KANTO Blossom Tour 2021 Hanami – The season is coming soon! MARCH 26th – April 2nd, 2021

6nts/8days from: $2695 double/triple $3295 single Cancel for any reason up to 60 days prior-FULL REFUND! Maximum Tour size is 24 tour members! The beauty of Japan during the Cherry Blossom Season is breathtaking.

Hanami literally means viewing flowers, and every year in the spring, Japan celebrates Hanami with the beautiful blooming cherry blossoms. The ritual of viewing and admiring the blossoms dates back over 1,000 years when aristocrats would enjoy the flowers and write poems based on their inspirations. Today, most people enjoy the view with an afternoon picnic. While there are beautiful blossoms all over the country, the Kanto region offers some of the greatest viewing spots.

Itinerary/Details

Day 1 – March 26th, Friday – Depart from Honolulu

Hawaiian Airlines #863 Departs Honolulu 12:30 pm – Arrive Haneda 5:10 pm +1

International check in begins 3 hours prior to departure. Please meet your Panda Travel representative at the Hawaiian Airlines check-in counters located in Terminal 2, Lobby 4. After clearing security, you will meet up once again at the gate area.

Day 2 – March 27th, Saturday – Haneda – Tokyo

On arrival in Tokyo, please make your way to the baggage claim area and then proceed to customs clearing. On exiting customs, our local guide will be there to meet us for the drive to our recently renovated hale for the next 5 nights, The Sunshine City Prince Hotel.

The lobby of the hotel connects to a huge shopping and entertainment mecca with four towers, including a 240-meter- high skyscraper with an observation deck on the top. Sunshine City is typically open from 10 am to 8 pm seven days a week. We are also less than a 10-minute walk from the Ikebukuro JR Station. The third floor of the mall is practically all restaurants and stays open until 9:30pm.

There is 24-hour Family Mart convenience store right off the lobby in case you would like to pick up food, snacks, or beverages. Within a 5-minute walk is a 24-hour supermarket, Seiyu, in case all you want is a light dinner bento to bring back to the room.

While most of the mall stores will be closing by 8:00pm, the third floor offers a variety of dining and the restaurants are typically open until 9:30pm.

After checking in, join your guide for a walking tour of the Ikebukuro area.

Newly remodeled Sunshine City Prince Hotel & lobby Family Mart in hotel lobby

Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel free

Day 3 – March 28th, Sunday – Tokyo (B)

Please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off on another full day of touring.

The morning begins with a visit to Shinjuku where you may think of as only a place to shop and eat, but there’s one giant serene spot right in its center, Shinjuku’s Gyoen Garden, with 1,500 cherry blossom trees of many different species. In spring Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the best spots in the city for cherry blossom viewing.

Shinjuku Gyoen is comprised of three different types of gardens, the oldest is a traditional Japanese landscape garden featuring large ponds dotted with islands and bridges.

The park's other main gardens include a symmetrically arranged formal French garden, and an English landscape garden featuring wide, open lawns surrounded by flowering cherry trees. The rest of the park consists of forested areas, lawns and several structures including a restaurant, and an art gallery. There is also a beautiful greenhouse with many tropical and subtropical flowers.

Enjoy free time here to enjoy the beauty of this garden and highly suggest a visit to the greenhouse. It will not disappoint.

Gyoen Garden- Cherry Blossoms, flower park and its greenhouse- see it all!

From here, off to visit Asakusa, the traditional, low-rise, down, and dirty Tokyo of yesteryear. Although on the surface it is ye olde Japan, this was the first part of the capital to have significant western influence. It was even the site of Japan’s first cinema.

Attractions in the area include one of Tokyo’s most historic temples – Sensoji, and the impressive Kaminarimon Gate that marks the entranceway to the temple. Also, you cannot miss Phillip Stark’s ‘Golden Poo’ on the roof of the nearby Asahi Breweries headquarters.

Sensoji Temple dates to 645, but with the original destroyed in the air raids of 1945, today’s building is a 1958 reconstruction. At the top of the steps, as a mark of respect, clap twice and bow your head. It is also customary to make a small offering by tossing coins into the wooden rack.

The Five Storied Pagoda was built in 1973 and amongst others; it stands in honor of comedians! Standing 54 meters high, reinforced with concrete and steel, and like all pagodas, running down the center is a giant pillar of Japanese Cypress tree wood.

Once through the gate you will be in Nakamise Shopping Arcade. The street is lined with colorful, lively stalls selling traditional knick- knacks, festival foods, and rice crackers. There are over 50 shops along this shopping street. We will remain here for 1.5 hrs. to allow you time to enjoy the area as well as shop and have lunch on your own.

