Japan

On Cherry Blossom Roads
Spring

March 30 - April 11, 2008

$3,190 + tax
(subject to change)

Itinerary:

Day 01 Sunday March 30 LAX - Tokyo
Our journey begins with the hospitality of Japan Airlines as we depart LAX and cross the International Date Line.

Day 02 Monday March 31 Tokyo
We arrive in the evening at Tokyo Narita Airport where we are met by our local English-speaking guide and bused to a five-star hotel in the Shinjuku area. Century Hyatt Hotel

Day 03 Tuesday April 1 Tokyo
Today we tour Tokyo, a unique melting pot of the old and new, and visit Nijobashi, where two bridges straddle the moat used to protect the Imperial Palace. We also visit Senoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo's oldest temple complex which attracts thousands of tourists who like to stroll the nearby alleys forgotten by time. Our bus driver and English-speaking guide will then take us over Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba, the waterfront park at Tokyo's Harbor. This new area offers great views of Tokyo and the finest shopping in the area. Century Hyatt   (B, L, D)

Day 04 Wednesday April 2 Tokyo—Nikko—Tokyo
We leave Tokyo and head north to Nikko. Nikko is considered one of the most beautiful areas of Japan. We visit the sacred shrines of the Tokugawa Shoguns and the Toshogu Temple and Rinnoji (Buddhist) Temple. This area attracts thousands of worshippers daily. Century Hyatt (B, L, D)

Day 05 Thursday April 3 Tokyo
Free day. In the morning, we invite anyone not familiar with Tokyo's transportation system to join us so you can learn how to use it. We will then visit several interesting locations. In the afternoon you will be on your own to explore this amazing city. Century Hyatt   (B)

Day 06 Friday April 4 Tokyo—Kamakura—Hakone
We leave Tokyo and head south, passing Yokohama, to Kamakura where we visit the gigantic bronze statue of Buddha known as the Daibutsu. Our trip continues through the mountains in cable cars to Owakudani, Sounzan, and Gura. At the foot of Mt. Fuji, we arrive in an area famous for its therapeutic hot springs. Here we will enjoy pampering Japanese hospitality at a typical onsen resort (traditional Japanese hot-springs). Hakone Prince Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 07 Saturday April 5 Hakone—Kurumayama
We spend another day in Hakone and cruise Lake Ashinoyu at the foot of Mt. Fuji. It would be hard to find a mountain more highly praised for its beauty then Fuji-san, or a lake photographed more often than Hakone's Lake Ashi. We enjoy lunch by Lake Kawaghuchi, one of five famous lakes near Fuji mountain, and then head to the mountain slopes of Nagano. You can enjoy the onsen at this beautiful hot springs resort and strolling around this hotel on a mountain. Skypark Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 08 Sunday April 6 Kurumayama—Takayama—Gifu
Today we step back in time and visit the two historic cities of the Kiso valley, Tsumago and Magome. These two cities are situated on the Old Edo Trail where each step takes you back in time. Gifu Miyako Hotel   (B, L, D)

Day 09 Monday April 7 Gifu
We start the day with a visit to the Takayama jinya (Administrative House), the summer residence of Lord of Takayama built in the 1600s, and the nearby morning market. You will have some free time to visit Sanmachi Suji, where streets are lined with traditional shops and sake breweries. One of the highlights of this trip is our next stop, the lovely little village of Shirakawa-go. Few tourists have visited this idyllic setting. Tonight we stay in the medieval town of Gifu. Gifu Miyako Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 10 Tuesday April 8 Gifu—Kyoto
This morning we take a funicular to the top of a nearby hill and, after a breathtaking view from Gifu Castle, we depart for Kyoto, "The City of Temples." We pass by Japan's largest lake, Biwako, on the way to a secluded back area of Kyoto. Here we are pleased to invite you to the Miho Museum, designed by the famous architect, I. M. Pei, who designed the Louvre Pyramid in Paris. In the Rotary, an unusual acoustical space where sounds resonate for over five seconds, octagonal walls rise up to a square Roman Pantheon-like skylight. Rihga Royal Hotel   (B, L, D)

Day 11 Wednesday April 9 Kyoto
Our full-day tour of Kyoto includes visits to Kyomizu-dera Temple, the vibrant orange Heian-jingu Shrine, and the spectacular Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji Temple with its beautiful garden. A stroll along the Philosopher's Path during cherry blossom time will be very rewarding. Today's final destination is just outside of Kyoto in Arashiyama. The Temple Tenryu-ji is one of the major temples of the Rinzai school of Zen. Rihga Royal Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 12 Thursday April 10 Kyoto
Today you are free to explore Kyoto at your leisure. We invite you to ask your guide for directions and advice on your free day, possibly to visit Kyoto railway station which is the most modern station in the world and an interesting destination in itself. Rihga Royal Hotel (B)

Day 13 Friday April 11 Kyoto—Osaka
Today we visit Osaka Castle before departing from Osaka Kansai International Airport to fly back to Los Angeles.  (B)

B=Breakfast   L=Lunch   D=Dinner

$3,190 + tax
per person double occupancy
(subject to change)

Single Supplement $950

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

March 20 - April 11   (23 Days)
$5,600

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