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Best of Japan
1 Night Osaka, 3 Nights Kyoto, 1 Night Atami and 3 Nights Tokyo
Days 1 - 2 Osaka
Fly to Osaka, Japan, arriving the next day at Kansai Airport. You are met and transferred to the New Hankyu Hotel or similar. Before settling down for the night, enjoy a light dinner and an evening stroll around the lively "Umeda" district filled with many restaurants, nightclubs and shops.
Day 3 Kobe - Himeji / Kyoto
Set off after breakfast for the cosmopolitan port city of Kobe to visit the Kikumasamune "Sake" Brewery Museum, and Hanshin-Awaji Great Earthquake Memorial Park. Continue to Himeji to tour the spectacular Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Drive to Kyoto and check-in to Kyoto Tower Hotel or similar, your home for the next three nights.
Days 4 - 5 Kyoto / Hiroshima
Discover the culturally rich city of Kyoto. Tour the 16th century Nijo Castle with its two concentric walls. Visit the impressive Golden Pavilion and the interesting local market - Nishiki Koji. Take the bullet train down to Hiroshima and visit Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum. Cruise to beautiful Miyajima Island to see the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine. And enjoy a western style dinner before returning to your hotel in Kyoto.
Day 6 - 7 Atami / Hakone / Kamakura / Tokyo
Depart Kyoto and travel to the beautiful mountain resort area of Hakone. Take a cruise on pristine Lake Ashi and relax in a traditional hot springs bath. Wear a customary kimono at your special Japanese dinner. Overnight at Hotel Ikeda or similar. Next morning visit the MOA Museum of Art and take part in a Tea Ceremony in its Japanese style garden. Depart Atami for the coastal town of Kamakura. Stand before the amazing Great Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple. Climb the stone steps of the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shinto Shrine to see the colorful main hall. Browse the arts and crafts shops along Komachi Shopping Street before continuing to Tokyo, your final stop in Japan. Accommodations are at Atagoyama Tokyu Inn.
Days 8 - 10 Tokyo
Explore the capital city, beginning with a subway ride to Tsukiji Fish Market to see the morning fish auction and enjoy some "sushi" tasting. Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine and Imperial Palace Plaza. Take a cruise on the Sumida River, passing under architecturally interesting bridges, and then see Asakusa Kannon Temple and wander through its shopping arcade "Nakamise". Stroll through the famous old Ginza shopping district. Take in an optional "Kubuki" theatre performance, then meet the group for a Japanese favorite – "Shabu Shabu" dinner. Enjoy a free day to discover more of the city on your own or join an optional tour to Nikko, home of the famous Toshogu Shrine in a beautiful park setting. On the last day there is time for shopping before you transfer to the airport for your afternoon departure to the USA.
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