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Tokyo - Fuji/Hakone – Kanazawa – Takayama - Kyoto - Osaka

Arranged for JAST

by JTB USA

JTB USA, Inc.

November 2017 Tour

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TOKYO HGHLIGHTS Odaiba

Futuristic town Asakusa Area

Old and traditional feel

Odaiba was born from reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay in the southeastern part of Tokyo The Center of Odaiba is Aquacity Odaiba. It includes a shopping mall with a 300-meter-long boutique street, a multi-plex cinema, a gourmet zone that stretches over 15,000 square meters. Major attractions of Odaiba are dotted along the Yurikamore Line, a new unmanned traffic system that crosses Rainbow Bridge to connect Shimbashi Station with Odaiba. Attractions included the Odaiba Seaside Park that overlooks Rainbow Bridge, Fuji TV headquarters and studios where visitors can see the sets of popular TV programs, and Palette Town.

Located along the west bank of the Sumida river, the Asakusa district once thrived as a temple town for the nearby Senso-ji Temple. Legend has it that fishermen brothers discovered an image of Kan’non in the Sumida-gawa River around the year 628 and were inspired to enshrine it. The temple’s symbol is the Furai jin-mon (Gate of the Wind God and Thunder God) adorned with a large red paper lantern that bears the inscription “Kaminari-mon” (Thunder Gate). Numerous shops along Nakamise-dori street, which runs along the approach to Senso-ji Temple, carry a variety of small articles made of Japanese-style paper as well as folding fans.

Ginza Ginza - Mikimoto

Ginza is one of the most famous shopping areas in Tokyo. There one finds major department stores and popular luxury brand boutiques, as well as famous establishments that offer stationary, general Japanese goods, and confectionary.

In 1893, the founder, Kokichi Mikimoto, succeeded in culturing pearls for the first time in the world. Through his groundbreaking achievement, the beauty of pearls spread worldwide.

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Kanazawa Kyoto The southeast area of Kanazawa faces the mountains and the northwest area faces the Sea of Japan.

Around the middle of the 16th century, the Buddhist Ikko sect set up a religious government in Kanazawa. In 1583, Maeda Toshiie, the top retainer of Hideyoshi Toyotomi who reigned over the whole country, entered Kanazawa Castle. The Maeda family governed Kaga (presently Ishikawa prefecture) for 300 years over the 14th generation henceforth. During this period, the Maeda family was treated as the second greatest daimyo next to Tokugawa Shogun. Activities and cultures including Kanazawa gold leaf and Kaga Yuzen developed and have been handed down to this day.

Sushi Kaga Yuzen

The former capital of Japan, famous worldside for its temples and shrines.

Kyoto became the capital of Japan in the 8th century. It flourished as the center for Japanese politics, economy and culture for some 1,100 years, until the capital functions were transferred to Tokyo in the mid-19th century. Seventeen historic sites including, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Nijo Castle, are inscribed as World Cultural Heritage Sites. You may meet some ‘maiko’, young dancing entertainers, who walk in long hanging-sleeved kimono in the Gion district, where the townscape is characterized by popular 19th century style latticework.

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Imperial Hotel

Hida Hotel Plaza

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa

Royal Park Hotel the Kyoto

Situated near the Tokyo International Forum and Hibiya Park, Tokyo’s historically most prestigious venue for meetings and conventions, as well as within walking distance of Otemachi, Marunouchi, Yurakucho, Ginza.

Located in the center of

Takayama. The old street of Takayama,

the Higashiyama walking course, the morning market along the Miya-gawa River, the Hida Kokubunji Temple, and the Takayama Jinja are within a 15 minute walk from the hotel.

The hotel is conveniently

located infront of JR Kanazawa

station

3-minute walk from Kyotoshiyakushomae station on Tozai subway line 3-minute walk from Sanjo station on Keihan Honsen line

Hotel Information

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Preliminary Itinerary: SCHEDULE in Japan

DAY One – Thursday, November 9, 2017 Morning Afternoon Evening

Arriving in Narita Airport After entry formalities, transfer to the hotel by chartered bus

with an English Speaking Assistant After arrival at the hotel, we are at leisure to stroll through

the surrounding neighborhood before a group dinner.

