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14 days
tour : Kyoto (3nts) - Kinosaki Onsen (1nt) - Matsue (2nts) -
Hagi (1nt) -
Kumamoto (2nts)
- Hitoyoshi (1nt) - Kagoshima (2nts) - Osaka (1nt)
Tour
start date: 27th March 2015
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""The flower of
flowers is the blossom of the Cherry . The Samurai is
the man among men."
Japanese Proverb
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| This unique and innovative itinerary has
been forged deep in The Oriental Caravan's foundry of new tours and
tempered with the precision usually preserved for the keenest of samurai
swords. Loosely based on the extraordinary story of warrior-statesman Saigo Takamori, on whose life the film 'The Last Samurai' was based, we
will journey off-the-beaten-track visiting some of Japan's most
fascinating but least visited areas. Beginning in the endlessly
fascinating city of Kyoto we will head west to explore the castle towns,
fishing villages and onsen resorts that dot the ruggedly
spectacular San-in Coast. Later we travel through the heart of rustic
Kyushu staying in charming ryokan and visiting some of the sites
associated with Saigo's heroic but ultimately doomed 'Satsuma Rebellion'
against the newly restored, American-backed Meiji Emperor. From
Kagoshima, where we visit the site of the last samurai's last stand (and
also make a nearby trip to the astounding 'kamikaze' museum!), we
conclude our journey in the exciting metropolis of Osaka. |
For more about The Oriental Caravan in Japan…
click
here!
To receive full details of this trip
by post or email
click here
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OUTLINE
ITINERARY |
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| Day 1 - Kyoto |
Arrival (Hotel) |
| Day 2 - Kyoto |
City sightseeing
including Chion-in Temple. (Hotel) |
| Day 3 - Kyoto |
Free day. Optional trip to Himeji
Shoshazan Engyoji (location for the shooting of 'the Last Samurai'. Night
tour of Kyoto's entertainment district. (Hotel) |
| Day 4 - Kinosaki Onsen |
Via Amanohashidate, one of Japan's top
three 'scenic wonders' to the delightfully laid-back onsen resort at
Kinosaki. (Ryokan) |
| Day 5 - Matsue |
En route to Matsue we visit the Tottori
sand dunes, location of Hiroshi's classic 1964 movie Woman of the
Dunes (Hotel) |
| Day 6 - Matsue |
Explore the atmospheric Matsue-jo castle,
samurai residence and museum and house of legendary Graeco-Irish author
Lafcadio Hearn (Hotel) |
| Day 7 - Hagi |
Beautiful scenery en route to
the charming and eminently historical town of Hagi with its fascinating samurai quarter,
collection of beautiful temples and renowned pottery making area. (Ryokan) |
| Day 8 - Kumamoto |
Morning free in Hagi before continuing our
journey by local and bullet train to Kumamoto. Assessment of Kumamoto's
vibrant nightlife. (Hotel) |
| Day 9 - Kumamoto |
Full day's sightseeing including Kumamoto
Castle and Hosokawa Gyobutei, stunning former
residence of the Hosokawa clan. Possible visit to a Kendo
Dojo. (Hotel) |
| Day 10 - Hitoyoshi |
Continue to Hitoyoshi where we visit
its castle, museum and optional visit to a shochu distillery. (Ryokan) |
| Day 11 - Kagoshima |
On one of Japan's most scenic rail
journeys, complete with switchbacks, we continue to Kagoshima, the 'Naples
of Japan'. Afternoon visit Iso-Teien Garden and Shiroyama, site of Saigo's
last stand and ultimate seppuku. (Hotel) |
| Day 12 - Kagoshima |
Day-trip to Chiran to visit its beautiful
Samurai Houses and fascinating Kamikaze Museum. (Hotel) |
| Day 13 - Osaka |
Fly back to Osaka. (Hotel) |
| Day 14 - |
Caravan concludes... |
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Tour dates
(land only) |
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Tour starts
Kyoto |
Tour ends Osaka
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Availability
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Tour Price
(land only) |
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27th March
2015 |
9th April 2015 |
Spaces
available |
GBP2345.00 |
| Accommodation |
We stay in good tourist class hotels
throughout. In Kinosaki Onsen, Hagi and
Hitoyoshi we stay in high class traditional
ryokan. The tour is sold on a
twin share basis. An optional single supplement
for the hotels only is available at a cost
of £198. |
| Food
and drink |
Two dinners and three
breakfasts are included.
Where we eat at our lodgings meals are expected to be of an excellent
quality.
As always the tour leader will be on hand to suggest
restaurants and, where necessary, assist
with ordering meals. |
| Mode of travel |
We make
full use of Japan’s highly efficient rail system using both 'bullet' and local trains. In
Kyushu and along the San-in Coast the trains are often small and local
but travel through some stunningly
picturesque scenery. We also make occasional
use of taxis and buses, sometimes using our
own private coach. Some of the sightseeing
is done on foot. From Kagoshima we take a
domestic flight back to Osaka. |
| Staff
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Accompanied throughout by a
bilingual tour leader from The
Oriental Caravan
assisted by local guides where applicable. |
| Group size |
Minimum
6 - Maximum 12 |
| Flights &
Insurance |
For
information on insurance and flights please contact The Oriental Caravan. |
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To request further information please
click here.
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