Best of Japan - Samurai Tours of Japan https: ... the Japanese have managed to integrate ancient traditions and ... will more than likely see interesting and far-out fashions. Breakfast

Best of Japan https://www.samuraitours.com/print/best-of-japan-pdf-catalog/

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BEST OF JAPAN 15 Days 14 Nights

DestinationsTokyo, Kamakura, Hakone Yumoto Onsen, Hakone, Takayama, Koya-san, Himeji, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima,Kyoto, Fushimi, Tokyo (Optional Morning Food Tour), Tokyo (Optional Afternoon Food Tour), Nikko (Optional Tour),Takayama (Optional Tour), Osaka (Optional Tour), Nara (Optional Tour)


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Tour OverviewMore than any other country, the Japanese have managed to integrate ancient traditions and bleeding-edge technologyharmoniously into their daily lives. With the perfect mix of new and old, and our most popular itinerary, this well-roundedtour has something for everyone. In this excellent introduction to Japan, you won’t miss anything the first-time visitor toJapan should see.

In the best that Japan has to offer, and our most popular itinerary, you’ll enjoy a colorful mix of large cities like Tokyo andOsaka, quaint and traditional Takayama, the ambiance and solitude of Miyajima Island, the historically significanttemples of Kamakura the capital of Japan in the 13th century, the religious center of Koya-san, the ancient shrines andtemples of Kyoto and Nara, the testament to peace of Hiroshima, the natural beauty of Hakone, the thermally-heatedmineral water baths at an onsen and much, much more.

You’ll stay overnight at a mountaintop Buddhist temple where Buddhist monks will serve you meals of shojin ryori (thetraditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), and you will attend prayer services at the temple early the next morning. Climbto the top of a samurai castle, participate in a tea ceremony, stroll through farmer’s markets, meet a “maiko” (geisha-in-training) face-to-face, see where the geisha live and work, stay overnight on beautiful and quiet Miyajima Island, soak inthe thermally-heated mineral waters at an onsen, admire sacred Mt. Fuji (weather permitting), the icon of Japan andenjoy three gourmet Kaiseki-style dinners and one shojin-ryori Buddhist vegetarian meal, and much, much more.

Tour Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

High

High

High

Tour FactorsCultural Immersion

Low

Pace

Low

Physical Activity

Low


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Tour HighlightsTokyo

Tokyo TowerGinzaNakamise-doriSenso-ji TempleAsakusa ShrineTokyo Optional Food Tour ( Tsukiji Market – SushiLunch – Kappabashi- Cooking Class)

KamakuraHase-dera TempleKotokuin Temple (Great Buddha)Hokokuji Temple (Bamboo Temple) including teaand sweets in the bamboo garden

Hakone Yumoto Onsen

HakoneLake Ashi Sightseeing BoatsHakone RopewayOwakudani

TakayamaSanmachisujiMorning Farmer’s marketsTakayama Jinya

Koya-sanOvernight stay at a Buddhist TempleOinori (Morning Prayer Service)Okuno-in Cemetery and TempleGaran Temple

HimejiHimeji Castle

Miyajima IslandFree Day

HiroshimaPeace Museum and Park

KyotoNijo Castle

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)Nishiki KojiTea CeremonyHigashiyama DistrictYasaka ShrineGion Geisha District Walking TourKenninji TempleMeet a Maiko SessionSayonara Dinner

FushimiFushimi Inari Shrine

Tokyo (Optional Morning Food Tour)Tsukiji Market (Inner and Outer Markets)Sushi Lunch (You will be escorted to the restaurantbut will pay for lunch yourself)

Tokyo (Optional Afternoon Food Tour)Kappabashi TourCooking Class

Nikko (Optional Tour)RinnojiToshogu ShrineTaiyuin

Takayama (Optional Tour)San-machi-sujiHida-no-sato Open Air Museum

Osaka (Optional Tour)Namba DistrictDoguyasuji StreetHozenji Temple and YokochoDotombori StreetEbisu-bashi BridgeKaitenzushi (Conveyor belt sushi) dinner

Nara (Optional Tour)Nara Deer ParkTodaiji (Great Buddha)Nara-machiKofukuji


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Tour Itinerary

DDAAYY 11 Arrive Tokyo

You lose a day flying to Japan due to crossing the International Dateline, and gain the day back when you fly home.After clearing customs and immigration (which can take up to an hour and a half due to increased tourism to Japan),you will be met at Tokyo’s Narita airport by a Samurai Tours guide. The guide will then purchase a limousine busticket for you and help you board the bus to the hotel. After checking in, the evening is free. No meals are included.