Hibiya Park – Across the street from The Imperial Hotel

Welcome dinner will be served at the hotel. Accommodations Imperial Hotel Tokyo (3 nights) Or simlar hotel

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DAY Two – Friday, November 10, 2017 Morning Afternoon Evening

Tokyo Full-day sightseeing of Tokyo by chartered bus with an English speaking guide, including lunch, and visiting

Imperial Palace

Tsukiji Fish Market

Mikimoto ( pearl experience )

Asakusa

Kaminari-mon and Nakamise

Tokyo Skytree

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Return to the hotel Imperial Palace Hotel Or similar hotel

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DAY Three – Saturday , November 11, 2017 Morning Afternoon Evening

Excursion to the Omiya Bonsai Village by chartered bus with English Speaking Guide Multiple bonsai nurseries and a superb bonsai art

museum are situated along peaceful paths in Omiya.

About half a dozen bonsai nurseries welcome walk-in

visitors, but taking of photographs is prohibited. Yanaka neighborhood presents an old town ambience

reminiscent of Tokyo from past decades. There are shops selling goods and produce, ranging from groceries and necessities to clothes and toys.

Lunch before heading to Odaiba

National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation

(Miraikan)

There are many interactive exhibits and

demonstrations to experience, such as interacting with famous Japanese robots.

Imperial Hotel or similar hotel

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DAY Four – Sunday, November 12, 2017 Morning Afternoon Evening

Tokyo - > Kamakura -> Hakone After breakfast, we leave for Kamakura by chartered bus with our guide to visit -The Great Buddha Situated on the grounds of Kotokuin

-Hase-dera Buit in 736 by Fujiwar-no Fusasaki The eleven-faced Kannon, housed in the main

hall

Hokokuji One of the Zen temples, also called Take-dera as

it is famous for the bamboo grove behind the main hall.

After stopping at Kamakura, heading to Hakone, famous for hot-spring rest spots -Komagatake ropeway

-Ashinoko Lake Cruse

Transfer to the hotel by charter bus Overnight at Hakone or Kawaguchi-Ko or Atami Group Dinner

Hakone-history In the feudal era, Hakone was a

very important checkpoint the the security of Edo as the seat of the

Tokugawa Shogunate.

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DAY Five – Monday, November 13, 2017 Morning Afternoon Evening

Hakone –> Takayama Leave for Takayama by train with our Guide and overnight bags. Odawara-Nagoya Takayama via Shinkansen & JR Hida. Note that luggage will be transported separately to Kanazawa.

Takayama Although being ruled directly by the

government in Edo, its mountainous location limited contact with the outside world. The high mountains surrounding Takayama allowed it to develop a distinct culture.

Takayama Jinjya ( historical government house)

Sanno-machi Historic district The town developed as a merchant town in the 1600s, during the Edo period. Canals flow under the eaves of merchant houses with lattice bay windows.

Overnight at Takayama Hida Hotel Plaza Group Dinner

Takayama Cuisine Turning to the mountains and rivers as a main source of raw materials, unique dishes have been created. San-sai : mountain vegetables (wild plants) Hoba-miso : miso mixed with vegetables roasted on a magnolia leaf Soba : noodles made from buckwheat Hida Beef : locally produced beef, the highest quality in marbling, luster, color and texture

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DAY Six – Tuesday November 14th, 2017

Morning Afternoon Evening A visit to the morning market is possible for

early risers, who will see local farmers selling fresh vegetables, fruit and folk-art products

From Takayama, we will visit Shirakawago by motor coach. Hidden away deep in the mountains is the quaint settlement in Shirakawa village, a UNESCO World Heritege site. The village is famous for its gassho-zukuri houses whose grand roofs resemble hands clasped in prayer. Many of these houses are still inhabited to this day, together with their adjacent rice paddies.

Visit an historical house to see traditional equipment and typical materials of the era.

-Wada residence Well-preserved house built in 17th century

Lunch at a local restaurant

Continue to Kanazawa by motor coach Overnight at Kanazawa Hotel Nikko Kanazawa

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DAY Seven – Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

Morning Afternoon Evening Kanazawa Today, we will visit highlights of this city of cultural treasures. -Higashi Chaya Enjoy walking the alleys

Historical rows of houses

Experience traditional application of

gold leaf *subject to confirmation*

-Kenroku-en Enjoy marvelous scenery by strolling around the pond and crossing its many bridges

Garden of six qualities

Spaciousness, seclusion, air of antiquity, ingenuity, flowing water, views

-Sake Brewery

Nagamachi Samurai House

Overnight at Kanazawa Hotel Nikko Kanazawa

The nearby Hakusan mountain range ensures that Kanazawa has an abundant supply of fresh, pure water, making it ideally suited to the cultivation of yeast. Local sake breweries have long used premum sake-rice as well.

