More enjoyable trip to Hachimantai and Appi, Iwate Prefecture, Japan

Limited Winter Tour: APPI Luxury Escape

Adventure, Tradition, and Nature

Experience not just a visit, but a full immersion into the stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of APPI in Iwate Prefecture. Surround yourself with crystal-clear air and breathtaking views as you embark on an exclusive journey to hidden gems, guided by local experts. Enjoy the ever-changing seasonal landscapes, combined with the artistry and flavors of tradition that make APPI truly unique. This luxurious tour promises a refreshing escape for your mind and body, delivering unparalleled moments of "Relaxation" and "Discovery" you can only find here.

Welcome to Hachimantai

Discover Stunning Scenery and Relaxation Through the Beauty of Japan’s Four Seasons

Located in the heart of northeastern Tohoku, Hachimantai is a captivating destination known for its majestic natural beauty and abundant hot springs. In spring, alpine flowers bloom vibrantly as the snow melts. Summer offers lush green wetlands under clear blue skies. Autumn transforms the mountains into a vivid tapestry of colorful foliage, while winter unveils a magical landscape of frost-covered trees. The breathtaking beauty of Hachimantai through all four seasons enchants every visitor.
Immerse yourself in the charm of Hachimantai and enjoy a soothing moment of tranquility. In this destination, where nature reveals its unique beauty through every season, you can experience a special journey surrounded by the blessings of nature and serene silence.

APPI Luxury Escape

Overview

This travel plan is designed for those seeking a luxurious and exclusive experience unlike any other. It features meticulously crafted offerings, including private guided tours of historic landmarks, unique activities that immerse you in local culture, and exceptional hospitality at top-tier accommodations. Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to ensure an unforgettable journey.

Fully Customized Itinerary

We design a fully customized itinerary tailored to your preferences and interests. From transportation and dining arrangements to event planning, every aspect of your journey is personalized just for you, ensuring a luxurious and unforgettable experience.

Comprehensive Support System

To ensure your comfort and safety throughout the journey, we provide a comprehensive support system. Perfect for celebrating special occasions, traveling with loved ones, or business trips, this service offers an elevated and extraordinary experience beyond the ordinary.

For those seeking a memorable and blissful journey, we invite you to indulge in special moments with our premium travel plan.

Soar into Unforgettable Skies: Travel in luxury by helicopter

"Why not elevate your travel experience during the tour? By choosing helicopter transportation, you can enjoy breathtaking views that cannot be seen from the ground while optimizing your time. The journey to your destination becomes an unforgettable memory, turning travel into a one-of-a-kind experience.

To ensure smooth helicopter travel, we will secure departure and landing locations and handle all necessary arrangements in advance. Please share your preferred travel dates and destinations when booking your tour, and we will propose the perfect plan tailored to your needs. Let us create an unparalleled journey through the skies just for you."

A Special Stay Experience

ANA InterContinental APPI Kogen Resort

"ANA InterContinental APPI Kogen Resort is a five-star hotel. You can enjoy welcome drinks, afternoon teas, aperitif, and breakfast the next morning. All rooms have slope view, you can feel magnificent scenery of four seasons. In winter, the ski slopes are right in front of you, smooth ski-in and ski-out location. We provide ""turn down service"" for luxurious preparation before going to bed. We will create a luxurious and blissful time for everyone with the sophisticated services that InterContinental has cultivated over its long history."

ANA InterContinental APPI Kogen Resort
Receives a coveted Key in the first-ever MICHELIN Key Hotels Japan guide.The only Michelin Key Hotel in the Tohoku area.

On July 4, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide announced that ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort has been selected as one of the Japan’s First MICHELIN One Key Hotel.

Discover the harmony of APPI’s natural beauty and cultural heritage

This tour offers a luxurious experience where you can freely enjoy programs that immerse you in the magnificent nature and rich culture of Hachimantai. Engage in the thrilling "Kuruma(car)-Asobi(playing)" adventure, racing across vast lands on snowmobiles or buggies, experience the power of nature in volcanic regions through the 'Geothermal Dyeing Experience' at Tamagawa Onsen in Akita and Matsukawa Onsen in Iwate, create local dishes using traditional knowledge and ingredients with renowned local chef Hitomi Sato in the 'Regional Cuisine Experience,' and discover the timeless craftsmanship of 'Appi Lacquerware Experience.' Choose from these captivating programs, each offering a glimpse into the charm of Hachimantai, its stunning natural beauty, and the warmth of its people, making for a vibrant and unforgettable journey.

