2024 SPRING TOKAIDO ODYSSEY

March 23 - April 4, 2024 (13 Days & 11 Nights)

Haneda, Tokyo (2 Nights), Tsukiji Fish Market, Asakusa Kannon Temple, Ameyokocho, Hakone Lake Cruise, Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center, Shiraito-no-taki, Shizuoka, Greenpia Makinohara Tea Factory, Strawberry Picking, Nagoya, Nagoya Castle, Bullet Train to Kyoto, Kyoto (2 Nights), Kinkaku-ji, Heian-jingu, Nara, Kobe, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery, Awaji Island, Awaji Ningyo Joruri, Shikoku Island, Tokushima, Awa Odori Dance Performance, Takamatsu, Ritsurin-koen, Hands-on-Fan Making Experience, Imabari, Shimanami Kaido, Hiroshima (2 Nights), Iwakuni, Kintai-kyo, Miyajima Island , Hiroshima Peace Park & Museum, KurashikI, Koraku-en, Osaka

$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
(deposit of $100 per person received by 10/31/2023)

Saturday, March 23 (Day 01)
HONOLULU TO HANEDA
Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the Japan Airlines Lobby #5 at the airport for baggage check-in procedures for our flight to Haneda International Airport. A meal and a snack will be served on board the flight.

Sunday, March 24 (Day 02)
HANEDA - TOKYO  (D)
We’ll arrive Haneda Airport in the afternoon and after completing entry and customs formalities, we’ll transfer to our hotel in Tokyo by chartered motorcoach.  A welcome dinner is planned for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at SHINAGAWA PRINCE HOTEL or similar

Monday, March 25 (Day 03)
TOKYO  (B)(L)
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in this exciting metropolitan city.  This morning, we’ll visit the outer market of the original Tsukiji Fish Market, featuring many shops offering Japanese kitchenware and supplies, seafood products and a nice selection of shops selling prepared meals.  We’ll travel to Asakusa, the center of Tokyo’s shitamachi districts, where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of the past decades still survives.  Asakusa’s main attraction is Senso-ji (Asakusa Kannon Temple), Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple dedicated to the goddess of Kannon.  Located between the main hall of the temple and the famous red lantern of Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) is Nakamise-dori, a lively pedestrian street lined with colorful shops providing visitors with typical Japanese souvenirs and traditional local snacks.  A delicious lunch will be provided for you at a popular local restaurant.  Enjoy a shopping adventure at Ameyokocho, a busy and exciting district with many indoor and outdoor vendors offering a variety of snack and food products at discounted prices.  This evening, dinner will be on your own to try some of the local specialties at one of the restaurants in the mall located adjacent to our hotel.

Accommodations at SHINAGAWA PRINCE HOTEL or similar

Tuesday, March 26 (Day 04)
TOKYO - HAKONE - LAKE YAMANAKA  (B)(D)
We’ll travel to Hakone - a mountainous region - part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and noted as one of Japan’s most popular hot spring resorts with its volcanic hot springs and natural beauty.  Hakone was an important check-point for the Old Tokaido Highway - the old road that linked the ancient capital of Kyoto to Edo (now known as Tokyo) during the Edo period.  Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on scenic Lake Ashino-ko - a beautiful crater lake formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone.  Weather permitting, a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji (Japan’s most sacred mountain) can be seen as we cruise on the serene lake.  We’ll visit the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center located in Yamanashi prefecture at the entrance of the Subaru Line - the toll road leading up the slopes of Mt. Fuji.  The center provides some interesting history and information about the Fuji Five Lakes and the value of Mt. Fuji as a World Heritage site.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening.

Accommodations at HIGHLAND RESORT HOTEL & SPA or similar

Wednesday, March 27 (Day 05)
LAKE YAMANAKA - MT. FUJI - SHIZUOKA - NAGOYA  (B)(D)
Weather permitting, we’ll continue on to visit picturesque Shiraito-no-taki (White Thread Falls), located in the southwestern foothills of Mt. Fuji.  Ranked among the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan, the falls were recently added to the World Heritage List as part of the Fujisan Cultural Site.  Fed by the volcano’s spring water, the falls flow off the edge of a high cliff in thin streams that resemble hanging threads.  The falls are particularly striking at this time of the year as the snows of the mountain melt and strengthen the flow.  We’ll continue our drive along the Pacific Coast through Shizuoka prefecture, the largest tea producing region in Japan and once home to the first Tokugawa Shogun Ieyasu.  Enjoy an interesting guided tour of Greenpia Makinohara (tea factory) to observe the process of tea production, including a close-up view of tea plants growing in the fields.  The scenery of Shizuoka prefecture offers a beautiful view of the Southern Japan Alps, a breathtaking view of Fuji-san, and miles of scenic coastline as we drive along Suruga Bay and the Pacific Ocean.  Enjoy an all-you-can-pick & eat fresh strawberry adventure in covered greenhouses at a local orchard.  We’ll continue on to the castle town of Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture to spend the night.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at NAGOYA TOKYU HOTEL or similar

