JAPAN with MODERNITY & TRADITION. 13 Days/ 11 Nights November 3-15, 2019

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Helena Franklin
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1 JAPAN with MODERNITY & TRADITION 13 Days/ 11 Nights November 3-15, 2019

2 Program outline: Day 1: Sun, Nov 3 Day 2: Mon, Nov 4 Day 3: Tue, Nov 5 Day 4: Wed, Nov 6 Day 5: Thu, Nov 7 Day 6: Fri, Nov 8 Day 7: Sat, Nov 9 Day 8: Sun, Nov 10 Day 9: Mon, Nov 11 Day 10: Tue, Nov 12 Day 11: Wed, Nov 13 Day 12: Thu, Nov 14 Day 13: Fri, Nov 15 Leave Houston for Tokyo, Arrival in Tokyo / Tokyo Tokyo city tour / Tokyo Tokyo city tour / Tokyo Mt. Fuji - Hakone spa town / Hakone Bullet train to Kanazawa - sightseeing / Kanazawa Shirakawa village - Nagoya Castle / Nagoya Bullet train to Hiroshima - sightseeing / Hiroshima Miyajima Island & Mazda Museum visit / Hiroshima Bullet train to Kyoto - Nara sightseeing / Kyoto Kyoto sightseeing / Kyoto Miho Museum and more Kyoto / Kyoto Departure transfer to Kansai Airport.

HIGHLIGHTS: Tokyo day and night. ese pop culture: Maid Cafè visit. Mt. Fuji visit (weather permitting.) Onsen (ese natural hot spa) experience. Shirakawa historic village. Nagoya Castle.

3 HIGHLIGHTS: Tokyo day and night. ese pop culture: Maid Cafè visit. Mt. Fuji visit (weather permitting.) Onsen (ese natural hot spa) experience. Shirakawa historic village. Nagoya Castle. Sake brewery visit in Kyoto. Temples and gardens in Kyoto. Tea Ceremony in Kyoto. Nara - old capital. Miyajima Island & Itsukishima shrine. Hiroshima. Mazda Museum & assembly line (factory conditions permitting.) Miho Museum outside Kyoto. ese traditional performing arts show. Kaiseki dinner.

4 INCLUDED SERVICES: 11 Nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in double room in listed hotels. 7 lunches and 7 dinners with one special kaiseki dinner. Drinking water during all included meals. Alcohol beverages excluded. English speaking professional tour guides in each city. Gratuities for guides & drivers Beautiful photo book after the trip Transportation with private vehicles / drivers throughout the trip - except Nov 6 where we will use the subway. Arrival and departure transfers - only for suggested flight arrival & departures. Bullet train (shinkansen) tickets for following routes: Hakone - Kanazawa / Nagoya - Hiroshima / Hiroshima - Kyoto All entry fees to places mentioned in the itinerary. Luggage delivery from Tokyo to Hiroshima and Hiroshima to Kyoto (1 piece of luggage per person.) (For these days tour members will carry a small daily bag.) NOT INCLUDED: International airfares. Personal expenditures like phone calls, laundry, medical expenses. Travel insurance (can be provided by Tourcom on request.) ACCOMMODATIONS: Tokyo / Keio Plaza Hotel Hakone / Yunohana Prince Hotel Kanazawa / Kanazawa New Grand Hotel Premier Nagoya / Hotel Nagoya Castle - Castle view rooms Hiroshima / Hotel Granvia Hiroshima Kyoto / Kyoto Century Hotel

5 FLIGHTS Suggested flights are on Eva Airlines: Sun, Nov 3 Houston to Taipei BR 1051 dep: 12:40 am / arr: 6:10 AM on Nov 4 Mon, Nov 4 BR 198 Fri, Nov 15 BR 129 Fri, Nov 15 BR 52 Taipei to Tokyo - Narita dep: 8:50 am / arr: 12:55 pm Kansai Airport to Taipei dep: 5:45 pm / arr: 8:05 pm Taipei to Houston dep: 10:10 pm / arr: 9:40 pm Fare for these flights are $1173 on economy class, $6383 on business class, per person as of January 10, 2019, including all taxes, surcharges and fees. These are subject to change based on availability.

