detailed itinerary land of the samurai what's included 12...

TRIP NOTES

Land of the Samurai12 days | Tokyo to Osaka

Land of the Samurai - 12 days updated on 24-11-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 377 6147 SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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On this wonderful 12 day group tour

of Japan you’ll not only take in the

highlights of Tokyo and Kyoto, but

you’ll also have the opportunity to

visit historic Hiroshima, Miyajima

Island with its iconic Torii Gate and

the towering Himeji Castle. What’s

more, you’ll sample Japanese

hospitality at a ryokan where you

can bathe in natural hot springs.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Tokyo - Sensoji Temple district and temple,

Harajuku, Takeshita street, Meiji Shrine &Shibuya Crossing

• Kamakura - Big Buddha Statue, HokokujiZen temple and the Bamboo Forest anddelightful village atmosphere. Opt to takepart in a Tea Ceremony

• Fuji Hakone Izu National Park & LakeKawaguchi - spectacular mountain sceneryand views of Mt Fuji

• Staying in a ryokan - sampling Japanesehospitality, bathing in natural hot springs,wearing a Yakata (casual Kimono) andsleeping on a futon

• Kyoto - UNESCO listed Nijo Castle,Sanjusagen-do Temple with its 1000 life-likestatues & Kinkakuji (Golden temple) Temple

• Kyoto - walking tour of the famed Geishadistrict (Gion), with its ancient cobbledstreets, streams, bridges and quainttea houses and the opportunity to seeGeisha and Maiko en route to their nextengagement.

• UNESCO Listed Himeji Castle - the towering6 story structure is the best preserved andlargest of all castles in Japan.

• Hiroshima - Peace Park, Peace MemorialMuseum, UNESCO Listed A-Bomb Domeand Children's Peace Monument (withthousands of paper cranes from childrenaround the world)

• Miyajima Island with its UNESCO Listediconic Red Torii Gate (Itsukushima shrine)standing in the sea. Cable to the top of MtMisen - the highest peak on Miyajima forspectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea,some 150 islands and Hiroshima.

What's Included• 7 breakfasts and 1 Japanese dinner at the

Lake Kawaguchi ryokan• 11 nights 3 star accommodation (including

1 night at a traditional ryokan (Japaneseinn)

• Guided sightseeing and walking tours inTokyo, Kamakura, Lake Kawaguchi, Kyoto,Himeji, Hiroshima and Miyajima Island

• Lake Kawaguchi & Mt Fuji - Kachikachi-yama Ropeway and observatory. For toursstaying at Lake Kawaguchi between 15 Apr– 28 May each year we'll visit to the Fuji

Shibazakura (Moss Phlox) Festival with MtFuji in the distance.

• Ferry to Miyajima Island and cable car to thetop of Mt Misen

• Escorted by a licensed English speakingJapanese tour guide

• Arrival transfer - by train from Narita orHaneda International Airport

• Departure transfer (unescorted) - by trainor bus from Kyoto Station to Osaka Airports(ITM & KIX).

• All transportation - buses, trains and railpasses (including Suica swipe Card andJapan Rail Pass)

• Baggage forwarding service from Tokyo toKyoto (one bag per person)

What's Not Included• Entrance Fees: USD$40, paid in local

currency• International flights and visas• Laundry, drinks, items of a personal nature

DETAILED ITINERARY

TRIP NOTES

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Day 1 : Tokyo

Saturday. Welcome to Japan and the startof your holiday! Arrival at Haneda or NaritaAirport, you will be met by your tour guide ora representative from On The Go Tours. Theprominent sign depicting our company logoeasily identifies our representative.

Should you not be able to locate our guide/representative please do not leave the arrivalsarea. If after waiting 30 minutes at the arrivalsarea and you are still unable to locate our guide/representative, please call the 24 hour contactperson noted on your tour voucher.

If arriving on a flight landing prior between06:00 - 06:30 and you've sped through customsto find that our guide is not in the arrivals hallto meet you, please be patient as our guidewill enroute arriving on the first train of the dayscheduled to arrive at 06:30 without delays.

After meeting up with your tour guide/representative, together you will travel by traininto the heart of the city and check into yourhotel. Overnight - Tokyo

Day 2 : Toyko - SenjojiTemple district, Harajuki &Shibuya

Today we explore the capital. Taking the subwayto Asakusa we visit the lively Sensoji Templedistrict, which is home to Tokyo’s first temple

and scores of interesting souvenir and craftstalls. In the afternoon we head to Harajuku,which is a magnet for young and fashionableTokyoites with its hip shops and cafes. Herewe’ll visit the impressive Meiji Shrine wherethe emperor Meiji and his wife are enshrined.Yoyogi Park beside the shrine is a popularhangout for locals on Sundays with bandsplaying, drum circles, dancers and busking, ifyou are interested.

