Takayama Festival & Cherry Blossom

Package tours

Takayama Spring Festival & Cherry Blossom 12 days

Takayama Spring festival is the Most Beautiful Festival with cherry blossom in Japan !

Takayama Festival

Takayama festival is considered to be one of the three most beautiful festivals in Japan. Their huge floats are paraded all day and night with mechanical puppet shows, brilliant color paper machete, and lanterns.

Tour Information
Tour Highlights
Itinerary

Start Date (Day 1 of the Itinerary): April 07, 2016
Nights: 12 days 11 nights
Price: ~~USD 4,198~~ USD 3,880
Single room supplement: USD 880

PLEASE NOTE

All prices are per person, based on double or triple occupancy.
International flights are not included on our tours - this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money!

TOUR COST INCLUDES

7 nights Western style and 4 nights Japanese style accommodation
Meet and greet upon arrival at Narita Airport
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Private coach transfers between destinations in Japan
Comprehensive escorted with TC tour professional English speaking tour guide
Meals described as in the itinerary
Admission fees and activities
Entry fees to sites, gardens, and museums listed in the itinerary

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE

International Airfares
Meals that are not included in the itinerary
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills
Gratuities

ADDITION INFORMATION

Transport : Travel by air conditioned, private coach, baggage handling free
Arrival/Departure Airports : For arrivals at Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX), this tour starts in Osaka and ends in Tokyo, with departures at Narita Airport (NRT).
Meal Requests : Vegetarian or special meals can be arranged
Meet and Greet : Please note that the meet and greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available on the first day of the tour after 11 AM. If you plan to stay extra nights before the start of the tour, please arrange your own hotel transfer

Tour schedule and prices subject to change without notice

MAP

※View from a coach

OSAKA / HIMEJI / OKAYAMA

Cup Noodle Museum (Osaka)

Himeji Castle (Himeji)

Korakuen Garden (Okayama)

Dotonbori (Osaka) - Day 6

HIROSHIMA

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Hiroshima A-bomb Dome

Itsukushima Shrine

KUMAMOTO / MIYAZAKI / OITA

Kumamoto (Kumamoto Castle)

Takachiho Gorge (Miyazaki)

Amanoiwato (Miyazaki)

Yokagura

Tour of Hell (Oita)

MATSUYAMA / TAKAMATSU / TOKUSHIMA

Dogo Hot Spring (Matsuyama)

Ritsurin Garden (Takamatsu)

Naruto Whirpools (Tokushima)

KYOTO

Nishijin Kimono Show

Golden Pavilion

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Tea Ceremony

Sannenzaka

Gion district

KANAZAWA

Kenrokuen Garden

SHIRAKAWAGO

Shirakawago

TAKAYAMA

Morning Market

Takayama Old Town

Takayama Jinya

Takayama Festival

NAGANO

Matsumoto Castle

HAKONE

Itchiku Kubota Art Museum

Hakone Open Air Museum

TOKYO

Edo Tokyo Museum

Asakusa

Sumida River Cruise

Meiji Shrine

Tokyo Tower

Shibuya Crossing

OSAKA - KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Welcome to Osaka! You will be greeted by an English-speaking assistant at the airport.The assistant will get you in the bus to your hotel.

【About accomodation】
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka (WiFi=○) or similar
It is located in central Osaka and there are various kinds of restaurants due to the city is called "City of Food".

【Meals】
B(breakfast)=×, L(lunch)=×, D(dinner)=×

OSAKA - HIMEJI - HIROSHIMA

First stop today, the studio where you can make an only original "cup of instant noodle" in the world.You can learn about history of noodles as well in Osaka.

After the bus ride,we visit Himeji castle.It was designated as a national treasure in 1931 and it was registered in 1993 as one of the first UENSCO World Heritage sites in the coutry.The castle is frequently known as Shirasagi-jō (White Heron Castle) because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.We stay Hiroshsima today.

【About accomodation】
Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshimaor similar

【Meals】
B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=○

OKAYAMA - HIROSHIMA - KUMAMOTO

The second day, we will start excursion from Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.It is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack, and to the memories of the bomb's direct and indirect victims.We also visit to the A-Bomb Dome, the only surviving building from the aftermath. UNESCO listed Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) as a World Heritage Site in 1996. This city is the symbol of peace.
After lunch, we head to Miyajima. Itsukushima Shrine in one of the sightseeing spots which are famous for red torii.During high tide, the torii gate looks as though it is floating in water.
Our journey will continue to Kumamoto by Bullet train experience.

