FULLY ESCORTED TOUR JAPAN TOUR | GOLDEN ROUTE 9 Days Nara Kyoto Hakone Tokyo

Tour Overview

For all fans of anime, enjoy the fin- est Anime and spots in Tokyo, from the shopping in to the largest anime convention in 10 Days from $3890- the world: AnimeJapan during our Anime Japan Tour | Golden Route packages.

Featuring the top anime spots in To- kyo, the Nipponbashi Anime Street Festa, and AnimeJapan, this tour is packed with Anime while keeping Tour Includes Tour Highlights the culture in Kyoto, for the best 7 nights Western hotel and 1 night A day at the AnimeJapan Festival in spring vacation ever! Japanese-style hotel with hot- Tokyo springs The electronics and anime town of Daily Breakfast-Buffets, 5 Lunches, Akihabara and 1 Dinners included 20+ Anime stores at Tokyo Character All ground transportation in Japan Street during the tour Admission to J-World Jump Theme Complimentary Airport Transfers Park

Admission Fees, Tax & Gratuities A trip to the Ghibli Museum at all included Destinations A visit to Tokyo One Piece Tower Full time service of licensed English speaking tour guide & Shopping and trading time at the separate bus driver Pokemon Center

Japan Deluxe Tours Handbook Sushi lunch at the famous Tsukiji Fish and Tour Goods Package Market

Free Wi-Fi in Bus & Most hotels Sightseeing in the historic-filled streets Kyoto Bullet train ride with Mt. Fuji & The Gion-Geisha District where you Green Tea Ceremony may see a Geisha and her apprentice

1 | JapanDeluxeTours.com [email protected] US/Canada 1-800-285-2726 Australia 1-800-707-138 We will then head to Fushimi Inari We will then take a bullet train to At- Day by Day Shrine, one of Kyoto’s many can’t miss ami. The bullet train is the fastest way destinations that features hundreds to travel on land and is considered an Day 1 - Osaka Arrival of red tori gates. The path is perfect essential Japanese experience. Enjoy Welcome to Japan! We will have for photos or just to calm your mind. riding in comfort and speed, and be transportation services to take you to Once we get all our photos done, sure to take some photos of the scen- your hotel. Please refer to your tour we will stop at a sake museum for ery during your ride. handbook for more information. lunch at to learn the history of Japan’s Rest at the hotel and be ready to start national drink. At Atami, enjoy a long relaxing soak your exciting tour tomorrow. in the onsen, hot spring, to rejuve- To avoid getting too repetitive with nate you for tomorrow’s adventure. A **INFORMATION** the temples and shrines, we include a Yukata, a Japanese robe, will be pro- From KIX Airport to downtown hotel visit to the Nishijin Textile Center for a vided for you. The onsen is located in Osaka - about 70 mins (Bus) stunning kimono show! in our own ryokan, a Japanese style hotel, which includes a traditional From ITM Airport to downtown hotel Keeping with the traditional feel, we Japanese food. in Osaka - about 30 mins (Bus) included a tea-ceremony to help you relax before going back to the hotel. Day 5 - Hakone & Mt. Fuji (B, L) Day 2 - Osaka (B) Our morning begins with a visit to Today, we will visit the popular In the evening, we will head to the Hakone. Enjoy a ropeway to Owaku- Nipponbashi for the annual Nip- Gion Geisha District, Japan’s most dani, an active volcanic crater still ponbashi Street Festa! This special famous geisha district. This area is steaming from its last eruption some event celebrates the -Culture filled with shops, restaurants, and tea 3,000 years ago. There you will get a in Osaka with , performances, houses and the area in Japan that you taste of the local Japanese food, the live music, and shopping. are most likely to run into real geisha black egg, cooked in one of the cra- and maiko on their way to perform at ters. It’s said eating one of these eggs There is a cosplay parade that draws the Gion Geisha Center. will add years to your life! in thousands of skilled and amateur cosplayers alike! Day 4 - Kyoto (B, L, D) Then, we will head to the Iyashi no Our day begins with a visit to Arashi- Sato, a traditional craft open-air mu- Enjoy intricate and unique cosplays yama to walk through the Bamboo seum reconstructed from the village’s everywhere you look, between Groove Forest. The morning’s sunlight thatched roofed houses. Each house shopping for the best anime goods passing through the bamboo makes features a different exhibit, workshop, and dining on Osaka’s delicious food for a perfect morning sight. We will or cafe, including some cooking culture! also enjoy a spirited rickshaw ride lessons. through Arashiyama. Guests can Day 3 - Osaka & Kyoto (B, L) enjoy seeing many of the tradition- Before making our way to the next For today, it’s off to Nara to see Todaiji al-style shops and temples during the destination, we will stop for Hoto, a Temple. Todaiji Temple holds the ride. Japanese noodle dish native to the World Guinness Record as the largest Yamanashi area. A hybrid of miso wooden building. Inside the temple, Following our time in Arashiyama, we soup and flat udon noodles, this dish you will behold the largest Buddha will head to the Golden Pavilion, or is truly a local Japanese specialty. We statue in Japan. Kinkakuji Temple, a Japan’s must see end our day reaching Tokyo. attraction where the two upper floors Just outside the temple is the Nara are covered in gold leaf. The reflec- Day 6 - Tokyo (B, L) Deer Park, where you will be greeted tion of the golden temple on the lake We will start our morning heading by numerous deer that roam around adds to the stunning sight. to for shopping and snacks freely. The deer here at the park are along Takeshita Dori. This shop- known to be friendly and may even After taking pictures, it’s off to Ryoanji ping area is the perfect place to get bow at you for a little treat. Temple to see the stunning rock gar- in touch with Japan’s pop culture dens. Not all Japanese temples have trends, and to sample some of the them, so we made sure to include best crepes in Japan. one of Kyoto’s zen gardens.

