Day 1: ARRIVAL IN TOKYO

You land today at gleaming New Tokyo International Airport (Narita). Our representative will be on hand to meet you after you clear customs, and see you to the " Airport Shuttle ".

Welcome to Tokyo! Your van ride to your hotel will provide a first view of the Japanese capital, so modern and familiar, and yet so different. Streets are busy but orderly and neat, lights and signs glitter everywhere, alternating with serene green oases. Finally, you'll arrive at the Takanawa Prince Hotel Sakura Tower .

Day 2: TOKYO (L)

We'll call for you in the morning not only to show you the sights of Tokyo, but also to experience the Japanese way of life. You'll ascend the Tokyo Tower to the observatory level for a commanding view of the city. You'll experience the ritual of a tea ceremony in a traditionally designed harmonious Japanese garden. Continue to the Imperial Palace Plaza, then take a Japanese barbecue lunch at Chinzanso, enjoying delicate flavors imparted by marinades and searing. It's more than just a hibachi! Then it's on to see Tokyo from a different perspective, as we cruise along the Sumida River. We'll also visit Asakusa Kannon Temple, for an understanding of Japanese spirituality, so closely tied to the physical environment.

Day 3: TOKYO - NIKKO - TOKYO (L)

Extraordinary beauty awaits within easy reach of Tokyo, as we'll see in our travels today. Our coach will call for us this morning, to take us toward the Shinto pilgrimage center of Nikko, considered by many the indispensable destination outside the capital. We'll pay a morning visit to the Toshogu Shrine, one of the most spectacular temple complexes in Japan. You'll marvel at the intricately carved details. Then we'll follow the Irohazaka road with its notorious hairpin turns upward into the mountains, and stop to take a traditional Japanese lunch. We'll visit Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, where a viewing platform is sited for the perfect photo. We'll return to Tokyo to conclude our day in the exciting Ginza district or Shinjyuku, each full of restaurants, electronic showcases, and avant-garde shops on every level of glittering buildings. Stay in the area for dinner, by all means, before you make your way back on your own to your hotel.

Day 4: TOKYO - MOUNT FUJI - HAKONE (L)

Your motor coach will pick you up in the morning, and before long, you'll be out past the suburbs and into the neatly tended countryside beyond. Mount Fuji with its perfect, snow-capped conical shape will hover into view, ever more impressive as we approach. We'll continue right onto the slopes of Japan's highest mountain, and ascend to the halfway point at 2300 meters (7600 feet) for spectacular views of rolling fields, orchards, lakes, and streams. We'll take our lunch at the Highland Resort, then continue with a relaxing cruise on Lake Ashi, and a breathtaking ride on the Mt. Komagatake aerial tramway. A comfortable bed will be waiting in nearby Hakone at the Hotel Kowaki-en, where you can delight in a relaxing hot-springs bath.

Mt.Fuji

Day 5: HAKONE - Inuyama ( or Gifu) (LD)

We'll take a short drive this morning through the Hakone Mountains to Odawara station where we'll catch the Bullet Train for Nagoya  where we change to Meitetsu train , and on to Inuyama , we'll arrive around 12:50 PM .

After lunch at a local restaurant , we'll be off to see the sights. Visit Inuyama Castle and enjoy Japan Rhine cruise ! ,

Enjoy dinner at the hotel. Then a Folk Fishermen Show ( Ukai ) .
Accommodation at the Meitetsu Inuyama Hotel or Gifu Grand Hotel
In case the tour is going to Gifu , then the tour covers Gifu Castle and Kinkazan

Day 6: Inuyama ( or Gifu) / Nagoya (L)
After breakfast we proceed to Nagoya , where we'll see the reconstructed Nagoya Castle with its emblematic tiers of roofs. Then we'll see what makes Nagoya run in modern times, with a visit to the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology (or, when it's closed, the Osu Kannon Temple). Then we'll continue to Nagoya station to board a Shinkansen train for the Imperial City of Kyoto. We'll check in at the New Miyako Hotel, where we'll stay for two nights.

Nagoya Castle

Day 7: KYOTO - NARA - KYOTO (L)

We'll tour the major sites of the ancient capital of Japan this morning, including the Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle with its exquisite interiors (or Ryoanji Temple when Nijo Castle is closed), and the ancient Imperial Palace. (On Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, we'll take in the Higashi Honganji Temple instead.) After lunch at Kyoto's Handicraft Center, we'll continue to Nara, first capital of a united Japan. Highlights will include the Todaiji Temple with its huge Buddha; the 3000 lanterns of the Kasuga Shrine, and the Deer Park, where the animals are free to roam.

Golden Pavilion

Day 8: KYOTO - HIROSHIMA

In the morning, we'll board the Bullet Train once again, and set out for Hiroshima. The city was totally rebuilt after the atomic bombing of 1945, but relics remain as solemn reminders, along with traditional temples. Among other sites, we'll see the venerable Itsukushima Shrine complex, dating from more than a thousand years ago. Beyond the Otorii (Grand Gate), it appears to float above the surface of the sea. Our visit will include the Peace Memorial Park. We'll stay the night at the Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima.

Day 9: HIROSHIMA - KURASHIKI - OSAKA (L)

We'll board the Bullet Train this morning for the rapid trip to Kurashiki on the shore of Japan's Inland Sea. We'll find a modern city with treasured older neighborhoods laced by tree-lined canals. We'll be privileged to visit the Kurashiki Folkcraft Museum, in adjoining former rice warehouses. Here you'll see the most extraordinary collection of traditional people's art in all of Japan. We'll break for lunch at the Kurashiki International Hotel, then go on to the Ohara Art Museum, which includes a significant European collection. Then we'll board the Bullet Train again and continue to Osaka, and our lodgings at the Hotel Granvia Osaka.

SHINKANSEN

Day 10: DEPARTURE FROM OSAKA

In accordance with your flight schedule, we'll see you to Osaka's Kansai International Airport to begin your homeward journey. With advance notice, we can also arrange connections to Tokyo's Narita Airport for departure via Bullet Train .

Peace Memorial Park

This tour departs on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays : Apr through Oct

Rate per person in US$ :

Rate per person in US$ :$ 4078 in double occupancy.
Children :$ 3452 per child 6-11 years sharing parents' room.
Rate per person in US$ $ 4890 in single occupancy.

Rate includes:

* Transportation from Tokyo Airport to your hotel and from Osaka to Kansai Airport

* Hotel accommodations as described, including taxes and service charge

* All ground transportation by motor coach, Bullet Train, and express train

* Tours as listed, including entrance fees and guide service

* Seven lunches with set menu (L)

Not included:

* Air transportation

* Trip interruption and cancellation insurance (please see our insurance brochure ).

* Gratuities

* Meals or beverages other than three lunches

* Baggage handling beyond first bag ($20 per extra item between Tokyo and Kyoto collected locally)

Concerning your visit to Mount Fuji, please note:

1. The ride on the Mt. Komagatake Aerial Cableway might be omitted, depending on traffic conditions.

2. Due to winter and spring road closures, we will ascend to the highest accessible point on Mount Fuji, and not necessarily the Fifth Station.

3. Weather and operational conditions could cause other changes or substitutions due to conditions beyond our control.

4. With advance notice, we'll be pleased to arrange audio tour tapes in French, German, Spanish, Korean, or Chinese at no charge.