bullet train (approx. 2h 50min). Aizu Wakamatsu, a castle town, is famous for its award-winning sake and its samurai traditions. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (Shibukawa Donya). Your next stop will be at Tsuruga-jo Castle, Japan’s only red-and-white castle that has been important to local history (including the tragic tale of Byakkotai). Tsuruga Castle is surrounded by an expansive park, very popular with locals during the cherry blossom season. After the visit, stop at the Iimoriyama, the site of suicide by a group of young soldiers. Next, visit Suehiro Sake Brewery, one of the most prominent sake breweries in the Tohoku region. This brewery is well known for making sake for special events and high-profile figures. Depart for Ouchijuku (approx. 40 min), a former post town along the Aizu Nishi Kaido trade route, which connected Aizu with Nikko during the Edo Period. Today, Ouchijuku has been restored and the main street is lined by thick thatched roof buildings which house a variety of shops, restaurants and small inns. After a busy day of exploration, transfer to your ryokan in Higashiyama Onsen (Mukaitaki Ryokan or similar).

Day 2: Higashiyama Onsen - Urabandai - Fukushima - Tokyo


After breakfast, embark on a full day of touring with your guide. Enjoy Aizu’s traditional handicrafts. Learn how to make Akabeko Red Cow, Aizu’s best known folk craft made from Japanese paper mache. Enjoy a scenic ride to Urabandai, known as BandaiAsahi National Park. Following a massive eruption of Mt. Bandai in 1888, the ensuing massive landslides blocked rivers and created a number of lakes and marshes. Enjoy a short hike (approx. 1 h) to the mysterious Goshikinuma Ponds. The combination of the weather, seasons, and volcanic substances in the water give mysterious hues such as emerald green and pastel blue. Next, stop at a local restaurant and enjoy Italian lunch prepared from locally sourced ingredients. After lunch, transfer to Fukushima City, the capital of Fukushima Prefecture (approx. 1h 18 min). Visit the Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art featuring a 3,800 piece collection ranging from French impressionism, Japanese modern paintings, prints, to textiles. Alternatively, visit one of numerous fruit orchards the city is known for where you can pick (and eat) a variety of fruits straight from the trees. Next, take a bullet train back to Tokyo (approx. 90 min). Rest of the day free at leisure.

Departure Date

Dates are flexible and customizable for your preference.

Type of travel arrangement

Tailor Made Travel Arrangement


1.

The tailor made itinerary program includes airport transfers, accommodation, other transportation within Japan, guided tours, culture experiences, unique activities and some meals. 

2.

Please contact us for a custom quote. The price is customized based on final itinerary, travel dates, choice of accommodation or orther costom preference.

3.

More information about DIAMOUND ROUTE JAPAN (Fukushima, Tochigi and Ibaraki),  visit HERE. 

Please contact JTB Reservation Center for the pickup service to assembly place.
Japan Marketing Department : Tel 1(800) 882-0268, email asia@jtbusa.com

Date & Price Tour Start Tour End Departure Adult Single Supplement
04/01/2024 12/26/2024 Tokyo $ 0 $ 0
In the event of written cancellation, the following forfeiture of tour price will be assessed based on the number of days prior to the tour departure the cancellation was received. US$500 of the deposit will be non-refundable if cancellation is made more than 90 days prior to departure. 90 – 61 days prior to departure 40% of the fare 60 days prior to departure 100 % of the fare Cancellation period is based on Japan local time. Notice must be received during JTB USA office hours. Mon. - Fri., 9:00AM-5:30PM PST Except National Holidays.

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