Day 00 (Sun, 27 Nov'22)

Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Haneda.

Day 01 (Mon, 28 Nov'22)
Singapore – Haneda – Toyama
(-/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Kintaro Onsen (Hot Spring) or similar

Arriving in Toyama today, start your trip off by tasting a local delicacy – shiroebi. Known as the 'Jewel of Toyama', these deep-water white shrimp are only caught here and must be consumed fresh. Fully enjoy the deliciousness of the shrimp in a special shiroebi kaiseki lunch.

Next, pay a visit to the only whiskey distillery in the Hokuriku region, Wakatsuru Saburomaru Distillery. Originating from a sake and shochu brewery in 1952, the distillery produces limited amounts of malt whiskey made using rich water originating from the surrounding mountains. Take a tour of the distillery and experience whiskey with all your senses.

Day 02 (Tue, 29 Nov'22)
Toyama – Myoko
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Akakura Kanko Onsen (Private Hot Spring) or similar

Your first stop this morning will be the Toyama Glass Art Museum. Housed in a building that is itself a work of art by architect, Kuma Kengo, the museum showcases contemporary glass art pieces by artists from around the world. Located in the same building as the central public library, there are ample spaces for quiet admiration of the art pieces and even a glass art garden featuring works by glass art master, Dale Chihuly.

Today’s lunch will be at Ryokan Dangoya, a Japanese guesthouse known for its excellent local cuisine. Meals here are prepared with care to ensure the highest quality, using fresh mountain vegetables picked from their grounds, clear spring water from Mt Oiwa, and traditional cooking methods passed down over 125 years.
 
In the evening, you will want to head back early to Akakura Kanko Hotel, Japan’s pioneer resort hotel. Built on an area of 3.3 million square metres at an altitude of 1,000 metres high, you are guaranteed uninterrupted views of the surrounding scenery. Panoramas of Akakura Onsen town below can be seen from large picture windows, and even from your private hot spring bath. When weather conditions are right, you may find yourself dining above a sea of clouds, just like being in a castle in the sky.

Day 03 (Wed, 30 Nov'22)
Myoko – Nagano – Myoko
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Akakura Kanko Onsen (Private Hot Spring) or similar

Today, you will visit Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan’s most important temples and a designated National Treasure. Housing the first Buddhist statue brought to Japan, the large temple is popular not only for its religious significance, but its architecture and bustling approach lined with restaurants and shops selling local specialities.
 
Located at the base of a mountain, Togakushi Shrine consists of a lower, middle and upper shrine, each housing different gods. A short hike is needed to reach the upper shrine, but the pathways lined with 400-year-old cedar trees and towering Mt. Togakushi in the background make the walk particularly beautiful.

Day 04 (Thu, 01 Dec'22)
Myoko – Tokamachi
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Ryugon (Private Hot Spring) or similar

Dine on Hegi Soba for lunch today. While traditional soba is made from buckwheat and wheat flour, hegi soba is made from a mix of buckwheat flour and a seaweed called funori. This unique soba is a local creation and has a texture that is smoother, yet firmer than traditional soba. Served artistically divided into mouthful portions, the soba is eaten with a variety of toppings.
 
A small village at the base of Mt Hakkai, Uonuma no Sato is a charming area where you can find sake breweries that produce Niigata’s famous Hakkaisan sake, cafes, restaurants and museums. Pick up some sake and local delicacies at the shops here and be sure to check out the snow storage building which uses snow collected in winter to preserve sake and other food items.
 
Get a taste of a traditional folk house this evening at your accommodation at Ryugon. Constructed from refurbished farmhouses relocated here, be surrounded by the warm atmosphere and traditional architecture of the building even as all your needs are met with modern luxuries.

Day 05 (Fri, 02 Dec'22)
Tokamachi – Iwamuro Onsen
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Shaga no Sato YUMEYA (Hot Spring) or similar

Learn to appreciate Japan’s national fish, the Koi, at Nishikigoi Village, a facility built for the enjoyment of these beautiful fish. You can learn about the different varieties and breeding methods of Koi and spend some time watching them weave colourful patterns as they swim freely in aquariums and garden ponds.
 
Make a stop at Eguchi Dango, a shop specialising in traditional glutinous rice dumplings. Located in a traditional folk house in the countryside, the century-old shop serves a variety of sweet and savoury dumplings, including the local Niigata specialty of bamboo-wrapped red bean and mugwort dumplings, Sasa Dango.
 
The city of Sanjo is well known for superior blacksmithing and at SUWADA Open Factory, you can witness this craftmanship at work. Renowned for its handcrafted cutting tools, the meticulous crafting process of Suwada’s products can be admired in a walk through their open concept factory.

Day 06 (Sat, 03 Dec'22)
Iwamura Onsen – Niigata
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Niigata or similar

Today, take the Mt Yahiko Ropeway and bask in the panoramic views from the mountaintop. The only place where you can look out onto the rice fields of the Niigata plains on one side and the Sea of Japan and Sado Island on the other, get a bird’s eye view of Niigata from here.
 
A freshwater lake near the coast, the Sakata Waterfowl and Wetland Center is a Ramsar Site where you can see a variety of waterfowl. Its proximity to rice fields in the area and prevalence of marshes make it an ideal feeding spot for geese, swans and wild ducks on their annual migration.

Day 07 (Sun, 04 Dec'22)
Niigata – Tokyo
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Tokyo Station Hotel or similar

Take a shinkansen to Tokyo today and spend an afternoon hunting autumn colours! Just in time to catch some of the late autumn colours in the capital, if weather permits, we will head to spots in the city to enjoy the colourful foliage.

Day 08 (Mon, 05 Dec'22)
Tokyo
(Breakfast/-/-) 
Hotel: Tokyo Station Hotel or similar

Free and easy day in Tokyo.

Day 09 (Tue, 06 Dec'22)
Tokyo – Haneda – Singapore
(Breakfast/-/-) 
Hotel: Tokyo Station Hotel or similar

Flight back to Singapore.

COACH TOUR

Assemble date:   27 Nov 2022, Sun (SO14625)

Flight schedule: (for suggestion only, not included in tour price)
27 Nov     SQ 636             Singapore - Haneda
2245  / 0620+1

28 Nov     NH 315             Haneda - Toyama
1000 / 1100

06 Dec     SQ 635             Haneda - Singapore
2255 / 0515+1


Tour price per person (in SGD)
Group size:   6 pax
Adult twin $12,380; Adult triple $11,880; Adult Single $16,180
Group size:   8 pax
Adult twin $11,880; Adult triple $11,280; Adult Single $15,980
Group size:   10 pax and above
Adult twin $11,080; Adult triple $10,580; Adult Single $15,220

Tour price includes:
Hotel accommodation as stipulated in itinerary
Meals as stipulated in itinerary

Tour price excludes:
Air tickets
Airport taxes & fuel charges (subject to change)
Visa application fee (if any)
Tipping for guide/driver

Remarks:
The prices are subject to change upon fluctuations of currency exchange rates. Flight schedule and the sequence of the itinerary are subject to change with or without prior notice to ensure the smooth running of the tour.
Minimum group size to confirm tour is 6 adults/children with bed. 
Please refer to booking form for further terms and conditions.