2 | JapanDeluxeTours.com [email protected] US/Canada 1-800-285-2726 Australia 1-800-707-138 After our time in Harajuku, we head After browsing through exclusive Enjoy your day exploring the grounds to Tokyo Tower, Japan’s iconic tower. products, we will head over to and meeting people with the same Tokyo Tower has been taken over by J-World, the Shonen Jump theme- passion as you! One Piece, resulting in Tokyo One park in Tokyo! Play games and win Piece Tower. Known as Tongari Island, prizes based on all your favorite If the fair isn’t enough, you also have this event is filled with attractions, characters, including Goku from the option to join an optional tour at wonderful restaurants, and a live-ac- Dragonball, Luffy and Co from One 3pm to explore the famous tion show designed to wow fans of all Piece, Naruto and Sasuke, Kuroko and Crossing and Gundam Base Tokyo ages. the rest of the Generation of Miracles, to see the awesome life-size RX-0 and Hinata and his team of volleyball Unicorn Gundam model (72 ft). The Following our time at the tower, we hopefulls! Win prizes and shop to Gundam Base is an expansive store, head east to visit the famed Ghibli your hearts content at the J-World museum, and features a cafe for Museum. This animation and art store before our next stop. guests to enjoy everything Gundam. museum exhibits works of Miyazaki Hayao, creator of world famous films For lunch, enjoy sushi with fish Feel free to enjoy the night at your such as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess provided by the Tsukiji Fish Market, leisure, or you have the option to Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Ponyo the famous fish market that provides enjoy the night as you wish, or sign on the Cliff by the Sea. Ghibli Film freshest ingredients for thousands of up for a few optional excursions. We fans will definitely enjoy the artistic families and businesses alike. have the new VR Zone Shinjuku, an museum, which not only exhibits the incredible VR-focused arcade, the history and techniques of animation Following our time at the market, the Ninja Trick House where guests can but also plays short movies in a the- tour will visit the lively Tokyo Char- enjoy learning how to throw nin- ater room, produced exclusively for acter Street in Tokyo Central Station. ja-stars and also learn the ways of the the museum. The area is lined with various an- ninja, or a meal at the CAPCOM BAR, ime-themed shops, including a Jump a themed-restaurant showcasing the After the museuem, it’s time for Store, Pokemon Center, Hello Kitty best of CAPCOM, including games dinner at the Robot Restaurant in shop, Ghibli store, and more! There’s and themed-meals, or sign up for a Shinjuku for those interesterd! Enjoy also Tokyo Ramen Street, Okashi MariKart experience and drive go- a show like none before, fusing Land, and Gachapon Street, perfect karts around Tokyo dressed as some classic Japanese elements with the for someone who wants some lunch of your favorite characters! dreams and fantasies of the future. and to do a little more gift shopping You also have the option of staying a The restaurant has a wild vibe and for friends or for themselves! night in a capsule hotel for one night a unique experience you are sure to (additional fees may apply for capsule find entertaining. After our adventures at Character hotel and/or additional excursions) Street, we will head to Akihabara, the After that, our Quilt Tour will make Day 7 - Tokyo (B, L) town of anime. While there, enjoy a stop at the Aizenkobo Workshop Before our big day at the Internation- shopping ad sightseeing for the where you can view completed works al Anime Fair - AnimeJapan tomor- rest of the day at some of the most of Japanese indigo dyeing. Here you row, our Anime tour will visit some popular otaku destinations, including can get a look at various kinds of of the best anime sites Tokyo has to Animate. Animate carries all kinds fabrics such as scarves, causal ware, offer. of character goods, electronics, and dresses, etc. games from current and popular We first start with some tradition- anime/manga series. Day 9 - Tokyo Departure (B) al Japanese culture and shopping Your pleasant and memorable Japan at Asakusa. Enjoy shopping at the Day 8 - Tokyo (B) tour ends today. The tour will disband Nakamise area and the stunning red Today’s the big day of the Interna- after breakfast. temple that is Sensoji. We then make tional Anime Fair - AnimeJapan! Join Fly home with cherished memories or our way to Sunshine City to check out the many cosplayers, otaku, and enjoy your extended stay in Japan. the Pokemon Mega Center, a must- anime lovers of all degrees in the go for all Pokemon lovers. Besides all biggest Anime event in the world. **INFORMATION** the Pokemon goods they sell, they Anime, manga, doujinshi, guest From downtown hotel in Tokyo to also have a battling and trading room speakers, figurines, rare items, video Narita Airport - about 90 mins(Bus) for customers to interact with other games, limited and exclusive covers From downtown hotel in Tokyo to Pokemon fans. are all accessible at this large event. Haneda Airport - about 30 mins(Bus)

