November 19 - 25, 2006
$2,300 per person
(based on double occupancy)

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Tour Includes:
• Tour Escort from Hawaii
• Hotel Accommodations as indicated
• Airfare from Honolulu to Japan roundtrip
• Ground Transportation as needed
• Meals as specified in itinerary
• Admission to all sights, attractions,
and tours as indicated by itinerary

November 19 (Sun) : HONOLULU >>> OSAKA
Our tour begins with a morning flight to Osaka. An hour or two into the flight, lunch will be served and several snacks will be served throughout the flight. We will cross the International Dateline and arrive in Japan tomorrow afternoon.

November 20 (Mon) : OSAKA >>> KYOTO
Upon arrival in Osaka, we will clear immigration and customs formalities. From there we will have an hour and a half ride to Kyoto where we will check in to our hotel for our stay.

November 21 (Tue) : KYOTO MORNING TOUR
Our morning begins with a visit to Toji Temple, where Kyoto�fs largest flea market is held every 21st of the month in honor of the founder of the temple. Everything from kimono, ceramics, other textiles, and more can be found at this market. Over 1,000 vendors are said to be open on this day.
In the afternoon we will take a city tour. Our first stop will be the Heian Shrine. Built in 1895 in commemoration of the Emperor Kammu, the founder of Kyoto. It was later dedicated to Emperor Komei, Emperor Meiji�fs father, who was the last emperor to live in Kyoto. From there we go to Sanjusangendo. Originally built in 1164, it was rebuilt in 1266 after a fire. Its name is a reference to the style of construction of the main hall, which has 33 planks between columns. This Buddhist temple honors the 1000 armed Kannon and has a large statue of the Kannon surrounded by a 1000 smaller versions of the Kannon. Our last stop of the day is Kiyomizu Temple. The temple is noted for the sacred waters that flow beneath it and the platform built out from the cliff. There is a Japanese saying that whenever they must make a difficult decision, it is like jumping from Kiyomizu.

November 22 (Wed) : KYOTO >>> HIROSHIMA
We depart today for Hiroshima by train. On the way we will stop in Himeji to see its famed castle. The white heron castle or Himeji castle is one of the few original castles in Japan still intact. The current castle is over 400 years old and is a World Heritage Site. When it was in operation no particular family ruled during the majority of its time. Instead lords were rotated in, when the previous occupant was perceived as weak or ineffective.
Once in Hiroshima we will visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to the ideals of peace and an end to the use of nuclear weapons. The museum itself is built near the center of the atomic explosion. In the surrounding area you will find a memorial to Sadako, the little girl famous for folding cranes for peace as she suffered through leukemia. Also in the area is the building that was the target for the bomb which has been preserved as a memorial.

November 23 (Thu) : MIYAJIMA EXCURSION
The morning begins with a trip to Kure and the Yamato Museum. It is dedicated to the World War Two battleship Yamato, which was at the time the world�fs largest battleship. It left Kure on its last mission to Okinawa. From there we Miyajima Island and a visit to Itsukushima Shrine. Built in the 12th century, it is one of Japan�fs most recognized sites. Its most recognized feature being the red Torii or gate that stands out to sea. At high tide, the entire shrine seems to float on water.

November 24 (Fri) : HIROSHIMA >>> KYOTO
We leave Hiroshima for Kyoto in the morning. Upon arrival in Kyoto, the day is free to do as you please. If you need assistance in looking for a particular item or wish to visit a particular area, your escort will be on hand.

November 25 (Sat) : KYOTO >>> HONOLULU
On our last day we will take a tour of the city beginning with Nijo Castle, the home of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Kyoto. It was here that the last Tokugawa Shogun returned power to the Emperor Meiji in 1868. Then we move on to the Golden Pavilion, the retirement home of Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga in 1394. From there we go to Kitano Tenmangu, a shinto shrine dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, an imperial scholar unfairly exiled from Kyoto in the 9th century. Also known as Tenjin, he is the guardian of scholars.
After our tour, we leave in the afternoon for Osaka to catch our flight. We leave Kansai in the evening and since we cross the International Dateline arrive in Hawaii on the morning we left Japan.