Travel: 1-1/2 Hours; Walking: Light

DDAAYY 22 Tokyo – Tokyo Tower, Ginza, Asakusa

After breakfast, you will start the day with a Welcome/Orientation meeting. Next, the licensed, English-speaking guidewill escort you to the Tokyo Tower. The Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower in the center ofTokyo. At 332.9 metres (1,092 ft), it is the second-tallest structure in Japan. The structure is an Eiffel Tower-inspiredlattice tower, with a main observatory at 150 meters that is reached via elevator or a 600-step staircase. Thanks tothe tower’s central location, the observatory offers an interesting view of the city despite being only at a relativelymoderate height. Afterwards, we will travel to the famous Ginza district. Ginza is recognized by many as one of themost luxurious shopping districts in the world, attracting visitors and regulars alike from across the globe. Beforecontinuing we will stop for a lunch of Kushiage (fried meat and vegetables on bamboo skewers). Next we will travel tothe nearby Asakusa area. Here we will tour the Nakamise-dori, Senso-ji Buddhist Temple and the Asakusa Shrinewhere you will learn about Buddhist and Shinto Japanese religious practices. We will return to the hotel, where wewill go through the train tickets for the rest of the tour. Breakfast at the hotel and lunch at a local restaurant included.

Travel: 1 Hours; Walking: Heavy

DDAAYY 33 Free Day in Tokyo

The day is free to explore Tokyo on your own. Go shopping for that perfect souvenir, visit the Meiji Shrine dedicatedto the Japanese emperor of the 19th century, or wander through the trendy Shibuya or Harajuku districts where youwill more than likely see interesting and far-out fashions. Breakfast is included.

Optional Tour – Nikko – $100 (or 12,000 Yen in Japan)Travel by Shinkansen (bullet train) and express train to the mountain town of Nikko where the Tosho-guShrine is located. This shrine – built by Tokugawa Iemitsu – is a dedication to his grandfather, ShogunTokugawa Ieyasu. (James Clavell’s fictional Shogun in his novel Shogun was based on this person.)One of the most elaborate monuments in Japan, no expense was spared in this shrine’s construction.We will visit Rinnoji, Toshogu and Taiyuin. Lunch at a local restaurant is included.


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Optional Food Tour – Morning Tsukiji Market and Sushi Lunch $40 (or 5,000 Yen in Japan)We will start by traveling to Tsukiji Market, the world’s largest fish market. It is estimated that 20% of allthe fish caught in the world passes through this market. There are two parts to the Tsukiji Market- theinner market and the outer market. The inner market is for wholesale business, and groups are notallowed to tour together, and the outer market is for retail. You will be given some time to wanderaround the inner market on your own. We will then take some time to walk around the outer market asa group. After this we will go to a restaurant near the market that is popular with locals, and owned bythe self-proclaimed “tuna king” for a sushi lunch (lunch not included). After lunch, you have the option ofcontinuing your tour of Tokyo (or returning to the hotel) on your own, or continuing on our itinerary.

Optional Food Tour – Afternoon Kappabashi Tour and Cooking Class $20 Plus Cooking ClassFee (You must pre-register for the afternoon tour before arriving in Japan.)From Tsukiji, we will go to Kappabashi. Kappabashi is lined with dozens of stores specializing inrestaurant supplies. Here you will find specialized stores for dishes, pots, pans, cooking utensils andmore. There are also a few stores that sell plastic and wax food samples, used by many restaurants intheir front windows. If you want to take home something to cook Japanese food with home, this is placeto buy it. After Kappabashi, we will continue with a cooking class. Here you will learn the basics ofJapanese cooking, and best of all, you will get to eat what you cook. You have the choice of thefollowing classes (fees for the cooking class are not included. See below for the cost of the classes):– Okonomiyaki $85– Tempura $110– Sushi $110– Rolled sushi and sushi mille-feuilles class $110– Wagyu Sukiyaki $130(Cooking ingredients, spices, recipe, apron rental fee and complimentary sake aperitif or tea is includedwith the cooking classes.)