Thursday, March 28 (Day 06)
NAGOYA - NAGOYA CASTLE - BULLET TRAIN TO KYOTO  (B)(L)
This morning, we’ll view Nagoya Castle, one of the largest and greatest castles in Japan.  It was constructed on the orders of Ieyasu Tokugawa in order to secure an important position on the Tokaido road.  One of the main features of the castle are the kinshachi (golden dolphins) adorning the main ridge of the castle roof, signifying prosperity.  Located on the grounds of the castle is Honmaru Palace, regarded as the finest masterpiece of modern castle architecture in Japan and designated as a National Treasure.  We’ll proceed to the Nagoya Train Station and board the shinkansen (bullet train) to experience a ride on this high speed train to Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. A delicious obento will be provided for you to enjoy on the train. On arrival at the Kyoto Station, we’ll transfer by foot to our hotel located nearby the train station to check-in for two nights.  In the afternoon, we’ll board our chartered bus to visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), an impressive Zen Buddhist Temple, designated as a Nation Special Historic Site.  Officially named Rokuon-ji, this magnificent golden structure sits serenely on a lake, providing a beautiful reflection in the calm waters.  Dinner will be on your own this evening.

Accommodations at UMEKOJI POTEL KYOTO or similar

Friday, March 29 (Day 07)
KYOTO - NARA - KYOTO  (B)(D)
We’ll travel to the ancient city of Nara located at the northern end of the Yamato Plain - a fertile valley where members of the Yamato clan rose to power as the original emperors of Japan.  On arrival, we’ll visit the Todai-ji Temple Complex, a magnificent Buddhist temple in Nara-koen - a park that is home to many sacred deer roaming freely about.  The Daibutsu-den (Hall of the Great Buddha) located within the Todai-ji Temple Complex is considered the largest wooden structure in the world and home to the Daibutsu, an enormous bronze statue of Buddha, perhaps the most famous sight in Nara.  Within the hall is a large wooden pillar with a hole at its base and local tradition has it that those who pass through the opening will find their way to an afterlife of paradise. Located nearby is Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara’s most celebrated shrine, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The shrine is famous for its hundreds of stone lanterns, donated by worshippers, lining the approach-way to the entrance and around the shrine.  We’ll return to Kyoto city to enjoy a stroll through the gardens of Heian-jingu, an imperial Shinto shrine listed as an important cultural property of Japan.  The scenic garden features a stepping-stone path across a large pond, a Chinese-inspired bridge and weather permitting, is best known for its shidare-zakura (weeping cherry blossoms).  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at UMEKOJI POTEL KYOTO or similar

Saturday, March 30 (Day 08)
KYOTO - KOBE - AWAJI ISLAND - TOKUSHIMA  (B)(D)
We’ll continue on to the port city of Kobe, Japan’s top sake producing region due to its high quality rice, suitable water and favorable weather conditions.  We’ll visit the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum featuring interesting video clips explaining the step-by-step process of producing traditional sake.  Life-sized replicas of tools, sake containers and machinery used in the production of sake in the past are displayed throughout the museum.  Samples of some of their delicious products will be provided for you to enjoy at the end of the tour.  We’ll continue on to cross the Akashi Kaikyo Ohashi, a bridge connecting Honshu to Awaji Island - the inland sea’s largest island.  On arrival, enjoy a performance of the Awaji Ningyo Joruri (Puppet Play) at the Awaji Puppet Theatre.  The separate arts of puppet manipulation, gidayu narration and shamisen accompaniment blend together to present an emotional performance of a tragic drama.  Our travel continues on as we cross the Naruto Channel on the Naruto Ohashi, a bridge connecting Awaji Island to Shikoku Island, home of the 88 Temples Pilgrimage.  Tidal currents between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean passing over undersea ridges creates uzushio (whirlpools) of various sizes and we may be able to see some as we drive on the bridge to Shikoku Island.  We’ll arrive in Tokushima, capital city of Tokushima prefecture to spend the night.  Enjoy a lively dance performance of the famous Awa Odori, the pride of Tokushima at the Awa Odori Kaikan.  Learn to dance and participate with the special ‘Awanokaze’ dancers accompanied by the sounds of shamisen (three stringed guitars), taiko (drums) and fue (flutes).  A delicious dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at JR HOTEL CLEMENT TOKUSHIMA or similar 

