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Deluxe Kansai Momiji Tour

TOUR DATES

November 14 ~ November 20, 2011 (Sign up by August 31, 2011)

TOUR FEE

$2,059 p.p./Based on DBL

Triple occupancy less $20.00 per person
$550.00 additional charge for single occupancy

PACKAGE INCLUDES

-: 6 nights hotel accommodations in Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, and Irako
-: Sightseeing in Mt. Koya, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Ise, Toba, Gamagori, and Nagoya
-: Daily Breakfast and 3 dinners
-: Bilingual tour escort provided in Japan
-: English Speaking Guide in Japan during sightseeing

PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE

-: Any international and Japan domestic airfare.
-: Transfer to/from airport (can be arranged with separate fee/check with agent)
-: Gratuity to bus driver and English speaking guide/Suggested 100~200yen per day/p.p. for driver and 200~300yen per day/p.p. for guide

RULES & RESTRICTIONS

*: Passengers with foreign passports (excluding U.S passports) must obtain visa from Japan Consulate
*: Passport must be valid more than 6months from departure
*: Price/Schedule is subject to change by Vendor
*: Minimum 15 people is required to guarantee the departure

ROUTE MAP

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Nov.14 (Mon) USA - OSAKA
	Arrive at Kanasai International Airport
	Arrive at hotel
	Rest of the day at leisure
	Dinner on own
	Hotel Monterey La Soeur Osaka or similar

DAY 2: Nov.15 (Tue) OSAKA - MT. KOYA - OSAKA (B)
	Breakfast at hotel
8:30am	Depart for a full day sightseeing of Mt. Koya by chartered motor coach with English speaking guide
	Proceed to Mt. Koya (2hours) Mount Koya (Koyasan) is the center of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect which was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), one of Japan's most significant religious figures. A small, secluded temple town has developed around the sect's headquarters that Kobo Daishi built on Koyasan's wooded mountaintop. It is also the site of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum and the start and end point of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
	Visit Kongobuji Temple Kongobuji was originally constructed in 1593 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to commemorate the death of his mother. Later it was merged with a neighboring temple and reorganized into the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, the sect introduced to Japan by Kobo Daishi in 805 and headquartered on Koyasan
	Visit Okunoin Temple Okunoin is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most revered persons in the religious history of Japan. Instead of having died, Kobo Daishi is believed to rest in eternal meditation as he awaits Miroku Nyorai (Maihreya), the Buddha of the Future, and provides relief to those who ask for salvation in the meantime. Okunoin is one of the most sacred places in Japan and a popular pilgrimage spot.
	Return to Osaka
	Upon arrival at hotel, free time at leisure
	Dinner on own
	Hotel Monterey La Soeur Osaka or similar

DAY 3: Nov.16 (Wed) OSAKA - KYOTO - NARA (B/D)
	Breakfast at hotel
8:30am	Depart for a full day sightseeing of Nara Momiji by chartered motor coach with English speaking guide
	Proceed to Nara (1hour)
	On the way to Nara, drive by Osaka Castle and photo stop The Osaka Castle was built in the end of the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a well-known warlord who brought the whole country under his rule in the late 16th century. It has been burned down in a series of battles in the 17th century, and reconstructed later. Once again it was destroyed by fire, its donjon only reduced to ashes this time, and was reconstructed at last early in the 20th century. On display at its 1st to 7th floors are various weapons, armors and folklife items of those days. There is a view spot on the 8th floor.
	Visit Todaiji Daibutsu Temple (Todaiji) and Deer Park Not only is Todaiji housing Japan's largest Buddha statue (Daibutsu), but it is also the world's largest wooden building, even though the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple's size. The Nara Deer park is home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered messengers of the gods in Shinto, Nara's deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated a National Treasure.
	Visit Kasuga Shrine Kasuga Taisha is Nara's most celebrated shrine. It was established at the same time as the capital and is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city. Kasuga Taisha was also the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara, Japan's most powerful family clan during most of the Nara and Heian Periods.
	Visit Tanza Shirine – Momiji Spot Tanzan Shrine is located in the mountains just east of the Asuka region. It enshrines Fujiwara Kamatari, the founder of the powerful Fujiwara family, who exerted enormous political influence and essentially governed the country for most of the Heian Period (794-1185).
	Proceed to hotel in Nara
6:00pm	Dinner at hotel
	Hotel Nikko Nara or similar

