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12 days, October 17, 2010

Japan – Land of the rising sun

In a volcanic Island chain, surrounded by an ocean, the Japanese built their cultural and national identity. The transition from being open to the world to being closed to it has shaped Japan's unique character. And even today, modern and technological Japan remains rigid and reserved, and it zealously preserves its unique tradition. A visit to Japan is an encounter with many contrasts almost everywhere; ancient temples alongside modern skyscrapers, fancy gardens and hi-tech gadgets, old samurai castles located in vibrant, modern cities. Japan is a western society that stands firmly in the east. Our tour includes Tokyo with its skyscrapers, wooden houses and traditional gardens, and the natural reserve Nikko with its abundance of temples – both Shinto and Buddhist. At Hakone, located on the edge of a volcanic lake, we can soak in a typical Japanese Onsen. Kyoto – Japan's imperial capital for over 1,000 years, and Hiroshima, rebuilt from scratch after the tragic event of the atomic bomb in World War II. The Land of the Rising Sun brings us calm at dawn, hustle and bustle at midday, and placidity at night. Yokoso!

Full Itinerary

Day 1 Sunday October 17, 2010 Tokyo

Arrival to Tokyo, meeting and orientation at the hotel.

Day 2 Monday October 18, 2010 Tokyo - Nikko

We'll start our visit to Japan by taking a drive to Nikko National Park (140km from Tokyo) where we will visit the most impressive of the 200-plus Toshogu Shrines in Japan, all built in memory of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the man responsible for the unification of Japan and the eventual restoration of the Japanese Imperial family. This complex - which houses his remains - was built by his grandson, Tokugawa Iemitsu. We'll examine numerous buildings in the complex and gain some insights into the life of this important man. After that, we'll drive up the thrilling Irohazaka Driveway to Lake Chuzenji formed by the eruption of Mt. Nantai. We'll view the lake and, weather permitting, have a picnic lunch here.

Day 3 Tuesday October 19, 2010 Tokyo

We'll get up at the crack of dawn today to visit Tsukiji Fish Market - the largest and most interesting of its kind in the world. Here millions of dollars exchange hands daily as fish are sold to the tens of thousands of restaurants in Japan. It's not unusual for a fresh Tuna to sell here for up to $80,000 per fish! After the auction, we'll return to the hotel for Tefillah & breakfast. The rest of the day will be filled with sightseeing in Tokyo. Our agenda includes as many of the following as time and traffic will allow: Edo Tokyo Museum, Asakusa Kannon Temple with Nakamise shopping arcade, Akihabara Electronics District and the glitzy Ginza avenue stores.

Day 4 Wednesday October 20, 2010 Tokyo - Hakone

In the morning, we'll start by visiting the Meiji shrine, Harajuku & Omote Sando. Meiji Shrine, a Shinto complex dedicated to the memory of Emperor Meiji who brought the corrupt Shogunate to an end in 1867. Emperor Meiji, who is buried at the shrine, is credited with modernizing Japan and initiating Japan's economic and industrial infrastructure. From the city, we'll once again head for nature. We'll drive to the vacation village of Hakone, visiting the Open Air Museum which houses works of some of the world's finest sculptors and artists – Henry Moore, Picasso and others, Owakudani Valley/Komagatake Ropeway, and Lake Ashi. Transfer to the hotel, enjoy the hot springs.

Day 5 Thursday October 21, 2010 Hakone - Takayama

This morning we'll drive through the Japanese Alps to Takayama. This town started to develop in the 8th century, and is famous for its carpentry workshops. We'll stroll through the picturesque markets of this town as we admire the traditional houses that line the streets here. We'll also visit Yatai Kaikan museum where we'll see a display of great chariots, dating back hundreds of years, that were used to transport the gods in the Takayama festival that is help twice a year, spring and fall. This is one of the most spectacular festivals in Japan, and draws large crowds who join the parade.

Day 6 Friday October 22, 2010 Takayama - Kobe

Today we take a walk through the morning stalls of the Takayama market, displaying local art from the area's villages. We continue to the open museum that displays various houses from various periods in Japan history. At the end of this visit we head to Yoatsu village that lays alongside the Japanese Alps, and pay tribute to a Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who saved over 6000 Jews from the Nazis during World War 1. The memorial hall is located in his hometown. We transfer to a hotel in the city of Kobe and prepare ourselves for Shabbat.

Day 7 Shabbat October 23, 2010 Kobe

We'll spend a wonderful, peaceful and relaxing Shabbat with the Jewish community in Kobe, the only fully functional Orthodox community in Japan. After Shacharit and a Kiddush/Breakfast, we'll take a stroll through the neighborhood near our hotel.

