AUTUMN KYOTO & KII PENINSULA TOUR
Nov. 27 ~ Dec. 7 (9 nights, 11 days)
| This is a sightseeing tour without traveling long distance. The distance traveling is short but goes from the ancient legendary land to modern times & to a fairy tale land, it will be a long historical journey. In addition, go to tourist destinations that are not normally visited, Japan’s first capital Kashihara, mysterious Asuka village, goldfish town Yamato Koriyama, Wakayama city, etc. so there will be new discoveries. And where dinner is not included the hotels are located in convenient places so you won’t have a hard time choosing restaurants. At average if you have $20 should be okay. If you like Japan’s mysterious places, animals, and to see Kyoto’s autumn leaves we recommend this tour. |
| Date | Place
and Hotel ♨=onsen |
Activity | B | L | D |
| Nov. 27 (Sun.) |
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Depart
Honolulu to Kansai Airport.
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| 28 (Mon.) |
KANSAI
AIRPORT |
After arriving at Kansai airport, go to hotel that's connected to the airport terminal. There is a convenience store and some eating place nearby. |
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| 29 (Tue.) |
KATSUURA HOTEL URASHIMA♨
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From the hotel go to Minabe town, known as Japan’s no. 1 umeboshi (japanese seasoned plum). Visit a plum factory where you can sample and purchase. Then go to Adventure World where you can see pandas and many other animals. You can also enjoy a drive-thru tour within the Safari Park section. Lunch is your choice at restaurant. Next go to Kushimoto and see Hashikui-Iwa, pointed rocks formed naturally in a line halfway from the coastline toward the other side island. There is a legend between Kobo Daishi and the demons related to this Hashikui-Iwa. Then go to hotel. | × |
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| 30 (Wed.) |
ISE
ROUTE INN ![]()
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From the hotel go to Katsuura Fishing Port, for those that want to go early morning (around 6:30) before breakfast can go to Nachi-Katsuura blue fin tuna auction. After return to hotel and have your breakfast. Then go to Kumano Kodo Daimonzaka, the mossy stone steps surrounded by cedar grove from the entrance of Daimonzaka has a perfect atmosphere of Kumano Kodo. And see Nachi Waterfall, the highest sacred waterfall in Japan. Lunch is your choice at restaurant. Next go to Onigajo, it is one of the world heritage site in Kumano, the rock formation that looks like a demon is most certainly a unique view. Then go to hotel. | × |
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| 1 (Thu.) |
ISE ROUTE INN ![]() ![]()
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From the hotel go visit Ise Jingu, an important shrine related to the Japan emperor’s family. On the outside of the shrine you can walk to Okage-yokocho, there is a traditional old Japan atmosphere shopping area lined with shops and eating place. Lunch is your choice at restaurant. Next go to Yokoyama Observatory Deck, there is an unbroken view in it's entirety of Ago Bay which is famous for it's deeply indented coastline. Take a Espana cruise of Ago Bay, a cruise ship styled after the Spanish tall ship of the 16th century Age of Exploration. During the cruise the ship will stop by a pearl culturing facility & you will be able to see how the core of a cultured pearl is implanted into the pearl oyster. Then go back to same hotel. |
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| 2 (Fri.) |
KYOTO
ELCIENT HOTEL ![]()
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From the hotel in Ise visit Koka Ninja House (Koka-ryu Ninjutsu Yashiki), a 17th century ninja clan leader's house. It is not only a place where you can study ninja history but use real ninja tools and try to solve puzzles. Next go to Kyoto, Lunch is your choice at restaurant. After that go to Shijo-Nishiki market, the locals call it “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” Enjoy shopping time for omiyage, etc. Next go to Kiyomizu-dera, a Buddhist temple of the Pure Water Spring originally completed in year 778. It is famous for it's impressive viewing platform, 3-story Koyasu pagoda and the pure waters of the Otowa Spring. Then go to hotel. | × |
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| 3 (Sat.) |
KYOTO ELCIENT HOTEL ![]()
