Introduction to Japan

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Mervin Johnson
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1 Introduction to Japan June 24 July 3, 2009 Price: $3500 (based on double occupancy) Price Includes: Tour Escort from Hawaii roundtrip airfare from Hilo to Japan hotel accommodations ground transportation as needed Meals as indicated admission to all sites, attractions, and tours as indicated in the itinerary Price and itinerary subject to change

2 June (Wednesday/Thursday) Hilo/Honolulu/Fukuoka We leave Honolulu in the morning on our flight to Fukuoka. Upon arrival the next day in, we will clear immigration and customs formalities before we head to our hotel for the night. Meals: Dinner June 26 (Friday) Fukuoka/Hiroshima Unless otherwise noted breakfast will be served daily at 7:00 am. Our tour begins with a train ride to Hiroshima, a city most famous for being one of the two Japanese cities that were attacked by the United States with atomic weapons. Many of the southern prefectures of Japan sent workers oversees to Hawaii, the rest of the United States, South America, and elsewhere, while northern prefectures sent workers north to Hokkaido. Hiroshima is the capital of the prefecture of the same name. Upon arrival in the city we will catch a ferry to Miyajima, where we will visit Itsukushima Shrine. This shrine is noted for its gate or Torii that when the tide is in, seems to float on water. The Torii is one of Japan s most iconic sites. From Miyajima, we will head back to the mainland and head to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Musuem. Opened in 1955, this museum is dedicated to the end of war and the use of nuclear weapons. The museum has exhibits on the events surrounding the dropping of the atomic bomb, as well as the after effects. Nearby we can visit the Children s Peace Monument, a statue of a girl based on Sadako Sasaki and her one thousand cranes. June 27 (Saturday) Hiroshima/Himeji/Kyoto We leave Hiroshima today for the ancient capital of Kyoto. Along the way we will stop to see Himeji Castle or the White Heron Castle. Our second UNESCO site, Himeji Castle is also one of Japan s three most famous castles. Despite having been bombed at the end of the second World War, Himeji Castle has remained remarkably well preserved and stands as an example of Japanese castle construction from the early 17 th century. Upon our arrival in Kyoto we will check in to our hotel and the rest of the afternoon is free. June 28 (Sunday) Nara/Kyoto city tour Today we will explore the cultural treasures of the Imperial city. For over a thousand years, Kyoto was the home of the Emperor of Japan, which is why so many fine cultural examples can be found throughout the city. Our first stop will be a quick hop over to Nara to see Todaiji. This temple has the world s largest wooden structure and houses a bronze great Buddha along with several other large statues. In order to approach the temple you must pass through Deer Park, where deer, regarded as messengers of the gods, roam freely. These deer are much better behaved than those on Miyajima. From there we will visit Kasuga Shrine, home to thousands of stone and bronze lanterns. We return to Kyoto to visit Kinkakuji or the Golden Pavilion. Built by Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga in 1394 as a retirement palace, it is a magnificent three story building covered in gold

3 leaf surrounded by a tranquil setting. From there we head to Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogun. While the Tokugawa capital was in Edo, or modern day Tokyo, whenever he came to Kyoto this was his residence. It was here in 1867 that the last Shogun, Yoshinobu Tokugawa, returned power to the Meiji Emperor. While here we will also get to see the famous nightingale floor, a special floor designed to make noise when walked on to serve as an alarm. Our last stop will be at Kitano Tenmangu, a shrine dedicated to the patron saint of scholars. June 29 (Monday) Kyoto/Takayama We leave Kyoto for the rural town of Takayama. This area was very poor and instead of sending rice for taxes, they sent skilled artisans to work on public works projects. When the artisans returned home they would continue to hone their crafts whose ultimate expression came in ornate floats that would be used twice a year during large festivals held in the town. Upon arrival in Takayama, the afternoon is free to wander the town and see the crafts the city is famous for. June 30 (Tuesday) Takayama Our first stop today is the Takayama Morning Market, where we can find products made from the river fish found to local vegetables. You can also find various teas and handcrafts that are made locally. From there we head to the Takayama Yatai Kaikan, where several of the floats used during their festivals are on display along with replicas of the remaining floats. These floats are the pinnacle of the artisans art that was developed in this area and hidden within the ornately decorated float are katakuri ningyo. We will then visit the Kusakabe Mingeikan, the home of the Kusakabe family that was converted into a museum. They specialize in the smaller handcrafts that Takayama is known for. Our last in Takayama will be the Takayama Jinya. This set of buildings were the government offices during the Tokugawa period. They retain their original architecture and show the various facilities that were kept at that time. From here we head to Shirakawa-go, a collection of 25 buildings saved from destruction due to the nearby dam construction. These buildings are built in the traditional style similar to those seen at Hida no Sato. However, traditional craftsmen have set up shop and we can see them practice their craft and purchase products, everything ranging from pottery to woodwork to textiles. July 1 (Wednesday) Takayama/Tokyo We continue northward from the rural retreat of Takayama to the urban megacity of Tokyo. As we arrive in the early afternoon, we will visit Ameyoko cho, a wholesale area where we can find all kinds of snacks, from cookies to candies to konbu and other Japanese food specialties.

