Japan's Highland
8 Days - Tokyo, Mt.Fuji, Hakone, Kurobe, Tateyama, Kyoto

Photo : By JNTO

Tour: JP8C

We'll take the high road . . . in Japan, that is! On this eight-day visit, we'll go from peak to peak in geography, delights, and surprises. Who knew that Japan had a mountainous personality all its own? If fresh air and dramatic landscapes inspire you, choose the Highlands of Japan.

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN TOKYO - First Friday of each month - Year Round

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 shuttle van counter in the arrivals lobby on the first floor. 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. You'll check in at the New Takanawa Prince Hotel, where you'll stay three nights. Then it's time to get to know Tokyo on your own, and appreciate its urban life: spotless streets, a pace that's fast but always in control, bicycles left unlocked, vending machines dispensing superb hot coffee in cans (or whiskey, if you wish), and signs in English.

Asakusa Kannon Temple

Day 2: TOKYO

We'll call for you in the morning to show you the sights of Tokyo. You'll ascend the Tokyo Tower to the observatory level for a commanding view of the city, and visit the Imperial Palace Plaza. Then it's on to the Asakusa Kannon Temple, a harmonious melding of design and spirituality. We'll also include time at the Tasaki Pearl Gallery, a multi-level emporium of pearls and much more, a must for visitors with fine taste. Your afternoon will be yours, to rest or to explore further on your own. Perhaps you'll take a cruise on Tokyo Bay, or browse the remarkable modern electronics, or the exciting neon-lit streets of Ginza. Feel free to wander in one of the safest cities anywhere. Of course, we're at your service to arrange excursions.

Day 3: TOKYO - MT. FUJI - HAKONE - TOKYO (L)

Your motor coach will pick you up in the morning, and before long, you'll be speeding 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 toward Hakone and a relaxing cruise on Lake Ashi, followed by a breathtaking ride on the Mt. Komagatake aerial tramway. In the evening, we'll head for Odawara station to board the Bullet Train and return to Tokyo Station. You'll proceed on your own to the Takanawa Prince Hotel, or stay in town for dinner, as you wish.

Mt. Fuji

Day 4: TOKYO - LAKE KUROBE - MURODO (D)

We're off for another taste of the mountains today, as we board the Limited Express train from Shinkjuku Station. Our three-hour journey takes us almost all the way across the island of Honshu, over a varied landscape of hills and valleys, until we reach Shinano-Omachi. Here we'll detrain, and follow the fabled Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. In an adventure straight out of Jules Verne, we'll use whatever means are at hand to conquer the challenging terrain. We'll ascend by conventional bus, then embark on an electric trolley bus to reach the Kurobe Dam, the highest of its kind in Japan. Depending on weather and local conditions, a cable car and chair lift may take us even higher, to Daikamto Station and commanding views of the entire Ushiro-Tateyama Range. Then we'll the tunnel under the peak of Mount Tateyama (3015 meters, or 9950 feet) by trolley bus to Murodo, cool and high on the mountain slopes, where we'll find comfortable beds waiting at the Hotel Tateyama and a hot dinner.

Day 5: MURODO - TATEYAMA - TOYAMA - KYOTO (B)

We'll enjoy breakfast at the Hotel Tateyama, and set off on a guided 80-minute hike around Mikurigaike Pond, skirting hot springs and active steam spouts. Then set off on your own to follow any of several well-marked circular hiking trails along routes taking from 45 minutes to three hours to complete. Take your pick of marshes, mountain meadows, and mild ascents, or choose a route that combines all the varied features of the terrain. In the afternoon, we'll go onward by bus down the mountain slope to the plateau of Midagahara at 2000 meters, laced with blue ponds. A bus will take us onward to Tateyama Station, where we'll board the train for Toyama, to connect with the express for Kyoto. After the crisp Alpine air, Kyoto will feel warm in any season! We'll lodge for three nights at the International Hotel Kyoto.

LAKE KUROBE

Day 6: KYOTO

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.) Your afternoon is free to relax, explore on your own, or both. Perhaps you'll venture to Nara, the first national capital of Japan, where the the Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine recall past glories.

Day 7: KYOTO

Take your last day to relax, or to wander the charming traditional sections of Kyoto. Perhaps you'll head for Fushimi, in the south of the city, where you'll find charming canals, sake breweries, and, among others, the Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine, with its thousands of bright gates, all an expected surprise. We can arrange tours to the Imperial Palace, the Katsura Imperial Villa, or the Shugakuin Imperial Villa.

Midagahara Plateau

Day 8: 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 .

Golden Pavilion

Rate per person in US$

Per person $ 2945 in double occupancy.
Children rate : $ 2808 per child sharing parents' room.
Per person $ 4244 in single occupancy.

Rate includes:

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

* Airport greeting

* Hotel accommodations as described, including taxes and service charge

* Ground transportation to Mount Fuji by motor coach

* Trolley bus, cable car, and bus transportation along the Alpine Route

* Rail transportation by Bullet Train, express train, and local train along the routes described

* Tours as listed, including entrance fees and guide service

* One breakfast (B), one lunch (L), and one dinner (D)

Not included:

* Air transportation

* Trip interruption and cancellation insurance

* Gratuities

* Meals or beverages other than one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner

* 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. Please note that during our transit of the Alpine Route (days 4 and 5), we'll share the available buses, trolley buses and cable cars with local visitors, with no reserved seating. Warm clothing and comfortable shoes are appropriate for the climate and footpaths at any time of year.