Nagamachi Samurai Quarter retains its earthen-walled streets. Nomura House gives an idea of Samurai life

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DAY Eight – Thursday, November 16th, 2017 Morning Afternoon Evening

Kanazawa –> Kyoto by train (Thunder Bird ) Leave for Kyoto by express train with our guide. Luggage will be transported separately.

After arriving at Kyoto station, transfer to the hotel by chartered bus with our guide, after which you will have free time to explore the area nearby on your own or rest before a group dinner at which we will sample local cuisine.

Kyoto City Spend time in the backstreets

and environs of this old imperial capital

Royal Park Hotel, The Kyoto Group Dinner

Kyoto style cuisine -Refined and delicate taste-

Famous for Kaiseki (multi-course dinner)

Tofu Yuba (tofu skin)

Shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine)

Kyo-wagashi (sweet) -warabi-mochi

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DAY Nine – Friday, November 17th, 2017 Morning Afternoon Evening

Kyoto Highlights Full-day sightseeing in Kyoto by chartered bus with an English speaking guide Visiting -Kiyomizu Temple The temple’s veranda juts out of the side of a mountain supported by 13-meter high wooden columns.

The most beloved temple in the nation. It is entered from “Teapot Lane”, so-called because of the numerous shops lining the approach that sell Kiyomizu ceramics

-Nijo Castle built by the Tokugawa shogun in 1603 The wide moat, massive stone walls, heavy gates are impressive. Inside the palace are masterpieces of art, the painted screens of the main chamber where the shoguns met the daimyo. Gorgeous details and a specially-constructed “nightingale” floor to warn of approaching visitors

Karamon Gate (Momoyama-period)

After a group lunch, the afternoon itinerary will be adjusted according to the interests of the group to integrate up close experiences of affluent cultural legacies, such as kimono textile making, metal working or lacquerware decoration. An alternative will be a visit to Kinkakuji Temple ( Golden Pavillion), built at the end of the 14th century originally as a villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the shogun at the time. After Yoshimitsu’s death, as indicated in his will, the building was converted into a temple of the Zen sect of Buddhism.

Overnight at Kyoto

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DAY Ten – Saturday, November 18th, 2017 Morning Afternoon Evening

Kyoto –> Nara --> Kyoto

Full-day sightseeing of Nara by chartered bus with an English speaking guide Visiting - Kofukuji Temple Founded in 710 as the tutelary temple of the powerful Fujiwara family. -Kasuga Taisha Considered one of the three great Shinto shrines of Japan. Founded in 768, it is actually four shrines consecrated to different Shinto deities. Among the notable features is the vermilion color which creates a striking contrast to the surrounding verdant bamboo groves.

Kasuga Taisha

Shrine of Fujiwara-family

-Todaiji Temple

Kondo

The Great Buddha Hall, the Main Hall, is the largest wooden structure in the world, built first in the Nara period, after which time it was twice destroyed twice by fire.

Daibutsu

Known as Vairocana Buddha

Afterwards, a visit to Horyuji Temple, with five-storied pagoda among the oldest in the world, is proposed.

Farewell dinner at local restaurant Overnight at Kyoto

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Day Eleven - Sunday, November 19, 2017 Morning Afternoon Evening

Departure for Osaka Enjoy breakfast and free morning time in Kyoto before we depart for our tour termination point in Osaka. Suggestions: Nishiki market Explore the street foods, pickles, yakitori skewers and finely crafted tableware Nishiki market with over 400 years of history, is one of Kyoto’s prosperous market arcades lined with a variety of stores such as vintage grocery stores and other traditional specialty stores.

Kyoto Kansai airport Leave for airport by motorcoach Depart Kansai airport for USA in the evening or stay over in Osaka as an option.

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FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION, CONTACT:

LEIGH WIELAND JAPAN-AMERICA SOCIETY OF TENNESSEE, INC. 615-604-3124 CELL LWIELAND@JASTN.ORG

FOR ASSISTANCE WITH AIR RESERVATIONS, CONTACT:

JTB USA, INC. CHICAGO BRANCH 1699 E. WOODFIELD ROAD SCHAUMBURG, IL 60173 BRANCH MANAGER: KIYOSHI YAMADA TEL: 773-714-1284 E-MAIL: Kyamada@jtbusa.com

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