Japan Enchantment - Takayama Autumn Festival Tour 13 days 12 nights US$4598.00 Tour Start Dates: 2012-10/01 2013-10/01 All prices are per person, based on double or triple occupancy. International flights are not included on our tours - this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money! We can arrange international flights for US customers if needed, please ask for details. TOUR COST INCLUDES: 9 nights Western style and 3 nights Japanese style accommodation Meet and greet upon arrival at Osaka Kansai Airport Airport transfers on arrival and departure Private luxury coach transfers between destinations in Japan Comprehensive escorted with AJT professional English speaking tour guide Gratuities Meals Breakfast everyday 9 lunches and 6 dinners Admission fees and activities Entry fees to sites, gardens, and museums listed in the itinerary Bullet Train Ride Experience Oboke Gorge Boat Ride, Okonomiyaki Making Horikawa Moat Boat Ride, Sumida River Cruise Nishijin Kimono Show, Green Tea Ceremony Sagano Romantic Train Ride, Hakone Ropeway Takayama Autumn Festival TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: International Airfares Meals that are not included in the itinerary Travel Insurance Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills 1 All Japan Tours LLC
ITINERARY Day 01: Osaka Kansai Airport Welcome to Osaka! Our tour guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel. Overnight: Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport or similar class Overnight: Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka or similar class (NOTE 1) NOTE 1: If you wish to stay in the center of Osaka for the first night, we can arrange for you to stay at Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka instead of Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport for an additional $50 per person. In this case, airport transfer is not included but we will provide you directions to get to your hotel in advance. NOTE 2: If you wish to stay extra nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodations. Day 02: Takamatsu (Ritsurin Park), Kotohira (Kotohira-gu Shrine), Oboke Gorge (Oboke Gorge Boat Ride) Today after breakfast, our private luxury coach will leave Honshu island, driving across Awaji Island via spectacular bridges spanning the Japan Inland Sea, to Shikoku Island. We will arrive at Takamatsu and visit Ritsurin Park, admired as the masterpiece of Japanese landscape gardening that took over 100 years to create beginning in 1625. The spacious park features many ponds, beautiful pavilions, various bridges, footpaths and small hills, with Mt Shiun at the western border acting as a wonderful background. Next, we will head to the Kotohira, where we will climb the 1,368 stone steps to the Kotohira-gu Shrine, a Shinto Shrine with architecture that displays both Shinto and Buddhist elements. We then continue our journey to Oboke Gorge, one of three hidden mountain regions of Japan and is known for its dramatic mountain valleys. Oboke is a gorge located upstream of the Yoshino-gawa River. "Boke" means "dangerous to walk along," and Oboke (big boke) was named for its jagged V- shaped rocks and narrow path which, no matter how carefully or slowly you walk, makes walking dangerous. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride and take in the panoramic view of the valley. Overnight: Imabari Kanko Hotel or similar class Day 03: Shimanami Kaido, Hiroshima (Miyajima Island / Okonomiyaki Making) Today our luxury coach will drive past the Shimanamikaido to proceed to Hiroshima. The Shimanamikaido, or Nishiseto Express, is a 60 kilometer long expressway with scenic sea view and contains ten bridges, including the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest series of suspension bridges, and the Tatara Bridge, the world's second longest cable-stayed bridgeway. It connects Japan's main island of Shikoku, at Imabari City, to the island of Honshu, at Onomichi City, passing over six small islands: Oshima, Hakatajima, Omishima, Ikuchijima, Innoshima, and Mukaishima. The route was opened in 1999 and the bridges are modern and attractive. Along the way, we can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea and the islands' small towns. Upon arrival in Hiroshima, we will take a short ferry ride to the island of Miyajima, considered sacred by many. At high tide, the famed vermilion torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine looks like it is floating in the middle of the sea. In the evening we will learn to make a popular Japanese dish called Okonomiyaki. In the dish you add your favorite ingredients to a mixture of batter and cabbage. The mixture is then cooked on a hot plate, and flipped using a metal spatula. The dish can be made easily at home, and you can show off your new skill to your family. 2 All Japan Tours LLC
Overnight: Hiroshima Grand Prince Hotel or similar class Day 04: Hiroshima (Peace Park / A-Bomb Museum), Izumo (Izumo Grand Shrine) Today we will continue our tour of Hiroshima, visit the Peace Memorial Park and A-Bomb Museum. Hiroshima's Peace Park is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There, you'll also see the A-Bomb Dome, also known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, what remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall when the atomic bomb exploded in 1945. It was one of the few buildings to remain standing, and remains so today. Next, we proceed past rural villages and farms and follow a fast flowing river gorge to the Japan coastal city of Izumo. Izumo Shrine, or Izumo Taisha, is Japan's oldest shrine, constructed in a purely Japanese architecture style, called Taisha-tsukuri, and has the largest shrine gate in Japan, 13-meters long and