SHIKOKU & WEST JAPAN + 2 FESTIVAL
Visit a Unique Town
Nov. 11 ~ 22 (10 nights, 12 days)

Date	Place and Hotel ♨=onsen	Activity	B	L	D
Nov. 11 (Tue.)		Depart Honolulu to Kansai airport.
12 (Wed.)	KANSAI AIRPORT HOTEL NIKKO	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.
13 (Thu.)	NARUTO AOAWO RESORT HOTEL♨	From the hotel we visit the Tako Senbei no Sato (Rice cracker factory and shop). We can enjoy shopping about 40 kinds of rice crackers. After lunch we go to see the Naruto Whirlpools, they are tidal whirlpools in the Naruto strait, a channel between Naruto and Awaji Island. Enjoy the viewing cruise of the Naruto Whirlpools. Next go to the Awa Odori Hall to see the Awa Odori, a 400 years old traditional local dance. Then we go to the hotel.	×	×	×
14 (Fri.)	NARUTO AOAWO RESORT HOTEL♨	From the hotel we visit the Awa Deko Ningyo Kaikan puppet theatre museum. The museum features displays of Ningyo Joruri puppets, classes in making puppet heads, and humorous introductions to the special techniques used in puppet-making. The aim is for visitors to be able to learn about Awa Deko puppets in an enjoyable way by watching and listening. Then we go to Awa Jurobe Yashiki to watch the Ningyo Joruri (instrumental accompaniment and puppet drama). Ningyo (puppet) is manipulated by three ningyo-zukai (puppeteers), which is very unique to Japanese puppeteering. Please satisfy your heart with Awa Ningyo Joruri, a performance art in which Japanese sensibility is condensed. Next go to Michi no Eki Kurukuru. There are 3 restaurant and souvenirs made with local ingredients. Enjoy your favorite meal from our extensive menu. (own pay) After lunch we visit the Historical Museum Aino Yakata to Experience indigo dyeing. In addition, at the museum, we can learn about the history of indigo by recreating the process of growing indigo, processing indigo leaves, and dyeing with paper dolls. Next visit the Ryozan-ji Temple the first temple on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. We can learn the culture of the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Then we go back to the same hotel.	×		×
15 (Sat.)	KOCHI RICHMOND HOTEL	From the hotel we go to see the Oboke and Koboke gorges, they were made by the rapid current of the Yoshino River crossing the Shikoku mountains over a period of 200 million years. We can usually see beautiful autumn leaves at this time of year. Then we go to see Kazurabashi, a suspension bridge made of mountain vines. After lunch we head to the remote Higashi-Iya district of Shikoku. Visit the Oku-Iya Niju Kazurabashi. Tucked way in the deepest part of the Iya Valley, the Double Vine Bridges are more than worth the effort of visiting. Next go to a unique riverside town for the unexplored region of the world Nagoro Scarecrow Village. Filled with hundreds of life-sized dolls instead of residents who are the declining population. Then we see the Ochiai Village Observatory where you can see the mountain village. During the old battle where the samurais that lost, it is said they hid & lived there. Afterwards we go to the hotel near the shopping arcade. After checking in to the hotel, we go to see the Sakamoto Ryoma birthday festival, celebrates the 190th birthday of Kochi super hero Ryoma Sakamoto. Starting with the lantern procession in the evening, the impressive Yosakoi Naruko dance is also a highlight.	×	×
16(Sun.)	KOCHI RICHMOND HOTEL	From the hotel we go to the Kochi's Sunday market, this weekly market has been a part of life in Kochi city for well over 300 years. There are varieties of shops & stalls, about 300 that lines the road. Then we visit Kochi Castle. The castle is the Makiki Christian Church model also one of Japan's 12 still-standing original castles. For lunch, enjoy your favorite food at Hirome Market. (own pay) After lunch we go to the Memorial Museum at Ryoma’s Birthplace, is located in the town where he grew up and recreates the old district of Kamimachi where he spent his childhood through video, wall panels and models. Learn all about the profound story of how this timid son of a low-ranking samurai became the courageous revolutionary who helped shape the framework of modern Japanese democracy. Then we go back to the same hotel. Enjoy shopping at the shopping street near the hotel.	×
