JAPAN Sakura Cherry Blossoms March 23 - April 6, 2016 15 Days • 26 Meals Escorted by Barbara Sykes Photo credit Jon Gurr Japan, long the economic powerhouse of Asia, is for many outsiders a complete mystery. Seen as the dominant force in electronics, automobiles and heavy industry, we know relatively little of its history, culture, architecture and arts. Images of ancient temples and the Buddha are often overshadowed. Of course, Japan is much more; it is alpine villages tucked away in mountain regions that appear untouched by the modern world; it is magnificent alpine and pastoral scenery and it is relics of an imperial and feudal past, retained for all to see. Join us next spring as we explore this land during sakura (the season of the cherry blossoms when the fruit trees burst forth in glorious colour). Spring comes early in Japan and typically the millions of trees are bursting with new life during this two week period (of course this all depends on nature). We shall also discover the many worlds of Japan from bustling cities like Tokyo and Kyoto to mountain retreats like Hakone, Takayama and Suwa. Discover the historic TOUR HIGHLIGHTS and religious relics of Kyoto, Japan’s Imperial capital for Komagatake Ropeway with scenic views of Hakone almost 1,000 years, as well as the temples of Nara. Enjoy and surrounding area the timeless traditions of a ryokan (country inn) and Step into the past at Shirakawago, a World Heritage experience the delights of a Japanese garden. Site Our journey will be by private coach and also by rail, a Experience Japan during the lovely Sakura Season truly wonderful way in which to explore this land. Please when the Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom read on but don't delay - our group size will be strictly Travel through the mountainous interior of Japan where limited. Send in your enrollment today. life seems unchanged from centuries past Enjoy a relaxing Japanese night in a traditional Ryokan Visit one of Japan’s largest and most famous gardens: Kenroku-en Garden (The Garden of Six Qualities) Enjoy a tea ceremony at Matsuri-no-Mori Museum Visit Hiroshima and nearby Miyajima Island Visit Himeji Castle, Kyoto’s Nijo Castle and Nara plus other UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites Enjoy Japan’s extensive and very efficient rail system, including the bullet trains Visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple) in Kyoto Sushi - ©JTA/ ©JNTO Blossoms in Tokyo - Credit Akira Tsushima TOUR ESCORTS INCLUSIVE FEATURES Return economy class airfare with Air Canada Until she retired in 2004, the Rev Barbara Sykes served as First class hotels as indicated or similar, including three Rector of St Patrick's Anglican nights in central Tokyo, 1 night in Suwa in a traditional Church in Willowdale. Earlier ryokan (Japanese Country Inn), 2 nights in historic she also served at St Paul's Takayama, 1 night by the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa, 2 Bloor Street in Toronto and nights in Hiroshima and 4 nights in historic Kyoto with a St Thomas Becket in day trip to Nara Mississauga. Before ordination, 26 meals included as noted in the itinerary (B - 13 Barbara was a teacher and, Breakfasts, L - 6 Lunches, D - 7 Dinners) featuring a more recently has earned her number of traditional Japanese dishes Masters degrees in Divinity and Transfers and intercity transportation by private coach Theology as well as her and rail service, as indicated Doctorate in Ministry. With her husband Ralph, Barbara has Services of your tour escort plus our professional travelled extensively and has Japanese tour guide and local guides led numerous tours and cruises on our behalf to many All taxes including airport departure taxes parts of the world including the Middle East, Afrca, Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value Europe, South America and the Pacific region. March 23, Wednesday Depart Canada / Tokyo March 29, Tuesday Takayama Tour members from across Canada gather in Toronto (for This morning will be spent on a comprehensive walking the non stop Air Canada flight to Haneda) or Vancouver for tour exploring this delightful small city. Visits include the the overnight direct Air Canada flight to Narita. Miyagawa Morning Market, Kamisanomachi Street, Kusakabe Folkcraft Museum, formerly the residence of the March 24, Thursday Arrive Tokyo Kusakabe family, which has been designated an important Arriving in Tokyo this afternoon, we will be transferred to cultural property; Takayama Jinya, the regional our hotel, located in the centre of Tokyo. After settling in we headquarters of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Later we will gather for our welcome briefing and dinner. visit the Matsuri-no-Mori Museum, to learn about the art of Grand Palace Hotel (3 nights) D tea and to experience a traditional Japanese Tea March 25, Friday