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From the hotel in Kyoto go to Hozugawa river boat ride, down the river to Arashiyama, popular place to visit during the fall color scenery and you can also see Togetsu-kyo bridge. You can ride the rickshaw which will take you thru their famous bamboo grove and nearby area. Lunch is your choice at restaurant. Next visit Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion), a well-known temple, main pavilion is covered in gold leaf, and a world heritage site. Then go back to same hotel. |
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| 4 (Sun.) |
KASHIHARA CANDEO HOTELS
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From the hotel go to Toji temple, and to Garakuta-Ichi Market where there is an antique market held on the first Sunday of every month, there might be some bargain. Lunch is your choice at restaurant. Next go to Nara which holds a very old history more than Kyoto. Visit Todai-ji, a historic Buddhist temple, the original first built in the Nara period and is the world's largest wooden structure which holds the huge Daibutsu inside. Nara Park is the surrounding area with freely roaming deers (sometimes tame, sometimes aggressive). Then go to hotel. | × |
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| 5 (Mon.) |
KASHIHARA CANDEO HOTELS ![]() ![]() |
From the hotel within Kashihara visit Jimmu Tenno Ryo, tomb of the first legendary Emperor of Japan and was also a place visited by successive emperors. After that in the middle of Japan’s 7th century relocated to Asuka village, a mysterious village because there are many stone structures that remain but for what reason they were made we don't know. See the Ishibutai the most impressive of the ancient stone monuments in Asuka, the Kameishi (Turtle Rock) a stone carved to resemble a turtle, and the Sakafuneishi (Sake Trough) the exact purpose of the stone carved is unknown. Lunch is your choice at restaurant. Next go to Yamato Koriyama, famous as a goldfish town. Visit a Goldfish Museum and at Kochikuya you can experience Kingyo Sukui, scooping goldfish with paper scooper. Then go back to same hotel. |
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| 6 (Tue.) |
WAKAYAMA CANDEO HOTELS
![]() ![]() ![]() Tama ![]() Nitama Yontama
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From Hashimoto ride a sightseeing train “Tenku" departs 10:13am and get off at Gokurakubashi station, then transfer to a cable car to get to Mt. Koya station arrive 11:05am. About 1400 ft. feel the travel up the mountain atmosphere going to Mt. Koya. First visit Okunoin, it is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi the founder of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most revered person in the religious history of Japan. Instead of having died, Kobo Daishi is believed to rest in eternal meditation as he awaits Miroku Nyorai (the Buddha of the Future), and provides relief to those who ask for salvation in the meantime. Okunoin is one of the most sacred places in Japan and a popular pilgrimage spot. Next go to Kishi station, like the modern version of the fairy tale “The Cat Returns" let’s go and visit “Tama" where she was the stationmaster. Living as a community cat their cat hut was forced to relocate, the troubled owners went to see the president of Wakayama Electric Railway to discuss about letting the cats live inside the station. The president wished and hoped that the cats become Manekineko so in 2007 “Tama" was appointed as stationmaster. The reward was one year's worth of cat food. The topic about stationmaster Tama's inauguration was featured many in TV news and newspapers. Passengers from all over Japan caught the train and came to visit Kishi station. Tama made a significant contribution to preserving the line and increasing it's revenues. Economic effect was over $10 million, achievement was recognized by the company, in 2010 Tama was promoted as a official staff so as a reward they built a new train station shaped like a cat. In 2015 Tama passed away, later she became a Honorary permanent stationmaster, a Tama Jinja was put up next to the station. Currently there is stationmaster “Nitama" and “Yontama". Then go to hotel in Wakayama. | × |
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| 7 (Wed.) |
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From the hotel go to Kuroshio market, a well-known fish market and you can watch a tuna been cut up (Bluefin Tuna dismantling show) before your very eyes. Lunch is Wakayama Ramen, a local ramen said to be most delicious. Next go to Aeon Mall for last minute shopping, they have Daiso, Uniqlo, MUJI, etc. Then go to Kansai Airport for your departure |
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