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Hokkaido Spring Explorer & Sapporo Lilac Festival May 11 th -19 th, 2019 7nts/9 days fr: $2995 dbl/tpl $3295 sgl Springtime in Hokkaido begins in early May, when it awakens from the slumber of winter

We also can t forget the hibernating animals as they wake up and get ready to be active again. Everywhere you visit in Hokkaido, you can experience different attractions of the island.

1 Hokkaido Spring Explorer & Sapporo Lilac Festival May 11 th -19 th, nts/9 days fr: $2995 dbl/tpl $3295 sgl Springtime in Hokkaido begins in early May, when it awakens from the slumber of winter and color returns to the land. With it comes blue skies and the beauty of wild flowers beginning to bloom. We also can t forget the hibernating animals as they wake up and get ready to be active again. Everywhere you visit in Hokkaido, you can experience different attractions of the island. Japanese people are proud of their big island, where nature blends in with people's lives so well. It s not all, as we have included a free day in Sapporo to enjoy the 61 st annual Sapporo Lilac Festival. This festival celebrates the lilac as the tree of Sapporo and is the city s biggest spring event. Join us on this unique tour as we are off discovering Hokkaido s various sceneries, activities, and food. Itinerary/Details Day 1 May 11 th, 2019 Saturday Depart from Honolulu Hawaiian Airlines #441 Departs Honolulu 1:10 pm Arrive Chitose 5:00 pm + 1 Please meet up with your Panda Travel representative a minimum of 3 hours prior to the flight departure time at the Hawaiian Airlines international check-in counter, Terminal 1, formally known as the Hawaiian Airlines Terminal, Lobby 3, Makai side. The check-in lines as well as TSA security check has been experiencing long lines. We ask that you plan to be at the airport at minimum, 3 hours prior to the flight departure time. Day 2 May 12 th, 2019 Sunday Chitose-Sapporo On arrival in Chitose, please make your way to the baggage claim area as we need to clear immigration and customs. Free luggage carts are available. We suggest that you use one as there is a short walk to our chartered bus. Our local English-speaking Japanese guide will be there to meet us.

Accommodations for our stay in Sapporo are at the Century Royal Hotel Sapporo, ideally situated, adjacent to the shopping zone in front of JR Sapporo Station, and directly connected via an

There is a 24-hour convenience store just off the ground floor of our hotel.

2 Accommodations for our stay in Sapporo are at the Century Royal Hotel Sapporo, ideally situated, adjacent to the shopping zone in front of JR Sapporo Station, and directly connected via an underground passage. The drive time from Chitose is under one hour. Our arrival at the hotel will be approximately 7:00pm allowing you time to go out for a night stroll or bite to eat. There is a 24-hour convenience store just off the ground floor of our hotel. Accommodations: Century Royal Hotel Sapporo Free Day 3 May 13 th, 2019 Monday Sapporo-(B) After breakfast, please meet your guide by 8:30am as our day begins with a short drive to Jogai Fish Market where every morning, the freshest produce and fish arrive. While this inner market where the fish auction takes place is not open to the public, you can enjoy the Curb Market. Open from 6am, it is comprised of approximately 60 stores selling a variety of items ranging from fruits to fresh and dried fish. Sushi and other reasonably priced dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients are available. As soon as the bidding ends in the inner market, the products are made available at the Curb Market. Here you will have the opportunity to experience a meal of fresh local seafood, whether it be a domburi bowl or crab and salmon sushi Choose from the many restaurants along the edge of the market, a front-row view of your chef preparing freshly-cut stock. Enjoy free time here to explore, shop and maybe enjoy an early lunch.