A secret base for adults offering "Car" and "Asobu" activities in the great outdoors
An outdoor activity facility that proposes "Kuruma(car)-Asobi(playing)" through "Playing", "Staying”, and "Experiencing" rather than just using a car as a means of transportation. The "Mountain Off-Road Park" in the area is equipped with an off-road course carved out of a natural mountain. From spring to fall, the "Jimny" lift-up model and the "Polaris Off-Road Vehicle" ATV are recommended, and in winter, crawler vehicles and snowmobiles are recommended.
The "Mountain Off-Road Park" in the area is equipped with an off-road course carved out of a natural mountain. From spring through fall, visitors can enjoy the Jimny "lift-up model" and the ATV "Polaris Off-Road Vehicle," and in winter, crawler vehicles and snowmobiles are recommended.
"Nature’s energy in art form Explore the exclusive world of geothermal color dyeing"
"Geothermal color dyeing, an art form found nowhere else in the world, fuses the earth's heat with nature's vibrant colors to create a truly magical experience. Harnessing the unique geothermal energy of this region, this exclusive dyeing technique invites you to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that connects you with nature. Under expert guidance, you will craft a piece that reflects your individuality, making it truly yours. Feel the power of geothermal energy and the wonder of nature as you pour your heart into this creation, this unforgettable experience will leave you with lasting memories. Craft your own unique masterpiece—an experience you can only have here. Embark on a journey of art like no other."
Under the guidance of a professional, you will create a piece of art that reflects your unique personality. The experience of putting your heart and soul into your creation while feeling the power of geothermal energy and experiencing the mystery of nature firsthand will surely be a memory you will cherish for a lifetime.
A one-of-a-kind work of art made by your own hands. Let's go on a journey of art that you can only experience here.
A special moment to savor the warmth and smiles of local hospitality
"The local people, who live self-sufficiently and embrace the blessings of the land, share the timeless flavors and warm hospitality rooted in their region. Cooking beloved local dishes with seasonal ingredients is not just a cooking class, but an immersive cultural experience. Hear wisdom and stories from the locals while enjoying a special time that feels like returning to your second home. Sharing the completed dishes around the table, you’ll feel as though you’ve become part of the community. Take home unforgettable flavors and cherished memories of your journey. Your journey to find your very own ""Local Taste"" starts here!"
We offer a special time where you can listen to your grandmother's words of wisdom and memories, and be surrounded by a sense of security as if you have returned to your parents' home.
At the moment you gather around the table with your finished dish, you will feel like a member of the community.
"A legacy honed over 1,300 years The lacquerware and high-Quality urushi of the APPI river basin"
"Characterized by its vivid red, deep black, and elegant shapes, APPI lacquerware is a traditional craft produced in the APPI River Basin of Hachimantai. The art of lacquerware in this region is believed to have begun approximately 1,300 years ago, during the establishment of Joboji Temple, located north of the APPI Kogen, monks of the time are thought to have pioneered this craft. The high-quality lacquer harvested in this area enhances the brilliance of its base colors with a remarkable clarity, the multi-layered lacquering technique gives APPI lacquerware its signature luxurious appearance and exceptional durability."
It is believed that the lacquerware craft in this area was started by monks about 1,300 years ago, around the time of the founding of Joboji Temple, north of the Appi Plateau.
The high quality lacquer harvested in this region radiates a transparency that maximizes the basic colors, and the multi-layered lacquer coating creates the luxurious look and durability that is characteristic of Appi lacquerware.

Pricing

Pricing may vary depending on the itinerary, number of helicopter transfers, and distance. Please feel free to contact us for further details.

Included

Not Included

Application and Inquiries

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Sample Itinerary

*An excerpt from a monitoring tour conducted in November 2024.
*Destinations and helicopter transfer routes are not fixed. We will consult with you and tailor the arrangements according to your preferences.

Day 1
Customize Every Aspect of Your Journey, Tailored Just for You!

We will plan your entire itinerary with a fully customized approach.

