Anime De-Tour 2018 | April 11-22, 2018
$3,995 (Full Tour)
$3,995 total – Tour may leave evening of April 10. ALL participants must be on the MSP flight; no land only.
(What’s included? Read the Tour Information)
Read Terms & Conditions and FAQ / Prices listed are per person, double occupancy.
Sign up & payment deadline: CLOSED
“The first time on this trip, it was a dream come true. The second time, it was an adventure. Now it feels like coming to a reunion with great friends and great times.” – Kyle, Anime De-Tour Alum
Anime Detour and PacSet proudly present their fourth Anime “De-Tour” to Japan – just in time for cherry blossom season!
Designed for both the first-time traveler and the De-Tour alum, the tour features three festivals, all the best Anime-centric shopping spots of Tokyo, a relaxing stay at a hot spring resort, numerous cultural sites, and an itinerary as unique and enjoyable as the convention that inspired the tour. We begin in Tokyo, where we’ll shop through Nakano Broadway and Akihabara, dive into new neighborhoods like Jiyugaoka, explore the Ghibli Museum and new Gundam statue on Odaiba, and even learn how to make our own soba noodles! We’ll also take a trip over to Kamakura, where their yearly festival will feature samurai archery contests and other feats others just dream of seeing!
It’s going to be sakura season, so after Tokyo we’ll be seeing some of northern Japan’s most breathtaking blossoms in Aizu-Wakamatsu! You’ll walk in the footsteps of the samurai in the old post town of Oichijuku before we land at Tsuruga Castle for their yearly illumination of the trees in the shadow of the castle walls. We’ll also picnic with locals in nearby Kitakata and explore the city’s “retro” area to experience a time gone by. Of course, it wouldn’t be the De-Tour without a stop at a hot spring resort, and we’re going big this year: the massive Takaragawa Onsen in Minakami, where some of Japan’s largest baths overlook mountains and streams that you’ll also be able to white water raft down after your time in the bath!
Ready to go? Sign up today and discover what its like to experience Japan among friends! We promise you – this is a De-Tour you won’t regret taking!
*Anyone who wants guaranteed entry into the Ghibli Museum must sign up by December 31, 2017. Click here for more info.
ALL participants are required to join the group flight from Minneapolis/St. Paul; NO EXCEPTIONS.
| TOUR AT A GLANCE |
|---|
 Shopping:   Walking: Baggage: 1 check-in sized bag, 1 carry-on sized bag (ALL checked bags will be kept in Tokyo; no checked bags may be taken along during the Aizu/Minakami portion of the trip.) PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE TATTOOS WHEN YOU SIGN UP; we need to make arrangements. Single Rooms: $750 (Tokyo and Aizu-Wakamatsu ONLY; no single rooms in Minakami) |
Tour price includes:
- R/T airfare from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Japan
- Tour dates: Departs late April 10 or early April 11; returns on April 22
- Hotel accommodations: 6 nights Tokyo, 2 nights Aizu-Wakamatsu, 2 nights Hot Spring Resort in Minakami
- Stops in Tokyo, Kamakura, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Kitakata, Minakami, and points in between
- All transportation (train, ropeway, bus, shinkansen/”bullet train”, etc.) within Japan
- Professional bilingual guide services
- Admission to all activities
- Customized tour guidebook
- Nightly turndown service with local snacks and homemade sweets
- Much, much more!
ONSEN TATTOO NOTE:Guests with large, visible tattoos may be denied entry to the baths at the onsen. To prevent this, please let PacSet know what kind of tattoos you have when you sign up. PacSet cannot offer any compensation if you are denied entry.
We depart from MSP for Tokyo!
Day 2: Passports and Picnics
Upon arrival in Tokyo, we’ll head to our hotel and get settled in. In the evening, join your guide for a picnic under the famous cherry blossom trees of Ueno Park!
Day 3: Transformation and Tokyo
We begin the day on the futuristic Hotaluna ferry boat, designed by anime legend Leiji Matsumoto, for a gorgeous ride across the bay to Odaiba! When we get there, you’ll have the chance to see the brand new Gundam Unicorn Robot while also checking out local character goods shops. After a lunch stop, the journey continues as we make our way to Ikebukuro, where you can visit exclusive shops for anime series like Free!, Evangelion, Pokemon and more. We’ll also swing past Otome Road for some fangirl-centric shopping and the chance to sample the local desserts (or the attention of the famed butlers at Swallowtail Cafe!).
Day 4: Nerdy Noodling
It’s time to get our shopping done, guys – we’re off to Akihabara! Join your guides as we descend upon the mecca of all things anime to shop for character goods, figures, retro games, electronics, and more! Tired of shopping? Join us for an optional jaunt over to the Kanda Shrine! After we conquer Akiba, we’ll get the opportunity to learn how to make Japan’s traditional dish of choice: Soba!
Day 5: The Kamakura Festival!
We last visited the historical city of Kamakura on De-Tour 2012, and today we head back – to see the Kamakura Festival! We’ll check out the picturesque Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and Hase Temple before watching horseback riders in traditional garb compete in the Yabusame, a traditional archery competition. We’ll also nibble on festival food and celebrate with the locals while taking in the show.
Day 6: Your Friendly Neighborhood Totoro
No Anime Tour would be complete without a visit to the Ghibli Museum, so we begin there today! After shooting pics with Laputa and watching some exclusive animation, we’ll head across town to Nakano Broadway to shop the shelves for anime goods from an era gone by. Want to check out somewhere new? Your guides will be on hand to guide guests to the arts, fashion, eats and treats of the Jiyugaoka neighborhood!
Day 7: Where the Samurai Roam
Store your luggage at the front desk, friends – we’re taking a trip. Today we head north to Ouchijuku, an old post town that was once on the walking highways used by the samurai. Poke into thatched-roof homes and shops to learn about their history, buy some of Japan’s finest sake, and make some traditional crafts. Then we relocate to Aizu-Wakamatsu, a castle town where the views are spectacular and the izakaya dining is legendary!
Day 8: Castle Walls and Blossoming Trees
Grab your bento, friends – we’re off to see the Cherry Blossoms in Kitakata, often rated as the best in all Northern Japan! We’ll picnic with locals and eat goodies from local vendors before we return to Aizu-Wakamatsu to explore their “retro” neighborhood of Nanoka-machi. At night, join us as we head to Tsuruga Castle to explore the castle and be part of the city’s yearly illumination of the trees.
Day 9: MINAKAMI!
We know you guys want to head back to the hot springs, which is why our next stop is sure to please! We’re off to Minakami, where we’ll stay at the Takaragawa Onsen up in the mountains! Kick back and relax in some of Japan’s largest hot springs, which also happen to lie next to one of the area’s most gorgeous rivers. At night, save up your appetite for a gigantic dinner served by our hosts.
Day 10: From White Water to Spring Water
You get to choose your own adventure today – emphasis on adventure! Join an optional trip down the river on a white water rafting adventure, or get up close and personal with the area on a canyoning trip (weather permitting). If you just want to relax in the hot springs and kick back, that’s fine too; just let the natural beauty of the area take you away.
Day 11: FREE DAY!
Today we head back to Tokyo for a free day! Wander back to a place you’ve already been, or ask your guides for help to a completely new spot.
Day 12: Return home
Return home to tell your friends how much fun you had!
| SIGN-UP IN: | Price |
|---|---|
| April | $335 |
| May | $365 |
| June | $405 |
| July | $445 |
| August | $505 |
| September | $575 |
| October | $660 |
| November | $800 |
| December | $1,000 |