Day 1: ARRIVAL IN TOKYO

You'll arrive today at New Tokyo International Airport (Narita). After clearing immigration, you'll retrieve your baggage and make your way to the shuttle van counter in the arrivals lobby on the first floo 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 find your room ready in the luxury Sakura Tower of the 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.

Day 2: TOKYO (L)

You'll take a full day to see the sights of Tokyo. You'll visit the Meiji Shrine and its surprisingly tranquil grounds so near the heart of the city, the National Diet Building (Japan's parliament), and the Imperial East Garden (or, on Monday or Friday, the Plaza of the Imperial Palace). You'll continue to the Asakusa Kannon Temple, for an understanding of Japanese spirituality, so closely tied to the physical environment. Of course, since this is Japan, you'll see the latest consumer marvels at the Nakamise shopping arcade. After a break for a western-style lunch at a local restaurant, you'll get a view of the city from an entirely different perspective, on the Symphony Cruise on Tokyo Bay. We'll visit Odaiba, a man-made island with shops and entertainment, then conclude right in the heart of Tokyo's most exciting district, the Ginza, full of restaurants, electronic showcases, and avant-garde shops on every level of its glittering buildings. Continue your adventure in Tokyo on your own, and make your way back to your lodgings by taxi or the efficient subway system.

Symphony - Cruising Tokyo Bay

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, and 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, where we'll 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. (Your guide will be pleased to note down the address in Japanese characters and English beforehand.)

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.

Day 5: HAKONE - NAGOYA - TOBA (L)

We'll take a short drive this morning 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 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.

Day 6: 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 see 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. You'll stay at either the New Miyako Hotel (standard) or the Miyako (deluxe) as selected for two nights.

Golden Pavilion

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.

Day 8: KYOTO - HIROSHIMA

In the morning, we'll board the Bullet Train 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 - KYOTO (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 continue by train to Okayama, where we'll visit the outstanding Korakuen Garden, with its teahouses, shrines, and even an artificial hill to add to nature's gifts. The Bullet Train will speed us back to Kyoto and our lodgings at the New Miyako Hotel.

Day 10: KYOTO - KOYASAN (D)

We're off on an adventure today, as we take the train out of Kyoto, and then board the cable car to ascend Koya-san, one of Japan's holiest mountains. A temple was founded here more than a thousand years ago, and monasteries are clustered all along the misty, cedar-forested clefts at its summit. We'll mix with pilgrims as we view the great tombstones of Okunoin cemetery on the way to the lantern-bedecked mausoleum of the great priest Kobo Daishi. But we won't be here just to gaze and take pictures. We'll join in a vegetarian supper and find accommodation at Rengejo-in Temple, in a traditional room with shared bath. If you choose to join in, you'll be welcomed at the evening meditation in the temple.

Rengejo-in Temple

Day 11: KOYASAN - KYOTO (B)

In the morning, you'll be welcomed at the Buddhist service in the temple. A vegetarian breakfast will be served. We'll set out early for the Kongobu-ji Temple, the spiritual home of the Shingon sect, and the Reihokan Museum, housing treasures of art in the Buddhist tradition. Later, we'll catch the cable car back down the mountain, board the express train to Osaka, and continue by Bullet Train to Kyoto, where we'll end our tour for the day at the station. We'll stay the night at the New Miyako Hotel.

Peace Memorial Park

Day 12: KYOTO - DEPARTURE 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. 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

This tour departs on Saturdays, April through Oct

Rate per person in US$
Rate per person in US$ $4726 in double occupancy.
Children Rate : $3804.00 per child 6-11 sharing parents' room.
Rate per person in US$ $5626.00 per person in single occupancy.

Rate includes:

* Transportation from Tokyo Airport to your hotel and from Kyoto 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

* One breakfast (B), seven lunches (L) and one dinner (D) with set menu

Not included:

* Air transportation

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

* Gratuities

* Meals or beverages other than those indicated

* 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, especially on local holidays

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.

Concerning your temple stay:

1. Rooms are private and divided by traditional walls, but please note that sliding doors have no locks and bathroom facilities are shared.

2. Casual clothing and comfortable shoes are appropriate for footpaths atop the mountain.