Loading
Phone1800 960 693AustraliaMonday to Friday 8am - 9pm (AEDT)
Travel Agent Login

5-Day Tohoku Sake Tour

  • view trip mapView Trip Map
  • downloadDownload
  • shareShare

Overview

This Japanese trip is an in-depth experience to the heart of Japanese culture, a journey that takes you far from the tourist trail on a cultural and spiritual journey.

Over five days, you'll learn about the various processes behind making sake and the unique properties that make each style of sake different - and just how many ways there are! You'll also have time to explore the spiritual and religious side of Japan, following walking trails to temples and learning about this side of Japanese history.

A highlight of your trip will be an evening and morning in Ginzan Onsen - one of the most beautiful onsens in Japan! Relax and enjoy!
Culture & Arts
Sightseeing
Wellness
Food & Drink
Hiking & Trekking

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Tokyo

Hide details accordion
Arrival in Tokyo

When you arrive in Tokyo for your Japanese trip, you'll immediately be taken to out to Yahiko where you'll have your first taste of local-style ramen. You'll go on a brief tour of the area, finishing at a beautiful viewpoint where you'll gaze out to the Sea of Japan before settling into your accommodation for the night.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Takasimaya4.5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Yahiko Shrine

    Yahiko Ropeway Station Sanroku

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Ramen MasaruOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station

    Train from Tokyo to Tsubamesanjo Station

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Tsubame

    Yahiko

    Niigata

Day 2

Metalwork and Sake

Hide details accordion
Metalwork and Sake

Today, you'll be introduced to the craftsmanship of this part of Japan, starting at the knife factory, where artisans have learned and evolved in their craft over many years. You'll then dine in a restaurant where this craft is illustrated in some informative videos as you use their cutlery, a unique dining experience that you can be sure to never have again! Arriving in Niigata, you'll immediately be introduced to the sake made here, finished with a tasting.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Taikanso Senaminoyu4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tadafusa Knife Factory

    Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Tsubamesanjo Italian Bit

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Tsubame Sanjo Eki Sanjoguchi to Niigata

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Niigata

    Sanjo

    Murakami

Day 3

Workshops and Art in Sakata

Hide details accordion
Workshops and Art in Sakata

In the morning, drive to Sakata and be welcomed by a maiko bento lunch with a performance. Then, immerse yourself in local cultural traditions with a doll-making experience where you'll learn about the different hanging dolls made in different areas and try your hand at making one yourself. Finish the day exploring the Homma Museum of Art, featuring ancient and contemporary pieces and surrounded by a beautiful Japanese garden.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Kasafuku Doll Making Experience

    Homma Museum

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Somaro Maiko Teahouse

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Niigata to Sakata

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Murakami

    Sakata

    Tsuruoka

Day 4

Arrive in Ginzan Onsen Town

Hide details accordion
Arrive in Ginzan Onsen Town

Make your way to Ginzan Onsen, one of the most beautiful onsen towns in Japan, with some stops along the way. Before arriving at the onsen town, you'll stop at Mount Haguro to take a leisurely walk around a trail that takes you past many shrines and pagodas. You'll stop for another sake tasting and learn about even more techniques behind the national drink before dawning your yukata and relaxing!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Notoya Ryokan

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Mt. Haguro

    Furusawa Sake Brewery

    Ginzan Onsen

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    GEA Clothing Store

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sakata to Ginzan Onsen

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Tsuruoka

    Sagae

    Obanazawa

Day 5

Journey back to Tokyo

Hide details accordion
Journey back to Tokyo

Take a leisurely journey back to Tokyo with some stops along the way. You'll capture a little more of Japanese culture before you leave with a stop at one last sake brewery and at a temple just a few hours outside of Tokyo. Your private driver will either take you to the city or straight to the airport to continue your journey. We hope you enjoyed your Japanese trip, and we will see you soon.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Rokkasen Sake Brewery

    Hojuzan Risshaku Temple

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ginzan Onsen to Yamagata

    Private Driver from Yamadera to Tokyo

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Obanazawa

    Higashine

    Yamagata

Included in Price

  • 4 nights accommodation
  • 11 activities
  • 3 lunches
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
pdf icon

Want to Read This Later?

Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!

Why Choose Designer Journeys

access

Access Exclusive Experiences

Open your eyes to a world of exclusive experiences that will make your next trip extraordinary. Designer Journeys’ local travel designers are connected to unique experiences that are out of reach for most people – so you’ll return with some amazing stories to tell.

local expertise

Extraordinary Local Expertise

Using highly experienced local travel designers means you have access to your very own local expert. You'll find experiences you never knew existed, avoid some of the common pitfalls and, most of all, feel like you have an insider guiding you every step of the way.

support

Supported Every Step of the Way

Our in-destination local travel designers are the first line of support when you are travelling. They are in your time zone and have the local expertise and knowledge to solve any issue that may arise – making you feel more confident about your trip.

custom travel designed

Travel Designed For You

Designer Journeys style of travel is all about how you want to travel – its private travel designed exactly to your needs. Our local travel designers customise every trip to suit you, whether completely bespoke or based on one or more of our 2,000+ gallery of itineraries.

Image - Designer Journeys
Image - Designer Journeys
DESIGN YOUR EXTRAORDINARY

Why Travel with Designer Journeys

Smile icon
Your Trip. Your Version of Extraordinary.

At Designer Journeys, we know that we all travel differently. That's why you decide where you travel, how you travel and your travel experiences when you design your trip with us.

Message icon
Connect and Design With an Expert.

Our trusted Local Designers use their destination insight, local knowledge and travel planning expertise to build your extraordinary trip. Our dedicated Travel Concierge team will be there every step of the way to ensure your perfect trip becomes reality.

Trust icon
Book with Confidence. We are Trusted.

Secure payment platforms, multiple accreditations, rigorous Local Designer selection process, and decades of travel expertise means you are in safe hands with Designer Journeys.

As seen on
Partners