Oxford University Travel Partner

Oxford University Society: Spectacular Japan Tour, Spring 2011

This tour includes the best of everything Japan has to offer. It is designed for newcomers to Japan who want to see each location at a leisurely pace starting with 3 full days in Kyoto and Nara. Spring is the most popular time to visit Japan as the delicate pink clouds of cherry blossom transform the temple gardens throughout the country. We also have a special chance to the see the seasonal 'Miyako Odori' dancing Geisha in Kyoto.

The tour starts with three full days in Kyoto and Nara, the cradle of Japanese culture. From the ancient capitals we travel west to the Peace Park in Hiroshima and the mystical island of Miyajima, with its floating torii gate and spectacular views over the inland sea. We have one night near the iconic Mount Fuji, staying in a traditional Japanese Inn with hot-spring baths and a Japanese course dinner. The tour finishes with our final climactic stay in Tokyo, the futuristic capital which signifies everything that is modern Japan, from electronics to architecture and fashion.

You will experience this amazing country first hand, much as the Japanese do, as travelling on the superb bullet train and local rail networks allows us to keep coach travel to a minimum. This immersion will be further enhanced by our knowledgeable local guides, and the specialist knowledge of the tour scholar whose insight will illuminate this deep and complex culture.

We are delighted that Michael Jay will be the Japanese scholar on this tour. Mr Jay is only the second non-Japanese person ever to hold a genuine samurai rank. The first was William Adams, who became an advisor to the first Tokugawa Shogun in the 17th century and was the central character in the novel and TV series Shogun.

As a former British Airways pilot and Group Commander in the Soma Horse Association, Michael was featured in a prestigious BBC 'The World About Us' programme about Soma Noma Oi, a three day celebration of skill in samurai horsemanship, and is a senior swordsman of Japan's premier and most ancient classical combat school, the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu.

Please note that this tour is organised in conjuction with Oxford University and a donation is made to Oxford University Society for each booking on the tour.

Spectacular Japan itinerary map

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Brief itinerary description

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Day Schedule Main Transport Accommodation Meals
March 28th Japan Airlines non-stop flight from Heathrow Airport   Flight D
March 29th Change in Tokyo and fly on to Osaka then transfer to hotel. Airport train Kyoto hotel B, L
March 30th We visit Gion home of the geisha before a walking tour of the temples and shrines around Maruyama Park. In the afternoon we go to the stilted Kiyomizudera and enjoy the views across and over Kyoto. Walking / Taxi Kyoto hotel B
March 31st We spend a full day in Nara deer Park, visiting Todaiji Temple with its huge sitting buddha and the shrines on the wooded hillside. Local train/Walking/Taxi Kyoto hotel B
April 1st The morning starts at the Golden Pavillion and Ryoanji followed by a visit to Nijo castle . In the afternoon we enjoy the seasonal spectacle of the dancing Geisha called the 'Miyako Odori' . Coach Kyoto hotel B
April 2nd We ride the shinkansen (bullet train) west to Hiroshima. In the afternoon we spend the afternoon visiting the Atomic Dome and Peace Park. Bullet train Hiroshima Hotel B
April 3rdA leisurely day is spent on Miyajima island, visiting the famous shrine and torii gate, then climbing the island peak for views of the inland sea. Train/Ferry/Cablecar Hiroshima Hotel B
April 4th We travel on to Hakone and our ryokan (Japanese Inn) to enjoy the hot spring baths in the evening before savouring the traditional cuisine. Bullet Train/Coach Hakone Ryokan B
April 5th We have a day to enjoy the views of Mount Fuji by cable car and from a steam boat on Lake Ashi. We travel on to our Toyko Hotel Coach
 Tokyo hotel BD
April 6th We visit Ginza, the Imperial Palace Gardens and Asakusa Kannon. We return by boat on the Sumida river and finish the day with a visit to the graves of the 47 Samurai, site of the historic legend. Coach/Walking/Boat Tokyo hotel B
April 7th We visit a samurai swordsmith in his workshop before exploring Meiji Shrine and the trendy Omotesando area. The afternoon is free. Local Train/Walking Tokyo hotel B
April 8th We escort you to Narita airport and assist check-in on Japan Airlines for your non-stop flight to Heathrow Airport. Airport Bus B

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Oxford University Society Spectacular Japan Tour, Spring 2011 Tour Price and Booking Details

Please note that tour dates and prices will be confirmed approximately 10 months before departure.

