ESSENTIAL JAPAN (08 days)
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka,

Visiting: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka

Departures weekly every Saturday

ITINERARY:

AMERICA-TOKYO

Flight to Tokyo, night on board.

TOKYO

Welcome to Japan! Transfer by coach (SHUTTLE BUS) to hotel. 18H30.- Meeting with guide. Late in the afternoon, we will pay a visit to this fascinating country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku district and see the crowds of people who use this modern and efficient collective transport system. Shinjuku is one of the most important nightlife districts. Dinner included and return to hotel by metro with our guide.

TOKYO

In the morning, we take part in a 5-hour trip with our guide to see this amazing city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with quiet, peaceful areas. Brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to make a beautiful photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Pay attention to the hundred of Jizos, stone traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those who are weak (such children) and those in dangerous places, and who are dressed including hats, robes and windmills. Then we head to the junction of Shibuya, a junction that is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji Temple is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits. We continue on our bus along the elegant street of Omotesando. We will edge the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and the gardens. Stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. We will pass through the district of Akihabara, the “electric town” with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture and then see Kokugikan, the Sumo stadium, home of this Japanese sport. We will also visit the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo, with its 55-metre high pagoda. Then we will have some free time to visit the traditional commercial street of Nakamise in the district of Asakusa. Lunch included in a local restaurant. Return to hotel.Free time in the afternoon. NOTE: During the Japanese Olympics, accommodation may be given near Narita airport.

TOKYO - MONT FUJI - KAWAGUCHIKO

We travel to the beautiful area of Monte Fuji, through pretty countryside on our way. First of all we see the ARAKURAYAMA SENGEN PARK, with its beautiful pagodas, and from here enjoy the best and most well-known views of Mount Fuji. After this we go on to KAWAGUCHIKO with its tiny houses, flowers and mountains, and its beautiful lake. On our arrival, we will visit the FUJI SENGEN SHRINE set in a magical site surrounded by tall trees, and the starting point of the traditional pilgrimage to the mountain. At the shrine, we will express our thanks for being able to visit this wonderful place. The visit also includes a delightful boat trip on Kawaguchiko Lake. After lunch, we start to ascend Mount Fuji on the road that takes us to the “fifth station”, surrounded by spectacular forests and views, to a height of 2,305 metres. Note: In winter, the route up to Mount Fuji is closed due to snow or other adverse weather conditions; during this season, we will ascend as far as the authorised point. Return to Kawaguchiko, with time to stroll near the lake. We will stay at a Ryokan (a traditional Japanese hotel), and have the chance to enjoy its ONSEN (public baths). Dinner included.(NB: In the planned Ryokan, some rooms are in Japanese style, with accommodation on tatamis, and others are in western-style. Accommodation may sometimes be in a western type hotel).

KAWAGUCHIKO - IYASI NO SATO NENBA - TOYOTA - KYOTO

We are only 130km (81 miles) from KYOTO. In the morning, we continue along the pretty road bordered by lakes to IYASHI NO SATO NENBA, a tiny village destroyed by a typhoon in 1966 and later restored as a traditional open-air mountain village and museum. Its traditional houses have been transformed into arts and crafts shops, restaurants and traditional museums. We then have the opportunity to admire the SHIRAITO FALLS, considered done of the most attractive sites in Japan, with a waterfall height of 150 metres. We will then continue to NAGOYA, the third most important city of Japan, on the shores of the Pacific. Here we will visit the TOYOTA MUSEUM (admission included), a must-see for motor lovers. We continue to KYOTO, accomodation.

KYOTO

We spend all day in the city that was the capital of Japan from the year 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. We head for the outskirts of Kyoto to Arashiyama, where we cross the Togetsukyo Bridge ("bridge over the moon"), which has fantastic views. We will visit the Tenryuji temple, one of the "five major Zen temples of Kyoto" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a walk through its mystic bamboo forest. The visit includes a trip to one of the most important parts of the city. We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, “the golden pavilion” and its wonderful gardens. Free time before visiting GION, a busy traditional quarter famous for its Geisha. Free time.

