Bonsai Tour
8-18 February 2009

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Entry to the Kokufu Bonsai-ten – the biggest annual bonsai event in Japan
• Visit to Kinashi Bonsai Village – the largest Bonsai village in Japan (with over 270 gardens)
• Visit to Omiya Bonsai Village – a Bonsai village near Tokyo
• Guided tours of Kyoto, Tokyo and Nara
• Visit to Korakuen – one of Japan’s top 3 most celebrated gardens
• Travel on Japan’s famous Bullet Train
• 9 nights hotel accommodation (4 nights Kyoto, 4 nights Tokyo and 1 night Okayama)
• Japanese Breakfast daily
• Welcome Dinner on first night of arrival and Farewell Dinner on the last night
• Scheduled return non-stop Economy class flights with Japan Airlines
• Airport transfers from Osaka Airport to Kyoto on arrival and from Tokyo to Narita Airport (Tokyo New International) on departure
• Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journey’s guide throughout

Days 1-2: UK-Japan
Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Kansai International Airport (Osaka). Transfer by private coach to your hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy a welcome dinner on your first night.

Day 3: Kyoto
After breakfast, depart on a full day tour of Kyoto by private coach. Visit the beautiful Temple and gardens of the Golden Pavilion and then experience a series of Zen Buddhist rock gardens at Daitoku-ji Temple*. Then on to the Kyoto Handicraft Centre where you have time to have lunch and browse a multitude of craft shops. Visit the stunning Kiyomizu Temple perched on the slopes of a hillside.

Day 4: Kinashi Bonsai Village/Okayama
You'll need to pack a small overnight bag for tonight as we spend one night in Okayama (The rest of your baggage remains in Kyoto). After checking out of the hotel in the morning, we travel westward on the Bullet Train to Shikoku - the smallest and least explored of Japan's 4 main islands. Here you have all day to explore Kinashi Bonsai Village - the largest Bonsai village in Japan where, amongst other sights, you can view field upon field of miniature black pines. Later in the afternoon, we travel to our hotel in Okayama.

Day 5: Korakuen Garden/Hiroshima
AAfter checking out of our hotel, visit Korakuen (a traditional stroll garden and one of Japan’s 3 top gardens) in Okayama. We then pay a poignant visit to Hiroshima* – scene of the first Atomic bomb used in war and now fully rebuilt. Later, return to your hotel in Kyoto.

Day 6: Nara
We take a short train trip to the town of Nara. There we walk to the Pagoda of Kofuku Temple and visit Todaiji Temple - the largest wooden building in the world, which contains the Great Buddha - Japan’s largest. Take a stroll in Nara Park and feed the deer. You can either remain in Nara or return to Kyoto as the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

(Before departing on today’s excursion, you’ll need to pack your main luggage as this will be sent ahead to your hotel in Tokyo for tomorrow’s arrival. You will therefore need to carry a small overnight bag tomorrow)

Day 7: Tokyo
After breakfast, we board the Bullet train to Tokyo. Upon our arrival in Tokyo, we visit the Shunka-eni Bonsai Museum which is owned by the Bonsai Master Kunio Kobayashi who has the distinction of having won the top Kokufu award 9 times. We then take the subway to the bustling Sensoji Temple in Asakusa before checking in to our hotel.

Day 8: Omiya Bonsai Village
We travel northward today by train to visit a selection of beautiful nurseries at OmiyaBonsaiVillage in Saitama-Prefecture. Upon our return to Tokyo we visit the lively Ameyoko-cho* market in Ueno.

Day 9: Kokufu Bonsai-ten
Today you have all day to visit the Kokufu Bonsai-ten - the largest and most prestigious bonsai event held in Japan.  You also have the opportunity of visiting the nearby wonderful Ueno “Green Club”, where bonsai nursery owners from all over Japan set up stalls selling their wares.

Day 10: Tokyo
Enjoy your last full day at leisure. Your only commitment today is to join a Farewell Dinner in the evening!

Day 11: Depart Japan
Sadly it is time to say “sayonara” and after breakfast we transfer to Narita Airport (Tokyo New International Airport) by private coach from where you depart for the UK.

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Scheduled return non-stop Economy class flights with Japan Airlines
• 9 nights hotel accommodation at centrally located 3 Star Hotels and Japanese breakfast every morning
• 2 dinners
• Private air-conditioned coach transfers to/from airports in Japan
• Private air-conditioned coach tour of Kyoto on Day 3
• All long distance and local train, subway and taxi fares for sights visited on Days 3-9
• Sightseeing and entrance fees to all named attractions on tour
• Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journeys Guide throughout
• Separate baggage transfer for one piece of luggage per person from Kyoto to Tokyo  

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE:

• Travel Insurance (see below)
• Lunches and dinners (other than the Welcome and Farewell dinners)

We recommend that you are adequately insured as soon as you book your holiday. 

PRICE:

£1,745 per person for a room on a shared basis 

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: £180

 FLIGHT UPGRADES:

Business Class - add an extra £2,250 per person on top of the price of the trip

REGIONAL FLIGHT CONNECTIONS (all Economy Class):
Available from Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and Teeside

To make a booking, a deposit of 10% per person is required.
The balance of the price of the trip must be made 8 weeks prior to departure.

INSURANCE

For insurance details click here for a full Summary of Cover offered by our Platinum level protection.

It is a condition of booking that you must have insurance cover at least equivalent to that described above. All insurance is arranged by the Travel Trust Association Ltd and Eclipse Of The Century Limited, who are independent intermediaries for selling general insurance.

Click here to download reservation form

If you would like to receive further details on this tour, please click here
or call 020 7766 5267