22 day Cherry Blossoms of Hokkaido and Alpine Tour with Taiwan

Day 1 - HOME/TAIPEI

This evening, we board our direct flight to Taipei with China Airways . After check in, sit back and relax and you’ll be in Taiwan soon.

Accommodation - N/A

Meals - As per fight

Day 2 - ARRIVE TAIPEI/ TAOYUAN/ TAICHUNG

Upon arrival, meet your guide and embark on a scenic drive to Taichung. Begin your adventure at Shenji New Village, a trendy cultural and creative hub filled with charming cafes, boutique shops, and art spaces. Next, visit the Taichung Yi Railway Cultural Park, where you can explore historic railway structures, vintage trains and interactive exhibits that showcase Taiwan’s rich railway heritage. End the day at Fengjia Night Market before heading to your accommodation.

Accommodation - Beacon Hotel Taiching or similar

Meals - As per flight / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3 - TAICHUNG/NANTOU

Start your day at Checheng Wooden Train Station, a charming historic stop surrounded by lush forests. Next, head to Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan’s largest alpine lake, for a relaxing boat ride. Visit the majestic Wenwu Temple, known for its stunning lake views and intricate architecture. Continue to Xiangshan Visitor Centre, an architectural gem offering panoramic views of Sun Moon Lake. End your journey at Taiyi Red Maple Resort, where you can unwind amidst beautiful gardens and serene landscapes.

Accommodation - Tai-Yi Red Maple Resort or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 4 - NANTOU/KAOHSIUNG

Begin your day at Taiping Sky Bridge, enjoying breathtaking mountain views. Stroll through Taiping Old Street for local snacks and traditional charm. Next, visit Tianliao Moon World, a unique badlands terrain landscape resembling the moon’s surface. In the evening, dive into the bustling Liuhe Night Market for delicious street food before checking in at your Kaohsiung hotel for a restful night.

Accommodation - Fullon Hotel Kaohsiung or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Own Dinner

Day 5 - KAOHSIUNG/TAITUNG

Board the Breezy Blue Train ride from Fangliao Station, enjoying a relaxing ride along Taiwan’s east coast before arriving in Taitung. Explore the stunning rock formations at Xiao Yehliu, then visit Jialulan Coast for breathtaking ocean views. Unwind with an afternoon tea overlooking the Pacific Ocean before returning to your hotel for a restful evening.

Accommodation - Formosan Naruwan Galaxy Hotel Taitung or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6 - TAITUNG/HUALIEN/YILAN

Start your driving itinerary by departing from Taitung after breakfast, heading to Hualien. Today we visit the Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park, followed by lunch at a nearby restaurant. After lunch, drive to Taroko National Park to explore accessible sites like the Eternal Spring Shrine. Then, head to Yilan and arriving in the evening for dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation - Four Points by Sheraton Yilan or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 7 - YILAN/TAIPEI

Start your day with a hands-on DIY Sanxing Scallion experience, making tasty scallion-based treats. Then, explore the natural beauty and history at Luodong Forestry Culture Park. Visit the Mountain Specialty Centre to discover local products, followed by a DIY Pineapple cake-making. In the evening, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and delicious street food at Ningxia Night Market, before returning to your hotel for a restful night.

Accommodation - Royal Seasons Hotel Nanjing West or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Own Dinner

Day 8 - TAIPEI

After breakfast, we visit the Martyrs’ Shrine to appreciate its historical significance. Next we visit the National Palace Museum, where you can explore its extensive collection of Chinese art and artifacts. Afterward, proceed directly to the iconic Taipei 101 Tower for stunning views of the city. Once you’ve enjoyed the sights, make your way to Jiufen Old Street, where you can wander through its charming alleys and savor local snacks. Finally, conclude your day with a visit to Jingtong Railway Station to release a sky lantern with your wishes.

Accommodation - Royal Seasons Hotel Nanjing West or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 9 - TAIPEI/SAPPORO

This morning, we hop across over to Sapporo, Japan! We anticipate to arrive early afternoon and then your trusty local guide will take you down to the main city area for a bit of free time and dinner at a local restaurant. Then check in at hotel for overnight.

Accommodation - Sapporo Excel Tokyu Hotel or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Own Lunch / Dinner

Day 10 - SAPPORO

This morning, ascend to the Okurayama viewing point, soaring up to the summit of the Sapporo Winter Olympics ski jump by chair lift – the views over the surrounding mountains are breathtaking. Continue to the pretty port town of Otaru and take some time to walk along the streets of the village and stroll along the picturesque canal. This evening visit the Sapporo Beer Museum where there is an optional beer tasting before popping next door to the Sapporo Beer Garden to dine on a Genghis Khan dinner – barbeque lamb, a Sapporo special!

Accommodation - Sapporo Excel Tokyu Hotel or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 11 - SAPPORO/NOBORIBETSU

After breakfast we stop at Odori Park which is located in the heart of Sapporo, separating the city into north and south parts. From here, enjoy the view of the Sapporo TV Tower and then visit the Clock Tower. We then drop into the famous Ishiya Chocolate Factory and afterwards, we drive to Date Jidaimura - a historic 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. Tonight we stay in Noboribetsu, a city in Iburi subprefecture, Hokkaido.

