October 29 - November 10, 2010

$3,580 + tax

Sunday Oct. 31 Tokyo
Our full day sightseeing starts by visiting Meiji-Jingu Shrine. Our tour guide will then take us over Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba, the waterfront park and manmade beach at Tokyo's Harbor. This new area offers a great view of Tokyo and finest shopping in the area. Afternoon from Asakusa we take a boat ride on Sumidagawa river tovisit the best garden in Tokyo, Hama-rikyu garden. New Otani Hotel (B-L-D)

Monday Nov. 1 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 old part of Tokyo on foot. In the afternoon you will be on your own to explore this amazing city. New Otani Hotel (B)

Tuesday Nov. 2 Tokyo-Hakone
We leave Tokyo and head south to Kamakura where we visit the gigantic bronze statue of Buddha known as the Daibutsu. After lunch we will cruise on the largest lake of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and visit the lakeside park. At the foot of Mt. Fuji we arrive in an area famous for its therapeutic hot springs; here we will enjoy pampering of Japanese hospitality at a typical onsen resort (traditional Japanese hot-spring). Dai Hakone Hotel (B-L-D)

Wednesday Nov. 3 Hakone - Matsumoto
We start our day in Hakone by visiting the Hakone Open-Air Art Museum. The Hakone Open Air Museum create a harmonic balance of nature. We visit Matsumoto Castle and stop at Heiwa Koen, the peace park (a beautiful spot to view Fuji Mountain). We drive to central Japan to Nagano, home of the 1998 Winter Olympics and we will visit Matsumoto Castle and Ukiyoe Museum to view a collection of Wood block prints depicting everyday life of the past in Japan by the famous painter Katsushika Hokusai. Matsumoto Royal Hotel (B-L-D)

Thursday Nov. 4 Matsumoto - Takayama
We start our day in Nagano by visiting Jikokudani Yaen Koen, where wild monkeys bathe in hot springs followed by a visit to Daio Wasabi Nojo Farm to see how they grow and prepare Japanese green mustard. We drive on a beautiful road to Takayama and enjoy another Japanese Osen (hot spring). Associa Hotel (B-L-D)

Friday Nov. 5 Takayama - Kanazawa
We start the day with a visit to the Takayama jinya (Administrative House), the summer residence of Lord of Takayama built in the 1600s. You will have some free time to visit Sanmachi Suji, where streets are lined with old traditional shops and sake breweries. Our next stop is one of the highlights of our day, the lovely little village of Shirakawa-go. Few tourists have visited this idyllic setting. Kanazawa Nikko Hotel Hotel (B-L)

Saturday Nov. 6 Kanazawa
Full day tour of the city of Kanazawa includes Kanazawa Castle, and one of the finest gardens in Japan, Kenrokuen Garden. We return to the days of the samurai by visiting the Nomura family house. Visiting the Oumicho fish market will take you back three centuries in history followed by a stroll along the traditional Geisha district of Higashi, and Shima tea house. Kanazawa Nikko Hotel (B-L)

Sunday Nov. 7 Kanazawa - Otsu
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. I.M. Pei built the Miho Museum in the heart of the Peach Valley Mountain. We will visit the special exhibitions of this museum as well as its permanent exhibition. Continue to Otsu, once briefly the capital of Japan. Hotel Prince (B-L)

Monday Nov. 8 Otsu - Kyoto
This morning we depart for The world heritage City of Temples, Kyoto. We pass by Japans largest lake, Biwako, on the way to Kyoto. The full beauty of the Japanese garden may only be experienced in Kyoto; our first destination is a visit to the most beloved of Kyoto's temples Kyomizu-dera Temple, followed by the temporary resident of Tokugawa Shogunate Nijo Castle and its gardens. We finish today by visiting the famous and spectacular Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji Temple with its beautiful garden. Rihga Royal Hotel (B-L)

Tuesday Nov. 9 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 Kyotos railway station which is the most modern station in the world and an interesting destination in itself as starting point. Rihga Royal Hotel (B)

Wednesday Nov. 10 Kyoto - Nara - Osaka
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 Kyotos railway station which is the most modern station in the world and an interesting destination in itself as starting point. (B)

Wednesday Nov. 10 Osaka - Los Angeles
Arrive Los Angeles, LAX International Airport.

(B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) = Dinner

Tour includes:
* Roundtrip airfare from LAX
* 5-star hotels
* All transfers
* Meals as indicated
* Travel insurance
* Tour leader from Los Angeles
* English-speaking Japanese guide

$3,390 + tax
per person double occupancy

Single supplement $950

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