【About accomodation】
Hotel Nikko Kumamoto or similar

【Meals】
B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=○

KUMAMOTO - TAKACHIHO

We start the day to Kmamoto Castle. It is considered one of the three premier castles in Japan, along with Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle.
Then we head to Takachiho Gorge.The sheer gorge running through a basin surrounded by steep green mountains is the highlight of a magnificently variegated terrain that presents fresh beauties with the changing seasons.
Amanoiwato shrine venerates the nearby site of the Amanoiwato or "holy rock cave" where, according to Japan's oldest chronicles, the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, the sun goddess Amaterasu hid herself when she was angered by the violence of her brother Susano-o.
In the evening, we will go to Takachiho Shrine to see a traditional kagura dance based on the local legend.Takachiko yokagura dances are designated as an Important National Intangible Folk Culture Asset.

【About accomodation】
Hotel Takachiho or similar

【Meals】
B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=×, D(dinner)=○

TAKACHIHO - BEPPU - DOGO

We will head to Beppu onsen where is located north of Kyusyu.Please enjoy JIGOKU-MEGURI, means THE HELL TOUR. The Japanese say an excursion to circulate through eight "colored hot springs; red, white , blue..." of Beppu in approximately two hours "Beppu Jigoku-Meguri". Let's look at the hel while you live !!
After lunh, we across the sea by a car ferry.Our next stop is Dōgo Onsen where is one of the oldest onsen hot springs in Japan, with a history stretching back over 3,000 years.
“Dōgo Onsen Honkan”is a one of the Public Bathhouses in Dogo.The main building in the movie "Spirited Away" was modeled on the present building of the Dōgo Onsen public bathhouse.
We have Japanese style dinner at the hotel.Enjoy hot spring and Kaiseki dinner... Sleeping on Futon too...

【About accomodation】
Tsubakikan or similar

【Meals】
B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=○

DOGO - TAKAMATSU - OSAKA

We start the day Ritsurin Garden is one of the most famous historical gardens in Japan. The garden is situated in the city of Takamatsu and is considered one of its main attractions.There are various bridges, footpaths and small hills which offer a beautiful view of the garden and the surrounding scenery, most notably Mt. Shiun at the western border of the garden.
Next we visit the Naruto whirlpools are tidal whirlpools in the Naruto Strait, a channel between Naruto in Tokushima and Awaji Island in Hyōgo.
The strait between Naruto and Awaji island has a width of about 1.3 km.The whirlpools can be observed from the Naruto Bridge spanning the strait.
Our last stop today, we will spend some time at Osaka Dotonbori in Osaka.We stay at a hotel in Osaka for the night. There are various kinds of restaurants due to the city is called "City of Food".

【About accomodation】
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka (Free WiFi)

【Meals】
B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=×

OSAKA - KYOTO

Today we will see the heart of Japanese tradition. You will feel that you have time slipped into the world one thousand year ago. After the bus ride, we visit at Nishijinori Kaikan, ladies wearing kimonos show you beautiful seasonal design and patterns of kimonos and sashes.
Then we visit Fushimi inari shrine, famous for its thousands of red torii gates. It is known best place of the Japanese sightseeing spot that the foreigner chooses.
Visiting Golden Pavilion, this beautifully constructed shrine are well balance with nature maintaining a Japanese and Zen Garden with a Bamboo Forest.
Then we proceed to Tea Ceremony. Japanese tea ceremony, called Sado or Cha-no-yu, has more than 400 years of history, the most elevated way to fully enjoy a bowl of tea. Spiritually and physically, we would like you to feel the air as well. It will be unforgettable experience.
In the evening you will be taken to Gion “Geisha district” Those who have seen “Memoirs of Geisha” will be fascinated by its shooting spots. We stay in Kyoto for the night.

【About accomodation】
Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (WiFi=○) or similar
It is located right next to Nishi Honganji (temple, World Heritage). It is good idea to take walk to Nishi Honganji to see peace morning atmosphere (no entrance fee). Also, they have shuttle bus service to Kyoto station. The are so many place to eat and please enjoy having dinner around there.

