TravelMakers 1

ITINERARY

DAY 1 / 28TH SEPTEMBER 2016: ARRIVE TOKYOOn arrival in Tokyo you will be transferred to your hotel by airport limousine bus

DAY 2 / 29TH SEPTEMBER 2016: TOKYOThere’s much to see in bustling Tokyo and this full-day tour is the perfect introduction to the city’s sights. This morning, your guide will escort you through Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, Japan’s most famous Shintoshrine, dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his consort. Next is the Imperial Palace. Here stroll through the impressive garden, once the grounds of an old Edo castle, with a tea pavilion, Japanese garden, moats and stone walls. We will visit Asakusa Kannon Temple (also called Sensoji)the oldest temple in Tokyo. Its history goes back to 7th century, here you will be introduced to the influences of Buddhism and Shintoism on Japanese culture. Also explore Nakamise Shopping arcade a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries. If time allows there will be time to explore the Ginza Shopping District. After dinner we will travel to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to view the amazing Tokyo skyline under lights.Meals: Breakfast and Dinner Accommodation: KEIO PLAZA HOTEL TOKYO – Superior room Transport: Private coach

DAY 3 / 30TH SEPTEMBER 2016: TOKYOAfter breakfast we walk via the Tokyo Fish Markets to Sushi Zanmai where we will have a Sushi making experience and lunch. The Afternoon is at your leisure. Meals: Breakfast and LunchAccommodation: KEIO PLAZA HOTEL TOKYO – Superior roomTransport: Public transport

DAY 4 / 1ST OCTOBER 2016: TOKYO – HAKONETravel by bus this morning to Hakone, set in the mountain countryside

JAPAN 201628 September 2016 – 14 nights/15 days

Group Number: 15-20 passengers

just to the South of Mt Fuji. Hakone offers a curious mix of difference attractions. A ride on the Hakone Gondola Ropeway is an unforgettable experience and the 360 degree views are breathtaking.. See Mt Fuji from a different angle as you enjoy a trip on the Pirate Boat on Lake Ashi.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: HOTEL HOKADA – Japanese roomTransport: Private coach

DAY 5 / 2ND OCTOBER 2016: HAKONEFull Day Free to explore this beautiful area. Hakone Free 1 Day Pass. Pass allows: Hakone Tozan Rail and Cable Car, Rope Way, Pirates Boat,le experience and 360 degree views are breathtaking.Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: HOTEL HOKADA – Japanese room

DAY 6 / 3RD OCTOBER 2016: HAKONE – MATSUMOTOMajestic Mt Fuji is the highest in Japan and is one of the prettiest sites in the country. For much of the year the mountain is snowcapped, a beautiful site to behold, Travelling to the Mt Fuji 5th Station allows for great views of the Mountain. (Weather permitting). After exploring Lake Kawaguchi we will travel to Matsumoto - approximately a 3 hour drive. On arrival we will visit Nawate Shopping district.Meals: Breakfast, LunchAccommodation: TAKAYAMA RESORTTransport: Private coach

DAY 7 / 4TH OCTOBER 2016: MATUSMOTO – TAKAYAMAToday we will visit Matsumoto-jo, one of Japan’s premier histories castles. We will re-board our vehicle and journey to Takayama in the Japan Alps Known as ‘mini-Kyoto’,Takayama is an accessible town rich in shrine and temple architecture and has a pleasant, laid-back feel. Surrounded by the brooding peaks of the Japan Alps, Takayama is a bustling market town.Meals: Breakfast and LunchAccommodation: TAKAYAMA RESORT – Superior roomTransport: Private coach / Walking

PRICES:

TWIN SHARE:

