2009 Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Honshu Island
Tauck’s Japan travel experience begins at Hotel Seiyo Ginza. A transfer from Tokyo Narita Airport to Hotel Seiyo Ginza for a three-night stay in the heart of Tokyo is included. Your hotel is designed to reflect the warmth and comfort of an elegant private home. Meet the other guests on Tauck's Japan travel journey at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Seiyo Ginza, Tokyo

Day 2: Japan travel begins with Tokyo touring
Your morning guided city tour includes a view of the National Diet Building and visits to the Imperial Palace, and the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Take a guided walk through Ginza, Tokyo's famous shopping district, before exploring the city on your own in the afternoon, perhaps riding the easy-to-use subway system to see the sights or cruising on the Sumida River.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Seiyo Ginza, Tokyo

Day 3: Senso-ji Temple
You'll start the day with an interesting introduciton to the life of a sumo wrestler! A city sightseeing excursion includes a visit to the Edo Tokyo Museum and a guided tour of the most sacred and spectacular temple in Tokyo: Senso-Ji Temple, popularly known as Asakusa Kannon. Built in the 7th century, it features a five-story pagoda, several smaller temples, and lovely gardens and statues. Your afternoon is free; today you have an opportunity to dine as you please for both lunch and dinner, perhaps enjoying a lengthy, elaborate meal at a fine restaurant or sampling the local vendors' regional specialties.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Seiyo Ginza, Tokyo

Day 4: Fuji-Hakone National Park
Enjoy a full day of Japan travel delights. Ride the Shinkansen, the Bullet Train (thought to be Asia’s fastest train), into the countryside. Visit the hot-springs town of Hakone in Fuji-Hakone National Park where you explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum, famous for its outdoor sculptures. The museum features a large collection of post-Rodin sculptures as well as works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Renoir and Miro. Cruise across Lake Ashi and ride a gondola on the Hakone Ropeway over the mountains – if weather permits, enjoy outstanding views of Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa, Hakone

Day 5: Treasures of the Japanese Alps
Today, you will see more of the beautiful treasures of Japan. Travel past valleys of rice fields into the region known as the Japanese Alps. Along the way, visit the Itchiku Kubota Museum, showcasing the ancient silk art of Tsujigahana. Stop at Matsumoto Castle, one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in Japan, en route to the 16th-century town of Takayama.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Associa Takayama Resort, Takayama

Day 6: Takayama’s historical sights
Takayama hosts quaint village streets, Edo-period merchants’ shops and houses, and pure water ideal for sake brewing. Take a guided walking tour, stopping at the farmers market, the Festival Float Museum, and the Takayama Jinya, a 1692 provincial government office. Spend your afternoon relaxing in a hot springs bath, walking the temple district trail, or exploring the town’s museums and antique shops. Dine on your own tonight – there's an abundance of restaurants featuring hearty mountain food and regional specialties.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Associa Takayama Resort, Takayama

Day 7: Gassho-zukuri farmhouses and ryokan lodging
Japan travel days continue with a journey to the Shirakawa-go region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with mountain villages of thatched-roof gassho-zukuri (praying hands) farmhouses. The large houses, with steep-pitched roofs, were traditionally built to withstand snowy winters and house extended families involved in silkworm cultivation. Visit a private 300-year-old family home, and wander through the village of Ogimachi with 59 intact gassho houses. Spend the night in an award-winning traditional ryokan-style hotel, a highlight of Tauck’s cultural Japan travel experience. Follow authentic Japanese customs during your stay, from dining and sleeping at floor level, to dressing in bathrobes and relaxing in communal baths.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Kagaya Hotel, Wakura Onsen

Day 8: Samurais in Kanazawa
On the west coast of Japan travel to charming Kanazawa, with winding cobblestone streets, samurai residences, geisha houses, museums, galleries, and an open-air market. Stroll through the centuries-old Kenroku-en Gardens, ranked among the country’s top three gardens. Get an insider’s tour of an authentic samurai house, and explore the 300-year-old Omicho Market. Take a train to Kyoto where you'll stay for the next four nights.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Westin Miyako Kyoto

