Highlights of Korea and Japan Autumn Leaves Special Tour 12 days 11 nights us$3098. 00 Tour Start Dates: 2012

Highlights of Korea and Japan - Autumn Leaves Special Tour

12 days 11 nights

US$3098.00

Tour Start Dates:  2012 - 10/30

2013 -

All prices are per person, based on double or triple occupancy. International flights are not included on our tours - this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money! We can arrange international flights for US customers if needed, please ask for details.

TOUR COST INCLUDES: 10 nights Western style hotel, 1 night Japanese style ryokan Meet and greet upon arrival at Incheon Airport & Osaka Kansai Airport Airport transfers on arrival and departure Private luxury coach transfers between destinations in Korea & Japan Full time, professional English speaking tour guide Gratuities Meals Breakfast everyday 8 lunches and 6 dinners Admission fees and activities Entry fees to sites, gardens, and museums listed in the itinerary Kimchi Making, Nanta "Cookin" Show Bullet Train Ride Experience Sumida River Cruise Nishijin Kimono Show, Green Tea Ceremony Hakone Ropeway Sagano Romantic Train Ride TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: International airfares Meals that are not included in the itinerary Travel insurance Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills

ITINERARY

Day 01: Incheon Airport

Welcome to Korea! Our tour guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel.

Overnight: Ambassador Hotel or similar class

Day 02: Andong (Andong Hahoe Village), Gyeongju (Gyeongju National Museum)

Start your tour of Korea with a visit to the traditional Andong Hahoe Village, a UNESCO Heritage site. Popularly known as the birth of Korea's Confucianism, the place is being preserved for it's thatched-roof houses and villages. This picturesque village is also known for it's mask dance. Should time / weather permits, one can enjoy the traditional performance amidst the picturesque surroundings.

After, we transfer to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty for the Gyeongju National Museum. Divided into 3 main halls & an outdoor garden exhibit area, the museum showcases mainly ancient Korean Archaeology found in the area. The artifacts range from prehistoric times to the Three Kingdom Period, as well as items buried with the Royalties in the Tombs of Cheongmacheon area.

Overnight:_Gyeongju_Kolon_or_similar_class___Meals:_Breakfast,_Lunch__Dinner__Day_03:_Gyeongju'>Overnight: Gyeongju Kolon or similar class

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03: Gyeongju (UNESCO site Bulguksa & Seokkuram Grotto / Cheomseongdae)

This morning, we visit the UNESCO preserved site of Bulguksa Temple. Built in year 528, the name of the temple is literally translated as "Temple of Buddha's Land" or "Buddha's World Temple". It aims to realize the blissfulness of the Buddhist scriptures where the mortal being's suffering is being released. The steps leading to the temple being called the "Blue Cloud Bridge" & "White Cloud Bridge" as well as the decorative elements in the architecture are all symbolic of the temple's name.

This afternoon, visit the Seokkuram Grotto, a small and quaint temple which houses an elegant but majestic statute of Buddha. Despite it's size, the exquisiteness of the temple's architecture suggest that it was being used by the Royalty and nobilities in ancient time.

Our last stop for the day is the Cheomseongdae, the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia.

Overnight: Daegu Grand or similar class

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04: Seoul (Gyeongbuk Palace / Drive Pass Presidential Blue House / Cheongwadae Sarangchae or Presidential Museum / Namdaemun Market / Dongdaemun Market)

We head back to Seoul for the Gyeongbuk Palace, the main and grandest of the five palaces. Construction started in 1300's and in the 1400's its beauty flourished. Unfortunately, few fires destroyed it and eventually it was burnt down during the Japanese occupation. It was reconstructed several times since and now brought back to its former glory. Enjoy your walk in the palace grounds as your guide brief you through the various building. Next, we drive pass the Presidential Blue House, home to the current President of Korea. Please note that no photography is allowed. Next, we visit the Presidential's Museum, set up in 2010 to co-incide with APEC meeting held in Seoul the same year. The museum encompasses the past, present and the future of Seoul as well as the entire Korea. This afternoon, brace yourself for shopping delight as your prowl the streets of popular Namdaemun (South Gate Market) and Dongdaemun (East Gate Market)

Overnight: Ambassador Hotel or similar class

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05: Seoul (Kimchi Making & Photography in Hanbok / Jogyesa / Insa-Dong Antique Streets / Nanta "Cookin" Show / Itaewon)

This morning, try your hands on making the zesty Korean dish, the Kimchi! You will be taught the method by an instructor with ingredients provided. Don't forget your camera here as you can also try on traditional Korean costumes, the Hanbok and capture them photo for memories. The Jogyesa is considered the "head temple" of Buddhist temples in Korea. From here, walk the streets of Insa-Dong, often considered the "Mary's Alley of Seoul" or antique streets. The traditional buildings and wide array of traditional souvenirs are absolutely mesmerizing. This evening, enjoy a local production that has garnered world acclamation. The Nanta "Cookin" Show is celebrating it's 14th year of showbiz. A non-verbal comedy, the production showcases traditional drumming skills in a lighthearted kitchen scene and instead of drumstick, they'll thrill you with pots, pans and knives! This evening, visit the popular Itaewon for your last minute shopping.

Overnight: Ambassador Hotel or similar class

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 06: Incheon Airport, Osaka Kansai Airport

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Japan. Upon arrival Osaka, our tour guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel. Free for leisure at the afternoon.

