TRIP NOTES

Land of the Samurai12 days | Tokyo to Osaka

Land of the Samurai - 12 days updated on 27-08-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 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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Wing your way into Tokyo and

out of Osaka for this 12 day

Japanese adventure, taking in

the scenic splendours of Hakone

and Miyajima Island, the cultural

delights of Kyoto and the history of

Hiroshima.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Tokyo - Sensoji Temple district and temple,

Harajuku, Takeshita street and Meiji Shrine• Kamakura - Big Buddha Statue, Zen temples

and beautiful beaches• Hakone and Fuji Hakone National Park -

Lake Ashi, spectacular mountain scenery,Owakudani volcanic valley and views ofMount Fuji

• Staying at a traditional ryokan - samplingJapanese hospitality and natural hot springbaths

• Kyoto - UNESCO listed Nijo Castle, walkingtour of Gion (the Geisha district), optionalJapanese tea ceremony and cooking class

• UNESCO Listed Himeji Castle• Hiroshima - Peace Park• Miyajima Island with its iconic Torii Gate

What's Included• 9 breakfasts and 2 traditional Japanese

dinners at the Hakone ryokan

• 11 nights 3 star accommodation (including2 nights at a ryokan - a traditional Japaneseinn)

• Guided sightseeing in Tokyo, Kamakura,Hakone, Kyoto, Himeji and Hiroshima

• Fuji Hakone National Park - pirate boat,cable cars and ropeways

• Mt Misen cable car ride on Miyajima island• Escorted by a local English speaking guide• Tokyo arrival transfer - by train from Narita

or Haneda International Airport• Departure transfer - by train from Kyoto

Station to Osaka Airport (unescorted)• All transportation - buses, trains and rail

passes (including Suica Card, Hakone FreePass and Japan Rail Pass)

• Subway fee from Kyoto station to the hotelsubway station on a swipe credit card (day10)

• Baggage forwarding service from Tokyo toKyoto and Kyoto to Hiroshima (one bag perperson)

What's Not Included• Entrance Fees: USD $40• International flights and visas• Laundry, drinks, items of a personal nature

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : Tokyo

Saturday. Arrive into either Narita or HanedaInternational Airport in Tokyo where you willbe met by your guide. Travel by train into thecity centre and check into your hotel. The restof the day is free to relax or explore the sights.Overnight - Tokyo

Day 2 : Toyko Sightseeing

Today we enjoy a guided tour of Tokyo.Taking the subway to Asakusa we visit thelively Sensoji Temple district, which is home toTokyo’s first temple and scores of interestingsouvenir and craft stalls. In the afternoon we

TRIP NOTES

Land of the Samurai

Land of the Samurai - 12 days updated on 27-08-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 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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head to Harajuku, which is a magnet for youngand fashionable Tokyoites with its hip shopsand cafes. Here we’ll visit the impressive MeijiShrine where the emperor Meiji and his wifeare enshrined. After the tour consider headingto Yoyogi Park which is a popular hangoutfor locals and there is always a lot going onespecially on Sundays with bands playing, drumcircles, dancers and busking. Overnight - Tokyo

Day 3 : Kamakura - BigBuddha

Tokyo - Kamakura - Tokyo. This morning weboard a train for a day trip to Kamakura,Japan’s first feudal capital, which is just an hourfrom Tokyo. Kamakura is blessed with beautifulbeaches and stunning Zen temples. Here we’llvisit the iconic bronze Big Buddha and the ZenTemple of Hokokuji with its beautiful bamboogarden.  Drink tea, relax and enjoy the laidback atmosphere from the tea house beforereturning to Japan’s bustling capital for thenight. Overnight - Tokyo

Day 4 : HakoneTokyo - Hakone. Next stop is the scenic townof Hakone which is renowned for its spectacularmountain scenery and hot springs. Sendingour main bags onward to Kyoto we travellight with day bags to Hakone onboard theRomancecar express train. After checking intoour accommodation we take a bus to thesamurai museum where we’ll see weapons andarmour from the feudal days and even havethe opportunity to dress up like a samurai!No trip to Japan would be complete withoutsampling authentic Japanese hospitality at aryokan (a traditional Japanese inn), which iswhere we’ll spend the next two nights. At theryokan, sample tasty traditional cuisine and takea relaxing dip in the communal natural hotspring baths. Overnight - Hakone (D)

