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Japan Perfect Introductory Tour
offered by supplier M19385 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 13
day(s)
Group Size: 6
- 14
people
Destination(s):
Japan
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Sightseeing
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 6300 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 6300 US Dollar (USD)
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Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Narita Airport, where we will meet you as you emerge from Customs. Transfer to the Hotel (Hotel Century Southern Tower – Shinjuku) by Limousine Bus. After check-in, light dinner at a nearby Izakaya.
Day 2: After an early breakfast in the hotel we head via subways to Honganji Temple, and then Tsukiji Market. Our visit to the world’s largest fresh produce and fish market will not be complete without sampling some of the freshest sushi to be found. A short walk takes us to Hama Rikyu Garden, where samurai lords once walked and hunted undisturbed along the Sumida River. A water bus will ferry us briefly out into the bay, where we will catch a view of Rainbow Bridge, and then up river to Asakusa. Strolling up Nakamise-dori past dozens of shops selling snacks, mementos, etc., we will come to Senso-ji, probably the most famous, and certainly one of the most ancient Temples in Tokyo.
Just a few blocks away we will stop for lunch at one of Tokyo’s legendary tiny dining establishments – this one famous for unagi (eel). Then we head a bit south on the subways to Akihabara – Electric Town, where we will see an array of gadgets and games unlike any other place. Next, further south, a ride on the Yamanote Train line will take us to the Ginza. After inspecting the unusual architecture of the Tokyo International Forum, we will explore the dazzling streets and stores, perhaps stopping for some liquid refreshment at the Lion Beer Hall, which looks like it was imported straight from Munich. Then it’s time to try Okonomiyaki (Osaka style – we will try Hiroshima style later) for dinner. Riding “home” on the Yamanote Line will give us a chance to see the lights of Tokyo at night.
Day 3: Departing the hotel early, we will take subways to Ueno Park, where we will have a brief walking tour, and then each person will choose a museum to visit (Tokyo National Museum or National Museum of Western Art or National Science Museum). Then a short ride by train and subway will take us to lunch (Kyoto style tofu). Subways quickly take us to Ameyoko Market Place (once a black market, now home to hundreds of small vendors). Then back to our “home” neighborhood, for a walking tour of Shinjuku’s fascinating sights, smells, and sounds. After a glimpse of Kabuki-cho, we will investigate the wonders of Japanese department stores, including their glorious food floors. This should whet our appetites for dinner, sampling nouveau Japanese cuisine. This very full day will be complete with a walk through Shinjuku’s west side, including a ride up to the observation deck of the Metropolitan Government Building. Everyone should be happy to head to our Hotel.
Day 4: The day will start with a visit to Meiji Shrine in Yoyogi Park. (Up to one million people gather here for the ringing in of the New Year). It is very common to see Japanese couples marrying at Meiji Shrine. Our path will next pass down Takeshita-dori, lined with shops catering to the young. A short distance further we will come to the Oriental Bazaar, a good place to buy souvenirs. Lunch will be Tonkatsu at a legendary converted bathhouse. Omotesando street is home to world famous designers shops and upscale treats. I will offer everyone a sample of one of my favorite buttery sweets. Walking down Aoyama-dori will bring us to Shibuya, the gathering place for Tokyo’s teens. I will share the legend of Hachiko, the loyal dog, and we will experience the crush of the crowds at Shibuya crossing, made famous in movies such as “Lost in Translation.” Then we head back to our Hotel for a break, followed by a fun and fancy dinner.
Day 5: Anyone behind on sleep will get a chance to catch up a bit as we take the Nozomi Shinkansen (the Bullet Train’s fastest level of service) from Tokyo to Hiroshima, covering 550 miles in less than four hours. Beware - sleepers may miss some great views of Fuji-san. Lunch will be bento boxes on the train. After we check into our Hotel (the Granvia, conveniently located next to the train station) we will ride old-fashioned street cars to see Hiroshima Castle, Shukkei-en Garden, and the Prefectural Art Museum. Then we will experience a “cook-it-yourself dinner” – Shabu Shabu. Before and/or after dinner there should be time to explore Hiroshima’s covered shopping mall.
