Say HAI to...A Cultural Tour to Japan

Say HAI...to a Cultural Tour to Japan!

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Day

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Tokyo:

This morning we will be greeted at Tokyo International

Airport by our tour leader and escorted to our hotel.

After check in we will have a group meeting

the following day’ activities followed by lunch. This

afternoon we will set out to explore this

city visiting the Akihabara District

amazing array of electronic shops, department stores

and information technology exhibition outlets

showcasing the cutting edge of the global electronics

technology industry. En route today we w

famed as the centre of the Manga

who dress up in costume imitating their favorite cartoon and fantasy characters. Many young teenagers

who hang out here spend hours preparing their costumes, hair and makeup and enjoy being

photographed, most often on Sunday afternoons. After a delicious Tokyo

visit check-in to our central hotel, heading out again later this evening to enjoy the bri

city’s Shinjuku/ Shibuya districts.

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In contrast to our first day’s exploration of modern Japan, today we step back in time to see the Japan of

days past. Our first stop will be the Tokyo National Museum feat

art and archeological artifacts from around Northeast Asia, made up of over 110,000 items including

nearly a hundred national treasures. At any one time about 4,000 items from the permanent museum

collection are on display including ancient Japanese art, ceramics, Buddhist sculptures and a fine display

of swords.

Following this we will cross the city to the see the impressive Tokyo Imperial Palace located on the

former site of Edo Hill. This Place is still home to J

Tsukiji Fish Market. This is the largest fish and seafood market in the world located in the city centre of

Tsukiji District. This market handles over 2,000 tons of sea products a day a

and huge fish available. The market has a busy atmosphere and is made up of 2 sections, the outer

market with its restaurants and seafood retailers and the inner market with restricted access to licensed


Date: TBA │ Duration: 8 Nights / 9 Days

Proposed Day Wise Itinerary

Program

Tokyo: Dinner

morning we will be greeted at Tokyo International

Airport by our tour leader and escorted to our hotel.

After check in we will have a group meeting to discuss

activities followed by lunch. This

on we will set out to explore this intriguing

city visiting the Akihabara District – home to most

amazing array of electronic shops, department stores

and information technology exhibition outlets

showcasing the cutting edge of the global electronics

technology industry. En route today we will also visit Chuo Dori

Manga and Anime pop culture phenomenon, played out by Japanese youth


ours preparing their costumes, hair and makeup and enjoy being

photographed, most often on Sunday afternoons. After a delicious Tokyo-style lunch we will later today

in to our central hotel, heading out again later this evening to enjoy the bri

districts.

Tokyo: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


days past. Our first stop will be the Tokyo National Museum featuring the largest and best collections of



display including ancient Japanese art, ceramics, Buddhist sculptures and a fine display


former site of Edo Hill. This Place is still home to Japan’s imperial family today. The original Palace was

built on this site in 1888, was destroyed during

World War 2 and rebuilt shortly afterwards in

exactly the same style. Strolling around the

outer palace we can see the larger plaza

entrance way, the 2 bridges leading to the

inner palace grounds and the stone ‘eyeglass’

bridge. While here our local guide will explain

the role of the Imperial family in society today

and days gone by. The inner section of the

Palace is usually off limits and is only open to

the public 2 days a year.

This afternoon we visit the


Tsukiji District. This market handles over 2,000 tons of sea products a day and has a large array of rare



Street,

pop culture phenomenon, played out by Japanese youth


ours preparing their costumes, hair and makeup and enjoy being

style lunch we will later today

in to our central hotel, heading out again later this evening to enjoy the bright lights of the


uring the largest and best collections of



display including ancient Japanese art, ceramics, Buddhist sculptures and a fine display


apan’s imperial family today. The original Palace was

built on this site in 1888, was destroyed during

World War 2 and rebuilt shortly afterwards in

exactly the same style. Strolling around the

outer palace we can see the larger plaza

ridges leading to the

inner palace grounds and the stone ‘eyeglass’

bridge. While here our local guide will explain

the role of the Imperial family in society today

and days gone by. The inner section of the

Palace is usually off limits and is only open to

the public 2 days a year.

