Sensoji Temple, Tokyo
ASIA
Geisha House, Kyoto
Kinkakuji Temple, Kyoto
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U. S. Depart the U. S. on your overnight flight to Tokyo, Japan.
DAY 2 • Tokyo, Japan Arrive in Tokyo. An O. A. T. representative will meet you at the airport and assist with the transfer to your hotel. There, meet your Trip Experience Leader and fellow travelers, including those who took the optional Tokyo: Ancient & Modern Traditions pre-trip extension.
Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Tokyo Tamachi or similar
DAY 3 • Tokyo • Meet former sumo wrestler • Visit Meiji Shrine
Visit a restaurant owned by a former sumo wrestler, and enjoy an interactive demonstration of this iconic sport. Then, engage in a conversation with a former wrestler who will share their experience with us— an exclusive O. A. T. feature. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: B, L, D | Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Tokyo Tamachi or similar
DAY 4 • Tokyo • Taiko drumming experience • Asakusa
Take the world-renown Tokyo subway to visit a taiko studio. Taiko are traditional drums that have been used throughout Japan’ s history— from setting the beat for marching armies to adding a tempo to boisterous festivals. Here, we will learn the art of traditional Japanese drums from a drum master. Then,
travel to the district of Asakusa, and stroll down streets lined with shops.
Meals: B | Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Tokyo Tamachi or similar
DAY 5 • Hakone • A Day in the Life of Ashigara Travel to Hakone, stopping for A Day in the Life of the rural town of Ashigara. We will learn about the customs of the town and take part in a cooking lesson with local residents. After a stop at a local market, we’ ll visit Seto Community House, once owned by a Samurai family that helped lead and protect the town for more than 300 years. For lunch, we’ ll roll up our sleeves for a traditional Japanese cooking lesson and prepare our very own rice balls. Later, enjoy some free time to explore on your own. You might stop in at a sake brewery, or pay your respects at the town’ s temple.
Meals: B, L, D | Hotel Recove Hakone or similar
DAY 6 • Hakone • Boat ride on Lake Ashi • Wood workshop • Conversation about Japanese geisha
This morning, embark on a boat ride on Lake Ashi, a scenic crater lake situated along a wall of the Mount Hakone caldera. Then, visit a woodcraft shop to learn how the intricate, wooden inlaid pieces are produced. Afterward, meet the madam of a local geisha house to discuss the mysterious world of these highlyskilled performance artists.
Meals: B, L, D | Hotel Recove Hakone or similar
DAY 7 • Hakone • Overland to Tokyo • Bullet train to Kanazawa
We’ ll drive to Tokyo, where we’ ll ride the shinkansen( bullet train) to Kanazawa. At 200 mph, it remains among the fastest trains in the world.
Meals: B, D | Hotel Kanazawa or similar
DAY 8 • Kanazawa • Kenrokuen Garden • Visit Omicho Market
Begin our discoveries of Kanazawa with a visit to Kenrokuen Garden. Opened to the public in 1875, Kenrokuen is one of the most treasured gardens in Japan. Then, we’ ll walk the Higashi Chaya District, a traditional Japanese neighborhood known for its teahouses. Next, visit the 300-year-old Omicho Market. Finally, visit a local gold leaf company for a hands-on lesson.
Meals: B, L | Hotel Kanazawa or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 5, spend A Day in the Life of Ashigara, and meet the locals of this rural mountain town.
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www. oattravel. com / jpn 71