November 10 - 22, 2010
$4,000 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
• Daily Breakfast and Seven Dinner
• Admission to all sights, attractions, and tours as indicated by itinerary

A morning flight takes us from Honolulu to Japan.

Upon arrival in Narita we will pass through immigration and then collection our luggage to go through customs.  From there we will check in for our flight to Fukuoka.  Upon our arrival in Fukuoka we will head to our hotel and then to Nagahama, to try some of the area's famous ramen for dinner.

Meals: Dinner

We begin our journey by hopping aboard a bus for Miyajima.  Along the way we will stop in Shimonoseki to visit their famous fish market, where you can try fugu and Iwakuni to see Kintaikyo, its famous bridge.  We continue northward for Hiroshima, where we can catch the ferry to Miyajima.  Here we will visit Itsukushima Shrine and Toyokuni Shrine.  Itsukushima Shrine is famous for its floating gate that is one of Japan's three famous views.  Victors of battles on the Seto Naikai have all come here to offer thanks for their success.  Toyokuni Shrine is another Shinto site where you can find Senjokaku or the Hall of One Thousand Mats.  This shrine was started by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to honor the fallen soldiers.  While here we can try Momiji Manju and find the local Shakushi or rice paddles to take home.

Accommodations: Onsen / Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

We leave the tranquility of Miyajima for mainland Japan to head for Kure, where we will visit the Yamato Museum.  It is dedicated to the World War II warship, that was for a time the largest battleship in the world, as well as the naval complex at Kure at that time.  We then go to Takehara, which has preserved a section of its city's Edo-era architecture.  Among those buildings is Taketsuru Shuzo, the family brewery of the founder of Nikka Whiskey in Hokkaido.  Our last stop will be in Onomichi to shop at a local shopping arcade.

Map of Japan's Inland Sea
Red line indicates tour route

Accommodations: Onsen / Meals: Breakfast

Today we will travel along the Shimanami Bridges to visit Mukai Jima, Iguchi Jima, Omishima, and Oshima.  This bridge connects Honshu to Shikoku travelling through those islands.  Our first stop is Mukai Jima to visit its Orchid Center with its 30 varieties of orchids and thousands of flowers.  From there we stop at Ikushima to visit its Citrus Park.  We will also visit the museum dedicated to painter Ikuo Hirayama.  Our next stop will be on Omishima to see Oyamazumi Shrine with its vast collection of samurai swords and armor.  Most of Japan's arms that are national treasures can be found here.  We will also visit a sea salt factory.  The last stop of the day will be on Oshima to see its beautiful rose garden.

Accommodations: Onsen / Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

We will spend time in Tomo no ura, a town famous for the time Sakamoto Ryoma spent there and for its inspiration to Hayao Miyazaki's film, Ponyo.  Here we will visit a museum dedicated to Sakamoto's stay in the town.  From there we will hop on a ferry for Manabe Island.  This small island is noted for preserving the feel of old Japan.  Here we will have a chance to try the local cuisine which is based on the catch of the day.

Meals: Breakfast

Today we will head to Kojima to visit the Jean's Factory and Museum.  This area is noted for being the leading designer and producer for jeans across Japan.  We will also stop at a Momotaro Museum that retells the tale of Momotaro, as well as other fun exhibits.  Our next stop will be the Ohara Museum, a small private museum noted for its excellent collection of 20th Century art ranging from Picasso to Andy Warhol.  It also has a fine collection of Japanese paintings, its most notable representative being Kojima Torajiro, a friend of the museum's founder, Ohara Magosaburo, who paid Kojima to acquire many of the fine pieces on display.  We will then spend time enjoying Kurashiki Bikan, a historical district that has been well preserved from its time as an administrative center during the Edo period.  Our last stop will be Korakuen, one of Japan's Three most beautiful gardens.

Meals: Breakfast

We leave the mainland once more and head back into the Inland Sea.  At the Uno Pier we will catch the ferry to Naoshima.  This island is a magnificent showcase of art and architecture.  Here we will spend our time walking the small island taking in the buildings and the art museums.  The three main art museums are the Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House, and the Lee Ufan Museum.  All three buildings were designed by Tadao Ando.  The most popular is the Chichu Art Museum for its fine art collection and outstanding architectural design.  Benesse House focuses more on modern art and the Lee Ufan Museum is their newest having opened in June of 2010.  In addition to the art museums there are six art house projects, homes that have been converted into art showcases.  And finally there are a series of buildings, designed by Kazuhiro Ishii that exemplifies Naoshima Architecture.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

The morning is free to enjoy Naoshima some more before we catch the ferry to Shodo Jima via Takamatsu.  Since we arrive in the late afternoon on Shodo Jima we will check in and the remainder of the day is free to explore the island. 

Accommodations: Onsen / Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Today we will explore the second largest island in the Japan Inland Sea.  We will visit the Shodo Jima Folk Material Musuem followed by a visit to the Olive Park.  This island was the first place in Japan where olives were successfully cultivated.  From there we will visit the island's movie village, where the movie, Twenty Four Eyes, was filmed.  The novel  the film was based on was written by a native of the island and dealt with living in Japan in the first half of the 20th century.  The island is also a major shoyu production center and we will visit one of the factories.

Accommodations: Onsen / Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

We leave the Inland sea and return to the mainland to the city of Kobe.  Famous for being one of the first cities in Japan open to foreigners after the Meiji Restoration, its international flavor is readily seen.  Upon our arrival we will visit Nankin Machi, one of Japan's three designated Chinatowns.  It is said that Nankin Machi is a Japanese version of China and is exceedingly lively and colorful.  Here we will be able to buy souvenirs and sample some delicious Chinese food.

Meals: Breakfast

Our day begins with a ride up Mt. Rokko to get a stunning view of the Inland Sea below.  We will enjoy the mountain air and visit a music box museum.  After we return to the city, we will visit Nada no Shuzo, where over a dozen sake breweries operate, such as Kikumasamune and Nadagoro.  You will have a chance to explore the area and sample the various sake.

Meals: Breakfast

Since our flight leaves in the evening, we will have a relaxing morning to pack and do any last minute shopping.  We will head to the airport in the afternoon to catch our flight from Kansai to Honolulu.

Meals: Breakfast