In the Footsteps of the Samurai Tour, Autumn 2012

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Brief itinerary description

Day	Schedule	Main Transport	Accommodation	Meals
Oct 14th	Flight to Japan	Flight
Oct 15th	Transfer to our hotel in Narita and relax for the rest of the day.	Airport Bus	Narita hotel
Oct 16th	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 17th	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 18th	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 19th	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 20th	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
Oct 21st	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
Oct 22nd	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
Oct 23rd	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
Oct 24th	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
Oct 25th	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
Oct 26th	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
Oct 27th	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
Oct 28th	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
Oct 29th	Transfer to Kansai International Airport for your flight home.	Airport Train		B

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In the Footsteps of the Samurai, Autumn 2012 Tour Price and Booking Details

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

Price per person: £3,950 (without flights)
Single supplement £1,095.

*A single supplement is necessary for all single bookings

*Prices are valid for exchange rates exceeding £1 = 115 yen

Flight prices start from around £700 in economy, £1200 in premium economy, £2200 in business depending on airline and departure airport. Flight classes can often be mixed and then the airfare is approximately the average of the two fares.

Minimum number of people: 8
Maximum number of people: 16

The tour is guaranteed as soon as we receive 10 guaranteed bookings. In the unlikely event there are less than 8 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.

Included in Tour Package Price

• Escorted service from first evening throughout tour available 24hrs/day up to and including final hotel departure
• Emergency assistance from our Japan Office throughout tour
• Japanese guide throughout in addition to specialist guide
• All accommodation
  (total 14 nights in Japan and 1 night on overnight flight)
• All meals as shown on itinerary
  (total excl. meals on flights; 14 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

• International Flights
• 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)

Full tour details including confirmed hotels will be sent to you by 15th August 2012

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.

Your Financial Protection:

All monies paid by you for an air holiday package as shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6977.

If you you purchase a tour without flights then you are protected by our TOPP insurance. For more information see our booking terms and conditions.

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