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1 Japan- Land of the Samurai #1 March 16-24, 2019 Book Early-Save $50 per person! 7nts/9days fr: $3595tpl $3695 dbl $4195 single The samurai were a special class in Japanese society. These revered warriors were highly respected for their strict dedication to their craft, the immense discipline required of a samurai and their indomitable fighting spirit. To many they were heroes. Although samurai do not have any official status in today's modern Japan, descendants of samurai families still enjoy a high esteem among the Japanese population and have remained an iconic symbol of courage, power, and masculinity for over 700 years of Japanese warfare history. Roads are an essential part of civilization. They help people travel and discover many different places. In Japan, during the Edo period the Tōkaidō (East Sea Road) was an important key artery for the ruling shogun dynasty to keep control over the country. Stretching along the Pacific Coast from Edo (Tokyo) to Osaka, two to three weeks on foot, was always an adventure. Join us on this unique tour for a taste of what these samurai experienced, our the 21 st century version. We begin with 2 nights in Tokyo, then off by bullet train to Kyoto and Nara, just one of 3 on this tour. Next, onto Osaka, Hiroshima and Miyajima. We end in Hakata with a visit to the Reclining Buddha at Nanzoin Temple. Itinerary/Details Day 1 March 16 th, Saturday Depart from Honolulu Delta Air Lines #181 Departs Honolulu 11:43 am Arrive Narita 4:10 pm +1 Check in for international flights begin 3 hours prior. Please meet your Panda Travel representative at the Delta Air Lines check-in area in the Main Terminal. Day 2 March 17 th, 2019 Sunday Narita-Tokyo

2 On arrival at the Narita Airport, please make your way to the baggage claim area and then proceed to customs clearing. On exiting customs, our local guide will be there to meet us for the drive to the Sunshine City Prince Hotel, in the heart of Ikebukuro and just a few minutes walk from the JR Ikebukuro Station. Arrival at the hotel will be approximately 7:00pm. Welcome to Tokyo, Japan s capital, and the world's most populous metropolis. Tokyo dazzles with its traditional culture and passion for everything new. Such is the joy of a city that prides itself on constant renewal and reinvention; it seriously never gets old. Tokyo has everything you can ask of a city, and has it in spades: a rich, cosmopolitan dining scene, more cafes, and bars than you could visit in a lifetime. The lobby of the hotel connects to a huge shopping and entertainment mecca with four towers, including a 240-meter-high skyscraper with an observation deck on the top. Sunshine City is typically open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm seven days a week. There is a 24-hour Family Mart located right off the lobby in case you would like beverages, some hot and cold food items or just a snack. Just a short walk is a 24/7 supermarket as well. For dinner, the 3 rd floor of the Sunshine City Mall offers numerous options and the restaurants remain open until 9:30pm. After check-in, our guides will be available to take you for a tour of the immediate area. Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel free Day 3 March 18 th, 2019 Monday Tokyo (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am as we are off on a full day of touring. The morning begins with a visit to Asakusa, the traditional, low-rise, down, and dirty Tokyo of yesteryear. Although on the surface it s ye olde Japan, this was the first part of the capital to have significant western influence. It was even the site of Japan s first cinema. Attractions in the area include one of Tokyo s most historic temples Sensoji, and the impressive Kaminarimon Gate that marks the entranceway to the temple. Also, you can t miss Phillip Stark s Golden Poo on the roof of the nearby Asahi Breweries headquarters. Sensoji Temple dates to 645, but with the original destroyed in the air raids of 1945, today s building is a 1958 reconstruction. At the top of the steps, as a mark of respect, clap twice and bow your head. It s also customary to make a small offering by tossing coins into the wooden rack. The Five Storied Pagoda was built in 1973 and amongst others; it stands in honor of comedians! Standing 54 meters high, reinforced with concrete and steel, and like all pagodas, running down the center is a giant pillar of Japanese Cypress tree wood. Once through the gate you ll be in Nakamise Shopping Arcade. The street is lined with colorful, lively stalls selling traditional knick- knacks, festival foods, and rice crackers. There are over 50 shops along this shopping street. We will remain here for 1.5 hrs. to allow you time to enjoy the area as well as shop.

