The itinerary is reference only for planning tours.
Pre tour preparation
Online check-in is available for confirmed bookings 48-2 hours prior to flight departure. Go to Singaporeair.com. Go to Plan and book, then to Online Check-in.
Be sure to attach your yellow Yamato baggage tag to your check-in bag prior to arrival to the airport.
Enjoy Tokyo, the capital city of Japan
Day 1 Dec. 20, Tue.
LOS ANGELES – TOKYO
11:15 am
Recommended check-in 3 hours prior to departure during the holiday season, even if you have your boarding passes. You will need your valid passport and boarding pass or E-ticket.
2:15 pm
Leave Los Angeles via Singapore Flight 11 non stop to Tokyo.
Estimated journey time is 11 hours, 50 minutes.
You will cross the International Date Line arriving in Tokyo, Japan the next day.
Day 2 Dec. 21, Wed.
ARRIVE TOKYO
7:05 pm
On arrival to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport you will follow the other passengers to Immigration where you will need your passport and completed & signed Embarkation cards (1 per person). Then you will retrieve your check-in bags. Get a cart, they’re complimentary – push down on the handle to make it move and go through Customs (1 completed & signed card per family).
After Customs you will exit to the arrival lobby, where you will be met by your guide, Mr. Shigeru Shinohara (he will have a sign with your name on it) and you will be transferred to your hotel. Depending on traffic the ride will take approximately 90 minutes.
KEIO PLAZA HOTEL TOKYO (3 nights)
2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8330 JAPAN
Phone: (81)(03) 3344-0111
Day 3 Dec. 22, Thu.
TOKYO – FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING (B D)
Breakfast at the hotel. To avoid crowds at breakfast, you may want to go earlier – before 7:00 am.
8:30 am
Meet Shigeru in the lobby. Board your motorcoach for your full day tour.
9:00-2:00
Your first stop will be the Imperial Palace Plaza, a park located outside of the Imperial Palace, where you can view the “Nijubashi” (double bridge), two bridges that cross the palace moat to the private main entrance to the Imperial Palace. Then you visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum where you will learn about Tokyo’s history and culture. The impressive building is modeled after an elevated –floor type warehouse and covers about 30,000 square meters.
Lunch and free time in the Ginza area. Lunch on your own.
Suggestions will be made by your guide. Most local eateries in the area will not accommodate all 13 together, so you may want to venture out on your own during lunch.
3:00-4:30
This afternoon you will visit the Ghibli Museum featuring the works of Studio Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki, who designed the museum.
NOTE: If you take less time at the Edo Museum and Ginza area – you will have more time at the Ghibli Museum.
6:00 pm Return to hotel.
7:00 pm Japanese buffet dinner at restaurant Kakiyasu in nearby Shinjuku Station
Kamakura and Yokohama trip
Day 4 Dec. 23, Fri.
TOKYO – KAMAKURA – YOKOHAMA – TOKYO (B D)
Breakfast at the hotel
8:00 am
Depart by motorcoach for Kamakura, a rustic area surrounded by mountains on 3 sides and Sagami Bay to the south. You will visit the Great Buddha (Kamakura Daibutsu), which stands on the grounds of the Kotokuin Temple. It is the 2nd tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan (surpassed only by the statue in Nara’s Todaiji Temple). A short distance away you will visit Hase Kannon Temple known for the massive wooden statue of Kannon (goddess of mercy).
You will travel to Yokohama for lunch at the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum. It is part ramen food court and part amusement park in that you walk through sections of Tokyo, circa 1958. Most signage is in Japanese. Lunch is on your own. Restaurants are small so you won’t all be able to sit together. Save time to visit their gift shop.
After lunch you will return to Tokyo and make a photo stop at Shibuya Station to see the statue of Hachiko – the famed Akita dog that exemplifies loyalty, faithfulness and love, waiting for his master’s return.
Then to Harajuku – the area around Harajuku Station where young people dressed in the current fashion trends socialize. It’s also a place where many trends begin. It’s a busy shopping area, as well.
