Yes that’s right, in a few short days I will be turning Japanese and touring parts of Northern Japan on a media trip sponsored by Prince Hotels and All Nippon Airways.

I will be travelling with a group of influencers including a travel magazine writer, another travel blogger and travel agents on a fully escorted tour of a few of the Prince Hotels in Japan and also seeing some of the magnificent sights and countryside in the north.

I am extremely excited to be given this opportunity to tour parts of Japan which I’ve always longed to see. The week long trip will include destinations such as:

Iwate

Iwate Prefecture is located in the northern part of the island of Honshu, on the Pacific coast in the northern Tohoku Region.Two mountain ranges traverse the prefecture’s interior from south to north and from these steep mountains flows the mighty Kitakamigawa River which empties into the Pacific Ocean.

Japan Onsen Experience

In early summer I will be expecting fresh green mountain vistas, brilliant colourful trees and pristine flowing waters in the Kitakamigawa River. Our itinerary includes a Japanese Onsen experience in hot springs, a trip to Takizawa City to attend the Chagu Chagu Umakko Horse Festival, Sake sampling at Asabiraki Shuzo and Morioka City sightseeing.

Here we will spend two nights in Shizukuishi at the Shizukuishi Prince Hotel in Iwate.

Aomori

Aomori Prefecture is in the northernmost part of Honshu Island. Here we will be visiting Towada which is located in the foothills of the Hakkoda Mountains and encompasses the Aomori portion of Lake Towada. The Oirase River passes through the town.

Oirase Gorge, Towada

I will be looking forward to viewing this tranquil lake setting, mountain streams and some local art and culture.

During our visit to Towada our itinerary includes a look through the Towada Art Museum, Oirase Keiryu mountain stream, Towada Lake, Inakadate Mura for Tanbo Art and Aomori City sightseeing.

Our accommodation for Towada will be at the Towada Prince Hotel.

Hakodate

The city of Hakodate is the gateway to Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. Looming over the town is 334m-high Mt Hakodate. It is Hokkaido’s third largest city, located at the island’s southern tip.

Lake Onuma

Onuma Park, a quasi national park with beautiful island dotted lakes, is located only half an hour north of Hakodate. We will be embarking on a coach tour and cruise upon Lake Onuma, a train trip to Mt Hakodate and Motomachi and staying in the comfort of the Hakodate Onuma Prince Hotel.

Tokyo

Downtown Tokyo

Our last night will be spent in the Japan’s bustling, modern capital city, Tokyo. We will have almost an entire day to explore this metropolis on our own. So if anyone has some ideas on what the “must do’s and see’s” are in Tokyo please leave me a comment.

Our accommodation during our one night stay in Tokyo will be at Shinagawa Prince Hotel.

Without a doubt you will be hearing a lot more about my trip to Japan. I am looking forward to bringing you all the highlights of the trip and snapping some gorgeous images.