Japanese
SpanishTakayama Festival
Most Beautiful Festival in Japan !
One weekend in spring and autumn, Japan's hidden cultural capital Takayama comes alive with matsuri, one of Japan's most beautiful festival. During the year, the tall and beautifully decorated floats are stored in storehouses, which are scattered across Takayama's old town. Several of the festival floats are decorated with so called karakuri ningyo, sophisticated mechanical dolls that can move and dance. The crowds filling the streets, decked out in their fine kimono add to the wonderful festival atmosphere.
Starting date – 04 ⁄ 12 ⁄ 2012
Land only tour package USD 2,298 ⁄ EUR 1,625
Day 1 – Welcome to Osaka, you are greeted by a tour guide who will escort you to the hotel.
Hotel – Nikko Kansai airport or similar
Day 2 – For our first day of tour, we will begin with a morning visit to the Golden Pavilion followed by a trip to Kiyomizu Temple, considered as one of the Japan's best-loved temple. The Kiyomizu Temple was founded in 780 AD. and in 1994 the temple was added to the list of UNESCO's World heritage sites. It is notable for its vast veranda, supported by hundreds of pillars, that juts out over the hillside and offers impressive views of the city. The popular expression "to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu" is the Japanese equivalent of the English expression "to take the plunge". Thereafter, we will visit Ryoanji Temple, famous for its Zen Garden, (Karesansui or Dry landscape rock garden) which describes the spirit of Zen Buddhism meditation. After a dinner, we will visit Gion Geisha District.
Hotel – New Miyako hotel or similar.
Day 3Kanazawa. Kenrokuen Garden is classified as one of Japan's "three most beautiful landscape gardens". Shirakawago is famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses which are more than 250 years old. Gassho-zukuri means "constructed like hands in prayer", as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The architectural style developed over many generations and is designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls in the region during winter. Afterwards, we will visit Takayama. The main event here is definitely the Takayama Festival, ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals. At Yomatsuri (evening festival), we will see the Karakuri Performance consisting of floats decorated with karakuri ningyo, sophisticated mechanical dolls that can move and dance
Hotel – Hotel Ouan or similar.
Day 4 - We will visit the morning market and old town while we walk through the festival. Highlights of the festival today are beautifully decorated Yatai (floats) displayed in the streets and Mikoshi (portable shrine), carried around the town during the festival. The mikoshi contains the shrine's kami (Shinto deity). The tour would not be complete without a long, relaxing soak in the Onsen (hot spring) that have rejuvenated the Japanese people for many centuries.
.
Hotel – Hotel Aburaya or similar.
Day 5 - We shall begin today's tour by visiting Japan's most iconic symbol, the sacred Fuji-san (Mt. Fuji). In Hakone, we will take the Ropeway to Owakudani, the area around a crater created during the last eruption of Mount Hakone some 3000 years ago. Today, much of the area is an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers can be experienced. We will continue our journey to Tokyo. Odaiba, literally meaning "fort", refers to some of the man made islands in the Bay of Tokyo, which were constructed in the end of the Edo Period (1603-1868) . Here we will visit Toyota Mega Web, the Toyota showroom, where you can view and touch Toyota's newest models, test drive a real car or ride an automatic, electric vehicle ("E-com Ride"). Tonight's dinner is on your own, with the tour guide to help you choose from the foods and restaurants at Aqua City Odaiba, featuring various stores and restaurants.
Hotel – Tokyo prince hotel or similar
Day 6 - We begin the day with a stop to the worlds largest fish market called the Tsukiji Fish Outer Market. Here you will find many food related items, such as knives and a wide assortment of fish and vegetables. Next we head over to the Edo Tokyo Museum, where you can immerse yourself in history of Tokyo. Next, we will head over to the pop-culture mecca of Tokyo called Akihabara. Area famous for handling diverse kinds of electrical devices, has recently come to be known worldwide as "Akiba," locus for anime, costume play, and other Japanese subcultures. maid cafe's where costumed women serve customers have also become well known.After some sighting and lunch in Asakusa, we will enjoy Sumida River Cruise. We then continue our tour of Tokyo to Imperial Palace Plaza, the former site of Edo Castle and now the residence of Japanese Royal Family. At last, we will head to Ginza for a welcome dinner and some shopping.
Hotel – Narita Excel hotel, Tokyo prince hotel or similar
Day 7 - Sadly, your pleasant and memorable Japan Tour ends today.
Fly home with cherished memories or enjoy your extended stay in Japan or in Asian Cities.
- Accommodations, 5 nights Western & 1 night Japanese style Hotel
- 12 meals - Buffet Breakfast daily & variety of Japanese delicacies
- All ground transportation during tour
- All admission fees as listed on itinerary
- Gratuities & Local Taxes during tour (no-hidden charges)
- Round-trip airport transfers (except for early arrival & late departure)
- Seamless service of English speaking tour guide during tour
- Passports; visas and vaccinations; laundry; telephone; mini bar; alcohol; beverages and food not on the regular table menu (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel or restaurant); optional excursions; porterage at airports; travel protection insurance; excess baggage fees; all other items of a personal nature
- Single room supplements of USD 680
- Package prices are per person, based on double occupancy
(2 people sharing 1 room, ask for triple occupancy discount) - Prices are subject to change without prior notice
- Cancellation penalties and other conditions or restrictions may apply
Land Only Tour Price Includes
Not Included in the Tour Price
Tour schedule may change without prior notice.