3 Asakusa and Nakamise Shopping Arcade From here, we are off to Ameyoko Shopping Street, famous throughout Japan for its wide variety of products. The name "Ameyoko" is a short form for "Ameya Yokocho" (candy store alley), as candies were traditionally sold there. Alternatively, "Ame" also stands for "America", because a lot of American products used to be available there when the street was the site of a black market in the years following WWII. You can get just about EVERYTHING here, clothes, bags, cosmetics, fresh fish, dried squid and spices are sold along Ameyoko. It is quite the scene to just walk around through the very crowded and narrow streets. An awesome place to sightsee, shop and eat! Enjoy some free time here to explore on your own. It s lunch time and we off to a local restaurant so that you can enjoy a buffet lunch. This afternoon, a special treat with a visit to the Samurai Museum in the Shinjuku section of the city. The samurai has been an iconic symbol of courage, power, and masculinity for over 700 years of Japanese warfare history. Finally, the gripping soul of the samurai can be felt at the Samurai Museum. Their belief, Reputation grudged shows that samurai is not a simple soldier; they highly valued honor above life. The beauty of samurai spirit is shown in Japanese swords and their costumes. The museum, on two floors, provides a near-authentic ambience of historical Japan during the Sengoku period. The museum's founder, Tetsuro Koyano, spent over five years painstakingly gathering a wide array of samurai costumes, head gear, guns, swords, and other related equipment, with a mission to not only impart a comprehensive knowledge of Japanese historical warfare to both locals and foreigners, but also to revive the soul of the samurai. Displayed under dramatic lighting are more than 70 examples of samurai armor, kabuto helmets and weapons gathered here from Japanese and foreign collections. Detailed descriptions for each display are given in English. The highlight is a chance to have yourself photographed in a samurai costume of your choice. We will also enjoy a sword show while here. We now make our way back to our hotel, arrival by 5:00pm. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel free

4 Day 4 March 19 th, 2019 Tuesday Tokyo-Kyoto (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we journey off by bullet train to Kyoto. Our luggage will be sent separately and meet up with us at the hotel later this afternoon. The morning begins with a visit to Tsukiji Market. If you've ever dreamed about melt-in-your-mouth, out-ofthis-world sushi, then you might have heard of Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world. Most of Tokyo, and even high-end sushi restaurants in Hong Kong and San Francisco, gets their fish from this cultural landmark near the center of Japan's capital city. Tsukiji sits on some of the most valuable real estate in Tokyo. The inner auction market has moved to a new location; however, the outer market remains. Enjoy free time to explore the charm of this unique spot. Opened in 1935, Tsukiji sprang to life after the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed most of Tokyo in It has since become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. Every morning sightseers start lining up at 3 a.m. to watch the frozen tuna auction. The more expensive fresh tuna auctions where a single Bluefin once sold for nearly $1.8 million- are privately conducted. If you re a foodie, love markets, enjoy photography or simply like visiting unique places then you ll probably love Tsukiji. After a good stroll around the market, there s nothing like a sushi breakfast to complete the experience. There are plenty of sushi shops make sure to choose one where you see locals dining. If you don t feel like sushi, there are other options including ramen, donburi and more. If you finish early we encourage you to visit Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple, less than one block away. With an Indian-style exterior, was built in 1617 near Asakusa, but was burnt down in a huge fire that swept through Edo (Tokyo) in The Temple was then rebuilt on the present site but destroyed again by the Great Tokyo Earthquake of The current main building was built in 1934.The main building possesses a distinctive ambience not found in other Japanese temples, due to its variety of architectural styles. From here, off to Tokyo Station for our bullet train ride to Kyoto. We suggest that you purchase a bento box here to enjoy on the ride. Our departure will be on Nozomi 227 at 12:00pm with an arrival at the Kyoto Station 2:17pm. After meeting up with our charted bus, off for an afternoon of touring. Kyoto is old Japan, made up of quiet temples, grand gardens, and colorful shrines. While the rest of Japan has adopted modernity with abandon, the old ways remain in Kyoto. There is no better place to experience