The last stop of the day is the Shibuya crossing- regarded as one of the busiest intersection inthe world. The famed junction has no less than 7pedestrian crossings and when the traffic lightsturn red a wave of pedestrians, up to a 1000at once, converge onto the intersection fromevery direction. Here we’ll grab a coffee or colddrink and rest our weary feet at the Starbucks,with second floor vantage point, located directlyopposite the crossing and look down uponthe exciting spectacle, guaranteed to give that'I'm in Tokyo feeling'. This evening offers freetime though if travelling in January, May andSeptember (tonight or any other night you arein Tokyo) you might like spend the eveningwatching a Sumo tournament. There are threeprofessional Sumo tournaments held in Tokyoeach year with each tournament lasting 15 dayswith a number of matches held throughoutthe day. If interested, you should book ticketsindependently in advance as on the day of amatch only a few balcony seats are held back forsame-day sale. Overnight - Tokyo

Day 3 : Kamakura - BigBuddha

Tokyo - Kamakura - Tokyo. This morning weboard a train for a day trip to Kamakura, Japan’sfirst feudal capital, which is just an hour fromTokyo. Kamakura is a popular seaside locationwith a quaint village life feel and some stunningZen temples. Here we’ll visit the iconic bronze

Big Buddha and the Zen Temple of Hokokujiwith its beautiful bamboo garden. Here you candrink tea, learn about the tea ceremony andenjoy the laid back atmosphere from the teahouse before walking the cobbled shoppingdistrict - for great locally made items beforereturning to Japan’s bustling capital for thenight. Tonight, we organise a Shabu Shubu (atraditional Japanese hot pot meal) for those whoare interested. Overnight - Tokyo

Day 4 : Tokyo Edu Museum &Time To ExploreToday offers a guided tour of the Tokyo EdoMuseum which focuses on the lifestyle andculture experienced by Tokyoites over the city’s400-year history. The museum houses some ofthe city’s best original artefacts and replicas ofEdo-era buildings and landmarks, along withseveral large-scale models. The remainder of theday offers free time for you further explore thecity. Overnight - Tokyo

Day 5 : Mt Fuji & LakeKawaguchi

Tokyo - Lake Kawaguchi. This morning wetravel by train (with luggage forwarding) toLake Kawaguchi, located in the Fuji Hakone IzuNational Park. Our base is Lake Kawaguchi whichboasts breathtaking scenery and unparalleledviews of a snow-capped Mt Fuji most of the year.Whilst in the area we'll travel on the Kachikachi-yama Ropeway and visit the observatory. Fortours staying at Lake Kawaguchi between 15 Apr– 28 May each year we’ll visit the SpringtimeFuji Shibazakura (Phlox Moss) Festival, wherethe landscape is covered in a vibrant, hot pinkmoss with Fuji as the backdrop. Tonight we stayin a traditional Japanese ryokan. At the ryokan,we'll be served a traditional Japanese dinner andyou can take a relaxing dip in the natural hotspring baths. Overnight - Lake Kawaguchi (D)

TRIP NOTES

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Day 6 : Kyoto - Sanjusagen-do Temple & the GeishaDistrict

Lake Kawaguchi – Kyoto. Early this morningyou can opt for a walk along the foreshores ofthe lake before travelling by bus, then bullettrain to Kyoto - Japan’s ancient and culturalcapital. As one of the most culturally rich citiesin Asia, Kyoto is home to an abundance ofUNESCO World Heritage sites, Buddhist templesand Shinto shrines. Here we enjoy a guidedtour of Sanjusagen-do Temple famous for itsstatues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Theone thousand life-size statues of Kannon aremade of Japanese cypress clad in gold leaf. Theyare a site to see as they stand on either side ofthe main deity in 10 rows and 50, each handcrafted and slightly different from the next.

Later in the afternoon we head to Gion,(transport cost approx USD$5) for a guidedwalking tour of this famous Geisha district. Afteryou may wish to watch a cultural performanceat Gion Corner Theatre where you'll havethe opportunity to watch a Maiko (apprenticeGeisha) performing. Overnight - Kyoto (B)

Day 7 : Kyoto - Nijo Castle &Kinkakuji

This morning we offer a guided tour ofNijo Castle, one of the city’s most impressiveUNESCO sites. Built by the first Tokugawa

shogun in 1603, the exquisite Nijo Castle is awonderful example of Momoyama architecture.