Accommodation - Noboribetsu Manseikaku or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 12 - NOBORIBETSU/LAKE TOYA

This morning we drive to an Ainu village, where you can get a better picture of the indigenous Ainu lifestyle through the display of the precious heirlooms and household utensils and traditional embroidery. Afterwards, we head to Mt Showa Shinzan, which is still an active volcano. At the foot of the mountain you can see Ezo grizzly bears and their cubs at the Bear Ranch. Tonight we stay in the region of Lake Toya.

Accommodation - Toya Manseikaku or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 13 - LAKE TOYA/HAKODATE

After a good night’s rest we depart Lake Toya region for Hakodate – a Japanese city often called the gateway to Hokkaido. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour covering Kanemori Red Brick warehouse, Goryokaku Fort and also a cable car ride at Mount Hakodate to see the city views and hopefully the vibrant Cherry Blossoms as well! To finish off the day, enjoy a bit of free time at Motomachi shopping arcade.

Accommodation - Hakodate Kukusai Hotel or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 14 - HAKODATE/TOKYO (VIA BULLET TRAIN)

This morning, we bid farewell to Hakodate as we make our way to the train station for our bullet train experience to Tokyo! This relaxing ride should take at around 4 hours before arriving into the busy city of Tokyo. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel and then enjoy a bit of free time to explore our surroundings before gathering again for our first dinner at Tokyo.

*Note: We will arrange to have your large suitcase delivered to Tokyo region 2 days beforehand. We will provide more instructions before departure.

Accommodation - Tokyo Dome Hotel or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Own Lunch / Dinner

Day 15 - TOKYO/ASHIKAGA PARK FOR WISTERIA VIEWING/TOKYO

This morning, we embark on a relaxing drive up to Ashikaga Park which is a few hours away from Tokyo. Japan may be best known for its cherry blossoms, but Ashikaga Flower Park is famous for its wisteria flowers. The wisteria are grown on overhead frames and so the blossoms hanging overhead are a sight to behold. Lunch at own expense at the park In the afternoon, we head back to Tokyo for free time and own dinner.

* Please note that Wisteria blooms are not guaranteed and are subject to optimal weather conditions.

Accommodation - Tokyo Dome Hotel or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Own Lunch / Own Dinner

Day 16 - TOKYO/MATSUMOTO

Before we depart Tokyo this morning, we will have a photostop at Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace. We will then have lunch in Shibuya region with a bit of free time to explore as well. Later, we drive to Matsumoto which is the gate way to the Alpine route for our overnight stay.

Accommodation - Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort and Spa or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 17 - MATSUMOTO/ALPINE ROUTE/TOYAMA

The major highlight of this itinerary will be the famous Alpine Route called the Tateyama Kurobe! A magnificent mountain sightseeing route, the pride of Japan, connects Toyama City and Omachi City. In spring, snow plow trucks carve out the road, creating 20m-high walls on both sides, called the “Yuki-no-Ohtani” (Towering Wall of Snow). This is normally seen between mid April to June annually and is truly a unique experience.

Accommodation - Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 18 - TOYAMA/SHIRAKAWAGO/KANAZAWA

After breakfast we leave the area of Toyama and make our way towards Kanazawa whilst dropping into Shirakawago for a quick visit. Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa and is well known for its well preserved Edo Period districts, art museums and handicrafts. Enjoy a visit to Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most beautiful plantations and then spend some time in Higashi Chaya. This district is well-known as having the most tea houses in Kanazawa. Besides that, there are many long established and new craft shops, so you’ll enjoy strolling, having a coffee break, and enjoying the overall atmosphere.

Accommodation - Kanazawa Kokusai Hotel or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 19 - KANAZAWA/KYOTO

After breakfast this morning we drive towards the famous city of Kyoto for a visit. Kyoto was once the capital of Japan and is home to thousands of classical Buddhist temples. Here we will visit the Kiyomizu temple – one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. Afterwards we also visit the other well known temple – Kinkakuji – also known as the Golden Pavillion. Overnight in Kyoto.

Accommodation - Miyako hotel Kyoto or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 20 - KYOTO/OSAKA

This morning stroll through Nishiki Market, dubbed ‘Kyoto’s kitchen’, where there are many interesting food and sake stores. walk the vermillion, torii gate-lined pathways of the Fushimi Inari Shrine and tour a traditional sake brewery, where you can try some of the local sake. Afterwards we finish off the day in Osaka.

Accommodation - Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka or similar

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 21 - OSAKA/TAIPEI/HOME

This morning, visit the famous Osaka Castle before a bit of free time in Shinasaibashi and then check in at aiport by 4pm for our flight home. Upon arriving into Taipei airport, there will be a few hours transit before flying back home.

Meals - Breakfast / As per flight

Day 22 - ARRIVE HOME

Your overnight flight arrives back home today and we hope you had a fantastic time abroad!

Meals - As per flight