5 this feeling than with visiting two of Kyoto's most attractive streets are Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka, a pair of lanes that lead down from Kiyomizu-dera Temple toward Nene-no-Michi Lane. The atmosphere of traditional old Kyoto is alive here. Lined with beautifully restored traditional shophouses and blissfully free of the overhead power lines that mar the rest of Kyoto, this pair of pedestrian-only lanes that make for some of the most atmospheric strolling in the whole city. In fact, it s here that you are most likely to be able to imagine what Kyoto looked like before modernity descended in full force. You ll find plenty of restaurants and teahouses to refresh yourself as you explore, including the single most atmospheric teashop in the city, Kasagiya. Souvenir shops selling Kyoto original goods like dolls and Japanese fans, Japanese restaurants using the reconstructed merchant s house, and ceramic shops stand side by side along the slope. The neighboring famous temples and shrines also attracting people here. Enjoy free time here to explore. From here, we make our way to the hotel, The New Miyako Hotel, ideally located right across from the Kyoto JR Station and just around the block from the AEON Mall. You will not lack for a wide variety of dining and shopping options, steps from the hotel s front door. Accommodations: New Miyako Hotel Kyoto free Day 5 March 20 th, 2019 Wednesday Kyoto (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off on a full day exploring Kyoto. Our morning begins with a visit to Kyoto s famed Golden Pavilion. Be it capped by snow in winter or set against a lush green background in summer, nothing is as symbolic of Kyoto as Kinkaku-ji's golden reflection shimmering across the rippled surface of the pond before it. Kinkaku-ji is one of Japan's best-known sights. The original building was built in 1397 as a retirement villa for Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. His son converted it into a temple. In 1950, a young monk consummated his obsession with the temple by burning it to the ground. The monk's story was fictionalized in Mishima Yukio's The Golden Pavilion. In 1955, a full reconstruction was completed that exactly followed the original design, but the gold-foil covering was extended to the lower floors. The temple is set in three stories. The 1st floor is Shinden-zukuri, the palace style. It is named Ho-sui-in. The 2nd floor is Buke-zukuri, the style of the samurai house and is called Cho-on-do. The 3rd floor is Karayo style or Zen temple style. It is called Kukkyo-cho. Both the 2nd and 3rd floors are covered with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer. The roof, upon which the Chinese phoenix settles, is thatched with shingles. The entire temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden with a pond in the front called the Mirror Pond. The stones in the pond give a representation of the Buddhist era.

6 Golden Temple & grounds From here we are off to Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. His grandson completed the castle's palace buildings 23 years later and further expanded the castle by adding a five-story castle keep. The wide moat, massive stone walls, and heavy yet elaborate gates are still impressive, and were the only fortifications the inhabitants felt necessary, so firm was their grip on power. The grounds are large and contain several lovely gardens as well as groves of plum and cherry trees. The palace building itself is imposing, yet upon closer examination, is rich in decorative detail. Inside the palace are several masterpieces of Japanese art, most notably the painted screens of the main chamber. In this room, the shoguns met the daimyo (high-ranking warlord-administrators) who sought an audience. The screens were painted by artists of the Kano school and employ rich colors and large amounts of gilt to depict flowers, trees, birds, and tigers. They were meant to impress. Also, in the palace are the famous "nightingale floors," which were designed to squeak when stepped on and thus alert guards to any intruders. Next, a stop at the Kyoto, Festival of the Ages Building Toni Toni, a new cultural shopping area located in Kyoto's Okazaki district, completed around the grounds of Heian-jingu Shrine. The Festival of the Ages is held on October 22nd to commemorate the founding of Kyoto over 1000 years ago. When this date is written in Japanese, it looks as though it could be read as 'tonitoni', hence the unique name of the shopping center. Up-and-coming artists together created the distinct interior so that you can enjoy a simulation of Kyoto's famous Festival of the Ages any time of year! Everything from quality food and sweets to alcohol to sundries; over 30 stores and is the talk of the town! Enjoy free time here for lunch on your own. From here, a visit to Heian-jingu Shrine, a relatively recent addition to Kyoto's collection of sacred places but still a very impressive shrine which features elegant, richly-colored buildings surrounded by large gardens in the four cardinal directions. Built in 1895, which was the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of Heian-kyo (Kyoto). To mark this event, a shrine deifying the Emperor Kammu was constructed. In 1940 at the height of wartime nationalism, the Emperor Komei, the father of Emperor Meiji and the last emperor to permanently reside in Kyoto was also enshrined. Heian Shrine was built in the style of Chodo-in, which was the main edifice of the Heian Capital. We will be entering the main shrine area through Ote-mon, a twin-level gate constructed as a replica of the original entrance gate of the palace. The floor area here is covered with white sand.