Program Details Day 1: Sun, Nov 3, 2019 Houston to Tokyo, We will leave Houston for Tokyo,. Day 2: Mon, Nov 4 Tokyo We will arrive in Tokyo Narita airport late in the afternoon.

6 Program Details Day 1: Sun, Nov 3, 2019 Houston to Tokyo, We will leave Houston for Tokyo,. Day 2: Mon, Nov 4 Tokyo We will arrive in Tokyo Narita airport late in the afternoon. After entry procedures, we will be transferred to our hotel in Tokyo. Tokyo is the capital of. At over 13 million people in the official metropolitan area alone, Tokyo is the core of the most populated urban area in the world, Tokyo Metropolis (which has a population of over 37 million people). It is the seat of the Emperor of and the ese government. Formerly known as Edo, it has been the de facto seat of government since 1603 when Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu made the city his headquarters. Overnight in Tokyo Meals: -

7 Day 3: Tue, Nov 5 Tokyo In our first day in Tokyo, we will discover the heart and soul of this complex city - a blend of ancient traditions and dynamic modernity. We will explore its many contrasts and learn about Tokyo's past and present. We will start with a visit to the Meiji Shrine (shoes off!) honoring the spirits of the Emperor Meiji and his Empress Shoken with eternal serenity and tranquil manicured gardens. Then we will continue with Asakusa Kannon Temple and the Nakamise Shopping Arcade, one of the oldest shopping centers in Tokyo. Lunch at a local restaurant is followed by a visit to Tokyo Tower for a birds-eye view of the city. Then we will visit Akihabara, Electric Town. Akihabara gained the nickname Akihabara Electric Town shortly after World War II for being a major shopping center for household electronic goods and the post-war black market. Today we can find shops for everything related to electronics, gaming and Manga culture. We will also visit a Maid Cafe. Our dinner will be in a nice local restaurant. Overnight in Tokyo Meals: B - L - D Day 4: Wed, Nov 6 Tokyo On our second day in Tokyo, we will try Tokyo subway system for our visits, which is a must experience. Our guided city sightseeing includes the Edo Tokyo Museum, which reveals more about the historical heritage of Edo (Tokyo). Then we will visit the Imperial Palace Plaza located close to Ginza area. Ginza is a popular upscale shopping area of Tokyo, with numerous internationally renowned department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffeehouses located in its vicinity. Ginza is recognized by many as one of the most luxurious shopping districts in the world, attracting visitors and regulars alike from across the globe. After our visits, we will be on our own for the rest of the day to explore this bustling city and its dining options. Overnight in Tokyo Meals: B - L

8 Day 5: Thu, Nov 7 Tokyo - Hakone An exciting day is waiting for us to explore and experience two major symbols of : Mt. Fuji and onsen experience. We will leave Tokyo by our private motorcoach to the direction of Hakone, the wellknown onsen (ese hot spa ) resort. But first, we will visit Mt. Fuji, going by motorcoach to Fuji Visitor Center and up to 5th Station to get a close view and information on 's highest mountain (3776 mts). (Weather permitting. We may change locations depending on visibility.) A perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone, the mountain is a near-mythical national symbol immortalized in countless works of art, including Hokusai's 36 Views of Mt. Fuji. After having lunch in local restaurant, we will drive to nearby Lake Ashi, located in Hakone National Park. We will have a short cruise across the lake to admire the spectacular scenery of pristine waters surrounded by Mt Komagatake, Mt Fuji and other mountains. Once we disembark from the boat, we will head to the Mt Komagatake Ropeway, an aerial tram that takes us from the shores of Lake Ashi to the top of Mt Komagatake. We will have time to walk around the mountain top and take in amazing views of Lake Ashi, the Owakudani volcanic valley and majestic Mt Fuji. Note, however, that Fuji is notoriously shy and is wreathed in clouds most of the time: it's entirely possible to drive around the mountain and never see it. Our stay for the night will be at a nice spa resort in Hakone. We will have an opportunity to experience the ese natural hot springs. Natural hot springs (onsen) are numerous and highly popular across. Every region of the country has its share of hot springs and resort towns, which come with them. There are many types of hot springs, distinguished by the minerals dissolved in the water. Different minerals provide different health benefits, and all hot springs are supposed to have a relaxing effect on your body and mind. Hot spring baths come in many varieties, indoors and outdoors, gender separated and mixed, developed and undeveloped. Overnight in Hakone Meals: B - L - D

