Day 1:
Board your transpacific flight.

Day 2:
Arrive in Tokyo, Japan. Welcome to Japan’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 3:
Tokyo. Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions prior to a morning sightseeing of Tokyo, home to more than 8 million people. Your tour takes you to the MEIJI SHRINE, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest, followed by a drive to see the Imperial Palace Plaza. Next, visit an ARTIST’S STUDIO and enjoy demonstrations by a master calligrapher before trying it yourself. You will also have an opportunity to try on a traditional Kimono and enjoy a tea ceremony. Last stop is the ASAKUSA KANNON TEMPLE with the NAKAMISE SHOPPING ARCADE. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps stroll through the famous Ginza area. Tonight, join your traveling companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. After dinner, join your Tour Director for a WALKING TOUR among the dazzling neon lights of Tokyo. (B,D)

Day 4:
Tokyo. A free day for independent activities. You may wish to join a full-day optional excursion to Kamakura, home of the 750-year-old Great Buddha, followed by a scenic drive to Hakone and a cable car ride for panoramic views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting). Your optional tour concludes with a thrilling bullet train ride back to Tokyo. During your evening at leisure you may want to experience a local Japanese restaurant. (B)

Day 5:
Tokyo–Matsumoto–Takayama. Journey to Matsumoto, gateway to the Japanese Alps. Visit famous MATSUMOTO CASTLE, dating back to 1593, and discover the history at the JAPAN FOLKLORE MUSEUM. After lunch, continue by motorcoach through the ruggedly beautiful Japanese Alps to the quiet, isolated town of Takayama, where old traditions are untouched by the passage of time. The balance of the day is at leisure, providing you time to explore the narrow streets where artisans sell traditional crafts. (B,L)

Day 6:
Takayama. Today begins with a visit to the morning market, where farmers display locally grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Then on to the San-Machi Suji historic district, famous for sake distilleries and tiny lacquerware shops where merchants buy and sell as they have for 300 years. Visit the KUSAKABE HERITAGE HOUSE for a glimpse of traditional Japanese architecture of the late-19th century. In the afternoon, a short ride brings you to the HIDA MINZOKU-MURA FOLK VILLAGE, a collection of traditional buildings and farmhouses, as well as numerous artifacts relating to the life and work of the local villagers. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful Japanese-style dinner. (B,D)

Day 7:
Takayama–Shirakawa–Kanazawa. This morning, enjoy a drive through the mountainous Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa. This remote region of Japan is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to the unique GASSHO-ZUKURI (joined hands)-style thatched houses that can be found only here. Continue to the scenic town of Kanazawa, situated between the mountains and the Sea of Japan and once the country’s richest region. Your Tour Director leads you on a tour of one of Japan’s greatest gardens, KENROKU-EN, the “Garden of Six Qualities,” dating from the 1670s. Adjacent to the garden is the ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE CRAFTS MUSEUM, displaying more than 30 traditional crafts, including the locally famous Kanazawa Haku gold leaf produced since 1593. Your included dinner tonight is at your choice of one of three restaurants within your hotel. (B,D)

Day 8:
Kanazawa–Kyoto. This afternoon, travel along the Sea of Japan to Kyoto. Upon arrival, visit the FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE, renowned for the thousands of brightly colored Torii Gates. Here you will witness an exclusive performance of MIKO (Shinto girls). Afterward, visit YUZEN HANDMADE CORNER to learn about the Yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate Kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. You will be invited to participate in making your own souvenir using this traditional technique. (B)

Day 9:
Kyoto. This morning’s city tour features the extraordinary NIJO CASTLE, built in 1603 as the official residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Next, visit Kinkakuji, the TEMPLE OF THE GOLD PAVILION, and the HEIAN SHRINE and GARDEN. Then, for lunch, participate in a special JAPANESE COOKING CLASS. Under the instruction of a local chef you will learn how to make a popular Japanese dish. Perhaps join the afternoon optional excursion to Nara, the oldest capital of Japan, where you will visit Todaiji Temple with Great Buddha; Kasuga Shrine, famous for stone and bronze lanterns; and Kofuji Temple with its 5-story pagoda. (B,L)

Day 10:
Kyoto. A full day at leisure for you to enjoy the many temples, shrines, palaces, and pagodas at your own pace. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (B,D)

Day 11:
Kyoto–Osaka. Transfer to Kansai Airport. Your homebound flight leaves later this afternoon and arrives the same day. (B)

Click here to check rates and availability online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Or, to speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301. Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
4/6/2009 - 4/16/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
4/7/2009 - 4/17/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
4/13/2009 - 4/23/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
4/20/2009 - 4/30/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
4/21/2009 - 5/1/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/4/2009 - 5/14/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/5/2009 - 5/15/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/11/2009 - 5/21/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/18/2009 - 5/28/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/25/2009 - 6/4/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/8/2009 - 6/18/2009	$3,019	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/15/2009 - 6/25/2009	$3,019	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/22/2009 - 7/2/2009	$3,019	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
7/6/2009 - 7/16/2009	$3,019	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
7/13/2009 - 7/23/2009	$3,019	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
7/20/2009 - 7/30/2009	$3,019	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
8/10/2009 - 8/20/2009	$3,019	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
8/24/2009 - 9/3/2009	$3,019	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
8/31/2009 - 9/10/2009	$3,019	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/7/2009 - 9/17/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/14/2009 - 9/24/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/5/2009 - 10/15/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/12/2009 - 10/22/2009	$3,039	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
Price Details US Single Room Supplement: $735. Triple Room reduction per person: $124. Extra Nights per person in Tokyo: in single room $256; in twin room $163; in triple room $147. Extra Nights per person in Kyoto: in single room $248; in twin room $157; in triple room $136. Related Tours OJE|Add Hiroshima to Your Vacation

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus

Discount for young travelers

Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.

Pay less for your second vacation

We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.

Triple room reduction

On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.

Avoid the single room supplement

We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!

Right now when you book a 2009 vacation between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75

Do you have a large party of friends or family that wants to travel? Right now when you book a 2009 vacation between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75.* For example, book 5 passengers and receive a $375 discount, 6 passengers equals a $450 discount and 7 passengers will receive a $525 discount. With an offer like this, the world’s greatest destinations are now closer than ever!

*Book a 2009 Globus vacation for five, six or seven travelers to receive the $75 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between Jun 4 and Dec 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.