2024 JOURNEY THROUGH IZU & KII PENINSULA
Featuring Koya san
October 8 - 20, 2024 (13 Days & 11 Nights)
Haneda, Yokohama , Sankeien Garden, Kamakura, Atami, Izu Peninsula, Kawazu Nanadaru, Perry Road, Shimoda, Dogashima Cruise, Cape Kogane, Mishima Skywalk, Hiroshige Museum, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Unagi Pie Factory, Nagoya, Tokugawa Bijutsukan, Nagoya Castle Honmaru Palace, Kii Peninsula, Ise, Meoto-iwa (Wedded Rocks), Mikimoto Pearl Island, Ise Grand Shrine, Okage Yokocho, Doro-kyo Gorge, Kii Katsuura, Kumano Nachi Taisha, Nachi no Taki, Hashi-gui-Iwa, Shirahama, Sandanbeki Cliff, Senjojiki, Minabe, Nakata Ume Factory, Mount Koya, Okuno-in, Wakayama, Yuasa Soy Sauce Factory, Osaka, Wax Foods Hands-on-Activity, Dotonbori , Kuromon Market, Kansai
$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
(deposit of $100 per person received by 4/25/2024)
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Twin Rate:$5,253 per person |
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Land Only Rate: $4,290 |
Tuesday, October 8 (Day 01)
HONOLULU TO HANEDA
Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the Japan Airlines lobby at the airport for baggage check-in procedures. We will depart Honolulu for Haneda International Airport. A meal will be served on board the flight.
Wednesday, October 9 (Day 02)
HANEDA TO ODAIBA (TOKYO) (D)
We’ll arrive at Haneda Airport in the early afternoon and upon completion of entry and customs formalities, we’ll transfer to our hotel in Odaiba, a man-made island in Tokyo Bay to spend the night. Dinner will be provided for you this evening.
Accommodations at HOTEL GRAND NIKKO TOKYO DAIBA or similar
Thursday, October 10 (Day 03)
ODAIBA - YOKOHAMA - KAMAKURA - IZU PENINSULA - ATAMI (B)(D)
We’ll travel to Yokohama and visit Sankeien Garden, a spacious Japanese-style garden that features a number of historic buildings from all over Japan, including a pond, small rivers, flowers and many scrolling trails. Among the historic buildings exhibited in the park is an elegant daimyo (feudal lord) residence, several tea houses and a three-storied pagoda of Kyoto’s old Tomyoji Temple. Our journey continues on to Kamakura, a city known for the huge monumental bronze statue of Amida Buddha, the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. Weighing close to 93 tons, the Great Buddha was originally housed in a temple, but today sits serenely in the lotus position in the open courtyard on the grounds of Kotoku-in Temple. We’ll continue our drive through the city of Odawara, arriving in Atami to spend the night. Atami is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts located at the northern tip of the Izu Peninsula and noted for its abundant quantity of hot water, magnificent scenery, delicious seafood and traditional inns. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at our onsen hotel.
Accommodations at ATAMI KORAKUEN HOTEL or similar
Friday, October 11 (Day 04)
ATAMI - IZU PENINSULA - KAWAZU - SHIMODA - DOGASHIMA (B)(D)
We’ll travel south along the coastline of the Izu Peninsula to Kawazu town, located in eastern Shizuoka prefecture. The town is rich with the natural beauty of the ocean, mountains, and mild climate. We’ll walk along a pleasant trail to view one of seven falls at Kawazu Nanadaru (Kawazu Seven Waterfalls) - located upstream of the Kawazu River. A statue of ‘The Izu Dancer’, heroine of the story “Izu no Odoriko” by Kawabata Yasunari, is featured in front of Shokeidaru, one of the seven falls. We’ll continue south to Shimoda, a pleasant coastal city in the southern area of the peninsula. Its historical importance is the landing place of several of Commodore Perry’s “black ships” - an event that marked the end of Japan’s era of isolation and the start of diplomatic relations between the United States and Japan. Enjoy a stroll along Perry Road, a picturesque street alongside a canal lined with cafes, boutiques and shops selling various Perry-related souvenirs and foods. We’ll continue our journey to spend the night in Dogashima, an onsen resort located along the western coastline of the peninsula. This scenic coastline is famous for its dramatic stone formations, cliffs, and caves formed by the lava flow of past volcanic eruptions and erosion of the sea. Weather permitting, enjoy an exciting cruise on a sightseeing boat to view one of the larger caves and the beautiful coastline. We’ll stop by to view scenic Koganezaki Cape, featuring beautiful golden brown lava cliffs face Suruga Bay. This evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and relax in the hot springs of our fabulous onsen resort hotel.
