Japan Tours DAILY SIGHTSEEING TOURS FROM KYOTO Kyoto & Nara 1 Day See the main sights of both Kyoto and Nara, all in one day! Visit Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa era shoguns, and the Golden Pavilion, a gold-leaf covered structure that houses sacred relics of Buddha. Take a stroll through the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and later watch traditional Japanese artisans work their craft at the Kyoto Handicraft Center. In Nara, visit Todaiji, the world’s largest wooden structure and home of the Great Buddha. Mingle with the deer at Nara Park and marvel at the lanterns at Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Kyoto Fullday Experience Kyoto, Japan’s capital from 794-1868. Visit Nijo Castle, the residence of the Tokugawa era shoguns, and the gold-leaf covered Golden Pavilion, which houses sacred relics of Buddha and is surrounded by exquisite gardens renowned for their beauty. Walk through the Kyoto Imperial Palace and watch traditional Japanese artisans work their craft at the Kyoto Handicraft Center. Visit Heian Jingu Shrine, a partial replica of the Imperial Palace. Walk through Sanjusangendo Temple, Japan’s longest wooden structure, famous for its 1,001 human-sized Kannon statues, and browse through the specialty shops leading up to Kiyomizudera Temple for a sweeping view of the city. Kyoto Tea Ceremony Start the evening in style by participating in a tea ceremony and having dinner at a traditional Japanese inn. The meal, a simple, traditional, Zen-style spread, is well thought out to provide perfectly balanced nutrition. After dinner, take in Gion’s unique atmosphere by taking a stroll down its preserved district’s back streets. At the Gion Corner, enjoy watching tea ceremonies, traditional dancing, music, and performances. You may even be lucky enough to see a Maiko (apprentice geisha)! SIGHTSEEING TOURS FROM TOKYO Sushi Making Experience and Tsukiji Fish Market Tour Try your hand at making sushi in Tsukiji, famous for the world's largest fish market! A professional teacher will instruct you as to how to make sushi, which you can then enjoy for lunch! 09:00 Leave Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal by subway. 09:15 Visit Tsukiji Fish Market. 10:30 Try your hand at making sushi at Tsukiji Kiyomura Sushi Zammai. (Instructors-in-training from the same school as the sushi master will help guests make their sushi.） 13:30 Tour disbands at Tsukiji Station. (Tour guide will instruct you as to how to get back from Tsukiji Station Experience Japanese Calligraphy Experience Japanese calligraphy and learn not only how to write characters with a brush, but also about its spiritual dimensions. 9:00 Leave Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal for Tokyo Shogei Gakuen by public transport. Calligraphy experience The tour is organized as follows: 1. Lecture regarding the etiquette of Japanese calligraphy 2. Explanation regarding the brushes and their use 3. Demonstration by the instructor 4. Participants practice calligraphy and then have their work reviewed * Participants will write the Japanese character for "heart", "peace", etc. * Participants will experience the philosophy of calligraphy when they come to write their final character. With only one chance to write the final character, all senses must be concentrated on the task. * The final character, written free from obstructive thought, will be a unique work that will reveal the momentary state of mind and character of the person who wrote it. 11:45 Tour disbands on arrival at Yoyogi Station. Yakatabune Dinner Cruise Relax with dinner on a Japanese-style Yakatabune boat cruise by night. Wind down with dinner and drinks on a Japanese-style Yakatabune pleasure boat. Delicious sashimi and tempura are served while you take in the night view of Odaiba, Hamarikyu, and the beautifully lit Rainbow Bridge. 17:40 Leave Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal by coach (Please assemble 20 mins. prior to the departure time) Yakatabune Dinner Cruise (120 mins) Enjoy Tokyo Bay cruise by Yakatabune or traditional Japanese style ship. Sashimi (raw fish) and tempura dinner with free drink service is included. Drop off service to major designated hotels in Tokyo around 21:00-21:30. Akihabara Walking Tour Visit the center of the Otaku universe, Akihabara! This half-day afternoon tour will take you to to a maid cafe, the Anime Center, and other cool spots around Akihabara's Electric Town. In Akihabara, you will visit the following places. Kotobukiya (20 mins) A shop for anime- & manga-related goods such as figures (dolls). Tsukumo Robot Kingdom (20 mins) Demonstration of a bipedal robot. Chichibu Denki (walk by) A vending machine for canned oden. Pinafore (40 mins) Enjoy an authentic maid cafe. One soft drink will be served. Gachapon Center (walk by) A speciality shop for gachapon. Tokyo Anime Center (20 mins) Get the latest information on anime here! Panoramic Tokyo Highlights of the Panoramic Tokyo package include the classical Meiji Shinto Shrine, the Imperial Palace East Garden and a relaxing cruise in scenic Tokyo Bay. Start the day with a visit to Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji, the first emperor of modern Japan. Travel past the National Diet Building to visit the Imperial Palace East Garden. Browse the many colorful stores lining the Nakamise walkway leading up to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest and most famous Buddhist temple. Enjoy lunch at Pastel-tei restaurant while looking over the beautiful Hamarikyu Gardens. Take a cruise around Tokyo Bay before crossing the Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba, a futuristic waterfront city that has become one of Tokyo's most popular areas. Cityrama Tokyo Morning Take in Tokyo's most famous temples, shrines and gardens in the morning; have the afternoon free to explore! The tour begins with the tranquil Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji, the first emperor of modern Japan. Then, travel by bus past the National Diet Building on your way to the Imperial Palace East Garden, the site of the original Edo Castle. Then, on to Asakusa, where you can browse the many colorful stores lining the Nakamise walkway leading up to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest and most famous Buddhist temple. The tour then takes you to Ginza, Japan's world-renowned shopping and entertainment district.