Travel: TBD; Walking: TBD

DDAAYY 44 Kamakura – Hasedera, Kotokuin (Great Buddha), Hokokuji (Bamboo Temple); Travel to Hakone Yumoto

Onsen

Before leaving Tokyo, you will prepare your luggage to be transferred to Takayama, and will be traveling to Hakoneand Takayama with an overnight bag only. You will prepare your overnight bag for 2 days and 1 night. We board asubway and an express train to the ancient city of Kamakura, the former capital of Japan in the 13th century. Hase-dera Temple, originally established in the 8th century houses a famous Kannon statue made from wood and gold leaf,and also has a commanding view of the nearby ocean. Next we will visit Kotokuin, the home of the famous KamakuraGreat Buddha. This 40-foot tall bronze statue of Buddha, built in the 13th century is an icon of Japan. After a relaxingnoodle lunch, we continue by taxi to Hokokuin Temple, also known as the Bamboo Temple. Here you will be able torelax and enjoy the serene atmosphere of the bamboo garden while savoring tea and sweets. Late in the afternoon,we will travel to Hakone Yumoto Onsen, where we will stay overnight. Here you can enjoy the thermally-heated


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mineral baths at the ryokan. A local, licensed English-speaking, Japanese guide will be joining us for the day.Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a local Japanese restaurant are included.

Travel: 2-1/2 Hours; Walking: Medium

DDAAYY 55 Hakone, Travel to Takayama

After checking out of the ryokan, we will tour Hakone. Hakone is famous for its natural beauty and the view of nearbyMt. Fuji (weather permitting). We will be taking many different forms of transportation (electric train, funicular, gondolaand bus) around Hakone including the Hakone Sightseeing Boats on Lake Ashi. In good weather, you can get a fineview of Mount Fuji, and enjoy Hakone’s rich scenery reflected on the lake’s calm surface. After returning to HakoneYumoto and picking up our overnight bags, we will continue on to Takayama. Takayama, in the middle of the JapanAlps, with its traditional inns, shops, and sake breweries, has managed to retain its traditional charm. Breakfast isreimbursed, and a Kaiseki-style dinner will be served at the ryokan in the evening.

PLEASE NOTE: High winds and/or heavy rain can, and will often cause cessation of services on the SightseeingBoat cruise. Should this occur, we will not be able to operate the itinerary as listed above, and will replace it with thebest possible alternative given the weather conditions. Also, in the case of bad weather, even if the boats are stilloperating, we may alter the itinerary for your comfort and safety as Mt. Fuji will not be visible anyway.

Travel: 5 Hours; Walking: Light

DDAAYY 66 Takayama – Miyagawa Morning Market, Jinyamae Morning Market, Takayama Jinya, San-machi-suji

District

This morning we stroll through the farmer’s market, sampling the numerous options from vegetable stands and stallsselling herbs, pickles, and souvenirs. After that, we tour the Takayama-jinya, which was the governing office ofTakayama and the surrounding area since the early 17th century. The guide will take you to the San-machi-sujidistrict, consisting of merchant homes dating back to the 16th century. From here the rest of the day is free to roamand explore Takayama. Visit the many temples, shrines and museums, rummage through antique shops, or relax atone of the sake breweries. The evening is free to enjoy one of the many nearby Hida Beef restaurants. (Hida Beef isthe same thing as the more famous Kobe Beef.) Breakfast at the ryokan is included.

Optional Tour – Takayama – $75 (or 10,000 Yen in Japan)After finishing the scheduled tour of Takayama at the Takayama Jinya, the guide will take you on a tourof the San-machi-suji District. Lined with merchant homes, sake breweries and craftsmen’s workshops,it was the center of the old town and today it still retains its quaint atmosphere. After enjoying a ramenlunch, we will continue to the Hida-no-Sato Open Air Museum. With more than 30 traditionalfarmhouses and other buildings from the surrounding area, its main attractions are the “gassho-zukuri”style farmhouses. These massive farmhouses with their steep, thatched roofs which look like prayinghands (gassho-zukuri translates to praying hand style) were built without a single nail.