This afternoon we visit the exotic smelling


nd has a large array of rare




Date

wholesalers and tuna fish auctions that are held every morning. The Japanese diet is heavily

fish and the importance of fish markets in Tokyo and around

the country dates back centuries.

We end our day with a Japanese tea ceremony at a nearby

teahouse. Here we have the chance to learn the culture of

drinking tea and also try local confectionery. Alternatively we

may enjoy a hands-on sushi making demonstration hosted by

a talented sushi chef where you will also have the chance to

make your own sushi.

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Following breakfast we visit National Museum of Nature and Science where we spend the morning

exploring many of the galleries. Galleries cover the history of the Japanese people who migrated from

the mainland of Asia some 40,000 years ago, to rare animal species on the outlying islands of Japan and

extinct animal species ranging from small fossils to complete dinosaur skeletons. Two exhibitions of

particular interest to visiting student groups will be a fascin

back hundreds of years and the Modern Global Environmental Detector exhibit that shows the ever

changing geology of the planet with many real time interactive displays for students to get involved with.

This is of particular relevance to Japan as it is situated on the Asia Pacific tectonic plate susceptible to

earthquakes and tsunamis with a densely populated country.

After lunch we take a visit to a local martial arts training school to try our hand, and feet, at

Japanese Kabuki opera. This ancient form of opera dates back c

traditional folklore and legends recently revived.

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After breakfast we make a visit to the Tokyo Tower building and take the elevators up to the viewing

platform to reveal spectacular 360 degree views

head to the train station for our bullet train bound south to the cultural city of Kyoto. The bullet train in

Japan is admired by most countries in the world for its speed and efficiency. The journey

approximately 2.5 hours, set you shutter speeds on your cameras to

hour.



sh auctions that are held every morning. The Japanese diet is heavily

fish and the importance of fish markets in Tokyo and around

the country dates back centuries.

We end our day with a Japanese tea ceremony at a nearby

chance to learn the culture of

drinking tea and also try local confectionery. Alternatively we

on sushi making demonstration hosted by

a talented sushi chef where you will also have the chance to

Tokyo: Dinner



of Asia some 40,000 years ago, to rare animal species on the outlying islands of Japan and


particular interest to visiting student groups will be a fascinating section on Japanese inventions dating



f particular relevance to Japan as it is situated on the Asia Pacific tectonic plate susceptible to

earthquakes and tsunamis with a densely populated country.

After lunch we take a visit to a local martial arts training school to try our hand, and feet, at

students will have the chance to learn some basic

skills from instructors before trying out their

newly learned grappling and throwing techniques

in a short course.

Later afternoon we take part in a hands

cooking class and demonstration wher

will teach us some of the many secrets of

delicate Japanese cooking. We will cook our own

dinner tonight. An alternative to the cooking

class is to take in an evening performance of

Japanese Kabuki opera. This ancient form of opera dates back centuries and gives a glimpse into

traditional folklore and legends recently revived.

Tokyo to Kyoto: Breakfast, Lunch


platform to reveal spectacular 360 degree views of the city. We then return to our hotel, check out and


Japan is admired by most countries in the world for its speed and efficiency. The journey

approximately 2.5 hours, set you shutter speeds on your cameras to fast as we travel nearly 250km an

sh auctions that are held every morning. The Japanese diet is heavily based on



of Asia some 40,000 years ago, to rare animal species on the outlying islands of Japan and


ating section on Japanese inventions dating



f particular relevance to Japan as it is situated on the Asia Pacific tectonic plate susceptible to