3 Jogai Fish Market side street ramen shops From here, we are off to the Okurayama Ski Jump for a ride on the lift to its peak. This ski jump stadium was used at the Winter Olympics held in Sapporo in Once at the top enjoy time at the viewing lounge and the panoramic views of the city of Sapporo, the Ishikari Plain, and Ishikari Bay. It is also an ideal location to view the start line of the ski jump right before your eyes - looking directly down at the steep slope of the approach will certainly give you an idea of how the skiers are feeling when they begin their jumps! Okurayama Ski Jump From here, time for lunch. Imagine a yokocho alley made up entirely of ramen restaurants. Sounds like a dream? Well, your dream can come true in Sapporo! The Sapporo Ramen Yokocho is a famous alley not just for its concentration delicious ramen but also for being the birthplace of miso ramen! It all began in 1951, with eight ramen restaurants and now there are a total of 15 serving ramen along this alley. Sapporo ramen has become one of the most famous Japanese dishes in the world now. With only 6 to 8 seats per restaurant, find a spot and enjoy a bowl. Time now for more sightseeing and there is no better introduction to Sapporo like a view from the top of the Sapporo TV Tower. The tower stands guard over Sapporo, marking the eastern plank of the several-blocks-long Odori Park in the center of the city. First built in 1957 for radio, the tower stands at 483 feet tall, offering views of the city and the surrounding mountains from observation deck 295 feet off the ground. The Tower was modeled after Paris Eiffel Tower. Several shops are located on the ground level with another souvenir shop on the 3rd level just below the halfway mark to the observation deck. During the evening the tower is illuminated, making it an attractive landmark When the sky is clear, one can see as far as Ishikari Plain and the Sea of Japan. Enjoy the beautiful seasonal views of Odori Park.

4 Our last stop on today s touring is at Tanukikoji Shopping Street, Sapporo s oldest covered shopping arcade, ten blocks long with over 200 shops. Here you will find old and traditional merchants selling kimonos, tea or incense side by side with modern stores specializing in computers and software or state-of-the-art electronics and digital cameras all of which lends it a bazaar-like quality. Some of the popular shops that Hawaii folks enjoy are all here, a multi-story 108-yen Daiso, as well 24-hour Don Quijote. Enjoy free time to go off and shop your heart off. In case you didn t get a chance to pick up all your fish items at Jogai, no worries as the Nijo Market is just a short walk away. With over a 100-year history, this market is said to have developed in the early Meiji Period, when fishermen from Ishikari Bay started selling fresh fish there. While much small than Tsukiji, you will find many of the same items. Arrival back at our hotel will be approximately 4:30pm and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. Accommodations: Century Royal Hotel Sapporo free Day 4 May 14 th, 2019 Tuesday Sapporo-Otaru-Sapporo (B) Please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off on a very special touring day to Otaru, one of Hokkaido s most popular tourist destinations for Japanese visitors. From old days, when they sailed trading boats from Honshu-mainland to Hokkaido, Otaru played an important role as the center of trade or commerce, not to mention fishery in Hokkaido. Walking along its main streets, you will find a charming and nostalgic city filled with historic architecture. As this city was thriving from fishery for centuries, the most famous landmark here is Otaru Canal where they carried fish from the ocean to land by tugboats. Otaru is after all heralded as home of some of the freshest and tastiest seafood in all of Japan. On arrival, the morning begins with a visit to the Tanaka Sake Brewery, the most famous sake brewery in Otaru. The building built in 1905 during the Meiji Period is designated as a historical architecture site by the city. After a short factory tour, enjoy the opportunity to sample a variety of their fine products. At their factory store, purchase sake products, some only available here. Takaragawa is the famous original Sake, Takara means treasure and Gawa=Kawa means river, made from Hokkaido rice and ground water from under the factory. From here we are off to enjoy a hands-on experience, creating your own music box! Our afternoon touring begins with a visit to the Music Box Museum. The museum, shop and workshop consist of five different buildings all located within a 2-minute walk of each other. The main building displays hundreds of different kinds of music boxes, both large and small. The second museum is full of antique music boxes from the 19th century onwards. The final three stores contain a different variety of goods and crafts. One building is dedicated to animal toys, another to glassware and the final one to music boxes made in the shape of modern characters such as Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Hello Kitty. Enjoy free time to explore Sakaimachi Street, it s like opening a giant music box. Though the city is famous for its canal area, the whole street is a showcase of two Otaru s distinct characteristics- old architecture and one of a kind artisanship.