3 | JapanDeluxeTours.com [email protected] US/Canada 1-800-285-2726 Australia 1-800-707-138 Information International Flights Optional Tours All of our tours begin in either Tokyo Japan Deluxe Tours offers numerous or Osaka. add-on tours to give you a person- Maximum Group Size alized experience. Select from a The maximum number of partic- When beginning or ending a tour in range of optional excursions when ipants will not exceed 24 people Tokyo, please book flights to or from reserving your tour on our website. during your Japan tour. Your group Narita International Airport or Hane- Fees associated with optional tours may be joined with other tour groups da International Airport. are not included in the listed price of during the tour. Please note that your the tour. Prices for optional tours are bus and tour guide may be changed listed on the reservation page. if other groups join the tour. For tours beginning or ending in Osaka, please book flights to or from Guide & Staff Single Supplement Kansai International Airport or Itami All of our tour guides are licensed by Single travelers are required to pay a Airport. the government, after passing certi- single supplement in order to guar- fication exams administered by the antee single room accommodation. You can also contact us if you would like for Japan Deluxe Tour’s to arrange Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency and register with the relevant Luggage your flights. prefectures. We request one suitcase, one car- ry-on bag, and an overnight bag per Fitness & Shoes Our guides speak Japanese and En- person. The tote bag we provide can Traveling and visiting sights in Japan glish, and are here to provide accu- be used to hold any small merchan- includes a good amount of walking. rate information about the sights and dise/souvenirs purchased during To fully enjoy the tour, please be pre- attractions you see. your tour. When you check out, bring pared to keep up with the pace of the your luggage to the lobby and the group, climb stairs with no difficulty, Our drivers will be sure to provide a bus driver will assist in loading it and wear comfortable shoes for all comfortable ride from start to finish, onto the bus. When you arrive at the day use. assist you with your luggage at the next hotel, the bus driver will unload start and end of each day, and are ex- your luggage for you to bring to your Itinerary & Hotel Disclaimer perts navigating the roads of Japan. room. Our itinerary is constantly improving, therefore we cannot always guaran- If you have any questions before or during your tour, our staff is ready to Please note: The maximum weight tee the destinations and attractions help. of a checked in bag is typically 20 shown at the time of booking will be Kilograms or 44 Pounds. You will be the same spots visited on the tour. Visa Requirement traveling with your luggage except Itinerary and hotels are subject to Citizens of the USA, CAN, UK, AUS, during the bullet train ride (if appli- change or cancellation without no- and NZ do not require an entry visa cable). tice. No refund will be owed for any changes or cancellations if the tour when visiting Japan. If you are from a country not listed above, please Accommodation still occurs. check with the Japanese Embassy, or All hotel rooms come with a full contact us for more information. bathroom and room amenities free of Our goal is to show you the very best charge unless stated otherwise. of Japan, which is why we are always looking to improve our itineraries. Meals Our tours include daily breakfast Transportation Your “Tour Handbook” you receive buffets, as well as local and regional All motor coaches come equipped one month prior to your tour depar- specialties. Please let us know if you with air-conditioning, plenty of space, ture will have the most accurate infor- have any dietary restrictions, and we comfortable seats, and Wi-Fi. This tour mation for your tour. will do what we can to meet your includes a bullet train ride experi- specific dietary needs. ence.

