MAY 06, 2009(WED))/ #07 NOMBIRI HIROSHIMA & YAMAGUCHI TOUR 13D-TOUR
Similar to previous year's tour #07
All meals are included.,EXCEPT FOR LAST TOUR DAY, RETURN FLIGHT DAY.
LIMIT TO ONE BUS
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Departure Date
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MAY 06, 2009(WED))
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Tour Guide
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GARY TSUMOTO
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Air
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Japan Airlines
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TOUR GET-TOGETHER LUNCHEON
DATE: APRIL 19, 2009(SUN) at 12 Noon
PLACE: Hawaii Tokai International College Cafeteria
2241 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii
COST: NO COST TO TOUR MEMBERS
ATTIRE: INFORMAL-MUUMUU, ALOHA SHIRT
(LUNCHEON TAKES ABOUT 1 1/2HOURS)
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Itinerary
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MAY 06(WED) HONOLULU
Leave Honolulu Int’l Airport via Japan Airlines flight. Lunch and a
Snack will be served aboard the flight. FREE Movies and Drinks.
MAY 07(THU)KOBE HOTEL NEW OTANI KOBE Arrive at
Kansai Int’l Airport and after clearing government formalities, by bus
to Kobe. After hotel check-in, you will have Free Time to meet your
relatives, friends or just rest. Our hotel is located in the middle of
Kobe’s new downtown area. It is connected to the shopping mall and
within easy walking distance from the department stores.
MAY 08(FRI) KOBE HOTEL NEW OTANI KOBE
Leave the hotel at 9:30 a.m. to visit Kobe Flower Garden to see Begonia
and Tropical Water Lilies. Then proceed to the Hakutsuru Sake Museum.
Kobe is a well-known center for sake production. Approximately one
third of all sake produced in Japan comes from this area. Enjoy the
fine taste of the famous “Nada Sake”. . Next go up to the famous summit
of Mt. Rokko, with an elevation of 3,100 feet, to enjoy a panoramic
view of the city and port. Later enjoy Holo-Holo at the famous China
Town (Nankin Machi) and Moto Machi Shopping Street. Kobe is known in
Japan as “a city having a uniquely exotic atmosphere style”, which has
been affected by the foreign cultures and flourishes as an
international port since olden days.
MAY 09(SAT) OKAYAMA HOTEL GRANVIA OKAYAMA
Leave Hotel at 9:00 a.m. Proceed to Ako, known as the “Hometown of
Chushingura,” the story of the “47 Samurai”. We will visit the Ako
Castle Ruins and Oishi Shrine, which will tell you more about the
story. Ako Castle is well known as a residence of Lord Takuminokami
Asano and his loyal retainers. Oishi Shrine was constructed in
dedication to the “47 Loyal Samurai of Ako”. You will see stone statues
of 47 samurai standing along the entrance path to the shrine. Then go
to Bizen, known as the hometown of Bizen-yaki, one of six ancient
potteries in Japan with a history of over 1,000 years. Visit the Bizen
Ceramic Art Museum, which displays both old and new examples of
Bizen-style Pottery. Also visit the Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword
Museum. Bizen Osafune is Japan’s Sword Craft Center. A variety of
masterpiece swords are on display. Our hotel is located next to Okayama
Station. Enjoy shopping after hotel check-in.
MAY 10(SUN) OKAYAMA HOTEL GRANVIA OKAYAMA
Leave hotel at 9:30a.m. Visit Okayama Farmers Market to enjoy
“Strawberry Picking”. Also enjoy strolling and shopping in the Southern
European Style Park. Then proceed to MT Washu to see SETO- Oceab
bridges (Shimotsui Bridge & Iwakuro-shima Bridge) Then proceed to
Kurashiki, a preserved, aesthetic area of ancient Kura-yashiki Streets.
Many old houses and kura (warehouses) have been preserved along the
canals and the Kurashiki River. It is designated as an “Aesthetic Area”
as well as a National Important Preservation District for groups of
historic buildings. Return to the hotel in Okayama City.
MAY 11(MON) IMABARI IMABARI KOKUSAI HOTEL
Leave hotel at 9:00 a.m. Head to Shimanami Kaido (highway above the
sea), with its unique island-to-island bridges, and enjoy the luxurious
multi-isle beauty of the Inland Sea. Visit Oyamazumi Shrine to see its
museum. The collections of artifacts account for 80% of all the body
armor and armory designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural
Properties. “Don’t forget to see the armor of Yoshitsune”. Later
proceed to Imabari in Shikoku Island. After arrival at the hotel, go
Holo-Holo at the Supermarket and Department Store near the hotel.