DAY 4: Nov.17 (Thu) NARA - KYOTO (B/D)
	Breakfast at hotel
8:30am	Depart for a full day sightseeing of Kyoto Momiji by chartered motor coach with English
	Proceed to Kyoto (1.5hour)
	Visit Fushimi Sake Brewery The Osaka Castle was built in the end of the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a well-known warlord who brought the whole country under his rule in the late 16th century. It has been burned down in a series of battles in the 17th century, and reconstructed later. Once again it was destroyed by fire, its donjon only reduced to ashes this time, and was reconstructed at last early in the 20th century. On display at its 1st to 7th floors are various weapons, armors and folklife items of those days. There is a view spot on the 8th floor.
	Visit Todaiji Daibutsu Temple (Todaiji) and Deer Park Enjoy tasting Sake
	Visit Arashiyama - Momiji Spot Arashiyama is a pleasant, touristy district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. Arashiyama is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and fall color seasons. OR Visit Hieizan Enryakuji Temple - Momiji Spot Located in Kyoto's eastern mountain range on Mount Hieizan, Enryakuji is one of the most important monasteries in Japanese history. It is the headquarters of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism, which served as the foundation for a number of later sects including the Pure Land (Jodo), Zen and Nichiren sects. Enryakuji was founded in 788 by Saicho, the monk who used his learnings of Chinese Buddhism to found the Tendai sect. At its peak, Enryakuji had as many as 3000 subtemples and a powerful army of warrior monks who often engaged in power struggles with other monasteries and political leaders. * We will take you to the BEST Momiji spot depending on its colored situation. *
	Enjoy Hands-on Activity (Japanese Sweets Making or Indigo Dying)
5:00pm	Return to hotel
6:00pm	Dinner at hotel (buffet) *After having dinner, we visit a temple which has special light-up for Momiji by motor coach
	Visit Kodaiji Temple (The garden lit up with an array of special lighting in a variety of colors) It was constructed in 1605 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi by the great political leader's wife. Besides fine temple halls, Kodaiji features a small bamboo grove and a landscape garden with tea houses, designed by leading, contemporary masters. Beautiful, Zen style illumination shows are held in Kodaiji's garden during certain times of the year.
10:00pm	Return to hotel
	Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto or similar

DAY 5: Nov.18 (Fri) KYOTO (B)
	Breakfast at hotel
	Free at leisure
	Spend a full day free at leisure by using local subways and JR Train to explore local area
	Our tour escort can suggest and take you to places depending on needs
	Optional tours are also available. Please ask agents for more information.
	Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto or similar

DAY 6: Nov.19 (Sat) KYOTO - ISE - TOBA - IRAKO (B/D)
	Breakfast at hotel
8:30am	Depart for a full day sightseeing of Ise and Toba by chartered motor coach with English
	* Enjoy your drive to Ise though beautiful colored mountain!
	Visit Ise Jingu Shrine The Ise Jingu consists of two shrines: the Outer Shrine (Geku), which is dedicated to Toyouke, the kami of clothing, food and housing, and the Inner Shrine (Naiku), which enshrines Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. They are Shinto's most sacred shrines. Naiku and Geku are located several kilometers apart from each other at the foot of densely wooded hills. Unlike most other Shinto shrines, the Ise Shrines are built in a purely Japanese architecture style which shows no influence from the Asian mainland. Naiku is believed to have been established in the 3rd century and Geku in the 5th century.
	Enjoy strolling Okage Yokocho It took 7 years to build this tourist spot.Come here after you visit the shrine itself! You will find an extensive array of dishes and you can take a nice break while viewing the bustling street scenes. You will find shops all the way back to the end of the narrow Seko s treets (the local people call the Ise area Seko because it is short of space), so please take the time to explore the area.
	Proceed to Toba (30min.)
	Visit Mikimoto Pearl Island Enjoy watching Ama, Japanese divers, to get pearls performance
4:30pm	Board ferry to Irako (1hour)
5:00pm	Return to hotel
6:00pm	Arrive at hotel
6:30pm	Dinner at hotel (Japanese)
	Irako Sea Park & Spa or similar

DAY 7: Nov.20 (Sun) IRAKO - GAMAGORI - NAGOYA - USA (B)
	Breakfast at hotel
8:30am	Depart for a full day sightseeing of Nagoya by chartered motor coach with English
	Visit Okazaki Miso Factory Hatcho Miso is made by the Hatcho Miso Company in Hatcho, or Eighth Street, of Okazaki. Hatcho Miso is famous for the same reason that Okazaki is famous: Tokugawa Ieyasu. Apparently having a liking for miso soup made with hatcho miso (or so the company says), Tokugawa Ieyasu made sure that his armies were supplied with the local bean paste. Being very long lasting, very high in protein, energy and other nutrients, Hatcho Miso is an ideal trail food. Having Conquered Japan, Tokugawa moved the capital of Japan from Kyoto to Edo (no Tokyo), and continued to have Hatcho Miso shipped to his castle there. The Hatcho Miso Company became famous as purveyors to the Shogun and later gained even more prestige as purveyors to the Emperor.
	Proceed to Nagoya (1hour)
	Stop by Sakae City * Enjoy last minute shopping at down town of Nagoya Lunch on own here
pm	Visit Nagoya Castle Nagoya Castle was built in the beginning of the Edo Period for one of the three Tokugawa family branches, the Owari. Consequently, Nagoya developed into an important castle town and ultimately Japan's fourth largest city. The castle was almost completely destroyed in the air raids of 1945. The current ferro-concrete reconstruction dates from 1959.
	Depart for US from Nagoya airport *Some US Mainland flight needs extra night stay/check with travel agent