Tokyo Ceremony. The museum has a collection of massive yatai or parade floats, created for the annual harvest festival. BD Our full day city exploration will begin with a visit to Tsukiji, the world’s largest fish market, which handles twenty March 30, Wednesday Shirakawago / Kanazawa percent of the global catch. Enjoy a walk through the Ginza Our first stop today will be at the mountain village of district, the most expensive real estate in the world, where Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site noted for its we will have some time to visit the numerous boutiques and unique thatch roofed houses. Visit the centuries old former stores. After lunch of Kushiage (fried meat and vegetables Residence of the Wada Family; the largest thatched roof on bamboo skewers) we ride the metro to the Tokyo home in the city. Later visit Gokayama to observe the Skytree and visit the top observation level for an awe- intricate and involved process of creating traditional inspiring view of the city. (and maybe even Mt Fuji on a Japanese paper (Washi). Hotel Kanazawa (1 night) BD very clear day). Continue by subway to nearby Asakusa to visit Nakamise-dori, Senso-ji Buddhist Temple and the March 31, Thursday Kanazawa / Hiroshima Asakusa Shrine where we will learn about Buddhist and Today we tour one of Japan’s most famous gardens; Shinto Japanese religious practices. BL Kenroku-en (The Garden of Six Qualities). It features magnificent landscaping, trees, lakes and views of the March 26, Saturday Kamakura / Tokyo region and, with some good fortune, will be glowing with Travel by fast train to Kamakura, 13th century capital and the enchanting colours of the cherry blossom. Visit the well home to countless poets and artists. Our walking tour will preserved tea house district of Higashi Chaya before taking bring us through busy streets to Kotoku-in Temple (40 foot the bullet rail services to Hiroshima, an important southern bronze Buddha), Hase-Kannon Temple and Tsurugaoka city. Box lunch will be provided for the train ride. Hachimangu Shrine. Stroll along the colourful Komaci-dori Hotel Granvia Hiroshima (2 nights) BL Street. BL April 1, Friday Hiroshima / Miyajima March 27, Sunday Mt. Fuji / Hakone / Suwa Hiroshima is best known for the event of August 6, 1945 Departing Tokyo we drive south skirting the Japanese alps when the A Bomb decimated the city and area. The Peace before driving up the slopes of Mt Fuji (weather providing to Memorial Museum and Peace Memorial Park are both the Fifth Station). Enjoy a delightful cruise on Lake Ashi sobering testaments to the event and aftermath. Time and take the Komagatake Ropeway for scenic views of permitting we shall visit Shukkei-en Garden, for cherry Hakone and surrounding area. On to Suwa where for this blossoms or a quiet walk with time to reflect. This afternoon one night we step into another world, relaxing in a cotton cross the Inland Sea by ferry to Miyajima Island, felt by yukata (dressing gown), relaxing in the spa, enjoying meals many to be one of the three top scenic experiences in in a Tatami-matted room and sleeping on a colourful Futon. Japan. On the island we will ride the cable car to enjoy the Nunohan Ryokan (1 night) BD magnificent views from the peak and visit the Itsukushima- jinja Shrine dating from 1168AD. BL March 28, Monday Matsumoto / Takayama Our journey continues via Matsumoto, noted for its majestic April 2, Saturday Hiroshima / Himeji / Kyoto six storey castle, to the mountain village of Takayama. Visit This morning we travel by the Nozomi bullet train to Himeji the Hida Folk Village, a living museum of rural homes and where we will visit Himeji Castle, the 400 year old barns, where we will experience the traditional lifestyles of UNESCO World Heritage Site and national treasure. a bygone era. Continue by coach to historic Kyoto, capital of Japan for Best Western Hotel Takayama (2 nights) BD almost 1,000 years (until 1868). This delightful city conjures up classic images: streets of little wooden houses, the sound of geta (wooden sandals) clicking on the cobblestones, geisha in brightly coloured silk, tea ceremonies, traditional gardens and more. Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (4 nights) BL April 3, Sunday Kyoto The highlight this morning is the Kinkaku-ji Temple (Gold Pavilion). This three-storey pagoda is covered in gold foil set beside by a reflecting pond and surrounded by gardens. Nearby are the gardens and palace Nijo Castle (UNESCO Site), noted for the great Ninomaru Wing and Audience Hall with its Nightingale Floors. The Heian Shrine, built in 1895 to mark the 1,100th anniversary of Matsumoto Castle - Photo by Jon Gurr Kyoto as a capital. The 79 foot vermilion-hued Torii gate at SPECIAL NOTE: On some journeys and for some this shrine is the biggest in Japan. In nearby Fushimi we overnights our luggage will be unavailable to us.