【Meals】
B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=×

KYOTO - KANAZAWA - TAKAYAMA

In the morning, we head to Kanazawa which is called little Kyoto. They have developed a lot of art crafts such as gold leaf, lacquer ware, Yuzen dyed fabrics and porcelain. We visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan.
Then we go to Shirakawago, the small village with A-shape folk houses. The many traditional Gassho Style houses have been designated as World Heritage. The scene of 114 houses with thatched roofs in the Gassho-style remind us of ancient Japan.
Village and town among mountains may reminds you of nostalgic feeling. We will stay in Takayama. On this day, "Takayama Festival" will be held and you will see beautiful and elaborate floats. The floats are lit-up by light of paper lantern. Feature in the night is so beautiful and tasteful.

【About accomodation】
Yatsusankan (WiFi=○only public area)
This Ryokan has the history of 160 years and has been designated a country’s designated cultural property.

【Meals】
B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=×

TAKAYAMA - NAGANO

In the morning, we will see procession of floats in Takayama.Elaborate carving work and KARAKURI trick (moving dolls) are amazing. Please see craftsmanship of artisans who contribute to build the floats.
Takayama morning market is one of the biggest morning markets in Japan. It takes place at two locations: One is held in front of the Takayama Jinya, and the other at the Miyagawa River side.Some shops sell Japanese souvenirs such as chopsticks and small items in addition to Takayama local souvenirs including sarubobo dolls and Ichii Itto-bori wooden carvings.
We also visit to Takayama Jinya. It was a local governor’s office during the Edo period. There once were more than 60 similar buildings in Japan, however Takayama Jinya is the only one left today. It was in official use from 1692 to 1969.
Afternoon we will move to Matsumoto to visit Matsumoto Castle.This castel is one of the very few original castel that were kept intact and never destroyed. Also it's unique black coloring gave its nickname karasu-jo, the Crow Castel. It's one of three must see castel in Japan and ranked on the top 100 in the world castel.
Dinner at traditional Japanese house and staying at Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in Suwa will be unforgettable experience.

【About accomodation】
Hotel Saginoyu or similar

【Meals】
B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=×, D(dinner)=○

NAGANO - HAKONE - TOKYO

On the way to Tokyo, we visit to Itchiku Kubota Art Museum nearby Lake Kawaguchi, one of the five great lakes of Mt. Fuji. Itchiku Kubota was a Japanese textile artist who devoted his life in recreating Tsujigahana, a fabric dyeing technique from 15th century. Since that technique was forgotten, he revived the lost art and modernized it at the age of 60. Most of his beautiful crafted kimonos are exhibited in the museum.
Hakone Open-Air Museum is Japan's first open-air museum in Japan. It has collections of artworks made by Picasso, Henry Moore, Churyo Sato and many others, featuring over a thousand sculptures and works of art.
We proceed to our final destination Tokyo. If you hear "Tokyo", you may imagine huge metropolis with skylines.

【About accomodation】
Hotel Grand Pacific Le Daiba (WiFi=○) or similar
DAIBA station on the Yurikamome line is facing the hotel entrance. It is 15 minutes from Shimbashi station linked with JR lines.There are DiverCity Tokyo Plaza(shopping mall) or Amusement park(Palette-Town) around the Hotel.

【Meals】
B(breakfast)=○, L(lunch)=○, D(dinner)=×

TOKYO

Full-day sightseeing in the Big City – Tokyo- Capital of Japan.
We go to Edo Tokyo museum where take visitors a journey through the 400-year history of Edo-Tokyo since Tokugawa Ieyasu entered Edo.
Then we proceed to Asakusa Sensoji Temple, the Five Storied Pagoda and the traditional Nakamise shopping arcade.
After lunch, we will take a Sumida River cruise. It shows you the old bridges and the emotion of Edo. You can feel the changing of Tokyo.
Our journey will still continue. Next, we go to Meiji Shrine. It completed in 1920, Meiji-Jingu was built in memory of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, under whose rule Japan ended its isolation from the outside world. Unfortunately, like much else in Tokyo, the shrine was destroyed in the bombing at the end of WW2. The rebuilding of the shrine was completed in 1958.
On the way to Tokyo Tower, we pass the Shibuya Crossing (view from the coach). Then we visit to Tokyo tower before we return to the hotel. At 332.9 metres (1,092 ft), it is the second-tallest structure in Japan. Built in 1958, the tower's main sources of revenue are tourism and antenna leasing. Over 150 million people have visited the tower since its opening.