TOUR ITINERARY

24 MAY (SAT) HONOLULU,

Leave Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. A meal and snack will be served aboard the flight. Free Movies and Drinks.

25 MAY (SUN) KOBE,

KOBE BAY SHERATON HOTEL & TOWERS

Arrive at Kansai Int’l Airport and after clearing government formalities, by bus to Rokko Island, Kobe to a luxury hotel with Onsen Hot Spring bath located conveniently to a monorail station and convenience store.

26 MAY (MON) SHODOSHIMA ISLAND,

SHODOSHIMA KOKUSAI HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨

In the morning, catch a ferry sailing through Seto Inland Sea National Park to Shodoshima Island known as “Mediterranean of Japan”, due to pleasant mild temperature and the birthplace of olive cultivation in Japan. This beautiful island has many charming attractions to offer from its unique history to a plentiful nature landscape. We’ll visit Olive Park offering plenty of photo opportunities while you are walking picturesque paths through the century old groves of olive trees and the Greek style white windmill with overlooking many beautiful islands of the Seto Inland Sea. You may feel as if you are on a Mediterranean island. You can also enjoy shopping for local olive products such as olive oil, salad dressing, cosmetics, etc. And visit Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village. This Japanese movie enduring masterpiece was filmed here, about a story of a schoolteacher and her first class of students leading up to WWII. The entire set consist of replica village including a schoolhouse, teacher’s house and old fisherman houses will make you feel you are reliving the past. We will stay at a beautiful resort hotel that is the Tripadvisor’s Best hotel on the island. Enjoy relaxing soak in Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-Air bath located at the shore of Seto Inland Sea. 

27 MAY (TUE) TAKAMATSU,

JR HOTEL CLEMENT TAKAMATSU

Ride the Ropeway to visit breathtaking Kankakei Gorge that ranks as “One of the top three most beautiful gorges in Japan.” The sheer cliffs and expressive rock formations provides a stunning scenery combining with the unusual rock shaped formation as the backdrop gives an impressive view. From the upper station, a fantastic panoramic view of a peaceful Seto Inland Sea over the gorge awaits you. This island is famous for its traditional food productions. We’ll visit Somen Noodle Factory a local delicacy of very thin wheat noodle. See the 400year old traditional methods of making Somen noodle. Later visit Osaka Castle Remains Stone Memorial Park. This island known for its quality stones since ancient times. After the destruction of Osaka Castle in 1615, large numbers of stones were quarried on the island and then shipped to Osaka for the reconstruction of the castle. We’ll visit its museum and see “Would-be” Osaka Castle stones left behind the park. Then catch a ferry to Takamatsu central city in Shikoku. Hotel is located close to train station & ferry port. After hotel check in, enjoy Holo Holo near the hotel. 

28 MAY (WED) IMABARI, 

IMABARI KOKUSAI HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨

Visit “Ritsurin park” praised as the Best Japanese landscape garden in Shikoku. Irises will be in season while you stroll through this elegantly laid out garden with rolling hills, ponds, rocks, and trees. At lunch time, we’ll enjoy a famous local cuisine Sanuki Udon noodle. Then head to Besshi Copper Mine had been in operation for 283 years since 1691 at one time the world’s biggest copper producing mine. The towering stone ruins form an astonishing landscape, referred to as “Machu Picchu of the East.” Its Museum is renowned as one of the notable mine museums in Japan. We will ride on a replica miner’s train and walk inside an authentic mine with replica miner’s hard at work. Then head to Imabari known for producing the world’s highest quality towels using only the premier raw materials. It’s highly considered for comfort, reliability and first-rate towels. We will visit the Towel Museum to see firsthand how these superior towels are made. You will be able to purchase various designs and colors of Imabari Towel. Our hotel is a nice city hotel with Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-air bath. 

