Watercolors
Cherry Blossoms in Japan
April 3 – 13, 2004
AN ARTIST’S PALETTE
Watercolor is an artistic tradition that spans the chronicles of history.
Primitive man used pigments mixed with water to create cave paintings
by applying the paint with fingers, sticks and bones. Ancient Egyptians
used water-based paints to decorate the walls of temples and tombs and
created some of the first works on paper, made of papyrus. But it was
in the Far East that the first watercolor schools became a true art
form.
In centuries past, Japanese masters painted
on silk as well as exquisite handmade paper. Their art was filled with
literary allusion and calligraphy, but the primary image was typically
a contemplative landscape. Rather than simply recreating what they saw,
the artists manipulated the landscape with controlled order and evenly
distributed detail, turning scenery into a decorative composition. One
look at a watercolor is to transport the viewer to the ancient land
of Nippon hundreds of years earlier.
Japan has certainly changed over the years,
but there is still much beauty to be found even in its modern trappings.
Tokyo gleams like a shining new modern art sculpture, with electronic
billboards painting the night sky in a wild rainbow of neon colors.
With 10 million people, Tokyo’s sheer level of energy is the most
striking aspect of Japan's capital city, yet ancient traditions exist
side-by-side with all the modern hustle and bustle, and one isn’t
surprised to see women in bright kimonos scurrying alongside dark-suited
businessmen.
Neon colors begin to soften upon leaving
Tokyo behind. Kyoto beckons with its rich shades of red, from the brick-colored
tiles on roofs to the deep mahogany hues in its unbelievable collection
of 1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, and trio of palaces. If
you're seeking the mist-shrouded enchantment of old Japan, this is the
place.
Out in the countryside, the delicate pastels
of a meticulously manicured garden and the deep green of the forests
suggest a world happily shrugging off its winter coat. And far off in
the distance, white snowcaps cling tenaciously to the top of Mt. Fuji
even as the cool mountain air begins to warm up. Springtime brings the
glorious colors of the Cherry Blossoms, a season when Japan fully blooms
into an artist’s creation.
THE ITINERARY
Saturday, April 3, 2004
Leave Home
Board an international flight from your home city bound for Tokyo,
arriving tomorrow.
Sunday, April 4, 2004
Arrival in Tokyo
Arrive at Narita/New Tokyo International Airport. After clearing customs
you will be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred to our
hotel in the colorful business and shopping district Shinjuku in west
Tokyo. This evening take a brief walk in the Shinjuku area, known for
its brilliant neon signs and countless restaurants, clubs, and shops.
Later, enjoy our Welcome Dinner at Japanese style pub. Overnight at
the Keio Plaza Intercontinental, which will be our home for the first
three days of the tour. (Dinner included)
Monday, April 5, 2004
Tokyo Sightseeing
On a sightseeing tour visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo’s
oldest, dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, and stroll through
the quaint Nakamise Arcade. In lovely Ueno Park, enjoy a hanami (meaning
“flower viewing”) party, a traditional Japanese celebration
held under the trees during Cherry Blossom season. After lunch, enjoy
a cruise on the Sumida River passing under 12 unique bridges. Returning
to our hotel, the remainder of the day is free. (Breakfast)
Tuesday, April 6, 2004
Free Day
Today is entirely free for personal exploration of Tokyo and its surrounding
environs. Some suggestions for sightseeing include the East Gardens
of the Imperial Palace, the Sumo Wrestling Museum, the Bonsai Gardens,
the Tsukiji Central Fish Market (the largest and busiest in the world)
or one of the massive indoor wave pools. Techno-geeks won’t want
to miss the Sony Building, which has every electronic gizmo ever invented
and a few yet-to-be-sold prototypes available to test in interactive
displays. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
Kamakura / Hakone
After breakfast at the hotel, depart by motorcoach for Kamakura, the
political center of Japan during the 12th and 13th centuries, and the
birthplace of samurai culture. Within the city there are 26 national
historic sights, including the Great Image of Buddah and a shrine honoring
the patron god of the samurai. Proceeding on to Hakone, ride on the
second-longest cable car system in the world over a spectacular volcanic
landscape to Owakudani Hot Spring Valley, with its bubbling mud pots
