Affordable Luxury: 2027 Summer Yamagata & Tokyo Featuring the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

Starting from Starting from: $10,288 * per person

Japan ANA Affordable Luxury Off the Beaten Path Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

Affordable Luxury Tour Exclusives

Limited to 24 pampered Tour Members
A more relaxed pace of touring
Upgraded hotels and meals
Minimum 2 nights at each hotel
Sake, beer, and soft drinks with all included dinners
Green car seats on the shinkansen bullet train

2027 Summer Yamagata & Tokyo

Featuring the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

Dance to the rhythmic music of one of Tohoku’s largest parades!

Enjoy your choice of All Nippon Airways’ “Economy” or “Premium Economy” class service. Premium Economy class customers will begin their journey with a relaxing visit to ANA’s Lounge.

9 Nights / 11 Days
19 Meals (9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 6 Dinners)
Escorted from Honolulu
Includes an English-Speaking Local Guide

Tour Date & Managers:

July 31 – August 10, 2027
Tour Managers: Dean & Annette Mizumura

Yamagata Hanagasa Festival: One of Tohoku’s Largest Parades!

The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is one of four major summer festivals in the Tohoku region, held annually from August 05 – 07. Its spectacular evening parade features approximately 10,000 dancers perform along a 1.2-kilometer route through the city center, just under three-quarters of a mile. Dressed in colorful attire, the dancers wave hanagasa hats — straw hats adorned with safflowers, Yamagata prefecture’s official flower — while moving to the rhythmic beat of taiko drums and folk songs. Join the fun and experience the festival’s lively spirit for yourself by taking part in one of its two daily dance opportunities!

Visit:

Tokyo, Sendai, Matsushima, Yamagata City, Kaminoyama Onsen, Yonezawa, Sagae & Tendo

Tour Highlights:

Zuihoden, Sendai Shopping Arcades, Matsushima Bay Cruise, Matsushima Museum, Kanrantei, Zuiganji, Yamadera Galleria, Yamadera Basho Memorial Museum, Michi-no-Eki Yamagata Zao, Zao Ropeway, Uesugi Museum, Uesugi Shrine, Uesugi Hojutsutai Show, Dinner at Uesugi Hakushaku-tei, Ai no Busho-tai Performance, Kahokucho Benibana Museum, Cherryland Sagae, Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM, Costco & Ameyoko

Hands-On Experiences:

Sasa-Kamaboko Grilling, Takahata Winery Wine Tasting, Benibana Dyeing, Shogi Piece Painting & Ramen Making

Hotel Accommodations:

HOTEL Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi 1

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi (1 Night, Tokyo): Directly connected to Tokyo Station, this stylish boutique hotel provides a sophisticated, tranquil hideaway in the heart of Tokyo.

Yoki Matsushima (2 Nights, Matsushima): Located near Matsushima Bay, one of Japan’s Top Three Scenic Views (Nihon Sankei), this luxury hot spring hotel offers guests an unbeatable stay. Enjoy a relaxing soak in your Japanese-Western-style room with its own private open-air onsen hot spring cypress bath with views of the sea and islands to your heart’s content.

Nippon No Yado Koyo (2 Nights, Kaminoyama Onsen): This welcoming ryokan features a traditional ambience with sweeping views of the Zao Mountains. Soak in the skin-beautifying waters in the public onsen hot springs or in your Japanese-Western-style room with its own private semi-open-air onsen hot spring. The ryokan has been elected one of the top 10 of “100 Best Ryokans and Hotels Chosen by Professionals” consecutively for 40 years.

Yamagata Kokusai Hotel (2 Nights, Yamagata City): Located in downtown Yamagata, the hotel is approximately a 10-minute walk from Yamagata Station and the adjacent Yamako Bus Terminal. It features a Japanese and Western buffet breakfast highlighting local specialties like Yamagata beef curry, fresh shine muscat grapes, and imoni, a satoimo (Japanese taro root) and beef stew.

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (2 Nights, Tokyo): The hotel is perfectly located for exploring the many delights of Tokyo. Situated just outside Tochomae Station and only a five-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, one of the city’s most popular shopping and entertainment areas, this luxury hotel offers unforgettable experiences that will linger long after your stay. Stay in a Premier Grand Room, where natural aesthetics meet refined luxury and sweeping city views, plus enjoy access to the Club Lounge on the 45th floor.

Non-Stop Travel Exclusives!

Costco Shopping & Food Court: Don’t forget your Costco Membership Card — Fill every inch of your suitcase with Japan‑exclusive Costco finds and your belly with food court favorites you can’t get back home. Think seasonal pizzas, rich Hokkaido soft cream, and other Japan‑only surprises. Costcos in Japan accept cash and international Visa credit and debit cards, so you can shop and snack with ease.

Yamagata Hanagasa Festival — One of Tohoku’s four major summer festivals!