Your guide will point out a section here that has a variety of cherry blossom trees so that you can enjoy viewing.

Asakusa and Nakamise Shopping Arcade

This afternoon’s touring begins with a visit to Shrine, located right in the middle of one of Tokyo`s most popular areas is an amazing urban oasis, Meiji Jingu. It is a that is dedicated to the souls of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. After the Emperor’s death in 1912, the Japanese Diet passed a resolution to commemorate his role in the Meiji Restoration and the construction of a shrine where his soul would be enshrined was undertaken. The area around an iris garden in Tokyo where Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken had been known to visit was chosen as the building’s location. With the passing of the resolution, construction began in 1915, formally dedicated in 1920 and finished in 1926. When you enter the grounds of the shrine, probably the first thing that will get your attention is the, “torii” (the traditional gate to a Shinto shrine) you pass under. It is enormous and majestic, completely impossible to miss. There are three torii in total between the Harajuku entrance and the main building. But once you pass under the first one, you enter the forest which blocks out the sights and sounds of the city. While walking along the path to the shrine you will pass huge barrels of . These barrels are donated every year by Meiji Jingu Nationwide Sake Brewers Association to the enshrined deities at the shrine, and they make for a great photo opportunity for the visitor. About five minutes past the sake barrels you`ll come to the entrance of the main shrine area, from where you can see the Mode Gakuen building far behind in the distance. The two buildings really contrast each other. Mode Gakuen, an icon of the modern age – and Meiji Jingu an icon of ages past, but still relevant in the modern era as it one of the main places for News Years prayers and is still very culturally important.

Being that it is Sunday, we may be lucky to see a Shinto wedding procession in front of the main building. You won’t be able to see an actual wedding ceremony itself, but the processions are very impressive. They are quite solemn, led by the priests and miko (women or girls who assist in the ceremonies), and the bride and groom walk under a large red parasol.

Sake Barrels Meiji Shrine Wedding Procession

Now, on tap is a very exciting experience, crossing the busiest intersection in the world, Shibuya Crossing. It is like a giant beating heart, sending people in all directions with every pulsing light change. Perhaps nowhere else says ‘Welcome to Tokyo’ better than this. Hundreds of people – and at peak times said to be over 1000 people – cross at a time, coming from all directions at once yet still managing to dodge each other with a practiced, nonchalant agility.

After the crossing, it is off to Shibuya Sky, the new 360° open-air observation deck with unobstructed views of Tokyo’s skyline. It is part of Shibuya Scramble Square, a new landmark facing the world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

In addition to the breathtaking views, the rooftop also features hammocks for cloud watching and an observation compass to help you identify major landmarks in the distance, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Stadium and even Mt Fuji, on a clear day.

On your way down, enjoy free time to explore any of the 212 shops, ranging from skincare to fashion, hone décor, books, groceries, and electronics. There is something here for every shopper. When you get hungry, not to worry as there are many options, grab a light bite or a full meal.

While in the area, a must stop is at one of Japan’s unofficial landmarks, the Hachiko statute, a homage to the faithful Akita dog. He waited at Shibuya Station every day for his master, even after his death. Today, it is one of the most popular meeting places in Tokyo.

Now, back to our hotel, arrival by 4:30pm. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. If you are not familiar with the Ikebukuro area, the Panda Travel escort will set a meeting time for an informal walk to get you acquainted.

Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel free

Day 4 – March 29th, Monday – Tokyo (B/L)

After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:15am for another fun filled touring day.

The morning begins with a stop at Tsukiji Fish Market which has the distinct honor of being the world's largest seafood market. “Japan's kitchen” moves at a frenetic pace as thousands upon thousands of fish are processed, purchased, and carted off to different corners of the country. The infamous tuna auction starts at 5am and peters out by 8am, when the day's catch has been purchased. By 11am the crowds have dwindled and the sprinkler trucks plough through to prep the empty market for tomorrow's sale.

If you are a foodie, love markets, enjoy photography – or simply like visiting unique places – then you’ll probably love Tsukiji. Little has changed at Tsukiji in its nearly 80 years. While the inner auction market has moved to a new location, the outer market that we visit still thrives and remains popular with tourists and locals alike.

We will remain here for 1.5 hr. so that you have ample time to walk around and enjoy the outer market, visit knife- making artisan shops, tasting candies, nuts, and spices, and learning more about seasonal produce in Tokyo.

After a good stroll around the market, there is nothing like a sushi breakfast to complete the experience. There are plenty of sushi shops – make sure to choose one where you see locals dining. If you do not feel like sushi, there are other options including ramen, donburi and more.