4 We close the day with a visit to Japan s Electric Town, Akihabara. At night this area is lit by hundreds of neon signs. Known previously for its electronic bargains, it has also become noted for drawing the anime or Japanese Animation crowd. Yodobashi Camera is a huge eight floor building which truly embodies all that Akihabara has to offer. July 2 (Thursday) Tokyo Our tour of Japan s capital city begins with the iconic Tokyo Tower. Built as an homage to Paris Eiffel Tower, it has played an important role as a radio and television antenna, as well as being featured in numerous Japanese films. We will then drive by Japan s National Diet and stop at the Imperial Palace to see the double bridge that leads into the palace and then on to the Imperial Eastern Garden, which is a public park kept on the grounds of the palace. From there we will head to Asakusa Kannon Ji and Nakamise Dori. Asakusa is another of Tokyo s landmarks with its gigantic red lantern hanging at its gate. The temple was built alongside the river, when fishermen found a statue of the kannon in their nets. In the afternoon we will to Kappa Bashi Dori, the kitchen wholesale district, where we can find everything from plastic food to the kitchen sink! We will then end our day at Asakusa Bashi, which is a craft and clothes wholesale district. Here are several stores that specialize in craft supplies from beads to washi paper. July 3 (Friday) Tokyo/Honolulu/Hilo On our last day, the morning will be free to relax and pack before we depart from our hotel. If there is time we will visit Tsukiji Jyogai Ichiba, Tokyo s premier fish seller. Most of Tokyo s restaurants purchase their seafood fresh from Tsukiji daily. Our flight will depart in the evening and arrive back in Honolulu the same day in the morning. We must pass through customs and immigration before continuing on to the interisland terminal to catch our flight back to Hilo.

5 Ver. 11/08 Tour Reservation Form Please find enclosed my $ deposit to reserve space for the following: Tour: Departing on: Traveller s Legal Name (As shown on photo ID): Mailing Address: City, State, Zip Code: Phone Number (Day/Night/Cel/ ): Please list Roommates: (Each tour member must fill out individual form) For international travel, please include a copy of your passport. Frequent Flyer Number: Accommodations: Single [ ] Double [ ] Triple [ ] Quad [ ] Rollaway [ ] Smoking [ ] Non-Smoking [ ] Special Needs or Requests: Please indicate any additional travel plans that you may have, either before or after the tour. Please give us as much time as possible (30 days or more) so that we can confirm your plans. Please list any medical conditions, including dietary needs that must be taken into account prior to the tour s departure: AIRCRAFT SEATING: Aisle seats are automatically requested for all single tour members. For parties of two or more, at least one aisle seat is requested. However, seat requests are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. TRAVEL INSURANCE: Tours by Charlie recommends travel and cancellation insurance to all tour members [ ] Yes, I would like to know more about insurance [ ] No, I do not want travel insurance PAYMENT: Tours by Charlie accepts credit cards only for the air portion. The land portion must be paid cash or check. [ ] Yes, I wish to use a credit card to pay for my airfare [ ] No, I will pay all by cash or check I, the undersigned, acknowledge receipt of the State of Hawaii Consumer Rights and agreement to the General Tour Conditions. I have also been advised of Travel Insurance and method of payment: Name: Signature: Date: In case of emergency, please contact: Name and Relationship: Phone (Day/Night/Cel):

Nonbiri Kyoto Tour. October 18-25, 2010

Nonbiri Kyoto Tour. October 18-25, 2010 Nonbiri Kyoto Tour October 18-25, 2010 Price: $2565.00 (based on double occupancy) Single Supplement: $275.00 Tour price includes: Roundtrip Airfare from Honolulu to Kansai Ground transportation as indicated