MAY 12(TUE) HIROSHIMA HOTEL GRANVIA HIROSHIMA
Leave hotel at 9:00 a.m. Proceed to Matsuyama Port to catch a ferryboat
to Kure and visit the Yamato Museum. Yamato was the world’s largest
battleship built in Kure. The museum’s centerpiece is a 1/10th scale
reproduction of this battleship. Also visit the “Steel Whale
(Submarine) Museum” of The Maritime Self-Defense Forces. You are able
to look at the insides of a decommissioned “Real Submarine”. You will
also be able to enjoy shopping at Yume Town Shopping Center located
next to the museum. Then to Hiroshima and our hotel located near
Hiroshima Station and the shopping area. After hotel check-in, you will
have Free Time to meet your relatives, friends or just rest.
MAY 13(WED)HIROSHIMA HOTEL GRANVIA HIROSHIMA
Leave hotel at 8:30 a.m. Enjoy a Japan Mint Tour. They will provide you
with a general explanation of coin production in Japan. You will learn
the history of Japanese Coins, and get to understand the close
relationship between society and coins. The mint tour is scheduled from
9:30 a.m to 10:30 a.m. Later visit Peace Park and Peace Memorial
museum. (Lunch and dinner are payday) Or you may visit relatives and
“Haka-mairi” We will be back at the hotel around 12:30p.m.
MAY 14(THU) OSHIMA ISLAND HOTEL & RESORT SUNSHINE SAZAN SETO-ONSEN
Leave hotel at 9:00 a.m. Proceed to a Shoyu Factory in Yanai City. They
produce the very rare “Kanro Shoyu”. It is a double fermented
(saishikomi) shoyu, which originated in this city. Visit Kunimori house
which was built inn the late 18th century, it is a good example of a
mid –Edo period wealthy merchant house an has been designated National
cultral asset. Also look around the town. After lunch proceed to Oshima
Island to visit the Museum of Japanese Emigration to Hawaii in
Oshima-gun, Yamaguchi. It displays the hardships faced by the emigrants
in Hawaii, their cultural contributions and to the economy of their
hometowns, and a history of cultural exchanges, etc. Proceed to our
hotel located in front of the ocean.
MAY 15(FRI) UBE CITY UBE ANA HOTEL
Leave hotel at 9:00 a.m. Proceed to HIKARI City. Visit the first prime
minister HIROBUMI ITO Museum. Ito Hirobumi was born in 1841 in HIKARI
City. Adopted into a samurai family, he gained official samurai status
in 1863, shortly before his voyage to England. Proceed to Hufu City to
visit Hofu Temmangu Shrine, dedicated to SUGAWARA Michizame (845-903),
scholar-statesman of early Heain Period. This shrine has been worshiped
as “God of Study” and very popular for students. Visit mansion and
beautiful garden of Mori Family who was one of a military ruler in this
area
MAY 16(SAT) KOKURA RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL KOKURA
Leave hotel at 9:00 a.m. Proceed to Toyoura Town in Shimonoseki city to
visit “Re-fresh Park” and see the Rose Flower, then visit Shimonoseki
Fish Market known for certain specialties, including Balloon Fish
(Fugu). Enjoy shopping and have lunch here. Shimonoseki which faces the
Kanmon Strait and the western most city, on Honshu Island. The Kanmon
Strait is known as the scene of an ancient battle leading to the fall
of the Heike Clan. Visit Akama Shrine, which enshrines the Heike Clan
and the young Emperor Antoku, who died in the battle against the
powerful Genji Clan Samurai. Proceed to KOKURA, out hotel is easy
walking distance to Kokura station and shopping area.
MAY 17(SUN) HAKATA HOTEL NIKKO FUKUOKA
Leave hotel at 9:30 a.m. Proceed to FUKUOKA City (HAKATA). We have
shopping time at JUSCO/AEON in Nogata City, before going to the hotel,
visit KUSUDA Shrine which has the largest portable float for the
festival (July 1-15) called Hakata Gion Yamagasa Festival.
(LUNCH and DINNER will be At Your Own Expense). We will give everyone a
carton box for packing his or her gifts. (2 Pieces Per Person Baggage
Allowance. Any excess will be paid for by the member).
MAY 18(MON)FUKUOKA/KANSAI OR NARITA/ HONOLULU
{ONLY BREAKFAST IS INCLUDED THIS DAY}
At check-out time we will come around to tape and tie-up the boxes and
take the baggage’s to be checked-in down. Later proceed to Fukuoka
Airport to catch a domestic flight to Kansai (Osaka) or Narita Airport.
Then catch a Japan Airlines flight in the evening to Honolulu, arriving
the same morning, . MAY 18. After clearing U.S. Customs proceed home.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING OUR TOHOKU TRAVEL’S NOMBIRI HIROSHIMA
& YAMAGUCHI TOUR #7! Clients remaining back will be assisted in
obtaining plane, train and hotel reservations. Members may return to
Honolulu individually, but no later than 3 months from day of
departure. Weekend returns will cost more per person. Please call our
office if you are extending your stay. MAHALO! |
Destnations
KOBE, OKAYAMA, IMABARI, HIROSHIMA, OSHIMA ISLAND, KOKURA,HAKATA |
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