2021 KURISUMASU SHOPP ING, and Fall Foliage Weekender #2 November 24th-29th, 2021 4nts/6days from: $1795 double/triple; $1995 single Cancel for any reason up to 60 days prior-FULL REFUND! Maximum Tour size is 24 tour members!
In Tokyo before the malls and department stores there were shopping streets. These streets were lined with merchants and it was where local folk shopped. On these streets you would find green grocers, butchers, sake, and rice sellers as well as local crafts, restaurants and street vendors selling delicious inexpensive food. They anchored the neighborhood and sort of made for lively city life in old school Tokyo.
This tradition continues today, while on a smaller scale, it is still the way of life for many Tokyoites.
But only the beginning as we are in peak foliage season and as such, we have included visits to Tokyo’s top viewing spots, Meiji Shrine, Meiji Jingu Gaien for the Ginko Trees Festival, and Ueno Park. There is also a day trip to Enoshima and Kamakura.
Complete your Kurisumasu shopping with visits to Tsukiji, Ameyoko Market, Komachi-Dori in Kamkura, Shibuya Sky, and a complete free day in Ikebukuro.
Itinerary/Details
Day 1 – November 24th, 2021 Wednesday – Depart from Honolulu
Hawaiian Airlines #457 Departs Honolulu 3:15 pm – Arrive Haneda 7:30 pm + 1
International check in begins 3 hours prior to the departure time. Please meet your Panda Travel representative at the Hawaiian Airlines international check-in counters located in Terminal 2, Lobby 4. After check-in, proceed through TSA security check and meet up once again at the departure gate.
Day 2 – November 25th, 2021 Thursday – Haneda-Tokyo
After clearing Passport Control & Customs, meet our local English-speaking guide at the exit. The drive time to our Tokyo hale for the next four nights, the recently renovated Sunshine City Prince Ikebukuro. The drive time is approximately one hour.
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 10:00am to 8:00pm seven days a week. We are also less than a 10-minute walk from the Ikebukuro JR Station. 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 there is also a 24-hour supermarket, Seiyu.
Sunshine City Prince Hotel & lobby Family Mart in hotel lobby
Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel free
Day 3 – November 26th, 2021 Friday – Tokyo (B/L)
After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off to explore Tokyo.
If you have ever dreamed about melt-in-your-mouth, out-of-this-world sushi, then you might have heard of Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world. Most of Tokyo, and even high-end sushi restaurants in Hong Kong and San Francisco, gets their fish from this cultural landmark near the center of Japan's capital city.
Tsukiji sits on some of the most valuable real estate in Tokyo. The inner market, where the early morning takes place, has moved to a new home. The outer market remains and is the typical spot that we visit on tour.
Opened in 1935, Tsukiji sprang to life after the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed most of Tokyo in 1923. It has since become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. Every morning sightseers start lining up at 3 a.m. to watch the frozen tuna auction. The more expensive fresh tuna auctions – where a single Bluefin once sold for nearly $1.8 million- are privately conducted.
It is our first stop on tour, and we will be here for 1.5 hours 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.
If you are a foodie, love markets, enjoy photography – or simply like visiting unique places – then you will probably love Tsukiji.
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 From here we are off to 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! We will remain here for 1.5 hr., so you can shop at leisure.
Ameyoko- best spot to find omiyage items
It is the noon hour and time for a buffet lunch at a local restaurant.
This afternoon, time to enjoy fall foliage colors at Ueno Park. With autumn at its peak, Japan’s leaves are deep in red, yellow, and orange colors. Here, in Ueno Park the colorful autumn leaves create an atmosphere that shows off the beauty of Japanese nature, culture, and history. Come, join our local guide for an autumn walk in the park.
A full day of touring complete, time to return to our hotel, arrival by 4:15pm. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.
Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel free
Day 4 – November 27th, 2021 Saturday – Tokyo (B)
After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am. While it is our last day on tour, still much to see and do before our flight home later this evening.
The morning begins with a visit to Meiji Jingu Gaien, a 300-meter-long avenue for a stroll under the tunnel of golden yellow foliage created by 146 gingko trees. It is considered one of the most beautiful places in Tokyo for autumn foliage with its stunning yellow colors. Today we are going to enjoy time at the Ginkgo Festival, a 300-meter-long ginkgo-lined avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien, celebrated spot for admiring fall foliage.
Adding to the event’s popularity are temporary stalls selling noted products from different regions of Japan as well food and drinks.
Now, off to visit Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Close-by to the Harajuku Station, Meiji Shrine and the adjacent Yoyogi Park make up a large, forested area within the densely built-up city. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths that are great for a relaxing stroll. Being that we are in the peak foliage period, enjoy this colorful viewing spot.
