Japan SAMPLE ITINERARY Despite its long history and prominent position on the global stage Japan remains a tantalizing mystery to most of the world. Boasting a truly unique cultural heritage and rich in scenic wonders Japan offers all the ingredients for a memorable and invigorating holiday in the Far East. The Best of Hokkaido STAY IMMERSE INDULGE SAVOR
Pedigree Quality Matters Mandarin Journeys endorses and is endorsed by only the most high quality of partner companies, associations and labels. Below is a short list of some of the affiliations we are proud to claim. XO Private With discerning travellers seeking a complete luxury lifestyle experience, the XO Private platform now comprises not only the finest accommodations around the globe, but also the most extraordinary experience operators, yachting and cruise operators, destination specialists, luxury lifestyle events and even the necessary must haves. The XO Private label is awarded to only the highest quality operators and hotels worldwide. Family Travel Association The Family Travel Association is bringing together the leaders in family and multigenerational travel to inspire families to travel and advocate travel be an essential part of every child s education. All members have been thoroughly vetted to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality and service. Our goal is to have the public, the media, travel agents, and the travel industry at large come to recognize and respect these members as leaders in their respective categories. International Luxury Travel Market Mandarin Journeys is a frequent guest company at the prestigious ILTM gatherings taking place around the world and connecting the elite travel planners and tour operators around the world. As VIP buyers at these invitation-only events taking place in Cannes (France), Shanghai (China) and Kyoto (Japan) we have access to the movers and shakers, top hoteliers and the very best experience providers in the world. As a result our clients get the best rates, personal service and care. Other affiliations
Sapporo - Hikada Day 1 Today we welcome you to Hokkaido. After a quick introduction to Sapporo s famed Ramen Alley, we will transfer to Hidaka and go for an exciting white-water rafting tour on one of the most adventurous rivers in Japan. Hidaka is located at the base of Hidaka Mountains, which is a mountain range in southeastern Hokkaido. It runs 150 km from Mount Sahoro or Karikachiand runs into the sea at Cape Erimo. In the evening, we will transfer you to your accommodation, a traditional Ryokan offering an Onsen (hot bath, often based on geothermal springs) for you to relax in. Overnight in Hidaka 3/25/2015 Mandarin Journeys Asia 3
Hikada - Lake Akan Minshuku Day 2 In the morning after breakfast, you will arrive at the stunning Lake Akan via Kushiro Marsh. Kushiro Marsh stretches out to the north of Kushiro in eastern Hokkaido. This is a huge swampland with an overall area of 183 square kilometers, and is a prime viewing spot for some of the rare flora and fauna (especially birds) that populate Hokkaido. You will travel through slowly, to give you the best chance of spotting wildlife. Then arrive at your next destination; Lake Akan is a beautiful crater lake in Akan National Park. It is home to Marimo, a rare algae species that forms itself into beautiful green balls. Take a moment here to appreciate the lake s stunning waters before fishing with your guide for smelt. If you catch any, we can fry them up, tempura-style in the local village. The Ainu people are the traditional inhabitants of Hokkaido before the Japanese. Ainu Kotan is a small Ainu village you will visit to interact with this culture. Here, you will find handicrafts as well as a small museum displaying traditional Ainu crafts, clothes and daily life utensils. Traditional Ainu performances are held in a hall next door. In the evening, we stay in a local Ryokanor Minshuku (traditional family-owned inns). Overnight in Minshuku 3/25/2015 Mandarin Journeys Asia 4
Minshuku - Mashuko - Minshuku Day 3 After breakfast, you will see several of Hokkaido s most famous sights. We will stop at the observatory where we can see Lake Mashu which is a caldera lake in Akan National Park. The lake has been called the clearest lake in the world, and is considered by many to be Japan's most beautiful lake. Lake Mashu is also one of the country's deepest lakes and although it is usually appreciated for its clear blue water, it is also famously and frequently blanketed in heavy fog. The next stop will be Kawayu Onsen, which is a small hot spring town inside Akan National Park's eastern section. Take a moment to relax in the hot baths; after,walk around Iozan (Sulfur Mountain) an active volcano with several geothermic areas to explore. The last stop before Utoro is Kiyosato where, if you re lucky, you can see salmons leaping from the river into the famous blue pond of Kaminokoike. After hiking in Kiyosato, you can try the famous potato Shochu,a liquor similar to vodka) at the Kiyosato Shochu Brewery. Afterwards, you will head to your Inn, which will contain an Onsen for relaxation. Overnight in Minshuku 3/25/2015 Mandarin Journeys Asia 5
