Depart:  March 2 8 , 201 2         Return:  April 8, 201 2           Tour No:  HSC-328-12

Tour Price (per person): $5275 Twin, $5250 Triple, $6010 Single

*Based on 2012 land price and 2011 bulk air fare

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Day 1 – Wednesday, March 28                  HONOLULU

Leave Honolulu via air with lunch served on board.  Due to crossing the International Date Line, you will lose one day.

Day 2 – Thursday, March 29                NARITA / OSAKA    (D)

We arrive at Narita International Airport in the afternoon.  After completion of government formalities, we transfer to the domestic departure lobby for our flight to Osaka .  Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel in Osaka City by chartered motorcoach in the early evening.  Tonight we will enjoy a welcome buffet dinner at our hotel

Day 3 – Friday, March 30        OSAKA / AWAJISHIMA / TOKUSHIMA       (B, D)

Breakfast is at our hotel. This morning we leave Osaka for Kobe , the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and one of Japan 's ten largest cities.  We take a brief tour of the city, visiting Sannomiya shopping town, Kobe Harbor Land and a Japanese Sake Brewery.  Here is an opportunity to taste some very good Japanese sake and also purchase a bottle to take home.  We will then go to Akashi and drive across the Akashi Straits to Awajishima via Akashi Kaikyo Ohashi Bridge , the longest suspension bridge in the world. We’ll enjoy the scenery as we drive along the island to the southern district.  We will make a visit at the Awaza Theater to enjoy Ningyo Joruri Puppet Show. Ningyo Joruri has a long history of over 500 years. The Awaji puppet theatre consists of three elements, the joruri, the shamisen and the manipulated puppets. Joruri is a kind of traditional narrative singing.  As we continue our travel to Tokushima we will be crossing the Naruto Big Bridge.  From the bridge we will enjoy the grand view of the world-famous Naruto-no-Uzushio, the whirlpool of the Naruto Straits. This evening we will enjoy a sukiyaki dinner at our hotel followed by some special entertainment, the Awa-odori (dance) performed at the Awa Odori Kaikan Hall.

Day 5 –Sunday, April 1            MATSUYAMA / SHIMANAMI KAIDO / HIROSHIMA     (B) (D)

Breakfast is at our hotel.  Our first stop this morning after breakfast will be the Iyo Kasuri Kaikan.  Iyo kasuri is an indigo blue cotton cloth and is one of the most famous products in the Matsuyama area. In the early 19th century Kana Kagiya developed Iyo Kasuri by dyeing the thread according to the pattern before weaving.  Mingei Iyokasuri Kaikan consists of a factory to make Iyo Kasuri and gift shops that sell many kasuri products.  We leave Matsuyama for Imabari, the gateway to explore the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Sightseeing Route also called the Nishi Seto Expressway.  The route is actually a series of seven bridges hop-scotching across six islands situated in the Inland Sea .  The views of the sea and the countryside along this route are spectacular. Upon arrival at Imabari, we start on a sightseeing tour to Onomichi via the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido. Onomichi is famous for its picturesque hillside location with winding alleys and stairways, spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea, many beautiful temples and a rich heritage of literature, art and films. From Onomichi, we continue to Hiroshima via Mihara.  Tonight we will have dinner at our hotel.   Our hotel is in center city.  We can explore the shopping arcade and if time permits take a walk to Hiroshima Castle .

Day 6 – Monday, April 2   HIROSHIMA / IWAKUNI / MIYAJIMA / HIROSHIMA     (B)

Breakfast is at our hotel. Morning takes us to Iwakuni where we stroll over the Kintai Arch Bridge and enjoy the cherry blossoms in bloom along the banks of the Nishiki River .  The Kintai Bridge is located in Iwakuni City in the western part of Japan . The wooden structure consists of five arches. The elegance of the form inspired the name Kintai, which means gold brocade sash, because of a similarity to the traditional Nishiki obi for the kimono.  From Iwakuni we proceed to Miyajima-guchi and take a ferry to Miyajima Island where the sacred tame deer greet us.  Be careful they don’t snatch any items that you have sticking out of your pockets.  We admire the beautiful gigantic torii gate in the sea as well as explore the Itsukushima Shrine.  At high tide the structures seem to be floating above the water. The cherry blossoms on the island are spectacular to behold.  Miyajima specializes in the momiji manju (maple-leaf shaped pastry).  It is also known for their delicious fried oysters.  We can enjoy a lunch of oysters or the delicate fish, anago.  After lunch we return to Hiroshima to tour the Peace Memorial Park and the Atom Bomb Memorial Museum .  Look for the Children’s Peace Memorial, the Centaph and the Dome.  Our second night in Hiroshima gives you an opportunity to try another local specialty.  How about sushi laced with one of the “catches” from the Inland Sea or Anago, the local eel---very sweet and delicious or maybe the Hiroshima okonomiyaki?  Let your escort and guide help you find a place to eat.

Day 7 – Tuesday, April 3         HIROSHIMA / KURASHIKI / HIMEJI / OSAKA     (B)

Breakfast is at our hotel. Our first destination today is Kurashiki via Onomichi and Fukuyama via Sanyo Expressway.  Kurashiki is noted for the Bikan-chiku Area, where old traditional buildings, shops, warehouses along the narrow canal all have been kept as they were in the Edo period.  It is a great area to pick up some great souvenirs of things made in the area around Kurashiki . Next stop is Himeji Castle also known as the White Heron Castle .  In 1992 Himeji Castle was recognized by UNESCO as a building of world significance and was added to the World Heritage list. Himeji Castle is an excellent example of a Japanese castle with its traditional wooden architecture. Its stone walls and the white plastered walls which have been well maintained.  Himeji Castle has been used as Edo Castle in the long-running series, Abarenbo Shogun, which aired on KIKU TV. We overnight tonight in Osaka where we explore the area for dinner on our own with help from our escort and guide. 

