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MEMBER |
Every two years I “customize” a smoke-free tour to Japan, inviting those interested to travel extensively with me privately and enjoy Japan from the perspective of one highly experienced in both working and living there. You can believe me when I say, I turn each unique trip into a real adventure! (This will be my 51st trip to Japan!)
THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME! OCT. 4-19, 2011 In addition to your stays in luxurious First Class Hotels, you will spend 3 nights in the Private Homes of Japanese of your approximate age, circumstance and interests, where your Hosts will take you shopping and sightseeing, in accordance with your personal interests. And two nights we will tuck into an elegant 5-Star RYOKAN – an authentic Japanese hot springs spa resort, many of which are owned by my personal friends. Ryokans can range from new to well over 400 years old! They are used widely by the Japanese for relaxation getaways. All are superbly appointed and are highly regarded for both their natural Onsens (mineral baths) and their elaborate and exquisite cuisine. The Ryokan in which we will stay is built over a river and is surrounded by breathtaking gardens! Prepare to be spoiled!
AS FAR AS DINING IS CONCERNED ~ I put together “special menus” for each of my groups, in line with their tastes and requests. Typically, I will arrange for a healthy variety of foods: Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian and American. Guests always tell me our meals are the best they have ever had on a tour! Prepare to be impressed!
THE LANGUAGE: Although I speak enough Japanese to get by, we have professional Interpreters and Escorts (as well as my Japanese personal secretary of 29 years) with us, start to finish, which makes for a delightfully comfortable and flawless tour.
THE COST for 14 DAYS: $6700. Per Person, ALL-INCLUSIVE: No hidden costs! No expensive Options! Your Package Fee covers round-trip airfare from San Francisco, hotels, ryokans, ALL meals, buses, local trains, The Bullet Train, airport transfers, entry fees, service fees and applicable taxes. (A travel agent friend put a pencil to my customized itinerary and told me, “I would have to price it at $8500. … if I could even duplicate it, which I can’t - I don’t have the connections you do.”) Group size is limited and reservations are held on a first-come basis. A deposit of $1000. is required to hold your space; the balance is due in full no later than 90 days prior to departure, and will be refundable after that date only in the event of personal or medical emergency, less a 20% administration fee. (The Single Supplement is $825.)
BEFORE YOU COMMIT TO MY TOUR, please research “travel to Japan” in general and compare the quality of the overall experience. You will notice that a less expensive tour means that many of your meals will not be covered (and food is notoriously expensive in Japan), that your sightseeing itinerary will be generic, and that your hotels will not be the 5-Star accommodations we enjoy. If you are an experienced and discerning traveler, truly interested in seeing and feeling “the real Japan” (in comfort!), you will recognize and appreciate the value of my tour.
SMALL GROUP TRAVEL: I limit my group size to twenty; most of my past tours have been for 14-20 travelers. In my experience, this membership is ideal in that it allows for intimacy and camaraderie. I really enjoy small-group travel as it enables me to interact with every guest personally and facilitates easier, more relaxed travel.
