DISCOVER JAPAN (OJ2010)

Meals
American breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L), 4 dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Tokyo and a farewell dinner in Kyoto.

Hotels


Tokyo
Hilton Tokyo (D),

Takayama
Hida Hotel Plaza (F),

Kanazawa
Hotel Nikko Kanazawa (F),

Kyoto
ANA Hotel Kyoto (F)

Day 1:
(Mon.) Board your transpacific flight.

Day 2:
Arrive in Tokyo, Japan. (Tue.) Welcome to Japan’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 3:
Tokyo. (Wed.) Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions prior to a morning sightseeing of Tokyo, home to more than 8 million people. Your tour takes you to the MEIJI SHRINE, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest, followed by a drive to see the Imperial Palace Plaza. Next, visit an ARTIST’S STUDIO and enjoy demonstrations by a master calligrapher before trying it yourself. You will also have an opportunity to try on a traditional KIMONO and enjoy a TEA CEREMONY. Last stop is the ASAKUSA KANNON TEMPLE with the NAKAMISE SHOPPING ARCADE. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps stroll through the famous Ginza area. Tonight, join your traveling companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. After dinner, join your Tour Director for a WALKING TOUR among the dazzling neon lights of Tokyo. (B,D)

Day 4:
Tokyo. (Thu.) A free day for independent activities. You may wish to join a full-day optional excursion to Kamakura, home of the 750-year-old Great Buddha, followed by a scenic drive to Hakone and a cable car ride for panoramic views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting). Your optional tour concludes with a thrilling bullet train ride back to Tokyo. During your evening at leisure you may want to experience a local Japanese restaurant. (B)

Day 5:
Tokyo–Matsumoto–Takayama. (Fri.) Journey to Matsumoto, gateway to the Japanese Alps. Visit famous MATSUMOTO CASTLE, dating back to 1593, and discover the history at the JAPAN FOLKLORE MUSEUM. After lunch, continue by motorcoach through the ruggedly beautiful Japanese Alps to the quiet, isolated town of Takayama, where old traditions are untouched by the passage of time. The balance of the day is at leisure, providing you time to explore the narrow streets where artisans sell traditional crafts. (B,L)

Day 6:
Takayama. (Sat.) Today begins with a visit to the morning market, where farmers display locally grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Then on to the San-Machi Suji historic district, famous for sake distilleries and tiny lacquerware shops where merchants buy and sell as they have for 300 years. Visit the KUSAKABE HERITAGE HOUSE for a glimpse of traditional Japanese architecture of the late-19th century. In the afternoon, a short ride brings you to the HIDA MINZOKU-MURA FOLK VILLAGE, a collection of traditional buildings and farmhouses, as well as numerous artifacts relating to the life and work of the local villagers. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful Japanese-style dinner. (B,D)

Day 7:
Takayama–Shirakawa–Kanazawa. (Sun.) This morning, enjoy a drive through the mountainous Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa. This remote region of Japan is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to the unique GASSHO-ZUKURI (joined hands)-style thatched houses that can be found only here. Continue to the scenic town of Kanazawa, situated between the mountains and the Sea of Japan and once the country’s richest region. Your Tour Director leads you on a tour of one of Japan’s greatest gardens, KENROKU-EN, the “Garden of Six Qualities,” dating from the 1670s. Adjacent to the garden is the ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE CRAFTS MUSEUM, displaying more than 30 traditional crafts, including the locally famous Kanazawa Haku gold leaf produced since 1593. Your included dinner tonight is at your choice of one of three restaurants within your hotel. (B,D)

Day 8:
Kanazawa–Kyoto. (Mon.) This afternoon, travel along the Sea of Japan to Kyoto. Upon arrival, visit the FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE, renowned for the thousands of brightly colored Torii Gates. Here you will witness an exclusive performance of MIKO (Shinto girls). Afterward, visit YUZEN HANDMADE CORNER to learn about the Yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate Kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. You will be invited to participate in making your own souvenir using this traditional technique. Next, visit Kinkakuji, the TEMPLE OF THE GOLD PAVILION, and the HEIAN SHRINE & GARDEN. (B)

Day 9:
Kyoto. (Tue.) This morning’s city tour features the extraordinary NIJO CASTLE, built in 1603 as the official residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. For lunch, participate in a special JAPANESE COOKING CLASS. Under the instruction of a local chef you will learn how to make a popular Japanese dish. Perhaps join the afternoon optional excursion to Nara, the oldest capital of Japan, where you will visit Todaiji Temple with its Great Buddha; Kasuga Shrine, famous for stone and bronze lanterns; and Kofukuji Temple with its 5-story pagoda. (B,L)

Day 10:
Kyoto. (Wed.) A full day at leisure to explore more of Kyoto’s temples, shrines, palaces, and pagodas. Or, for an authentic taste of Japan, consider a visit to a traditional sake brewery for a tasting and to learn about the brewing tradition that has been passed down through the generations. Tonight your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (B,D)

Day 11:
Kyoto–Osaka. (Thu.) Transfer to Kansai Airport. Your homebound flight leaves later this afternoon and arrives the same day. (B)

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Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/9/2010 - 8/19/2010	$2,999
9/6/2010 - 9/16/2010	$3,019
9/13/2010 - 9/23/2010	$3,019
9/20/2010 - 9/30/2010	$3,019
10/4/2010 - 10/14/2010	$3,019
10/11/2010 - 10/21/2010	$3,019
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

City Highlights


Tokyo:
City sightseeing; visit the Meiji Shrine, calligraphy demonstration, kimono fitting, tea ceremony, Asakusa Kannon Temple, and Nakamise Shopping Arcade; night walking tour; welcome dinner

Matsumoto:
Visit Matsumoto Castle and the Japan Folklore Museum

Takayama:
City sightseeing; visit a local market, Kusakabe Heritage House, and the Hida Minzoku-Mura Folk Village

Shirakawa:
Visit Gassho-Zukuri houses

Kanazawa:
City sightseeing; visit Kenroku-en Garden and Ishikawa Prefecture Crafts Museum

Kyoto:
Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, Yuzen Handmade Corner, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion, Heian Shrine & Garden, and Nijo Castle; Miko performance; Japanese cooking class; farewell dinner

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Price Details US
Single Room Supplement: $747Triple Room Reduction per person: $126Extra nights per person in Tokyo:in single room $248; in twin room $158; in triple room $141Extra nights per person in Kyoto:in single room $238; in twin room $150; in triple room $129Extra nights per person in Osaka:in single room $247; in twin room $168; in triple room $151

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Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus Tours

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