Japan Specialist Since 1912 Mt
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JapanIndividual travel, group tours & excursions Japan specialist since 1912 Mt. Fu ji Os a k a To kyo Kyoto Kanazawa Takayama Mt. Fuji Hiroshima Kyoto Nagoya Osaka Fukuoka Matsuyama Nagasaki Kumamoto SHIKOKU KYUSHU OKINAWA Okinawa CONTENTS ABOUT US ······························································ 04 JAPAN ····································································· 06 JAPAN RAIL PASS ·················································· 08 EXCURSIONS ························································· 10 SELF-GUIDED TOURS EXPLORE JAPAN BY RAIL ····································· 14 Sapporo JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS 12 DAYS ······························· 15 JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS 16 DAYS ······························· 15 THE SEASONS ······················································· 16 SPRING IN JAPAN ·················································· 17 AUTUMN IN JAPAN ··············································· 17 HOKKAIDO FAST AND ACTIVE ················································· 18 Aomori MODERN AND TRADITIONAL ······························ 19 CYCLE ON SHIKOKU ·············································· 19 POP CULTURE ························································ 20 POP JAPAN! ··························································· 21 KANSAI BANZAI! ··················································· 21 Sendai OFF THE BEATEN TRACK ······································ 22 NORTH JAPAN (TOHOKU) ····································· 23 RUSTIC JAPAN ······················································· 23 KYUSHU ·································································· 24 Nikko KYUSHU 11 DAYS ··················································· 25 KYUSHU BY CAR ···················································· 25 HOKKAIDO & OKINAWA ······································· 26 Mt. Fuji Tokyo EXPLORE HOKKAIDO BY CAR ····························· 27 ISHIGAKI ISLAND, OKINAWA ······························ 27 HONSHU WINTER SPORTS ··················································· 28 NOZAWA ONSEN ·················································· 29 ZAO ········································································· 29 FURANO ································································· 29 GROUP TOURS ESSENTIAL JAPAN················································· 33 Nis ek o CONTRASTS OF JAPAN ········································ 33 NORTH JAPAN END SAPPORO ···························· 35 NORTH JAPAN ······················································· 35 WONDERS OF JAPAN ··········································· 37 CENTRAL JAPAN ··················································· 37 DISCOVER JAPAN ·················································· 39 DISCOVER JAPAN COMPLETE ····························· 39 JAPAN TRAVEL ······················································ 40 BOOKING CONDITIONS ········································ 42 Hi ros h i m a Ni kko ABOUT US Japanspecialist since 1912 JTB was founded in 1912 with the aim of inviting visitors to Japan from overseas and meeting their travel needs. Since that time, JTB has developed into a global specialist, not only for travel to Japan, but to various destinations. Now the JTB Group is a globally operating group with around 28,000 employees in 196 different companies. JTB itself has become the largest travel organisation in Asia. JTB provides travel services – either directly or indirectly - for more than half of all holidays undertaken in Japan by overseas visitors. JTB’s expertise in providing travellers with an unforgettable experience over and over again is entrusted to the thousands of professionals who specialize in their local markets. They form a bridge between Japan and travellers wordwide. Our Japan specialists are based in London. The team consists of both British and Japanese professionals with extensive knowledge about Japan. They have lived in the country and know it in depth, but also understand the needs and expectations of the UK traveller. This “best of both worlds” is part of the JTB mission to give every traveller a unique journey and to get acquainted with Japan’s unique culture. JTB attaches great importance to long-term relationships with customers and business partners and always strives for the best result: Perfect moments, always! The Japan Tourist Bureau headquarters in 1912. JTB Headquarters in Tokyo source: Japan Travel Bureau Semicentennial History JAPAN Yokoso! Japan is a destination like no other – the unique country not only leaves an unforgettable impression on who visit for the first time, but also ensures that people keep coming back. CENTURIES-OLD TRADITIONS AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY As an archipelago, Japan, with its centuries-old traditions, has developed its own culture, society and way of life. Art and religion show the clear influence of China and Korea, but have been refined and adapted to a unique Japanese pattern. This has ensured that daily activities such as writing, tea drinking and bathing, have become meaningful rituals for Japanese people - or even art forms. Japan is also a forerunner in technology and research in the field of robotics, infrastructure and consumer electronics. It is precisely this contrast between old traditions and modern life and technological development that makes Japan a unique destination. SEASONS Japan has very distinct and characteristic seasons. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit. And because the country extends so far from north to south there is a wide variation in climate and landscape, from the powder snow of the northern island of Hokkaido in winter, to the subtropical forests and beaches on Kyushu and Okinawa. 6 About Japan JAPANESE CUISINE Japanese food is popular worldwide. But the real Japanese cuisine with fresh ingredients and the best regional specialties can only be tasted in the country itself. Japanese food is not limited to the well-known dishes like sushi, but comes in a whole variety from a bowl of noodles at a simple food stall to a luxurious set-course kaiseki menu in a five-star restaurant. HOSPITALITY Japan is a popular travel destination because the Japanese people offer a warm and hospitality welcome to visitors. Very often, locals who do not speak English will help overseas travellers by walking them all the way to where they want to go. This politeness and goodwill make Japan not only a pleasant country to visit but also one of the safest destinations in the world. ACCOMMODATION Most well-known international hotel chains have properties in Japan, and there are many Japanese hotel chains too, offering accommodation in western-style rooms. But a stay at a ryokan or Japanese inn is an experience not to be missed. Staying at a ryokan is a fascinating way to experience traditional Japanese culture and to escape from the hectic pace of daily life. Stay in a room with tatami mats and sleep on the futon mattress put out on the floor for you in the evening. Your accommodation usually includes Japanese dinner and breakfast. Japan has many areas famous for their onsen (natural hot springs); in those places, many ryokans have hot spring bathing facilities. 7 JAPAN RAIL PASS Affordable and efficient travel through Japan! 8 Japan Rail Pass Unlimited train travel Cheaper than individual tickets Valid on the shinkansen The Japan Rail Pass is ideal for discovering Japan, using the country’s efficient rail network. The nationwide rail pass offers unlimited travel on the Japan Rail (JR) network for 7, 14 or 21 days. Trains in Japan are safe, fast and always on time. Going by train is the most efficient way of travelling: the famous bullet train (shinkansen) connects all major cities and together with other express and local trains, provides a fast and reliable train service throughout the country. PRICE Single train ticket on the following route: Tokyo – Kyoto – Hiroshima – Tokyo Adult Ordinary class tickets ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ ¥44,400 7-day Japan Rail Pass ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ ¥29,110 DURATION CLASS PRICE Ordinary (2nd) class ¥29,110 7 days Green (1st) class ¥38,880 Ordinary class ¥46,390 14 days Green class ¥62,950 Ordinary class ¥59,350 21 days Green class ¥81,870 REGIONAL PASSES The general Japan Rail Pass can be used on the JR network throughout Japan, but for a short stay in one of the local regions, a regional pass is a good option. JTB is an official point of sale for the full range of Regional Passes including the Kyushu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kansai Regional passes. CONVENIENT TO BUY, EASY TO USE The Japan Rail Pass is easy and quick to order online at japanspecialist.co.uk: we mail you the Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order by your chosen delivery method. Then take the Exchange Order to Japan and exchange it for the actual Rail Pass at one of the many Travel Service Centres around the country. See Japan by train! Buy online at: japanspecialist.co.uk/japan-rail-pass/ www.japanspecialist.co.uk 9 EXCURSIONS See the sights For many years now, JTB’s range of tours and excursions – JTB Sunrise Tours – have been one of the company’s most successful products. Visit the most popular sights of Japan’s major cities conveniently, by joining a group excursion with an English-speaking guide, transportation and entrance fees included. If you want to see the highlights but don’t have much time, or you want to visit places which are difficult to reach as an individual traveller, JTB Sunrise tours offer the solution. Most excursions have pick up services