7 Like most Shinto shrines, Heian-jingu Shrine is marked by a vermillion torii (shrine gate) out front. But the torii at Heigan-jingu is anything but ordinary: It s vast, standing almost 25 meters high, dominating the entire Okazaki-koen Park area. Two Chinese-style towers stand at the end of north-south running buildings beyond the Ote-mon: they are Soryu-ro and Byakko-ro, Blue Dragon and White Tiger tower respectively. The lovely Chinese-style garden behind the main shrine buildings to the left as you enter has a pond and covered wooden bridge and is meant to represent the kind of garden design that was popular in the Heian Period of Japanese history. The garden is divided in four sections: north, south, east, and west and contains plum, cherry, iris, azalea, and lilies. We now return to our hotel, arrival by 4:00pm and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. Accommodations: New Miyako Hotel Kyoto free Day 6 March 21 st, 2019 Thursday Kyoto-Nara-Osaka (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am as we are off on another full day of touring, ending in Osaka early this afternoon. The morning begins with a drive to Nara for a visit Todaiji Temple and Nara Deer Park. The drive time is approximately 1.5 hours and between the visits, lunch is included, Japanese at a local restaurant. Nara, the ancient capital city in the Kansai region of Japan. Throughout 2010 the city celebrated its 1300th anniversary. Centuries before anyone had heard of Delhi or Shanghai or London or Paris and long before anywhere called Kyoto (let alone Tokyo) existed Nara was the first permanent capital of Japan, and the place where the country began to establish itself as a Buddhist kingdom. If you think of Japan as a land of bullet trains and J-pop in Shinjuku storefronts, come to Nara a city filled with rolling hills, ancient temples, and 1,200 entitled deer roaming its old streets. Once here, we begin at Nara's premier attraction, Todaiji Temple, and its Great Buddha (Daibutsu), Japan's largest bronze Buddha. When Emperor Shomu ordered construction of both the temple and Daibutsu in the mid-700s, he intended to make Todaiji the headquarters of all Buddhist temples in the land. As part of his plans for a Buddhist utopia, he commissioned work for this huge bronze statue of Buddha. It took eight castings to complete this remarkable work of art. At a height of more than 15m (50 ft.), the Daibutsu is made of 437 tons of bronze, 286 pounds of pure gold, 165 pounds of mercury, and 7 tons of vegetable wax. However, thanks to Japan's frequent natural calamities, the Buddha of today isn't quite what it used to be. In 855, in what must have been a whopper of an earthquake, the statue lost its head. It was repaired in 861, but alas, the huge wooden building housing the Buddha was burned twice during wars, melting the Buddha's head. The present head dates from Be sure to walk in a circle around the Great Buddha to see it from all angles. Behind the statue is a model of how the Daibutsuden used to look, flanked by two massive pagodas. Behind the Great Buddha to the right is a huge wooden column with a small hole in it near the ground. According to popular belief, if you can manage to crawl through this opening, you'll be sure to reach enlightenment. You can also get your Englishlanguage fortune for 200 by shaking a bamboo canister until a wooden stick with a number comes out; the number corresponds to a piece of paper.