11:40
Iwate Hanamaki Airport
Arrival at Iwate Hanamaki Airport

Approximately 1 hour drive from JR Morioka Station (Tohoku Shinkansen)
30 minutes drive from JR Kitakami Station (Tohoku Shinkansen)
Approximately 8 minutes by car from JR Shin-Hanamaki Station (Tohoku Shinkansen)
5 minutes drive from JR Hanamaki Airport Station (Tohoku Main Line)

12:00
Iwate Hanamaki Airport
Depart by helicopter towards Tamagawa Onsen in Akita Prefecture.

Enjoy spectacular scenery and get to your destination efficiently by helicopter transfer. We offer a luxurious experience that makes the transfer itself a special memory.

12:30
Tamagawa Onsen
Arrival at Tamagawa Onsen, Akita Prefecture
Shin Tamagawa Onsen Hotel
Lunch at a hotel in Tamagawa Onsen, Akita Prefecture
13:30
Drive to Tamagawa Nature Trail
13:45
Tamagawa Nature Trail
Walking along Tamagawa Nature Trail

As a spot where the powerful landscape and the mysteries of nature harmonize, it offers visitors a rare experience that allows them to feel the breath of the earth.

15:00
Departure by Helicopter to Appi Kogen

Helicopter transfer from Tamagawa Onsen, Akita Prefecture, to the Appi Kogen Resort.

15:10
Appi Kogen
Arrival at Appi Kogen
ANA Intercontinental
Appi Kogen resort
Check in to the hotel
ANA InterContinental Hotel

Stay at the only 1 Michelin key hotel in the Tohoku area, the ANA InterContinental Hotel, Appi Kogen Resort.

Day 2
We will arrange experience courses tailored to your preferences.
8:30
ANA Intercontinental
Appi Kogen resort
Departure by car for Yakehashiri Lava Flow
9:10
Yakehashiri Lava Flow
Walking in Yakehashiri Lava Flow

The Yakehashiri Lava Flow was formed in 1732 by the eruption of Mt. Iwate. Spanning approximately 3 km in length and up to 1 km in width, it is now a popular tourist destination with well-maintained walking paths, allowing visitors to experience the awe-inspiring lava flow and the beauty of nature up close.

9:45
Yakehashiri Lava Flow
Travel by car towards Sakuramatsu Shrine and Fudo Waterfall.
10:30
Sakuramatsu Shrine and Fudo Waterfall.
Walking around Sakuramatsu Shrine and Fudo Waterfall.

Sakuramatsu Park in Hachimantai City is a peaceful retreat, featuring the historic Sakuramatsu Shrine and the Fudo Waterfall, one of Japan's 100 scenic spots. This nature-rich location, where legends and the history of Shugendo (mountain asceticism) intersect, offers a serene atmosphere perfect for quiet moments of relaxation.

11:45
Drive to Roadside Station Kazuno
14:00
Roadside Station Kazuno
Hands-on Miso-Dipped Tamago (Grilled Rice Stick) Making Experience
Roadside Station Kazuno, handmade tampo with miso

In Kazuno City, the birthplace of Akita's famous Kiritampo, you can enjoy a hands-on experience of making miso-dipped Kiritampo at the Kazuno Roadside Station. The fragrant freshly grilled rice sticks with sweet walnut miso are exquisite, making it the perfect memory of your trip.

16:00
Driving to the Oyu Stone Circles
Oyu Stone Circles
Visit the Oyu Stone Circles
Oyu Stone Circles

The Manza Stone Circles and Nonakado Stone Circles are archaeological sites where large and small stones are arranged in a circular pattern, with numerous ceremonial tools unearthed. The two stone circles align along a straight line in the direction of the summer solstice sunset, suggesting a possible connection between them.

17:00
Driving to Appi Kogen
18:00
ANA Intercontinental
Appi Kogen resort
Arrive at the hotel
ANA InterContinental Hotel

Stay overnight at ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen resort

Day 3
9:20
ANA Intercontinental
Appi Kogen resort
Check out of hotel
9:30
Drive to Morioka Station
10:30
JR Morioka Station
Arrive at Morioka Station

Dismissal at JR Morioka Station.
It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to Tokyo Station by Tohoku Shinkansen.

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