Day 00 (Sat, 08 Apr'23)

Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Haneda.

Day 01 (Sun, 09 Apr'23)
Singapore – Haneda – Komatsu – Yamanaka Onsen
(-/-/Dinner) 
Hotel: Kuriya Yasohachi (Hot Spring) or similar
Car pick up at Komatsu Airport
 

Day 02 (Mon, 10 Apr'23)
Yamanaka Onsen
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Kuriya Yasohachi (Hot Spring) or similar

Pay a visit to Natadera this morning. This 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple features multiple buildings that have been designated national Important Cultural Properties and Places of Scenic Beauty.
 
Jagged basalt cliffs bordering the sea, carved over time by wind and waves, are the hallmark of Tojinbo. These unique rock formations can only be seen in three places in the world and paint a breath-taking picture when juxtaposed against the choppy sea. Take one of the trails to explore the cliffs and the different views it offers. 
 
Do some fruit picking later at Kaga Fruit Land where you can indulge in picking and eating sweet strawberries at their freshest!

Day 03 (Tue, 11 Apr'23)
Yamanaka Onsen – Toyama
(Breakfast/-/-)
Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Toyama or similar
 
Go shopping at Mitsui Outlet Park Hokuriku Oyabe this morning. This two-storey outlet mall houses 173 shops carrying trendy Japanese and foreign fashion brands, famous sports brands, fashion accessories and gourmet food. As Hokuriku’s first outlet mall, it also sells a variety of local products from the region.
 
After indulging in shopping, stop by at Takaoka Castle Park, the former site of Takaoka castle. All that remains of this demolished castle is its moat and some stone walls, but the park continues to be a popular spot for locals, especially during cherry blossom season. Around 1,800 cherry trees of 18 varieties stand in this park and are especially beautiful when reflected in the water of the moat.
 
Take in the scenic views at Amaharashi Coast, which borders one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Toyama Bay. On a clear day, you can see a stunning view of Onnaiwa, a lone rock with a tree on it, sitting in the blue bay against a stunning backdrop of the Tateyama mountain range.

Day 04 (Wed, 12 Apr'23)
Toyama – Akakura Onsen
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Akakura Kanko Hotel (Private Hot Spring) or similar

There are few springtime sights as spectacular as the Asahi Funakawa Spring Quartet. Comprising delicately pink cherry blossoms, bright yellow rapeseed flowers and colourful tulips blooming together against the snow-capped mountains, this magnificent view can only be seen here at this time of year.
 
Designated as an official historic site in Niigata, the Takada Castle Site Park contains the ruins of Takada Castle along with various cultural and sports facilities. It is also one of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom spots with around 4,000 cherry trees and well-known as a place to enjoy the flowers both during the day and at night.
 
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 05 (Thu, 13 Apr'23)
Akakura Onsen
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Akakura Kanko Hotel (Private Hot Spring) or similar

Surrounded by lush forests of white birch trees, the scenic Imori Pond is known for the impressive scenery created by its mirror-like surface on calm days. Capture the picturesque sight of Mt Myoko and the surrounding foliage reflected perfectly on the surface of the pond on a clear day.
 
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.
 
The monkey park of Jigokudani Yaen Koen needs little introduction as the only place in the world where wild monkeys soak in natural hot springs. Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, come down from the mountainside to feed and bathe in the hot springs, especially in winter, making this a hot photography spot for capturing the adorable monkeys relaxing in the springs.

Day 06 (Fri, 14 Apr'23)
Akakura Onsen – Minami Uonuma
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Ryugon (Private Hot Spring) or similar
 
One of Japan’s 3 most beautiful gorges, Kiyotsu Gorge is a stunning V-shaped valley made up of columnar joint rock formations and a crystal-clear flowing river. A 750m long tunnel allows visitors to view the gorge from 4 observation points, framing the gorgeous scenery in its openings.
 
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 07 (Sat, 15 Apr'23)
Minami Uonuma
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Ryugon (Private Hot Spring) or similar
 
Tsubamesanjo is a major production centre for metal products and at the Tsubamesanjo Jibasan Centre, you can find a huge variety of cutlery, houseware and other metal ware. In addition, local specialities like sake, rice and confectionary are available, perfect for picking up some souvenirs of your trip!
 
Have lunch 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, and meals made from local ingredients.
 
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.

Day 08 (Sun, 16 Apr'23)
Minami Uonuma – Tokyo
(Breakfast/-/-)
Hotel: Tokyo Station Hotel or similar
(Car return at Echigo YUzawa Station)
 
Take a shinkansen to Tokyo today where you will have the rest of the day free for shopping and exploration!

Day 09 (Mon, 17 Apr'23)
Tokyo
(Breakfast/-/-)
 
Free and easy

Day 10 (Tue, 18 Apr'23)
Tokyo – Haneda – Singapore
(Breakfast/-/-)
 
Flight back to Singapore

DRIVE TOUR

Assemble date:   08 Apr 2023, Sat (SO14784)

Flight schedule: (for suggestion only, not included in tour price)
08 Apr     SQ 636             Singapore - Haneda
2250 / 0645+1

09 Dec     NH 753             Haneda - Komatsu
1025 / 1125

18 Apr     SQ 635             Haneda - Singapore
2255 / 0455+1


1st & 2nd passenger
S: Vitz / Passe / Tank / Roomy / Yaris
Adult twin $10,350; Adult single $15,250

A: Aqua / Axio / Corolla / Fielder
Adult twin $10,450; Adult single $15,450

B: Prius / Fielder HV / Yaris HV / Corolla Touring HV
Adult twin $10,650; Adult single $15,850

WS: Sienta / Wish / Sienta HV
Adult twin $10,750; Adult single $16,050

WB: Estima / Vellfire / Alphard
Adult twin $11,150; Adult single $16,850

3rd & 4th passenger 
(sharing same car with 1st & 2nd passenger)
Adult twin $9,850; Adult triple $9,250
Child twin $9,850; Child W/Bed $7,250; Child N/Bed $2,950

Tour price includes:
Hotel accommodation as stipulated in itinerary
Meals as stipulated in itinerary
FMJ driving guidebook (1 per car)
ETC card and Japan Handphone (1 per car)
Car rental with insurance coverage

Tour price excludes:
Air ticket
Airport taxes & fuel charges
Parking & Entrance fees to sightseeing spots
Petrol or Oil refilling
Application fee for IDP
Visa application fee (if any)
Beverage during meals (own payment)
Corkage charge (if any)
Any other charges not stated as included

Remarks:
Flower-viewing, sightseeing and activities are subject to weather conditions.
English Voice-over GPS Navigation system subject to availability.
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 10 adults/children with bed.
Child no bed will be served simple meals.
Please refer to booking form for further terms and conditions.