Day 1: Arrival in Aomori
Bullet train from Tokyo to Aomori and go short sightseeing in Aomori if there is enough time. After that, we will head to accommodation in Aomori.
Stay in Aomori
Day 2: Mt. Hakkoda Trekking
Take a bus from Aomori Station to Sukayu Onsen. Mt. Hakkoda is a generic name of volcanic mountains at south side of Aomori city. We call 18 mountains together as Mt. Hakkoda and the tallest mountain, Mt. Odake is the height of 1585m. Today’s route is a loop course including Mt. Odake. From the start, it’ll take 2.5 hours to reach the peak of Mt. Odake and around 2.5 hours to coming back around to Sukayu Onsen. Sukayu onsen is believed to have opened about 300 years ago and the first hot spring designated as health resort hot spring. After descending from the mountain, enjoy this traditional onsen.
Stay in Sukayu Onsen Ryokan or hotel in Aomori city.
Day 3: Hirosaki Sightseeing & Transfer to Morioka
We will walk around Hirosaki city in the morning, Hirosaki Park is the most popular site in this area and people visit Hirosaki Castle in the park. You can experience the history of Edo samurai era. Cherry blossoms decorate this castle in spring and red leaves do in autumn. After lunch, we will depart Hirosaki for Morioka, another historical city.
Stay at hotel in Morioka
Day 4: Mt. Hachimantai Trekking
Second trekking day of this tour. Mt. Hachimantai is one of the 100 greatest mountains in Japan and located on 1.5 hours away from Morioka by bus. In summer, beautiful flowers bloom in the extensive green, and leaves turn red in autumn. Also, the dynamic views of mountain or crater lakes created by volcanic activities are the highlights of this trekking. The route is 7km long and it will take 3hours to hike. Return bus leaves from near the summit of Mt. Hachimantai, you can go back to Morioka by this bus.
Stay at hotel in Morioka
Day 5: Transfer Morioka to Zao via Sendai
It’s mostly transfer day today. Take a Shinkansen from Morioka to Sendai, and then we will go sightseeing around Sendai. Sendai is one of the biggest cities in Edo samurai era, there are historical sites to visit in this area such as Sendai Castle Ruins or Osaki Hachimangu shrine. Moreover, Sendai is a city known for local food. The most popular food in Sendai among Japanese people is beef tongue, it might sound weird but it is actually amazing, some Japanese like beef tongue the best of all parts of beef. After exploring Sendai, we’ll depart for Zao Onsen via Yamagata Station.
Stay at hotel in Zao Onsen
Day 6: Zao Trekking and Zao Onsen
Zao mountain range exists on the border of Yamagata and Miyagi Prefecture. The route on Yamagata side is common and suitable for hiking. We will move to today’s start by a ropeway from Zao Onsen, you can enjoy the 360°view of the mountains. It takes around 4 hours to trek and the total distance of the route is 10km. Near the summit, you’ll meet a mysterious crater lake which is called Okama. Also from the summit, the panoramic view of other mountains around this area would be spectacle if the weather permits. Furthermore, Zao is one of the most popular hot spring town in Japan. Trekking the mountain and soaking in the hot spring is the most popular plan of Zao.
Stay in hotel in Zao Onsen
Day 7: Transfer Zao to Aizu Wakamatsu
Take a bullet train from Yamagata to Koriyama Station and then take an express bus to Aizu Wakamatsu. You will spend most of the day for transfer, but Aizu Wakamatsu has a lot of destinations to visit for tourist who like Japanese history. The top tourist destination would be Aizu Wakamatsu Castle which is called Tsuruga Castle, built by one of the most popular samurai lord among Japanese history fans.
Stay in Aizu Wakamatsu
Day 8: Mt. Bandai Trekking
Take a short train to Inawashiro and start trekking for Mt. Bandai. This mountain is slightly more difficult to climb than previous ones. To the peak of Mt. Bandai, it will take 4 hours. During trekking, you will meet alpine plants and there will be scenic view of Lake Inawashiro behind you. After enjoying panoramic view from the summit, we will descend down on the opposite side of starting point. This side is called Urabandai and you can enjoy a different scape than ascending route. When you get to the goal, Urabandaikogen Station, take a bus to Aizu Wakamatsu and you’ll stay in the same hotel as yesterday.
Stay in Aizu Wakamatsu
Day 9: Sightseeing Aizu Wakamatsu & Transfer back to Tokyo
If you didn’t have enough time for sightseeing in Aizu Wakamatsu in Day 7, you can hang around the samurai city in this morning. Also, Lake Inawashiro, which was the starting point of the last trekking, is a popular destination. You can manage your plan today, and it will take around three hours to get back to Tokyo from Aizu Wakamatsu by bus and a bullet train.