29 MAY (THU) DOGO ONSEN,

HOTEL KOWAKUEN (ONSEN) ♨

Today we will drive the highway above Seto Inland Sea from island to island known as Shimanami Kaido. With a spectacular view of the island scenery and calm sea underneath. Visit the Murakami Kaizoku (Feudal Navy) Museum which honors a Samurai who sailed this area 500 years ago. This museum will give you a memorable insight of the Samurai Navy’s history displaying valuable literature and articles. Next, we will visit Yoshiumi Rose Garden hopefully timing is right to see a great collection of roses from all around the world. You will see various types and colors of rose while you leisurely stroll through the garden. Then head to Dogo in Matsuyama, the oldest hot spring in all of Japan, having opened from 3,000 years ago. After hotel check in tour guide will take you to 130-year-old Dogo Hot Spring Main building, the first public bathhouse in Japan awarded the top rating of 3 stars by French guide book for Japan. The building just finished renovation works. For those who wish to you can enjoy Holo-Holo around this atmospheric Onsen town wearing Yukata like Japanese tourists do. Enjoy a relaxing soak at famous Dogo Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-air bath. 

30 MAY (FRI) UWAJIMA,

JR HOTEL CLEMENT UWAJIMA

Enjoy strolling around the perfectly preserved historical district of Uchiko Old town lined by 19th century - Meiji Era picturesque wealthy merchant houses for whom gained international fame and wealth as wax producer. You will experience yourself slipping backwards through time and feel the soul of old Japan. Then head to Uwajima Japan’s biggest producer of pearls. We’ll visit Pearl Center to enjoy shopping for fine quality Japanese pearls. And visit interesting Osakanakan Aquarium, see very attractive and naturalistic displays of live fish and fauna of the famed Shimanto River. Not only incredibly gigantic river fishes, you will see otters, penguins, alligator, etc. Tonight’s hotel is located within the downtown area of Shimanto City. After dinner enjoy Night Boat Cruise to see Fire Fries. Ride a traditional leisure boat “Yakata Bune” and slowly cruise down a quite calm Shimanto river that is called the last crystal clear stream in Japan (depending on weather condition)

31 MAY (SAT) KOCHI,

CROWN PALAIS NEW HANKYU KOCHI

Today, you can be creative by making “Washi” Traditional Japanese handmade paper registered as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Kochi is one of premier paper making locations in Japan with a 1,000 years history. You can also learn about the history and tradition of beautiful Tosa Washi paper and enjoy shopping. Then visit the Tosa Knives Distribution Center having collections of Tosa Knife which has 800 years history originated from Samurai sword making method. Enjoy shopping for durable and incredibly sharp knives, scissors, garden tools, etc., with over 3,000 items to choose from. We will stay 2 nights at city resort hotel located in center of Kochi city, the biggest city on the southern coast of Shikoku. 

1 JUN (SUN) KOCHI,

CROWN PALAIS NEW HANKYU KOCHI

Visit Kochi’s Sunday Market. Enjoy shopping and strolling around Japan’s biggest and oldest outdoor marketplace dating back to 1690. The atmosphere is festive and friendly with over 300 stalls selling wide-ranging of Kochi’s local products such as crafts, antiques, clothes, fruits, etc. Kochi’s most famous person is Sakamoto Ryoma who is the Samurai born in Kochi and one of the most beloved historical figures in Japan. We’ll visit the Sakamoto Ryoma Museum, to learn about his works during the turbulent times before 1868 Meiji Restoration. We' will also visit a Ryoma’s notable large statue on picturesque Katsurahama beach. At lunch we will taste Kochi’s most famous local dish “Katsuo-no Tataki” which is lightly broiled sliced Bonito sashimi. Those who would like can try toasting Katsuo (Bonito) by yourself. Then visit 140-year-old historic Takagi Sake Brewery. Kochi’s Sake is said to be Good, Dry and a treasure of Kochi. We will see place where local sake is made and taste their Sake has refined taste. For those who want to try you can climb up the steps to visit the original 17th century hilltop “Kochi Castle” known as the symbol of Kochi. 

2 JUN (MON) NARUTO,

AOAWO NARUTO RESORT (ONSEN) ♨

In the morning, enjoy tasting fresh, sweet and juicy Japanese Melon and Watermelon in season at the Nishijima Flower Garden where we will see a lot of beautiful tropical flowers throughout garden along with an assortment of fruits. Then we will drive by a National Natural Monument Oboke Great gorge with its marvelous scenery of the emerald green rushing rapids through white rocks and the narrow, steep-sided cliffs jutting straight up to the sky. And visit a National Important Folkloric Property, the 148 feet long and suspended 50 feet high Kazura (vine) Bridge that made of plant vine. This bridge is ranked as one of three weirdest bridges in Japan. Then head to luxurious resort hotel located right on Seto Inland Sea National Park and right in front of Naruto strait. Enjoy a relaxing soak with a beautiful ocean view at the Onsen Hot Spring bath. In the evening, enjoy dinner buffet featuring delicious local delicacies including famous Naruto Sea bream, Naruto Seaweed, Sudachi citrus and Naruto sweet potato.