weighing 3 tons. This shrine is considered Japan's second most important shrine, after Ise Jingu. It is dedicated to Okuninushi no Mikoto, the kami (deity) of marriage. Then, continue on to Matsue, where we will stay in a traditional ryokan that includes the thermal spa pool and a very impressive private garden. A Japanese style banquet of local specialty cuisine is included tonight. Overnight: Hotel Ichibata or similar class Day 05: Matsue (Matsue Castle / Horikawa Moat Boat Cruise / Samurai District / Adachi Art Museum) After a Japanese style breakfast, we will visit Matsue Castle, one of the few remaining medieval castles in Japan, and a nearby Samurai District. Matsue is also called the "Water City", or "Shimane's Venice," because of its location on Lake Shinji and the city's ample system of moats built for defense and transport. We will take the best way to view the city by boarding one of the low, narrow pleasure boats that cruise the largest moat as it winds around the castle. Our next stop is the Adachi Museum of Art, founded in 1980 as a way to combine Adachi Zenko's love of Japanese art and garden design. It is best known for its award winning garden and has been named best garden in Japan anually since 2003 by the Journal of Japanese Gardening. The museum houses a collection of contemporary Japanese paintings that is rotated seasonally, comprising approximately 1,300 of the country's most highly regarded twentieth century paintings as well as a permanent exhibit of the works of Yokoyama Taikan. Overnight: Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel or similar class Day 06: Kurashiki (Canal Area / Morita Sake Brewery), Setouchi City (Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum), Kobe (Haborland) This morning we explore the canal town of Kurashiki. This scenic town, in merchant days, thrived as a port for rice shipments. In fact, the name "Kurashiki" can be roughly translated as "town of warehouses," which refers to the warehouses in which the rice was kept. Several old rice granaries and some historic architecture, as well as the stone lined canal still remain. Taste sake as you stroll along the streets of this picturesque town. We then proceed to Setouchi City, visit Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword 3 All Japan Tours LLC
Museum. Setouchi City was founded on November 1, 2004 by the merger of the former towns of Oku, Osafune, and Ushimado. Osafune was famous for the production of katana (Japanese sword). Our last visit today is Kobe. Located along the waterfront, Harborland is a shopping and entertainment district that boasts a variety of restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, a Ferris wheel, and other forms of entertainment. Overnight: Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport or similar class Day 07: Osaka (Osaka Castle), Nara (Todaiji Temple / Deer Park), Uji (Greentea Ceremony), Kyoto (Kiyomizu Temple) In the morning we will travel to Osaka Castle by private coach. The construction of the castle began in 1583 on the ruins of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple. It was the largest castle of its time. From Osaka, our coach departs to Nara, the oldest capital city of Japan. We will visit Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in Japan. This temple also houses the largest bronze statue of Buddha at 16.3 meters high, and the surrounding park is filled with over 1,000 Sika deer. Then, we proceed to Uji where we will experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. From Uji, our coach departs to Kyoto, a historical city that was spared from air raids and atomic bomb for its cultural and historical value during World War II. We will visit the famous Kiyomizu Temple, best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. The stage affords visitors a nice view of the numerous cherry and maple trees below that erupt in a sea of color in spring and fall, as well as of the city of Kyoto in the distance. We will stay two nights in Kyoto. Overnight: Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class Day 08: Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Shrine / Nishijin Kimono Show / Golden Pavilion / Arashiyama - Torroko Train Ride - Togetsu Bridge - Bamboo Grove / Gion) Today we will continue our tour in Kyoto, once the capital of Japan and still considered its cultural center. First is a visit to the stunning vermilion colored Fushimi Inari Shrine, whose 4km long tunnel of scarlet torii gates was featured in the film Memoirs of a Geisha. This complex wraps around a bamboo wilderness that includes mountains, streams, and ponds, the perfect backdrop for a scenic hike. Then, proceed to the Nishijin Textile Center where you can view displays of kimonos and even watch a kimono fashion show. Next, visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) covered with 18 carat gold leaf. This three story structure was originally built by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397 and was rebuilt and restored over the years. Its history inspired the fictional book, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, by Yukio Mishima. Then, we will visit Arashiyama to admire its famous Togetsu Bridge and bamboo grove. We will also take a train ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway to enjoy views of the valley as well as the changing colors of the leaves. Lastly, we will tour Gion (the old Geisha Quarter) and Pontocho. These districts are known for their preservation of traditional architecture and entertainment. Overnight: Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class Meals: Breakfast & Dinner 4 All Japan Tours LLC