Day 8 Sunday October 24, 2010 Kobe - Hiroshima

Our first stop this morning upon departing Kobe by coach will be Himeji Castle, one of Japan's three most beautiful castles and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This castle was built in 1333 as an army stronghold, and in the 17th century was rebuilt to serve the shuguns, and the city of Himeji was built around it. It is 5 stories high and is surrounder by many structures and gardens of Sakura trees. We continue to Kurashiki, where we visit the art museum Ohara. We end the day in Hiroshima, located on the Oceanside.

Day 9 Monday October 25, 2010 Hiroshima – Miyajima - Kyoto

Today we have q guided tour of Hiroshima. We will learn the history of the city that was A-Bombed at the end of World War II. Hiroshima, which in 1945 was the 6th largest city in Japan, was of strategic military importance. The headquarters of the Second Army, which was charged with protecting all of southern Japan, was located here. However, Allied bombing during World War II was not focused there. The city was built mainly of wood, which made it very vulnerable to fire. We will visit the ABomb Dome, the Peace Park, Museum and memorial. We'll make our way across the water by ferry to Miyajima Island, a sacred island that houses what is arguably Japan's most beautiful shrine – Itsukushima. The whole island is an historical site and is considered one of the three most beautiful sites in Japan. The birth of the city is dated back to 593 AC when empress Seiko was crowned and a shrine was built in honor of this event. We then head to the train station and take a train to Kyoto, capital of Imperial Japan for over 1,100 years.

Day 10 Tuesday October 26, 2010 Kyoto

Kyoto, considered the “Jerusalem of Japan” is home to over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, some of the most important in Japan, as well as the traditional site of the coronation of Japan's emperors. Due to its sanctity, the city was not bombed by the allies during World War II. We'll visit Ryoanji Temple – a Zen Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is famous for its simplistic and stark dry-landscape garden. From there we'll proceed to the ultimate opposite, the Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji Shrine, an opulent gilded building in a magnificent garden, along with a tea house. Our next stop will be at Kyoto's famous Nishiki Market.

Day 11 Wednesday October 27, 2010 Kyoto

We'll continue to the Kiyomizu Dera complex and the Ninenzaka and Sanenzaka lanes as we stroll through the fascinating side alleyways of this inspiring sacred city. Toward evening we'll turn into paparazzi as we stake out the Gion district in search of Geishas on their way to their evening appointments. In the evening we'll go out and enjoy a moving experience at Beit Shalom, a center of supporters of Israel.

Day 12 Thursday October 28, 2010 Kyoto – Home Gateway

Another fascinating tour has come to an end. We drive to the airport and board a flight back to our home gateway.

Start date End date Days Price Single supplement Comments
17/10/2010 28/10/2010 12 days $4290 $760  

Important:

  • There may be changes to the schedule and hotel reservations dependent upon internal flights. We will make every effort to visit every location mentioned.

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Comfortable touring coach for travelling
  • Shinkansen Bullet Train tickets according to the tour plan
  • Breakfast + 11 main meals + bread for making sandwiches
  • Professional experienced Israeli guide & Local Guide as required
  • Entrance to all sites mentioned in the tour plan
  • First class tourist hotels

PRICE EXCLUDES

  • International Flights
  • International Airport and security taxes
  • Tips for local service providers: $120 to be collected abroad
  • Personal expenses and services private expenses (drinks laundry & dry cleaning shopping etc.)
  • Insurance
  • Tip for our tour guide (Recommended: $3 per person per day)

Deposit, Cancellation Fees & Policy:
A $500 USD Deposit per person must be received at the time of booking in order to confirm your reservation. Payment in full is due 90 days before departure. A minimum number of participants are required to operate tour dates. If a minimum number has not been reached prior to tour departure and the tour is cancelled you will receive a FULL refund.

  • 90 days before departure bookings are refundable less a $100 administration fee
  • 60-90 days prior to departure: $500 + $100 per passenger
  • 30-60 days prior to departure: $1,000 + $100 per passenger
  • Less than 30 working days prior to departure: 100% of total - no refund
  • We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance encompassing both cancellation and medical insurance is very important and we can not stress that enough. We strongly recommend that our clients are adequately insured when travelling. It is crucial to purchase the travel insurance within 14 days from the 1st payment that you make for this trip (flights/cruise/tour etc). Your payment is made directly to the insurance company.

We highly recommend the 'cancel for any reason' upgrade option.

Our preferred policies are Travel Safe (USA & Canadian residents), Travel Select (USA residents) and Global Trip Protection Elite (All other Nationalities).

For an obligation free quote and further details email Yonah insurance@eddiestravel.com