3 JUN (TUE) KOBE,

HOTEL CROWN PALAIS KOBE

Go to Seto Inland Sea’s largest island “Awajishima Island” filled with natural bounty, historical landmarks and cultural gems. Enjoy Viewing Cruise of the Uzushio (Whirling tides). Experience the power up close of the whirlpools on a large pleasure boat. Visit Tako senbei-no Sato, very popular Octopus chips factory. You can sample and purchase many different flavored chips at the factory shop. Awaji Island has the highest production of incense which uses natural scents to bring an authentic Japanese ambiance, calming, restorative and invigorating. We will get a chance to enjoy shopping for Incense, Aroma, Senko, etc. Later drive over the world’s 2nd longest suspension bridge at 2.4 miles “Akashi Kaikyo Bridge” to Kobe one of Japan's most attractive cities. We will stay 2 nights at our hotel that is conveniently located close to Kobe’s popular shopping and amusement area where you can enjoy shopping as well as the beautiful sights and tastes of Kobe. Tour guide will take you Holo Holo to Shopping mall after hotel check in. 

4 JUN (WED) KOBE,

HOTEL CROWN PALAIS KOBE

Drive up to Mt. Rokko which provides the pleasant green backdrop of Kobe. We will visit Hall of Halls Rokko exhibit valuable music boxes and automatic musical instruments along with the world’s largest dance organ. You will be amazed to see fabulous music performances using many different real instruments. We will also visit a local Tsukemono pickles shop carries “Konanzuke” high grade vegetable pickles made with Nada Sake lees with a 150-year-old tradition. Later visit Kobe Animal Kingdom, a fun & leisurely theme park featuring lovely birds, animals, and beautiful flowers. Enjoy walking around a huge greenhouse filled with colorful flowers in full bloom along with birds, fish, and other creatures. We will enjoy shopping and lunch at Aeon Shopping Mall, afterwards head back to the hotel, Free time to continue shopping, packing, etc. (Lunch & Dinner will be at your own expense)

5 JUN (THU) KOBE / HONOLULU,

At checkout time our agents will come to tape and tie-up our boxes and take the baggage to be checked-in down. Afternoon proceed to Kansai International Airport to catch Airline Flight in the evening to Honolulu. Arrive in Honolulu the same morning, 5 JUN (Thursday) After clearing U.S. Customs, proceed home. (Lunch & Dinner will be at your own expense.) 

Clients remaining back will be assisted in obtaining plane, train, and hotel reservations. Members may return to Honolulu individually, but no later than 90 days from day of departure. Weekend returns will cost more per person. Please call our office if you are extending your stay. MAHALO!

*Itinerary and Meals are subject to change at anytime.

*** TOUR CONDITIONS ***

AIR: Estimated airfare and May be more or May be less at time of ticket purchased. Airline tickets are Non-refundable once purchased unless you request a refundable ticket is usually charged by the airlines. 

INCLUDES: Land Transportation included in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, meals, and all sightseeing listed, all transfer of passenger and baggage, souvenir picture and tour tax.

DOES NOT INCLUDE: AIRFARES, Individual expenses after termination of tour as stated in itinerary. Also, wine, liquor, mineral water, laundry and other items of personal nature, cost of obtaining passport and visa or other necessary documents.

LAND TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY PER-PERSON:

69 DAYS - 46 DAYS --- $800.00*

45 DAYS - 22 DAYS --- $1,000.00*

21 DAYS - 01 DAY ----- $1,500.00*

*No refund once tour starts. *May have extra cancellation charges along with the preordered event tickets for Miyako Odori show tickets, Tokyo Disney Sea tickets, Shinkansen ticket fee, etc. If Yen was already purchase to pay for this tour, Then the Yen exchange rate at time of refund will affect the refund since we have to convert the Yen back to U.S. dollars again.

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