After we visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) astunning Zen Buddhist temple, part of theHistoric Monuments of Ancient Kyoto WorldHeritage Site. The top two floors of themonument are completely covered in goldleaf. Set upon a small lake with landscapedgardens the large completely gilt structure isimpressive as it is beautiful Temple. KinkakujiTemple continues to be one of Japan's mostvisited temples. This afternoon offers free timefor you to relax or to further discover the manysights of Kyoto at your own pace. You mightalso wish to hire a Kimono and walk the streetsas many Japanese do or take part in a cookinglesson. Overnight - Kyoto (B)

Day 8 : Himeji Castle &Hiroshima

Kyoto - Himeji - Hiroshima. We travel by bullettrain to Hiroshima today, stopping en routeat Himeji to visit the UNESCO Listed HimejiCastle, nicknamed the White Egret due to itscolour and elegant shape. Himeji is Japan’s bestpreserved and largest castle, known for its maze-like defences. After taking in the panoramicviews from the top of its 6 story watch towerthere is time to stroll the local Saturday markettaking place today before take the bullet train toHiroshima.

Our expected arrival time to Hiroshima is 4pm,time permitting you may wish to visit HiroshimaCastle an impressive structure that towers overthe city. The original castle was destroyed bythe A-Bomb, with the now standing replica builtin 1958 to the original plan. The castle nowserves as a museum of Hiroshima's history priorto World War II.

If you like baseball consider booking ticketsto watch the Carp play. The Carp, Hiroshimabeloved professional baseball play games athome between May - Oct at Mazda Stadium.We suggest you jump online and book seats inadvance.

Luggage: Today we will travel with all ourluggage from Kyoto to Hiroshima via Himeji,rather than forwarding our luggage and nothaving it arrive till tomorrow afternoon. Uponarrival at Himeji luggage will be stored at thelockers at the train station or at the bus stationshould all lockers at the station be full. Althoughthe rate of crime in Japan is extremely low pleasekeep all your valuable with you and do not storethem in the locker. After touring Himeji we'llre-unite with our luggage and carry it with usaboard the bullet train to Hiroshima. We haveallowed plenty of time at each transfer point toso that you will not be hurrying along with heavy(hopefully not to heavy) luggage. Overnight -Hiroshima (B)

Day 9 : Miyajima Island & itsred Torii Gate

Located off the coast of Hiroshima is MiyajimaIsland, one of Japan's most picturesquedestinations. Today we take the ferry out to theisland and see the dramatic red 'floating' ToriiGate at the revered Itsukushima-jinja Shrine, aUNESCO World Heritage Listed site. The iconicgate seems to float on the water but at low tidecan reached by foot. It stands 16 metres highand is made from camphor wood. As we explorethe island we'll see further Shinto shrines,towering pagodas and pavilions before soakingup the incredible views of the Seto Inland Sea,dozens of nearby islands and Hiroshima cityfrom our cable car ride to the top of MountMisen, the highest point of the island. Free timeis offered before we return to Hiroshima for thenight.

TRIP NOTES

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Tonight, we'll make a reservation forOkonomiyaki - a mix between a savourypancake and omelette filled with ingredientsof your choice including shredded cabbage,seasonal vegetables, meat, fish and cheese. Themeal is cooked in front of us on a hot plate, isinexpensive and washed down perfectly with aAsahi beer. Overnight - Hiroshima (B)

Day 10 : Hiroshima PeacePark, Museum & Memorials

Hiroshima - Kyoto. Hiroshima is of courseinfamous for being the first site where one oftwo atomic bombs were dropped on Japan atthe end World War II. This morning we visitPeace Park, Peace Park Museum which are apoignant reminder of Hiroshima’s tragic past.We’ll see the iconic A-Bomb Dome one of thevery few buildings left standing after the blastand visit the and Children's Peace Monument amemorial to the children killed, where schoolsfrom around the world donate paper origamicranes, signifying hope and peace.

