Tour PagesTour InfoTour Length: 13 Days
Leave Wed. Nov. 04
$5,275 - Total Package $100 - possible Sign-up Discount * This program maybe back in 5 to 8 years. More Information
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alex@doldworldjourneys.com / (808) 732-9430 2020 Grand Momiji (Fall Foliage) 13 DaysMt. Fuji, Japan Alps, & Mt. KoyaDay by Day ItineraryDay 1 Honolulu Departure.Our gorgeous Momiji Fall Foliage journey begins today with a late morning departure for Narita, Japan. We lose one day crossing the International Date Line. Our preliminary flight schedule is ready and displayed online at doldworldjourneys.com under Momiji journey's page. Day 2 Arrival in Narita, Japan.A comfortable flight brings us to the Narita International Airport in the mid-afternoon. After completing Immigration and Customs formalities we proceed to the lobby area and meet Michi our passionate and energetic English-speaking director. We transfer by private coach to the Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba Hotel for the night. Alex and Michi will be available to make the most out of our stay. Day 3 Via Mt Fuji to Tateshina Spa.
After breakfast we head south for Lake Kawaguchi, the second largest of the Fuji Five Lakes. From here if the weather is clear, we'll see majestic Mt. Fuji in her splendor. Weather permitting our coach will take us to the 5th Station at which point cars may no longer advance. Here we break with time for photos and souvenirs. Day 4 Via Nagano to Omachi Spa.
Today we travel a short distance west to Nagano, the capital of the Nagano Prefecture and home of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Here we visit the Zenkoji Temple, one of the most important and popular temples in Japan. It was founded in the 7th century and stores the first Buddhist statue ever to be brought into Japan. Next try our hand at apple picking at a nearby orchard. Day 5 Via the Japan Alps to Toyama.
Get ready to enjoy a variety of transportation means as we experience the amazing beauty of the Japan Alps. Begin with a coach transfer to the Ogizawa Station for a short ride on the Electric Trolley Bus to the Kurobe Dam. Take a leisurely stroll along Japan's tallest dam at 615 feet before jumping on a Cable Car which runs inside a tunnel to Kurobedaira. Next is the single-span Ropeway which provides magnificent panoramic bird's eye views of the surrounding mountain scenery. After arriving in Daikanbo we take another Electric Trolley Bus to Murodo, our highest point along our route at 8,038 feet. Here we savor lunch at the Hotel Tateyama. Japan's highest located hotel. Day 6 Via Wajima to Kanazawa.Shoppers will delight in our first stop, Wajima's famous "Asaichi" morning market (be sure to carry bags with you). With more than 200 stalls standing in a row on the approximately 360-meter-long street selling fresh vegetables, mountain plants, smoked abalone, top shell, fish, and dried foods from this area, there is bound to be something that will catch your eye. There are also shops providing traditional arts and crafts like Wajima-nuri lacquerware. Savor lunch at a leading Restaurant. Then proceed to Kanazawa and explore the famous Kenrokuen Park, one of Japan's three most famous landscape garden parks. Later we transfer to the Kanazawa Nikko Hotel. Tonight, we will wander through nearby Kanazawa Station in search of dinner. (B), (L) Day 7 Via Fukui to Osaka.Our first stop this morning is in Fukui at the Echizen Washi Village. It is said that the paper making process was first introduced in Echizen 1,500 year ago and to this day it remains one of the largest washi industries in Japan. We’ll participate in Washi papermaking. Later we continue for Osaka driving on the Hokuriku Expressway. Osaka is a large port city and commercial center. It is known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food. Tonight, we stay at the Osaka Granvia Hotel. Our hotel is directly connected to the JR Osaka Station with many dinner options and shops. (B) Day 8 Via Mt Koya to Kyoto.After breakfast we depart Osaka and savor the fall foliage as we drive up to Mt Koya for a full day of exploration. Mt Koya is the center of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect which was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), one of Japan's most significant religious figures. A small, secluded temple town has developed around the sect's headquarters that Kobo Daishi built on Koyasan's wooded mountaintop. Savor lunch at a leading restaurant. After our sightseeing we drive to Kyoto where are home for the next two nights is the Hotel Okura Kyoto. (B), (L) Day 9 Kyoto and Arashiyama Fall Foliage Discovery.We start our day at the Eikando Temple noted for its beautiful red Momiji. The temple has a long history, and there are a variety of buildings and a pond garden built alongside the base of the hillside. Later we travel to the outskirts of Kyoto to discovery Arashiyama known for both its cherry blossoms and fall colors. Here we enjoy a rickshaw ride through the beautiful Bamboo Forest. Free time for lunch and shopping at Aeon Mall before heading back to Kyoto. Dinner is on our own. If you are interested in eating ono "Tonkatsu," follow Alex to the Katsukura Restaurant tonight. (B) **Please remember to pack 2 nights of clothing for Hakone and Yokohama in an overnight bag. Day 10 Via Mishima to Hakone.
This morning we transfer to the Kyoto Station. Before we depart on a JR Bullet Train for Mishima we will pick up lunch at the station to eat on board. Our coach is waiting for us on arrival in Mishima and whisks us away to Hakone, where we enjoy a delightful boat cruise on Lake Ashi. If we are lucky and it is a clear day, Mt. Fuji will reveal herself to us. Day 11 To Yokohama.After breakfast we travel to Yokohama via Otome Pass and Tomei Expressway. The Otome Pass is known as one of the three best spots to view Mt. Fuji on a clear day. On arrival in Yokohama we visit the Landmark Tower which is the second tallest building in Japan standing at 972 feet. Then drive by Yamashita Park. It's the first seaside park in Japan located right in front of the Yokoyama Port and stretches half a mile from the east side of Osanbashi to Yamashita Pier. We check in at the Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel for the night and savor a delicious Sayonara Buffet Dinner. (B), (D) Day 12 To Tokyo.Today we travel a short distance to Tokyo. Our first stop is at Tsukiji Market, the biggest wholesale and seafood market in the world. Next, experience the Tokyo Skytree, a television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. With a height of 2,080 feet it is the tallest structure in Japan and was the second tallest in the world at the time of its completion. We'll spend some time at the first observation deck with its magnificent views, shops and restaurants. Later we take a shopping break at Ameya Yokocho for dried scallops, tiramisu candies and more. Then we check in at the Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba Hotel and head to the Aqua City (and/or Diver City) Mall to wander and forage for dinner. Michi and Alex will be on hand to help. (B) Day 13 To Honolulu.
This morning we are free until departure. A little before noon we'll pack our checked luggage and carry-on bags for transport and take a short stroll to the Odaiba Seaside Park. Here we board the famous Sumida River Cruise for a unique views of prime Tokyo landmarks such as Tokyo Skytree, Rainbow Bridge, and the unusually shaped Asahi Group Headquarters Building. |
