11 Days Taiwan, Japan Hokkaido Essential Tour

Upon arrival at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, a guide will greet you at the arrival section for each arriving flight. (For any last minute change, please call the Taiwan emergency contact or consult with the Tourism Bureau service counter) Transfer to the hotel afterward. Free transfers are arranged at 10:30/15:30/19:00/23:00. If guests do not want to wait for the specific transfer time, guests can request us to arrange a private transfer. The fare is USD30/per person.
Hotel: Hotel Orchard Park or similar

After breakfast, visit one of the most popular spots in Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake Scenic Area (including cruise + cable car), which is the largest freshwater lake in Taiwan, covering 900 hectares. This area is the holy land for the Shao aborigine in Taiwan. The northern part of the lake is shaped like the sun, the southern half is shaped like the moon; hence its name. Enjoy Aboriginal Cuisine for lunch. Later, proceed to Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, located in Nantou County. Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is a theme park full of entertainment, cultural experience activities and traditional song/ dance performances. It is a great place to see a combination of Taiwanese recreation, tourism and education. The Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is known for its aboriginal cultures, which offers a new insight of Taiwan! In addition to cultural experiences, you can also ride the fun roller-coaster and etc. During some seasons, the village offers seasonal performances or shows, such as a welcome ceremony, blessing ceremony, thorn blessing, ramie, and a historical museum visit. Enjoy a Shaoxing banquet for dinner.
Hotel: Sun Moon Lake Classic Hotel or similar

After breakfast, visit the Chung Tai Zen Centers Portal. In 1987, Grand Master Wei Chueh built Lin Quan (“Spiritual Spring”) Chan Monastery in response to his disciples’ needs for a place of spiritual cultivation and refuge. Proceed to Lugang Town, preserving its appearances of the old street during the Qing Dynasty. The red brick road is curved and strolled, full of ancient charm. Lugang was a busy port and economic center years ago. After a hundred years, Lugang Old Street has also been rated as a two-star attraction by the international tourism and food industry authority “Michelin”. From the old street tour, you will see the famous Tianhou Temple, Ding Ancient House, Nine-turn lane. Enjoy Taiwanese cuisine for lunch. Later, proceed to Rainbow Military Community, filled with many colorful paintings on the walls of houses. After, stop at Taichung Opera House, designed by Japanese architect Ito Kazuo, who was awarded the Pritzker Prize. The opera house is an astonishing architecture in the city. In the evening, go to Fengjia Night Market to enjoy the delicious Taiwanese snacks from the night market. Fengjia Night Market is the largest and one of the most famous sightseeing night markets in Taiwan. Dinner is on own arrangement today.
Hotel: Taichung Heti Hotel or similar

After breakfast, stop by the Pearl Exhibition Center and visit the Yehliu Geopark. There, you can learn about development processes of mushroom rocks as well as discover ginger rocks, cleavages, potholes, melting erosion panels and etc. Afterward, we proceed to Jiufen Mountain Town. According to legend, when the land road was not opened, all supplies were supplied through sea transportation. Since there were nine households in the village, they were required to prepare the “nine portions” whenever they bought the goods. Overtime, people named it Jiufen, which means nine portions in Chinese. In the 1930s, with the rise in the price of gold, Jiufen, the splendid grandeur of the “Asian Golden Capital” was created. At that time, people called it “small Shanghai” and “small Hong Kong”. Lately, with the retrospective trend, it has become a popular tourist destination. Lunch is on own arrangement today. In the afternoon, visit the curtain-like Shihfen Waterfall. The mist formed by the waterfall often fills the waterfall pool. Therefore, when the sun shines in, the room is filled with a rainbow in the clear sky. After appreciating the Shihfen waterfall, we proceed to the old street where you can set up the sky lanterns (Not included, purchase on own). Shihfen Old Street is famous for the wonders of the streets, shops and crowds right aside the train lane. You will experience a whole different type of street market. Enjoy the famous Champion Beef Noodles in Taiwan for dinner.
Hotel: Taipei Fushin Hotel or similar

