TOUR ITINERARY

MAY. 29 (SAT) KOBE,

KOBE BAY SHERATON HOTEL & TOWERS (ONSEN) ♨

Arrive at Kansai Int’l Airport and after clearing government formalities, by bus to Rokko Island, Kobe to a luxury hotel with Onsen Hot Spring bath located conveniently to a monorail station and convenience store.

MAY. 30 (SUN) SHODOSHIMA ISLAND,

OLIVEAN SHODOSHIMA  YUHIGAOKA HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨

In the morning, catch a ferry sailing through Seto Inland Sea National Park to Shodoshima Island known as “Mediterranean Sea of Japan”, because of its mild climate and the birthplace of olive cultivation in Japan. Upon arrival, Later visit Osaka Castle Remains Stone Memorial Park. This island known for its quality stones since ancient times. After the destruction of Osaka Castle in 1615, large numbers of stones were quarried on the island and then shipped to Osaka for the reconstruction of the castle. We’ll visit its museum and see “Would-be” Osaka Castle stones left behind the park.　We also go to see “Angel Road”, a sand bar appears twice a day when tide gets low. If condition allows you can even walk on it & good chance to take a photogenic picture with it. We’ll visit Tenobe Somen Noodles Factory producing Tenobe Somen is a local gourmet dish passed down since Edo period. See demonstration of the 400year old traditional methods, try taste noodles freshly boiled & enjoy shopping of their products. We will stay 2 nights at a luxury resort hotel offering stunning ocean view. Enjoy relaxing soak in Onsen Hot Spring bath and Ocean View Open-Air bath.

MAY. 31 (MON) SHODOSHIMA ISLAND,

OLIVEAN SHODOSHIMA  YUHIGAOKA HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨

We’ll visit Olive Park offering plenty of photo opportunities with the century old groves of olive and the Greek style white windmill while overlooking numerous of beautiful islands in Seto Inland Sea. You can also enjoy shopping for local olive products such as olive oil, salad dressing, cosmetics, etc. In the afternoon, visit Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village. The actual location the movie was filmed, about a story of a schoolteacher and her first class of students during WWII. The entire set consist of replica village including a schoolhouse, teacher’s house and fisherman houses will make you feel you are reliving the past. Afterwards, ride the Ropeway to visit breathtaking Kankakei Gorge that ranks as “One of the top three most beautiful gorges in Japan.” The sheer cliffs and expressive rock formations provide a stunning scenery. From the upper station, a fantastic panoramic view of a peaceful over the gorge can been seen.

JUN. 1 (TUE) DOGO ONSEN,

HOTEL KOWAKUEN (ONSEN) ♨

In the morning, catch a ferry to Takamatsu. Visit Shikoku Aquarium newly opened in 2020 at the location observing Seto inland sea. This aquarium consists of several tanks with different types of concepts such as the Pacific Ocean, the Seto Inland Sea, the Deep Sea, etc. Its exhibition includes Hammer Head Shark swimming can be seen from ceiling window, Fresh water fishes from Niyodo river known as the clearest river in Japan, Uzushio tank, recreating underneath turbulent current of Naruto strait, etc. At lunch time, we’ll enjoy a local cuisine, Sanuki Udon noodles. Then head to Besshi Copper Mine had been in operation for 283 years since 1691 at one time the world’s biggest copper producing mine. We will ride on a replica miner’s train and walk inside an authentic mine with wax miner dolls displayed indicate how hard mining work is. Then head to Dogo in Matsuyama, the oldest hot spring in Japan with 3,000 years history. After hotel check in tour guide will take you to 130-year-old Dogo Onsen Main building, the first public bathhouse in Japan registered as National Important Cultural Property. You can also enjoy Holo-Holo around Onsen shopping arcade lined with Omiyage shops. We stay here for 2 nights & the hotel has its own Onsen with same source of Dogo Onsen Main Building & overlooking Matsuyama Castle & Dogo Onsen Honkan Building.