Tsukiji Fish Market

We are now off to Ueno and Ameyoko Shopping Street, famous throughout Japan for its wide variety of products.

The name "Ameyoko" is a short form for "Ameya Yokocho" (candy store alley), as candies were traditionally sold there. Alternatively, "Ame" also stands for "America", because a lot of American products used to be available there when the street was the site of a black market in the years following WWII.

You can get just about EVERYTHING here, clothes, bags, cosmetics, fresh fish, dried squid, and spices are sold along Ameyoko. It is quite the scene to just walk around through the very crowded and narrow streets. An awesome place to sightsee, shop and eat! Enjoy some free time here to explore on your own.

Ameyoko- best spot to find omiyage items

Our last touring spot of the day is close by at where approximately 1,200 cherry trees flourish with pink magical flowers at the 133-acre park. An estimated 2 million people will visit to experience the Cherry Blossom viewing while picnicking directly beneath a tree. Simply admire the natural beauty along the paths and take photos.

Cherry Blossom viewing and picnicking at Ueno Park

Our return to the hotel will be approximately 4:00pm and the remainder of the evening is free.

Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel

Day 5 – March 30th, Tuesday – Tokyo-Tachikawa-Chofu-Tokyo (B)

After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off on a full day of touring.

The morning begins with a drive to Tachikawa, a city located in the western portion of Tokyo Metropolis to visit Showa Kinen Park. The drive time is approximately one-hour. The park is a paradise of flowers and trees. In spring, sakura, canola flowers and tulip flourish one after another. Every year a flower festival is held from the middle of March to late May. With up to 1,500 sakura trees, there is much to enjoy as you stroll around. Enjoy free time here for cherry blossom viewing. We are now off to Chofu City, a part of the Tokyo metropolitan area to visit Jindaiji Temple and Jindai Botanical Garden. Built in 733, Jindaiji is one of the oldest temples in the region and the visit here will take you back in time. It’s well- preserved grounds and ancient architecture provides a sense of what Japan looked like during its good old days. The grounds feature lush greenery, small fish-filled streams, and ponds home to carp and turtles. Countless people have traveled here to rid themselves of bad luck and pray for help finding a marriage partner. The temple is also home to the Crowned Amitabha Tathagata statue, the oldest Buddhist statue in East Japan and the only national treasure housed in a Tokyo. Adding to the appeal, the surrounding area retains an period atmosphere, when the class was involved in an active role. Enjoy free time to explore these charming streets. You will find a selection of soba shops, whose delicious buckwheat noodles have transformed the neighborhood into a culinary destination. Lunch is on your own today. From here, a visit to Jindai Botanical Garden, a sprawling park next door to the temple. While home to the largest rise garden in Tokyo, we are here for cherry blossom viewing. Enjoy time to wander through its seemingly endless fields of flowers and witness the beauty of the springtime plum and cherry trees. Our touring day comes to an end and after the drive back to our hotel, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. Arrival will be by 4:15pm.

Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel

Day 6 – March 31st, Wednesday – Tokyo-Mt. Fuji-Kawaguchiko (B/L/D)

After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:15am as we journey off to Mt.Fuji area. Please prepare a small overnight bag as our larger pieces will be left at the hotel for when we return.

The morning begins with a stop at Lake Kawaguchi for a photo stop. If the weather is on our side, Kawaguchiko has some of the best views of Mount Fuji in Japan—reflected across the lake. The drive time is approximately 2 hours.

This lake is the 2nd largest in the World Heritage registered Fuji Five Lakes region. It is an ideal resort area with lots of activities and events. A marvelous image of Mount Fuji is reflected on the surface of the lake when the weather is clear. This can also make for an ideal cherry blossom viewing site.

Lake Kawaguichi

From here, off to Oshino Hakkai, a set of eight ponds in Oshino, a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region, located between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako. Snow feeds the eight ponds which melt from the slopes of nearby Mt. Fuji. The water has filtered down from the mountain through porous layers of lava for over 80 years, resulting in very clear spring water that is revered by the locals.

Next to one pond, you can drink the cool water straight from the source. The ponds are quite deep and have interesting freshwater plant life and large fish, almost like visiting an aquarium.

Along here are a variety of restaurants, souvenir shops and food vendors selling vegetables, sweets, pickles, crafts, and other local products. Some operate small outdoor grills to attract shoppers with the alluring smells of roasted sweet potato and toasted rice crackers (osenbei).

Cherry trees line about 400 meters of the river on the northwestern side. The most popular view is from the bridge not far from the Shibokusa Sengen Shrine. If we luck out on a clear day, Mount Fuji can be seen behind the cherry trees and makes for an incredible cherry blossom viewing spot.

