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| Essential Japan: Tokyo & Kyoto |
May 6 to 16, 2010
Visiting: Tokyo & Kyoto
An extended visit to Tokyo really showcases the complexity of this city; highlights include Tsukiji Market, the Old Tokyo Yanaka District, taking in a Grand Sumo Match, visiting a hot spring bath, ascending Mt. Takao and enjoying dinner in a stunning setting in western Tokyo. Kyoto's top sights are also visited with time included to 'geisha watch' in Gion plus visit nearby Nara and Fushimi Inari Shrine. |
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| OVERVIEW |
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ITINERARY |
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PRICING |
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WHAT'S INCLUDED |
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11 days / 10 nights
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| Specific Date |
| Date |
Location |
Program |
B |
L |
D |
| May 06 |
Arrive Tokyo |
Arrive and transfer to hotel
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D |
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Arrive in Tokyo today. Transfer by Airport Bus to the Grand Palace Hotel for check-in. Dinner at the hotel.
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| May 07 |
Tokyo |
Tsukiji Market, Hama Rikyu Garden, Asakusa, Ginza
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B |
L |
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Tokyo is an enormous city, but surprisingly accessible by public transit. This central location also affords the opportunity to do some sightseeing on foot. Begin early this morning, with a visit to Tsukiji Market - the largest wholesale fish market in Japan. The action here is incredible, and the sights amazing - the vendors are polite, and don't mind us taking pictures. There is free time to explore here as we cannot visit the market as a group. Next, visit nearby Hama Rikyu Garden, before boarding a water bus for the journey upriver to Asakusa. Here, we visit the famous Sensoji Temple and stroll on Nakamise Shopping Street. While in Asakusa we also experience a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony and learn the paper folding technique known as origami. Before returning to the hotel we make a stop at the most famous shopping district in Japan - Ginza.
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| May 08 |
Tokyo |
Imperial East Garden, Tokyo National Museum, Yanaka, Meiji Shrine
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B |
L |
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Begin the day with a stroll through Kitanomaru Park, on the northern edge of the Imperial Palace and into the lovely Imperial East Garden. Continue to the Ueno district and visit the exceptional Tokyo National Museum. After lunch, take a walk through the Yanaka district - one of Tokyo's older neighbourhoods, this area still retains a great deal of character. There is free time to walk on 'Yanaka Ginza' - a busy local shopping street. Today's last visit is to Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. One of Tokyo's most popular spots for weddings, we may be lucky enough to see a wedding party in formal attire. Time permitting, we end the day with a stroll on Omotesando Dori - another of Tokyo's very popular shopping streets.
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| May 09 |
Tokyo |
Open-air Museum, Sake Brewery, Mt. Takao, Dinner at Ukai Toriyama
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B |
L |
D |
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Today's excursion takes us out of the city and into the countryside in the western part of Tokyo. The first stop is the Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum which features a collection of buildings from the late Edo period until the 1940's arranged in a village setting. Continue to the Ishikawa Sake Brewery for lunch and a brewery tour. Spend the balance of the afternoon visiting Mt. Takao. Just 50km from the city-centre, Takao-san feels like a world apart. Take the cable-car up the mountain and follow the pathway to Yakuo-in Temple while enjoying the scenic beauty of the area. After descending, a special dinner will be served at Ukai Toriyama. With its thatched-roof farmhouses, ponds, bridges and pavilions this is a really spectacular setting.
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| May 10 |
Tokyo |
Observatory, Akihabara Electronics District, Edo Tokyo Museum, Sumo Match, Onsen
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B |
L |
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Begin the day ascending to Tokyo's World Trade Centre Observatory to really get a sense of the enormity of this city. Next, spend some time exploring the electronics district of Akihabara, with its overwhelming array of goods. Continue to Ryogoku - home to the Edo Tokyo Museum and Tokyo's Sumo Hall, Ryogoku Kokugikan. Lunch today will feature Chanko Hot Pot, a typical sumo wrestler meal. Visit the Edo Tokyo Museum - a vivid overview of the history of Tokyo from the 16thC to 20thC then take in a sumo match. Early this evening visit Ooedo Onsen Monogatari located in the Daiba area of Tokyo. Constructed in traditional Japanese style, this hot spring resort features a recreation of an Edo era street complete with shops, restaurants and old time amusements in addition to indoor and outdoor baths. All visitors change into Japanese yukata on arrival to complete the experience. Other spa treatments such as massage are also available (at additional cost). There will be free time to enjoy the facilities before returning to the hotel, or you may stay on longer and return on your own.
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| May 11 |
Tokyo |
Leisure / Join tour to Mt. Fuji
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B |
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Day at leisure OR join an optional full day excursion to Mt. Fuji (join-in tour).
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| May 12 |
Tokyo / Kyoto |
Bullet Train to Kyoto, Gion Geisha District
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B |
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D |
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Depart Tokyo this morning by Bullet Train for Kyoto. On arrival we leave our hand luggage at the New Hankyu Hotel. After some free time for lunch we walk to the small but charming Shosei-en Garden. We next visit Chishaku-in Temple where we view the Shoheki-ga paintings - a National Treasure and visit the small garden. Two stops on the local train takes us to Shijo Dori. Shops, restaurants and department stores abound in this busy area of the city, and Gion is nearby. We explore the neighbourhood and take a walk in Gion before dinner. If we're lucky, we'll catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko on her way to an evening appointment. This evening we enjoy a shabu-shabu dinner at Kisoji.
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| May 13 |
Kyoto |
Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, Heian Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple
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B |
L |
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Tour Kyoto today, beginning with Nijo Castle, once used as the Tokugawa Shogun's family palace, Kinkakuji Temple - The Golden Pavilion, a gilded structure originally used for a nobleman's villa and Daisen-in Temple, with its fabulous Zen garden. After lunch at Kyoto Handicraft Centre, we continue sightseeing with vermilion hued Heian Shrine, and its beautiful garden and dramatic Kiyomizu Temple, in Kyoto's eastern hills.
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| May 14 |
Kyoto / Nara / Kyoto |
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nara: Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Shrine, Kofukuji Temple
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B |
L |
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This morning, travel out of Kyoto to nearby Nara. Enroute we visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, dedicated to the goddess of rice. The 4km pathway behind the shrine is lined with more than 10,000 red torii gates, presented by worshippers - a magical stroll. In Nara, highlights include Todaiji Temple, the world's largest wooden building that houses a colossal image of Buddha, Peaceful Deer Park, where many tame deer roam the grounds, vermilion-hued Kasuga Shrine with its thousands of lanterns and Kofukuji Temple and Treasure Hall.
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| May 15 |
Kyoto |
Leisure
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B |
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Full day at leisure to explore Kyoto. There is plenty to see and do here - museums, temples, shrines, and many, many gardens. The Kyoto Botanical Garden is excellent, and easily reached by subway. The city is easy to navigate, by foot or by transit - just grab a map and go! Optional organized tours are also available.
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| May 16 |
Depart Kyoto |
Depart
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B |
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Free time to explore until you transfer to Osaka airport for departure by Airport Bus.
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