Itinerary

• THURSDAY, MARCH 28 – USA

  Depart for Tokyo

• FRIDAY, MARCH 29 – TOKYO

  Transfer to the Royal Park Shidome Tower in Tokyo. In the evening get acquainted with fellow travelers at a welcome dinner. (D)

• SATURDAY, MARCH 30 – TOKYO

  Discover Tokyo with a full day tour.  Start at the Hama Rikyu Garden, considered by some to be the best garden in Tokyo and cruise the Sumida River to the Sensoji Temple, the capital’s oldest temple.  After lunch tour the Edo-Tokyo Museum, which chronicles the fascinating and somewhat tumultuous history of this city.  Then visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo’s most venerable and refined Shinto shrine.  (BL)

• SUNDAY, MARCH 31 – TOKYO

  Today journey to Nikko to tour the Toshogu Shrine, the nation’s most elaborate and opulent, made with 2.4 million sheets of gold leaf; in addition, visit the Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa, the largest wooden villa of its era.  In the afternoon drive to Lake Chuzenji and view the famous Kegon waterfall. (BL)

• MONDAY, APRIL 1 – LAKE KAWAGUCHI

  Depart for Mt. Fuji National Park.  On the way visit the Hakone Open Air Museum and board a ropeway with a gondola ride over the mountains to Togendai.  After lunch at the Hakone Palace Hotel, cruise Lake Ashi on a pirate boat.  Tonight lodge at a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese style inn.  (BLD)

• TUESDAY, APRIL 2 – TAKAYAMA

  Journey to Takayama, Little Kyoto of the Mountains, via Matsumoto and visit the Itchiku Kubota Museum, noted for its beautiful kimonos.  Later in the day explore the Matsumoto Castle, a fine representation of a feudal castle. (B)

• WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 – TAKAYAMA

  After a visit to the famous morning market, tour the picturesque Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum of more than 30 old buildings ranging in age from 100 to 500 years old. Then discover Takayama on foot from the Takayama Jinya or Historical Government House and the Merchants’ Houses with a visit to the Kusakabe Folklore Museum, belonging to one of the richest families in Takayama.  (BL)

• THURSDAY, APRIL 4  – KYOTO

  En route to Kyoto stretch your legs with a stroll in the picturesque town of Gujohachiman.  In the afternoon visit the hilltop Hikone Castle, another splendid example of a feudal castle before arriving in Kyoto. (B)

• FRIDAY, APRIL 5 – KYOTO

  Today spend a full day in historic Kyoto, the former capital of Japan and the only major Japanese city spared from bombs during World War II.  As such it’s rife with temples, shrines and imperial palaces.  Visit the Daitokuji Temple and the Golden Pavilion, a three-story pavilion covered in gold leaf.  Before visiting the Nijo Castle experience a tea ceremony.  Then visit Kiyomizu Temple known for its magnificent height and views.  In the evening enjoy dinner with a Maiko Dance performance.  (BLD)

• SATURDAY, APRIL 6 – HIROSHIMA

  In the morning, tour Sanjusangendo Hall, one of the most visually stunning sights in a Japanese temple, before boarding a bullet train to Hiroshima.  Upon arrival visit the Peace Memorial Park and the A-Bomb Dome, the skeletal ruins of the former Industrial Promotion Hall, left as a visual reminder of the death and destruction caused by the atomic bomb. (B)

• SUNDAY, APRIL 7 – OSAKA

  This morning visit Miyajima a treasure of an island with its famous landmark, a huge red Torii Gate rising out of the water, guarding the Ituskushima Shrine, which the tour will visit.  After lunch board the bullet train for Osaka. (BL)

• MONDAY, APRIL 8 – OSAKA

  Journey to ancient Nara for a glimpse of the Japan that was and visit Deer Park with its Todalji Temple with Japan’s largest bronze Buddha and the Kasuga Grand Shrine one of the favorite Shinto shrines.  In the afternoon visit the I.M. Pei Miho Museum, located in the Shigaraki Mountains some 45 minutes outside of Kyoto.  It is as much a work of art as that which lies within Pei’s exquisite walls.  Reminisce with fellow travelers at this evening’s farewell dinner.  (BLD)

• TUESDAY, APRIL 9 – USA

  Depart for home. (B)