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BIO: I have worked with the Japanese since 1972. I’ve personally arranged 6,500 “Homestays” for Japanese students, teachers, business men & women, farmers & housewives in some 35 California cities and towns … have orchestrated a “sister city” connection and 2 “Friendship Links” for Soroptimist Clubs in Grass Valley and Oakhurst, CA. …have authored a book and myriad educational materials, published in Japanese, on cultural differences. Annually, I operate an educational summer camp for international students. I am president of Jan’s International Association, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit public benefit corporation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ME, JAN ROTH
Hotels |
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Grand Pacific Le Daiba |
Superior Twin Room |
View (Rainbow Bridge Side) |
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| Hotel Granvia Kyoto | Standard Twin Room |
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| The Prince Hakone | Mt.Fuji View Twin Room |
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Hotel New Akao Royal Wing |
Twin Room (Ocean View) |
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Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier |
Superior Twin Room |
Kikuya Ryokan |
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10 Tatami Mat Guest Room at Kikuya Ryokan |
Inside Kikuya Ryokan |
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Inside Kikuya Ryokan |
Shared Hot Spring Bath (Same Sex Only) |
Men's Shared Hot Spring Bath |
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Women's Shared Hot Spring Bath |
Hot Spring Pool at Kikuya Ryokan |
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Restaurants
05 Oct. Dinner |
Star Road |
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10 Oct. Lunch |
Le Temps Hotel Granvia Kyoto |
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10 Oct. Dinner |
Ukishima Hotel Granvia Kyoto Japanese Cuisine (Kyo-Kaiseki |
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11 Oct. Dinner |
Komai |
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12 Oct. Dinner |
Le Trianon The Prince Hakone |
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13 Oct. Lunch |
Beraforet The Hakone Open-Air Museum |
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13 Oct. Dinner |
Bonheur Hotel New Akao Royal Wing |
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18 Oct. Lunch |
Kamakura Kanko Kaikan Ajitei |
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19 Oct. Dinner |
ALLA MANO (Ginza) |
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Itinerary
Day |
Place |
Time |
Transfer |
Itinerary |
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10/4 |
Tues |
San Francisco |
11:07 |
UA837 |
Depart from San Francisco (SFO) on United Airlines |
Cross the International Dateline; arrive in Japan the next day |
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10/5 |
Wed |
Narita |
14:05 |
Arrive at Narita International Airport (NRT); complete entry procedures |
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Meeting Service by Hiroyuki Kiyota |
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16:00 |
Bus |
Transfer to Hotel by Airport Limousine Bus |
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BUS: Airport Limousine Bus 03-3665-7220 Reservation Center |
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Hiroyuki Kiyota will meet us at the airport 090-5444-4973 Cell |
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Odaiba, Tokyo |
17:20 |
Check into our Hotel in Tokyo |
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19:30 |
DINNER: Star Road (30th Floor) |
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MENU: French Cuisine |
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OVERNIGHT: Grand Pacific Le Daiba (beautiful, with a spectacular bay view!) |
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2-6-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 135-870110/6 |
Thur |
Odaiba, Tokyo |
BREAKFAST: at Hotel |
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MENU: Japanese and Western Buffet |
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8:10 |
Hato Bus |
We will meet at the Information Desk in the hotel lobby |
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Depart by Hato Bus for "Dynamic Tokyo Tour" |
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Hato Bus 03-3435-6081 |
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9:00 |
Sightseeing in Tokyo: Tokyo Tower Observatory |
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Tea Ceremony at Happoen Garden |
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LUNCH: Chinzanso Garden (at The Four Seasons Hotel) |
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MENU: Their famous BBQ Set |
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17:10 |
Arrive at Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal |
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17:18/17:35 |
City Bus |
Return by City Bus to Hotel (City Bus No. Niji 01 -- we get off at Daiba Station) |
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DINNER: “On Own” – by request of many former guests. Odaiba is a fun, interesting place with literally dozens of wonderful restaurants, including some right on the shore, and food markets where you can pick up some “snacks” for your trip. |
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OVERNIGHT: Grand Pacific Le Daiba |
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10/7 |
Fri |
Odaiba, Tokyo |
BREAKFAST: at Hotel |
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MENU: Japanese and Western Buffet |
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10:30 |
Check out of Hotel |
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Bus |
Depart Hotel by Private Microbus |
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BUS: |
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GUIDE: Not Needed |
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Hiroyuki Kiyota will get on the Microbus with us 090-5444-4973 Cell |
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Komae |
11:30 |
Arrive at Komae Station |
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OVERNIGHT: Meet your Host Families and return home with them |
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10/8 |
Sat |
Komae |
OVERNIGHT: Host Homes |
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10/9 |
Sun |
Komae |
OVERNIGHT: Host Homes | ||
10/10 |
Mon |
Komae |
9:24 |
Odakyu |
Depart Komae by train – Odakyu Line |
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Shin-Yurigaoka |
9:38 |
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We will change trains at the Shin-Yurigaoka Station |
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9:41 |
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Machida |
9:48 |
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Change for JR Yokohama Line |
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10:06 |
JR |
Depart Machida by JR Yokohama Line |
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Shin-Yokohama |
10:27 |
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Arrive at Shin-Yokohama Station |
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10:49 |
Nozomi 27 |
Depart from Shin-Yokohama by JR Shinkansen |
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Kyoto |
12:51 |
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Arrive at Kyoto Station |
