JapanDeluxeTours

Japan Deluxe Tours, Inc.
1820 W. Carson St. Suite 224 Torrance California 90501 USA
Phone: 310-327-1111 FAX: 310-329-7609
10 Nights 11 days Essence of Spring | Grand Tour - Cherry Blossom Seasonal Tour
Day 1
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)
Day 2
Today will be devoted to exploring the multi-cultural spots of Tokyo. Our tour will first start in Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market. Browse through 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.

(note: Cherry Blossoms may not be in bloom during your tour)
Breakfast Lunch
Day 3
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!



Note: In the event of poor weather conditions, we will visit the Pola Museum of Art instead of the Open-Air Museum.
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 4
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.
Breakfast Lunch
Day 5
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 and for a kaiten sushi lunch. 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.
Breakfast Lunch
Day 6
Our Japan tour will begin with a bullet train ride to Hiroshima. One of the main highlights here in Hiroshima is the A-Bomb Dome, the only surviving building from the aftermath, and the Peace Park Memorial where you can see and read about the relic of the war. The A-Bomb Dome has been preserved to be a reminder of the tragedy for future generations and to symbolize its wishes for everlasting peace.



We will also see the Peace Park Memorial. Stroll along the park to see famous attractions like that of Sadako’s statue and the freedom bell. Here you can see and read about the relic of the war.



After our visit, we will take a small boat to Itsukushima, a small island off the main shore famously known as Miyajima. It is the home of the floating torii, which at high tide seems to float on water. Along the torii, the Itsukushima Shrine complex is also built over water and is ranked one of Japan’s three best scenery's.
Breakfast
Day 7
Our day begins in Nagasaki where we have much to cover. We will head to Glover Garden which exhibits Western style mansions. After viewing these gorgeous mansions, we will continue with our foreign influences to the Oura Catholic Church. The Oura Catholic Church is Japan’s oldest standing Catholic church.



We then make our way over to KUmamoto to visit the Johsaien. Johsaien is a shopping arcade by Kumamoto Caslte filled with over 20 shops and the Wakuwaku-za museum featuring the history and culture of Kumamoto. We then proceed to the hotel.
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 8
Our day begins in Kumamoto to see Kumamoto Castle. Kumamoto Castle is considered one of the three premier castles in Japan, along with Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle. Thirteen structures in the castle complex are designated Important Cultural Property. Several ancillary wooden buildings remain of the original castle. While we won't be going inside the castle due to reconstruction, enjoy the many views and scenery of this famous Japanese castle.



Then we proceed to Takachiho. Legend states, when Susanoo, god of storm, terrorized Amaterasu, his sister and sun goddess, she hid in a cave plunging the world into darkness. The cave is called Ama-no-Iwato, the heavenly rock cave, exists in Takachiho.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 9
Our day begins with a boat ride to Matsuyama, a castle city. Following the pattern of hot springs, we will visit one of the oldest hot springs in the world, Dogo Onsen, which is said to have over 3,000 years of history. The onsen is also widely known for welcoming the imperial family as guests and has a room called Yushinden on reserve exclusively for their use. Dogo Onsen's impressive wooden structure served as a model for the famous film Spirited Away.
Tsubaki-kan or similar
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 10
Our day will begin heading towards Osaka. Traveling East, we will visit one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan that overlooks Mt. Shiun, Ritsurin Garden. Michelin Green Guide graded the garden three stars and is a great place to take photos, especially from the highest point that overlooks the entire garden.



While making our way through Tokushima, we will stop at the Awa-odori Museum, a museum dedicated to the prefectural dance of Tokushima. During the annual Awa-Odori festival, thousands of spectators flock to Japan to watch the traditional dance. Enjoy learning some steps and history of Awa-odori at this great museum.



Our last stop before hitting Osaka is Naruto, a small town off the coast. Here in Naruto, many hope to observe the large Naruto whirlpools that can be seen under very ideal conditions. (*The whirlpool can only be seen at certain times of the day and thus we cannot guarantee seeing the whirlpool in action.)
Breakfast Lunch
Day 11
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 downtown hotel in Osaka to KIX Airport - about 70 mins (Bus)

From downtown hotel in Osaka to ITM Airport - about 30 mins (Bus)
Breakfast