5 If you are hungry, do try some of Otaru s mouthwatering freshly-cooked seafood or sashimi. The next stop should be one of the dozens of glassware shops that line the street. As the herring industry declined in the late 1950s, the makers of glass fishing buoys were forced to start producing refined glassware instead. Nowadays, Otaru is famous for its quality glass works coming in all shapes and sizes. If you are in search of a unique gift item, Otaru is known for their dripless shoyu bottles, available in a variety of sizes and designs. In addition, take some time to have a bite to eat in one of Sakaimachi s delicious sweet shops, the most famous being LeTAO. Enjoy sampling a few of their 50 varieties of cakes and sweets. If you would prefer to sit down and relax, the 2nd floor hosts a cafe. There is also a free observatory on the 3rd floor with views of the Sakaimachi landscape. As you near the end of the street, look and listen when you come to the vintage steam clock at the front of the Music Box Museum. The nostalgic atmosphere inside the main building of the museum takes you back in time. The museum houses almost 15,000 music boxes, ranging from matchbox sized souvenirs to precisely tuned masterpieces. The Music Box Museum has something for everybody, from The Beatles to the latest J- pop hits. Otaru We will be departing Otaru at 2:00pm and along the way back, a stop at the Shiroi Koibito Park, a theme park by Ishiya, a local chocolate company. The company s flagship product is the Shiroi Koibito cookie, which consists of two thin butter cookies and a layer of white chocolate in between. It is one of the most famous souvenirs from Hokkaido. The park consists of a free area with a shop, cafe and restaurant and a paid area with various chocolate related exhibits and, most interestingly, a few large windows through which you can observe the cookie production process in the factory. Shiroi Koibito Park From here, back to Sapporo and our hotel, arrival by 4:30pm and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. Accommodations: Century Royal Hotel free

6 Day 5 May 15 th, 2019 Wednesday Sapporo-Noboribetsu-Lake Toya (B/D) Please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am as we are off to Noboribetsu and Lake Toya. The drive to Noboribetsu is approximately two hours and we will be making a stop along the way. Once here we are visiting Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura Village, a history theme park highlighting the Edo Period, one of the most attractive eras in Japanese history. Step back in time to enjoy traditional games, activities, theaters, street performances and more. The charm of ancient Japan is abundant as you mingle with the Ninja and Oiran courtesans so symbolic of the Edo Period. Lunch will be on your own as you explore on your own. While here enjoy the Ninja Show where you can relive the exciting times of the Ninja through the action show. Our group is scheduled to see the 1:30pm show and your guide will have more details. What is a Ninja? They were active secret agents and had skills called Ninjyutsu, which included martial arts, special knowledge, accomplishments to carry out their masters commands with special tools. There were various schools of Ninja and followers took over those skills. From here we make our way to Noboribetsu Jigokudani, or "Hell Valley", a spectacular valley just above the town of Noboribetsu Onsen. It is a main source of Noboribetsu s hot spring waters. Given the name Jigokudani because of the steam from the hot spring that rise along the vertical cliffs. The surrounding natural environment is also very unusual and is covered in snow for almost one-third of the year. Even in spring, when the migratory birds return, snow remains, and one needs the same warm clothing as in the middle of winter. In June, the mountain hydrangea bloom all around, but it is still cool even now of year, and it is only in July that the song of the cicadas finally echoes around the valley, heralding the advent of summer. The short summer ends in mid-august. We now make our way to Mt. Showa, one of Japan s youngest mountains. Accompanied by earthquakes, the mountain suddenly rose from a flat wheat field to its current height of 290 meters between 1943 and It was named "Showa New Mountain" according to the contemporary reign of Emperor Showa. Still venting sulfurous fumes today, Showa Shinzan stands directly next to Mount Usu, which bears responsibility for the new mountain's birth. While in the area, we will be visiting the Showashinzan Bear Park, where you can observe and interact with brown bears closely through iron nets or glass windows. There are approximately 100 bears being bred here. You will have the opportunity to purchase bags of apples and cookies so to feed the bears. Now off to our hotel for the evening, Toya SunPalace where all guestrooms face and offer breathtaking views of Lake Toya. Accommodations at our onsen hotel are Japanese style rooms. Arrival will be by 4:45pm, followed by a buffet dinner at 6:00pm. After dinner, enjoy the indoor and outdoor baths. Accommodations: Toya SunPalace Resort and Spa free- Japanese style rooms Day 6 May 16 th, 2019 Thursday Lake Toya-Hakodate (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide by 9:00am as we are off on yet another full day of touring.

