THIS
TRIP IS NOT YET FINALIZED HOWEVER WE EXPECT THAT MOST OF THE DETAILS
WILL REMAIN THE SAME
TOKYO
& KYOTO
PRICE - Just $________ with air, 10-nights hotel, Bullet Train, transfers,
daily breakfast, ground transportation and more!
I've
been talking up our last trip to Japan for the last several years.
It was absolutely amazing in so many ways. So here you have a
repeat of our 2016 trip with very few changes. Although it is
known as an expensive destination, with the power of our group
rates and great air contract we are very pleased at the affordablity
of this offering. 
We
depart the US on April 17th and arrive in Japan the afternoon
of April 18th after a brief stop in South Korea (you are welcome
to inquire about a deviation to spend time on your own there).
We will have 4-nights in Tokyo to experience this amazing city.
Tradition
collides with pop culture in Tokyo, where you can reverently wander
ancient temples before rocking out at a karaoke bar. Wake up before
the sun to catch the lively fish auction at the Tsukiji Market,
then refresh with a walk beneath the cherry blossom trees that
line the Sumida River. Spend some time in the beautiful East Gardens
of the Imperial Palace, then brush up on your Japanese history
at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Don’t forget to eat as much sushi, udon
noodles, and wagashi (Japanese sweets) as your belly can handle.
TOKYO
TOURS:
We
will have a variety of optional tours set up. Click
here to see the planned tours which we may tweek just a bit.
This is a perfect time of year for enjoying spring, and the possibility
of cherry blossoms still on the ground. This itinerary will bring
you to the most scenic places to enjoy mother nature.
Included
in this package is a full day Tokyo tour with stops to four of
Tokyo's popular sightseeing spots: Tokyo Tower, the East Gardens
of the Imperial Palace, Sumida River Cruise, and Asakusa Kannon
temple.
An
optional tour that we will repeat is a day trip to Nikko.
It is a town at the entrance to Nikko National Park, most famous
for Toshogu, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum
of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder 
of
the Tokugawa shogunate. Nikko had been a center of Shinto and
Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries before Toshogu was
built in the 1600s, and Nikko National Park continues to offer
scenic, mountainous
landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys
and hiking trails.
You
will also enjoy a free day with some of our suggestions including
a wonderful bike ride along some scenic trails that we enjoyed
on our last trip or a hop on/ hop off tour.
After
our 4-days in Tokyo we will board the bullet train for the 3-hour
ride to Kyoto. In route we will visit Mt
Fuji, Japan's tallest mountain and active volcano. We will
take a boat ride on Lake
Ashinoko and experience the Komagatake
Ropeway. This tour is also included in your package.
Kyoto
has been awarded the "World's Best City" award for 2015
by Travel and Leisure magazine! It served as Japan's capital and
the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's
seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and
a modern face. Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many
wars and fires, but due to its historic value, the city was dropped
from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and spared
from air raids during World War II. Countless temples, shrines
and other historically priceless structures survive in the city
today.
We will offer several different tours to visit the most important
places and world heritage sites. One of these sites is called
Daigo-ji Temple ( see photo below). This special place spreads
across Daigo-san Mountain and is well-known as the "Temple of
Flowers". In 874, Godai Hall was built at the top of the mountain
by Buddhist monk Shobo. Later, the garan (main complex), small
buildings, and five-story pagoda were constructed at the foot
of the mountain. The five-story pagoda, Goju-no-to is now the
oldest building in Kyoto having survived the Onin War in the 1400's.
Optional
Kyoto tours:
Arashiyama
a pleasant, touristy district in the western outskirts of Kyoto.
The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period
(794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. Arashiyama
is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and fall color
seasons.
Arashiyama's famous bamboo groves and pleasure boats that are
available for rent on the river. One of the most enjoyable and
convenient ways to travel around the Sagano area is by rental
bicycle, which are available for around 1000 yen near the train
stations. Cycling through rural residential areas and past fields
while traveling between temples can be one of the most enjoyable
parts of a visit to 
Arashiyama.
There is also an attractive preserved town area near the Adashino
Nenbutsuji Temple.
Then
we will take a ride on the Sagano
Scenic Railway is a sightseeing train line that runs along
the Hozugawa River between Arashiyama and Kameoka. Its charming,
old fashioned trains wind their way through the mountains at a
relatively slow pace, taking about 25 minutes to make the seven
kilometer journey and giving passengers a pleasant view of the
scenery as they travel from Arashiyama through the forested ravine
and into rural Kameoka.
From
there we will take a little hike to a place called Monkey Park
Iwatayama. Located in the Arashiyama mountains, the entrance to
the monkey park can be found just south of the Togetsukyo Bridge.
