JAPAN <strong>ORIENTAL</strong> <strong>ASIA</strong> TOP 5 MUST-DO’s 1. GET LOST IN TRANSLATION IN TOKYO 2. RIDE A SUPER-FAST BULLET TRAIN 3. SOAK IN A TRADITIONAL ONSEN SPA 4. SMELL THE CHERRY BLOSSOM 5. DINE ON OCTOPUS BALLS IN OSAKA MT. FUJI KYOTO TOKYO • • HIROSHIMA OSAKA FUKUOKA
DISCOVER JAPAN Tokyo Tokyo FR $4,599 14 DAYS Highlights • Ride the bullet train around Japan • Inhale the alpine air of Takayama • Behold the beauty of tranquil gardens • Take in Hiroshima’s moving past • See the famous ‘floating’ Torii Gate • Absorb Kyoto’s traditions and history • Climb imposing Mt. Fuji (seasonal) • Shop for the latest gizmos in Tokyo <strong>ORIENTAL</strong> <strong>ASIA</strong> Departures 2014 <strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH Jan 06 Jan 19 Jan 27 Feb 09 Feb 24 Mar 09 Mar 03 Mar 16 Mar 10 Mar 23 Mar 17 Mar 30 Mar 24 Apr 06 Mar 31 Apr 13 Apr 07 Apr 20 Apr 14 Apr 27 Inclusions Hiroshima/ Miyajima <strong>STA</strong>RT Kanazawa Kyoto FINISH Apr 21 May 04 Apr 28 May 11 May 05 May 18 May 12 May 25 May 26 Jun 08 Jun 09 Jun 22 Jun 23 Jul 06 Jul 07 Jul 20 Jul 21 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 17 Takayama Tokyo JAPAN <strong>STA</strong>RT Mt Fuji FINISH Aug 18 Aug 31 Sep 01 Sep 14 Sep 15 Sep 28 Sep 29 Oct 12 Oct 13 Oct 26 Oct 27 Nov 09 Nov 10 Nov 23 Nov 24 Dec 07 Dec 08 Dec 21 Dec 22 Jan 04 Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age Accommodation: Hotels (9 nts), traditional inns and onsen spas (4 nts) Transport: Bullet train, public bus, ferry Meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner Budget: Allow USD $420-600 for meals not included Group Leader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO), local guides Group Size: Max 15, Avg 12 Tour Code: GAAJDJ Summing up Japan is kind of like describing the sneaky hit of wasabi in your sushi - surprising and startling! It might be the juxtaposition of ultra-modern and charmingly traditional, the mind-blowing speed of the bullet trains, the spirituality of the beautiful temples or the unspeakable beauty of the geishas. Whatever it is, on this wonderful twoweek adventure you’ll savour the region’s culinary delicacies, stay in a traditional ryokan guesthouse and immerse yourself in Japanese culture with a visit to an onsen spa. You’ll very quickly fall in love with this astounding country. DAY 01 02-03 04-05 06-07 08-10 11-12 13-14 ITINERARY Tokyo Arrive in Tokyo, take a deep breath and throw yourself into exploring this ultra-modern metropolis. Takayama Get up early to make an optional visit to the famous Tsukiji fish market and watch the theatrical bidding at the tuna auction! Your first ride on Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet train takes you high into the Japan Alps to Takayama, a world away from bustling Tokyo. Here you’ll find many finelycrafted old wooden houses, uniquely designed to withstand the harshness of the climate and terrain. Take a full day to explore this beautiful landscape, visiting the Hida No Sato traditional folk village and stopping for a refreshing cup of sake at one of the local breweries. An optional bike ride can take you out into the lovely countryside. Kanazawa A short train ride takes you to the beautifully-preserved castle town of Kanazawa. Step back in time with a stroll through the Nagamachi samurai and Higashi geisha districts and head to the Teramachi Temple district to visit the famous Ninja Temple, with its hidden doorways and secret escape routes. The highlight of any visit to Kanazawa is Kenroku-en; ranked one of the top three formal gardens in Japan, its breathtaking beauty shines through in any season. Hiroshima Perhaps more than any city in the world, Hiroshima is famous for one moment in history. On 6 August 1945, it became the first target of an atomic bomb. Hiroshima has risen phoenix-like from the ashes and rebuilt itself as one of Japan’s most laid-back, vibrant cities full of wide boulevards and art museums. Visit the Peace Park, an extremely moving place dotted with museums and memorials to those who lost their lives as WWII drew to a close. A burning flame waits in the park to be extinguished when all nuclear weapons in the world have been destroyed, and at the top of the park lie the remnants of Gembaku Dome, directly above which the bomb was detonated. Ironically, this made it one of the few buildings to be spared the full force of the blast. In the afternoon, you’ll take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island where you’ll find perhaps the most photographed site in Japan, the ‘floating’ Torii Gate. Watch the sun set behind this beautiful structure and snap away! Kyoto It is said there are 2,000 temples, shrines, palaces, museums and traditional gardens in Kyoto, the former Imperial capital of Japan. Wander past wooden castles and multi-storied pagodas, and marvel at the huge temples of the Hongan-ji sect or the beautiful Kinaku-ji Golden Pavilion. Take time out to enjoy the Zen gardens and the Silver Pavilion. Evenings can be spent strolling the narrow alleyways of the historic Gion district, trying to catch a glimpse of a geisha girl flitting from teahouse to teahouse. Mt. Fuji Region / Kawaguchiko Mt. Fuji, at 3,776 metres, is by far the highest mountain in Japan but what makes it unique is its perfect volcanic cone shape. How you tackle it depends on the season: from 01 Jul-27 Aug, you’ll trek to the summit overnighting at a simple guesthouse; in May/Jun and from 28 Aug-01 Nov you’ll spend two nights in Kawaguchiko and drive midway up Mt. Fuji to walk the descent; and from 02 Nov - 30 Apr you’ll do an alternate trek in the beautiful Five Lakes region where it will be the views of Mt. Fuji, rather than the climb, that leave you breathless. (2B, D) Tokyo Take in more sights, visit more museums and gardens, do more shopping... it’s your last chance to see everything this fantastic city has to offer before heading home at any time on Day 14. 140 VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
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