TOUR ITINERARY

09 NOV (SAT) HONOLULU

Departing Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Japan Airline Flight #791 at 11:25 A.M. A meal and snack will be served aboard the flight. Free Movies and Drinks.

10 NOV (SUN) KYOTO,

MIYAKO HOTEL KYOTO HACHIJO

We will arrive at Kansai International Airport at 3:50 P.M. after clearing entry formalities, proceed by bus to Kyoto, with the reputation as the “Most Beautiful City in Japan.” We will be staying two nights at our hotel which that is located right in front of Kyoto Station and close to AEON Shopping Mall with a Supermarket, UNIQLO, 100-Yen shop, etc.

11 NOV (MON) KYOTO,

MIYAKO HOTEL KYOTO HACHIJO

The month of November is one of the best times to visit Kyoto. We will enjoy visiting Japan’s most historic city that was once awarded as the “World’s best city to travel” according to Travel & Leisure magazine. We will visit Arashiyama, one of the most important sightseeing districts in Kyoto. With its pleasant scenery combined with its landmark Togetsu Bridge, and flowing river and woodland mountain in the background are breathtaking. We will then head to a World Heritage site “Shimogamo Shrine,” the 2,100-year-old shrine in the old capital. We are invited as special guest at the shrine for a Ceremony performance that will be done only for us! We will get to watch a performance of classical court dance and a ceremonial Kimono dressing. This 12-layered ceremonial Kimono is the style of formal court dress first worn by noble women of the Imperial Court. Later we will visit Kunjyu kan incense shop. These incenses have been vital for Kyoto since ancient times as they were introduced from China as the “fragrances for prayer” along with Buddhism. You can take in all scent and fragrances of various types of incense and buy the ones you like. Afterwards we will return back to our hotel, tour guides will take you “Holo-Holo” around the hotel.

12 NOV (TUE) TAKAYAMA,

HIDA HOTEL PLAZA (ONSEN) ♨

This morning we will enjoy one of Autumn favorite activity “Picking and Tasting Sweet Japanese Persimmons” this fruit signifies Autumn in Japan. Afterwards we will enjoy shopping and lunch at AEON Shopping mall. We will head to Takayama while taking in the magnificent Autumn scenery turns to deep reds and golden yellows with the cooperation of Mother Nature. The city of Takayama prides itself as “One of Japan’s most impressive townscapes” as they have maintained the authentic Japanese landscape. It makes this town one of “Japan’s must visit sightseeing spot” for tourists from all over the world. Tonight’s hotel we will stay 2 nights where you can enjoy a relaxing soak in the Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-Air bath. Tonight, we will enjoy a delicious Japanese Kaiseki dinner.

13 NOV (WED) TAKAYAMA,

HIDA HOTEL PLAZA (ONSEN) ♨

Today we will start off with an All-day Takayama city tour. Our first place to visit is the Historical Government House, that was built 331 years ago. It served as the Edo government’s administrative building for 176 years. This historical artifact is the one and only building of its kind remaining today. We will also visit one of the biggest morning markets “Takayama Morning Open Market” located right in front of the Government house. This is Takayama’s best known morning market with lots of stands selling local crafts, farm products, etc. Later on, we will enjoy browsing around the Old town district, famous for the excellent preservation its Edo Period (1603-1868) historical center with important and prosperous merchant town known for the skill of its carpenters and other artisans. The mastery of those artisans can still be seen today in the many Edo Period buildings. The distinctive black facades of the buildings that line the narrow streets are full of historical homes, museums and galleries, restaurants, miso, pickle, sake breweries, Hida lacquerware, craft shops, and traditional guesthouses, making the old town one of the region’s most popular destinations of an old castle town. We will then go to Matsurino mori festival museum showcasing the key aspects of Takayama Festival with gorgeous and impressive floats. We will witness the lively and captivating of 1 of 3 most beautiful festivals in Japan.