After lunch we take a visit to a local martial arts training school to try our hand, and feet, at Judo. Here

students will have the chance to learn some basic

skills from instructors before trying out their

newly learned grappling and throwing techniques

Later afternoon we take part in a hands-on

cooking class and demonstration where our host

will teach us some of the many secrets of

delicate Japanese cooking. We will cook our own

An alternative to the cooking

class is to take in an evening performance of

enturies and gives a glimpse into


of the city. We then return to our hotel, check out and


Japan is admired by most countries in the world for its speed and efficiency. The journey will take us

as we travel nearly 250km an


Date

Upon arrival in Kyoto we transfer to our hotel

and slow down our pace considerably from

frenetic Tokyo. Kyoto served as Japans capital

and the emperors residence from 794 until 1868

but is today only the 7th

largest city in the

country and a population of just 1.5 million

residents. Over the centuries Kyoto was

destroyed many times by wars and fires, but due

to its historic value the city was dropped from

the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and

spared from bombing raids during World War II. Today countless temples, shrines and other historic

priceless structures survive in the city. We just have time to stroll around the streets c

start to get a feel for the city

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Kyoto: Breakfast, Lunch

What better way to being our time in Kyoto than by taking a

traditional leisurely rickshaw ride past intriguing wooden

buildings and stone alleys in Kyoto’s famed Higashiyama

area. On our journey we will get a real feel for this hist

city as our guide explains the signif

town. We then switch from rickshaw to bicycle and saddle

up ourselves for a bicycle ride through the Sagno area where

we will pass open fields, old temples and quaint residential

There are numerous wooden machiya merchant houses all with purposely designed narrow and long

architecture to avoid the land taxes in the past.

Many of the tea houses in Gion are entertained by geisha ladies of which we will see several strolling

around the streets in their traditional costumes and white painted faces and have the history of Geisha

explained to us.

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This morning we visit the Kyoto Nat

museums. The museum’s permanent collection

calligraphy, costumes and paintings. It is housed in the spacious galleries of the Heisei Chish

building designed by Taniguchi Yoshio and opened in 2014.



Upon arrival in Kyoto we transfer to our hotel

and slow down our pace considerably from

frenetic Tokyo. Kyoto served as Japans capital

nd the emperors residence from 794 until 1868

largest city in the

country and a population of just 1.5 million

residents. Over the centuries Kyoto was

destroyed many times by wars and fires, but due

was dropped from

the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and


priceless structures survive in the city. We just have time to stroll around the streets c

Breakfast, Lunch

being our time in Kyoto than by taking a

traditional leisurely rickshaw ride past intriguing wooden

buildings and stone alleys in Kyoto’s famed Higashiyama

area. On our journey we will get a real feel for this hist oric

city as our guide explains the significance of the old part of

town. We then switch from rickshaw to bicycle and saddle

up ourselves for a bicycle ride through the Sagno area where

we will pass open fields, old temples and quaint residential

areas. We call in on Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple to

about the significance of Buddhism in Japan and visit an

attractive preserved town close by.

This afternoon we visit a local school on the outskirts of the

city to learn about the Japanese education system and have

a chance to interact with local students. Whilst here we will

join in on an English speaking class learn some elementary

Japanese. It is suggested visiting students prepare in

advance a cultural performance to perform shortly before

we farewell the school.

Mid to late afternoon we head to G

its geisha and laden with shops, restaurants and tea houses.


architecture to avoid the land taxes in the past.

ion are entertained by geisha ladies of which we will see several strolling


Kyoto: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we visit the Kyoto National Museum one of the country’s oldest and most distinguished

permanent collection includes archaeological relics, sculptures, ceramics,

calligraphy, costumes and paintings. It is housed in the spacious galleries of the Heisei Chish

building designed by Taniguchi Yoshio and opened in 2014.


priceless structures survive in the city. We just have time to stroll around the streets close to our hotel to

areas. We call in on Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple to learn

about the significance of Buddhism in Japan and visit an

This afternoon we visit a local school on the outskirts of the

city to learn about the Japanese education system and have

dents. Whilst here we will

join in on an English speaking class learn some elementary

Japanese. It is suggested visiting students prepare in

advance a cultural performance to perform shortly before

Mid to late afternoon we head to Gion District famous for

its geisha and laden with shops, restaurants and tea houses.


ion are entertained by geisha ladies of which we will see several strolling


ional Museum one of the country’s oldest and most distinguished

includes archaeological relics, sculptures, ceramics,

calligraphy, costumes and paintings. It is housed in the spacious galleries of the Heisei Chishinkan, a



6 This afternoon we visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace located in the Imperial Park to see where the Emperors

of Japan once rules the country for nearly 900 years. The complex is enclosed by long walls consisting of

several gates, halls and gardens and there is even an enthronement ceremony room where recent

Emperors held their coronation ceremonies. After the Palace visit we walk out into the Imperial Park to

see the impressive Kaninnomiya Mansion a former residence for court nobles.

