Hokkaido & TOHOKU

The Road North

July 2025
Dr kathleen Olive

*** Preliminary Itinerary ***

Discover the path less travelled in northern Japan over its moderate summer, exploring diverse histories, indigenous culture, serene temples and exquisite natural beauty.

OVERVIEW

The island of Hokkaido and Tohoku region offer a side of Japan not experienced by most travellers, as poet Bashō noted centuries ago in The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Hokkaido’s scenery forms a stunning backdrop for the indigenous Ainu culture, and the island offers art from the traditional to the contemporary, as well as exceptional seafood and locally-grown produce. Tohoku, in northern Honshu, is similarly diverse, from the vibrant Nebuta Festival, when enormous lantern floats parade through Aomori’s streets, to serene and UNESCO-listed mountain temples and celebrated views across Matsushima Bay.

This 17-day tour commences in Sapporo, best known as a winter holiday base but with a mild summer perfect for exploring its modern history and spectacular scenery. Travelling into Hokkaido’s interior, fields of bright flowers form a backdrop to our visits, as we encounter the Ainu village at Noboribetsu and Hakodate’s historic sites.

Crossing the Tsugaru Strait by ferry, we explore Japan’s ancient past at a well-preserved Jomon archaeological site and celebrate in festive Aomori. At Hirosaki, we survey the samurai district and castle before travelling to Chuson-ji, the site of World Heritage-listed temples that exemplify the historical relationship between Buddhism and feudal lords. After discovering Matsushima’s Zen temples against an iconic backdrop of pine-covered islands, we travel by Shinkansen to Tokyo to conclude our tour.

Tour Leader

Dr Kathleen Olive is one of Australia’s best-known cultural tour leaders, with over fifteen years’ experience leading tours to Europe, North America, Australasia and Japan.

While Kathleen is particularly known for her expertise in Italy and holds a PhD in Italian Studies from the University of Sydney, she has recently pursued a longstanding interest in Japanese art, aesthetics and design. Since 2017 she has led nine sold-out tours to Japan and presented regular lectures on Japanese art, history and gardens for the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS). During the pandemic, her online classes on Japanese art and history were very popular.

Kathleen has designed and led over 70 cultural tours, and is known for her engaging and attentive leadership of a group.

Highlights

  • Explore contemporary art and sculpture in Sapporo and Aomori

  • Encounter the now-protected Ainu culture and its traditional crafts, at the Upopoy National Ainu Museum  

  • Admire the spectacular gold-covered Konjikido pavilion and elegant beauty of Chusonji temple

  • Understand the influence of the West following Japan’s era of isolation, at Sapporo and at Hakodate

  • Savour fresh seafood from Hokkaido’s pristine waters and sample artisanal cheeses and wines created in Furano

  • Experience the annual Nebuta Festival, when enormous lantern floats, taiko drummers and dancers parade through Aomori’s streets

  • Discover the pine-clad islands and Zen temples of iconic Matsushima Bay

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