(above cover photo: Sapporo in late 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 Upopoy, 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 0 (pre-tour): SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2025: SAPPORO

Welcome to Hokkaido!

Mark, Dana, or an associate will meet you at Sapporo-Chitose airport and transport you and your luggage to our downtown hotel (about 1 hour). For those who have arrived early, we will have a number of Sapporo-area activity suggestions. For example, one option will be to visit the Sapporo Station Observation Deck near our hotel.

Overnight: JR East Hotel Mets Sapporo

DAY 1: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2025: SAPPORO

Hotel breakfast followed by tour cultural briefing (today, an orientation).

Morning private van transportation to Noguchi’s masterpiece, Moerenuma Park (master plan completed in 1988, the year he died, park completed and opened in 2005). Explore the park, and greeting by the park’s curator and manager. Optional bicycle tour (the other option is on-foot), enjoy lunch (included) at “L’enfant Qui Reve” French restaurant inside the park’s distinctive Noguchi-designed glass pyramid building.

Your afternoon and evening are free for strolling around downtown Sapporo, shopping, and optional dinner (not included).

Overnight: JR East Hotel Mets Sapporo

DAY 2: MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025: SAPPORO

Breakfast at the hotel (included) or optional morning sushi breakfast at Sapporo’s Nijo Fish Market (not included). After breakfast, gather at our hotel for another cultural briefing, and after that take a break or go for a walk.

Late morning private “Aynu Base” indigenous Ainu culture and cuisine experience (about 3 hours). After this experience we will return to our hotel and you will be free to rest or select from a range of optional afternoon experiences and optional dinner (not included).

Overnight: JR East Hotel Mets Sapporo

DAY/NIGHT 3: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2025: SHIRAOI

Hotel Breakfast, check out, and board our private van. Drive to the fascinating Hokkaido Museum and adjacent Kaitaku no mura, the open-air Hokkaido Historical Village, dotted with 52 restored, relocated buildings that represent the history of the region from 1868 to the 1920s. After lunch together, we’ll drive to KAI Poroto, our resort hotel in Shiraoi, check in, and enjoy a brief welcome orientation to the resort, hot springs, and nearby attractions. Gourmet Seasonal Dinner together in the hotel restaurant (included)

Overnight: Hoshino KAI Poroto Resort

DAY 4: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2025: SHIRAOI

Breakfast at the hotel. Tour cultural briefing. Today’s focus will be in the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park adjacent to our resort hotel. Before and/or after visiting the museum, we can enjoy a forest walk in nearby Poroto Park. Dinner TBD (included)

Overnight: Hoshino KAI Poroto Resort

DAY 5: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025: HAKODATE

Breakfast at the hotel. Hotel check out, & board bus. Drive to Hakodate Jomon Culture Center for special tour with a Jomon cultural expert/scholar friend. Enjoy sushi lunch nearby. Afterwards, we will drive to Hakodate City, tour the downtown historic district, briefly visit the rich Museum of Northern Peoples, and explore shopping opportunities at the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses. Afterwards, we check in to our hotel near Shin-Hakodate train station and you’ll have a free evening. Optional dinner not included. Overnight: Hotel La'gent Plaza Hakodate Hokuto

DAY 6: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2025: AOMORI

DAY 7: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2025: AOMORI

Breakfast at the hotel. Tour cultural briefing. Meet in lobby walk the waterfront promenade to the Nebuta Museum celebrating the famed local festival of dramatic lantern-like floats made from wire and paper. We’ll enjoy shopping and a quick lunch at the A-Factory.

After lunch, bus to Jomon Komakino Stone Circle site. Return to hotel for dinner on your own (not included). Overnight: Dormy Inn Aomori Natural Hot Spring

DAY 8: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2025: HIROSAKI / TAWADA ART CENTER / OIRASE

Breakfast at the hotel. Hotel check out, and board bus to Hirosaki for a full morning exploring historical and contemporary highlights of this charming city, starting at the edge of the city Fujita Memorial Garden and nearby Hirosaki Castle. Housed in a re-purposed, renovated brick apple warehouse designed by Tsuyoshi Tane, the Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the dynamic new art centers attracting national attention for its community-focused philosophies. We’ll tour the building and exhibition, and enjoy a special lunch in their lovely cafe (included).

After lunch we board our van to the Hoshino Oisrase Keiryo Resort Hotel, check in, relax, familiarize yourself with the resort, and have dinner (included).

Overnight: Hoshino Oirase Keiryu Resort

After lunch we board van to visit 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. Afterwards we return to our resort hotel for relaxation and dinner (included).

Overnight: Hoshino Oirase Keiryu Resort

DAY 10: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025: TOWADA & HACHINOHE

Breakfast at the hotel, leisurely morning, hotel check out. Lunch (on your own).

After your leisurely morning, hotel check out, and lunch today we will board our van, drive through autumn scenery, and then a short hike to the majestic and mysterious Towada Shrine hidden in a cedar forest. Afterwards, we’ll visit the nearby multi-discipinarly Towada Visitor Center to learn more about the unique geography and nature of Lake Towada, Oirase Stream, and the Hakkoda Mountains.

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

Overnight: Hoshino Aomoriya Resort

DAY 11: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2025: TOKYO

Breakfast at the hotel. Hotel check out and board van for brief visit to the Ashigezaki scenic observatory viewpoint. Afterwards, visit the recently-opened Hachinohe Art Museum, designed around community engagement and civic discourse. This morning we’ll travel together on a high-speed shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo and check into our hotel. You will have time for your final shopping, and watching the neon lights start up at dusk… before enjoying our special Finale dinner.

Overnight: Dormy Inn Premium Ginza Hot Springs

DAY 12: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2025: 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

• Single occupancy charge: $1,500 (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 $500 deposit for each participant.

This page was last modified on 2025-09-14