10 Days Highlights Of Japan | Nikkei Tour

Welcome to Japan! We will have transportation services to take you to your hotel. Please refer to your tour handbook for more information.
Rest at the hotel and be ready to start your exciting tour tomorrow.

**INFORMATION**
From Narita Airport to downtown hotel in Tokyo - about 90 mins(Bus)
From Haneda Airport to downtown hotel in Tokyo - about 30 mins(Bus)

Today we will visit Yokohama to learn more about Japanese American culture. Our morning will include a visit to the popular Cup Noodles Museum, where guests can learn about the history of the popular snack and even make their own custom cup! You can also buy some of the unique flavors sold around the world at this museum.

Just a short walk next door is the Japanese Overseas Migration Museum, where we will learn more about the lifestyles of the Japanese who migrated to North and South America. Before heading back to our hotel, we visit the Queen of the Pacific, the Hikawa Maru liner. Many Japanese who left the country used the Hikawa Maru, or ships similar. Retrace the steps of your ancestors with a look at the life before they even reached the new world!

Today will be devoted to exploring the multi-cultural spots of Tokyo. Our tour will first start in Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market for a sushi breakfast. Enjoy the freshest flavors at this market that serves over thousands of businesses and local families daily before we explore the sights on Tokyo! From there, it's off to the Fukagawa Edo Museum where you can get acquainted with the history of Tokyo. This charming museum is designed to replicate what life looked like during the old days of Edo. Walk through the city and enjoy walking into houses that recreate life during the period.

We will then delve in the old town district of Asakusa for some gift shopping at the Nakamise area. We will also be visiting the Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo's most popular temples. This is the perfect place to appreciate Japanese culture and take some spectacular shots of the famous Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). For lunch, we will enjoy authentic Teppan-Yaki before we head to Harajuku to do some shopping and to admire the scenery. Enjoy shopping in the trendy districts, or be sure to sample Harajuku Crepes, a local specialty!

Returning to our hotel, the tour bus will be passing by the famous Shibuya Crosswalk to be part of the thousands who cross daily, and to see the Hachiko Statue close to the station. The statue is based on the story of Hachiko, the dog who would come back to the station every day to see his owner.

Our morning begins with a visit to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Enjoy over 120 sculptures and artwork in Japan's first ever open air museum. There are multiple exhibition halls to fascinate children and adults alike, as well as a foot-bath by natural hot-springs for a bit of relaxation before we continue on to Hakone!.

Enjoy a ropeway to Owakudani, an active volcanic crater still steaming from its last eruption some 3,000 years ago. There you will get a taste of the local Japanese food, the black egg, cooked in one of the craters. It's said eating one of these eggs will add years to your life! We will also visit the Hakone Shrine before we make our way to our hotel!

This Japan tour would not be complete without a long relaxing soak in the onsen, hot spring, to rejuvenate you for tomorrow’s adventure. Yukata, a Japanese robe, will be provided for you. The onsen is located in our own ryokan, a Japanese style hotel, which includes a traditional Japanese meal known as Kaiseki Ryori!

Our day begins with a bullet train ride to Kyoto. The bullet train is the fastest way to travel on land and is considered an essential Japanese experience. Enjoy riding to Kyoto in comfort and speed, and be sure to take some photos of the scenery during your ride. In Kyoto, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a Maiko lunch. Maiko are apprentice to Geisha and the lunch is a great chance to take photos and learn about Kyoto's traditional culture.

We will then head to Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of Kyoto's many can't miss destinations that features hundreds of red tori gates. The path is perfect for photos or just to calm your mind. After we take our photos, we head out to the ancient streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. These two streets are filled with shops and souvenir stands as well as a great place for photos and to see what Japan looked like many years ago. We then proceed to the hotel.

Our day begins with a visit to Arashiyama to walk through the Bamboo Groove Forest. The morning's sunlight passing through the bamboo makes for a perfect morning sight. We will also enjoy a spirited rickshaw ride through Arashiyama. Guests can enjoy seeing many of the traditional-style shops and temples during the ride. Following our time in Arashiyama, we will head to the Golden Pavilion, or Kinkakuji Temple, a Japan’s must see attraction where the two upper floors are covered in gold leaf. The reflection of the golden temple on the lake adds to the stunning sight.

After our time at the Golden Pavilion, we will stop at a sake museum for some sampling and to learn the history of Japan's national drink. Keeping with the traditional feel, we included a tea-ceremony to help you relax and enjoy Japanese culture. After our tea ceremony, it's off to Nara to Todaiji Temple. Todaiji Temple holds the World Guinness Record as the largest wooden building. Inside the temple, you will behold the largest Buddha statue in Japan. Just outside the temple is the Nara Deer Park, where you will be greeted by numerous deer that roam around freely. The deer here at the park are known to be friendly and may even bow at you for a little treat. We then return to the hotel.

We will begin today by heading to Himeji-jo, or Himeji Castle. Himeji-jo is a UNESCO distinguished site, representing Japanese castle architecture at its highest with almost all of the castle structure still intact from its original construction in the early 1600’s, having survived all wars, earthquakes and natural disasters.

From there, it's off to Okayama Prefecture to visit Kurashiki. Kurashiki is a beautiful streetscape of storehouses and merchant homes and is as an Important Traditional Structures Conservation Area by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The name Kurashiki can be roughly translated as town of storehouses and served as an important rice distribution center. Enjoy this scenic area before we make our way to our hotel.

We will spend today exploring the city of Hiroshima. First we will visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Stroll along the park to see famous attractions like that of Sadako’s statue and the freedom bell.

In the afternoon our Nikkei Japan Tour will head to Miyajima, an island south of Hiroshima known for its Itsukushima Shrine, or floating torii gate. During high tide, the torii gate looks as though it is floating in water, creating a unique sight, considered one of Japan’s three most beautiful sights. Miyajima is also known for its momiji manju (maple leaf shaped cake with red beans) and oysters which you can enjoy during your time on the island.

The rest of the day will be spent touring the city with your Japan tour guide who will show you all the best places Hiroshima has to offer.

We will start our last day of our Japanese Ancestry Tour heading to the Museum of Japanese Emigration to Hawaii. Here you can learn about your Japanese ancestry and about the hardships faced by those who emigrated to Hawaii as well as the contributions these individuals made to the area.

We will spend the afternoon at Jam’s Garden and Farm. Offering more than 30 different kinds of unique jams each season, Jam’s Garden uses only the best organic ingredients available. In fact, visitors are invited to watch as the cooks make the jam, which gives them the opportunity to understand the process and even sample some to purchase if you wish. Depending on the season, visitors may even be able to experience gathering fruits from the garden used for the jams.

Your pleasant and memorable Japan tour ends today. The tour will disband after breakfast. Fly home with cherished memories or enjoy your extended stay in Japan.

**INFORMATION** From Hiroshima Station to Hiroshima Airport(HIJ) - about 45 mins (Bus)

This tour disbands in Hiroshima.