Blaze of Glory
Autumn Colors in Japan
November 1 - 10, 2005

THE FULLNESS OF TIME

Autumn leaves, called “kouyou” in Japanese, have featured prominently in Japanese arts and crafts (with the possible exception of sword making). You can find them embroidered on kimono, painted on folding screens and lacquer ware, and highlighted in poetry, prose and drama. They are appreciated for much more than just their beauty, however. They also serve as a metaphor for fullness and mortality. In haiku, the moon, the autumn wind, frost, cicadas, chestnuts, chrysanthemums, wild yams, and matsutake mushrooms are just a few of the many seasonal keywords used to conjure up Fall and its connotations of completion and finality.
     Japan has a particularly deep tradition of appreciating Fall foliage. The practice of momiji-gari, or “searching for red leaves,” is as old as Japan, or perhaps even older. The word derives from momizu (“to dye red”), and gari (“hunting”), although over the centuries, momizu has changed to momiji, or “maple.” In the courtly Heian era, one thousand years ago, momiji-gari was one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year. Kimono-clad nature lovers swapped verse while enjoying the scenery. As with many traditional Japanese festivals, it was also an excuse for drunken revels, although that tradition is more faithfully preserved during cherry-blossom viewing.
     Having visited Japan to admire the Cherry Blossoms in April, 2004, Toto Tours returns this Autumn to celebrate the country’s other colorful season, reveling in the glories of Autumn foliage. We begin in Kyoto, cultural capital of old Nippon, and head into the Japanese Alps to see ancient villages and hidden valleys wrapped fully in a brilliant cloak of seasonal colors.
     This tour focuses on getting out into nature, and seeing some amazing historical and natural sights off the beaten tourist path. Finally, the forest colors will explode into vibrant neon as we end our journey in the bright nighttime lights of Tokyo. The brilliant Fall colors in Japan will inspire your senses with the urgency of an artist’s vision, as the maple trees paint the countryside. There is no better way to appreciate the ancient, honored tradition of celebrating the passing of time than joining with a group of fellow travelers along the road of life to marvel at a true wonder of nature.

ITINERARY

Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Leave Home

Board an international flight from your home city bound for Osaka, Japan, arriving tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Arrival in Kyoto

Arrive at Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. After clearing customs you will be met by an English-speaking tour associate who will assist with your transfer to Kyoto via the Japan Railways Limited Express Haruka Line. Upon arrival, check-in to our hotel, and the afternoon is free. This evening Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at a nearby restaurant. Our city-center hotel will be home for the first four nights of the tour.     (Dinner included)

Thursday, November 3, 2005
Kyoto Sightseeing

After breakfast, take the subway to begin a sightseeing tour of Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan. 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 this full-day sightseeing tour will include many of the city’s treasures, including the Shoganate palace of Nijo Castle and the Heian Shrine. Following lunch (on your own), enjoy Japanese tea at Gion Kobu Kaburenjo, and see a performance of Gion Odori (traditional Japanese dance and music) to celebrate the Fall colors. Walk back through the Gion Hanamachi (one of the city’s five entertainment districts) to our hotel, and the remainder of the evening is free.     (Breakfast)

Friday, November 4, 2005
Kyoto

On a second day of sightseeing visit the Golden Pavillion, the lakeside shrine which is one of Kyoto’s most famous sites, and the Ryoanji Temple and its 15th century gardens. Following lunch (on your own), walk through the Higashiyama district and see the country’s most important pilgrimage site, the Kiyomizu Temple. Upon return to our hotel in the afternoon, the remainder of the day is free for personal exploration.     (Breakfast)

Saturday, November 5, 2005
Free Day

Today is completely free to explore Kyoto on your own. This is a perfect opportunity to take an optional tour to Koyosan, one of the newest of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. This monastic complex, dating back 1,200 years, is the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism, set in a dense cedar forest bordered by more than half a million grave markers. We will organize this expedition to Koyosan for those who want to see it.     (Breakfast)

Sunday, November 6, 2005
Yamanaka Onsen

Pack an overnight bag for today, as the rest of our luggage will be sent ahead and won’t be accessible until tomorrow. After breakfast take a train to Kanazawa, along the Sea of Japan. This city largely escaped the destructive bombing raids during World War II, so its ancient sites survived in very good considtion. Visit the Kenrokuen Garden, Japan’s most famous landscape garden, and the Myoruji (Ninja) Temple. Continue on to Yamanaka Onsen, a quaint little mountain village known for its hot springs, where we spend the evening. Enjoy a Japanese style dinner at our hotel and perhaps an evening plunge into Hot Spring Heaven.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Monday, November 7, 2005
Takayama / Hida

After breakfast travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawago, a remote valley village in a beech forest of 150 thatched roofed farmhouses, dating back to the 16th century. Continue on to Takayama, the “town that time forgot” nestled in the Japanese Alps. Since the town is snowed in during the winter, modernization has had less effect here than in major cities, making this quaint alpine town as close to Old Japan as you are likely to find. A walking tour includes the Yoshijima Heritage House, Kusakabe Folk Craft Meseum, Takayama Yatai Kaikan (the festival float hall) and Lion Mask Gallery.     (Breakfast)

Tuesday, November 8, 2005
Hida / Mt. Shinhodaka

This morning visit the Hida Folk Village, an open air museum exhibiting over 30 typical farmhouses and other traditional buildings in the mountainous district of Gifu Prefecture around Takayama. Continue on to Mt. Shinhodaka, where we take the ropeway (cable car) up to the summit for amazing views of the beautiful Fall foliage on the surrounding hills.     (Breakfast)

Wednesday, November 9, 2005
On to Tokyo / Farewell Dinner

Today is a travel day, taking a train to enjoy the views of the passing countryside from the Gifu Prefecture on to Japan’s capital Tokyo. Arriving mid-afternoon, we check in at our hotel in the Shinjuku entertainment district. This evening Toto Tours hosts a Farewell Dinner as we say “sayonara” to Japan.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Thursday, November 10, 2005
Departure

The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. Arrange your return flight home for any convenient time today. The hotel provides an airport limousine bus, and this mode of transportation is included in your tour price. If you would like to extend your stay to explore Tokyo, we will be happy to arrange the extra nights’ accommodations at our conveniently located hotel.     (Breakfast)