Traveling the Tōkaidō Road Edo (Tokyo) to Osaka Fall Explorer Tour November 10-18, 2018 SMALL GROUP TOUR-MAXIMUM 24 MEMBERS Tokyo/Kawagoe/Odawara/Kyoto/Nara & Osaka 7nights/9days from: $3195 dbl/tpl $3695 single Reserve by May 15 th -SAVE $50 per person Roads are an essential part of civilization. They help people travel and discover many different places. In Japan, the Tōkaidō (East Sea Road) was considered the most important route used during the Edo period. Stretching along the Pacific Coast from Osaka to Edo (Tokyo), two to three weeks on foot, was always an adventure. A fresh, new itinerary, kept all the favorites and added in new spots to explore including Kawagoe and Odawara. First, the town of Kawagoe, known as Little Edo, its main street filled with a well-preserved collection of century-old kura, or warehouses, that still double as stores, workshops, and homes. And then Odawara, the gateway to Hakone along the Tokaido Line coast, a castle-town and park with history that dates to the Samurai era over 550 years ago,a must stop. We have included three nights in Tokyo and two nights each in Kyoto and Osaka for sightseeing, foliage viewing and time for omiyage shopping. This tour will not disappoint and perfect for the seasoned traveler as well as first timer to Japan. Itinerary/Details Day 1 November 10 th, 2018 -Saturday Depart from Honolulu Hawaiian Airlines #855 Departs Honolulu 5:55 pm Arrive Haneda 10:00 pm +1 International check in begins 3 hours prior to the departure time. Please meet your Panda Travel representative at the Hawaiian Airlines Terminal. After clearing security, you will meet up once again at the gate area. Day 2 November 11 th, 2018 - Sunday Haneda-Tokyo After clearing Passport Control & Customs, meet our local English speaking guide at the exit. The drive time to our Tokyo hale for the next three nights, the recently renovated Sunshine City Prince Ikebukuro. The drive time is approximately 45-minutes. 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. We are also less than a 10-minute walk from the Ikebukuro JR Station.
There is 24-hour Family Mart convenience store right off the lobby in case you would like to pick up food, snacks, or beverages. Within a 5-minute walk there is also a 24-hour super market, Seiyu. Recently remodeled Sunshine City Prince Hotel & lobby Family Mart in hotel lobby Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel Day 3 November 12 th, 2018 - Monday Tokyo (B/L) After breakfast at our hotel we will head out for a full day of touring. Please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am. If you've ever dreamed about melt-in-your-mouth, out-of-this-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. At some point in the future, the inner market will be moving to reclaimed land on Tokyo Bay. The 2020 Olympics are coming, and the city is preparing. Opened in 1935, Tsukiji sprang to life after the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed most of Tokyo in 1923. 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 millionare privately conducted. It is our first stop on tour and we will be here for 1.5 hours so that you have ample time to walk around and enjoy the outer market, visit knife-making artisan shops, tasting candies, nuts, and spices, and learning more about seasonal produce 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 1657. The Temple was then rebuilt on the present site, but destroyed again by the Great Tokyo Earthquake of 1923. 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.