KYOTO - NARA - OSAKA

We leave for NARA and visit Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752, which has a giant Buddha and where passengers can take photos and touch and feed the deer that wander through the park. Lunch included. After the visit, we will see HORYUJI Buddhist temple, a World Heritage Site that includes a seminary, monasteries and temples. Its main pagoda temple is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and an important place of worship. We continue to OSAKA, where we arrive in the evening. Accommodation in this modern city (Japan’s second city). We will visit Dotonbori, a colourful district filled with nightlife.

OSAKA

After breakfast transfer to the airport.

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TRAVEL ALONE? - NEED A TRAVEL COMPANION?

Reserve as soon as possible and we will try to get you a (same gender) Room-Share travel partner (applicable to most tours) and therefore, you will save the high cost of the "Individual Supplement" (extra cost for having a room to yourself). Contact us at 1-888-284-2887 or by email at info@viatur.com, to inform us of your interest in a Room-Share travel partner.  Make your $500 deposit, as soon as possible, to have a better chance of finding a roommate. Be aware that his option has pros and cons.  The "pros", If it all goes well, you will save money and hopefully have a pleasant and courteous travel partner, who might even become a friend or travel partner for other trips.  The "con" is that after finding you a roommate, that person might turn out to be someone, not as pleasant (you can share a room, without having to socialize during the day).  The most worrisome case "con" is that person may decide to cancel the trip for personal reasons or decide to travel with someone else known to him/her at last minute and is no longer be available to share the room.  In that uncommon scenario, you will be responsible for paying the Individual Supplement, but you will be able to have the room to yourself.  If you cancel, we will refund you as much as possible, but this depends on when does is the cancellation processed (within 60 days of departure date, it gets more complicated).  Also, if airline tickets have been issued, the airline will not refund any money and the tickets are non-transferable.  This situation happens rarely, but it's always a possibility, so its always best to consider the scenario of that extra expense.  We will make the Single Supplement, as affordable as possible, but it's based on what the Tour Operator charges, how long is the tour and the destination, because some countries are far more expensive than others.

Single Room Supplement : Consult with your Travel Agent

NOTES

There are several pricing options.  If you wish, we can offer you land services only or with airfare included.  We can also provide price with airfare from another city or country, for any questions, please contact us at 1-888-284-2887 or info@viatur.com  If you choose to obtain your own airfare, there will be an administrative fee of $50 pp   DO NOT FORGET TO BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE at the time of making your reservation to cover Pre-Existing Conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure etc). This insurance will give you peace of mind when traveling and protection against severe cancellation penalties. In addition, it will cover medical expenses, theft or loss of luggage including if airline's fault. Please call your travel advisor at 1-888-2-VIATUR (1-888-284-2887) for more information or by E-mail: info@viatur.com  FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE 60 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE.  FAILURE TO PAY ON TIME, MAY CAUSE A $50 SURCHARGE or LOSS OF RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT.   All reservations are subject to cancelation penalties, depending on when we receive written notification of your cancellation. Air tickets generate penalties for any change and are NOT refundable and are NOT transferable to another person, nor can the flight itinerary be changed. These penalties, established by the airlines are NOT negotiable, nor are they within our control.  Please read the General Conditions in detail enclosed in your documents and/or on our website www.ViaturTravel.com. 

IMPORTANT:  Please note that our collection of scheduled GROUPS that include airfare in the price have separate conditions of payment.  It is a package deal that includes everything needed to accomplish your trip.  A deposit of $500 will be required to initiate reservation; a second deposit of $1000 will be required 30 days after reservation date and a final payment will be due 90 days before departure.  If the reservation is made within the 90 days, full payment will be due. NOTE: In same cases the payments may be requested sooner to avoid an increase in price or taxes. The increase in gas, energy and inflation have caused airfare, hotels, tour buses, transfers etc to increase.

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