Customized Tour

Diamond Route: Historical Site & Culture Experience (3days/2nights)

  • Shinkansen
  • Shrine
  • Heritage
  • Onsen
  • Castle
  • New Tour

per person USD 0
JTB9465

Explore some of the highlights of the Diamond Route, including Nikko, Hitachinaka, Ouchijuku and Aizu Wakamatsu. Climb one of the three largest Buddha statues in the world, try your hand at Japanese archery, and visit one of the most prominent sake breweries in the Tohoku region.

Day 1: Tokyo - Hitachinaka - Nikko


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 of the Diamond Route, visit here.


Meet your English-speaking guide at your hotel. Depart from Tokyo Station for Hitachinaka in Ibaraki Prefecture (approx. 1h 28min). Your first stop is Hitachi Seaside Park, a spacious park featuring a variety of green spaces and seasonal flower spread out across 350 hectares. The park also features an amusement park and several cycling and walking trails. Next, visit and climb Ushiku Daibutsu, one of the three largest Buddha statues in the world. Built in 1993 and weighing 4,000 tons the statue is 120 meters tall (the equivalent of a 38-story building). An elevator takes visitors to an observation floor 85 meters up allowing them to admire sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to Nikko by private car (approx. 1h 30 min). Nikko is a town at the entrance to Nikko National Park and had been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries. Visit Nikko’s most famous attraction, Toshogu Shrine built in 1617 as a mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and the first Shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. Take the famous Irohazaka winding road as you transfer to Lake Chuzenji. Check into your hotel (The Ritz-Carlton Nikko).

Day 2: Nikko - Ouchijuku - Ashinomaki Onsen


After breakfast, embark on a full day of touring with your guide. Visit Kegon Waterfall. The almost 100 meter tall Kegon waterfall is the most famous of Nikko’s many beautiful waterfalls. Your next stop is Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura, a history theme park recreating Japanese town life during the Edo Period (1603 – 1868). Park guests have the opportunity to dress up (costumes can be rented for a fee) and tour the town’s historically based shops and museums. After the visit, enjoy lunch at Nikko Kanaya Hotel, one of the oldest western-style hotels in Japan. You will then be transferred to Ouchijuku, 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, you will then be driven to your hotel/ryokan in Ashinomaki Onsen (Aizu Ashinomaki Hot Spring Resort Hotel or similar).

Day 3: Ashinomaki Onsen - Aizu Wakamatsu - Tokyo


After a relaxing morning at your hotel, meet your guide and begin your exploration of Aizu Wakamatsu. Aizu Wakamatsu, a castle town, is famous for its award-winning sake and its samurai traditions. Your first stop will be at Aizu Nisshinkan Samurai School that gained national recognition as the best place for Japan’s youth to gain an exemplary samurai education. You can also try your hand at Japanese archery here. Next, visit 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. Then, 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. You will then be taken to Koriyama Station where you will board your shinkansen train bound for Tokyo.

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
01/22/2024 12/23/2024 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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