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              JAPAN'S HIDDEN TREASURES

JAPAN'S HIDDEN TREASURES ITINERARY:

Day 1 — Overnight flight
Your tour begins with an overnight flight to Tokyo, Japan. Lose a day en route as you cross the International Dateline.

Day 2 — Tokyo, Japan
Arrive in Japan's vibrant and energetic capital of Tokyo, the seat of Japanese government and home to the Imperial Palace. Welcome to "The Land of the Rising Sun" where you are about to embark on a journey unlike any other.

Day 3 — Tokyo, Japan
Intertwining ancient Japanese culture with modern society, Tokyo encompasses centuries of art, culture, and history. Visit the Tokyo Tower, the world's largest self-supporting iron structure, edging out the Eiffel Tower by 43 feet. Visit the Meiji Shrine which honors both Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken, who ruled from 1867 to 1912, and learn why the leader is recognized as the central figure in Japan's rapid modernization. Later, stroll through Nakamise Shopping Arcade, one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan, followed by a visit to Asakusa Kannon, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist Temple. A brief stop is made outside the gates of the Imperial Palace before returning to the hotel. This evening enjoy a festive welcome dinner. (B,D)

Day 4 — Hakone and Tokyo
Leave Tokyo and travel to Hakone, part of a magnificent national park, and enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi, well known for its reflection of Mt. Fuji (weather permitting). A ride on the Komagatake Ropeway cable car provides spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and Mt. Futago. The valley contains clear lakes, volcanic peaks, steaming hot springs, and shady valleys. Legend says that eating just one black egg that has been boiled in the healthy sulfur springs of the valley can add five to seven years to a person's life! See the treasures contained at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, where the textile artist uses kimonos as his paper and silk thread as his paint to create the most outstanding tie-dye kimonos in the world. (B)

Day 5 — Tokyo and Nagano
This morning you will travel via the famous Shinkansen, or "bullet train,"� to Nagano, home of the 1998 winter Olympics. Continue to Jigokudani Yaen Koen, the only place on earth where wild monkeys bathe in hot springs. Enjoy some leisure time in Obuse Town, a historical site and home to three major museums all linked to the famous painter Katsushika Hokusai, who spent his latter years living here. Your lunch features local beef delicacies, allowing you to sample the amazing flavors of this region. (B,L)

Day 6 — Nagano
This morning take a walking tour to the Zenkoji Temple. One of the most visited temples in Japan, Zenkoji was founded 1,400 years ago and stores what many believe to be the first Buddhist statue ever brought into Japan. A replica of this statue is displayed to the public every seven years. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore on your own. (B)

Day 7 — Nagano and Takayama
This morning make a brief stop at Matsumoto Castle, built in 1504 and designated a national treasure. Next, visit the Ukiyoe Museum, which showcases fine wood block prints of Japanese customs and history. A special experience awaits you during a visit to Daio Wasabi Nojo Farm, where pungent wasabi is grown. Here you will make pickles and enjoy a local lunch of soba noodles and tempura. In the late afternoon, arrive at a traditional Japanese inn where you will spend the night and enjoy a complete Japanese experience. This evening, dress in a time-honored kimono and savor a traditional dinner. Later, you may enjoy the luxurious hot spring baths at your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Takayama and Kanazawa
Begin the day with a stroll to the morning market, then visit Takayama Jinya, the regional headquarters during the Edo period and host to one of Japan's greatest festivals. See many of the floats and marionettes during a visit to Matsuri-no-Mori. Later, a drive through Shirakawago and Gokayama showcases farmhouses with steep thatched roofs, a style called gassho-zukuri,� which translates into "hands-clasped in prayer." Learn how to make Japanese paper at Gokayama Washi-no-Sato. Washi is usually made from bark but can also be formed from bamboo or grains. (B,D)

Day 9 — Kanazawa
Return to the days of the samurai when you visit Nomura Family House, the traditional residence of Nagamachi Samurai. Continuing your tour, stroll through the Oumicho Fish Market, which has been providing food for feudal lords and citizens for about 270 years. Visit the traditional Geisha district of Higashi and a Shima (tea house). An afternoon spent at Kanazawa Castle, built in 1583, and Kenrokuen Garden, constructed as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, will offer the time and environment for reflection. (B)

Day 10 — Kanazawa and Otsu
The morning drive brings you to Miho Museum, also known as the "Museum in the Mountains." The museum was the dream of Mihoko Koyama, the heiress to the Toyobo textile business, and it houses a private collection of Asian and Western antiques. Continue to Otsu, once briefly the capital of Japan, where your hotel is located on the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest fresh water lake in Japan. (B,D)

Day 11 — Otsu and Kyoto
In Kyoto, visit two temples considered national treasures, Kiyomizu Temple, with its panoramic views of this former Imperial capital, and Sanjusangen-do Temple, which houses more than 1,030 standing Buddhist statues in its main hall. At Nijo Castle, built in 1626, see elaborate wood carvings and wall paintings. With two concentric fortifications, this unique castle also features the Ninomaru Garden designed by the famous landscape architect and tea master Kobori Enshu. Visit the Kinkakuji Temple, or the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, which was originally built in 1397 and dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. You will also enjoy a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto during the afternoon. This evening you may take an optional excursion to Gion Corner, a popular nightspot where you can experience an overview of seven kinds of Japanese traditional arts and entertainment. (B)

Day 12 — Nara and Kyoto
Today, travel to Nara—Japan's first capital. Todaiji Temple, completed in 1752, houses one of the largest bronze statues in the world. The Great Buddha Hall, dating from 1709, is the world's largest wooden structure and a national treasure. Kasuguga Taisha Shrine, situated in a forest, is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Nara and one of the "Three Great Shrines" in Japan, known for its thousands of lanterns. Your day concludes with a visit to Byodoin Temple, with its remarkable Phoenix Hall dating back 950 years. Join your fellow travelers this evening for a special farewell dinner. (B,D)

Day 13 — Kyoto; Osaka and Tour Concludes
On your return home, you will cross the International Dateline and gain a day, arriving in the U.S. the same day you departed Japan. (B)

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