Japan In-Depth 10 Days / 9 Nights – Land Only Tour

January 1 – December 15, 2012

Explore Japan from her modern bustle in the city streets of Tokyo to the traditional alleys and ancient

traditions of Takayama and Kanazawa. Begin your tour in Tokyo with panoramic views from Tokyo

tower, a traditional tea ceremony at a Japanese garden, and an exciting walk along the Nakamise

walkway to the Sensoji Temple before taking a tour outside the city to the natural scenery of Nikko.

Head to Mt. Fuji and marvel at Japan’s national icon followed by a cruise on Lake Ashi. Take a ride on

the Hakone Ropeway and then observe volcanic activity in the Owakudani valley. Travel to Takayama

and visit the morning market before departing for the town of Shirakawa-go to see the traditional

architecture of this UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Continue on and explore the town of

Kanazawa before heading to the former Imperial Capital of Japan, Kyoto. Explore the city’s many

shrines & temples including a visit to the famed Todaiji temple in nearby Nara. Explore Japan’s most

impressive highlights by road and rail on this journey to the land of the rising sun.

Day 1 – Arrival in Tokyo

Upon arrival in Tokyo, you will go through the entry procedures and then you will be met at the exit

of customs and then assisted in boarding the airport bus for your transportation to the hotel. The

remainder of the day is at your leisure. Stay three nights at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel (Main

Tower) – 4-star.

Day 2 – Tokyo (B/L)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before your tour of Dynamic Tokyo. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city

from Tokyo Tower before participating in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at Happo-en Japanese

gardens. Savor a barbecue-style lunch, and then take a stroll around the Imperial Palace East Garden

(Imperial Palace Plaza on Mondays & Fridays). Board a cruise at Hinode Pier for a 40-minute trip up

the Sumida River to Asakusa. Browse the many colorful stores lining the Nakamise walkway leading

up to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest and most famous Buddhist temple, before passing through

Ginza, Japan's world-renowned shopping and entertainment district. Pick up and drop off at the

hotel is included.

Day 3 – Tokyo – Nikko - Tokyo (B/L)

Today, travel by motor coach to Nikko and visit the ancient Toshogu Shrine dedicated to Leyasu, the

founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Enjoy a Japanese-style lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch,

visit Kirifuri Waterfall and the Tamozawa Imperial Villa (On Tuesdays or when Tamozawa Imperial

Villa is closed, visit Rinnouji Treasure Museum and Shoyo Garden). Your tour ends at bustling Ginza

and Shinjuku where you can shop until you make your own way back to the hotel. Drop off at the

hotel is not included.

Day 4 – Tokyo – Mt. Fuji - Hakone (B/L)

Depart by motor coach to see Mt. Fuji, the volcanic mountain that is Japan's national icon. Visit the

Fuji Visitor Center & Mt. Fuji’s 5th

station. After a Japanese-style lunch, continue the coach ride to

Hakone. Enjoy a delightful cruise on Lake Ashi and visit Hakone Ropeway for a commanding view of

Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, Mt. Futago and mountains of the distant Izu Peninsula. Today’s tour also includes

a visit to Owakudani Valley. Overnight at Yumoto Fujiya Hotel – 4-star.

Day 5 – Hakone – Takayama (B)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then be transferred to Odawara Station by car and depart for

Takayama by train via the city of Nagoya. Upon your arrival in Takayama, a traditional & charming

Japan In-Depth 10 Days / 9 Nights – Land Only Tour

January 1 – December 15, 2012

town in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture, you will enjoy a walking tour visiting Yatai

Kaikan Hall, the Kusakabe Folk Museum and the beautifully preserved old town along Sannomachi

Street. Continue by foot to your hotel in Takayama. Overnight at the Hida Hotel Plaza – 4-star.

Day 6 – Takayama – Shirakwago – Kanazawa (B)

Visit the famous morning market of Takayama and then head out on a scenic drive by Lake Miboro

and along Shokawa River to Shirakawago, designated in 1995 as a World Heritage site. Its highlights

are unique structures called Gassho-Zukuri, or farmhouses, and the old residence of the Wada

Family. Continue to Kanazawa by local bus and then walk to the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Nikko

Kanazawa – 4-star.

Day 7 – Kanazawa – Kyoto (B)

Enjoy the morning sightseeing in Kanazawa visiting Kenrokuen Garden, and the Kutaniyaki Pottery

Kiln. In the afternoon, leave for Kyoto by train and then check-in to your hotel. Stay three nights at

the New Miyako Hotel – 3-star.

Day 8 – Kyoto (B/L)

Enjoy a full day tour of Kyoto. Visit the famous Nijo Castle, once used as the Tokugawa Shogun's

family palace (when closed, visit Ryoanji or Daitokuji instead). See the incredible Golden Pavilion, a

gilded structure, originally used as a villa by one of China's wealthiest noblemen. Next, visit the Kyoto

Imperial Palace, known for its elegant simplicity and which served as the Emperors' palace until the

capital was moved to Tokyo (visit Nishi Honganji on Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays and when

the palace is closed). After a buffet-style lunch continue exploring Kyoto with visits to Sanjusangendo

Hall, a national treasure with 1,030 standing Buddhist statues in its main hall, Heian Shrine, and

Kiyomizu Temple, noted for its clifftop main hall.

Day 9 – Kyoto – Nara – Kyoto (B)

Enjoy the morning at your leisure, and after lunch, join the Nara Afternoon Tour visiting Todaiji

Temple, housing one of the largest bronze statues in the world. Continue on to Nara Park, popularly

called "Deer Park" due to the abundance of deer roaming and the Kasuga Shrine located in a forest

producing an atmosphere of peace and holiness, unmatched by any other shrine. After your tour,

return to your hotel and have the evening at your leisure.

Day 10 – Kyoto – Osaka/Kansai International Airport – Departure (B)

Enjoy breakfast and at the appointed time you will be transferred by the regularly schedule MK

shuttle bus to the Kansai International Airport in Osaka for your departure flight.

***END OF SERVICES***

B – Breakfast L – Lunch D - Dinner