Tsukiji Fish Market 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! We will remain here for 1.5 hr., so you can shop at leisure. Its noontime and time for lunch at a local restaurant. Ameyoko- best spot to find omiyage items After lunch we are off 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. No worry, we will have time to shop and taste some of the food treats along the way. Asakusa and Nakamise Shopping Arcade From here we return to our hotel, arrival by 4:15pm and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is. Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel Day 4 November 13 th, 2018 - Tuesday Tokyo-Kawagoe-Tokyo (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am as we journey off to Kawagoe, less than one-hour drive from Tokyo, but considered the most Japanese of all destination. This historic town, lined with gabled buildings and tiled roofs, truly captures the image tourists young and old expect to find when visiting Japan. Once here, we will first be visiting Hikawa Shrine, a historic shrine that dates to the 6 th century. The Torii gate, one of the most beautiful in Japan, at 15 meters tall, acts as the entrance. The grounds are filled with a variety of trees and plants, some over 500 years old. At the back of the main temple, there are two large sacred zelkova trees (a type of elm) that are said to be over 600 years old. If you walk along the stone paths surrounding these trees in the shape of the number 8, it is said that you will gain spiritual powers. Enjoy viewing autumn colors as we walk around. Known as the love shrine, Hikawa is famous for its power of love and marriage, a popular spot for traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies. We might just get lucky enough and see a bride wearing a shiromuku, a pure white kimono. A must do while here is walk through the Ema Tunnel where wooden prayer plates dedicated to the shrine are hung in the shape of a tunnel. The way the light shines through the ema creates a beautiful sight. On every plaque, the prayers long for love and an ideal family. Other kinds of omamoris (Japanese amulets) available here include a red pencil, designed after the red string of fate. The more you use it, the closer your fated person gets to you. This charm can only be found here. Others include fishing for carp fish with a magatama (curved bead) wrapped inside or the doll flow where this human-shaped doll is placed in the water and you let it pass through the rope. This is said to protect from evil and illness. From here, close by, historic Kawagoe town, often known as Little Edo. The people of Kawagoe have preserved their city for all to experience this historic castle town. We begin with a walk along the main street of Kurazukuri, lined with traditional warehouses constructed in a style called kurazukuri, maintaining the style of the Edo period. Many of the warehouses are now artisan stores selling traditional crafts, antiques, and gift stores. Among the artisan shops is Machikan, a sword and knife manufacturer that has been in operation for generations.
We will also be stopping at the great bell tower, Toki No Kane (Bell of Time), originally built between 1624 and 1644. This exact replica is historic in its own, dating back to 1894, a year after the Great Fire of Kawagoe. Currently, the bell can be heard four times a day,6:00, 12:00; 15:00, 18:00. Also on tap, the Candy Street, a small backstreet alley where a dozen stores sell old-fashioned sweets and snacks. Kawagoe is famous for its sweet potatoes. Here you will find sweet potato chips, ice cream, coffee, and even sweet potato beer, brewed at the local Koedo Brewery. It is a must stop especially if you have a sweet tooth. Enjoy time here to explore and enjoy lunch on your own at many of the storefront vendors or restaurant dining. If you have additional time, you might consider visiting The Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum, located in a traditional warehouse built in 1893. Inside, experience what it was like in the life of an Edo merchant. Another option is Kita-in Buddist Temple which has 538 Rakan stone Buddha statues that are quite beautiful. It is a popular gathering spot for the New Year celebration when people come to pray for good luck, family, and traffic safety. We now make our way back to Tokyo and along the way 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. Now, back to our hotel, arrival by 5:30pm and the remainder of the evening is. Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel Day 5 November 14 th, 2018 - Wednesday Tokyo-Odawara-Kyoto (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:00am. Our bags will travel separately by truck and meet up with us later this afternoon at our Kyoto hotel. Quite an interesting day we have planned, beginning with a drive to Odawara, along the Tokaido Line coast, close to Mt. Fuji. The drive time is less than two hours. Once here, we will first be visiting Odawara Castle, built in the 15 th century and used as the Hojo Clan residence. Over the course of 100 years it expanded as the clan s power grew over the Kanto region and by 1590 it was said to be the largest castle ever built during the feudal era. Odawara Castle was demolished in the latter half of the 19th century when political power changed from the Edo shogunate to the Meiji government and it was condemned as the symbol of samurai. The current castle was rebuilt in 1960 and reopened May 2016.