After hiking uphill for about ten minutes, visitors will find
an open area with over a hundred monkeys roaming freely. There
are also nice views down onto the city.
The
day is not over! From here we'll visit Saga-Toriimoto Preserved
Street. Much of this street along the way to the Adashino Nenbutsuji
Temple has been preserved in the style of the Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Many of the buildings are traditional machiya ("town houses")
that served as private residences but have since been converted
into shops and restaurants.
Full
day Kyoto highlights and Nara
Discover
the history and religions of ancient Japan during this 10-hour
exploration of Kyoto and Nara. SeeKyoto's UNESCO World Heritage-listed
Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle, along with its Imperial Palace. Then
drive from Kyoto to Nara to explore its own World Heritage site,
Todai-ji Temple (including Great Buddha Hall), plus Kasuga Shrine.
You'll also visit Nara's deer park and have a chance to feed and
pet wild deer. Your Nara and Kyoto visit includes a guide, coach
transport and all entrance fees (excluding treasure hall).
Eastern
Kyoto Full Day
Today we have number of stops starting off with The Philosopher's
Path which starts just outside the approach to Ginkakuji and follows
a canal. It is especially beautiful during the cherry blossom
season. We'll visit the historic shopping streets of the Higashiyama
District. Our tour will also take in the Kiyomizudera Temple and
Eikando a large temple that is especially nice to visit in autumn
when the leaves change. 
FREE
DAY
We will also have another free day in Kyoto with some other suggestions
including a nice walk up to the Fushimi Inari Shrine where you
can enjoy a torii path across the mountain (When the wish is fulfilled
the torii that wrote the name was built). It's a beautiful trail
winding up a hill past several small temples.
We
will send out a complete list of the optional tours as we get
a little closer to the trip.
This
will certainly be an amazing trip. A $200 deposit will lock in
your spot.
TRIP INCLUDES:
-
4
Nights double occupancy in Tokyo - 6 nights in Kyoto
-
-
Full
day Tokyo tour
-
Bullet
Train from Tokyo to Kyoto
-
Ground
Transportation for Transfers
-
Tour
on Apri 22nd to Mt Fuji with boat ride and ropeway
LAND TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT (your own room, otherwise we
will match you up with a roommate): $_________
Sign
up for this Trip!
OUR
AIR:
Check
out the photos from our last trip
Highlights
of Tokyo video from our last trip
Highlights
of Kyoto video from our last trip
OUR
HOTELS:
TOKYO
HOTEL
GRAND NIKKO TOKYO LE DAIBA - 4 star!
Website
- Tripadvisor Review - #14 out of 119!
Grand Nikko Tokyo Le Daiba is in Odaiba, across Rainbow Bridge
from central Tokyo. It has luxurious accommodations and features
6 dining options, an outdoor swimming pool and a sauna.
The
spacious rooms feature an elegant European style and include free
wired internet access. Guests can enjoy views of Tokyo Bay in
some rooms.
The
Grand Nikko Le Daiba Hotel is right next to Daiba Monorail Station,
which provides direct access to the Shiodome area in 13 minutes.
Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Centre is 10 minutes away by monorail.
The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service to Tokyo Disney
Land.
A
variety of shops are directly under the hotel. Guests can exercise
at Le Club Fitness Centre for an extra fee, or appreciate the
works at Art Gallery 21. Teppanyaki Restaurant Hamayu and Star
Road Dining and Bar offer spectacular skyline views from the 30th
floor. Sushi, Chinese cuisine and several bars and cafes are also
available.
KYOTO
NEW
MIYAKO HOTEL - 4 star
Website
- Tripadvisor
Review 82 of 420
Right
in front of Kyoto Station, New Miyako Hotel features air-conditioned
rooms with free Wi-Fi. The hotel has a beauty salon, a convenience
shop and 6 dining options.
The
air-conditioned rooms come equipped with a flat-screen TV and
a refrigerator. Private bathrooms feature a shower, bathtub and
toiletries. Room service is available.
Guests
at Hotel New Miyako can find souvenirs in shopping mall Miyako
Avenue, or participate in local craft workshops.
Buffet
restaurant Le Plaisir caters international dishes, while Shisen
serves Chinese Szechuan cuisine. Restaurant Kyoyamatoya features
a history of over 100 years, serving Japanese seasonal dishes.
New Miyako Hotel is just a 5-minute walk from Kyoto subway station.
It is a 15-minute walk from both the City Bus Terminal and Nishi
Hongan-ji Temple.
Sign
up for this Trip!
