In the Footsteps of the Samurai Tour, Autumn 2011

View larger map >>

Brief itinerary description

Day	Schedule	Main Transport	Accommodation	Meals
Oct 25th	We depart from Heathrow on the Japan Airlines evening flight to Tokyo.	Flight		D
Oct 26th	We transfer to our hotel in Narita and relax for the rest of the day.	Airport Bus	Narita hotel	B
Oct 27th	Today we explore the beautiful historic town of Narita. We start by visiting the temple and its vast landscaped gardens. We continue to Boso no Mura to enjoy the recreated village, a living museum which brings to life the age of the Samurai.	On foot	Narita hotel	B
Oct 28th	On our way to Tokyo we enter a traditional martial arts dojo for a rare demonstration of classical martial skill by Michael Jay and a Japanese colleague. In the afternoon we visit Sengakuji Temple where poignant graves tell of the heroic 47 Samurai who, in 1703, exacted a spectacular and terrible revenge for their lost lord.	Coach	Tokyo hotel	B
Oct 29th	We travel north of Tokyo to Nikko, home to incredible natural beauty as well as one of Japan's best shrines. We will visit the intricately carved Toshgu Shrine complex, and the Rinno-ji Temple, which dates from the eight century and houses three important Buddhist deities. From there we visit the Futarasan Shrine - a Shinto place of worship. We continue to the head of this valley, at 1300m altitude, to enjoy views of the picturesque setting of Lake Chuzenji and Kegon waterfall.	Bullet Train & Coach	Tokyo Hotel	B
Oct 30th	In the morning we visit the Sword museum to see a vast array of samurai swords on display. The beautiful fittings and incredible craftsmanship are beyond comparison. The rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure.	Lolca Transport	Tokyo Hotel	B
Oct 31st	We travel on the bullet train north to Niigata, by the west coast. We take the high speed ferry to Sado Island and a visit to one of the biggest gold mines in Japan. The living museum shows how it played a significant role in the modernisation of Japan. It is a short journey on to our spectacularly located ryokan by the sea. You will have the rest of the day free to relax at the ryokan, taking in the beautiful natural scenery.	Bullet Train, Ferry & Coach	Sado Island Ryokan	BD
Nov 1st	We will see the work of the Kodo Cultural Foundation and a performance from the apprentices to the most famous Taiko drumming group in the world. Sado Island was an important trading post and we follow the history, exploring a life size replica of the original ships before strolling around the well preserved traditional port.	Private Coach	Sado Island Ryokan	BD
Nov 2nd	We return to the mainland and travel on two different bullet train lines via Tokyo to Nagoya. From Nagoya we take the train east into the mountains to an ancient village called Tsumago.	Bullet Train	Tsumago Minshuku	BD
Nov 3rd	Today we explore the historic and beautifully preserved Nakasendo Road which runs through a number of picturesque post towns. We start from Tsumago, walking the original route as it gradually heads up the valley and over the low pass to another village, Magome. This is the best way to experience Japan as it was in the Edo Period.	On Foot	Tsumago Minshuku	BD
Nov 4th	We move on to Inuyama Castle. As one of only four castles designated a Japanese National Treasure, it is an ideal site to learn about how the Samurai designed these imposing fortresses. We continue south to Ise - the site of one of the most spiritual and sacred Shinto locations in Japan.	Train	Ise Hotel	B
Nov 5th	The Grand Shrine of Ise, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, is said to enshrine a sacred mirror - one of the Japan's Imperial Regalia. In the afternoon, we will see the amazing female pearl divers off the coast near Ise. We transfer by train to the holy mountain, Mount Koya. We will have a unique opportunity to try zazen meditation, and enjoy delicious shoujin-ryouri vegetarian dinner prepared by Buddhist monks from fresh home-grown produce. Spending the night at a Buddhist temple will without doubt be one of the highlights of your tour.	Train & Funicular	Mt Koya Temple	BD
Nov 6th	We'll visit Kongobuji, the traditional centre of Shingon teaching. The sect's founder, Kukai, is enshrined at the Okunoin temple, which is surrounded by the peaceful and sometimes surreal Okunoin cemetery, Japan's largest. At the end of the afternoon we move on to Kyoto, our final destination.	Coach	Kyoto Hotel	B
Nov 7th	We have a full day sightseeing in Kyoto including the Golden Temple - one of the most famous symbols of Kyoto, and a tour of a traditional Kyoto townhouse, or machiya. To fully immerse yourself in the refined culture of ancient Kyoto, you will have a chance to dress in a beautiful silk kimono and enjoy real green tea prepared at a traditional tea ceremony. After lunch we visit Nijo Castle, the historic home of Tokugawa Shogun.	Taxis & Local Transport	Kyoto Hotel	B
Nov 8th	In the morning we visit Gion, the traditional home of the geisha. We follow the quaint backstreets of Higashiyama district connecting Gion with the splendid Kiyomizu Temple. Radiating an irresistible atmosphere of the past, they are lined with old houses and ancient pottery kilns. At the end of the afternoon we visit the fascinating Nishiki market in the heart of the city.	Taxis & Local Transport	Kyoto Hotel	B
Nov 9th	We transfer on to Kansai International Airport for your connecting flight home via Narita. There is usually enough time to pick up any final souvenirs at the excellent array of shops.	Airport Train		B

Back to top >>

In the Footsteps of the Samurai, Autumn 2011 Tour Price and Booking Details

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

Price per person: £4,450 .
Single supplement £1,095.

*A single supplement is necessary for all single bookings

Tour price without flights: £3,850

Flight upgrade to premium economy: £250

Flight upgrade to business class: £1,150

(Note the domestic flight from Osaka to Tokyo is in economy class)

*Prices are valid for exchange rates exceeding £1 = 130 yen

Minimum number of people: 10
Maximum number of people: 20

The tour is guaranteed as soon as we receive 10 guaranteed bookings. In the unlikely event there are less than 10 confirmed bookings 60 days before departure the tour may be cancelled or offered to you with modified conditions.

Please note that there is a small chance that the price will change due to taxes or the pound - yen exchange rate (see above & booking conditions). However all prices are guaranteed from 60 days before departure.

Tour Dates & flight details

Tuesday 25th October, 2011 to Wednesday 9th November, 2011

Airline: Japan Airlines

Flight Details: JAL402 Departing at 19:35 hrs 25/10/2011 London Heathrow Terminal 3
Arrive Tokyo Narita at 15:20 26/10/2011
JAL3010 Departing at 08:35hrs 9/11/2011 Kansai International via Tokyo Narita International
JAL401 Arrives at 15:25 hrs 9/11/2011 London Heathrow Terminal 3

Included in Tour Package Price

• International flights as described above
• Departure assistance service at Heathrow airport
• Escorted service from Kansai Airport 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
  (total 14 nights in Japan and 1 night on overnight flight)
• All meals as shown on itinerary
  (total excl. meals on flights; 13 breakfast, 0 lunch, 5 dinner)
• All train travel 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 by 25th August 2011

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
• The scheduled tour as listed without the international flights from the UK.
• Any flight upgrades to premium economy, business or first class (one-way upgrades are possible)

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.

Back to top >>