The castle keep is three stories on the outside and four stories on the inside. The interior features an exhibit on the history of the castle as well as displays of items such as armor and swords. The entrance is marked by a long bright red bridge used to cross the Ninomaru moat that is filled with giant koi. The moat and stone wall remain as they were in olden times. Once inside, enjoy the walk through the castle and if you are up for the walk to the top, enjoy a full beautiful view of Sagami Bay. Also located on the castle grounds is the Odawara Castle Historical Museum. It has further interactive displays on the history of the castle and Odawara to present day. While it is early in the foliage season, in November, chrysanthemum and red leaves set up the castle making for foliage viewing. Now, time for lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, a visit to the Kamoboko Museum for a hands-on fried fishcake making experience. Afterwards, time to explore the Suzuhiro Kamaboko Village, shops and foods at Suzunari Market or sit and relax with a fine craft beer at the Hakone Brewery. From here we are off to the Odawara Station for our bullet train to Kyoto, Hikari 519, departs at 4:08pm and arrives at the JR Kyoto Station at 6:11pm. Once here, a short walk to our hotel, New Miyako Hotel. After checking in your guide will show you the many and we mean many dining and shopping options just step from the hotel. Not only does the Kyoto JR Station offer many choices, but there is a AEOM Mall just around the block offering restaurants, food court, full supermarket, and plenty of shops. Accommodations: New Miyako Hotel Kyoto Day 6 November 15 th, 2018 - Thursday Kyoto (B/D) After breakfast, please meet your guide by 8:30am for an interesting day of tours, half day this morning and then a special evening tour and dinner. The 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 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. It is a special place in Kyoto, surrounded by a stunning park and during autumn more magical. Enjoy this foliage viewing spot. From here we will be visiting 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 grounds here also make for a perfect foliage spot. 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. Nijo Castle We now make our way back to our hotel so that you can enjoy a afternoon to shop and/or explore the area. Arrival back will be by 12:30pm. The AEON Mall, around the block has all your favorite shops, Uniglo, Daiso s 108-yen and Loft to mention just a few. Please meet up again with your guide by 5:00pm as we are off on a special evening dinner tour. During the foliage season the area around Kodai-ji Temple is lit up after dark. The temple s garden has a pond with autumn trees planted around it. When lit, it creates a magical atmosphere, the lights reflecting off the pond. It is simply breathtaking, don t forget your camera! From here, time for dinner, a kaiseki dinner with a Maiko performance at a local restaurant. Witness the beauty and elegance of the lovely maiko (apprentice geishas) during an evening of culture, entertainment, and delicious food. Learn about ancient Japanese traditions as you chat with the maiko and even take photographs together as a token of remembrance. After dinner and show, back to our hotel, arrival by 9:30pm. Once back, the remainder of the evening is. Accommodations: New Miyako Hotel Kyoto
Day 7 November 16 th, 2018 - Friday Kyoto-Nara-Osaka (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am. Our bags will be sent separately by truck to Osaka and meet up with us on arrival at our hotel. The morning begins with a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, an important Shinto Shrine in Kyoto and famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. The approach to the shrine is lined with many colorful shop and food stalls. Grab a snack as you walk along or maybe some omiyage to bring home. Now, off to lunch at a local restaurant. Fushimi Inari Shrine This afternoon we are off to Nara to the Nara Deer Park and Todaiji Temple. 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. Our first stop will be at the Nara Deer Park, home to hundreds of ly 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. From here we are off to visit 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 1692. 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 English-language 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.
The wooden structure housing the Great Buddha, called Daibutsuden, was also destroyed several times through the centuries; the present structure dates from 1709. It is the largest wooden structure in the world, but only two-thirds its original size. Nara Deer Park Todaiji Temple The Great Buddha Now, off to Osaka, Japan s 3rd most populous city and the working heart of Kansai. Famous for its down-to-earth citizens and the colorful Kansai-ben (Kansai dialect) they speak, it's a good counterpart to the refined atmosphere of Kyoto. 