A Different View of Japan

On Colorful Roads
Autumn

November 6 - 17, 2007

$3,100 + tax

Itinerary:

Day 01 Tuesday November 6 Los Angeles - Osaka
We begin our journey with the hospitality of Japan Airlines as we depart LAX and cross the International Date Line.

Day 02 Wednesday November 7  Osaka
We arrive at Osaka Kensai International Airport and are met by our local English speaking guide and taken to The ANA Gate Tower Hotel for a pleasant night's rest.

Day 03 Thursday November 8 Himeji
After breakfast in southern Japan’s highest tower, we head south. Until 1999, the Shikoku Island was only accessible by boat. Now a series of bridges spans the six scenic islands, including one of the longest suspension bridges in the world, Akashi Strait Grand Bridge. Our stop at the bridge includes a brief tour of the promenade and a view of the bridge’s construction from below street level. We then continue on Honshu to Himeji (City of the White Heron) and tour what is possibly the most beautiful castle in Japan, Himeji Castle (The White Heron Castle). We will view the surrounding grounds from the 5-story donjon and, after free walking time in the city, view the Illuminated castle at night. We will stay at the Sun Garden Hotel.   (B, L, D)

Day 04 Friday November 9  Hiroshima
We continue our journey to Okayama City and enjoy the serenity of Koraku'en Garden. Our next destination is west to Kurashiki, a picturesque town in the Bikan Historic area. Here we can take a relaxing stroll along the banks of the Kurashiki River, lined by willow trees.  After lunch we visit Hiroshima. In Hiroshima we visit the unforgettable Peace Memorial Park. We will pass by Hiroshima Castle on our way to the Rihga Royal Hotel in  Hiroshima.   (B, L, D)

Day 05 Saturday November 10  Hiroshima
We start our day with a boat ride to the neighboring island of Miyajima to visit the Itsukushima Shrine, a magnificent structure of red pillars with white walls. On the way back to Hiroshima we make a side trip to Iwakuni City, to see the Kintaibashi Bridge, a 200-meter-long five arched wooden bridge made without nails. nails. Tonight we are again at the Rihga Royal Hotel.  (B, L, D)

Day 06 Sunday November 11  Fukuoka
Today we head west to the Akiyoshi-dai Plateau National Park, Japan's largest limestone plateau and a natural monument. We enter the amazing Shuho-so Caverns where limestone formations fill the most spacious caverns in the Orient. After lunch, our coach will proceed to Shimonoseki, a harbor that faces Kyushu Island across the Kamon Strait. We visit the Akama Jingu Shrine, a dragon palace dedicated to the Emperor Antoku who tragically drowned himself at the age of eight. Across the Kamon Bridge on the southern most of Japan's main islands, Kyushu, we relax tonight at onsen (traditional Japanese hot-spring spa) in Kokura. You will find a yukata (clothing for the public bath) in your room at the Yahata Royal Hotel.  (B, L, D)

Day 07 Monday November 12  Beppu
After breakfast we head to Yufuin. On the way we pass through the Ao no Domo. To save the locals from using a treacherous, cliff-hanging trail a monk hand-chiseled a 185-meter tunnel that took him 30 years. The Ao no Domo tunnel is located in the beautiful Yaba-Kei Gorge, just one of the magnificent sights in this scenic area. We pass through the natural geothermal area on the edge of Mt. Yufu and Kuju. Yufuin is a traditional city that is preserved as a historical site.  We then pass through the natural geothermal area on the skirt of Mt. Yufu and Kuju and arrive at Beppu, the king of natural hot-spring spas. Next, our tour takes us to the Hells. These Hells (Jigoku) are boiling ponds created by volcanic activity and their Japanese name refers to the burning hell of Buddhist sutras. Each Hell has its own attraction. Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) is the color of seawater; Chinoke Jigoku (Blood-Pond Hell) is blood-red because of dissolved red clay, and Tatsumaki Jigoku (tornado Hell) is a geyser. Tonight we enjoy a relaxing hot spring spa (onsen) at the Beppu Bay Royal Hotel.  (B, L, D)

Day 08 Tuesday November 13  Kumamoto
This morning we resume the journey inland to the Aso Volcanic Area  where we ride a ropeway cable car to take a closer look at the 3,000 ft. summit of Mt. Nake-dake, one of the major volcanoes of the world. We can view the Komezuka Rice Mound and Kusasenri Meadows on different slopes of the mountain range. Tonight we stay in Kumamoto at the New Otani Hotel.  (B, L, D)

Day 09 Wednesday November 14  Nagasaki
Located about halfway down Kyushu's western side is our morning destination of Kumamoto. Kumamoto has a fine castle and the beautiful Suizenji Garden, both originating in the first half of the 17th century. Once an important castle town, it is now the progressive capital of Kumamoto Prefecture, yet it has a small town atmosphere. Unlike Kumamoto, our next destination, Nagasaki, doesn't have a castle. Its charm is more subtle, with houses perched on terraced slopes rising from the U-shaped harbor. A city of small streets and distinctive neighborhoods, Nagasaki opened its harbor to European vessels in 1571 and became a port of call for Portuguese, Dutch and Chinese merchants. Even today people seek to exprience the city's intermingled cultures. We will stay at The Tokyo Hotel.  (B, L, D)

Day 10 Thursday November 15  Kyoto
After a hearty breakfast we fly from Nagasaki to Osaka Itami Airport and continue to Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. Our full day of touring includes Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion), Nijo Castle and Kyoto Handicraft Center. We will stay at the Rihga Royal Hotel.  (B, L, D)

Day 11 Friday November 16  Kyoto
Today is a free day to explore the charming city of Kyoto at your leisure. Your English-speaking guide will be on hand to give you some suggestions. Kyoto is an easy city to visit and good for shopping. Our final night in Japan will be in the Righa Royal Hotel. (B)

Day 12 Saturday November 17 Kyoto - Osaka - LAX                  
Today we return to LAX by way of the Osaka Kansai International Airport. In Osaka there will be some time for last minute shopping before we head to the airport.

B = Breakfast   L = Lunch   D = Dinner

$3,100 + tax
per person double occupancy

                                                      Single Supplement $800

Special Offer:   Combined "A Different View of Japan" and "Japan On Colorful Roads "

October 26 - November 17 (23 days)
$5,600

Includes: All services in the two packages plus one extra night in Osaka.