Twelve days in the Japan most visitors never reach. North of Tokyo the crowds thin out and the country deepens: the pine islands of Matsushima, the golden hall of Hiraizumi, the mountain temple of Yamadera climbing its thousand steps, gas-lit Ginzan Onsen out of a Ghibli film, the samurai lanes of Kakunodate, secret Nyuto Onsen baths deep in beech forest, and Aomori's Oirase stream running to Lake Towada. Ryokan and onsen most nights, shinkansen and private car by day — deep Japan, done in comfort.
Read moreShow less▾🚘 The price is for the WHOLE private Toyota Alphard (7-seater, up to 6 guests) with driver for all 12 days, 8 hours a day — not per person; 2 or 6 travellers pay the same. Hotels, admission tickets, meals and tolls/parking are charged at cost (we book them on request). A licensed guide can be added on request.
Please select a date and guests
Meet in Tokyo, shinkansen to Sendai · 180 min
Met at your hotel or the airport; the Tohoku Shinkansen reaches Sendai in about 90 minutes while the car drives north with the luggage.
Sendai gyutan night · 120 min
Grilled beef tongue, the local dish, near the station. Overnight: Sendai (2 nights).
Matsushima Bay · 240 min
Forty minutes east. The pine-island cruise, Zuigan-ji's cedar avenue, Godaido on its islet, grilled oysters.
Sendai afternoon · 180 min
Zuihoden mausoleum in its cedar grove, the castle site view over the city. Overnight: Sendai.
Hiraizumi · 240 min
Ninety minutes north. Chusonji's Golden Hall, Motsuji's Pure Land garden, mochi lunch.
Geibikei Gorge & back to Sendai · 240 min
A poled boat through the gorge, then the drive back. Overnight: Sendai or Ichinoseki.
Yamadera · 180 min
An hour west. The thousand steps of Risshaku-ji to the cliff-top hall — Basho's temple.
Ginzan Onsen · 240 min
Ninety minutes north to the Taisho-era ryokan street; gas lamps at dusk, the Shirogane falls walk. Overnight: Ginzan Onsen ryokan.
Zao · 240 min
Two hours south. In winter the ropeway to the snow monsters; from late spring the Okama crater lake by the Echo Line road.
Zao Onsen · 180 min
The sulphur baths of Zao Onsen village, an early ryokan dinner. Overnight: Zao Onsen.
North to Morioka · 300 min
Three hours north with a lunch stop; Morioka Castle park, the Iwate Bank red-brick hall, wanko soba challenge for dinner. Overnight: Morioka.
Kakunodate · 240 min
Ninety minutes west. The samurai street of weeping cherries, the Aoyagi and Ishiguro houses, cherry-bark craft.
Lake Tazawa · 180 min
Japan's deepest lake and the golden Tatsuko statue, then up to the baths. Overnight: Nyuto Onsen (2 nights).
Nyuto Onsen day · 420 min
The seven hidden baths: Tsurunoyu's milky outdoor pool, the yumeguri pass between ryokan, beech-forest walks between soaks. Overnight: Nyuto Onsen.
Aomori · 300 min
Three hours north. The Nebuta Museum's giant lantern floats, the Furukawa fish market's build-your-own bowl, the Sannai-Maruyama ruins. Overnight: Aomori.
Oirase Stream · 240 min
Ninety minutes south. A walk along the mossy stream and its waterfalls — the car leapfrogs so nobody walks back.
Lake Towada · 180 min
The caldera lake by boat or from the Kankodai viewpoint. Overnight: Towada or back to Aomori.
Hirosaki · 240 min
Hirosaki Castle and its park — cherry blossom in late April, apples in autumn — the Fujita garden, apple pie in the old town.
Shinkansen south · 180 min
Hirosaki to Shin-Aomori, then the shinkansen to Sendai (about 90 minutes) while the car drives down. Overnight: Sendai.
Departure · 240 min
Sendai Airport, or the shinkansen to Tokyo with luggage delivered by the car.
※ Actual timings vary with road conditions on the day.
Tap a number to see that day
Day 1 — Tokyo Station
Met at your hotel or the airport; the Tohoku Shinkansen reaches Sendai in about 90 minutes while the car drives north with the luggage.
One private vehicle · One fixed price · Up to 6 guests
Same vehicle price whatever the group size — the more of you, the less per person. Groups above 6 add a second vehicle.
5 questions
The tour runs 12 days with 20 scheduled stops laid out hour by hour.
Pickup at Meet in Tokyo, shinkansen to Sendai. Once your booking is confirmed we'll email the GPS map plus detailed directions.
Min 1 guest. If the minimum isn't reached we'll contact you before departure to suggest an alternate date or issue a full refund.
Our partner offers packages in: English. If you need a dedicated Vietnamese-speaking guide, please leave a note at booking so we can arrange one (surcharge applies).
Cancellation terms vary by tour — see the "Additional Information" tab above. Most tours allow free cancellation up to 7 days before departure.

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