Day 5 : Fuji Hakone NationalPark

Today we take in the scenic delights of FujiHakone National Park and Lake Ashi, which hasMount Fuji as an iconic backdrop. Enjoy a pirate-ship ride across the lake and a picturesque cablecar journey over the mountains, where you’ll betreated to wonderful views of Mount Fuji on aclear day. The area has some great hiking trailsto explore and you can sample black eggs at theactive volcanic valley of Owakudani, which is fullof sulphurous springs. The eggs are boiled in thesprings and said to extend your life by 7 years!Other highlights of the day include the historicHakone Checkpoint, the open air art museumand the beautiful Cedar Avenue. Overnight -Hakone (B, D)

Day 6 : Kyoto

Hakone – Kyoto. On day 6 a bullet train takesus to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient and cultural capital.As one of the most culturally rich cities in Asia,Kyoto is home to an abundance of UNESCOWorld Heritage sites, Buddhist temples andShinto shrines. Here we enjoy a guided tour ofNijo Castle, one of the city’s most impressiveUNESCO sites. Built by the first Tokugawashogun in 1603, the exquisite Nijo Castle is awonderful example of Momoyama architecture.Later this evening we make our way to Gion,(cost of the train fare approx USD$5) the famousGeisha district, for a guided walking tour of thearea.

Overnight - Kyoto (B)

Day 7 : Kyoto Free Time

Spend the day at leisure discovering the manysights of Kyoto at your own pace or choosefrom a selection of optional cultural experienceswhich can be booked locally, including atraditional Japanese Tea Ceremony in themorning and a cooking lesson in the afternoon.Overnight - Kyoto (B)

Day 8 : Himeji Castle &Hiroshima

Kyoto - Himeji - Hiroshima. This morning we takethe bullet train to Himeji to visit the UNESCOListed Himeji Castle, nicknamed the White Egretdue to its colour and elegant shape. Perched ontop of a hill, Himeji is Japan’s most impressivecastle, known for its maze-like defences. FromHimeji we continue on to Hiroshima, our basefor the next two nights. Overnight - Hiroshima(B)

TRIP NOTES

Land of the Samurai

Land of the Samurai - 12 days updated on 27-08-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 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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Day 9 : Miyajima Island

A local train and ferry takes us to the island ofMiyajima today, which is famous for its iconic‘floating’ Torii Gate at the revered Itsukushima-jinja Shrine. Miyajima is a beautiful island withUNESCO Listed primeval forests and inquisitive,tame deer. A cable car ride provides us withfantastic views across the Inland Sea fromMount Misen, the highest point of the island.Miyajima is a wonderful place to unwind andrelax, so let the magic of this island enchantyou before returning to Hiroshima for the night.Overnight - Hiroshima (B)

Day 10 : Hiroshima PeacePark

Hiroshima - Kyoto. Hiroshima is a city that needslittle introduction, it is of course infamous forbeing the first site where one of two atomicbombs were dropped on Japan at the end of theSecond World War. This morning we visit ThePeace Park and museum which are a poignantreminder of Hiroshima’s tragic past. We’ll seethe iconic Atomic Dome, one of the very fewbuildings left standing after the blast and visitthe memorial to the children killed, whereschools from around the world donate paperorigami cranes, signifying hope and peace.

This afternoon take the bullet train to Kyoto.On the train bid farewell to travellers on our 14day tour who will continue with your guide toTakayama. Disembark the train and make your

own way to your hotel in Kyoto. Spend theremains of the day at leisure.

Please note: After sightseeing in Hiroshima youwill travel without the assistance of a guide forthe rest of the tour. 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

Kyoto - Osaka. Your Japan adventure comes toan end today. Take the train from Kyoto Stationto Osaka Airport for your onward flight. (B)

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 possible

depending 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.

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 Hakone ryokan soyou will be matched up with a fellow traveller ofthe same sex for these two nights (days 4 & 5).

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 Autumn

TRIP NOTES

Land of the Samurai

Land of the Samurai - 12 days updated on 27-08-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 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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offer warm days and cool nights, making thisa wonderful time to explore the highlights ofJapan. June is considered the rainy season withhot 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).

USD $1 - JPY 117 GBP £1 - JPY 185AUD $1 - JPY 101 Euro €1 - JPY 147

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 doesnot 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 twin

share. Further triple share rooms and familysuites are very hard to come by.

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.

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 Hakone.

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!