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 the next two nights are in the heart of Osaka s premier nightlife district of Dotonbori, The Cross Hotel Osaka. Walk out the front door and just a couple of minutes away are a variety of restaurants serving some of the best ramen, udon, okonomiyaki and takoyaki. If shopping is high on the list; take a stroll to the Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade. It is a shopper s dreams come through. Approximately 600 meters long, this covered arcade is filled with so many of the items local folk enjoy bringing back home. Many of the stores here are open until 8:30pm. In case it s still too early to call it a night, stroll over to the 24-hour Don Quijote. Accommodations: Cross Hotel Osaka Day 8 November 17 th, 2018 - Saturday Osaka (B) After breakfast, enjoy a complete day to shop and/or sightsee on your own. One recommendation is a visit to Kuromon Market, no more than a 15-minute walk from our hotel. Kuromon Market, is a busy place that prospered as the center of nation s kitchen for many years. Kuromon, which literally means black gate, was originally a fish market that opened around 1822 (and was approved as an official market in 1902). The name is said to have come from the black gate of Enmyo Temple, which stood in this area until 1912, the last year of the Meiji Period. Over 150 shops line the streets of the Kuromon Market, selling everything from fresh fish, produce, meats, to kimonos and household goods. It is a place where shoppers can purchase the superior quality honma mon (in the Osaka dialect it means the real stuff ). Through word of mouth, the market has become known not only within Japan but also throughout the world as the place to meet real Osaka merchants; and it is now a prime tourist spot for overseas travelers to Japan. You can easily spend a couple of hours here, shopping, browsing or maybe enjoy lunch or a snack as you take in the atmosphere. If trying the famous blowfish is on your agenda, this is a good place for it. A long-established blowfish restaurant, Hamato is here. It was founded more than 90 years ago, originally as a blowfish wholesaler. Here you can enjoy the torafugu (tiger globefish), which is considered one of the highest quality blowfish you can get. What s more, the restaurant insists on only using blowfish fished in Japan-mainly in Nagasaki Prefecture and
Awaji Island-that weigh 1.5 kilograms or more. It is said that this strict insistence on using quality ingredients comes from past owners desires for customers to enjoy the highest quality blowfish, which are those that have lean meat and a firm texture, and this tradition continues to this day. Kuromon Market Also, nearby is Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street. Osaka is called the "Kitchen of the world" where lots of chefs work with highly trained minds and skills and here on this street you will find all kinds of cooking utensils and kitchen items. Accommodations: Cross Hotel Osaka Day 9 November 18 th, 2018 - Sunday Osaka-Kansai (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:30am. It may be our last day on tour, but far from over as we will make the most of every minute before our flight home later this evening. Our luggage will be transported to the airport by truck and meet us curbside on our arrival for check-in. The morning begins with a visit to Osaka Castle, one of Osaka s most popular landmark sights and a perfect spot for foliage viewing. 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 cannons, 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 1997. As you walk around you can still marvel at its massive stone walls, gold-leaf 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 we are off to the Tempozan Marketplace and Kaiyukan Aquarium. Oaska s Kaiyukan Aquarium is a beautiful underwater world filled with dozens of species of marine life and fresh water animals waiting to be admired. Hammerhead sharks, capybaras, dolphins, sea otters, penguins and even a colossal whale shark inhabit the aquatic wonderland. Its main feature is a huge, nine-meter-deep tank filled with 5,400 tons of water in which you can see a variety of Pacific marine life swimming surprisingly peacefully alongside each other. This tank holds the aquarium s main claim to fame: their gargantuan whale sharks, the largest fish species in the world. The aquarium features marine life exclusively found in the Ring of Fire the area of the Pacific Ocean in which most of the world s earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. There are more than 15 large tanks, and each recreates a different environment of the Pacific Rim, thereby giving visitors a glimpse into all aspects of life deep within the Pacific Ocean. The large variety of fish and sea life 30,000 creatures belonging to 620 species to be exact includes seals and sea lions from Monterey Bay in California; penguins from Antarctica; capybaras from Ecuador; and dolphins from the Tasmanian Sea. Adjacent to the Kaiyukan is Tempozan Marketplace, a large mall with many souvenir shops, the highlight of which is Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho, a food theme park. This is made up of more than 20 small, family-friendly restaurants featuring Osakan specialities like takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and kushikatsu (fried food on a stick) in a retro atmosphere recalling 1960s Osaka. Just beside the aquarium and marketplace (and impossible to miss) is Tempozan Ferris Wheel. The largest in Osaka, this 112.5-meter-high ferris wheel has 60 glass-walled gondolas which can hold up to eight passengers each. During the 17- minute ride you can get a fantastic view of nearby Osaka Bay, as well as downtown Osaka and beyond. Highlights include Kobe s Mt. Rokko and the famous Akashi Kaikyō Bridge which connects Kobe to Awaji Island. Now, we begin to make our way to the Kansai Airport, but no trip is ever complete without a stop at the ever-popular Aeon Mall. Enjoy about one hour here for last minute shopping and do stop by the supermarket to pick up a bento to be enjoyed while waiting on our flight. Hawaiian Airlines #450 Departs Kansai 9:15 pm Arrive Honolulu 9:55 am