The Golden Route Reverse – Cherry Blossom Special

(Osaka / Nara / / Inuyama / Toyota / Shizuoka / Hakone / Mt Fuji / Tokyo)

7 days 6 nights

US$2098.00

Departure Dates : Apr 01, 2013 / Apr 07, 2013

PLEASE NOTE : All prices are per person, based on double or triple occupancy. International flights are not included on our tours - this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money! We can arrange international flights for US customers if needed, please ask for details.

TOUR COST INCLUDES :

5 nights Western style hotel, 1 night Japanese style ryokan Meet and greet upon arrival at Osaka Kansai Airport Airport transfers on arrival and departure Private luxury coach transfers between destinations in Japan Full time, professional English speaking tour guide Gratuities Meals Breakfast everyday 4 lunches and 2 dinners Admission fees and activities

Entry fees to sites, gardens, and museums listed in the itinerary Bullet train ride experience cruise

Nishijin kimono show, Green tea ceremony Hakone Ropeway

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE :

International airfares Meals that are not included in the itinerary Travel insurance

Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills

All Japan Tours : 4058 E. Cottage Paseo, Ontario, California 91761, USA Toll Free : 1-800-490-5728 | Tel: 1-909-574-1071 | Email : [email protected] | Website : AllJapanTours.com

Itinerary

Day 01 Osaka Kansai Airport Welcome to Osaka! Our tour guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel.

Hotel: Nikko Kansai Airport Hotel or similar class

Day 02 Nara (Todaiji Temple / Deer Park), Kyoto (Kiyomizu Temple / Kodaiji Temple & Garden) Meals: Breakfast / Lunch In the morning you will travel to Nara, the oldest capital city of Japan, by private coach. We will visit Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in Japan. The temple also houses the largest bronze statue of Buddha at 16.3 meters high, and the surrounding park is filled with over 1,000 Sika deer. From Nara, our coach departs to Kyoto, a historical city that was spared from air raids and atomic bomb for its cultural and historical value during World War II. We will visit the famous Kiymizu Temple and Kodaiji Temple. Kodaiji Temple was constructed in 1605 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi by the great political leader's wife. Besides fine temple halls, it features a small bamboo grove and a landscape garden with tea houses, designed by leading, contemporary master. We will stay two nights in Kyoto.

Hotel: Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Kyoto (Heian Shrine/ Heian Shrine Garden / Nishijin Kimono Show / Golden Pavilion / Daigo-ji Temple Garden / Day 03 Gion) Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Today we will continue our tour of Kyoto, once the capital of Japan and still considered its cultural center. First is a visit to the spectacular Heian Shrine, where we see an extensive stroll garden of the Meiji period with a grove of weeping cherry trees. Of special note are the stepping stones in the pond, which are actually the pillars of a 16th century stone bridge that once spanned the Kamo River. Here you also find the largest Torii Gate in Japan spanning the road leading to the shrine. At the Nishijin Textile Center, you can view displays of kimonos and even watch a kimono fashion show. Visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) covered with 18 carat gold leaf. This three story structure was originally built by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. Next is the Daigo-ji Temple Garden, which was built for Toyotomi Hideyoshi's famous (cherry blossom viewing) of 1598. Lastly, we will tour Gion, the old Quarter, and Pontocho, whose cobblestone alleys vibrate with night life.

Hotel: Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Bullet train ride experience, Nagoya (Inuyama Castle), Toyota (Toyota Kaikan Museum),Shizuoka (Green Tea Day 04 Ceremony)

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner After breakfast, take a Shinkansen bullet train ride for experience, which can reach speeds of up to 300 km/hr. Visit the majestic Inuyama Castle, which is still standing since its construction in 1537 and is considered Japan's oldest castle. Our next stop is the Toyota Kaikan Museum where you can view displays of Toyota’s new car models and technologies. It also holds periodical robot shows. From Toyota, our coach departs to Shizuoka, where you will experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and perhaps take in the splendid views of Mount Fuji from the traditional tea house in good weather. Tonight, we will stay at the Onsen Ryokan at Hakone Onsen, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a spa bath and feast on a

traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner. Hotel: Hakone Hotel Kowakien or similar class

All Japan Tours : 4058 E. Cottage Paseo, Ontario, California 91761, USA

Toll Free : 1-800-490-5728 | Tel: 1-909-574-1071 | Email : [email protected] | Website : AllJapanTours.com Day 05 Hakone (Hakone Ropeway / Owakudani / Gotemba Peace Park), Mt Fuji,Tokyo (Shinjuku) Meals: Breakfast / Lunch After enjoying Japanese breakfast at the ryokan, we will travel to Hakone and take a 20 minute ropeway from Togendai to Owakundani. Much of the area here is considered an active volcanic zone since its creation from the eruption of Mount

Hakone some 3,000 years ago. There, you can experience hot springs and hot rivers, where sulfurous fumes still linger. Owakundani also has splendid views of Mount Fuji in good weather. Next, we head to Gotemba Peace Park, take in the scenic view of Mt. Fuji and thousands of cherry blossoms. From Gotemba we will proceed to Mt. Fuji on our private luxury coach. Along the way, enjoy the changing scenery, from thick vegetation to lowlands to rolling clouds. We will stop at Mt. Fuji 5th station (depending on weather) to admire the world famous peak. In the afternoon we will travel to Tokyo. Our last visit for this day is Shinjuku, Japan's largest and wildest red light district, with department stores, subterranean malls, and electronic shops surrounding the Shinjuku Station. Hotel: Tokyo Dome Hotel or similar class

Tokyo (Tokyo Tower / Imperial Palace / Ginza / Sumida River Cruise / Asakusa Sensoji Temple / Ueno Park / Day 06 Odaiba) Meals: Breakfast / Lunch In the morning you will be taken to Tokyo Tower, the world’s tallest self supporting steel tower. At 333 meters high, Tokyo Tower is 13 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower. We will go up 150 meters to the main observatory deck and get a bird’s eye view of Tokyo. On a clear day you can see Mount Fuji in the distance. Next is a visit to the Imperial Palace, the former site of Edo Castle. In the heart of the city, you can explore the park, surrounded by moats and stone fortifications. Then we will proceed to Ginza for Tokyo’s most famous shopping, dinning, and entertainment district, which features designer department stores, boutiques, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and night clubs. In the afternoon, board a cruise ship at Hinode Pier for a 40 minute ride along the Sumida River to Asakusa. At the Nakamise walkway, you can peruse the many stores that lead to Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist Temple, Sensoji Temple. Continue to Ueno Park, famous for its more than 1,000 cherry trees. From there we will cross the Rainbow Bridge, and be treated to stunning views of Tokyo Bay. We will travel to the man made island of Odaiba and see cutting edge architecture, including the Fuji TV building, Panasonic Center, Toyota Mega Web Showroom, Venus Fort shopping complex, along with the biggest ferris wheel in Japan. Hotel: Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu or similar class NOTE: If you wish to stay extra nights post-tour, we can arrange for you to stay at Tokyo Dome Hotel instead of Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu for an additional $50 for the last night.

Day 07 Tour End Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am and Narita Airport can be reached by hotel shuttle bus. NOTE : If you would like to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.

All Japan Tours : 4058 E. Cottage Paseo, Ontario, California 91761, USA

Toll Free : 1-800-490-5728 | Tel: 1-909-574-1071 | Email : [email protected] | Website : AllJapanTours.com