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The hotel staff will meet us at the Kyoto Station, |
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and provide porterage service to the hotel |
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13:30 |
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LUNCH: Le Temps (2nd Floor) |
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MENU: Japanese and Western Buffet |
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Free until check in time (Great shopping is nearby at the JR Kyoto Isetan Dept. Store) |
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16:00 |
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Check into Hotel |
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19:30 |
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DINNER: Ukihashi (M3rd Floor) |
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MENU: Japanese Cuisine (Kyo-Kaiseki) |
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OVERNIGHT: Hotel Granvia Kyoto (built above the train station – Gorgeous!) |
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JR Kyoto Station, Karasuma-Chuoguchi, Shiokoji-sagaru, |
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Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8216 |
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TEL: 075-344-8888 |
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Standard Twin Room (Kyoto city view) |
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No Smoking room (confirmed) |
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10/11 |
Tues |
Kyoto |
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BREAKFAST: at Hotel |
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MENU: Japanese and Western Buffet |
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8:30 |
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It is a 5-minute walk from our hotel to the New Miyako Hotel |
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8:45 |
Tour Bus |
Depart by SUNRISE TOURS for "Kyoto Morning & Crafts Tour" |
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SUNRISE TOURS 075-341-1413 |
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Sightseeing in Kyoto: Nijo-jo Castle |
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Kinkakuji Temple (“The Golden Pavillion”) |
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Kyoto Imperial Palace |
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LUNCH: Kyoto Handicraft Center |
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MENU: Japanese and Western Buffet |
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15:30 |
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Tour ends at the New Miyako Hotel |
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15:40 |
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We will return on foot to our Hotel from the New Miyako Hotel |
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17:40 |
Taxi |
Depart our Hotel, by taxis,for a very special evening |
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18:00 |
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DINNER: Komai |
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532 Kami-osakacho, Sanjo-agaru, Kiyamachi-dori, |
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Nakagayo-ku, Kyoto 604-8001 |
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TEL: 075-251-0351 |
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MENU: Kyoto-style Sukiyaki Dinner, with Maiko and Jikata |
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Maiko = Geisha in training Jikata = retired Geisha, plays the Shamisen |
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20:30 |
Taxi |
Return to Hotel by taxis |
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OVERNIGHT: Hotel Granvia Kyoto |
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JR Kyoto Station, Karasuma-Chuoguchi, Shiokoji-sagaru, |
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Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8216 |
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TEL: 075-344-8888 |
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Standard Twin Room (Kyoto city view) |
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No Smoking room (confirmed) |
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10/12 |
Wed |
Kyoto |
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BREAKFAST: at Hotel |
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MENU: Japanese and Western Buffet |
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Check out of Hotel |
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We have porterage service from the Hotel to Kyoto Station |
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11:56 |
Hikari 470 |
Depart Kyoto by JR Shinkansen. |
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LUNCH: “On Own” (we can purchase food near the station and eat on the train) |
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Mishima |
13:55 |
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Arrive at Mishima Station |
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BUS: |
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GUIDE: Not Needed |
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14:10 |
Bus |
Depart for sightseeing by Private Microbus |
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Hakone |
14:40 |
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. Arrive at Motohakone-ko Pier |
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15:05 |
Cruise |
. Hakone Sightseeing Cruise on Lake Ashi |
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15:30 |
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. Arrive at Togendai-ko Pier |
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Ropeway |
. To Owakudani by Hakone Ropeway (16 min.) |
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. Arrive at Owakudani |
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16:40 |
Bus |
Transfer to Hotel by Private Bus |
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17:10 |
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Arrive at Hotel and Check in |
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19:00 |
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DINNER: Restaurant "Le Trianon" (Ground Floor) |
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MENU: French Cuisine |
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OVERNIGHT: The Prince Hakone (very famous in Japan!) |
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144 Moto-hakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, |
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TEL: 0460-83-1111 |
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Mt.Fuji View Twin Room (overlooking Lake Ashi) |
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No Smoking room or deodorized room |
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10/13 |
Thur |
Hakone |
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BREAKFAST: at Hotel |
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MENU: Western Set or Japanese Set |
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Check out of Hotel |
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10:00 |
Bus |
Transfer to Atami by Private Microbus |
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BUS: |
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GUIDE: Not Needed |
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10:40 |