Day 6: Fri, Nov 8 Hakone - Kanazawa ** This morning we will leave our luggage (one piece per person) at the hotel to be transported to our hotel in Hiroshima, two days later.

9 Day 6: Fri, Nov 8 Hakone - Kanazawa ** This morning we will leave our luggage (one piece per person) at the hotel to be transported to our hotel in Hiroshima, two days later. We will take with us a small day-bag for the two days that we will spend in Kanazawa & Nagoya. Having relaxed in hot springs, we will leave Hakone for Kanazawa on Shinkansen the famous bullet train which will cover the distance in 3.5 hrs. Running at speeds of up to 320 km/h, the shinkansen is known for punctuality (most trains depart on time to the second), comfort (relatively silent cars with spacious, always forward facing seats), safety (no fatal accidents in its history) and efficiency. We will arrive in Kanazawa by noon. After having lunch break, we will start our sightseeing of the city. Kanazawa is the prefectural capital of Ishikawa with a population of approximately 462,500. Kanazawa is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Crafts and Folk Art. Our visit in Kanazawa will include Kenrokuen Garden, and Nomura Residence in Namagachi Samurai district. Kenrokuen Garden: The most famous sight in Kanazawa, the Garden of Six Attributes is considered one of 's top three gardens. Once the outer pleasure gardens of the Maeda Lords, it gradually expanded to take over the entire block. While not completed in its final form until the waning years of the Edo Shogunate, it still represents one of the peaks of ese strolling garden design. Overnight in Kanazawa Meals: B - D

Day 7: Sat, Nov 9 Kanazawa - Nagoya We will leave Kanazawa early in the morning and drive for about an hour and a half to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is well-known for its

10 Day 7: Sat, Nov 9 Kanazawa - Nagoya We will leave Kanazawa early in the morning and drive for about an hour and a half to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is well-known for its villages of thatched gassho-zukuri (praying hands) farmhouses. We will explore the historic village of Ogimachi, the largest village with 59 intact gassho houses and visit Wada House. The Wada family was one of the wealthiest families and village leaders of Ogimachi. Their former home is the largest gassho-zukuri farmhouse in the town, and is now open to the public as a museum. We will also go to the Shiroyama Viewpoint which is located to the north of the village center and offers nice views of Ogimachi and its farmhouses. After having a lunch break, we will drive to Nagoya, which is 's third largest city and a modern manufacturing and shipping hub. In Nagoya, we will visit Nagoya Castle. Nagoya Castle was constructed on the orders of Ieyasu Tokugawa in order to secure an important position on the Tokaido road and to ward off attacks from the direction of Osaka. Construction was completed in 1612, and the castle is typical of those built on flatlands. Until the Meiji Restoration, Nagoya Castle flourished as the castle in which the Owari lineage of the Tokugawa family, the foremost of the family s three lineages, resided. Overnight in Nagoya Meals: B - D