Sunday, March 31 (Day 09)
TOKUSHIMA - TAKAMATSU - IMABARI  (B)(D)
We’ll travel to the castle town of Takamatsu, capital of Kagawa prefecture, to visit Ritsurin-koen (chestnut grove garden).  Known as one of the most famous historical gardens in Japan, this was once the summer retreat for the Lords of the Matsudaira family.  This scenic garden follows a classical Japanese design, featuring pine trees winding around a series of ponds, bridges and rock formations, including the ‘borrowed scenery’ of Mount Shiun in the background.  Experience making your own fan to take home as a souvenir at the Uchiwa Minato Museum, a shop specializing in uchiwa (rounded paper fans).  The fans are made with a decorated piece of paper pasted over a thin bamboo frame.  We’ll continue on to spend the night in Imabari, the second largest city in Ehime prefecture, noted for its shipbuilding and towel industry.  Enjoy dinner and relax in the hot springs of our hotel this evening. 

Accommodations at IMABARI KOKUSAI HOTEL or similar

Monday, April 1 (Day 10)
IMABARI - SHIMANAMI KAIDO - IWAKUNI - HIROSHIMA  (B)(D)
We’ll depart Shikoku Island via the scenic Shimanami Kaido - an expressway linking Shikoku to Japan’s main island of Honshu through a series of bridges and small islands in the Seto Inland Sea.  Our scenic drive will take us from Imabari in Ehime prefecture to Onomichi in Hiroshima prefecture, arriving in the city of Hiroshima to check-in for two nights.  En route, we’ll travel to Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture, to visit the city’s major attraction, Kintai-kyo (Brocade Sash Bridge), a historical wooden arch bridge.  Its five linked wooden arches are built on massive stone pillars forming a span across the serene Nishiki River located at the foot of Mt. Yokoyama.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.. 

Accommodations at ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL HIROSHIMA or similar

Tuesday, April 2 (Day 11)
HIROSHIMA - MIYAJIMA - HIROSHIMA  (B)
We’ll proceed to the pier at Miyajimaguchi and board a ferry to Miyajima Island, famed for its scenic Itsukushima-jinja, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  With a large torii gate extending into the sea, the shrine, and the island’s Mt. Misen-san as a backdrop, Miyajima Island is classified as one of Japan’s three most beautiful sights.  Enjoy strolling through Omotesando - the island’s main shopping street featuring many shops offering a nice selection of souvenirs, including momiji manju, one of Hiroshima’s most popular sweet.  This maple-leaf-shaped cake is made with a variety of fillings:  sweet red beans, custard, and more.  We’ll return to the main island by ferry and travel back to the city of Hiroshima to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park.  Exhibits and displays within the museum relive the history of the atomic bomb and the destruction it brought on Hiroshima and its people.  The most poignant memorial in the Peace Memorial Park is the Children’s Peace Memorial, inspired by leukemia victim Sadako Sasaki.  Thousands of colorful paper cranes brought by school children, various clubs and groups are displayed there.  Dinner will be on your own this evening.

Accommodations at ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL HIROSHIMA or similar

Wednesday, April 3 (Day 12)
HIROSHIMA - KURASHIKI - OKAYAMA - OSAKA  (B)(D)
We’ll travel on to visit the quaint city of Kurashiki, located in Okayama prefecture.  Enjoy strolling through Bikan Chiku, a historical area featuring many old traditional buildings, storehouses and souvenir shops located along the picturesque willow-lined canal.  We’ll continue on to Okayama city, visiting its most famous attraction - Koraku-en - a beautiful Japanese garden, noted as one of Japan’s three best landscaped gardens.  A large pond, walking paths, pavilions, a crane aviary, and groves of plum and cherry trees are contained in this scenic garden.  Weather permitting, the cherry blossoms should be in bloom at this time of the year.  Okayama also serves as the locale for the popular Japanese fairy tale - Momotaro (Peach Boy).  We’ll continue on to spend the night in the exciting city of Osaka.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL OSAKA or similar

Thursday, April 4 (Day 13)
OSAKA - KANSAI TO HONOLULU  (B)
The day is at your leisure for your own activities until we transfer to the Kansai International Airport in the afternoon to check-in for our evening flight to Honolulu.  We’ll arrive in the morning on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line.  A late meal will be served on board the flight.

Land portion based on 140 Yen = $1.00 U.S.

The tour price is based on double occupancy and a minimum group size of 20 passengers.  Fare adjustment may apply for groups of 20 or under.  The rate is based on tariffs and exchange rates effective 9/05/23.  Tour fare is subject to change according to any airfare increase, fuel surcharge increase and fluctuation of the rate of exchange between U.S. and foreign currency.  In the event of revaluation, the land portion of the tour price may be adjusted prior to your final statement.

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