JAPAN'S MOST BEAUTIFUL SCENERY TOUR APRIL 28~MAY 9 (10 nights, 12 days)

Date

Place and Hotel

♨=onsen

Activity

APR.

(Sun.)

Depart Honolulu to Fukuoka.

(Mon.)

NISHITETSU GRAND

After arriving in Fukuoka, go to conveniently located hotel in the city. Those that want to eat Hakata ramen at night can take you.

(Tue.)

KOKURA

RIHGA ROYAL

After check out of the hotel visit Kushida Shrine, dedicated to Amaterasu and Susanoo, said to be founded in 757. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival is centered on the shrine. Next visit Hakata-machiya Furusato-kan(folk museum), introduces the lifestyle, history & culture of the Meiji and Taisho periods. Next visit the Fukuoka Daibutsu in Tochoji temple, Japan's largest wooden buddha statue. Then go to hotel in Kokura.

MAY.

(Wed.)

SHIMONOSEKI

GRAND HOTEL

After leaving the hotel visit Kawachi Wisteria Garden, known for their tunnels of wisterias in different colors and varieties. One of 31 Japan's most beautiful places selected by CNN. Next go to Shimonoseki, visit Karato Market, a fresh seafood market famous for Fugu (puffer or balloon fish). Next visit Akama Shrine, dedicated to Antoku, a japanese emperor who died as a child in the Battle of Dan-no-ura, which occurred nearby in 1185. Then go to hotel in Shimonoseki.

(Thu.)

YUDA

NEW TANAKA♨

From Shimonoseki go to Tsunoshima taking a nice ocean drive over the Tsunoshima bridge with beautiful ocean scenery. Next visit Motonosumi Inari Shrine, known for it's long trail of red torii gates that lead up a cliff overlooking the Japan Sea. It is also Japan's no.1 most challenging, difficult offering box they have on the top of the shrine gate to throw the money in. One of 31 Japan's most beautiful places selected by CNN. Then go to hotel in Yuda onsen.

(Fri.)

SUO-OSHIMA

SUNSHINE SAZAN♨

After check out from the hotel visit Akiyoshidai, the plateau with the highest concentration of karst formations and Akiyoshido, the nation's largest and longest limestone cave. Next go to the Museum of Japanese Emigration to Hawaii, once an old house of a business owner who emigrated to Hawaii which was converted to a museum. It introduces the history of the emigrant, some old family records and the emigrant life in Hawaii.Then go to hotel in Suo-Oshima.

(Sat.)

HIROSHIMA

MIELPARQUE

From the hotel visit Iwakuni and see Kintaikyo bridge, a five arch wooden bridge, most distinguished landmark of Iwakuni. Then go to Miyajima, among Japan's top 3 scenic sights, Itsukushima shrine (floating shrine) a World Heritage Site and see the huge torii gate just offshore. One of 31 Japan's most beautiful places selected by CNN.

(Sun.)

IZUMO

ROYAL HOTEL

From Hiroshima go to visit Izumo Taisha, one of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines in Japan. Every year about eight million deities from across the land gather at this shrine for a meeting. Next visit Shimane Winery, made from high-quality grapes raised in Shimane. Tour of the winery, free sampling and sales. Then go to hotel in Izumo.

(Mon.)

TOTTORI

NEW OTANI

From the hotel visit Adachi Museum of Art, it houses a collection of modern Japanese artworks and paintings, and with a beautiful award winning garden. You can enjoy the garden at anytime of the year, showing a different character depending on the season which can be viewed from the museum building. One of 31 Japan's most beautiful places selected by CNN. Next go to watch the Yasugi Bushi, a traditional folk song & dance of the Dojo Sukui ( a dance involves scooping small eel-like fish with a basket). Then go to hotel in Tottori.

(Tue.)

MIYAZU

ROYAL HOTEL♨

After check out of the hotel go to the one and only large Tottori Sand Dunes, and the Sand Museum displaying sand sculptures. One of 31 Japan's most beautiful places selected by CNN. Next go to Ine-cho, an old port town in Kyoto pref. See the funaya (boat houses) standing in a row along the bay., a lifestyle which is centred on the fishing and farming industries that has been carried on since olden times. Next go to Amanohashidate, one of Japan's three scenic views and is a natural- made sand bar covered with many pine trees. Viewing it from Kasamatsu park, bend down and view from between your legs. Then go to hotel in Miyazu.

(Wed.)

OSAKA

NIKKO HOTEL

After leaving the hotel go to Kameoka and enjoy the Hozugawa-kudari (river boat ride) looking at natural scenery and several rapids for some thrills, then get off at Arashiyama. One of 31 Japan's most beautiful places selected by CNN. After arriving enjoy riding the rickshaw going through the bamboo grove and nearby places. Then go to Osaka and to a conveniently located hotel, you can walk to Shinsaibashi shopping arcade.

(Thu.)

After check out of the hotel visit the Kaiyukan, one of the largest aquarium in the world. There are several tanks each recreating a specific region of the Pacific Rim, as a home of whale sharks the largest fish species in the world. Next go to Aeon Mall Rinku Sennan for any last minute shopping, closest to Kansai international airport. Then go to the airport for your departure flight to Honolulu.