KYOTO & TOKYO SPRING BREAK TOUR
(Kyoto, Nara, Hakone, and Tokyo)
March 22- 29, 2014
Day One & Two
First two days were dedicated to flying from Honolulu to Narita, then from Narita to Itami, then lastly from Itami to Kyoto. After arriving safely in Kyoto around midnight, we checked into New Miyako Hotel Main Tower and called it a night.
Day Three: Kyoto
After a good breakfast we got together with our English Speaking Guide Ms. Akiko Kawato at 9 am. We then rode a bus for about an hour 30 mins. Our destination was the Golden Pavilion. After visiting the Golden Pavilion, we went to the Nishijin Textile Center. Shortly after arrival at the Nishijin Textile Center we got to try some hands on experience in making Japanese Sweets. It was fun and everyone loved it. After making sweets it was time for lunch which we went to Nijyo Station close by, there was a bunch of saimen shops and curry shops.
After Lunch we got back on the bus and headed for Kiyomizu Temple, Kiyomizu-dera (the temple of clear water) was named after Otowa Waterfall. Apparently water from a spring in the mountain has been falling there since its foundation. Everyone got to try the clean water, it was very refreshing. Just a little downhill from and slightly to the north of Kiyomizu-dera, you will find the Ninen-zaka-Sannen-zaka area. These two streets are lined with old wooden houses, traditional shops and restaurants. There are also many tea houses and cafes along these lanes.
Returning to the hotel around 5pm we got to rest for about an hour then we had dinner at the hotel which was buffet and everyone enjoyed it. We then headed out to Kodaiji Temple at 7:30pm. The temple was beautiful at night. We spent around 2 hours there and returned to the hotel and called it a night.
Day Four: Kyoto – Nara – Kyoto
After breakfast we left at 8:30am to met up with Ms. Akiko and took off for Nara. We arrived at Todaiji Temple and Nara (Deer) Park. It isn’t called a deer park for no reason there was a bunch of wild deer every where. They are totally fine with people, so we got to feed them and everyone was excited about it.
Lunch was on our own again. Then at 1:30pm we visited the Japanese Tea Factory. We got to taste Japanese Green Tea in Uji spent two hours there then after visited the Fushimi Sake Factory. Since it is a sake factory some children weren’t allowed in certain areas. We spent another 3 hours there then we went back to the hotel ate dinner and called it a night.
Day Five: Kyoto – Mishima – Hakone
After eating breakfast we had to leave our luggage at the front desk at 9:15am because it was gonna be sent to Tokyo. Then Ms. Akiko took us to the Kyoto Station to take a train ride from the Hikari to Mishima Station. Everyone was amazed at how fast the train went since it was a bullet train. After arriving in Mishima which was 11:50am a 2 hour ride, we got on a bus to go to pick strawberry’s, which was very cool to see the white strawberry’s, everyone was amazed to see them. We then headed out to Hakone Sekisho. It was to bad that it was very foggy and raining. Then we arrived at our hotel which was the Prince Hakone. Then had dinner, and we celebrated all the birthday people in March and called it night.
Day Six: Hokone – Tokyo
We started off the day early at 8:30am, we left from Tokyo to go see Mt. Fuji. At the Mt. Fuji Visitor Center it was still foggy and we couldn’t see anything sadly. We took a lunch break then we headed off to Edo-Tokyo Museum. They had a bunch of things from the Edo period and made it seem like you were really there. It was awesome. After an hour and thirty minutes of traffic, we arrive to the Asakusa Kannon Temple & Nakamise Arcade. Where we went shopping, and ate takoyaki (Octopus that get formed into Balls). Then we got to a different hotel, which was the Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro. We then had free time for the rest of the day and had dinner on our own.
Day Seven: Tokyo
Today was a total free day, A few groups went to Akihabara, Shibuya, and Harajuku. I also took a few people to Tsukiji Fish Market. Where 450 kinds of fish are received here; this figure is unparalleled in the world. Marine products sections are set up in three markets: Tsukiji, Ohta and Adachi. Above all three, Tsukiji Market handles about 87% of the total amount, and is one of the biggest markets in the world.
Day Eight: Final Day
Today was pretty much another free day we had till 12pm. After 12pm we had to leave the hotel and got to stop by AEON Shopping Center for some last minute shopping. After two hours of shopping we then got back on the bus and headed out towards Narita Airport. From there we all went our separate ways. It was sad sad to leave, everyone wanted to stay longer and experience more things. But everyone had a great time and wishes to come back again to explore and learn more about Japan.
Posted by Miji
Please inquire detail for 2014 escorted tours at:
JTB USA Honolulu Office
1555 Kapiolani Blvd,Suite 1505
Honolulu HI 96814
Te:(808) 979-0111
Fax:(808) 979-0100
www.jtbusa.com/honolulu
