Tokyo & Tochigi Memorial Day Weekender 2019 May 21 st 27 TH, 2019 5nts/7days fr: $2295 double/triple & $2495 single Reserve by November 1 st -Save $50 per person Tsukiji Fish Market Asakusa Toshogu Shrine Tokyo, a modern city, full of glass towers, wide avenues, and constant activity. However, there are hidden time-warps scattered throughout the city that have somehow evaded modernization and offer a rare glimpse into Tokyo s past. Join us on this fun filled Memorial Day tour to Tokyo we discover Tokyo s backstreets and shopping arcades in search of the best small kine shopping this city has to offer. We have included the favorites, Tsukiji, Ameyoko, and Asakusa along with a complete free day to shop and explore on your own. From here, we are off to Tochigi, internationally renowned for its many historic buildings and shrines, ceramics fairs, art galleries and abundant rivers. Tochigi is surrounded by mountains to the east, west and north, while the Kanto Plain spreads out to the south. Tochigi contains the Nasu and Nikko volcanic clusters which feature numerous onsen resorts scattered in and around them. We have included one night in Utsunomiya, the region s capital where foodies will enjoy their famous gyoza dumplings while nature lovers look forward to visiting Lake Chuzenji. We will be doing both! Our second night is in Nikko with accommodations at the historic Nikko Kanaya Hotel The guest list here includes US President Ulysses Grant, Helen Keller, and Albert Einstein. Add your name to this incredible register! Nikko s most significant feature is Toshog Shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu; it is surrounded by other noteworthy shrines and temples, and the whole district has been designated a World Heritage Site. Also located in the Nikko area are Kegon Falls and Edo Wonderland, a theme park where visitors can experience what life was like during the Edo Period. Its all included along with a sake brewery visit. Come, join us on this unique tour and discover the best of Tokyo and Tochigi! Itinerary/Details Day 1 May 21 st, 2019 Tuesday Depart from Honolulu
Hawaiian Airlines #855 Departs Honolulu 6:10 pm Arrive Haneda 10:05 pm + 1 Please meet your Panda Travel representative at the Hawaiian Airlines check in counter, located in Terminal 1, formally known as the Hawaiian Terminal, Lobby 3, Makai at least 3 hours prior to the departure time. Day 2 May 22 nd, 2019 Wednesday Haneda-Tokyo After clearing customs, we will be met by our local guide and board the charter bus to our host hotel, The Sunshine City Prince Hotel, ideally situated in the Ikebukuro section of Tokyo. The hotel is less than a 10-minute walk from the Ikebukuro JR Station. Our 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-meterhigh skyscraper with an observation deck on the top. Sunshine City is typically open from 10 am to 8 pm seven days a week. We are also less than a 10-minute walk from the Ikebukuro JR Station. The third floor of the mall is practically all restaurants and stays open until 9:30pm. 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 is a 24-hour super market, Seiyu, in case all you want is a light dinner bento to bring back to the room. Newly remodeled Sunshine City Prince Hotel & lobby Family Mart in hotel lobby Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel free Day 3 May 23 rd, 2019 Thursday 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. The morning begins with a visit to Tsukiji Market. 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. While the inner auction market has moved to a new location, this outer market thrives and has kept its charm. 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 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. Tsukiji Market 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 Hongan-ji Temple From here, 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.
Ameyoko is a great spot to stock up on all your omiyage favorites It s lunch time and we off to a local restaurant so that you can enjoy a buffet lunch. The last stop today is at 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. Asakusa and Nakamise Shopping Arcade From here we make our way back to our hotel, arrival by 4:30pm and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.
Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel free Day 4 May 24 th, 2019 Friday Tokyo (B) After breakfast, enjoy a complete free day in Tokyo to do whatever you please. There is still much to enjoy and quite a bit to do right at your door step. Ikebukuro offers plenty of entertainment, shopping, and dining opportunities. It is the battle ground between the Tobu and Seibu conglomerates which operate large department stores on each side of the station. Recently it has also seen fierce competition from two of Japan's largest electronic retailers, Bic Camera, and Yamada Denki. Enjoy time at Sunshine City, a huge shopping mall connected to our hotel. It has four towers including a 240-meterhigh skyscraper with an observation deck on the top. The main tower is the second highest building in Tokyo. The Sunshine City Prince Hotel is housed in one of the smaller towers at the complex. The lower levels of Sunshine City are a monstrous maze of shops and tourist attractions, as well as a theatre. The tower s elevator is an attraction in its self, being the fastest in the world it takes only thirty-five seconds to reach the top. The highlight of the ride would have to be the illuminated dolphins and unicorns, ambient music and beautifully dressed lift operators making the trip to the top an interesting journey. The center opened in 1978 and is Tokyo s oldest City within a City. It sits on land that was once occupied by Sugamo Prison. The Sunshine International Aquarium is a popular attraction where there are plenty of great underwater exhibits to entertain the whole family. There are the usual sharks, stingrays, tropical fish, and sea life, but the most popular exhibits are the penguins, seals and sea otters which are well worth the entry fee. The aquarium sits on the 10th Floor, which gives it the title of the world s highest aquarium. There are feedings at the aquarium every hour and one of the largest tanks holds over 120 tons of water. The seals do performances during the day. Another great family attraction is the planetarium, where you can learn about the solar system and the universe. The Cosmic Safari takes visitors on a journey to see the wonders in outer-space. The Bunka Kaikan building is home to the Ancient Orient Museum which has an amazing collection of artifacts and is well worth a look. The Sunshine City complex is also home to the Namco Namja Town. Namja Town is a collection of food theme parks and other interesting dining establishments. The center has a series of kittens as mascots and there are plenty of them to choose from in the gift shop. Some of the food parks include Ice Cream City and the Tokyo Dessert Republic. Then for the Gyoza lover, there is Ikebukuro Gyoza stadium, the list goes on with dozens of tasty attractions. There is a small fee to enter the complex and then the fun begins. There are various carnival amusements at Namja town too, like a haunted house, merry-go-round, and video shooting games. Make sure you go hungry as there is so much to try across the two jammed packed floors of food and adventure. One store no visitor to Japan should miss is Tokyu Hands, a shop that can only be described as a cross between a hardware store and a hobby shop. It is a great place for gift shopping, as many of the items for sale can t be found outside Japan. This store is one of their largest and has a rather odd attraction. Do you just love finding the latest Kit Kat flavors? Take time to visit the recently opened Kit-Kat Chocolatey, at the Seibu Department Store, Ikebukuro train station and shop at the world's first Kit-Kat boutique.
Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel free Day 6 May 25 th, 2019 Saturday Tokyo-Utsunomiya (B/L/D) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we bid good-bye to Tokyo and make our way to Utsunomiya, the capital city of the Tochigi Prefecture. The day begins with a drive to Omiya to visit the Bonsai Art Museum. Opened in 2010, the museum is the world s first publicly run museum dedicated to bonsai art and boasts a collection of more than 120 bonsai masterpieces and bonsairelated artifacts. These include bonsai pots, miniature landscape stone called suiseki, books and woodblock prints, etc. Selected in accordance with the four seasons, about 60 pots of bonsai are always displayed in the garden and some in the gallery. After walking around inside, do step outside into the large courtyard, where most of the museum s bonsai are displayed around a central water feature. These are much larger than their indoor counterparts, which allows you to see in greater detail the care that has been taken in shaping and potting these artful plants. The majority are Shohaku (evergreen) varieties such as Japanese Five Needle Pine or Yezo Spruce, as well as of deciduous bonsai. The Bonsai Art Museum From here, we continue to Tochigi and a visit to the Ashikaga Flower Park, where if our timing works well we can enjoy viewing some of the most beautiful wisteria in the world along with the Rainbow Garden which includes roses, rhododendron, and clematis. The oldest wisteria tree in the world is in Ashikaga Flower Park, the Great Miracle Wisteria, said to be over 140 years old. While you will not be able to get too close due to a fence surrounding it, the distance is enough to enjoy all its beauty. Enjoy free time here to explore, try a cone of wisteria ice cream or a variety of wisteria-themed food and merchandise which include candles, incense, decorations, candies, mochi and more. We will also enjoy our lunch here today.