17 (Mon.)	EHIME HOTEL JURAKU♨	From the hotel we go to Michi no Eki Qraud to experience making Washi Japanese paper, a handicraft of Kochi prefecture. Then we go to see the Chinkabashi, a submersible bridge and Niyodo river, consistently ranks as the purest river in the country and so is often referred to as “Japan’s most beautiful river.” After lunch we visit the Niko Buchi, is a waterfall basin where a mystical blue color can be seen depending on the time of day the sunlight comes in, and the angle and strength of the light. the color as only being expressible as “Niyodo Blue”, and it instantly became a popular place. Then we go to the hotel.	×	×	×
18 (Tue.)	HIROSHIMA MIELPARQUE	From the hotel we go to Matsuyama Port to ride ferry to Kure Port that flourished as a military port. Enjoy a 2 hours cruise on the Seto Inland Sea. After arrive at Kure Port, we have Hiroshima's famous conger eel rice for lunch. After lunch we go to the Areikarasukojima Park.Maritime Self-Defense Force submarines and destroyers dock in the harbor, making it the only place in Japan where you can see submarines up close. Next go to the Writing brush no Sato (Museum of Writing brush) in Kumano town. 80% of Japanese brushes are produced in Kumano Town. The museum offer demonstrations of brush making, as well as an introduction to the various arts and cultures created by brushes. We experience calligraphy using a brush. Then we go to the hotel. After checking in to the hotel, we visit Hiroshima Ebisu Festival, one of the three major festivals in Hiroshima, which has been going on for about 400 years. Ebisu Shrine‘s autumn festival marks the arrival of winter in Hiroshima. Known among locals as Ebessan after the god of commerce, surrounding stores hold sales and buy komazarae bamboo rakes adorned with gold coins and a　treasure ship.	×	×
19 (Wed.)	HIROSHIMA MIELPARQUE	From the hotel we go to Miayajima Port to catch the ferry to go to Miyajima Island. We visit Itsukushima shrine, Senjokaku Pagoda Pavilion and Momijidani Park, famous for its autumn leaves. Then we visit Miyajima Traditional Craft Center to experience making Miyajima's traditional craft rice scoop. Lunch is Miyajima's famous oyster dish. After leaving Miyajima Island we visit the Shimose Art Museum. The museum also features architecture designed by world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban. You can enjoy a moment of architecture and art, including the movable exhibition room lined with colorful water basins. Then we go back the same hotel.	×	×
20 (Thu.)	OKAYAMA HOTEL GRANVIA	From the hotel we go to Saijo Town, which is known as the capital of sake. Visit the Kamozuru Sake Brewery, one of Hiroshima leading breweries. We can taste several Sake. The store sells not only sake but many other items, including sweets and sake goods. Lunch is local cuisine Uzumi. After lunch we go to the Fukuyama Auto and Clock Museum. It is a museum that believes in looking at, ride, touching, and taking pictures. We can also learn the spiritual richness of using things with care for a long time. After checking in to the hotel, we visit Korokuen garden one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Autumn the garden and the castle are illuminated. surrounded by dazzling glow is described as “Genso Teien” (Fantasy Garden).	×	×
21 (Fri.)	OKAYAMA HOTEL GRANVIA	From the hotel we go to Bizen Osafune Sword Museum, is a rare museum in Japan that exhibits swords, mainly Bizen swords. There is a swordsmith workshop on the premises, and if we are lucky, you can actually observe the various manufacturing processes involved in Japanese swords, such as the traditional forging of Japanese swords, the production of sword armor, the carving of the blade, and the sharpening. Then we go to the Shizutani School. The school was intentionally built as a sturdy structure in the early Edo period, using the most refined architectural techniques of the day. Even after 350 years since its construction, it has not lost its luster. After lunch we go to Imbe town, which is famous for Bizen ware. We can experience making Bizen-yaki pottery. The finished work will be delivered to Hawaii in three months. Next go to Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. The townscape created by traditional buildings and the retro-modern scenery along the Kurashiki River continue to fascinate people from all over the world. Then we go to the same the hotel.	×	×
22 (Sat.)		From the hotel we go to Somen-no-Sato Ibonoito Museum to learn about the delicate process of making the noodle. We can also see a demonstration of hand-stretched somen noodles. For lunch, enjoy somen from Japan's top brand Ibonoito. After lunch enjoy shopping at LaLaport and Costco. Then we go to Kansai airport for your departure flight to Honolulu.	×	×