April 4 - 15, 2007
$3,500 per person
(based on double occupancy)

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

Date Plan Detail April 4 (Wed) Honolulu Osaka We depart in the morning on our flight from Honolulu to Kansai. April 5 (Thr) Osaka Kansai Our flight arrives in Kansai in the afternoon where we will clear customs before heading to our hotel in Kyoto. April 6 (Fri) Kyoto Today we begin with a tour of Kyoto. In the morning we will stop at Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and the Kyoto Handicraft Center. Nijo Castle was the home of the Tokugawa Shogun when he came to visit the Emperor. It was also the site where the last Shogun officially ended the Tokugawa rule and returned power to the Meiji Emperor. The Kyoto Imperial Palace is the traditional home of the Japanese Imperial Family. It was not until 1893 that the Meiji Emperor moved his capital from Kyoto to Tokyo and assumed residence in the old Tokugawa stronghold in Tokyo. The Kyoto Handicraft Center showcases some of Kyoto�fs native handcrafts In the afternoon our tour continues with stops at the Heian Shrine, Sanjusangendo Hall, and Kiyomizu Temple. The Heian Shrine is a relatively new shrine, built only in 1895 and dedicated to the first and last emperor to live in Kyoto, Emperor Kammu and Komei. It is noted for its brilliant vermilion exterior and hanging cherry blossoms in the spring. Sanjusangendo Hall is part of a temple that was founded in the 12th century. The hall is its most famous structure with 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Its name comes from the arrangement of the architecture of the hall, which is Japan�fs longest wooden building. Kiyomizu Temple is located along a hillside. Built in 798, a spring lies below that gives the temple its name as well as blessings to visitors who care to drink from it. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner April 7 (Sat) Nara Excursion Today we will venture to Nara. While there we will visit Todai Ji, Nara Park, and Kasuga Shrine. Todai Ji is a temple that houses the Great Buddha in what is claimed to be the world�fs largest wooden structure. The sheer size of the structure is held in wonder at this ancient temple. Nearby is Nara Park, a large area where hundreds of deer roam freely. Considered messengers for the gods, the deer are given free reign over the area and have become mascots of the city. So identified are the deer that they have been designated as National Treasures. Our last stop will be a visit to Kasuga Shrine, the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara clan, who were the rulers of Japan when Nara was founded as their capital. Built in 710, there are nearly 4000 stone and metal lanterns on the grounds. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner April 8 (Sun) Kyoto Nagoya We leave Kyoto and begin our journey northward to Nagoya. Along the way we will visit the Meiji Village and the Toyota Car Factory in Aichi. The Meiji Village is an open air museum dedicated to preserving architecture from the Meiji Era covering over 200 acres containing over 60 building reproductions. Examples run from the lobby and hall of the Imperial Hotel to the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral to Reverend Jiro Okabe�fs Assembly Hall from Hilo. We will tour Toyota�fs Honsa facility and see the latest vehicles on the assembly line as well as a little history of one of Japan�fs oldest companies. Try and spot the little grey box on the roof of the cars. This box lets the robots working on the car know what model they are building. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner April 9 (Mon) Nagoya Takayama Takayama is our destination for the day. We will travel by rail along the countryside hopefully spotting cherry blossoms along the way. Our sole place to visit today is Hida no Sato, a site that holds buildings from the Takayama area from the pre-industrial age. There we can see the different technique used in construction, as they had to be built for harsher winters than other areas. We will also see the changes in the construction over time and the various tools used by farmers, hunters, and other residents. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner April 10 (Tue) Takayama This morning we will hit the streets of Takayama to see their morning market. It offers us an opportunity to see the local produce, flora, and other specialties that the area has to offer before we leave Takayama. In the afternoon we will take an excursion to Mount Hotaka, one of the peaks of the Japanese Alps. After Mt. Fuji, Japan�fs largest mountains are found in this mountain range. The height of the mountain requires two gondola rides with the second gondola being of the double decker variety. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner April 11 (Wed) Takayama Hamamatsu Numazu Mishima We continue our leisurely trip north and make two stops. The first is in the town of Hamamatsu which is known for its eel and for its music shops where various instruments are made. The Japanese piano maker, Kawai, is based here. From there we head to Numazu to sample their fresh local seafood. We will spend the night in Mishima. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner April 12 (Thr) Mishima Fuji Hakone Today we head for Japan�fs tallest peak, Mt. Fuji. We will first stop at Fuji Gogome, a way station that is the highest point that can be traveled by bus. The remainder must be hiked. From this vantage point, we will try to get a glimpse of the peak, while visiting the small shrine and local shops at this stop. We then go to Lake Ashi for a quick cruise to get to the Komagatake aerial cable car to see a different side of Mt. Fuji. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner April 13 (Fri) Hakone Tokyo Strawberry picking will occupy us this morning. In the afternoon we will head to Tokyo for the remainder of the stay. Once we have checked in, the rest of your day is free to do as you please. Meals: Breakfast

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