6:00 pm Return to hotel
6:30 pm Izakaya Dinner at Sengoku Buyuden. Walking distance from the hotel.
NOTE: Prepare overnight bag for Hakone – just necessities you will need for your one night stay. The large bags will stay in the bus, as there is no porterage at the ryokan.
Mt. Fuji and Hakone
Day 5 Dec. 24, Sat.
TOKYO – MT. FUJI – HAKONE (B D)
Breakfast at the hotel
Check-out and make sure you settle any miscellaneous expenses at the hotel before departure.
9:00 am
Depart hotel for Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, known for its stunning beauty and spiritual significance. You will make a photo stop at Oshino Hakkai, a rather touristy area featuring a set of 8 ponds fed by snow melting from Mt. Fuji. There are souvenir shops and restaurants. Lunch will be on your own here.
After lunch you will continue to Hakone where you will enjoy a ride on a ropeway from Togendai to Owakudani (Greater Boiling Valley) a hot spring evident by sulfurous fumes.
5:00 pm Arrive at your ryokan, Tenseien.
TENSEIEN (1 night)
682 Yumoto Hakone-machi
Shigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken, JAPAN
Before or after your dinner you may wish to relax in the hot spring bath.
Dinner included at the ryokan.
Central Japan area – Nagoya, Ise and Takayama
Day 6 Dec. 25, Sun.
HAKONE – NAGOYA (B D)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Breakfast at the ryokan
Check-out and make sure you settle any miscellaneous expenses at the hotel before departure.
8:00 am
Depart Hakone for a full day of motorcoach travel to Nagoya taking in scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and more.
10:00 am
You will visit Greenpia Makinohara in Shizuoka where you can learn about tea production and processing. Between April and October they offer a tea picking program. Factory tour is available.
Lunch on your own will be at the Hamanako Service Area.
After lunch you will continue your drive to Okazaki Kakukyu to visit a local miso factory.
3:30 pm
On arrival into Nagoya you will visit the symbol of Nagoya, Nagoya Castle, the former residence of the Tokugawa family. Afterwards you will be transferred to your hotel. The donjon (castle) closes at 4:00 – if arrival to Nagoya is delayed – you will visit the Nagoya Castle the following morning.
7:00 pm Casual Christmas dinner – a Western meal is planned.
A visit to Nagoya Station is recommended to see the Christmas lights!
WESTIN NAGOYA HOTEL (2 nights)
3-19 Hinokuchi-cho, Nishi-ku
Nagoya, Aichi 451-8551 JAPAN
Phone: (81)(052) 521-2121
Day 7 Dec. 26, Mon.
NAGOYA – ISE – TOBA – NAGOYA (B L)
Breakfast at your hotel.
8:00 am
Depart by motorcoach for your full day tour to Ise and Toba.
10:00 am
Toba Pearl Island is where you will learn about pearls and pearl cultivation. Mikimoto Kokichi is known as the first person who succeeded in cultivating pearls. He opened his first store in 1899.
You will be able to watch female pearl divers (known as Ama, literally translated as “sea women”) who traditionally plant and harvest the oysters. You may purchase pearls (jewelry) at the Pearl Plaza.
12:00 pm
A tonkatsu lunch is planned at Nagatokan. After lunch you will visit Meoto Iwa, two sacred rocks known as “wedded rocks” in the ocean. The two rocks represent husband and wife and are connected by a straw rope called shimenawa and it symbolizes the connection to something sacred. Our tour operator said the Meoto Iwa is a place to celebrate eternal love. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ISAO & MARY!
You will also visit Ise-Jingu Shrine the most sacred shrine in Japan with spiritual and historical significance. The Naiku shrine is dedicated to the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu O-mikami, legendary ancestor of the Imperial family.
6:00 pm
Return to Nagoya and your hotel
Dinner on your own at Nagoya Station. A suggestion is to try the famous misokatsu at Yabaton.