Overnight: Nikko Kansai Airport Hotel or similar class

Meals: Breakfast

Day 07: Osaka (Osaka Castle), Kyoto (Kiyomizu Temple / Kodaiji Temple & Garden / Greentea Ceremony)

In the morning we will travel to Osaka by private coach. We will visit Osaka Castle, whose construction began in 1583 on the ruins of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple. The castle was the largest of its time and played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century. From Osaka, our coach departs to Kyoto, a historical city that was spared from air raids and atomic bomb for its cultural and historical value during World War II. We will experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and visit the famous Kiymizu Temple and the Kodaiji Temple. Kodaiji Temple was constructed in 1605 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi by the great political leader's wife. Besides fine temple halls, it features a small bamboo grove and a landscape garden with tea houses, designed by leading, contemporary masters. We will stay two nights in Kyoto.

Overnight: Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 08: Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Shrine / Nishijin Kimono Show / Golden Pavilion / Arashiyama - Torroko Train Ride - Togetsu Bridge - Bamboo Grove / Gion)

Today we will continue our tour in Kyoto, once the capital of Japan and still considered its cultural center. First is a visit to the stunning vermilion colored Fushimi Inari Shrine, whose 4km long tunnel of scarlet torii gates was featured in the film Memoirs of a Geisha. This complex wraps around a bamboo wilderness that includes mountains, streams, and ponds, the perfect backdrop for a scenic hike. At the Nishijin Textile Center, you can view displays of kimonos and even watch a kimono fashion show. Visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) covered with 18 carat gold leaf. This three story structure was originally built by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. Next is a visit to Arashiyama to admire its famous Togetsu Bridge and bamboo grove, and enjoy views of the valley from the Sagano Romantic Train. This area is also famous for their colorful autumn leaves. Lastly, we will tour Gion, the old Geisha Quarter, and Pontocho, whose cobblestone alleys vibrate with night life.

Overnight: Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 09: Nara (Todaiji Temple / Deer Park), Iga Ueno (Iga Ninja Museum), Toyota (Toyota Kaikan Museum), Bullet Train Ride Experience

After breakfast, we will proceed to Nara, the oldest capital city of Japan. We will visit Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in Japan. The temple also houses the largest bronze statue of Buddha at 16.3 meters high, and the surrounding park is filled with over 1,000 Sika Deer. From Nara, our coach departs to Iga Ueno to visit the ninja museum. Here you can explore a ninja residence with revolving walls, trap doors, and hidden compartments. Visit the exhibition halls displaying ninja tools, gadgets, and weapons and watch a demonstration of ninja skills and real weapons. We will then continue to Toyota Kaikan Museum, which has displays of Toyota's new car models and technologies. Next, experience a Shinkansen bullet train ride, which can reach speeds of up to 300 km/hr. We will stay at the Onsen Ryokan at Atami Onsen, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a spa bath and feast on a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Overnight: Atami New Akao Hotel or similar class

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Hakone (Hakone Ropeway / Owakudani), Mt Fuji, Tokyo (Shinjuku)

After enjoying a Japanese breakfast at the ryokan, we will travel to Hakone and take a 20 minute ropeway from Togendai to Owakundani. Much of the area here is considered an active volcanic zone since its creation from the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. There, you can experience hot springs and hot rivers, where sulfurous fumes still linger. Owakundani also has splendid views of Mount Fuji in good weather. From Hakone we will proceed to Mt. Fuji on our private luxury coach. Along the way, enjoy the changing scenery, from thick vegetation to lowlands to rolling clouds. We will stop at Mt. Fuji 5th station (depending on weather) to admire the world famous peak. In the afternoon we will travel to Tokyo. Our last visit for this day is Shinjuku, Japan's largest and wildest red light district, with department stores, subterranean malls, and electronic shops surrounding the Shinjuku Station.

Overnight: Tokyo Dome Hotel or similar class

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 11: Tokyo (Tokyo Tower / Imperial Palace / Ginza / Sumida River Cruise / Asakusa Sensoji Temple / Odaiba)

In the morning you will be taken to Tokyo Tower, the world's tallest self supporting steel tower. At 333 meters high, Tokyo Tower is 13 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower. We will go up 150 meters to the main observatory deck and get a bird's eye view of Tokyo. On a clear day you can see Mount Fuji in the distance. Next is a visit to the Imperial Palace, the former site of Edo Castle. In the heart of the city, you can explore the park, surrounded by moats and stone fortifications. Then we will proceed to Ginza for Tokyo's most famous shopping, dinning, and entertainment district, which features designer department stores, boutiques, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and night clubs. In the afternoon, board a cruise ship at Hinode Pier for a 40 minute ride along the Sumida River to Asakusa. At the Nakamise walkway, you can peruse the many stores that lead to Tokyo's oldest and most famous Buddhist Temple, Sensoji Temple. We will travel to the man made island of Odaiba and see cutting edge architecture, as well as the night view of Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge.

Overnight: Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu or similar class

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

NOTE: If you wish to stay extra nights post-tour, we can arrange for you to stay at Tokyo Dome Hotel instead of Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu for an additional $50 for the last night.

Day 12: Tour End

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am and Narita Airport can be reached by hotel shuttle bus.

NOTE : If you would like to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.

Meals: Breakfast

All Japan Tours LLC

4058 E. Cottage Paseo, Ontario, California 91761, USA

Toll Free: 1-800-490-5728 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

www.alljapantours.com