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Travel: TBD; Walking: Medium

DDAAYY 77 Travel to Koya-san, Overnight at a Buddhist Temple

We will travel to Koya-san with overnight bags only. The rest of the luggage will be delivered to our ryokan in Osakawhere we will be staying the following night. You will need to prepare your overnight bags for 2 days and 1 night. Weboard an express train and Shinkansen bound for Osaka, and continue to Koya-san by subway, train and funicular.Koya-san is the world headquarters of the Shingon school of Esoteric Buddhism. Kobo Daishi, considered by many tobe the most influential religious person in Japanese history, established a religious community here in the year 816.After checking into our shukubo (Buddhist temple lodging), you are free to roam and visit one of the 110 temples inthe area or just rest in the garden at the shukubo. Your dinner of shojin-ryori (traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine –no meat, fish, onions or garlic) will be served by the Buddhist Monks from the temple. Breakfast at the ryokan andshojin-ryori dinner at the temple are included.


DDAAYY 88 Koya-san – Morning Prayer Service, Okunoin Cemetery and Temple, Garan Temple Complex; Travel to

Osaka

Very early in the morning, we attend o-inori (Buddhist prayer service). Afterwards, a shojin-ryori breakfast is served.Following this meal, we wander through the huge cemetery leading up to the Okuno-in temple. Kobo Daishi is buriedat this temple, and many Japanese still believe that Kobo Daishi is not dead, but merely in a very advanced state ofmeditation, waiting to awaken at the appropriate time. After touring the Garan Temple complex, we will stop for aShojin-ryori lunch. After lunch we will return to the Namba Station the same way we came to Koyasan. After returningto Osaka, picking up our luggage and checking into our ryokan, the evening is free to visit the Dotombori-dori and theNamba Districts (South Osaka), the nearby nightlife and restaurant district. While there, you can visit the Ebisu-bashibridge, which will make you feel like you stepped into the movie “Blade Runner.” Shojin-ryori breakfast at the templeand Shojin-ryori lunch at a local restaurant are included.

Optional Tour – Osaka – $75 (or 10,000 Yen in Japan)While there are not a lot of sightseeing options in Osaka, the best way to experience Osaka is to simplyexplore the city on foot. And the best time to enjoy Osaka is at night when the South Osaka area of theDotombori and Namba Districts come into its own. At this time the numerous large, neon signs and thehawkers and pachinko parlors of the area combine to create an audio-visual overload. The tour willinclude Doguyasuji, a street in the Namba District lined with restaurant supply stores (including storesselling the plastic food models you see everywhere in Japan). In the Dotombori District, you will visit theHozenji Temple and Yokocho, an area that retains an old-time atmosphere and where so many localscome to pour water over the temple’s statues, they are now covered in moss. In contrast, you will alsovisit the Ebisubashi Bridge next to the Dotombori Street. With its towering neon signs, a visit to theEbisubashi Bridge is like stepping into the movie “Bladerunner”. The tour will begin with a dinner at alocal kaitenzushi restaurant (conveyor belt sushi) where you select whatever looks good as it passes byon the conveyor belt.


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DDAAYY 99 Himeji Castle; Travel to Miyajima Island

Before leaving in the morning you will need to prepare your overnight bag for 3 days/2 nights and bring it with you.We will then travel by subway and Shinkansen to the city of Himeji. Here we will visit Himeji Castle. Built about 400years ago, Himeji Castle is one of the largest and oldest original castles, and is one of only four castles designated asa national treasure and is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will continue on to Hiroshima byShinkansen, where you will eat your bento box lunch previously purchased, and then a local train to the harbor wherewe will board a ferry for Miyajima Island. Miyajima Island is said by the Japanese to be one of the top three scenicsights in Japan. The evening is free to enjoy the solitude and ambiance of the island after all of the day-trippers headback to the mainland. Breakfast, bento box lunch and kaiseki dinner at the ryokan included.

Travel: 3 Hours; Walking: Medium

DDAAYY 1100 Miyajima Island – Free Day

The entire day is free to enjoy and relax in the beauty and ambiance of Miyajima Island: ride the cable car to the topof the mountain on Miyajima Island, or visit the Itsukushima-jinja shrine which was built in its present form in 1168. Orjust stroll around the island while enjoying grilled oysters and momiji manju (a popular Japanese confection), theisland’s specialty. Breakfast and kaiseki dinner at the ryokan included.

