Aoi Festival - 8 days Tokyo - Osaka


Time travel to the era of ancient capital Kyoto
Aoi Festival – Procession of court aristocrats
Touching modern & traditional features of Japan
Visiting big cities & mountainous townscape
$2,500 ~
Ask
Tokyo
6 nights Western style and 1 night Japanese style accommodation
Meet and greet upon arrival at Narita and Kansai Airport
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Private coach transfers between destinations in Japan
Comprehensive escorted with TC tour professional English speaking tour guide
Meals described as in the itinerary
Admission fees and activities
Entry fees to sites, gardens, and museums listed in the itinerary
DAY 1
NARITA-TOKYO
Welcome to Tokyo! You will be greeted by an English-speaking assistant at the airport.
The assistant will get you in the bus to your hotel.
【About accommodation】
Hotel Grand Pacific Le Daiba or The Prince Park Tower Tokyo (WiFi=○)
Both hotels are located in central Tokyo and have good access to sightseeing sites
that we will visit.
【Meals】B(breakfast)=×, L(lunch)=×, D(dinner)=×
DAY 2
TOKYO
We will visit Ueno park. Also, historical sites such as Sensoji Temple (Asakusa) and Imperial Palace.
Of course, we will visit newly built tower with high technology Tokyo Sky Tree
(about 1,900ft) to go up to the viewing deck to see panoramic view of metropolis Tokyo.
Visiting Akihabara, world famous mecca of Japanese Manga and game culture, is also exciting.
Workshop of paper lantern (or folding fan) is fun experience!
Let’s enjoy drawing your favorite meaning in Kanji (Chinese character).
Drawing your or your family’s and friend’s names sounds good idea!
The work you make will remind you of the tour and it will be good souvenir.
Experiencing modern and tradition of Tokyo!
【About accommodation】
Hotel Grand Pacific Le Daiba or The Prince Park Tower Tokyo (WiFi=○)
Both hotels are located in central Tokyo and have good access to sightseeing sites
that we will visit.
【Meals】B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=×
DAY 3
TOKYO – LAKE ASHI – MT. FUJI – SUWA
We will drive from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji area. First, we will do boat cruise at Lake Ashi
and will visit Owakudani (volcanic valley). When sky is clear,
you may see beautiful perfectly cone-shaped Mt. Fuji.
At Oshino Hakkai, you will see small water springs
(water filtered and flow on surface due to melted snow of Mt. Fuji).
You may see why Japanese people love, respect and pray for Mt. Fuji that give us
“Gift” such as beautiful nature scene and water.
As we drive to Suwa region, you may notice that Japan is mountainous country.
Having dinner at traditional Japanese house and staying at Ryokan
(traditional Japanese inn) will be unforgettable experience.
【About accommodation】
Aburaya Ryokan(WiFi=×, LAN cable only)
It is located just beside Lake Suwa. Please enjoy beautiful view and lake side walking in the morning.
【Meals】B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=○
DAY 4
SUWA – MATSUMOTO – SHIRAKAWAGO – TAKAYAMA
Visit Matsumoto Castle (National Treasure) in the morning and drive to Shirakawago
to see traditional thatched roof houses that are designated as World Heritage of UNESCO.
In Takayama, we will take walk at tasteful black wall houses streets in old town.
The streets are designated as Preservation and Utilization of Cultural Properties of Japan
and gained 3 stars of Michelin.
Please enjoy nostalgic feature of Japan in village and town among mountains.
【About accommodation】Takayama Green Hotel (WiFi=○)
【Meals】B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=○
DAY 5
TAKAYAMA – GUJOHACHIMAN – GIFUHASHIMA – KYOTO
After visiting morning market in Takayama (one of three famous morning market in Japan),
we will move to Gujohachiman to see water flows that running throughout the town.
People in Gujohachiman live with and cherish water in their daily lives.
From Gifuhashima to Kyoto, please enjoy Shinkansen (bullet train) ride!
As soon as we arrive Kyoto, we will visit Gion where Geisha
(kimono clad ladies who work for entertainment at traditional Japanese cuisine restaurants etc.),
and Kiyomizudera (temple) to see night view of lit-up cherry blossoms.
Contrast between cherry and traditional temple is breathtaking view.
【About accommodation】
Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (WiFi=○)
It is located right next to Nishi Honganji (temple, World Heritage).
It is good idea to take walk to Nishi Honganji to see peace morning atmosphere (no entrance fee).
Also, they have shuttle bus service to Kyoto station.
Please enjoy having dinner around there.
【Meals】B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=×
DAY 6
KYOTO
Please enjoy your stay in ancient capital of Japan (794 – 1868).
On this day, we will watch the procession of Aoi Festival that has been handed down
to generation to generation during long history of Japan.
About 500 people wearing elaborate and traditional costumes of ancient times walk
from the former site of Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines.
At Nishijinori Kaikan, ladies wearing kimonos show you beautiful seasonal design
and patterns of kimonos and sashes.
Kinkakuji (temple) or Golden Pavilion with beautiful garden and pond take you back
to the Muromachi Period (1333 – 1537) when Kyoto flourished in its economy and culture.
【About accommodation】Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (WiFi=○)
【Meals】B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=×
DAY 7
KYOTO – NARA – OSAKA
Let’s take a sip of Sake at Gekkeikan Sake Brewery in southern Kyoto.
You may understand why Kyoto is blessed with and said as
“the source of Japanese tradition & culture” like sake, tofu, kimono, tea ceremony etc.
due to tremendous amount of underground water.
After meeting with the biggest Buddha statue in the world at Todaiji (temple),
move to our final destination Osaka.
From the top of the Osaka castle, enjoy panoramic view of the city of Osaka
(2nd largest city in Japan) as if you were feudal load.
Osaka is said, “City of food”. Let’s take short walk through Dotonbori street
to see local food and people’s night life.
【About accommodation】
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka (WiFi=○)
It is located right next to Nishi Honganji (temple, World Heritage).
It is good idea to take walk to Nishi Honganji to see peace morning atmosphere (no entrance fee).
Also, they have shuttle bus service to Kyoto station.
Please enjoy having dinner around there.
【Meals】B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=×
DAY 8
OSAKA, KANSAI AIRPORT
Time to get back home with unforgettable memory and lots of souvenir.
Return by air.
SAYONARA (Good Bye) and please have a safe trip
【Meals】 B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=×, D(dinner)=×
All prices are per person, based on double or triple occupancy.
Tour schedule and prices subject to change without notice.
International flights are not included on our tours - this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money!
TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE
International Airfares
Meals that are not included in the itinerary
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills Gratuities
ADDITION INFORMATION
Transport : Travel by air conditioned, private coach, baggage handling free
Arrival/Departure Airports : This tour starts in Tokyo and ends in Osaka. For arrivals at Narita Airport (NRT)and departures at Kansai Airport (KIX)
Meal Requests : Vegetarian or special meals can be arranged
Meet and Greet : Please note that the meet and greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available on the first day of the tour after 15 PM. If you plan to stay extra nights before the start of the tour, please arrange your own hotel transfer