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Sightseeing: The Hakone Open-Air Museum (～12:15) |
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12:15 |
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LUNCH: Beraforet (at The Hakone Open-Air Museun) (～13:15) |
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MENU: Japanese, Chinese, and Western Buffet |
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Atami |
14:40 |
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Sightseeing: Herb and Rose Garden (～15:40) |
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15:50 |
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Arrive at Hotel and Check in |
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19:00 |
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DINNER: Bonheur (3rd Floor) (one of my favorite restaurants – wonderful food!) |
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MENU: Italian Cuisine |
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OVERNIGHT: Hotel New Akao Royal Wing (very old hotel with beautiful grounds) |
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1993-65 Atami, Atami, Shizuoka 413-8555 |
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TEL: 0557-83-6161 |
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Twin Room (Ocean view) |
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No Smoking room (Confirmed) |
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10/14 |
Fri |
Atami |
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BREAKFAST: at Hotel |
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MENU: Japanese and Western Buffet |
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Check out of Hotel |
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9:15 |
Shuttlebus |
Depart Hotel to Atami Station by Hotel's shuttlebus (10 min.) |
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9:45 |
City Bus |
Take City Bus from Atami Station to MOA Museum of Art (This museum is fabulous!!) |
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9:52 |
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Sightseeing: MOA Museum of Art (～11:20) |
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11:33 |
City Bus |
Return by City Bus to Atami Station |
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11:40 |
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Atami |
12:09 |
JR |
Depart Atami by JR Tokaido-honsen Line |
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Mishima |
12:22 |
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Change trains for Izu Hakone (Japan’s most famous hot springs area) |
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12:29 |
Izu Hakone |
Depart Mishima by Izu Hakone Tetsudo Line |
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Nirayama |
12:48 |
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Arrive at Nirayama Station |
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OVERNIGHT: Meet Host Families and return home with them |
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10/15 |
Sat |
Nirayama |
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OVERNIGHT: Host Homes |
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10/16 |
Sun |
Nirayama |
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Shuzenji |
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OVERNIGHT: Kikuya Ryokan (traditional inn with excellent hot springs baths) |
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874-1 Shuzenji, Izu, Shizuoka |
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TEL: 0558-72-2000 |
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10/17 |
Mon |
Shuzenji |
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OVERNIGHT: Kikuya Ryokan |
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874-1 Shuzenji, Izu, Shizuoka |
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TEL: 0558-72-2000 |
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10/18 |
Tues |
Shuzenji |
9:00 |
Bus |
Depart Hotel by Private Microbus (we will make one rest stop on the way) |
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BUS: |
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GUIDE: Not Needed |
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Kamakura |
12:30 |
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LUNCH: Kamakura Kanko Kaikan Ajitei |
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3-1-3 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016 |
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TEL: 0467-23-5700 |
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MENU: Tai-meshi Gozen (Japanese fish menu) |
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13:30 |
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Sightseeing: Kamakura Daibutsu (～14:00) |
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Tsurugaoka-Hachimagu (drive by) |
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Ginza, Tokyo |
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Sightseeing: Bay Bridge (drive by) |
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Yamashita Koen Park (drive by) |
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16:00 |
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Arrive at Hotel and Check in |
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Free time – Please enjoy, before and after dinner, shopping on The Ginza ! |
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18:30 |
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"SAYONARA DINNER" |
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DINNER: Alla Mano |
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MENU: Italian Cuisine |
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OVERNIGHT: Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier |
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TEL: 03-3543-1131 |
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Superior Twin Room |
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No Smoking room or deodorized room |
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10/19 |
Wed |
Ginza, Tokyo |
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BREAKFAST: at Hotel |
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MENU: Japanese and Western Buffet |
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Check out of Hotel |
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12:10 |
Bus |
Depart for Airport by Airport Limousine Bus |
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BUS: Airport Limousine Bus 03-3665-7220 Reservation center |
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GUIDE: Not Needed |
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Narita |
13:40 |
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Arrive at Narita International Airport |
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Check in - then you are free to take Lunch “on own” and visit The Duty Free Shop |
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16:10 |
UA838 |
and vast Shopping Arcade! |
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(Cross the International Dateline) |
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San Francisco |
9:15 |
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Arrive at San Francisco International Airport |
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SAYONARA! |
Download Data Certification - .pdf format
Download Medical Release - .pdf format
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Jan's International Association Inc. (NPO) |