Travel: TBD; Walking: TBD

DDAAYY 1111 Hiroshima – Peace Park and Museum; Travel to Kyoto

After taking the ferry and local train back to Hiroshima, we tour the Peace Memorial Museum and the PeaceMemorial Park, which are both sobering monuments to the tragic events on August 6, 1945. Afterwards, we are off toKyoto via the Shinkansen. Once in Kyoto, we pick up our luggage and check into our ryokan, where we stay for theremainder of the tour. Breakfast at the ryokan is included.


DDAAYY 1122 Kyoto – Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Nishiki Koji, Tea Ceremony

After breakfast, we will start the day at the Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, it was the Kyoto home of Tokugawa Ieayasu, thefirst Tokugawa Shogun. The ostentatious style of construction was intended as a demonstration of Ieyasu’s prestige,and to signal the demise of the emperor’s power. The finest artists of the day filled the castle with delicate transomwoodcarvings and paintings by the Kano School on sliding doors. One of the castle’s most intriguing features is theso-called “nightingale” floors. To protect the Shogun from real or imagined enemies, these floorboards creak whenstepped on. Next we will visit Kinkaku-ji. Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s, as well asJapan’s, most recognizable attractions. The gleaming building covered in gold leaf seems to float on the aptly namedMirror Pond, especially on a sunny day. After lunch you will have some free time at Nishiki Koji. Nishiki Koji is a


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narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as “Kyoto’sKitchen”, this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives andcookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, driedseafood and sushi. Following this free time, we will participate in an authentic tea ceremony. The regimenteddiscipline of the tea ceremony has been practiced for more than 400 years, and at one time was consideredmandatory for Samurai as an aid to train the mind. After the tea ceremony, we will return to the ryokan. Breakfast atthe ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant included.


DDAAYY 1133 Fushimi – Fushimi Inari Shrine, Higashiyama District, Yasaka Shrine, Gion Geisha District

Before leaving for the day, you will need to prepare your main luggage to be sent forward to the airport. If you wouldprefer to keep your luggage, you can do so. If you will be sending the luggage, you will need to keep enough itemsfor three days/two nights. The luggage transfer forms will have been provided to you prior to this day, and you areresponsible for paying for this transfer. After breakfast, we are off by train to the nearby city of Fushimi, one of thelargest sake producing regions of Japan. Here we will visit the Fushimi Inari shrine. This Shinto Shrine, established inthe 8th century, is famous for the long tunnels of vermilion torii gates straddling a network of trails leading to the top ofthe heavily forested Mt. Inari. We will then travel to the Higashiyama District. This area of narrow, cobblestone alleyswith its temples, shrines, numerous shops and restaurants is truly enjoyable and relaxing. We will stop for lunch in theHigashiyama District. We will then visit the Yasaka Shrine, also known as the Gion Shrine. This shrine, built over1350 years ago, is one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto. The shrine’s main hall combines the honden (innersanctuary) and haiden (offering hall) into a single building. Next, we will walk to the famous Gion Geisha District.Here, you will see where the Geiko (in Kyoto they call themselves Geiko, not Geisha) and Maiko live and work. Youmay even see one on their way to one of their appointments. You will have free time for shopping or roaming aroundthe Gion District before returning to the hotel. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a Japanese restaurant areincluded.


DDAAYY 1144 Kyoto – Free Day, Sayonora Dinner and Meet a Maiko Session

The morning and afternoon are free. In the afternoon, we will meet back at the ryokan and travel to the Gion Geishadistrict. Here, in a teahouse, we will attend a Meet a Maiko session. (A Maiko is a Geisha in training.) She will performa short dance, answer any of your questions and pose for pictures with you. After this we will have a walking tour ofthe Gion Geisha district. Here you will see where the Geisha and Maiko live and work. We may even see one on theirway to their appointments. After this we will enjoy our Sayonara Dinner. Breakfast at the ryokan and dinner at a localJapanese restaurant included.