Accommodations at DOGASHIMA NEW GINSUI HOTEL or similar
Saturday, October 12 (Day 05)
DOGASHIMA - SHUZENJI - NUMAZU - SHIZUOKA (B)(D)
We’ll travel to Shuzenji, a town noted for its numerous hot spring resorts, located in the inland region of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture. Weather permitting, enjoy a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji and the surrounding Suruga Bay from Japan’s longest suspension bridge - Mishima Skywalk. The bridge was constructed by Fujico Corporation and opened to the public in December, 2015. Enjoy a visit of the Tokaido Hiroshige Museum, a museum devoted to ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige and his works. Hiroshige is famous for his woodblock prints of the ‘53 Stations of the Tokaido’ and the ‘100 famous views of Edo’. We’ll continue along the coastline of Suruga Bay to spend the night in Shizuoka, capital city of Shizuoka prefecture. Shizuoka is famous for its breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji and its high quality tea production. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.
Accommodations at HOTEL ASSOCIA SHIZUOKA or similar
Sunday, October 13 Day 06)
SHIZUOKA - HAMAMATSU - TOYOHASHI - NAGOYA (B)(D)
Our journey continues on through the city of Hamamatsu, the largest city in Shizuoka prefecture. The city is best known for its eel production in Lake Hamana. A popular omiyage to bring home from Hamamatsu is unagi (eel) pie, a light crispy cookie flavored with eel bones. We’ll visit the Shunkado Unagi Pie Factory to see the production through glass windows of various eel-flavored cookies. We’ll continue on to spend the night in Nagoya, capital city of Aichi prefecture. On arrival, we’ll visit Tokugawa Bitsukan, a private art museum featuring a priceless collection of art objects, furnishings, and heirlooms belonging to the Owari branch of the Tokugawa clan. The most important and valuable treasure displayed in the museum are three Heian-period illustrated hand-scrolls of ‘The Tale of Genji’. We’ll visit the magnificent Hommaru Goten Palace, located on the grounds of Nagoya Castle, designated as a National Treasure. Richly decorated with gold-covered walls and screens, experience the fragrant smell of hinoki cypress wood and the breathtaking beauty of the architecture and gilded artworks. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.
Accommodations at NAGOYA KANKO HOTEL or similar
Monday, October 14 (Day 07)
NAGOYA - KII PENINSULA - TSU - ISE (B)(D)
Our travels continue on to spend the night in Ise, a city located on the eastern tip of the Kii Peninsula in Mie prefecture. Enjoy a fruit picking activity to pick some seasonal fruits (subject to availability) We’ll continue our journey along the Pearl Bridge to visit Mikimoto Pearl Island, a small island located in Ise Bay, known as the birthplace of cultured pearl aquaculture. The Pearl Museum provides some interesting information and demonstrations about the production of cultured pearls and the history about Mikimoto Kokichi, the first person to successfully cultivate pearls. The main attraction on the island are to see demonstrations by female pearl divers known as Ama (sea women) who dive from a boat into the bay to harvest oysters. Enjoy dinner and relax in our fabulous onsen hotel this evening.
Accommodations at GRAND MERCURE ISE SHIMA RESORT or similar
Tuesday, October 15 (Day 08)
ISE - KII KATSUURA (B)D)
We’ll travel to Futami, a small town located along the coast of Ise city to view Meoto-Iwa (Wedded Rocks), two sacred rocks in the sea connected with a shimenawa (a braided heavy rope made of rice straw). These rocks represent the union of the creator of kami—Izanaga and Izanami, celebrating the marriage of man and woman. Located nearby is Futami Okitama Jinja, a little seaside shrine where many Japanese couples go to pray in the hopes of having a good marriage. Ise is best known as home to Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu), Japan’s most impressive and sacred Shinto shrine, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami. Ise Jingu is a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main ones: Geku (the outer shrine) and Naiku (the inner shrine), both of which enshrines Amaterasu. Enjoy a stroll through Okage Yokocho, a quaint village located nearby the entranceway to the Ise-Jingu Naiku (Inner Shrine). The village provides a nostalgic image of old Japan featuring many traditional shops specializing in handcrafts, textiles, handmade accessories and toys, and local delicacies such as ’akafuku’ - a popular sweet made with red bean paste spread over pounded rice cake. Our journey continues south along the scenic coastline of the Pacific Ocean through the town of Kumano, located in the southern region of the Kii Peninsula. We’ll travel to Kii Katsuura, a quiet resort town famous for its ‘Bokido Onsen’, located inside a large natural cave facing the Pacific Ocean. The water here is noted as being good for the skin and joints and to relieve your body of stress. The town is also known as the largest tuna fishing port of its class in Japan. We’ll board a ferry from the Katsuura Port and cross the bay to our hotel to check-in for the night. Enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing waters at our hot spring resort this evening.