8 The wooden structure housing the Great Buddha, called Daibutsuden, was also destroyed several times through the centuries; the present structure dates from It is the largest wooden structure in the world, but only two-thirds its original size. Now, right next door, Nara Deer Park, home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered in Shinto to be messengers of the gods, Nara's nearly 1200 deer have become a symbol of the city and have been designated a natural treasure. You can purchase deer biscuits to feed them. The deer bow immediately when they see you have food. Nara Deer Park Todaiji Temple The Great Buddha We will now enjoy a Japanese style lunch at a local restaurant. From here, we are off to Osaka, the drive time just over one hour. Our arrival will be approximately 2:30pm and after checking in to our hotel, our local guide will take you for a walking tour around the Dotonbori area and as well steps from the Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade Street. Welcome to Osaka, Japan s 3rd most populous city and the working heart of Kansai. Famous for its down-toearth citizens and the colorful Kansai-ben (Kansai dialect) they speak, it's a good counterpart to the refined atmosphere of Kyoto. Primarily, Osaka is famous for good eating: the phrase kuidaore (eat 'til you drop) was coined to describe Osakans' love for good food. Osaka is also a good place to experience a modern Japanese city. It's only surpassed by Tokyo as a showcase of the Japanese urban phenomenon. Accommodations for this evening is at the Cross Hotel, perfectly situated steps from the Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi Arcade street. The luggage will be shipped separately by truck and meet us on arrival at the hotel. Our bus is not able to park in front of the hotel as this main avenue does not allow. There will be a short walk from the bus drop off point to the hotel. For sure, we guarantee that you will enjoy your afternoon and evening around this ideal spot. Famous Blade Runner Neon Shinsaibashi Shopping Dotonbori Street

9 Accommodations: Cross Hotel Osaka free Day 7 March 22 nd, 2019 Friday Osaka-Hiroshima (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off to Hiroshima. We ask that you prepare a small overnight bag for two days and one night as our bags will meet up with us in Hakata. The morning begins with a visit to Osaka Castle, one of Osaka s most popular landmark sights. Travel back in time almost 400 years to feudal Japan on the chaos and violence of an epic conflict the final one of the samurai era. In 1614 and 1615 hundreds of thousands of samurai blasting guns, shooting arrows, and wielding swords unleashed their force on the Osaka castle, inaugurating the downfall of the Toyotomi clan and sealing Tokugawa Ieyasu's position as Japan's undisputed master. Explore the fury of samurai warfare from gory beheadings to fierce sword fights. For days Ieyasu's forces barraged the castle's walls with fire from 300 cannon, causing fear and confusion. In January 1615 Hideyori finally signed a treaty, ending what became known as the Winter Siege, or Fuyu no Jin. But the truce fell apart, and the Summer Siege, or Natsu no Jin, began. Magnificent Osaka Castle has been destroyed and restored several times, with its most extensive refurbishment completed in As you walk around you can still marvel at its massive stone walls, goldleaf trim, copper roof, and panoramic views. There is also a fascinating on-site museum that chronicles its tumultuous history. Osaka Castle snacks & souvenirs view from top of castle perch From here, off to the Shin Osaka Station for our second bullet train ride, Nozomi 13 to Hiroshima. The departure is at 12:05pm and arrives at 1:26pm. A bento lunch box will be provided on the train for you to enjoy on the ride. On arrival in Hiroshima, we are off on an afternoon of touring. With six beautiful rivers flowing through it, Hiroshima is called the City of Water. The origins of the city date back to 1589 when Mori Terumoto, a feudal lord, built Hiroshima Castle at the large delta of the Otagawa River. Because the delta resembled a large island, the area was called "Hiroshima", or 'wide island' in Japanese. 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.