The shrine was completed and dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and the Empress Shoken in 1920, eight years after the passing of the emperor and six years after the passing of the empress. The shrine was destroyed during the WWII but was rebuilt shortly thereafter. On weekends, this is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies. As it is a Saturday, we might just get lucky to see a procession. None the less, this is a wonderful foliage viewing spot.
Meiji Shrine tori gate entrance, grounds, and popular sights of weddings on weekends
We are now off to quite an experience, a visit to Shibuya Scramble Square, recently opened on November 1st, 2019. This 230-meter tower overlooks famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing and on top, Shibuya Sky, an observatory offering a 360-degree view of Tokyo.
Shibuya Crossing and shopping area is rumored to be the world’s busiest, this intersection in front of Shibuya Station is famously known as ‘The Scramble’. It is an awesome spectacle of giant video screens and neon, guaranteed to give you a 'Wow – I'm in Tokyo!' feeling. People come from all directions at once – sometimes over a thousand with every light change – yet still manage to dodge each other with a practiced, nonchalant agility.
From the 46th floor Sky Stage, enjoy many of Tokyo’s landmarks, the New National Stadium, Shinjuku, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Bay. Should we be blessed with a clear weather day, there is even a special spot to view and photograph Mt. Fuji.
We will also be visiting Hachiko Dog statute, Tokyo's most famous pooch, Hachikō. This Akita dog came to Shibuya Station every day to meet his master, a professor, returning from work. After the professor died in 1925, Hachikō continued to come to the station daily until his own death nearly 10 years later. The story became legend, and a small statue was erected in the dog’s memory in front of Shibuya Station.
You will have plenty of time here to shop, explore and enjoy lunch on your own.
Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel free
Day 5 – November 28th, 2021 Sunday – Tokyo (B)
After breakfast, a complete free day to shop, sightsee or a little of each. By now you will have noticed that Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo’s most dynamic and down-to-earth neighborhoods. It really does not disappoint.
Ikebukuro is a shopping heaven. The major shopping spots are "Sunshine City", "TOBU", and "SEIBU", all of them are a huge shopping mall with many floors full of stores. There are also big electronics shops like "Big Camera" where electronics is only the beginning of their offerings. As well, the streets are lined with many other stores and dining venues.
If you are searching for anime-related items, Otome Road is unique with many shops. You will find shops featuring manga, Japanese comics that conform to a style developed here in the late 19th century as well as costumes, wigs for cosplay and even some rare anime items.
Another unique spot here is the Sunshine Aquarium, on the rooftop of Sunshine City. Its concept is “Oasis in the Sky”, and you can enjoy this extraordinary space enveloped in water and greens. You can watch well-trained sea lions do some tricks, and penguins and pelicans getting fed. The creative exhibitions are simply fascinating.
On Ikebukuro’s north side, there’s Chinatown, relatively new to the area and popular in that it’s in a downtown location. Compared to the "Big Three" Chinatowns in Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagasaki, this one is much smaller but still offers the same kind of authentic Chinese atmosphere you can expect in any other such place around the world.
Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel free
Day 6 – November 29th, 2021 Monday – Tokyo-Enoshima-Kamakura-Tokyo (B)
After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:15am as we journey off to Enoshima and Kamakura. It may be our last day on tour, but still much to see and do.
The morning 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 linked with the opposite shore of Katase by the 600-meter-long Enoshima-ohashi Bridge. The drive time will be just over 1-hour.
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 Edo Period, 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
Now, a short dive to Kamakura, once the political center of Japan, when Minamoto Yoritomo chose the city as the seat for his new military government in 1192. The Kamakura government continued to rule Japan for over a century. It remained the center of Eastern Japan for some time before losing its position to other cities.
Today, Kamakura is a very popular tourist destination. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines, and other historical monuments.
Once here, a visit to 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 Great Buddha or Daibutsu as is commonly called is a National Treasure and one of the centerpieces of the city's cultural heritages. For a small donation, you are permitted enter the Buddha and see from the inside how it was cast. Take a few moments to enjoy this unique experience. Enjoy viewing fall colors all around!
Great Buddha of Kamakura
From here, also close-by is Komachi dori Shopping Street where you will have free time to walk around, shop for souvenirs and enjoy some delicious snacks and foods. This is a good spot for lunch on your own!
One must stop here is at Kamakura’s famous cookie store for a sample. These dove-shaped butter cookies make for a great Kamakura souvenir and omiyage gift.
The dove motif was inspired by the plaque above the main prayer hall at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine, where the character for "Hachi" is shaped to look like a dove.
From here, we make our way to the Haneda Airport to begin the check-in process.
Hawaiian Airlines #458 Departs Haneda 9:20 pm – Arrive in Honolulu 9:30 am