| Trip Itinerary |
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| Day 1: |
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| BOARD YOUR TRANSPACIFIC FLIGHT. |
| Day 2: Arrive in Tokyo, Japan. |
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| Arrive at Narita Airport and after completing customs formalities, you will be greeted and transferred by mini-coach to your Tokyo hotel. Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. The rest of the day is free to begin exploring on your own. |
| Day 3: Tokyo |
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| Enjoy a full-day tour of Japan’s exciting capital city, home to more than 8 million residents. Visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the first emperor of modern Japan, the Asakusa Kannon (Sensoji) Temple and the Nakamise Shopping Arcade. Then drive past the Parliament Building, Imperial Palace Plaza and along Ginza Street. After a stop for lunch in a local restaurant, visit a Japanese culture and lesson studio to learn about the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony and enjoy a calligraphy class. With your evening is at leisure, perhaps head back to Ginza to take in the neon lights and savor authentic Japanese cuisine. Breakfast and Lunch included. |
| Day 4: Tokyo |
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| A free day to explore this fascinating city on your own. There are plenty of gardens, parks, temples, shops and more to fill your day. You might want to join an optional tour to Nikko National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with mountain scenery and beautiful temples. Breakfast included. |
| Day 5: Tokyo / Kamakura / Hakone |
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| Travel to historic Kamakura to see the 750-year-old Great Buddha statue, the second largest in Japan. Then drive along the Pacific Coast to Hakone National Park for a short cruise on Lake Ashi. Next, an aerial cable-car ride (weather permitting) provides views of 12,388-foot Mount Fuji. Tonight relax in the hot springs at your hotel. Breakfast and Dinner included. |
| Day 6: Hakone / Matsumoto / Takayama |
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| Leave Hakone and head to Matsumoto. Matsumoto Castle, built in the 16th century, is one of Japan’s oldest castles and a national treasure. From here, a scenic drive across the Japanese Alps and through the Abo Tunnel takes you to Takayama. Your afternoon is free to explore the shops where local artisans sell arts and crafts or to visit a sake brewery. Breakfast included. |
| Day 7: Takayama / Shirakawa-Go / Kanazawa |
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| Start the day with an early morning visit to the colorful riverside market, where farmers display locally grown vegetables, fruits and flowers. Then drive through the scenic Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Next is Kanazawa, a beautiful old castle town. On arrival, visit Kenrokuen Garden, dating back to the 17th century. Breakfast and Dinner included. |
| Day 8: Kanazawa / Kyoto |
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| Follow the Sea of Japan to Eiheiji. Visit Eiheiji Temple, founded in 1244. Today, it is the head temple of the Soto Zen School. Continue on to arrive in Kyoto by the early afternoon. This beautiful city with its palaces, temples, shrines, and gardens was Japan’s capital and home to her emperors from 794 to 1868. It continues to be a center of culture, tradition and religion, as well as a modern city with an eye to the future. Breakfast included. |
| Day 9: Kyoto |
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| This morning’s tour includes a visit to the 17th-century Nijo-jo Castle, which was the official residence of Shogun Tokugawa leyasu. Next is Kinkakuji, also called the Golden Pavilion, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The afternoon and evening are free to explore further on your own. Perhaps take a walk in Gion, one of the most well known Geisha districts in Japan. Breakfast included. |
| Day 10: Kyoto / Nara / Osaka |
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| Depart Kyoto and drive to Nara. Visit Todaiji Temple, which houses Japan’s largest Buddha statue. Continue through Nara Park with its celebrated deer to Kasuga-taisha Shrine, famed for picturesque pathways lined with lanterns. Then, on to Osaka for an orientation tour including Midosuji Boulevard and the Dotonbori area, famous for its exciting nightlife. Tonight celebrate a marvelous vacation at a Farewell Dinner with new friends. Breakfast and Dinner included. |
| Day 11: Osaka |
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| You will be transferred to Kansai Airport for your flight home. Cross the International Date Line, arriving the same day. Breakfast included. |
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