Later in the day we take a leisurely cultural walking tour through the Higashiyama District

between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine visiting the various temples, shrines and shops along the way.

We will particularly enjoy walking beyond Yasaka Shrine past Chionin and Shorenin Temples to Heian

Shrine, and possibly even further via Nanzenji and the Philosopher Path to Ginkakuji Temple. Time

permitting we may also visit Zohiko where the best lacquer ware shop is located complete with its own

museum where we will learn the process of this labour intensive art.

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Kyoto – Hiroshima: Breakfast, Lunch

We farewell Kyoto and once again take the efficient train service heading 315km further down the

country to the city of Hiroshima. It is here that we will take a close up look at one of the most tragic

event of World War II, and in fact one of the most single tragic acts in human history- the dropping of

the first atomic bomb on this city in August 1945 killing and injuring an estimated 130,000. The dropping

of the ‘A-Bomb’ on Hiroshima (and shortly afterwards Nagasaki) was approved by the American military

forces with the intention of bringing World War II to a close as fast as possible and preventing the need

for American soldiers to invade the Japanese mainland and carry out further mass bombing raids which

would have very likely caused even more deaths and dragged the war on for months.

Students will spend their time in this city learning about this historic event, the need for peace and



reconciliation as well as the human determination to rebuild this city. We will do this by firstly visiting

ground zero directly below where the bomb was detonated and stroll through the Hiroshima Peace

Memorial Park that was once the site of the city’s political and commercial heart. We visit one of the

very few remaining building still standing in the initial blast zone called the A-Bomb Dome that still has

an eerie feeling to it as it stands alone. We will take a thorough tour of the moving Hiroshima Peace

Memorial Museum to learn more details of the long lasting effects of the bomb, see relics that survived

(or partially melted) in the blast and even see walls with shadows of people etched into those walls that

were simply vaporized. Our guide will help explain the events and also talk to us about how the United

States has helped to rebuild Japan post war years and provided the conditions to help turn it into an

economic superpower being the third largest economy in the world only behind the United States and

China.

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Hiroshima / Osaka:Breakfast, Lunch

After a late checkout we travel by train to our final destination – Osaka. Osaka is the third largest cities in

the country and the second most important being an economic power house for centuries. This

afternoon we visit Osaka Castle that was first built in 1583 and over the centuries was modified and

added to. In 1660, lightning ignited the gunpowder warehouse and the resulting explosion set the castle

on fire. In 1665, lightning struck and burnt down the main tower. In 1843, after decades of neglect, the

castle received much-needed repairs when the bakufu collected money from the people of the region to

rebuild several of the turrets. During World War II, the weapons arsenal on site here became one of the

largest military armories in the country employing 60,000 workers. American bombing raids targeting

the arsenal damaged the castle tower and, on August 14, 1945, dropped bombs destroyed 90% of the

arsenal and killed 382 people working there.

We next head to the Osaka International Peace Centre. This museum focuses on the destruction of the

Osaka City during World War II and the broader themes of the tragedy of war and the importance of

peace. There is a large section on U.S. air raids over Osaka Prefecture between December 1944 and

August 1945. The museum originally showed the atrocities committed by Japan’s military actions in Asia

but they were later were removed. Other exhibits include Japanese domestic life during World War II,

civil defence, why Japans waged war on the U.S., Osaka after the war and what all of us can do to



maintain peace.

After dinner we take a trip to Tsutenkaku Tower build in 1912 to see spectacular panoramic views of the

city. We head up to the 5th

floor viewing platform. This tower is popular with the locals and it is

supposed to represent the New World. The unique design is a cross between the Eiffel Tower and the

Arch Du Triumph in Paris.

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Depart Osaka: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we head to the airport and wave farewell to our tour leader as we board the return flight

home.

Education

Say HAI to...A Cultural Tour to Japan