Sakura, sakura, sakura. The Japanese has made flower gazing an artform, and every year between the end of March and the beginning of April, the whole country is gripped by sakura fever. Only in Japan that the arrival of cherry blossom season is reported in the news. Sakura season is one of the two most beautiful time to visit Japan (the other being maple-leaf season in autumn). This is when the whole country, from city streets to temple grounds, are ablaze with cherry blossoms.
Join us for the tour of Japan this coming March, and enjoy Japan at its most beautiful! It will be an experience that you won't easily forget!
Just look at the photos (most of them shot by my wife) taken during our tour of Japan last year:
My wife Chooi Yoke and I in Nara, Japan, during cherry blossom season last year.
Itinerary
Day 1: In Flight (Meal on board)
Assemble at your check in counter two hours before departure at the Penang and Kuala Lumpur International Airports for your flight to Osaka, the second largest city in Japan.
Day 2: Kyoto (Lunch and Dinner provided)
Morning, have a great view of the famous Osaka Castle (Out View), situated in the eastern part of the city. During the sakura season in March, the garden is blooming with cherry blossom. Followed the tour of Osaka Castle, we proceed straightaway to Kyoto. For one thousand years, Kyoto was the capital of medieval Japan, before it moved to Tokyo. As a result, Kyoto retains some of the most treasured sites in Japanese history. All the sites we are visiting have been honored by Unesco as Historic Sites of Ancient Kyoto. Upon arrival in Kyoto, we tour the famous Golden Pavilion, one of the best-recognized icons of Japan. Also on our itinerary is the Ryoanji, the most famous rock garden in Japan. We also visit Kiyomizu Temple, perched daringly on a steep hill side, possibly the most beloved temple in the nation. After that, tour to Hei-An Shrine, a scaled down replica of the first imperial palace in Kyoto built by Emperor Kammu in 794 and dedicated to him, was constructed in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto. The rear garden is outstanding. Next, tour visit to Golden Pavilion. After that, proceed to Arashiyama visit Ryu-Temple. Dinner and overnight in Kyoto.
Day 3: Nara (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
After breakfast, proceed to oldest city in Japan - Nara. Upon arrival, tour visit to Todaiji Temple - a temple complex in the city of Nara in Nara Prefecture, was built in the year 743. At that time Buddhism was at its height, and served as a state religion. Next tour to Nara Deer Park. After that, tour visit to Kasuga Shrine, is considered one of the Three Great Shinto Shrines of Japan. Founded in 768, it is actually four shrines consecrated to different Shinto deities. Tour continue visit Koufukuji Temple & Horyuji Temple. Overnight in Nara.
Day 4: Toba Peninsula (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
From today onwards, we leave the main cities of Japan, and begin exploring rural Japan. Our journey takes us through Toba peninsula, visiting sites in Wakayama Prefecture. We experience a rustic landscape that resides in the most sophisticated culture in the world. Even in the smallest of hamlets, Japan is a unique justaposition of old and new. We stop to visit Koyasan, headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, and recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Our tour continues Kumano Kodo, a sacred place where the Japanese gods lived since ancient times. People traverse rugged paths through the wild nature to visit Kumano.
Due to the long distance travelled today, we will arrive late at our hotel, to a meal awaiting us, and a rest thereafter.
Day 5: Ise Peninsula (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
We are now in the mountainous countryside of Central Japan. Our hotel is an inn in the mountains. After a buffet breakfast of local produce, we continue our journey. Today we visit the Ise Grand Shrine, the most important shrine in Japanese Shintoism. We will visit the outer shrines. The inner shrine, is so sacred that no one is allowed to approach it up close, but can only view from the outside. Today we will also be visiting the Mikimoto Pearl Island, a man-made island off the Pacific coast where lady divers continue to ancient craft of planting and harvesting cultured pearls. If we are lucky, we will get to see a demonstration. Later the same day, we visit the Wedded Rocks of Meotoiwa. These are sacred rock formations on the Pacific coast, linked together by a rope, and is one of the famous cultural icons of Japan.
Day 6: Mount Fuji (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
Every day, a different scenery greets us, and its no different today, when we have the chance to ascend Mount Fuji. Our exploring of Japan takes us today to Hakone, where we will take a cruise of Lake Ashi, a lake formed when the massive eruption of Mount Hakone took place 3000 years ago. If we are lucky, the sky will be clear, and we will get a beautiful view of Mount Fuji (however, most of the time it is overcast). Next, we start our journey up Mount Fuji, arriving at the Fifth Station. There we can a glorious view of the cone-shaped mountain, weather permitting. Along the way, we will also stop at Oshino Hakkai, a village in at the foot of Mount Fuji famous for its clear waters and hot spring. We reture for to a traditional Japanese inn at Yamanakako, a resort on the slopes within view of Mount Fuji.
Day 7: Tokyo (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
After a week of journeying across Japan, we finally arrive at Tokyo, a roaring city and capital of modern Japan. Our tour of Tokyo takes us to the Sensoji, also known as the Asakusa Kannon, the oldest temple in Tokyo founded in the 7th century. We will also tour the vast compound of the Imperial Palace and make a trip to Tokyo Tower, to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. We will visit the most expensive real estate in Japan, strolling down the elegant shopping district of Ginza. Having seen much of ancient Japan, today we visit Odaiba, a futuristic shopping mall built on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, for a taste of Japan of the future.
Day 8: Home (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
After an incredible journey, it is time for us to bid farewell to our tour guide, as we board our flight home. We have breakfast in the hotel. Thereafter we are free until our transfer to Narita International Airport for our flight home. Sayonara Japan.
Booking Details
Group Size: minimum 17 paying participants, maximum 24 paying participants.
English-speaking tour guide and tour leader throughout the tour.
All meals covered. Local Japanese specialities.
All entrance fees included.
Travel Insurance included.
All transfers included.
Tour guide tips included.
We will help you get the visa for Japan.
Flight by Malaysia Airlines from Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
Departure Date: 29 March, 2008
Tour Price: RM6088 all inclusive
Deposit of RM1000 to be paid upon registering
Single supplement: RM1200
To book this tour, contact Ms Pauline Teh at Mayflower Acme Tours Sdn Bhd, at pauline@mayflower.com.my or call +60-4-228 0260 or +60-16 443 9292.
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