Day 1/2 – October 8^th/9^th – Friday/Saturday                                                                               U.S. ⇒ NARITA AIRPORT ⇒ TOKYO

Depart the U.S. Cross the International Date Line.Arrive at Tokyo’s Narita Airport and transfer to the Prince Park Tower Hotel. The afternoon is free at your leisure, or you can take an optional city excursion with guide.  Optional evening activity: Dinner and a Show at Roppongi Kaguwa.

Day 3 – October 10^th – Sunday                                                                                                                                            TOKYO (B L)

Full Day Sightseeing in Tokyo: Outskirts of Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, buffet lunch, Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji), boat ride on the Sumida River, view from the observation deck at the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. Optional Evening Activity: Nighttime helicopter ride over Tokyo.

Day 4 – October 11^th – Monday                                                                                      TOKYO ⇒ KAGOSHIMA ⇒ HITOYOSHI (B L D)

Transfer to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport for a 2 hour flight to Kagoshima on Kyushu. On Kyushu island, the group will enjoy exclusive VIP benefits as part of this special group. Transfer to Hitoyoshi City in the heart of Kumamoto. Lunch will be a hearty bowl of traditional ramen noodles. Tonight’s accommodations are at Hitoyoshi’s luxurious onsen-ryokan, Ayu-no-Sato. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic boat ride on the famous Kuma River. You will pass by a few interesting rock formations and rapids. Afterwards, there will be enough time to wind down in the onsen(hot spring) at the ryokan (Japanese-style inn). Dinner will be held in the authentic old-style Japanese atmosphere and will include the famous Ayu (local freshwater-fish) among other typical seasonal delicacies.

Day 5 – October 12^th – Tuesday                                                                                HITOYOSHI ⇒ YATSUSHIRO ⇒AMAKUSA (B L D)

After breakfast, walk to the 700-year-old Aoi Aso Shrine, recently designated as an important national cultural asset. Continue to Yatsushiro town, where you will have your own private tea ceremony held by a real tea-master at Shohinken Tea House.  This ceremony is not accessible to regular tourists. This Tea House dates back to 1688 and also served as overnight accommodations the former Showa Emperor and his family. Lunch will be a bit more rustic. Take a ferry to Amakusa Island, one of 120 islands in the Shiranui Sea. Visit Ueda House, a mansion for well-to-do families dating back to 1815. Take a boat ride and count how many dolphins you can see in the waters of Amakusa. Stay overnight in the Amakusa Prince Hotel, a family-run hotel overlooking the harbor, and where they treat every guest like an instant friend. The evening ends with a fantastic seafood dinner and the spectacular local folk dance “Haiya” with drums, dance and song. Your participation is highly encouraged!

Day 6 – October 13^th – Wednesday                                                                                     AMAKUSA ⇒ YAMATO ⇒ MT. ASO (B L D)

Crossing the picturesque five bridges, continue to Tsujyun Bridge, an impressive aqueduct that was built in 1854 and is still in operation. Only for the VIP group, the aqueduct will be put into operation and you will see the impressive water fountain spouting from it. The next stop is Yamato town, where you will experience traditional Bunraku puppet theater in Seiwa, which has become famous throughout the world, having performed at the New York Metropolitan Opera. After the show, the performers will explain the complex and delicate handling of the moveable dolls. Continue to Mt. Aso National Part and the world’s largest caldera. If the weather permits, you will approach the edge of the volcano and dare to look into its vent. Then onward to the northern slopes of Mt. Aso to enjoy the magnificent onsen (hot spring) facilities at Ryokan Yume Shizuku (“Dewdrops of Mt. Aso”). This luxurious ryokan boasts views of the five volcanic peaks. The water source ranks among the 100 best in the whole country. A magnificent multi-course dinner will end your day.

Day 7 – October 14^th – Thursday                                                                                                            MT. ASO ⇒ KUMAMOTO (B L D)

Checkout and depart for Shirakawa Water Fountain. Enjoy fresh mineral water from its spring and make rice paper art – both of which can be a souvenir! Lunch will be the famous locally-produced beef. A scenic drive will lead to Kumamoto City.  Kumamoto Castle, one of the three most important castles, dates back to 1607. For the celebration of its 400^th anniversary, the Honmaru Goten (“inner Palace” and actual residence of Kato) was rebuilt. At lunch, you will feast on some dishes that the local feudal lords would have dined (only served here!) Continue to the faithfully preserved Gyobu Tei (Samurai Residence). Last but not least, walk over to Suizenji Park – a beautifully landscaped garden from the 17^th century. A multi-course dinner will be held at an izakaya (Japanese-style pub). Overnight is at the excellent ANA Hotel Kumamoto Newsky.

Day 8 – October 15^th – Friday                                                                                                               KUMAMOTO ⇒ HIROSHIMA (B L)

Morning will be free to spend at your leisure. You may even take a stroll through the city’s famous shopping arcades. You will board the shinkansen (bullet train) to go to Hiroshima via Hakata. Once you arrive in Hiroshima, you will visit various sightseeing spots after lunch. Visit the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum, a World Heritage Site. In Heiwa Koen (“Peace Park”), visit the eternal flame and see the stone box that holds a list of the names of the deceased.  This flame will not burn for all eternity, but rather until the last nuclear weapon is destroyed.  Overnight is at the Sunroute Hotel.

Day 9 – October 16^th – Saturday                                                                                        HIROSHIMA ⇒ MIYAJIMA ⇒ KYOTO (B L D)

A short ride away is the World Heritage site of Miyajima Island. Take a historic tram ride to the pier and a ferry to the island.  Visit the Itsukushima Shrine with its famous “floating torii” gate.  This sight is considered one of the “Three Most Beautiful Views of Japan” and is also known as a symbol of Japan. The island is covered with forest trails. You might make some acquaintances with wild monkeys on your hike to the Misen mountain. The ropeway takes you to the top of the mountain where you can enjoy a stunning view over the bay of Hiroshima. Return to the hotel and transfer to the train station for another shinkansen ride to Kyoto. In the evening, the group will be treated to the graceful dances of Maiko (“Apprentice Geisha”).  Their singing, dancing, and conversation will entertain you while you enjoy a Kaiseki dinner in a real O-chaya (“teahouse”). Regular tourists rarely have this opportunity to see a real O-chaya from the inside! Accommodations are at the luxurious Hotel Okura.

Day 10 – October 17^th – Sunday                                                                                                                                          KYOTO (B L)

Full-day sightseeing tour of the highlights of Kyoto: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji Garden, Nijo Castle, Kiyumizu Temple, Heian Shrine. Visit more UNESCO World Heritage Site such as Kokedera (Moss Temple) or another National Treasure (final selection pending permission from Imperial Palace Household.) Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Day 11 – October 18^th – Monday                                                                         KYOTO ⇒ OSAKA’S KANSAI OR ITAMI AIRPORT (B)

Transfer to Kansai International or Itami Domestic Airport (depending on flight schedule). Participants with an extension in Kyoto or elsewhere may choose from an extensive list of optional excursions.