14 NOV (THU) KANAZAWA,

ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL KANAZAWA

Today we will visit the and walk around historic “Shirakawa-go” in the Shogawa River Valley in the remote mountains. Designated as a UNESCO world heritage site back in 1995. They are famous for their traditional Gassho-zukuir farmhouses, some dating more than 250 years old. Gassho-zukuri means “constructed like hands in prayer,” as the farmhouses steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The architectural style developed over many generations and is designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls in the region during winter. The roofs, made without nails, provided a large attic space used for cultivating silkworms. Next, we will try our hands in Making Traditional Gokayama Washi paper. Japanese paper (washi) made in Gokayama has been designated as one of Japan’s Traditional Crafts. Paper making has a history of over 1,000 years. In the step-by-step instructions in washi-making you will learn about this centuries-old craft, and you will get a chance to bring back a unique washi souvenir, made by you! Afterwards we will head to the historic old castle town of “Kanazawa” also designated as a UNESCO’s Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art. Kanazawa produces 99% of gold leaf in Japan. We will visit Hakukokan Gold Leaf Museum to see the “Gold leafed Chamber with the Golden Armor” made with 10,000 pure gold leaf. Tonight’s hotel we will be staying 2 nights is located near Kanazawa Station with a large shopping area that carries Kanazawa’s local specialties.

15 NOV (FRI) KANAZAWA,

ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL KANAZAWA

We will visit Japan’s #1 wood carving center in Inami, they are well-known for their skilled wood carvers and sculptors. You will admire the elaborate wood carvings at Wood Carving Hall displaying over 200 traditional wood carvings dating back 220 years. We will head back to Kanazawa known as the #1 Best Preserved City in Japan. We will visit Saisho Candy Store that’s been producing sweet and savory local snacks. You must try the most popular souvenir in Kanazawa the “Beaver Rice Cracker” it was made famous by LA Laker’s player Rui Hachimura as his favorite snack and introduced them to his teammates. Kanazawa is a beautiful city full of charm as their traditional old neighborhoods have been kept intact. We will visit Nagamachi Old Samurai Town to take a pleasant walk around the “Old Samurai town” and visit the elegant Nomura’s Samurai House with its beautiful Japanese garden. This graceful garden is highly praised by the Japanese Garden Journal (USA) as the “one of the very best Japanese gardens.” We will visit Kenrokuen Garden, considered to be 1 of Japan’s 3 best landscape gardens has the characteristic of a large, treed garden with overflowing water landscaping. With every step and turn the garden bring a different view to pause and admire the breath-taking scenery.

16 NOV (SAT) TOYAMA,

TOYAMA EXCEL HOTEL TOKYU

Today we will head to Noto peninsula*, the largest peninsula on the Japan seaside which boasts stunning coastlines, rural landscapes and rich agricultural history. We will enjoy the extraordinary driving along Chirihama Seaside Driveway. This 5-mile hard fine sand packed along the beach creates a natural roadway that all kind of vehicle can drive on. This is the only place in Japan where we can enjoy driving along the surf and shoreline. (depending on weather and condition). Then visit Kiriko Art Museum exhibiting 31 impressive Kiriko Lantern Floats unique to Noto peninsula including some of the largest at up to 50 feet tall. The museum recreates the atmosphere of this exciting festival with traditional music, glowing lanterns and projections of festival footage. Also visit “Special Place of Scenic Beauty” the Senmaida rice fields with a strikingly beautiful rice terraces overlooking the Japan Sea. The terraced small rice paddies spread like stairways to the ocean along the hillside. 

*Itinerary is subject to change due to the earthquake.

17 NOV (SUN) TOYAMA,

TOYAMA EXCEL HOTEL TOKYU

We will visit the famous Wajima Morning Market 1 of Japan’s 3 biggest Morning Markets. With about 200 stalls lining the main street that offers various products like local crafts, farm products, mostly the fresh seafood landed daily at Wajima Port, including delicious “Steamed Abalone.” Then we also enjoy shopping at Nanao Seafood Market with a rich selection of famous Noto products and seafood landed in Nanao Port. We will also visit Wakatsuru Saburomaru Distillery, one of Japan’s third oldest distillery producing genuine Japanese whisky since 1952. You can see the entire manufacturing production process of “Toyama Whiskey” and learn about their history. Tonight’s hotel is located near Toyama station that’s connected to a department store with a 100-yen shop. You can enjoy shopping after check in!

*Itinerary is subject to change due to the earthquake.

18 NOV (MON) YATSUGATAKE HIGHLANDS,

YATSUGATAKE GRACE HOTEL

In the morning we will walk to Toyama station to catch the Hokuriku Shinkansen Bullet Train offering an experience of speed reaching up to 160 mph. After arriving at Nagano, we will enjoy Nagano Apple Picking and tasting. You can sample the fresh and sweet Nagano Apples in season. Afterwards we will head to Tateshina Highlands this scenic highland resort area is nestled at an altitude of 3,280 feet. We will see over 11,000 teddy bears at the Teddy Bear Museum this is the biggest Teddy bear exhibition in the world. With massive dioramas, special manufacturer collections including world’s smallest Teddy bear, and gift shop carrying more than 2,000 Teddy bear items. Later enjoy scenic drive through the beautiful mountain highlands, wetlands, ponds and rivers along the Venus Line Scenic Road to Yatsugatake Highland. Our Resort hotel that is famous its beautiful star-filled sky in the during a clear evening. Your room will face Mt. Yatsugatake known as Mt. Fuji’s biggest rival.” You can enjoy a relaxing soak in the public bath using spring water from Yatsugatake.