$6990.00 pp

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

$1715.00

Group Bookings Conditions apply*

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DAY 8 / 5TH OCTOBER 2016: TAKAYAMAThis morning, visit the Morning Market along with Sanmachi Suji, area of dark wooden merchant houses dating from the mid-nineteenth century. During the day, you’ll have to negotiate your way through rickshaws and tourists pottering in and out of craft shops, cafés and sake breweries. You will also visit Takayama Jinya, formerly a government building and home to some wonderful insights into Japan’s past. Yatai Kaikan, the colourful Festival Floats which come out annually during one of Japan’s most Famous festivals.Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: TAKAYAMA RESORTTransport: Walking

DAY 9 / 6TH OCTOBER 2016: TAKAYAMA – KYOTOLuggage Transfer to Kyoto - next day arrival. Please prepare an overnight bag for this night. Today we catch the bullet train to Kyoto Upon arrival into Kyoto we will walk the short distance to our hotelAfternoon is at your leisureMeals: BreakfastAccommodation: NEW MIYAKO HOTEL KYOTO – superior roomTransport: JR Pass

DAY 10 / 7TH OCTOBER 2016: KYOTOSpend the day exploring the many wonderful sites of Kyoto. We will visit Kiyomizu Temple, with a panoramic view of Kyoto, Golden Pavillion, one of Japan’s most cherished sites, Sanjusangendo Temple, Heian Shrine and the Nijo Castle to name a few.Meals: Breakfast , LunchAccommodation: NEW MIYAKO HOTEL KYOTO – superior room Transport: Private coach

DAY 11 / 8TH OCTOBER 2016: KYOTO - NARA - KYOTOThis morning we will make our way to Nara, a 45 minute train ride from Kyoto. Japan’s first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara. Due to its past as the first permanent capital, it remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples. Visit the Todaiji Temple, constructed in the 8th century, is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples. In its huge precincts are various national treasures of Japan. The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. One of Japan’s best-known temples, it enshrines a gigantic bronze statue of Buddha. A true wonder of religious architecture. See over 1,000 tame deer roam freely in the verdant 1,250 acres peaceful park. If you wish to feed the deer, they will gladly eat from your hand, but beware. Special deer food is available for sale in the park grounds. Your tour concludes with a visit to Kasuga Shrine, the most famous and beautiful Shinto shrine in Nara, it features some 3,000 antique stone and bronze lanterns. Afternoon is at your leisureMeals: Breakfast , DinnerAccommodation: NEW MIYAKO HOTEL KYOTO – superior room Transport: JR Pass

DAY 12 / 9TH OCTOBER 2016: KYOTO – KURASHIKIThis morning we make our way to Kurashiki via Himeji, where we will visit the Himeji Castle. In Kurashiki we will visit the Bikan Historical Quarter and the Ohara Art Museum.Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: KURASHIKI KOKUSAI HOTEL Transport: Private coach

DAY 13 / 10TH OCTOBER 2016: KURASHIKI – HIROSHIMAAfter breakfast we will board the coach and travel to Hiroshima. You will also see the famous Peace Memorial Park and a poignant cenotaph inscribed with all the known victims of the Hiroshima bomb, and the eerie A-Bomb Dome, a tragic city-symbol, left standing in a ruinous state after more than 60 years.Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: GRANVIA HIROSHIMA – superior roomTransport: Coach

DAY 14 / 11TH OCTOBER 2016: HIROSHIMA This morning we board a ferry for the ten-minute passage to Miyajima Island. This tranquil island is home to Itsukushima Shrine, partly comprised of an offshore red ‘torii’ gate - one of Japan’s most famous and photographed sites. In ancient times access to holy Miyajima Island was through this ‘floating’ gate; you will arrive more conventionally, gliding into the ferry terminal. Take some free time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this pretty island, mingle with the wild deer, and sample some Japanese snack food. Depart this unique setting and re-board the ferry for the trip back to the mainland. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: HOTEL GRANVIA HIROSHIMATransport: Taxi, JR pass

DAY 15/12TH OCTOBER 2016: HIROSHIMAThis morning after breakfast, we make our way to Hiroshima Airport to start our Journey home.Meals: BreakfastTransport: Private Coach