4 | JapanDeluxeTours.com [email protected] US/Canada 1-800-285-2726 Australia 1-800-707-138 Airport Transfer Japan is also recognized for extreme- Complimentary airport & hotel trans- ly high tech toilets that include heat- Internet and Wi-Fi fers are available for the designated ed seats, bidet, deodorizer, and can Hotels airports only, on the designated tour even plays sounds. Most hotels in Japan offer free Wi-Fi. arrival & departure dates only. However, some higher end Western Japanese Bathing & Onsen style hotels charge for Wi-Fi, while Electricity Bathing in an onsen is a quintes- traditional Japanese inns do not pro- Most power outlets in Japan are for sential aspect of Japanese culture. vide Wi-Fi at all. “Non-polarized Plugs” (2 prongs are Extremely few countries have public same width) only. While there are baths like Japan. Towels and swim- Free Wi-Fi some that will fit “Polarized Plugs” (2 suits are not allowed in the actual There are many options for Free Wi-Fi prongs are different widths), “ground- bath itself as a means to keep the in Japan. The three largest options ed plugs” (plugs with a ground pin) water pure/clean which means every- include: Free Wi-Fi Passport, Travel Ja- will not work without a converter. body is naked. pan Wi-Fi, and Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi. There is also free Wi-Fi available Safety and Cleanliness There are rules you must follow while at 7-11 and Lawson convenient stores Japan is extremely safe, with one of in the onsen, one of the most import- and at major JR stations across Tokyo. the lowest crime rates in the world. ant being washing yourself before The country is also hospitable, clean, getting into the bath. Because it is a Rental Smartphones/SIM Cards prompt, polite, efficient, friendly, and communal bath, anyone who en- Keep your smartphone connected the tap water is safe to drink. Most ters the bath must thoroughly wash with data while in Japan with a rental cities in Japan do not have garbage beforehand. SIM Card, or rent a smart phone. cans along the streets. In any Japanese bath, there will Many companies in Japan provide If you have trash with you as you always be a row or multiple rows of services renting out cell phones or walk, carry it with you until you find sitting shower stalls where you can sim cards, providing unlimited data the appropriate garbage receptacle. wash yourself, usually with compli- and also Wi-Fi tethering abilities. There are separate bins for regular mentary body wash, shampoo, and trash, burnable trash, aluminum cans etc. Though bathing naked with You can only use a rented SIM Card and glass bottles. strangers with only a small towel for provided your phone is not locked to cover can be a daunting experience, a specific company (SIM-Free). Bathrooms it is one well worth trying. Japan has two styles of toilets. The Rental Wi-Fi commonly known Western-style and In case of Emergency A rental Wi-Fi is a great way to inter- traditional Japanese-style toilet. While traveling presents exciting ad- net access, especially when travelling ventures and new experiences, there with a group. Renting a pocket Wi-Fi Japanese-style toilets are at floor is always the risk of something going allows multiple devices to connect level, and to use, face the hump. In wrong. Our guides and staff will do at once. A great option for families or a location with several toilets there the best to help you during your tour group travelers, Wi-Fi rentals are avail- may be a Western toilet as indicated in case of an emergency, and there able for pick-up in hotels, airports, or on the door. is an emergency contact number even in your home country. provided on our “Tour Handbooks” in On the Shinkansen (bullet train) go case you need us during your tour. for the handicapped stall, because those have Western-style toilets.