10 Our first stop will be at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, located in the center of Hiroshima City. It is difficult to imagine that this triangle shaped piece of land bordered by two rivers was once a busy commercial and residential downtown area. The atomic bomb eliminated everything in the town. After World War II, a group led by a Japanese architect Kenzo Tange designed the park to turn the land into the Peace Memorial Park It was completed in There are many buildings and monuments which commemorate people who lost their lives at that time and represent the people's prayers for peace, such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph and the Statue of the A-Bomb Children, etc. By imagining the contrast between the misery of the atomic bomb attack and the beauty and tranquility in the park while visiting spots in the park, you will be moved to appreciate how precious peace is. Our next stop is at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, located in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. By standing on the Peace Boulevard side, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Peace Flame, and the A-Bomb Dome can be seen along a straight line. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which opened in 1955, gives people an opportunity to learn of the outcome of the bomb attack and consider what peace really means through many reference materials. The East Wing exhibits photographs, panels, videos, and panorama models showing the actual history of Hiroshima before and after the bomb attack. The main building exhibits victims' belongings and references which show the misery of the bomb attack. You will see a burnt lunch box, a tricycle which a 3-year-old boy was riding, etc., which reflects the instantaneous destruction and strike right at the heart of visitors. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was designed by a group headed by Kenzo Tange, who also designed the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The strength of humanity rising from the ruins is expressed in the piloti-style space under the main building. The last stop today will be at A-Bomb Dome, a symbol of peace which most people have at least seen at one time in a picture. The building, which was designed by a Czech architect in 1915, had been used as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. Hiroshima citizens back then loved so much European modern-style buildings of the time. In 1912, the National Confectionery Exposition was held in this place. From that exposition, Baumkuchen, which represented German cake, was manufactured, and sold in Japan for the first time. Since the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall was located only around 160 meters from the hypocenter, the building was blown up, and all those inside the building died. However, the building was not destroyed completely because the blast of the atomic bomb, which was vaporized in the air, prevented it from totally collapsing. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and has been representing people's prayers for a lasting peace. A-Bomb Dome Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park From here, off to our hotel for the evening, Hotel Granvia Hiroshima, ideally located right at the Hiroshima JR Station. Our arrival will be by 4:45pm and the remainder of the afternoon is free. There are many shops and dining options, all just steps from your front door.

11 Accommodations: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima free Day 8 March 23 rd, 2019 Saturday Hiroshima-Miyajima-Hakata (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am for another full a fun touring day. The morning begins with a ride on the Miyajima Ferry to Miyajima, one of the most scenic spots in Japan. It has long been regarded as an Island of Gods on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. It is a romantic and historical island where Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage site, is located, along with the Virgin Forest of Mt. Misen, and numerous preserved shrines, temples, and historical monuments. Its star attraction is the oft-photographed vermilion torii (shrine gate) of Itsukushima-jinja, which seems to float on the waves at high tide a scene that has traditionally been ranked as one of the three best views in Japan. From the ferry station, we will walk along Omote-Sando, the main street from the port to Itsukushima Shrine. There are many souvenir shops on both sides of the street. You will have time to enjoy souvenir shopping for a Shamoji (a rice scoop) or the well-known Momiji manju, a bun with a bean-jam filling made from maple leaves as well and other crafts. We will now visit the cultural heritage site, called the "Itsukushima Shinto Shrine" that is dedicated to the God protecting people from sea disasters and wars. It is said that this shrine was constructed around 593; however, after the warlord Taira no Kiyomori ( ) rebuilt it in 1168, it became the magnificent vermilion-lacquered building it is today. The most interesting feature of this shrine is the Torii (a kind of gate symbolizing a shrine) and the Shaden (shrine pavilion) in the sea, which are both submerged at full tide, but at low tide the sea water recedes completely, and it is possible to walk out to the gate. After lunch on your own and some free shopping time we will ferry back to Hiroshima. With six beautiful rivers flowing through it, Hiroshima is called the City of Water. The origins of the city date back to 1589 when Mori Terumoto, a feudal lord, built Hiroshima Castle at the large delta of the Ota-gawa River. Because the delta resembled a large island, the area was called "Hiroshima", or 'wide island' in Japanese. Ferry to Miyajima vermilion torii in the water Itsukushima Shinto Shrine & approach From here, a ferry ride back to Hiroshima and then transfer to the Hiroshima Station for our third bullet train ride to Hakata Station. Our departure on Nozomi 27 is at 3:09pm with an arrival at 4:10pm. Once in Hakata, it is just a two-minute walk to our hotel, Hotel Clio Court Hakata. Location, hard to find a more convenient spot, just steps from so many dining and shopping options. Tokyu Hands and Daiso are steps away while the ever-popular Don Quijote is a short walk away and open 24 hours!

