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Hokuriku Springtime Explorer and Festivals Tour 2021

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Hokuriku Springtime Explorer and Festivals Tour 2021 Hokuriku Springtime Explorer and Festivals Tour 2021 May 12th -20th, 2021 7nts/9 days from: $3095 triple $3195 double $3695 single Cancel for any reason up to 60 days prior-FULL REFUND! Maximum Tour size is 24 tour members! We are off to explore the Hokuriku region, bordered by the Sea of Japan and the Japan Alps. It is an area rich in tradition along with a pleasant countryside and spectacular natural scenery. We begin in Japan’s Capital, Tokyo for a fun filled two days and then off on the Hokuriku shinkansen to Toyama, along a route known for its natural beauty. On one side enjoy the view of the mountain range and on the other, the spectacular Sea of Japan. On tour, enjoy two festivals, Shinminato Shishimai (lion dance) Festival and the Fushiki Kenkayama Festival, where lantern floats ram into each other in the streets in this crazy annual festival Much more yet as we have included a fish auction, a river sightseeing cruise, morning market, an onsen stay, and two hands-on experiences. For scenery, Shiroyone Senmaida, a steep slope with a thousand green rice paddies against the background of the beautiful blue sea. There is also a drive along the Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, an 8-kilometer sandy beach, one of the few in the world that is both beach and road. Lastly, Kenrokuen Garden, a gorgeous and expansive park-like garden in the center of Kanazawa. It is considered one of the three great gardens of Japan. Our tour ends in Osaka, Japan’s third most populous city, famous for food, the Dotonbori and shopping along the Shinsaibashi. With accommodations just steps from both and a complete free day, you will be in heaven. Itinerary/Details Day 1 – May 12th, Wednesday – Depart from Honolulu Hawaiian Airlines #863 Departs Honolulu 1:25 pm – Arrive Haneda 5:10pm +1 Check in for international flights begin 3 hours prior to departure. Please check in with your Panda Travel representative and proceed to the departure gate area. Day 2 – May 13th, Thursday – Haneda-Tokyo After clearing customs, our local English-speaking guide will be waiting and join us for the drive to the Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro, ideally situated in the Ikebukuro section of Tokyo. This 4-star hotel is less than a 10- minute walk from the Ikebukuro JR Station. There are four department stores, a variety of shops and restaurants steps away. The remainder of the evening is free. Accommodations: Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro free Day 3 – May 14th, Friday – Tokyo (B/L) After breakfast at our hotel we will head out for a full day of touring. Please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am. 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. 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. While the auction has moved to a new location, the popular outer market remains and thrives. 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 Now, off to lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon we are in for 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’s even a special spot to view and photograph Mt. Fuji. We will also be visiting for a brief photo stop at the 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 From here, back to our hotel, arrival by 5:00pn. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. Accommodations: Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro free Day 4 – May 15th, Saturday – Tokyo-Toyama (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide by 8:00am as we are off on a full day of touring. Our destination today is Toyama City, a seaside city on the coast of the Sea of Japan. It is also the capital and largest city in the Toyama Prefecture. Please prepare an overnight bag for two days as our larger pieces will be sent separately to Kanazawa. The morning begins with a drive to Tokyo Station for the bullet train, Kagayaki 507 that departs at 9:20am and arrives at Toyama Station at 11:34am. On arrival, off by chartered coach for a half day tour beginning with a visit to the fish auction at the Fisherman’s Wharf. Midday fish auctions are a rarity in Japan, but this one begins at 1:00pm. Everything sold at the auction is same day, freshly caught. You will be able to watch and observe as they bid on fresh seafood. Please note: this event is held subject to weather permitting. Now, off to a seafood donburi lunch at a local restaurant followed by sightseeing cruise on the Uchikawa River. The river is nicknamed “the Venice of Japan” for its twelve characteristic bridges and its riverside atmosphere. Each bridge has its own unique characteristic. The Ninomaru Bridge has castle-like features, the Azuma Bridge, a red gabled roof, the Sanno Bridge features sculptures made by local artist, Mitsuyuki Takeda, and the Kagura Bridge with its bright stained glass. We are now off to the Shinminato Shishimai Festival, a lion dance. While lion dance is usually associated with China, many Asian countries each have their own version. The Japanese lion dance is traditional arts dancing to festival music. Originated in the 16th century, folks in the Mie Prefecture created a lion head and held the dance on the New Year’s holiday to avoid famine and disease. From here, off to our second festival, the Fushiki Kenkayama (fighting floats) Festival, held in the port town of Fushiki. During the day, the floats are adorned with flowers, and at night they are decorated with paper lanterns. The floats are rammed into each other to the beat of the yamaga war drums. We will remain here for just under 2-hours so that you can enjoy watching the Kenkayama (fighting floats) which begins at 7:30pm. Dinner is on your own this evening, choose from variety of venues along the festival area. Now, off to our hotel, Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu, arrival by 9:45pm. It is located close by to the JR Toyama Station in case you need any late-night shopping or food items. Our departure tomorrow is a little later so that you can sleep in longer. Accommodations: Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu free Day 5 – May 16th, Sunday –Toyama-Wakura (B/D) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:30am as we are off on another full day of touring. The morning begins with a visit to Masu no Sushi Museum, where you can learn and watch how masuzushi is made by experts.
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