Japan Sampler - 8 Days Escorted Program Details
Visiting Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kyoto & Osaka
Day 1 - Tokyo, Japan
Check-in to your deluxe hotel located in Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s
most popular districts for world-class shopping, great dining and diverse
entertainment. Keio Plaza Hotel
Day 2 - Tokyo
Tokyo is planted squarely in the 21st century and modern in every respect.
But delve deeper and you’ll find ancient sites and age-old traditions
- a fascinating contrast which you’ll explore today. Your visit
to the picturesque Imperial Palace Plaza offers insight into the private
lives of Japan’s Imperial family. Later, stroll among the vendors
of the bustling Nakamise Arcade to Asakusa Kannon Temple, the oldest in
the city, and then visit the landscaped grounds of the Meiji Shrine. Meals
B,D
Day 3 - Tokyo
Enjoy a day at leisure. Your hotel’s location close to shopping,
dining and transportation makes it easy to explore on your own. From April
to November, you can join an available tour to Nikko to see the magnificent
Toshogu Shrine, set against the wooded splendor of Nikko National Park.
Meals B
Day 4 - Tokyo / Mt. Fuji /
Hakone
Depart Tokyo and ascend the forested slopes of Mt. Fuji for marvelous
views from the halfway point. Travel on to Hakone, a popular mountain
resort, and cruise across Lake Ashi before a cable car ride up Mt. Komaga-take.
Tonight, relax in a soothing onsen, a traditional hot-spring bath, before
dining at your deluxe resort hotel. Meals B,D Hilton Odawara Hotel
Day 5 - Hakone / Mishima /
Kyoto
Travel the scenic road to Mishima and board the Bullet Train – or
shinkansen. Traveling safely at speeds up to 180 miles per hour, you’ll
arrive in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan which is still the spiritual
and artistic heart of the country. Upon arrival, transfer to your superior
first-class hotel. Or, you can experience a traditional Japanese inn for
one night by staying at the Yoshi-ima Ryokan, including a Japanese dinner,
breakfast and tea ceremony. ($195 per person double, $319 single) Meals
B Rihga Royal Hotel
Day 6 - Kyoto / Nara / Kyoto
Your morning tour visits Kyoto’s most revered sights: Kinkaku-ji
Temple, the Golden Pavilion; the impressive, vermilion-hued Heian Shrine;
and Sanjusangendo Temple with its 1,001 statues of Buddha. This afternoon,
travel to ancient Narac and visit Todai-ji Temple to see the giant Buddha.
Then stroll the forested lantern-lined paths of Kasuga Shrine and wander
peacefully in Nara’s famous Deer Park, home to more than 1,000 tame
deer. Meals B,L,D
Day 7 - Kyoto / Osaka
Enjoy a free morning to explore Kyoto at your own pace. In the late afternoon,
transfer to Osaka and visit the city’s landmark, the majestic and
beautiful Osaka Castle. Overnight at your deluxe hotel. Meals B Nikko
Hotel
Day 8 - Osaka
Your program finishes this morning. Or, explore more of Asia with our
FreeStyle Travel. Meals B
A Spectacular July Event –
The Gion Festival in Kyoto
First celebrated in 896, the Gion Festival has grown through the centuries
into a celebration that fills Kyoto with color, music and merriment. The
highlight of the festival is the Yamahoko-junko – a parade of colorful
floats through downtown Kyoto. The gigantic floats are pulled through
the streets by teams of men dressed in traditional costumes; many of the
floats even have musicians on board. The whole city is decorated for the
festival, the streets are lit up with lanterns and the floats are covered
with colorful, beautifully patterned fabrics. Travelers on the July 12
tour will attend the Gion Festival, enjoy the parade and see the city
decorated for the festival.
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Call for reservation