In public restrooms, you may need to be prepared with a travel pack of tissues. These packages are often handed out free (with advertisements on the reverse) as you walk along ma- jor thoroughfares in the large cities, such as Tokyo and Osaka.

5 | JapanDeluxeTours.com [email protected] US/Canada 1-800-285-2726 Australia 1-800-707-138 Currency Weather Packing

Yen Visiting Japan can be enjoyable in ev- There’s plenty to see and do in Japan, The Japanese unit of currency is the ery season of the year. Below is a brief so be sure to pack accordingly. Yen. You can exchange your money at introduction to Japan’s four seasons. the airport, at most banks and at post We advise to check the weather when offices. They should have the current Winter (December - February) deciding on what clothes to bring, rates of exchange clearly on display. Most locations on our tours, such as but don’t forget the essentials like: You’ll need your passport when ex- Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, will have changing money. a cool winter, with the temperature rarely dropping below 0°C. Central - Travel Documents (Passport/ Travel ATM Japan and Northern Japan are highly Insurance/ Flight Ticket/ Tour Hand You can get a cash advance at 12000 reputed regions for winter sports. book) ATM machines located at Seven Elev- Southern Japan is comparatively mild en convenience stores around Japan and pleasant in winter. - Camera/Cell Phone/Laptop other at any time using your ATM or credit Electronic Devices and Chargers cards. (You can use Visa, Plus Debit Clothing: overcoats, sweaters, etc. - Clothing Card, American Express, JCB, Discover & Diners Club) Japanese Post Offices Spring (March - May) - Comfortable Walking Shoes also offer ATM cash withdrawal ser- Marked with Cherry Blossoms, the vice for overseas ATM cards. spring season is mild throughout - Portable first-aid kit Japan. Cherry Blossoms fill the skies Credit Card making this the ideal time to visit - Money Credit cards are accepted at stores Japan and services in Japan, but most cases - Hat/Sunglasses/Watch are cash only. You may need cash for Clothing: light jackets, light sweaters buses, taxis, trains, and admission to and other similar kinds of tops. - Hand Towel/Travel Wipes some museums, sights, temples, and shrines. Summer (June - August) - Eye Mask/Ear Plugs The Japanese summer begins in Sales Tax June with a three to four week rainy - Day Pack for Essential Japan has an 8% consumer tax (the season. The weather is hot and humid price shown on goods is before this from July onward. Summer is when tax) and some local taxes for restau- many interesting festivals and other rant bills exceeding 5,000 yen and events are held all over the country. hotel bills exceeding 10,000 yen. Clothing: light clothes (cardigans and Tipping other similar kinds are handy, since Japan is a tip free country and you indoors are mostly air-conditioned.) do not have to tip chambermaid, taxi drivers, or hotel or restaurant person- Autumn (September - November) nel. At Japan Deluxe Tour, we do not Autumn brings light breezes and have tipping guidelines nor expect cooler temperatures after the hot receive gratuities from our customers. summer. The weather is cool and crisp and the leaves begin changing It is up to your discretion to tip our to glorious autumn colors. staff in Japan only if you believe that you have received excellent service Clothing: light jackets, light sweaters from them. Your travel document and other similar kinds of tops. holder contains a gratuity envelope for your convenience, however it does not mean you will have to use it.

6 | JapanDeluxeTours.com [email protected] US/Canada 1-800-285-2726 Australia 1-800-707-138