and boiling streams. Afterwards, take a leisurely cruise on Lake Ashi
for views of Mt. Fuji off in the distance. Overnight at the Hakone Palace
Hotel. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Thursday, April 8, 2004
Mt. Fuji / Kyoto
You will want to pack a day bag for personal items you want today,
while we send the rest of our luggage onward to Kyoto. After breakfast
take a sightseeing tour to Mt. Fuji, where we take time to walk on the
slopes of Japan’s most famous landmark. In the afternoon we board
a bullet train bound for Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan. Upon
arrival, check-in to our hotel and the remainder of the day is free
to explore on your own. Overnight at the Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto, our
home for three nights. (Breakfast)
Friday, April 9, 2004
Kyoto
With so many temples, shrines, and museums, Kyoto is one of the most
culturally rich cities in the world. There is no way to see it all,
but a full-day sightseeing tour will include many of the city’s
treasures. Visit the Zen Buddhist Kinkakuji Temple, Kiyomizu Shrine
(one of the country’s most important pilgrimage sites), and the
Shogunate palace of Nijo Castle. Have Japanese tea at Gion Kobu Kaburenjo,
and see a performance of Miyako Odori (traditional Japanese dance honoring
the Cherry Blossoms). The evening is free. (Breakfast)
Saturday, April 10, 2004
Nara
Today visit Nara, a beautiful and ancient cultural center cherished
by the Japanese people and one of the oldest cities in the world. Visit
Todaiji Temple (the world’s largest wooden building) and its Great
Buddah, Kasuga Shrine, and Nara-koen Park, with its herd of 1,200 deer.
Return to Kyoto in the afternoon. Take a fascinating walk along Pontocho
Street at dusk, a very narrow street lined with Geisha bars, with an
inescapably romantic Old World feel. (Breakfast)
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Hiroshima / Miyajima
Today pack an overnight bag and leave the rest of your luggage behind
at our Kyoto hotel. After breakfast, leave Kyoto on a bullet train bound
for Hiroshima, where we tour the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic
Bomb Dome. In the afternoon, cruise to Miyajima Island for dinner at
a ryokan (or traditional Japanese inn). Overnight at Miyajima Seaside
Hotel. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Monday, April 12, 2004
Return to Kyoto / Farewell Dinner
This morning take a walking tour of Miyajima island, whose famous
floating Shinto shrine gate is one of the most photographed attractions
in Japan and, with the Misen-san peak in the background, is considered
one of Japan’s “three best views.” The island has
remarkably tame deer that even wander the streets of the small town.
The ascent of Misen-san (1740 ft.) is the island’s finest walk,
although the uphill part of the round trip can be done by cable car
(optional). This afternoon board a bullet train in Hiroshima bound for
Kyoto. This evening Toto Tours hosts a Farewell Dinner at Shabu Shabu
restaurant with a view of a Japanese garden. We'll have a wonderful
celebration together as we say “sayonara” to Japan. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Departure
The tour ends officially after breakfast this morning. Arrange your
return flight home for any convenient time today. Toto Tours provides
one group departure to the Kansai International Airport near Kyoto. (Breakfast)
ACCOMMODATIONS (click hotel name to view website)
Tokyo: Keio
Plaza Intercontinental, located in the Shinjuku
area within the heart of Tokyo set against the lush backdrop of the
Imperial Gardens and the forests of the Meiji Shrine. The hotel has
11 restaurants, 9 lounges and bars, men’s sauna, karaoke rooms,
and a business center.
Hakone: Hakone
Prince Hotel is built right on the shore
of Lake Ashi, surrounded by greens of Kamiyama, and Komagatake. You
can see Mt.Fuji over Lake Ashi, and surrounding forests. Take your ease
in the open-air hot spa which has a beautiful view of the lake.
Kyoto: Kyoto
Royal Hotel is located in the heart of Kyoto,
convenient to major attractions. Hotel has 4 restaurants, 3 bars.
Miyajima: Miyajima
Seaside Hotel is a ryokan (Japanese style hotel)
on the Suginoura shore on the island of Miyajima, with a restaurant,
beach front, and a beautiful stretch of pine grove.
TOUR PREPARATION
Entry Requirements—For citizens of the United
States and Canada, all you need is a valid passport for travel to Japan
for stays less than 90 days.
Immunizations—None are required, but it is wise
to have your inoculations up to date. Is your tetanus booster current?