After breakfast, coach to the aboriginal souvenir center and shops to get some Taiwanese snacks or gifts for you and your family. Later, proceed to National Palace Museum, displaying a collection of ancient Chinese artifacts. The collections are worldwide and have covered different dynasties in the 5000-year history of ancient China. Afterward, visit Martyr’s Shrine, the shrine was built to honor the fallen Kuomintang soldiers after the Chinese Civil War. Enjoy Taiwanese Pork Rice for lunch. After lunch, visit Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, containing displays of Sun’s accomplishments from the revolution during and after the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Today, it is a meeting ground for various social, educational, and cultural activities. Then, head to Taiwan’s landmark, the Taipei 101 Building, which has a shopping mall and offices. It is currently the ninth tallest building in the world. The building has the world’s largest damper and the fastest elevator in the world. You can take the elevator to the observation deck to overlook the panoramic view of Taipei at your own expense. Enjoy DinTai Fung for dinner.
Hotel: Taipei Fushin Hotel or similar

Arrive at Sapporo New Chitose Airport, guests will be picked up at the airport and be transferred to the hotel with the help of a tour guide. (Guests who arrive early/late can check-in on own after 3 pm with the passport) Today’s schedule has no meals included.
Hotel: Tmark City Hotel Sapporo or similar

Start your day with a colorful Hokkaido tour after breakfast. Drive to Furano and visit Hokkaido’s largest farm, Tomita Farm, with more than 150 kinds of flowers (Tomita Farm will be replaced with Ikeda Wine Castle or Otokoyama Sake brewery from January to April, November and December). There is also beautiful lavender during summer. Afterwards, head to Biei-cho, where you can experience the beauty of beautiful hills! Taste the Furano buffet and enjoy the fantastic scenery of the beautiful hills during lunch! Visit the colorful “Shikisai no oka” and walk through the “Blue Pond” to explore the breathtaking scenery of the lake. (Blue Pond will be replaced with Aeon Mall from January to April, November and December) In the evening, we arrive at Sounkyo Gorge, the center of Daisetsuzan in Hokkaido. For dinner, enjoy a buffet dinner with a wide selection of Japanese Cuisine, Chinese Cuisine, Seafood, & Local Fresh Ingredients, and etc. Don’t miss out on the all-you-can-eat delicious Chu crab.
Hotel: Sounkaku Grand Hotel Hokkaido or similar

After breakfast, visit the Sounkyo Valley, watch the Ginga Falls, Ryusei-no-taki, and the beautiful Dakan Valley in Sounkyo gorges. Visit Abashiri on the way to Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, where you can experience an icy world and learn about the icy sea creature – “Clione limacina”. Later, visit a crystal clear “Lake Kussharo”. Then, check out the clearest lake in the world – Lake Mashu. Tonight, we stay at Akanko Onsen Hotel. Here, there are rich seasonal ingredients, full-open buffets, and exquisite Japanese-style room service, allowing you to enjoy the cuisine of Tohoku.
Hotel: New Akan Hotel or similar

After breakfast, enjoy a cruise on Lake Akan. (Lake Akan will be replaced with Ice Fishing or Ainu folk dance from January to April, November and December) Visit the hometown of Chlorella and enjoy the beautiful scenery in every season. Afterwards, visit the “Kushiro City Red-crowned Crane Natural Park”. Then, go to Tokachi River for tonight’s hot spring hotel. This evening, taste exquisite Japanese cuisine made from Hokkaido beef and seasonal vegetables grown from farms.
Hotel: Daiheigen Hotel or similar

After breakfast, visit Jigokudani, also known as the Hell Valley. It offers a spectacular display of hot steam vents, sulfurous streams, and other volcanic activity. Enjoy Japanese Seafood Hotpot or Bento Box before going to the Bear Park to see the Ussuri Brown Bears. Afterward, take the Usuzan ropeway where you can have the panoramic view of Lake Toya. Later on, proceed to Jozankei Onsen for overnight. Enjoy Hokkaido local cuisine for dinner tonight.
Hotel: Shikanoyu Spring Hotel or similar

Coach to Otaru this morning after breakfast. The romantic Otaru Canal is sitting in the city. Later, visit Kitaichi Glass Otaru, where you can appreciate many beautiful glass arts. Afterward, transfer to the airport around 11:30 am to take a homebound flight or plan rest of the day on your own. (In order to make sure the complete of touring schedule, please purchase the flight departing after 1:30 pm).