This afternoon take the bullet train to Kyoto.On the train bid farewell to travellers on our14 day tour who will continue with yourguide to Takayama. Disembark the train andmake your own way to your hotel in Kyoto.Spend the remains of the day at leisure. Pleasenote: that arrangements from here are offeredindependently without the assistance of a tourguide. Overnight - Kyoto (B)

Day 11 : Free Time in Kyoto

A free day to spend a leisure in Kyoto.Independently exploring this enchanting cityyou'll find sacred shrines tucked in amongshopping arcades, time‐honoured teahousesnestling among modern businesses and geishain the historic Gion District. Alternativelyconsider using your Japan Rail Pass for a daytrip to Nara which has a myriad of shrines andtemples, all set against the backdrop of thelow lying mountains in the midst of Nara Park.Overnight - Kyoto (B)

Day 12 : Osaka

Wednesday. Kyoto - Osaka. Your Japanadventure comes to an end today. Take the trainfrom Kyoto Station to Osaka Airport for youronward flight. (B)

Solo TravellersThere are no compulsory single supplements onour Japan group tours, so if you're travelling soloand are happy to share a room with a fellowtraveller of the same sex we'll match you up.Alternatively if you prefer the privacy of yourown room you can choose to pay a single roomsupplement, however please note that singlerooms are not available at the Lake Kawaguchiryokan so you will be matched up with a fellowtraveller of the same sex for the evening of day 5.

TransportationWe use public transportation for all touring inJapan because it’s modern, punctual and easyto use. Japan’s bullet trains run at speeds of upto 320km/h so they’re undoubtedly the quickestway to get around the country.

We always try to activate your rail pass on yourarrival day, however this is not always possibledepending on flight times. You will require yourpassport to activate your rail pass and yourguide will be at hand to assist you in the process.

Arrival transfer - On day 1 you will be met at theairport by your tour guide and transferred bytrain to your hotel in Tokyo..

Departure transfer - A train ticket from Kyotostation to Osaka Airport is provided for yourdeparture transfer on day 12, however pleasenote that you will not be escorted by your guideon this journey and will need to make your ownway to the train station in Kyoto.

On day 6 there is a walking tour of Gion, theGeisha district, with a $5 charge for transport.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

HealthWhile Japan is considered safe make sure youare up to date on routine vaccinations; it is alsorecommended to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A,Hepatitis B and Japanese B Encephalitis.

Japan does have mosquitoes in the summermonths, but Malaria is not a problem in Japan. Ifyou are allergic to bites from mosquitoes pleasetake appropriate precautions; anti-mosquitosprays and creams are widely available in Japanor you could bring your own from home.

Water is safe to drink in all areas of Japan.

ClimateWeather conditions vary in Japan depending onlocation and time of year. Typically summers arehot and humid, whilst winters are significantlycolder - especially in the mountains, with a dryclimate and light snowfall. Spring and Autumnoffer warm days and cool nights, making thisa wonderful time to explore the highlights ofJapan. June is considered the rainy season with

TRIP NOTES

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hot and muggy weather. Temperatures do varydepending on the region, so be sure to check inadvance when travelling to the far north or farsouth of Japan.

CurrencyThe official currency in Japan is Japanese Yen(JPY).

Most major currencies can be exchanged at theairport, post office, banks or major hotels; andtraveller’s cheques can be exchanged in majorbanks, larger hotels and some duty free shops.While credit cards are becoming increasinglypopular in Japan, they are not commonly usedfor making purchases as in western countries soyou are best to pay in cash where possible.

Avoid cash machines at banks as these do notnormally accept foreign-issued cards. Insteaduse the Post Office cash machines from whichyou will be able to take out money using Visacards, MasterCard, Cirrus or Maestro. Note thatPost Offices may only be open during officehours Mon to Fri. Convenience store chain 7-Eleven will have ATMs in almost all of its storeswhich will accept most foreign-issued credit anddebit cards.

Japan is a mainly cash using country, so itis recommended to bring a healthy amountof cash with you to get started (around JPY50,000). While credit card usage is increasing, beprepared to use cash.

Time & VoltageTime: Japan is 9 hours ahead of GMT and doesnot observe daylight savings.

Voltage: In Japan the standard voltage isdifferent from other regions of the world at100V, and power outlets accept a flat 2-pin plug(similar to North American outlets). To cover allbases, it is best to pack an international traveladaptor!

FoodOne of the best things about visiting anycountry is sampling its cuisine and during yourstay in Japan you’ll probably be wishing to dojust that. Many Japanese restaurants specialisein one particular type of food. Sushi is of coursethe most famous dish, but Japanese food does

not stop with raw fish; other specialities includeteriyaki (marinated beef/chicken/fish seared ona hot plate), sukiyaki (thin slices of beef, beancurd and vegetables cooked in soy sauce andthen dipped in egg), and tempura (deep friedsea-food and vegetables).