Day 9: Kyoto’s temples and castles
Your Japan travel continues in Kyoto, considered the cultural treasure house of the country. Founded in the 7th century, Kyoto quickly became the capital of Japan and holds many national treasures. Tour the Kinkakuji Temple, known as the Golden Temple because it is encased in gold – it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Go inside 17th-century Nijo Castle, featuring nightingale floors that made bird-like creaking sounds to reveal intruders; they were built of Japanese cypress by the first Tokugawa shogun in 1603. Spend the remainder of the day exploring on your own. Kyoto has many restaurants to choose from!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: The Westin Miyako Kyoto

Day 10: Temples and the Great Buddha
Today begins with a visit to the Sanjusangendo Temple, featuring 1,001 life-sized wooden statues of Kannon-Bosatsu, going back to the 13th century. Continue to Nara, Japan’s first capital, where you'll experience an unforgettable look at old Japan. At Todai-ji Temple, see the monumental bronze Great Buddha. Featured in an enormous wooden building, it’s over 50 feet tall. Walk the grounds of Kasuga Grand Shrine, where thousands of ancient stone and bronze lanterns dot the landscape. The rest of your day is free to explore as you please in Kyoto.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: The Westin Miyako Kyoto

Day 11: Discover some of Japan's traditional customs
Visit Kiyomizu Temple, whose name means "pure water" – it boasts an expansive veranda with spectacular views of the city. The temple dates back to the 8th century, with the most of the present structures constructed in the 17th century. Partake in a traditional tea ceremony and have a hands-on demonstration in the art of origami and calligraphy on a memorable visit to a private home, then spend the afternoon at leisure in Kyoto. You may wish to discover the world of the geisha on a walk through the Gion district, Kyoto’s best-known geisha quarter; admire the city's myriad gardens, from Zen rock gardens to bonsai masterpieces; and view traditional arts and crafts in specialty shops down quaint streets, including Kyo pottery, elaborate fans, dolls, paper lanterns, combs, Noh masks, cloisonné, and lacquerware.Join us for a farewell reception and dinner this evening featuring a traditional Maiko performance – a wonderful way to end these culturally enriching Japan travel days.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Westin Miyako Kyoto

Day 12: Sayonara Japan
Tauck's Japan travel experience ends at Osaka's Kansai or Itami Airport. Depart your hotel for the 90-minute trip to the airport in Osaka; a transfer is included for the trip from The Westin Miyako Kyoto to the airports in Osaka; allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast

In Japan travel with Tauck to experience

the true essence of this rich culture – book now!

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All accommodations, entertainment, special dinners, motor coach, shore excursions, sightseeing, luggage handling, admissions, services of Tauck Directors, ship crew and drivers are included.

Hotel Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.

Tauck Director – Each Japan tour is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck World Discovery. In addition, a bilingual local guide assists in each city.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for bellmen, doormen, dining room servers, drivers and local guides are included.

No Options Sold – Tauck’s price includes special dinners, entertainment, sightseeing and most activities. Tauck Directors sometimes assist with information on free-time activities, based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before & After Tours – Due to time schedules and the possibility of flight delays, many guests prefer to make hotel arrangements for the night preceding their Japan tour. As a service, Tauck will make reservations before or after your Japan tour. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis and must be booked through Tauck to qualify for Tauck’s special rates. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Note: In most cases, airport transfers are not included for these bookings. If you would like to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is not included. Such gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, visa fees, vaccinations and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. Therefore, it is important for your own protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Additional Information

Itinerary Changes & Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Note: Although not expected, prices in this brochure may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.

Travel Document Requirement – U.S. citizens need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond completion of the Japan tour. Non-U.S. citizens must also have a passport valid for 6 months beyond the completion of the tour and should contact their booking agent or appropriate consulate to determine if visas are required.

Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling with or without both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by
improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standards for these letters, Tauck does offer for download guidance for writing this letter.

Membership & Health – Membership will be granted to all persons. These are active tours that require considerable walking, frequently in warm weather. In addition, many sites have limited motor coach access and often involve stairs and inclines. Please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the operation of the tour.

Travelers Needing Special Assistance – We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for wheelchairs, walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them. We regret that small ships in Asia cannot accommodate wheelchairs.

Airline Security Measures – Travelers must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. Should you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Holidays & Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays observed in Asia.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your Japan tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellations Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. Therefore, cancellation penalties and or fees will apply. Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers Tauck Travel Protection.

Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will have cancellation penalties waived. Click here for more details.

Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

60 days or more before departure
$600 per person

59-8 days before departure
$1250 per person

7-1 days before departure
$2000 per person

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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