11 Day 8: Sun, Nov 10 Nagoya - Hiroshima We will leave Nagoya in the morning by bullet train for Hiroshima. Hiroshima is an industrial city of wide boulevards and criss-crossing rivers, located along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. Although many only know it for the horrific split second on August 6, 1945, when it became the site of the world's first atomic bomb attack, it is now a modern, cosmopolitan city with excellent cuisine and a bustling nightlife. In Hiroshima we will visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum and Atomic Bomb Dome. Overnight in Hiroshima Meals: B - D Day 9: Mon, Nov 11 Miyajima - Hiroshima This morning we will start our day visiting the Mazda Museum of the Mazda Motor Corporation. (Depending on factory conditions.) Mazda automaker was established in Hiroshima and its headquarters are still located here. Museum includes company history, models and it is also possible to see the assembly line. After our museum visit, we will go to Miyajima Island (holy site of Shinto) for a walk to view the oft-photographed Itsukushima Shrine and its floating torii gate. Rest of the day and evening on our own in Hiroshima. Overnight in Hiroshima Meals: B - L Day 10: Tue, Nov 12 Hiroshima - Kyoto - Nara ** This morning we will leave our luggage (one piece per person) at the hotel to be transported to our hotel in Kyoto the next day. We will take with us a small day-bag for today only. We will leave Hiroshima in the morning and take the bullet train to Kyoto where our guide and bus will meet us. We will have an excursion to Nara, one of the historic capitals of. In Nara, we will see the Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at the Todai-ji Temple in Nara Park; at more than 50 feet high, the huge statue is the largest bronze Buddha in all of. We will stroll the wooded grounds of the vermilion-colored Kasuga Grand Shrine, adorned with some 3,000

12 stone and bronze lanterns, all located in Nara Park. Then we will return to Kyoto for a leisure afternoon. In the evening we will attend Gion Corner traditional musical theater which brings together various ese performing arts, followed by a dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Kyoto Meals: B - L - D Day 11: Wed, Nov 13 Kyoto Our full day in Kyoto, immersed in history. Kyōto was the capital of for over a millennium, and carries a reputation as its most beautiful city. We will enjoy a full day of delights in historic Kyoto, founded in the 7th century and an early capital of. We will visit Kinkaku-ji Temple this morning; this Golden Pavilion was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and astounds with gold-leaf gilding on its top two stories.

13 We will continue on to Nijo Castle. Best known for its ornate interiors and nightingale floors, it was built of ese cypress by the first Tokugawa shogun in 1603 and is a wonderful example of Momoyama architecture. We will also visit Kiyomizu Temple, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kiyomizu-dera was founded in the early Heian period.the temple was founded in 778, and its present buildings were constructed in 1633, ordered by the Tokugawa Iemitsu. There is not a single nail used in the entire structure. It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills. Kiyomizu means clear water, or pure water. Our visits will also include Gekkeikan Sake Museum where we will see the production of this national drink and have a chance to taste it too. Our dinner tonight is the special Kaiseki dinner - traditional ese multi-course dinner which is a specialty of Kyoto. Overnight in Kyoto Meals: B - L - D

14 Day 12: Thu, Nov 14 Kyoto We will start our day visiting Miho Museum, outside Kyoto. Miho Museum is renowned not only for its collection, but also for its unusual architecture. The Miho Museum is a joint ese and American project completed by the architect, Dr. I. M. Pei and Kibowkan International, Inc. in August of 1996 on a scenic mountainside in a nature preserve near the center of the town of Shigaraki, Shiga prefecture,. The museum's details reflect the architect's innovative endeavors to break new ground, as with the novel appearance of sloped glass roofs composed of space frames, the warmth of the materials used, especially Magny Doré limestone from France and colored architectural concrete, and the system and the equipment for exhibiting works of art under the optimum conditions. We will return to Kyoto for lunch break, after which we will start our visit in the city. Our activities this afternoon will include Tea Ceremony at Kodaiji Temple and kimono fashion show at Nishijin textile center. Rest of the afternoon and evening will be at leisure. Overnight in Kyoto Meals: B - L Day 13: Fri, Nov 15 Departure Afternoon or evening flight to Houston. We will be transferred to Kansai International Airport for our return flight. Meals: B

16 days Grand Japan. Day 1 Departure. Depart from your preferred airport for a scheduled flight to Tokyo.

16 days Grand Japan. Day 1 Departure. Depart from your preferred airport for a scheduled flight to Tokyo. 16 days Grand Japan Day 1 Departure Depart from your preferred airport for a scheduled flight to Tokyo. Day 2 Arrive Tokyo Arrive in Japan, where you are met by our Tour Assistant and transferred to Tokyo