Day 6: Again riding the trams, we will head over to the Peace Park and Museum for the morning. The lovely and peaceful setting belies the world-changing events which unfolded here in 1945. Lunch will afford us a chance to sample Okonomiyaki Hiroshima style. Then a short train ride will take us to the ferry landing, and our brief boat ride past oyster beds and the world famous “Floating Torii Gate,” to Miyajima Island, steeped in Japanese history, and rich in natural beauty. Several hours of exploration should leave us ready for a fun meal back in town.
Day 7: Saying goodbye to Hiroshima, we will ride the Shinkansen to Himeji. After locking our luggage in lockers at the train station we will walk to Himeji Castle, a World Heritage site, for a tour of this historic reminder of Japan’s feudal past. As we walk back to the train station, we will pass through Himeji’s covered mall, stopping to eat at a noodle shop, and allowing some time to shop. Then we are off again by train, arriving in Kyoto’s modern station by late afternoon. It is a short walk to the Ryokan (Japanese Inn) where we will spend the next three nights. A bus ride will take us to Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most famous. From there it is a short walk to the Gion district, where we may catch a glimpse of Geisha. Then on through the Pontocho district before we head back to our Ryokan for Kyoto style Kaiseki, perhaps Japan’s most exquisite cuisine.
Day 8: A local resident (he writes for a well known travel guide) will take all of you on a walking tour for the morning and early afternoon. I will rendezvous with you at Kiyomizu (“pure water”) Temple, famous for it’s beautiful setting on the mountainside east of Kyoto. Several fascinating features will keep our attention until it is time to head to dinner.
Day 9: Leaving early, we will take a train to Nara, the ancient home of the Imperial Family. We will marvel at the world’s largest wooden structure, housing the largest cast bronze statue of Buddha in Japan. Other sights, before and after lunch, will expose us to ancient Japanese culture and traditions. Then we take the train back to Kyoto. Once we are back at our Ryokan we will delight in the innkeeper’s delicious Kappo dinner.
Day 10: Saying goodbye to Kyoto, we will ride past Fuji-san once more on the Shinkansen. Stopping short of Tokyo, we will get off at Yokohama. Again storing our luggage, we will then take trains to Kamakura, another city rich with ancient history. Here we will visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, picking up bento box lunches on the way. As we begin the ascent of the steps leading up to the Shrine, we will pass the gingko tree believed to be 1000 years old. This was where one of the warlord’s sons was beheaded one dark night by an assassin who hid behind the tree. Heading back to the train station we will follow a side street lined with some of my favorite shops. Then we will take a short train ride to Hase, the site of the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), and Hase-dera, with its intriguing nooks and crannies. Trains will transport us back to Yokohama, this time to Chinatown (the largest in Japan). Dinner will be a splendid Chinese feast. Then, after reclaiming our luggage, we will ride another Shinkansen back to Tokyo. We will check back in to our previous digs in Shinjuku.
Day 11: Our final ride on the Bullet Train will take us on a day trip north to the ancient mountain city of Nikko. We will see the mausoleum where Ieyasu Tokugawa, the famous Shogun, is buried. Also included are other famous sights – the sleeping cat, and “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.” Dinner will be the comforting cool weather dish, Oden, savored after we arrive back in Tokyo.
Day 12: After a leisurely breakfast we will ride a train to Ryogoku, to visit two museums – The Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial and Reconstruction Museum, and the Edo-Tokyo Museum. For luch we will sample sumo wrestler’s fare, and then head over to Tokyo Bay and across Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba, a manmade island, and relatively recent addition to Tokyo’s entertainment and fashion centers. After visiting the Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, we will head back to the core of Tokyo, exploring Roppongi Hills. The day will end with our Farewell Dinner at a fun and fascinating establishment.
Day 13: The morning will be free on this, our final day in Tokyo. I will be available if anyone wants to re-visit some shop or neighborhood. Then we will check out of our Hotel, and take the Limousine Bus back to Narita Airport, where it will be time to say goodbye!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Japan
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Sightseeing
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