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These special tours are suggested itineraries for the adventurous individual travelers who wish to experience a traditional Japanese festival. Since these are not group tours you will be traveling on your own unguided. However, private tour guides are available for an additional fee.
* To ensure best availability please book at least 60 days in advance.
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| Spring – Uesugi Festival in Yonezawa |
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| Uesugi Festival takes place between April 29 - May 3, culminating the hugely popular re-enactment of the “Battle of Kawanaka-Jima” on the banks of the Matsukawa River. This area is also known for their high quality beef and for their abundance of hot springs which is easily accessible via public bus from Yonezawa Station. |
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Photo: Tsuruoka Park, Yamagata |
overnight in
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Day 1 - Apr 28 - Arrive in Tokyo (Narita Int'l Airport)
Day 2 - Apr 29 - Transfer to Yonezawa via train (Yamagata Station)
Day 3 - Apr 30 - Day of sightseeing in Yonezawa
Day 4 - May 1 - Join the Uesugi Festival including the re-enactment of the
"Battle of Kawanaka-Jima"
Day 5 - May 2 - Transfer to Sendai via train. Day of sightseeing in Sendai*
Day 6 - May 3 - Japan departure (Sendai Airport via Narita) |
Tokyo
Yonezawa
Yonezawa
Yonezawa
Sendai
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* Private guided tours of Yonezawa and Sendai are available for an additional fee
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| Summer – Gion Festival in Kyoto |
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| The Gion Festival, dating back to 869 A.D., is recognized as one of the three largest and exciting festivals in Japan. The festival takes place between July 1 and July 31. Although the festival lasts for about a month the most noted dates are: July 10, the ritual washing of the shrines; July 24, the Kankou Festival; and July 17, the peak of the Gion Festival and the day of the float parade (Yamaboko Jyunkou). On this day various ornate floats (Yamaboko) parade through the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto. |
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Photo: Gion Festival, Kyoto |
overnight in
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Day 1 - Jul 14 - Arrive in Osaka (Kansai or Itami Airport). Transfer to Kyoto via train
Day 2 - Jul 15 - Kyoto Full-day sightseeing tour with lunch included*
Day 3 - Jul 16 - Participate in Gion Festival
Day 4 - Jul 17 - Join the Yamaboko Parade
Day 5 - Jul 18 - Osaka Full-day sightseeing tour with lunch included*
Light baggage can be stored on motorcoach until hotel check-in
Day 6 - Jul 19 - Japan departure (Kansai or Itami Airport) |
Kyoto
Kyoto
Kyoto
Kyoto
Osaka
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* Motorcoach pick-up/drop-off service available for specific hotels only
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| Autumn – Takayama Festival in Takayama |
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| Takayama Festival takes place on October 9th and 10th and with the leaves changing is considered one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan and is not to be missed! During the festival, this quiet country town changes magically as flags, lanterns and dyed draperies decorate the houses. The highlight of the festival is a parade of majestic floats and ancient puppets. |
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Photo: Takayama Fest ival, Takayama |
overnight in
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Day 1 - Oct 7 - Arrive in Nagoya (Chubu Centrair Int'l Airport)
Day 2 - Oct 8 - Transfer from Nagoya to Takayama. Day of sightseeing in Takayama*
Day 3 - Oct 9 - Enjoy Takayama Festival
Day 4 - Oct 10 - Enjoy Takayama Festival
Day 5 - Oct 11 - Visit Hida Folk Village. Transfer to Nagoya
Day 6 - Oct 12 - Japan departure from Nagoya
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Nagoya
Takayama
Takayama
Takayama
Nagoya
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* Private guided tours of Takayama are available for an additional fee
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| Winter – Snow Festival in Sapporo |
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| The Snow Festival takes place February 5-11, 2008. There are about 2 dozen teams from many countries participating in this festival, even from places like Australia, Hawaii and Southeast Asia. The festival has grown to become Hokkaido's biggest winter attraction drawing more than 2 million visitors each year. |
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Photo: Snow Festival, Hokkaido |
overnight in
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Day 1 - Feb 4 - Arrive in Sapporo (Chitose Airport via Narita)
Day 2 - Feb 5 - Enjoy Snow Festival
Day 3 - Feb 6 - Enjoy Snow Festival
Day 4 - Feb 7 - Transfer to Tokyo (via domestic flight from Chitose Airport)
Day 5 - Feb 8 - Day of sightseeing in Tokyo
Day 6 - Feb 9 - Japan departure (Narita Airport)
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Sapporo
Sapporo
Sapporo
Tokyo
Tokyo
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Optional
Day 3 - Transfer to Kushiro and visit Kushiro Shitsugen National Park and watch crane dance
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Suggested Itineraries 