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Optional Tour – Nara – $115 (or 15,000 Yen in Japan)We will begin the day traveling by train to the nearby city of Nara. Nara was the original capital of Japanin the 8th century before it was moved to Kyoto. We will start our tour of Nara by walking through theheavily forested Nara Park. Here, we will find numerous temples and shrines hidden among the trees.Along the way, you can also fee the famous Nara deer. They have been since the 7th century, androam freely protected by Buddhist traditions. At the far end of Nara Park, we will find Todaiji. Originallybuilt in 752, the main hall is the world’s largest wooden building, despite the fact that the currentbuilding, built in 1692, is only two-thirds the size of the original building. Inside the building is Japan’slargest bronze statue of Buddha (it is almost 50 feet tall). After a lunch break, we will continue our tourat Kofukuji temple. Kofukuji temple was the family temple of the Fujiwara family, one of the mostpowerful families in Japan during the Heian period. This temple was created in 710, the same yearNara was made the capital of Japan. At its height during the reign of the Fujiwara family, there weremore than 150 buildings on the temple grounds.

Travel: 1/2 Hours; Walking: Medium

DDAAYY 1155 Home

It’s time to say “sayonara” (Goodbye). The group will depart at 8:00 am unless we have determined you need to leaveearlier. You will be escorted to the Kyoto train station, where you will return on your own to Tokyo’s Narita airport orOsaka’s Kansai airport by train. (If you are flying out of Narita Airport, be sure to schedule a flight after 15:00 to allowyourself enough time to catch your flight.)

If you sent your luggage ahead, you will need to retrieve the luggage in the Departure lobby of the airport. Breakfastat the ryokan included.



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InclusionsLocal, licensed, English-speaking, Japanese guides

Travel Guard Gold Policy from Travel Guard, one of the world’s largest travel insurance providers, will be providedto everyone from the United States. All others will receive a $100 per person credit and will be responsible forobtaining their own travel insurance in their own home country. (The insurance provided by Samurai Tours will coverthe land portion only. Insurance to cover airfare and other additional expenses is the tour member’sresponsibility.) Click Here for More Information

The provided insurance coverage includes:Trip Cancellation (up to trip cost)

Trip Interruption (up to 150% of trip cost)

Trip Delay (up to $750)

Missed Connection (up to $250)

Baggage and Personal Effects Loss (up to $1,000)

Baggage Delay (up to $300)

Medical Expense (up to $25,000)

Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains (up to $500,000)

Accidental Death or Dismemberment (up to $10,000)

Coverage for financial default of tour operator

A waiver of any pre-existing medical conditions that could eventually cause you to interrupt your trip (entire trip,including airfare must be insured for pre-existing waiver to be valid. Contact travel guard for for information)

Travel Insurance Surcharge: Depending on your age at the time the travel insurance is purchased, you may besubject to the following surcharge for your travel insurance. Travel insurance surcharges will be due at the sametime as your tour deposits. (the surcharge itself is not insured)

Up to 69 – $0

70-74 – $100

75-79 – $200

80-84 – $350

85+ – $550

Travel Insurance Opt-Out: If you would prefer to opt out of the travel insurance, please note this at the time ofregistration. You will receive a $100 credit per person, which will be reflected on your invoice. In the event that youwould need to cancel your tour, cancellation penalties may apply. See the Terms and Conditions page for theCancellation Fees Schedule.

14-Day Ordinary Car Japan Rail Pass (allows unlimited train travel.)

Meeting service at Tokyo’s Narita Airport and transfer to the ryokan in TokyoThe meeting service will meet you at the airport and provide you a transfer to the ryokan in Tokyo

Meeting service can only be provided between 6am and 9pm. If you arrive at a time outside of these hours, we willneed to provide alternative directions for you to get to the ryokan on your own.


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Sending service to the Kyoto train station and transfer to Tokyo’s Narita Airport or Osaka’s Kansai Airport. (Transfersto Itami Airport are not included)

The sending service will escort you to the Kyoto train station and make sure you board the correct train. Thesending service will not accompany you to the airport.

For those requiring meeting or sending services on other than the scheduled arrival/departure dates, there will be a$100 fee for the meeting service from the airport into Tokyo or the sending service to the Kyoto train station.)

Lodging for 14 nights in Japanese-style ryokans

MealsJapanese-style or Western-style breakfast every morning (Please Note: Some ryokans offer Japanese breakfastsonly.)