7 The morning begins touring the Lake Toya area. Lake Toya is large caldera, 43 kilometers in diameter, was formed more than 100,000 years ago when a volcanic eruption diverted a stream, creating this massive pool. This lake is ice-free year-round due to geothermal heating, and trout and smelt fishing is plentiful. The surrounding scenery is spectacular and best appreciated from the water. Let s board the pleasure-boat cruise and circle around this tranquil, picture-perfect lake with some islands. From here, time to enjoy a Japanese style lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon begins with a visit to the popular Kombukan Kelp Shop and Museum. In Japan, konbu is only gathered in Hokkaido and Touhoku. Long ago, konbu was gathered in Hokkaido and shipped all over the country using a water route called "Konbu Road". A total of 120,000 tons is produced every year within the country. 95% of that amount is gathered along the coastal lines of Hokkaido. In Japan, there are 45 different species of konbu. This facility has a planetarium-like movie theater, museum and a shop that sells a variety of kelp products. Kombu or kelp seaweed is a healthy and popular cooking ingredient in Japan. Here you will find almost all kelp products from kelp powder to candies, snacks, soup, and condiments. Don t forget to try the kelp tea while here. We have scheduled an early arrival at our onsen hotel, La Vista Hakodate Bay, ideally located right on the waterfront in the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse District. This onsen hotel features six types of hot spring baths on the top floor, offering spectacular night views of Hakodate. Our arrival will be by 4:00pm and the remainder of the afternoon is free. For those who would like to explore the area, please join our guide for a visit to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses on foot. They are a row of red brick warehouses that conjures up a feeling of nostalgia, built more than a century ago. Today, they house shops, restaurants, and event facilities hosting over two million visitors a year. A variety of shopping and dining options are just a short walk from our hotel. The night is still young, please meet your guide in the lobby by 7:30pm as we are off on a night tour via the Hakodate Ropeway to Mt. Hakadote. If the weather is clear, the night views from the mountain are spectacular and included among Japan's three best night views alongside the views from Nagasaki s Mt. Inasa and Kobe s Mt. Rokko. Our bus will take us to and from the ropeway. We will return to our hotel by 9:30pm and the remainder of the evening is free. Accommodations: Hotel La Vista Hakodate Bay free in the public areas Day 7 May 18 th, 2018 Friday Hakodate-Sapporo (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:00am as we make our way back to Sapporo. Our bags will be sent separately by truck and meet up with us later this afternoon. The morning begins with a visit at at Goryokaku Park & Tower, a five-cornered fort, Japan s first Westernstyle fort. The fort was completed in 1864 after 7 years of construction work. Hijikata Toshizo and Enomoto Takeaki fought against the new Meiji government here and it was the last stage of the Boshin War. It has the