12 Welcome to Hakata, on the northern tip of Kyushu Island, it is western Japan s most happening city and gateway to the country. Set amid splendid natural diversity bordered by mountains, flanked by sea, and dotted with hot springs the metropolis is an exciting hub of modern city life. Rich with tradition and modern cultural attraction, contemporary art, architecture, shopping, and cuisine complement centuries -old temples and shrines. Dining-Hakata is renowned throughout Japan for its ramen, and no trip to the city is complete without tasting the distinctive noodles and broth dish. Ramen can be sampled at hundreds of vendors throughout the city. The city s many yatai (open-air street food stalls) offer yet another unique dining experience. Hundreds of stalls operate from early afternoon into the evening. After check-in, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. Accommodations: Hotel Clio Court Hakata free Day 8 March 24 th, 2019 Sunday Hakata-Fukuoka (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am. It may be our last day on tour, but the day is young, and we still have much to see and do before our flight home later this evening. The morning begins with a visit to Nanzion Temple, home to what is possibly the world's biggest bronze statue. The Reclining Buddha's dimensions are impressive, 41 meters in length, 11 meters in height, and weighing in at 300 tons (about the weight of a jumbo jet), it dwarfs the famous giant bronze Buddha statues of Kamakura and Nara. While not far from the hustle and bustle of Hakata, this temple seems like it s a world away, nestled on the side of a steep mountain hillside in the tiny village of Sasaguri. As you enter Nanzo-in, you ll first follow a path framed by mossy stone lanterns. It leads to a small yard with lots of beautiful details and great photo spots: a small red bridge and a tiny waterfall, hundreds of small stone Buddha statues all the way up the hill, stones covered with mosses and ferns, and even big rock formations with a cave-like path to go through. There is also a real cave you can enter, and inside you ll find an altar and a dragon candle stand. It's too gloomy to take pictures, but just right for the atmosphere. Follow the route through the temple area and you ll come to a wooden shelf with 7 Buddha statues. Look at them and choose the one you like best. Try to lift it. If it s light and you can easily lift it, you can make a wish. If it s heavy, your wish must wait, and you ll have to put more effort in your request. Choose well, as there is only one buddha statue that is light, while the others are heavier than they look. As you make your way further up the mountain, the massive reclining statue of Buddha becomes visible. It represents Buddha at the moment of death and passage into nirvana. Take a walk around the statue, have a look at the soles of the feet, and see the holy teachings there written in gold. Colorful bands are wrapped around the statue s hand and lead to the ground. You can hold the ends of the bands and relate to Buddha for a moment. Next, we are off to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Fukuoka, where more than 2 million people visit during the first three days of New Year. In this shrine, Sugawara-no Michizane, an excellent poet, particularly in Chinese poetry in the late 9th century, is enshrined as the god of academic achievements. During the entrance exam season, young people from all parts of Japan preparing for these examinations and their parents come to the shrine to pray for success and academic achievement.michizane passed away in Dazaifu in 903, just a few years after being sent into exile. Shortly

13 after his death the country was ravaged by natural disasters, and people came to believe that the calamities were caused by the wrathful spirit of Michizane, still angered by his unjust treatment. Offerings were made to the spirit of Michizane and the tradition of Tenmangu Shrines was begun. The Tenmangu Shrine in Dazaifu was built on the site of his grave. The entire length of the approach is lined with shops that cater to the shrine's visitors. The shrine is rather large, stretching about 250 meters from one end to the other. After passing through the torii gate at the entrance, visitors will come across a pond that was built in the shape of the Japanese character for "heart". A path leads across two arched bridges and islands which represent the past, present and future. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and approached lined with shops on both sides Our last stop on tour is at the Tenjin Area, a huge area made up of department stores, shopping complexes and street after street of clothing shops. It s a truly massive area that can cater to just about any need whether you are looking for high end fashion, or something a little more casual. Enjoy free time here to shop and have lunch on your own. From here, we make our way to the Fukuoka Airport, just a short 15 minutes away from the city center. Once there we begin the check-in process for our flight home. Delta Air Lines #598 Departs Fukuoka 7:35 pm Arrive Honolulu 8:21 am

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