Six Japanese-style lunches

Five Japanese-style dinners (including 3 gourmet kaiseki dinners at the ryokans, and a shojin-ryori – traditionalBuddhist vegetarian cuisine – dinner at a Buddhist temple)

The appropriate amount of free time to allow you to explore and discover your own personal Japan.

All transportation costs when traveling with the group. (Transportation costs during scheduled free times are the tourmember’s responsibility.)

Admission fees to the destinations and activities listed in the Tour Highlights column on the right. (Itinerary specificssubject to change)

Use of audio tour guide system (must provide own headphones)

Sayonara dinner at the end of the tour

Baggage transfer from the ryokan in Tokyo to the ryokan in Takayama (one bag only)Baggage transfer from the ryokan in Takayama to the ryokan in Osaka (one bag only)Baggage transfer from the ryokan in Osaka to the ryokan in Kyoto (one bag only)

Each tour member receives an electronic copy of our tour handbook. This handbook is full of tips and suggestions takenfrom our Japan travel experiences that allow you to better plan and prepare for your trip, and therefore enjoy your tripeven more. The tips and suggestions included cover everything from how to save while exchanging money, what topack, some basic Japanese-language tips, general etiquette do’s-and-don’ts, ryokan customs, etc.

ExclusionsAirfare is NOT included.

Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and desserts are NOT included


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2017 Dates & Prices

2017 DatesPrice (land only) /

Single Supplement Status

12/03/2017 – 12/17 December $4,244 / $594 Closed

2018 Dates & Prices


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2018 DatesPrice (land only) /

Single Supplement Status

01/14/2018 – 01/28 Early Winter $4,344 / $594 Available

01/21/2018 – 02/04 Late Winter $4,344 / $594 Closed

02/11/2018 – 02/25 February $4,344 / $594 Available

03/18/2018 – 04/01 Early Cherry Blossom $4,994 / $694Filling Fast3 seats left

03/25/2018 – 04/08 Cherry Blossom $5,244 / $694Filling Fast2 seats left

04/01/2018 – 04/15 Late Cherry Blossom $4,994 / $694 Full

05/13/2018 – 05/27 Spring $4,744 / $594Filling Fast1 seats left

05/20/2018 – 06/03 May June $4,744 / $594 Available

06/10/2018 – 06/24 Late Spring $4,594 / $594Filling Fast3 seats left

06/17/2018 – 07/01 Early Summer $4,594 / $594 Available

07/01/2018 – 07/15 Summer $4,494 / $594 Available

07/15/2018 – 07/29 Late July $4,494 / $594 Available

08/19/2018 – 09/02 Late Summer $4,394 / $594 Available

09/16/2018 – 09/30 Early Fall $4,494 / $594 Available

10/07/2018 – 10/21 Fall $4,844 / $694 Available

10/14/2018 – 10/28 Late Fall $4,944 / $694 Available

11/04/2018 – 11/18 Fall Foliage $5,144 / $694 Available

12/02/2018 – 12/16 December $4,244 / $594 Available


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Tour Map


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Thank you for downloading this PDF version of our tour.Please visit our website at www.samuraitours.com/tours

for the most current dates, prices and information.

Contact Samurai ToursWEBSITE/EMAIL

[email protected]

USA CONTACT INFO

Toll-free: 1-866-316-SAMURAIor 1-866-316-7268Fax number: 720-210-5423

Samurai Tours7900 East Union Ave, Suite 1100Denver CO 80237

JAPAN CONTACT INFO

Call us: 075-361-7303

Samurai Tours307 YodokizuFushimiKyoto 613-0911 Japan

Kyoto-fu Chijitoroku Ryokogyo 3-576/Japanese Travel Agency License:Kyoto Prefecture #3-576

MEMBERSHIPS/ASSOCIATIONS

Better Business BureauAmerican Society of Travel AgentsNational Tour AssociationJapan National Tourist OrganizationJNTO-approved Japan Travel Specialist


17 of 17 11/9/17, 2:50 PM

Documents

Best of Japan - Samurai Tours of Japan https: ... the Japanese have managed to integrate ancient traditions and ... will more than likely see interesting and far-out fashions. Breakfast