Day 09: Bullet Train Ride Experience, Kanazawa (Kenrokuen Garden), Shirakawa- go, Takayama (Takayama Night Festival) After breakfast, take a Shinkansen bullet train ride for experience, which can reach speeds of up to 300 km/hr. Then transfer to Kanazawa to visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of three most beautiful strolling gardens of Japan. The name Kenrokuen literally means a garden combining the 6 attributes of a perfect landscape: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water features, and panoramas. Here, you'll find the oldest fountain in Japan and Kotoji-toro, the two-legged stone lantern that is the icon of Kenrokuen and Kanazawa. From Kanazawa we cross the mountains by coach to the rural area of Shirakawa-go (listed as a World Heritage site). In this very photogenic village, we will walk past thatch roof farm houses, through cultivated fields and see unspoiled Edo period wooden buildings. Then, we continue on to Takayama, where a festival that dates back to the 15th century will be heating up. This city is located amongst the Japan Alps and is known as "Little Kyoto" for its preserved historical structures and environment. Due to its remote position in the mountains, it was cut off from the rest of Japan for most of its history and thus has maintained a very unique and traditional atmosphere. This festival is also known as the Hachiman Festival because it is centered on Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine. It is held on the 9th and 10th of October to give thanks for a good harvest. The highlight of the festival is in the evening when colorful dashi (floats) are led through the streets amid cheers and drums. These ornate floats are decorated with intricate wood carvings and beautiful metal work that look even more amazing against the backdrop of fiery reds and oranges of vibrant autumn leaves. Overnight: Okada Ryokan or similar class Day 10: Takayama (Morning Market / Takayama Jinya / Old Town / Takayama Festival) After breakfast we will continue sightseeing in Takayama, which includes the Morning Market, Takayama Jinya and Old Town. You can browse the market stalls for local crafts and fresh farm products. Takayama's Old Town has been beautifully preserved, with many buildings and whole streets of houses dating from the Edo Period (1600-1868). On some streets, like Sannomachi Street, you can find many old homes, shops, coffee houses and sake breweries, some of which have been in business for centuries. In the afternoon, we will continue to enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Takayama Spring Festival and watch floats as they parade through Old Town. Tonight, we will stay at the Yatsugatake Onsen Ryokan, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a spa bath and feast on a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner. Overnight: Yatsugatake Royal Hotel or similar class Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Day 11: Mt Fuji, Hakone (Hakone Ropeway / Owakudani) After enjoying a Japanese breakfast at the ryokan, we will travel to Mt. Fuji on our private luxury coach. Along the way, enjoy the changing scenery, from thick vegetation to lowlands to rolling clouds. We will stop at Mt. Fuji 5th station (depending on weather) to admire the world famous peak. Next, we head to Hakone and take a 20 minute ropeway from Togendai to Owakundani. Much of the area here is considered an active volcanic zone since its creation from the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. There, you can view hot springs and hot rivers, where sulfurous fumes still linger. Owakundani also has splendid views of Mount Fuji in good weather. Then, proceed to Tokyo. 5 All Japan Tours LLC
Overnight: Tokyo Dome Hotel or similar class Day 12: Tokyo (Tokyo Tower / Imperial Palace / Ginza / Sumida River Cruise / Asakusa Sensoji Temple / Odaiba) In the morning you will be taken to Tokyo Tower, the world's tallest self supporting steel tower. At 333 meters high, Tokyo Tower is 13 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower. We will go up 150 meters to the main observatory deck and get a bird's eye view of Tokyo. On a clear day you can see Mount Fuji in the distance. Next is a visit to the Imperial Palace, the former site of Edo Castle. In the heart of the city, you can explore the park, surrounded by moats and stone fortifications. Then we will proceed to Ginza for Tokyo's most famous shopping, dinning, and entertainment district, which features designer department stores, boutiques, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and night clubs. In the afternoon, board a cruise ship at Hinode Pier for a 40 minute ride along the Sumida River to Asakusa. At the Nakamise Walkway, you can peruse the many stores that lead to Tokyo's oldest and most famous Buddhist temple, Sensoji Temple. From there we will cross the Rainbow Bridge and be treated to stunning views of Tokyo Bay. We will travel to the man made islands of Odaiba and see cutting edge architecture, as well as the night view of Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge. Overnight: Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu or similar class Overnight: Tokyo Dome Hotel or similar class (NOTE 3) NOTE 3: If you wish to stay in the center of Tokyo for the last night, we can arrange for you to stay at Tokyo Dome Hotel instead of Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu for an additional $50 per person. In this case, airport transfer is not included but your tour guide will help you with directions to the airport. Day 13: Tour End After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am and Narita Airport can be reached by hotel shuttle bus. NOTE 4: If you would like to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to book hotel accommodations. Meals: Breakfast 6 All Japan Tours LLC