We will be having a Japanese style lunch close by at a local restaurant.

Oshino Hakkai

This afternoon we will be visiting the Kubota Icchiku Museum, devoted to Kubota Itchiku. Exhibited are several of the artist's kimono creations, depicting themes of nature, the cosmos, and the seasons. Also, on display are parts of his unfinished masterpiece "Symphony of Light", a huge work comprised of 80 kimonos that together form of a picture of Mt. Fuji.

Kubota Itchiku was the artist who revived the lost art of Tsujigahana silk dyeing, used to decorate elaborate kimono during the . In his early twenties, he was so inspired by a fragment of Tsujigahana textile exhibited at the Tokyo National Museum, that he devoted the rest of his life to recreating and mastering the labor-intensive silk dyeing technique.

The museum's buildings and gardens are also fascinating. The buildings are made of Okinawan coral and limestone, while the main gallery is a massive timber frame construction. A waterfall and outdoor stage are located besides the museum's reception building where performances are occasionally held. A unique tearoom is in the back of the gallery.

The extensive gardens, which were designed by Kubota Itchiku himself and stretch from the entrance gate far into the wooded slopes behind the museum buildings, are also worth a stroll. Artworks from various places in Asia and Africa are placed around the museum grounds.

You might see Mt. Fuji in the wintertime, or the cherry blossoms of spring spread across the oversized kimonos.

Kubota Icchiku Museum Kimonos on display

Close by is Kawaguchiko, a stop for cherry blossom viewing.

Cherry blossom views at Kawaguchiko

From here, off to our hotel, Highland Resort Hotel and Spa, featuring breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji front right in front of the hotel. Our arrival will be by 5:00pm, followed by dinner at 6:30pm. This onsen hotel offers one of Japan’s largest bath houses, made from pure wood.

Accommodations: Highland Resort Hotel & Spa

Day 7 – April 1st, Thursday – Kawaguchiko-Kamakura-Tokyo (B)

After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off on another full day of touring. The day begins with a drive to Enoshima, a small island at the mouth of the Sakai River that flows into Sagami Bay. It is approximately four kilometers, and it is linked with the opposite shore of Katase by the 600-meter-long Enoshima- ohashi Bridge. The drive time is approximately 1.5 hours. Once we have crossed the bridge, you will see marine product shops, souvenir shops, inns, and traditional restaurants on the approach to Enoshima-jinja Shrine. Enoshima-jinja Shrine was originally a tutelary shrine where the three goddesses of land, sea transport, and fisheries were enshrined in 552. Hadaka-Benten, or the naked goddess of entertainment in the shrine, is one of the three most famous goddesses in Japan. During the , the shrine was crowded with

worshippers, as Enoshima Benzaiten had many believers at that time. Still today, of course, many celebrities visit the shrine to wish for success. Enjoy time here to do some shopping.

Enoshima-jinja Shrine, approach lined with shops and a must eat try

The next stop is at the Great Buddha of Kamakura, a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan.

The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were destroyed multiple times by typhoons and a tidal wave in the 14th and 15th centuries. So, since 1495, the Buddha has been standing in the open air.

The Great Buddha rises serenely from its base, with gorgeously draped garments that you can hardly believe are forged from bronze. The serene expression is so evident; you feel the peace the artists intended to convey. The Great Buddha of Kotoku-in is an iconic image that represents Japanese culture. It is not just big, but beautiful.

This is also a beautiful spot for Cherry Blossom viewing.

Great Buddha of Kamakura

Our next stop is at Komachi Dori, the main shopping street in Kamakura. It is always busy with visitors year-round, tourists and locals alike. There is a good mix (product and pricewise) of places to spend your yen – from shops selling everything hello kitty to fancy pottery and restaurants serving traditional meals to stalls selling snacks. Enjoy lunch on your own here.

We are now off to Tokyo and the Sunshine City Prince Hotel. The arrival time will be by 6:30pm and the remainder of the evening is free.

Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel

Day 8 – April 2nd, Friday- Tokyo-Haneda (B)

After breakfast, enjoy a complete free last day to catch up on last minute shopping, sightsee on your own or maybe a little of each.

We have arranged a late check-out from the rooms. Please meet your guide in the lobby by 5:00pm. We will advise of a scheduled bag pick up from your rooms.

We now make our way to the Haneda Airport, arrival by 6:00pm to begin the check-in process.

Hawaiian Airlines #458 Departs Haneda 9:20 pm – Arrive Honolulu 9:15 am