JUN. 2 (WED) DOGO ONSEN,

HOTEL KOWAKUEN (ONSEN) ♨

Head to Imabari known for producing the world’s highest quality towels using only the premier raw materials. We will visit the Towel Museum to see firsthand how these superior towels are made. You will be able to purchase various designs and colors of Imabari Towel. Then we will drive the highway above Seto Inland Sea from island to island known as Shimanami Kaido offering a spectacular view of the island scenery. Visit the Murakami Kaizoku (Feudal Navy) Museum which honors a Samurai who sailed this area 500 years ago. This museum will give you a memorable insight of the Samurai Navy’s history displaying valuable literature and articles. Later visit Noma-Uma Highland to see Noma-Uma Horse, a smallest native Japanese Horse originated in Shikoku. After going back to hotel, you can continue browsing around at Dogo Onsen Arcade.

JUN. 3 (THU) SHIMANTO,

SHIMANTO NO YADO (ONSEN) ♨

Visit to Ozu town to enjoy strolling along Ohanahan Street offering the historical allure of old traditional Japan in a tranquil countryside setting. Town scape with historical architectures will take you back in time of Samurai. Then head to Uwajima Japan’s biggest producer of pearls. We’ll visit Pearl Center to enjoy shopping for fine quality Japanese pearls. Then visit Nanrakuen Garden, a huge strolling style garden where you can enjoy viewing colorful carp and seasonal flowers. Iris festival is held during this season. If timing is right 25,000 iris will bloom in the park and make it particularly impressive sight. Tonight’s hotel is Woody Ryokan type with bed room located at the mouth of the Shimanto River called last clear stream in Japan. Immersing yourself in Onsen & Open air bath.

JUN. 4 (FRI) KOCHI,

MERCURE KOCHI TOSA RESORT & SPA (ONSEN) ♨

In the morning, enjoy Shimanto River cruise. The traditional style pleasure boat called “Yakatabune”(with chair) sailing through pristine river while soothing your mind by hearing the sound of nature & watching calm stream with leafy mountain. In the afternoon, head to Kochi city, well known with one of the most beloved historical figures in Japan, Sakamoto Ryoma who is the Samurai born in Kochi. We’ll visit the Sakamoto Ryoma Museum, to learn about his works during the turbulent times before 1868 Meiji Restoration. We will stay at resort  hotel facing to pacific sea. Enjoy last Onsen & Open Air Bath on this trip!

JUN. 5 (SAT) TOKUSHIMA,

JR HOTEL CLEMENT TOKUSHIMA

In the morning, visit a Ryoma’s notable large statue on picturesque Katsurahama beach with massive Ryoma’s bronze statue standing. After entering Tokushima, drive by a National Natural Monument Oboke Great gorge with its marvelous scenery of the emerald green rushing rapids through white rocks and the narrow, steep-sided cliffs jutting straight up to the sky. And visit a National Important Folkloric Property, the 148 feet long and suspended 50 feet high Kazura (vine) Bridge that made of plant vine. This bridge is ranked as one of three weirdest bridges in Japan. We will stay 2 nights at the hotel nicely located right by Tokushima rail station with a lot of shopping opportunity.

JUN. 6 (SUN) TOKUSHIMA,

JR HOTEL CLEMENT TOKUSHIMA

In the morning, we will land Awaji island by crossing Naruto Great Bridge. We will enjoy watching Joruri Puppet Show a very particular example of traditional Japanese performing art registered as the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It’s amazing to see the puppets looking so alive. The art of using puppets in storytelling is representative of Awaji Island with 500 years history. Enjoy Viewing Cruise of the Uzushio (Whirling tides). Experience the power up close of the whirlpools on a large pleasure boat.  After coming back to Tokushima, enjoy Indigo dying experience which is local tradition having 800 years history. You can make your own "One and Only" souvenir of Tokushima. (Lunch and Dinner will be at your own expense.)

JUN. 7 (MON) ITAMI / HANEDA / HONOLULU

At check-out time our agent will come around to tape and tie-up the boxes and take the baggage’s to be checked-in down. Then we will head to Itami Airport to catch a domestic flight to Haneda Airport to transfer to the evening flight to Honolulu. Arrive in Honolulu the same morning, JUN,7 (Monday). After clearing U.S. Customs, proceed home. (Lunch and Dinner will be at your own expense.)

*Price, Itinerary, and Meals are subject to change without notice.*