Day 8 – Wednesday, April 4          OSAKA / NARA / KYOTO     (B)                

Breakfast is at our hotel.  A short ride this morning takes us to the site of our first visit, Osaka Castle . The castle was started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple , which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It was the largest castle at the time.  The castle has been burned down and rebuilt twice and the present structure was rebuilt in 1997.  It stores a fine museum of information and artifacts of the samurai era. The castle tower affords a grand view of Osaka .  We continue on to Nara to the Todaiji Temple with its huge bronze image of Buddha, Nara Deer Park and the Kasuga Grand Shrine.  Todai-ji Temple 's Great Buddha Hall in Nara is the largest wooden structure in the world.  It was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan , when Nara was the capital.  It is home to the largest Buddha in Japan .  Nara Deer Park is home to hundreds of freely roaming deer, considered messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion.  Nara 's deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated a National Treasure.  The Kasuga Grand Shrine was founded in 768 and, according to Shinto concepts of purity, was torn down and rebuilt every 20 years in its original form until 1863.  It is a shrine of vermilion-colored pillars and an astounding 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns.  It is also known for its beautiful wisteria blossoms.  At day’s end we proceed to Kyoto where we will spend the night.    Tonight we will have dinner on our own.   Our hotel isconveniently located near shopping and eating sites.  Some time will be spent strolling areas of Kyoto to explore some of the historic alleys of ancient Kyoto .

Day 9 – Thursday, April 5         KYOTO              (B)

Breakfast is at our hotel. We will embark on a city tour of Kyoto by motorcoach, visiting Nijyo Castle, best known for its so called nightingale floors which was designed to make squeaking bird-like sounds when walked upon, a warning of possible intruders.  This castle was created by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.  Then it is on to the Heian Shrine with one of the most beautifully landscaped gardens in Japan .  In spring we will be able to enjoy the delicate drooping cherry blossoms.  Other notable places we visit are the Kinkakuji Temple also known as the Golden Pavilion; and the Kiyomizu Temple . Kinkakuji is a Zen Temple formally known as Rokuonji. In 1397 construction started on the Golden Pavilion as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.   Kinkakuji was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimitsu's death in 1408. Kiyomizu Temple is composed of several Buddhist temples. The temple was founded in 798, and it is named for a waterfall on the grounds ("Kiyomizu" means pure water).  The most well-known feature of Kiyomizu dera is the huge veranda of the main hall. It juts out on wooden pillars and is an impressive sight.  From the veranda you will have a sweeping view of Kyoto .  During spring the cherry blossoms around the grounds create an outstanding spectacle.  Tonight dinner is on our own. 

Day 10 –Friday, April 6   KYOTO / MISHIMA / NIRAYAMA / HAKONE     (B, L, D)

Breakfast is at our hotel. This morning your suitcase will be shipped to Tokyo , so we will travel to Hakone with our carry-on baggage.   After breakfast we transfer to Kyoto Station by taxi.  Upon our arrival we depart Kyoto Station. At 9:56 a.m. we depart Kyoto for Mishima aboard the Shinkansen (bullet train), with tourist class reserved seats.  A box lunch will be served on board. Upon arrival at Mishima Station we will be continuing on to NIrayama where we will be treated to delicious sweet strawberries which we have picked ourselves.  We start our tour of Hakone National Park crossing over the scenic Jukkoku Pass where we enjoy the fantastic view of Mt. Fuji (if Fujisan is cooperative).and its neighboring areas.  We glimpse Japan ’s past history of the samurai era at the Hakone Seisho Barrier and the interesting museum filled with artifacts of the period.  Next, we enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Hakone , followed by a visit to Owakudani Valley with its steaming hot springs .  Tonight we can enjoy the onsen and a fantastic buffet dinner at the hotel.

Day 11 – Saturday, April 7           HAKONE / KAMAKURA / TOKYO     (B)

Breakfast is at our hotel.  This morning, we leave Hakone for Kamakura , driving along the Shonan Coast Driveway.  Upon arrival at Kamakura we will embark on our tour to visit Daibutsu, a gigantic statue of the Great Buddha in a sitting position.  Kamakura , once capital of Japan during the period of the first Shogunate, gives you a flavor of Old Japan. We’ll enjoy shopping and having our lunch on popular Komachi-dori, a quaint shopping street before proceeding to Tokyo for a tour of the Imperial Palace Plaza to view Nijyubashi, the famous bridge leading to the palace’s main entrance.  Dinner is on your own with the help of the escort and guide. 

Day 12 - Sunday, April 8              TOKYO / NARITA / HONOLULU         (B)

Breakfast is at our hotel.  The day is free until our departure from the hotel to the airport. For early morning risers there is an optional tour by subway to Tsukiji Fish Market  to shop for marine products. Return to our hotel for breakfast and check-out. After breakfast you may want to join the escort on another optional tour by subway and train to Asakusa.  We will be visiting Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street .  After Asakusa, those who wish to may visit Sengakuji Temple, where the 47 ronin depicted in “Chushingura” (a famous true-life story) are buried.  We leave our hotel in the afternoon for Narita International Airport by motorcoach.  Depart Narita for Honolulu via air.  We arrive at Honolulu International Airport the same day. We gain one day crossing the International Date Line.

This tour includes: 

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Every effort has been made to produce this itinerary without error.

For more information please call Patsy at 497-9965 or e-mail patsyc@radtravel.net.