Minshuku Shiretoko Day 4 In the morning we will set off by private car until reaching the coastal peninsula of Shiretoko. Here, you will explore Hokkaido s dramatic coastline by boat. As you drift past the tall cliffs and waterfalls, you will be viewing geography inaccessible to the regular tourist. Another highlight of the cruise is the variety of wildlife that can be seen from the boats, especially brown bears which are often spotted on the rocky beaches with their cubs. Deer and foxes may also be seen along the shore, while sea animals such as dolphins, whales, sea lions and different types of sea birds (Including the ferocious Steller s Sea Eagle) may make an appearance. In the afternoon, we can explore Shiretoko National Park on a cycling tour. This stunning landscape is a UNESCO world heritage site for its pristine and varied landscape. Enjoy the national park s many routes with your private guide, which you will choose locally based on your interest and fitness level. After cycling we will return to a local inn for your night s stay. Overnight in Shiretoko 3/25/2015 Mandarin Journeys Asia 6
Shiretoko - Sounkyo Day 5 After rising early, you will enjoy a morning hike. The Shiretoko Five Lakes are a set of five small lakes formed long ago by the eruption of nearby Mount Io and fed by underground springs. The Ainu nickname for these bodies of water is God's Five Fingerprints, as the five lakes offer beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and wilderness, and provide us an easy way to experience Shiretoko's unspoiled nature. After returning from the hike, we will bid farewell to Shiretoko and transfer by private car to Sounkyo for the last night. Sounkyo is a range of gorges situated in the Daisetsuzan National Park. Here you will have opportunities for gorgeous hikes, magnificent cliff-side scenery, playing in waterfalls and viewing Hokkaido s tallest mountain: Mt.Asahi-dake. You will be staying in one of the local inns which will offer you stunning views of the park (they are often located inside the park) as well as offering Onsen s for you to relax in. Overnight in Sounkyo 3/25/2015 Mandarin Journeys Asia 7
Sounkyo - Sapporo Depature Day 6 You will return to Sapporo by private car. Once in Sapporo to have a final bowl of the famed Ramen (a very rich noodle soup), then visit your final Japanese icon: the Sapporo brewery. Here, you will be able to examine the fundamentally different approach to beer that Japanese embrace. Afterwards, we will transfer you to Chitose Airport for your return flight to mainland Japan, filled with many memories of Hokkaido s stunning natural beauty. 3/25/2015 Mandarin Journeys Asia 8
Reviews What clients say A customized top holiday experience is a considerable investment. We urge you to research our credentials and make sure we are the right agency for you before committing to a holiday. That will involve speaking to us of course, but also checking our references carefully. MJ planned an excellent leisure trip for me to Japan and China in July-August 2014. The trip was 2 weeks and included all hotels, both long haul and short hall flights, trains, local transportation, dinner reservations each night, and full day guides in each city. Cities visited included Tokyo, Kyoto, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The trip was planned and executed flawlessly. There was not one detail, reservation, travel arrangement that was miscommunicated or out of order. For this to occur on a two week, complex, international itinerary speaks volumes to the quality, reliability, and thoroughness of Marc and Mandarin Journeys. The guides in each city superb and highly knowledgeable re. the local sights, culture, languages, and transportation. Stayed in a older courtyard house/hotel in Beijing (Hans Royal Garden) and 300 year old Ryokanin Kyoto. The trip was thoroughly enjoyed. MJ even arranged vintage motorcycles with side cars as the transportation from central Beijing to a non touristy, less travelled part of the Great Wall. I highly recommend Mandarin Journeys for anyone that wants a non touristy, comprehensive trip to the Far East Mr Steve Randich CIO Finra, former CIO Citigroup Our family recently used Mandarin Journeys for a 3-week/5 destinations trip to China and Thailand, and we highly recommend them. They were attentive and responsive during the planning process, which for us involved multiple changes along the way, and they helped us manage everything seamlessly. They designed a premium, customized program with activities suited to us and expert guides who completely enhanced the experience. And they were in touch throughout to ensure things went according to plan. They took the time to understand what we were looking for and delivered beyond our expectations. I'm sure we will be "repeat" customers. MrsMary Gerzema & John Gerzema VP Global Media at The Estee Lauder Companies & NYT Bestselling Author Read dozens more independent reviews on LinkedIn Wish to speak to a past client? We will be happy to provide references STAY IMMERSE INDULGE SAVOR