If everything so far sounds a bit meat andfish orientated don't be alarmed - there arevegetarian options in Japan. Try the wonderfulzaru soba (buck-wheat noodles served cold), abowl of Udon (thicker noodles) in a mountainvegetable soup, tofu steak or a vegetableokonomiyaki (savoury pancake). If you arefeeling adventurous you could try natto, this isa sticky and slightly smelly concoction made offermented soya beans.

If you want a more general selection, then thebest place to go is an Izakaya (Japanese pub)where you will find an extensive and prettycheap choice of food and drink. Izakaya oftenoffer tabehodai or nomihodai - for a set priceyou get an hour or two to eat or drink as muchas you like. Choosing exactly what to eat is madeeasier by well illustrated menus or plastic fooddisplays at the doorway – just point and seewhat you get. In major cities you will also findplenty of Western-style restaurants.

Each region of Japan also has its own specialityfoods, unique to or particularly famous in thatone area of the country. These are nearly alwaysmade from locally produced ingredients.

Rooming ArrangementsMost hotels in Japan offer single rooms with onebed and twin share rooms fitted with two singlebeds. It is relatively uncommon to find doublerooms with one large bed. If you have requesteda double room with one large bed we will alwaysrequest this particular rooming configurationwith the hotel, though it is not guaranteed andyou may often be accommodated in a twinshare. Further triple share rooms and familysuites are very hard to come by.

HOTEL ROOMS IN TOKYOIf travelling on our Best of Japan, Land of theSamurai or Tokyo to Takayama tours we mostoften stay at the Yaesu Terminal Hotel in Tokyo.This hotel is conveniently located less than 5minutes from Tokyo train station in the heart

of the financial district. Guest rooms in theYaesu Terminal Hotel are small with a Twin shareroom measuring no more than 12.5sqm and aSingle room measuring no more than 10sqm.If travelling with large suitcases you will find itdifficult to have both suitcases open at oncewithout utilising the space on your bed. Allguest rooms in the heart of city are small and theYaesu Terminal Hotel is no different. The hotel'slocation is superb which is the opportunity costfor convenience.TOP TIP: On a weekday just after 8am peer outthe window to street level to see the waveof suits flood the side-walk, all headed for theoffice, ready to start their number crunching forthe day.

Non-Smoking RoomsJapan trails behind the western world inregards to its anti-smoking laws. Although it’suncommon to see Japanese people walkingalong the street smoking, as this is culturallyfrowned upon smoking is still permitted in bars,some restaurants and hotels. It is becomingmore common for hotels offer an indoorsmoking room rather than allowing smokingthroughout the property, though many hotelsstill only have a small inventory of non-smokingrooms. Where possible we do book as manynon-smoking rooms as we can, though wecannot guarantee that in each city a non-smoking room will be offered. It often is, butagain this cannot be guaranteed.

The restaurants we do book are non-smokingand if heading out to a bar we will reserve aspot in the non-smoking section of the bar. Ifyou are extremely sensitive to cigarette smokeyou may wish to reconsider travelling on one ofour group tours but instead book a tailor-madeholiday with us where we be able to select smallhigh-end boutique properties that operate a100% no smoking policy.

VisasUK, AUS, NZ, USA and CAN passport holders donot require a visa at present to enter Japan fortouristic purposes for a stay of up to 90 days.

South African passport holders can obtain a visaprior to arrival for touristic purposes, for a stay ofup to 90 days.

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A full passport with two full blank pages andat least 6 months validity beyond date of exitfrom Japan upon entrance is essential. Pleasecheck your personal visa requirements with yourembassy if you are from another country.

Please double-check all visa requirements withthe Japan embassy at least one month beforetravel as the above is intended as a guide.

Please Note: Visa information is subjectto change. Contact your nearest JapaneseEmbassy for the most up to date information.Visa procurement remains the responsibility ofthe passenger and not that of On The Go.

PackingOne medium sized suitcase is recommended fortravel around Japan and you will also want topack a small backpack or day pack for daily use.This small back pack will also come in use whenyour main suitcase has been forwarded ahead,such as when visiting Lake Kawaguchi.

Make sure you pack comfortable shoes as anextended time will be spent on the feet – newhigh heels are not such a smart way to do thiskind of trip! Also shoes will often be taken offand put back on, so something that is easy to puton and take off is best!

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