Accommodations at HOTEL URASHIMA or similar
Wednesday, October 16 (Day 09)
KII KATSUURA * KUSHIMOTO * SHIRAHAMA (B)(D)
Enjoy a visit to Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the three most sacred temples in the Kii Mountain Range - designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site & Pilgrimage Route. The shrine is part of a large complex of religious sites in the Kumano region and also features the tallest waterfall in Japan - the sacred Nachi-no-taki, built in homage to the waterfall’s kami. We’ll continue on to Kushimoto, a small town located on the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula - renowned for ‘Hashi-gui-iwa’, a series of rocks in the sea leading out towards Oshima Island. Legend claims that this bridge of rocks was created by the founder of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism - Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai) - who laid the rocks after being challenged to build a bridge across the sea to the island. Our journey continues on to Shirahama, a resort town best known for its white-sand beaches and excellent hot spring baths. Enjoy a view of Sandanbeki Cliff, a scenic site created by the erosion of the waves. A walking path will take you to the edge of the cliff to enjoy this spectacular scene. We’ll make a picture stop to view Senjojiki (One Thousand Tatami Mats), a unique appearance of sheet-like rocks created by the erosion of soft sandstone caused by the raging waves. We’ll spend the night in a fabulous hotel in Shirahama. Enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing onsen waters at our elegant hotel this evening.
Accommodations at NANKI-SHIRAHAMA MARRIOTT HOTEL or similar
Thursday, October 17 (Day 10)
SHIRAHAMA * MINABE * MOUNT KOYA (B)(D)
Our journey continues on to Minabe, a small picturesque farming town in the Hidaka district of Wakayama prefecture - noted for its ume (plum). We’ll visit the Kishu Ume no Sato Nakata, to enjoy an interesting tour of the production of ume and ume-related products - including hoshi-ume (dried ume). Enjoy a drive along the Koya Ryujin Skyline, a mountain road offering breathtaking scenery to Mount Koya, the center of Shingon Buddhism. This important Buddhist sect was introduced to Japan by Kobo Daishi, also known as Kukai, one of Japan’s most significant religious figures. A small secluded temple town has developed around the sect’s headquarters that Kobo Daishi built on Koya-san’s wooded mountaintop. It is also the site of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum - Okunoin Temple - surrounded by an immense graveyard. Considered as one of the most sacred places on the mountain, it is the starting and ending point of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Koya-san is one of the best places to experience an overnight stay at a temple. You can get a glimpse of long-held traditions of Japanese religious life with more than 2,000 temples, shrines, towers and assembly buildings located on the mountain. We’ll have the experience of a lifetime as we spend the night at a shukubo (temple lodging) to get a taste of the lifestyle of a monk while enjoying shojin ryori (vegetarian monk’s cuisine) for our meal.
Accommodations at SEKISHOIN or similar
Friday, October 18 Day 11)
MOUNT KOYA - WAKAYAMA * YUASA * OSAKA (B)(D)
As an option, you may want to participate in the morning prayers before enjoying a traditional Japanese shojin ryori breakfast. We’ll descend Mount Koya and continue our drive west to Wakayama, capital city of Wakayama Prefecture. Discover one of Wakayama’s coastal treasures - the historic, quaint little town of Yuasa, noted as ‘the birthplace of soy sauce’. On arrival, we’ll tour the factory at Yuasa Soy Sauce to learn all about the production of soy sauce and other related products. Enjoy a leisure stroll through this charming, well-preserved town - noted as a National Traditional Structure Preservation District. We’ll visit the Kinzanji Miso Factory, a small factory to learn about the production of miso. We’ll continue on to spend two nights in the exciting city of Osaka, known as the culinary capital of Japan. On arrival, the rest of the day will be at your leisure for your own activities. Dinner will be provided for you this evening.
Accommodations at HILTON OSAKA or similar
Saturday, October 19 (Day 12)
OSAKA (B)
Wax food samples are displayed in many of the windows and display cases outside of restaurants as an example of the dishes served inside. We’ll enjoy a fun hands-on experience to create wax food samples in Dotonbori, an exciting district running alongside Dotonbori Canal, best-known for its restaurants, neon lights, and night life. Enjoy shopping for last minute omiyage at Kuromon-Ichiba, a busy and interesting marketplace featuring hundreds of stalls offering various merchandise, souvenirs, food products and a wide selection of prepared foods. The market has long been called “Osaka’s Kitchen” as many restaurant cooks come here to purchase their ingredients. Dinner will be on your own this evening.
Accommodations at HILTON OSAKA or similar
Sunday, October 20 (Day 13)
OSAKA * KANSAI TO HONOLULU (B)
The morning is free at your leisure for independent activities. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the Kansai International Airport to check-in for our evening flight home to Honolulu, arriving 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
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 1/31/2024 Tour fare is subject to change according to any airfare increase, additional government taxes, additional fuel surcharges 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.
Land portion based on 140 Yen = $1.00 U.S.