Exit Requirements—Any departure taxes should
be included in the purchase cost of all airline tickets.
WHAT TO BRING
In order to avoid having to lug around several huge pieces of heavy
luggage, try to pack clothing which can be layered, worn repeatedly
and put together in mix-’n’-match fashion. The weather will
be cool with daily high and low temperatures ranging between 44 to 64
degrees F in most areas we visit. Be sure to bring a jacket, sweater,
hat and gloves (for the Mt. Fuji walk).
Suggested Packing List:
____ Proof of citizenship. Passport.
____ Comfy walking shoes .
____ Shirts (7 or 8) long-sleeved are best.
____ Long pants (5 or 6 pairs) either blue jeans, or casual slacks.
____ Sunscreen / lip balm.
____ Sunglasses / sun hat with tie-on.
____ Waterproof shoes & rain jacket.
____ Personal toiletries (anti-diarrhea stuff!)
____ Swimsuit.
____ Camera, film, batteries, digital memory.
____ Ziploc Bags—small for papers, large for wet clothes.
____ Sweater, gloves, hat, scarf.
____ A good book for the long flights.
MONEY MATTERS
The unit of Japanese currency is the yen. Coins are available in denominations
of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen and bank notes in denominations of
1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen. Travelers Checks are accepted by
leading banks, hotels, ryokan (Japanese inns) and stores in major cities.
International credit cards such as American Express, VISA, Diners Club
and MasterCard are also acceptable at these major establishments. However,
Credit card transactions are not always convenient outside big cities
so obtaining cash beforehand is recommended when you travel to the countryside.
Most ATMs accept bank debit cards but not credit cards. As of October
6, 2003, the interbank exchange rate was 111 Yen to the U.S. $1.00.
Taxes and Tipping—Japan has a 5% consumer tax.
If you eat at expensive restaurants you will encounter a service charge
of 10% to 15%. A local tax of 5% is added for restaurant bills exceeding
5000 yen, so it may be cheaper to ask for separate bills.
There is little tipping or bargaining in Japan.
Bargaining is largely restricted to flea markets (where anything goes)
and discount electronics districts (where a polite request will often
bring the price down by around 10%). We will give a collective tip to
our guides and drivers at the conclusion of each group excursion. Budget
about $50 U.S. each day for out-of-pocket expenses.
LIABILITIES / DISCLAIMERS
Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent
to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole
or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness,
medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person
from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard
liability form.
The tour operators reserve the right to
accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and
to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed
departure with a minimum of 10 participants.
Toto Tours is not responsible for
airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour
participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the
tour is a confirmed departure. It may be necessary to charge a supplement
if the interbank exchange rate falls below 100 Yen per Dollar prior
to departure.
To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations”
link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the
form, sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $500 deposit check. The
balance of $2,995 (double) or $3,595 (single) is due 80 days prior to
departure (by January 14, 2004). Tour registration is not complete until
we have received both the form and your deposit check.
Toto Tours does not accept credit cards
as a form of payment. An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address
is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753.
Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.
THE TOTO SPIRIT
Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences different from tours
in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even encourages)
you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified by certain
traits. They are:
- fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and positive outlook.
- good natured realists who accept situations as they exist;
- undaunted by the unexpected, like an occasional delay or bad weather;
- willing to forego some amenities we normally take for granted;
- eager to try new things and test limits;
- punctual
- not whiners!
We look forward to sampling the springtime colors of Japan with you!
If you have any questions, please call us at: 800-565-1241.
THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)
Price: $3,495 double occupancy
Private Room: $ 600 extra, if available. (Not required.
Toto Tours can match you with a roommate if you are traveling alone
and prefer to share a room.)
Deposit: $500
Final Payment: $2,995 double / $3,595 single
Final Payment Due: January 14, 2004
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this
date.)
Included: One group transfer from Airport to Hotel
at beginning of tour in Tokyo, one group transfer from Hotel to Airport
at end of tour in Kyoto; all train and coach ground transfers within
Japan; fully guided and escorted tour; all guided excursions except
those listed as “optional”; meals and accommodations as
listed in the itinerary.
Not Included: Round-trip air transportation to Tokyo
and returning from Kyoto; meals and other items not specifically covered
in the itinerary; insurance; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; bottled
water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; or any other expenses of a personal
nature. Tips to drivers / guides are not included.
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