Essence of Japan

•   Unique cultural experience at an authentic Japanese ryokan, featuring an overnight stay and a special dinner

Day 1: Welcome to Honshu Island
A transfer from Tokyo Narita Airport and Hacenda Airport to Hotel Seiyo Ginza for a three-night stay in the heart of Tokyo is included. Your hotel is designed to reflect the warmth and comfort of an elegant private home. Meet your fellow travelers on Tauck's Japan travel journey at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight.
Overnight: Hotel Seiyo Ginza, Tokyo
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Japan travel begins with Tokyo touring
Your morning guided city tour includes visits to the Imperial Palace, Edo Tokyo Museum, Asakusa Kannon Temple and the Nakamise Shopping Arcade. A hands-on sushi-making demonstration precedes time at leisure to explore the city on your own, perhaps riding the easy-to-use subway system to see the sights or cruising on the Sumida River.
Overnight: Hotel Seiyo Ginza, Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3: Meiji Shrine, Manicured Gardens and Music
Cultural traditions predominate today. Take your shoes off for a visit inside the Meiji Shrine, honoring the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his Empress Shoken; the manicured gardens reflect eternal tranquility! Experience a special performance blending Shinto music with ancient dance and taste regional cuisine during tonight's delicious dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Seiyo Ginza, Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Fuji-Hakone National Park
Enjoy a full day of Japan travel delights. Ride the Shinkansen, the Bullet Train (thought to be Asia’s fastest train), into the countryside. Visit the hot-springs town of Hakone in Fuji-Hakone National Park where you explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum, famous for its outdoor sculptures. The museum features a large collection of post-Rodin sculptures as well as works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Renoir and Miro. Cruise across Lake Ashi and ride a gondola on the Hakone Ropeway over the mountains – if weather permits, enjoy outstanding views of Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain.
Overnight: Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa, Hakone
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Treasures of the Japanese Alps
Today, you will see more of the beautiful treasures of Japan. Travel past valleys of rice fields into the region known as the Japanese Alps. Along the way, visit the Itchiku Kubota Museum, showcasing the ancient silk art of Tsujigahana. Stop at Matsumoto Castle, one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in Japan, en route to the 16th-century town of Takayama.
Overnight: Hotel Associa Takayama Resort, Takayama
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Takayama's historical sights
Takayama hosts quaint village streets, Edo-period merchants’ shops and houses, and pure water ideal for sake brewing. Take a guided walking tour, stopping at the farmers market, the Festival Float Museum, and the Takayama Jinya, a 1692 provincial government office. Spend your afternoon relaxing in a hot springs bath, walking the temple district trail, or exploring the town’s museums and antique shops. Dine on your own tonight – there's an abundance of restaurants featuring hearty mountain food and regional specialties.
Overnight: Hotel Associa Takayama Resort, Takayama
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Gassho-zukuri farmhouses and ryokan lodging
Japan travel days continue with a journey to the Shirakawa-go region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with mountain villages of thatched-roof gassho-zukuri (praying hands) farmhouses. The large houses, with steep-pitched roofs, were traditionally built to withstand snowy winters and house extended families involved in silkworm cultivation. Visit a private 300-year-old family home, and wander through the village of Ogimachi with 59 intact gassho houses. Spend the night in a ryokan-style hotel, a highlight of Tauck’s cultural Japan travel experience. Follow authentic Japanese customs during your stay, from dining and sleeping at floor level, to dressing in bathrobes and relaxing in communal baths.
Overnight: Kagaya Hotel, Wakura Onsen
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Samurais in Kanazawa
On the west coast of Japan travel to charming Kanazawa, with winding cobblestone streets, samurai residences, Geisha houses, museums, galleries, and an open-air market. Stroll through the centuries-old Kenroku-en Garden, ranked among the country’s top three gardens. Get an insider’s tour of an authentic samurai house, and explore the 300-year-old Omicho Market. Take a train to Kyoto where you'll stay for the next four nights.
Overnight: The Westin Miyako, Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Kyoto's temples and castles
Your Japan travel continues in Kyoto, considered the cultural treasure house of the country. Founded in the 7th century, Kyoto quickly became the ancient capital of Japan and holds many national treasures. Tour the Kinkakuji Temple, known as the Golden Temple because it is encased in gold – it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Go inside 17th-century Nijo Castle, featuring nightingale floors that made bird-like creaking sounds to reveal intruders; they were built of Japanese cypress by the first Tokugawa shogun in 1603. Spend the remainder of the day exploring on your own. Kyoto has many restaurants to choose from!
Overnight: The Westin Miyako, Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10: Temples and the Great Buddha
Today begins with a visit to the Sanjusangendo Temple, featuring 1,001 life-sized wooden statues of Kannon-Bosatsu, going back to the 13th century. Continue to Nara, Japan’s first capital, where you'll experience an unforgettable look at old Japan. At Todai-ji Temple, see the monumental bronze Great Buddha. Featured in an enormous wooden building, it’s over 50 feet tall. Walk the grounds of Kasuga Grand Shrine, where thousands of ancient stone and bronze lanterns dot the landscape. The rest of your day is free to explore as you please in Kyoto.
Overnight: The Westin Miyako, Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 11: Discover some of Japan's traditional customs
Visit Kiyomizu Temple, whose name means "pure water" – it boasts an expansive veranda with spectacular views of the city. The temple dates back to the 8th century, with the most of the present structures constructed in the 17th century. Partake in a traditional tea ceremony and have a hands-on demonstration in the art of origami and calligraphy on a memorable visit to a private home, then spend the afternoon at leisure in Kyoto. You may wish to discover the world of the Geisha on a walk through the Gion district, Kyoto’s best-known Geisha quarter; admire the city's myriad gardens, from Zen rock gardens to bonsai masterpieces; and view traditional arts and crafts in specialty shops down quaint streets, including Kyo pottery, elaborate fans, dolls, paper lanterns, combs, Noh masks, cloisonné, and lacquerware. Join us for a farewell reception and dinner this evening featuring a traditional Maiko performance – a wonderful way to end these culturally enriching Japan travel days.
Overnight: The Westin Miyako, Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 12: Sayonara Japan
Tauck's Japan travel experience ends at Osaka's Kansai or Itami Airport. Depart your hotel for the 90-minute trip to the airport in Osaka; a transfer is included for the trip from The Westin Miyako Kyoto to the airports in Osaka; allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Tauck Tour Deals Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey. Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE. Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE Tauck Single Specials For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost. Tauck Single Specials in North America Best of the Canadian Rockies Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island Charleston/Savannah Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys Tauck Single Specials in Europe A Week in Ireland A Week in Spain Mediterranean Discovery Istanbul and the Black Sea Treasure of the Mediterranean Cruising Mediterranean Shores The Blue Danube Holland Belgium in Spring Strasbourg to Prague Serenade The Rhine and Moselle Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat Budapest to the Black Sea Classic Italy Bellissima Northern Italy Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome A Week in Paris and Provence Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America Panama Canal & Costa Rica
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/3/2010 - 9/15/2010	$5,990
9/10/2010 - 9/22/2010	$5,990
9/24/2010 - 10/6/2010	$7,290
10/8/2010 - 10/20/2010	$7,290
10/15/2010 - 10/27/2010	$5,990
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Tokyo ~ Kyoto ~ Fuji-Hakone National Park ~ Shirakawa-go ~ Kanazawa ~ Nara

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