19 NOV (TUE) KAWASAKI,

HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI

In the morning we will visit the Music Box Museum to see the surprising “Dynamic Music Show” played with automatic antique music boxes along with real instruments such as Piano, Cymbals, Violin, etc. Later we will head to Lake Kawaguchi, a very popular resort area located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. If the weather is clear we should see a magnificent view of the Symbol of Japan “Mt. Fuji” while on our way to Itchiku Kubota Art Museum which is praised as “1 of the World’s Most Remarkable Museums Devoted to Textiles.” We will see a magnificent collection of one of a kind breathtaking Kimonos made with revived traditional technique of silk dyeing. If the timing is right, this area will be filled with striking colorful Autumn leaves. Lastly, we will head to the city of Kawasaki, the third largest city in the Tokyo metropolitan area. We will be staying 2 nights at this hotel which is located close to Kawasaki train station and shopping complexes including the Lazona Shopping mall with over 300 shops. Tour guides will take you to shopping after hotel check in.

20 NOV (WED) KAWASAKI,

HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI

Today we will visit the famous Tokyo Sky Tree, the “New symbol of Tokyo” is the world’s highest stand-alone tower towering at a height of 2,080 feet. From the observation deck, you can enjoy the best 360-degree panoramic views of Japan’s massive metropolis. You will also get a chance to enjoy shopping and lunch at a very interesting shopping complex “Tokyo Solamachi.” There are many highly specialized shops that offer a variety of Japanese traditional crafts and pop-culture goods. Then we will visit National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. Journey to Japan’s National Science Museum which is dedicated to science, nature, technology and the great mysteries of the universe. You can experience the cutting-edge technology taking us into the future with many exhibitions highlighting robots, a stunning three-dimensional rendition, etc. After going back to the hotel, you will have Free Time to continue Shopping, Packing, etc. (Lunch/dinner will be at your own expense).

21 NOV (THU) KAWASAKI / HONOLULU

At checkout time our agents will come to tape and tie-up the boxes and take the baggage to be checked-in down. We will proceed by bus to Haneda International Airport to catch Japan Airline Flight #74 departing at 9:00 P.M. Upon arrival we will check in for our international flight to Honolulu. Arrive in Honolulu the same day 21 NOV (THU) After clearing U.S. Customs, proceed home.  (Lunch/dinner will be at your own expense).

Clients remaining back will be assisted in obtaining plane, train, and hotel reservations. Members may return to Honolulu individually, but no later than 90 days from day of departure. Weekend returns will cost more per person. Please call our office if you are extending your stay. MAHALO!

*Itinerary and Meals are subject to change at anytime.

*** TOUR CONDITIONS ***

AIR: Estimated airfare and May be more or May be less at time of ticket purchased. Airline tickets are Non-refundable once purchased unless you request a refundable ticket is usually charged by the airlines. 

INCLUDES: Land Transportation included in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, meals, and all sightseeing listed, all transfer of passenger and baggage, souvenir picture and tour tax.

DOES NOT INCLUDE: AIRFARES, Individual expenses after termination of tour as stated in itinerary. Also, wine, liquor, mineral water, laundry and other items of personal nature, cost of obtaining passport and visa or other necessary documents.

LAND TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY PER-PERSON:

69 DAYS - 46 DAYS --- $800.00*

45 DAYS - 22 DAYS --- $1,000.00*

21 DAYS - 01 DAY ----- $1,500.00*

*No refund once tour starts. *May have extra cancellation charges along with the preordered event tickets for Miyako Odori show tickets, Tokyo Disney Sea tickets, Shinkansen ticket fee, etc. If Yen was already purchase to pay for this tour, Then the Yen exchange rate at time of refund will affect the refund since we have to convert the Yen back to U.S. dollars again.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL: TOHOKU TRAVEL SERVICE, INC. 

TOLL FREE PH: 1-888-966-3666

PH: 808-536-8618

EMAIL:contactus@tohokutravel.com 

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