Price per person: £3,980.
Single supplement £845.

*A single supplment is necessary for all single bookings

Tour price without flights: £3380
Flight upgrade to premium economy: £250 per one way
Flight upgrade to business class: £1150 per one way
(Note the domestic flight from Tokyo to Osaka is in economy class)

Minimum number of people: 16
Maximum number of people: 24

The tour is guaranteed as soon as we receive 16 guaranteed bookings. In the unlikely event there are less than 12 confirmed bookings 60 days before departure the tour may be cancelled or offered to you with modified conditions.

Tour dates and flight details

Tour Dates: Monday March 28th to Friday April 8th 2011

Airline: Japan Airlines

Flight Details:
JAL402 Departing at 19:15 hrs 28/3/2011
London Heathrow Terminal 3
Change at Tokyo Narita Airport JAL3019
Arrive Osaka Kansai International at 19:05
JAL401 Departing at 12:00 hrs 08/04/2011
Tokyo Narita International
Arrives at 16:35 hrs 08/04/2011
London Heathrow Terminal 3

Included in Tour Package Price

  • International flights as described above
  • Departure assistance service at Heathrow airport
  • Escorted service from arrival in Japan throughout tour available 24hrs/day up to and including final check-in at Narita airport
  • Emergency assistance from our Japan Office throughout tour
  • Local Japanese guides in addition to group escort above
  • All accommodation in twin/double rooms
    (total 10 nights in Japan and 1 night on overnight flight)
  • All meals as shown on itinerary
    (total excl. meals on flights; 10 breakfast, 0 lunch, 1 dinner)
  • All train travel in second class including the bullet train
  • All other transport except during free time as shown on itinerary
  • All entry fees and any other necessary fees and tips except during free time (Free time when you may need to pay some transport/entry fees on this tour is on the final full day in Tokyo)
  • Luggage courier service whenever changing tour location

Not included in the Tour Package Price

  • Travel Insurance
  • Meals not listed on brief itinerary
  • Incidental costs such as personal laundry, drinks, snacks
  • Passport and other visa document fees
    (UK citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days in Japan)
  • Any baggage excess (over 20kg on economy flights)

Full tour details including confirmed hotels will be sent to you 60 days before departure

Optional extras

We will be happy to make a personal quote for any of the following:

  • Requests for additional services during the tour including theatre tickets
  • Additional accommodation or personal tours before or after the scheduled tour

Bookings

Bookings are confirmed by sending a signed and completed booking form which includes all participants and making the deposit payment of £500 per person by cheque or bank transfer.

Once we have received the booking form and the deposit payment has been cleared we will send you booking confirmation with tour details within 2 working days.

We can accept a provisional booking which hold a place on the tour. To keep a provisional booking we must receive a completed booking form within 7 days. This will be held until you confirm or cancel. If we contact you before that, you will be given at least 7 days to decide. If you wish to confirm we must receive your deposit as cleared funds within 14 days.

Total Payment Protection (topp) Policy cover:

In compliance with the UK Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 and the Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organiser?s Licensing) Regulations 1995 an insurance policy has been arranged with Travel & General Insurance Company plc to protect customers' prepayments paid in respect of:

  • flight inclusive packages commencing and returning to the UK
  • the ground handling aspects of packages where the customer is responsible for arranging travel to the destination offered in this brochure/literature/document/on this website (subject to the terms of the insurance policy), for:
  • a refund of such prepayments if customers have not yet travelled
  • making arrangements to enable the holiday to continue if customers have already travelled or repatriation of customers to the UK in the unlikely event of our financial failure.

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