Tohoku Explorer Tour

HOTEL GRAND ANNEX MORIOKA

Located right in the centre of town 10 minutes walk from the train station. This hotel is the perfect base in which to explore the city of Morioka as well as having easy access to the surrounding ski areas. You’ll love being in the centre of town with all the great restaurants and bars within walking distance. Each room is comfortably appointed with twin beds and all that you’d expect from a 4 star hotel.

TAZAWAKO LAKE RESORT

Located on the border between Akita and Iwate prefectures – 2 of the snowiest regions in all of Japan – Tazawako Lake Resort is within driving distance of multiple resorts renowned for their deep powder.

The hotel features an onsen (natural hot spring) with both indoor and outdoor baths as well as a sauna, perfect to relax in after a day in the snow. In addition, the onsite restaurant has great views of Mt Akita where you can enjoy the generous breakfast buffet with both hot and cold Western and Japanese dishes. The dinner buffet includes over 60 different dishes, from local specialties to Chinese and Western classics. Not to be missed is the craft beer and sake corner with local Akita brews for some delicious (and well deserved!) après drinks.

AZUMASHIYA RYOKAN

A lovely accommodation run by a friendly and welcoming family. You’ll feel right at home at this hotel overlooking the river and onsen town of Kuroishi. We have chosen this spot for not only the great food and lovely hosts but also it’s perfect location between Hakkoda and Aomori Springs ski resorts. It boasts a large outdoor onsen, relaxing lounge space and large Japanese ensuited rooms with optional western bedding.

This tour will require you to travel by train to Morioka train station where your guide will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation.

At the end of the tour your guide will transfer you to either Shin-Aomori Station for your Shinkansen back Tokyo or to Aomori Airport for your flight home.

Once you’ve booked onto the tour you will receive our Trip Info Brochure packed with loads of useful information to help you plan your trip to Japan.

SKI/BOARD HIRE

Please note that snowboarders need to have splitboards. If you need to hire equipment please let your consultant know as there are no suitable rental shops in Tohoku.

LUGGAGE

As this is a moving tour we request you pack as lightly as possible with one ski/board bag and a carry on bag. This will make sure there is plenty of space in the vans for all clients’ and guides’ luggage. If you need any advice on packing please speak with your consultant.

Day 1 (arrival and check-in day): Upon landing in Tokyo we recommend you take the Shinkansen for a true Japanese travel experience up to the snowy city of Morioka. There you will be welcomed by your guides and driven to Morioka Grand Hotel where you will meet your fellow road trippers over dinner and drinks. Your guide will also will run you through the tour, current conditions and prevailing weather and answer any questions you may have. (NOTE: If you need to hire touring equipment please let your consultant know as there are no suitable rental shops in Tohoku.)

Days 2–4 (first snow days): The beauty of staying in the city of Morioka is not only you will be able to enjoy the nightlife of a Japanese city but you will also be able to access multiple resorts and backcountry areas, each affected by slightly different weather patterns. Every day your guide will be checking the forecast to see which area has the best conditions and each area brings something different to your experience. For most days you can expect short 30min hikes off the lifts and traverse hikes of a similar time back to the base. There are some great cultural sites and onsens on the way back to Morioka which we may stop at to soak our muscles ready for the next days’ adventure. Each night your guides will take you out to sample the delicious local cuisine and hang at some cool bars.

Day 5–6: Today we make the short trip over to Tazawako where we’ll have access to Ani ski area and other nearby options including Tazawako Ski Resort, depending on weather conditions. This is an area that few visit, while being well know amongst locals as a heavy snowfall area. We’ll spend two nights in comfort at Tazawako Lake Resort and enjoy their renown indoor/outdoor onsens and breakfast/dinners full of local Akita produce.

Day 7: Transfer day – It’s time to head north toward Hakkoda. On our way we may detour to a fun ski area few know about, boasting epic tree lines and road drops off the back. Hakkoda is famous for the epic amounts of snow that blanket the mountain. The terrain is epic and one of our favourites in Japan. The powder is ridiculously deep and as it is further north, it’s dryer too. For the next four nights we will be staying in the family run Hotel Azumashiya, a ryokan style guesthouse with lovely hosts, regenerative onsens, delicious food and the powder of Hakkoda and Aomori Springs a short drive away.

Day 8–9: Hakkoda will blow you away, sometimes literally. Known for its temperamental weather and pea soup like visibility you’ll either have your best day on the trip or one of the toughest. With one Ropeway (Cable Car) taking you right to the top, it is from here where we will hike out and enjoy Hakkoda’s epic backcountry terrain. It was mainly built for sightseeing and hiking in summer but stories of epic pow, snow-monsters and endless terrain made it a growing mecca for powderhounds and backcountry skiers. We will also head over to Aomori Springs. This little known resort has some fun powder filled terrain and the terrain from the top of the back most lift is Japanese tree skiing at its finest. Each night in Azumashiya you will enjoy a variety of local cuisine.

Day 10 (check-out and departure day): All good things must come to an end. It’s time to check out and transfer to Aomori Train Station or Airport and say goodbye to your new friends. Sayonara! Hope to see you again soon!