This afternoon we are visiting Tochigi City, one of the Kanto Area s best kept secrets. Nicknamed Kuranomachi, or Kura Town, it s home to a plethora of kura, traditional storehouses, the majority of which were built in the Edo Period. Because it has so many old buildings and because it s relatively unknown, Tochigi is the perfect destination for photographers looking for distinctly Japanese architecture without the crowds. The city began prospering in the Edo Period due to its location on the Uzumagawa River which flows into the Tone River, one of the longest and most important rivers in Japan. The Tone flowed all the way to Edo, the capital of the Tokugawa shoguns, as well as hundreds of other cities and villages along the river and its watershed. In those days, a special highway passed through Tochigi for reiheishi, special envoys sent from the imperial court in Kyoto to pay yearly respects at Nikko Tosho-gu, the resting spot of the first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. The part of town that grew up along this road, known as the Reiheishi Kaido, developed into a post town to accommodate the imperial envoys and other travelers who used the route. The main attraction is the large number of preserved kura in and around Kuranomachi Odori. You can find storehouses of all shapes, sizes, and colors. In fact, rather than being "preserved", in Tochigi, traditional culture is a living part of the city and of the everyday life of the citizens. Enjoy time to take a leisurely stroll down the main street and explore the side streets. There are many other traditional buildings, temples, shrines, and old houses. Do stop at the Kitagawa Utamaro Museum which is located inside a kura and offers free seasonal exhibits. We also have a small boat cruise to enjoy as it flows on the Uzuma River through the center of Tochigi City. From here, we are off to our hotel for the evening, just a walk away at the Daiwa Roynet Hotel Utsunomiya, centrally located. After checking in and time to freshen up, join your guide as we venture out for a gyoza dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodations: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Utsunomiya free Day 7 May 26 th, 2019 Sunday Utsunomiya-Nikko (B/L/D) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off on a full day of touring. The morning begins with a visit to the Oya History Museum, opened in 1979 to highlight the history and mining operations of Oya stone. The museum, on the old mining site was once a major source of wealth for the area. Though long defunct, parts of the mine have been transformed into this museum, offering a one-of-a-kind exploration. While the last mines were closed in 1986, the museum continues to thrive. The exhibition features the long history of the mining since the 17 th century, with many documents on display. The underground cavern, covering 20,000 sq. meters, is large enough to fit a baseball field. With a fantastic atmosphere reminding visitors of the ruins of Ancient Rome, the cavern is widely utilized as a location for shooting movies, music videos, and used as a concert hall and theatre. Created from lava and ash, igneous oya stone is easily carvable, resistant to erosion, and has been used in Japan since the 17th century for everything from tombs to paving stones to Tokyo s Imperial Hotel. Its use declined dramatically with the spread of concrete. A small building houses oya stone-related exhibits, but the real draw is the massive underground network of caverns with more than 20,000 square meters of open space. Exhibits along the walls explain local geology and the history and methods of oya quarrying.
