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 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 Akasak Prince Hotel, where you'll stay two 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. Take a good look around . . . you'll be encountering these treasures again. 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 stroll 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.

Mt.Fuji

Day 3: TOKYO - MT. 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. 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.

Day 4: HAKONE - NAGOYA - TOBA (L)
We'll take a short drive this morning down through the Hakone Mountains to Odawara station on the main rail line, where we'll catch the Bullet Train for Nagoya. After lunch at the Hotel Associa Nagoya Terminal, we'll be off to see the sights. Nagoya grew as a fortified town, and we'll see the reconstructed Nagoya Castle, emblematic of the city, with its 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). In late afternoon, we'll board an express train for the traditional port city of Toba, and our lodgings at the Hotel International.

Nagoya Castle

Day 5: TOBA - ISE - KYOTO (L)
We'll set out onto the waters this morning to visit Mikimoto Pearl Island, long the center of Japan's pearl industry. We'll see how pearls are cultured, and even observe female pearl divers at work. We'll have a seafood lunch, of course (or meat, if you prefer), before we return over the water and resume our drive to Ise-Jingu shrine, the most sacred Shinto shrine and pilgrimage center in all of Japan. We'll view compounds carefully constructed in harmony with nature and the precepts of Shintoism. Then we'll continue to Uji-Yamada station to board an express train for the Imperial City of Kyoto. We'll check in at the New Miyako Hotel, where we'll stay for two nights.

Ise-Jingu Shrine

Day 6: 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 7: KYOTO - DEPART FROM OSAKA
Use your remaining time to explore Kyoto on your own. Perhaps you'll head for one of the historic outlying districts, such as Fushimi, with its canals and small sake breweries. If time permits, we can arrange a tour to the Imperial Palace, the Katsura Imperial Villa, or the Shugakuin Imperial Villa. In accordance with your flight schedule, we'll see you to Osaka's Kansai International Airport to begin your homeward journey.

This tour departs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, March 8-November 19, except April 30, August 6, 9, 11, 13 and November 1. With advance notice, we can also arrange connections to Tokyo's Narita Airport for departure via Bullet Train .

Rate per person in US$

Per person in : $1848 per person in double occupancy.
Children Rate : $1655 per child 6-11 years sharing parents' room.
Per person in : $2409 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

* Bullet Train and express train tickets as described

* Tours as listed, including entrance fees and guide service

* Four 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 four 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.