8 distinction of being only one of 2 European-style forts built in Japan. The architectural style is an eclectic mix of Japanese and European. The star-shaped fort has been developed into a park and is well-known for its 1,660 beautiful cherry trees. From the observation platform of the 107-meter high Goryokaku Tower in the park, you can get a bird s-eye view of the Goryokaku and the surrounding area. Next, we are off to Hokodate Morning Market, which spans four city blocks is held daily from 5am-12noon. You will find a cluster of some 300 shops tempting visitors with an array of delectable fresh Hakodate produce. Seafood, vegetables, fruits, and sweets are just some of the edibles available for purchase. Enjoy shopping at the market and be sure to check out the live crabs and shellfish in their massive tanks. Now, off to the Hakodate Station where you will have time for lunch on your own. Our train, the Super Hokuto 11, departs at 12:16pm and arrives at the Sapporo JR Station at 4:04pm. Once here we will walk over to our hotel, Century Royal Hotel. After check-in, the remainder of the evening is free. Accommodations: Century Royal Hotel free Day 8 May 18 th, 2019 Saturday Sapporo (B) 61 st Annual Sapporo Lilac Festival The Sapporo Lilac Festival began in 1959, and the lilac was designated the tree of Sapporo the following year. Locals eagerly look forward to this festival as it marks the end of a long winter and the start of warmer weather when they can enjoy the outdoors. Odori Park has about 400 lilac trees, and on the first day of the festival, lilac seedlings are given away to visitors. There is also a music festival, an outdoor tea ceremony, and a stamp rally. The wine garden serves dishes made with Hokkaido ingredients and locally produced wines. While the 2019 dates have not yet been announced, we expect it will run from May 15 th -26 th. It is only a short walk from our hotel to the festival area at Odori Park, still leaving you plenty of time to get in some last-minute shopping. Accommodations: Century Royal Hotel free Day 9 May 19 th, 2019 Sunday Sapporo-Chitose (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide by 10:00am. It may be our last day on tour in Hokkaido, but we still have a full last day ahead of us before our flight home later this evening. The morning begins with a visit to the Chitosetsuru Sake Museum & Brewer, established in It is the only sakagura (sake brewery) in Sapporo. Besides learning about Chitosetsuru s history, enjoy sake sampling, mainly ginjo, junmai and honjozo varieties. Visit their shop for sake gifts, seasonal products or maybe a dish or cone of sake ice cream.

9 Next on the list, the Asahi Beer Factory for a tour of the facilities and as well the all-important beer tasting. From here we make our way towards Chitose and a stop at the AEON Mall where you will have time for lunch on your own and as well time for last minute omiyage shopping. You might consider purchasing a bento to bring along to the airport and enjoy while waiting on our flight. One last touring spot before the airport, the Chitose Salmon Aquarium. Here you can observe salmon and a variety of other freshwater fish in the northern ecosystem. Peer inside the Chitose river in Japan s first underwater observation room, which becomes packed with salmon pressed up against the glass as they migrate upstream from September to October. In winter, you can observe their spawning period. Each season in Chitose River brings a different underwater world to enjoy, with juvenile salmon in the spring before they leave for the ocean, and freshwater fish like yamabe trout and Japanese dace in the summer. Chitose City has undertaken the task of hatching and raising salmon since the early Meiji Period, and has set up a fish wheel behind the aquarium to capture adult fish during the salmon run. Large numbers of people visit to get a glance at the dynamic scene created by the salmon collection, during which as many as 30,000 fish can be captured on a plentiful day. Now off to the Chitose Airport to begin the check-in process. Arrival will be at approximately 4:45pm. Hawaiian Airlines #442 Departs Chitose 7:45 pm Arrive Honolulu 8:20 am

November 20 th 25 th, nts/6days from: $1695 double/triple $1895 single

November 20 th 25 th, nts/6days from: $1695 double/triple $1895 single Sapporo & Otaru KURISUMASU SHOPPING & XMAS Lights Weekend German XMAS Market/White Illumination lights/otaru Snow Story November 20 th 25 th, 2018 4nts/6days from: $1695 double/triple $1895 single Each