Walking underground through such open spaces is a rare experience. Artwork is displayed throughout the mine, and many of the rooms are illuminated with various colors, creating a sometimes-surreal atmosphere. Nearby Oyaji Temple, just a ten-minute walk from the museum is where we will be visiting next. Over 1,200 years old, the temple is built into a towering section of exposed oya stone. It is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. A visit here offers a rare glimpse at some of Japan's oldest Buddhist carvings. The rest of the temple grounds include a small garden that you can walk around, and a treasure hall. The treasure hall includes relics dating back from the Jomon to the Kamakura periods of Japanese history. These were discovered in the caves during the archeological excavations in 1965. Take a moment to admire the colossal statue of Kannon across the street from the temple. It was carved as a monument to promote peace after World War II. You can climb up to an observatory on the cliff behind the Kannon from where you can enjoy close viewing as well as looking out to the surrounding countryside. From here, we are off to Nikko and once there enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Welcome to Nikko, ancient moss clinging to a stone wall; rows of perfectly aligned stone lanterns; vermilion gates; and towering cedars. This is only a pathway in Nikko, a sanctuary that enshrines the glories of the Edo Period. The shrines and temples of Nikko, together with their natural surroundings, have for centuries been a sacred site known for its architectural and decorative masterpieces. They are closely associated with the history of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Toshogu is the centerpiece of Nikko s vast collection of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Its buildings are decorative masterpieces- splashed with vibrant colors, embellished with intricate carvings, garnished with glittering gold leaf. Toshogu Shrine which we will bow be visiting is nothing short of dazzling! This elaborate shrine complex reached full completion in 1636 and is the final resting place of the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu. You can visit the legendary leader s remains here, but it s really the ornate, colorful buildings set against a deep-green forested backdrop that steal the Japan-is-incredibly-gorgeous show. The shrine s precinct consists of 55 buildings set in a poetic mist-laden forest. Grown from a single mausoleum, the complex is estimated to have cost the modern equivalent of 40 billion yen and required the workforce of over 400,000 carpenters, over the course of 17 months. One of the stunning features of this shrine are the decorative wood carvings, once lavishly embellished with gold leaf, that adorn the gates and exterior walls of countless buildings. Decorative motifs include the alluring Sozonozo elephants imagined elephants that were intricately carved by an artist who never laid eyes on these gentle giants, as well as the famous trio of monkeys: see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil. The two-story Yomeimon Gate, a designated national treasure otherwise known as Sunlight Gate, exhibits an astonishing collection of 500 wood carvings. Once you pass through this symbolic gate of Toshogu, another famous animal ornamentation awaits; that of the Sleeping Cat curled at the top of Sakashita-mon Gate. Keep your eyes peeled, as these wooden sculptures are as beautiful as they are small.
From here, off to our hotel for the evening, Nikko Kanaya Hotel, with over 140 years of history. The hotel sits near the entrance to Nikko s spectacular shrines and temples and is one of a handful of famous, gorgeous, western style classic hotels in Japan. With history dating back to the Meiji Period you will feel as if you have slipped back in time. Our arrival will be by 4:00pm, followed by a western style dinner at 6:00pm. Founded in 1873, on a hill above the Sacred Bridge, the Kanaya Hotel is the most famous hotel in Nikko, combing the rustic hardiness of a European lodge with elements of old Japan. The hotel began as an inn when the owner, Kanaya Zenichiro, employed as a traditional musician at Toshogu Shrine, offered rooms to foreign travelers who brought with them special letters of introduction. One day in 1871, Kanaya gave Dr. J.C. Hepburn, an American missionary and famous doctor in Yokohama, a night s lodging. Dr. Hepburn then recommended to Kanaya that he open an inn at his house. It was the birth of Kanaya Cottage Inn (also called Kanaya Samurai House ). Among the many famous folks listed on the hotel s register include US President Ulysses Grant in 1879, architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905, Albert Einstein in 1922, and Helen Keller in 1937. With our early arrival, you may want to