NOTE: Prepare to have your large suitcase sent ahead to Hiroshima. This is for your convenience while traveling by train, so you won’t be burdened by carrying your large bags through the train station and into the train. Instead prepare a small carry on bag with necessities for 1 night in Takayama. You will be responsible for carrying this bag – so keep it light.
Day 8 Dec. 27. Tue.
NAGOYA – TAKAYAMA (B D)
Breakfast at the hotel
Check-out and make sure you settle any miscellaneous expenses at the hotel before departure
9:00 am You will transfer to Nagoya Station.
9:43 am
Board JR Wide View Hida #5 to Takayama, a city in the mountainous region of Hida which has retained a traditional charm with old inns and small shops. Most of the major sightseeing can be done by foot – just the way you will be seeing Takayama.
12:13 pm
Upon arrival you will be met by Mr. Ikeda of the Hida Hotel Plaza. He will take your hand carry bags so you can begin your walking tour hands-free.
Lunch is on your own. Shigeru will provide suggestions. One suggestion may be to walk to your hotel and enjoy one of the restaurants there, which are reasonable and delicious.
Your walking tour will take you to Takayama Yatai Kaikan (Festival floats exhibition hall) where you will see 4 of the 11 floats used during the 2 festivals held in Spring and Autumn each year. You will also visit Sakurayama Nikko Kan – an amazing 1/10 scale replica of Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
You will continue to Kami Sannomachi, the interesting area with the most historic buildings, including merchant’s homes, sake breweries and small shops. While walking, look out for the white-walled storehouses with doors about 20 feet tall which house some of the floats used during the Takayama Festival. You will also visit Kusakabe Folk Museum, a home exemplifying traditional architecture of Takayama, built entirely of wood. The interior represents life as it would have been in the 1800’s, with partial earthen floors and open beam ceiling. Walk back to your hotel.
6:30 pm
Sukiyaki and sashimi dinner at the hotel is scheduled.
After dinner you might want to try the Japanese bath at the hotel.
HIDA HOTEL PLAZA (1 night)
60, Hanaoka-cho, 2-chome
Takayama, Gifu 506-0009 JAPAN
Phone: (81)(0577) 33-4600
Hiroshima sightseeing
Day 9, Dec. 28, Wed.
TAKAYAMA – HIROSHIMA (B)
Breakfast at the hotel – you will have a choice of western or Japanese – take a look at both and then decide.
Check-out and make sure you settle any miscellaneous expenses at the hotel before departure
8:00 am
Have your hand carry bags ready to be taken to the train station. You will visit the famous Morning Market by foot. Then you will walk to Takayama Station to board your train to Nagoya.
9:37 am Board JR Wide View Hida #6 to Nagoya
12:02 pm Arrive Nagoya – buy lunch (on your own) to eat on the train
12:35 pm Board JR Nozomi #27 to Hiroshima
2:59 pm
On arrival to Hiroshima you will taxi to Shukkeien Garden (literally translated as “shrink scenery garden”) is a compact and beautifully landscaped garden with little paths crossing ponds on bridges and winding their way around graceful teahouses and waterfalls.
6:30 pm
Return to hotel.
Dinner on own. Shigeru will provide suggestions.
RIHGA ROYAL HIROSHIMA (2 nights)
6-78, Motomachi, Naka-ku
Hiroshima 730-0011, JAPAN
Phone: (81)(082) 502-1121
Day 10, Dec. 29, Thu.
HIROSHIMA – MIYAJIMA – HIROSHIMA (B L)
Breakfast at the hotel.
8:30 am
Full day tour by local transfer. You will take a short ferry ride to the islet of Miyajima,to view the famous Itsukushima Shrine with floating torii, which is one of the 3 most scenic sites of Japan.
1:00 pm
Lunch included in Miyajima at Komitei – known for their okonomiyaki, a favorite local dish. After lunch you will return to Hiroshima and visit the Peace Memorial Park. The location of the park was once the city’s busiest downtown district and the park is built on an open area created by the atomic bomb explosion. There are several memorials and monuments. The museum is closed today.