consider two outdoor options, one is a climb up the hill which takes about 30 minutes and the other down to the river and only about 10 minutes. The riverbank walk is especially enjoyable early morning when you can see the white mist covering the river under the red Shinkyo Bridge. Accommodations: Nikko Kanaya Hotel free Day 8 May 27 th, 2019 Monday Nikko-Haneda (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am. While it may be our last day on tour, we have much to see and do before our flight home later this evening. The morning begins with a visit to Lake Chuzenji, a scenic lake in the mountains above the town of Nikko. It is located at the foot of Mount Nantai, Nikko's sacred volcano, whose eruption blocked the valley below, thereby creating Lake Chuzenji about 20,000 years ago. Chuzenjiko's shores are mostly undeveloped and forested except at the lake's eastern end where the small hot spring town of Chuzenjiko Onsen was built. The town is also the site of Kegon Waterfall, the most famous of several waterfalls in Nikko National Park which we will be visiting next. Next, Kegon Waterfall, at almost 100-meter-tall it is the most famous of Nikko's many beautiful waterfalls. In fact, it is even ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful falls. This waterfall is the only exit for the waters of Lake Chuzenji. We will be taking an elevator down to the base of the fall so that you can enjoy impressive views. From here, we make our way to Edo Wonderland where you step back in time to 17th century Japan and explore the beauty, culture, and interesting characters of the Edo Era. Enjoy delicious food, activities, and a variety of entertaining performances. Enjoy free time to explore the village freely and interact with the friendly locals, and as well have lunch on your own. If you truly want the feel of the period, stop by Jiku the kimono rental shop and become the Edo character of your choice!
Edo Wonderland This afternoon, a fun experience, with a visit to the Katayama Sake Brewery, founded in 1880 in Nikko City. This brewery has carried on the tradition of the traditional Sase style shibori, a squeezing method that boasts a 100-year history, to produce unfiltered Japanese sake. This technique involves an immense amount of time and effort. Enjoy time at this small scale and traditional highly award-winning sake brewery now in its 6 th generation under ownership of the Takayuki family. It is said that water is one of the key ingredients in making high quality alcoholic beverages and holds through with sake. Takayuki firmly believed, no quality sake can be made without access to quality water. In an area of the Takino Shrine near the popular tourist spot Nikko Futarasan Shrine, there is a spring called Sake no Izumi, which literally means spring of sake. Takayuki s great-great-great-grandfather moved from his original base in Kashiwazaki in Niigata prefecture to Nikko some 250 kilometers southeast just to get access to this quality water. Sake no Izumi has supplied the water for sake production of Katayama Shuzo since the brewery s founding in 1880. The spring water is drawn from 16 meters underground, and is soft, with a neutral taste and aroma that is perfect for sake. The brewery is very proud to use the century old Sase-style shibori process. Shibori is the straining process involving the division of moromi (the fermentation mash that looks like swollen rice grains during the saccharification) into sake and sake cakes. It is very labor-intensive and involves hand-stuffing of moromi into cloth sacks, then stacking them, before slowly pressing down from the top sacks to extract more sake. This style of pressing is repeated until all the possible sake extracts are released. Each single press can produce very little sake as the technique involves gentle pressing with just the right amount of pressure each time very time consuming. The sake produced here is Genshu sake, meaning that water is not added after pressing and therefore the alcohol percentage is higher at 17-18%. Their top sakes are both genshus: the blue bottled Sugao Junmai Genshu (junmai is made with a rice-polishing ratio of 60%), and the translucent bottle Sugao Nama-Genshu nama-genshu means unfiltered, unpasteurized, and undiluted sake. Nama-genshu, because it has not gone through filtration and pasteurization, has much shorter shelf life, but has a fresher, more delicate aroma. From here, a stop at AEON Lake Town, an eco-friendly shopping center, comprising of three malls lined up next to each other, with over 700 shops. We will stay here for two hours so that you can enjoy some last-minute shopping and maybe even have dinner. From here, off to the Haneda Airport, arrival by 9:00pm so that we can begin the check-in process for our flight home. Hawaiian Airlines #856 Departs Haneda 11:55 pm Arrive Honolulu 12:35 pm