6:00 pm
Return to hotel.
Dinner on your own. Shigeru will be around to make suggestions.
NOTE: Prepare your carry on bag with necessities for 2 nights while in Kyoto. Your large bag will be sent ahead to Tokyo/Odaiba.
Kyoto – Japan’s ancient capital
Day 11, Dec. 30, Fri.
HIROSHIMA – KYOTO (B D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out and make sure you settle any miscellaneous expenses at the hotel before departure
9:30 am Take taxis to Hiroshima Station
10:42 am
Board JR Nozomi # 122 to Kyoto
You may want to purchase lunch at the station to eat on the train
12:32 pm
On arrival to Kyoto Station you will be taken on your sightseeing tour including Kinkakuji, the elegant Golden Pavilion; Ryoanji, the zen temple known for its simple zen rock and sand garden; and the impressive Kiyomizu Temple, it is said that not a single nail was used in the entire structure. From the verandah you will have a panoramic view of the city. The streets leading up to the temple are filled with many shops. The area is also known for their pottery – Kiyomizu-yaki.
6:00 pm Return to hotel.
6:30 pm
Shabu shabu dinner at Morita-ya located in Isetan Department Store in Kyoto Station.
RIHGA ROYAL KYOTO (2 nights)
1 Taimatsu-cho, Shiokoji-sagaru,
Higashi Horikawa dori, Shimogyo-ku
Kyoto 600-8237, JAPAN
Phone: (81)(075) 341-1121
Day 12, Dec. 31, Sat.
KYOTO (B D)
Breakfast at the hotel
Full day on your own. If you are interested, Shigeru will take you to Nishiki Market, a marketplace in downtown Kyoto, known for Kyoto’s famous foods and goods. Guaranteed it will be very busy with people or their New Year’s celebration, but it should prove very interesting.
Local transportation will be used and you will pay on own as you travel.
7:20 pm Buffet dinner at Kyoto Shin Hankyu Hotel.
Traditional Japanese New Year’s experience in Tokyo
Day 13, Jan. 1, Sun.
KYOTO – TOKYO (B D)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out and make sure you settle any miscellaneous expenses at the hotel before departure
Walk or take the complimentary shuttle from the hotel to Kyoto Station
8:33 am Leave Kyoto Station on Nozomi # 114
10:46 am
Arrive Shinagawa Station. Then take the JR train to Shimbashi and then monorail to Odaiba.
If you wish – Shigeru will take you to a shrine or temple for a traditional Japanese New Year’s experience.
TBA A dinner is planned for your last night in Japan.
GRAND PACIFIC LE DAIBA (1 night)
2-6-1, Daiba, Minato-ku
Tokyo 135-8701, JAPAN
Phone: (81)(03) 5500-6711
Day 14, Jan. 2, Mon
Return Home (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out and make sure you settle any miscellaneous expenses at the hotel before departure.
Morning free to explore the Odaiba area.
2:30 pm
Chartered coach transfer to Narita International Airport
6:50 pm
Singapore Airlines #12 nonstop to Los Angeles.
Recross International Date Line arriving home the same day
Estimated journey time is 10 hours.
Prepare for arrival with your completed and signed Customs Form (1 per family).
11:50 am Arrive Los Angele
On arrival you will go through Immigration – stand in the line for US Passport holders/residents. You will need to show your passport. Then get a cart for your checked bags and then you will go through Customs. This is when you will need to show your completed Customs Form. WELCOME HOME!
NOTES
- Departure times for tours would be the time you actually will be leaving the hotel, so be at the designated meeting point a few minutes before the times noted.
- “Meals on your own” means your guide may recommend places to eat. But because no reservations have been made you may not be able to sit together or even eat at the same places. Meals on your own will provide variety for those looking for something light or different. Meals on your own are not included in the tour cost and should be paid on your own.
- Itinerary is subject to change without notice if your guide feels it will add to the tour or for your convenience.
If you have any questions or inquiries, please feel free to contact us by the website form.
