Bringing Song to Japan - 11 days

Tour Highlights

Nijo Castle • Kinkakuji Temple • Heian Shinto Shrine • Samurai performance • Atomic Bomb Museum • Miyajima Island • Origami Kaikan • Nagano • Matsumoto Castle • Asakusa Kannon Temple • Imperial Palace Plaza • Tokyo Tower Observatory • 3 Performance Opportunities

Overnights

Tokyo 1, Kyoto 2, Hiroshima 1, Tokyo 5

Itinerary

DAY 1: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT
Depart from the USA on an overnight flight. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

DAY 2: TOKYO
Arrive at Tokyo-Narita International airport and meet your Tour Manager. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and time to acquaint yourself with the area before dinner together at a local restaurant.

DAY 3: KYOTO
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and a free morning. Afternoon travel by express train to Kyoto. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 4: KYOTO
After your American breakfast at your hotel, assemble in the lobby and start a sightseeing tour of Kyoto by bus with an English-speaking guide. Your tour today includes such highlights as the Nijo Castle, the old "Shogun" residence; Kinkakuji Temple famous for its Golden Pavilion; and The Heian Shinto Shrine with its inner garden. This afternoon, continue to Uzumasa Movie Village to enjoy a "Samurai" performance. Return to your hotel later today. Enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.

DAY 5: HIROSHIMA
After an American breakfast at your hotel, board a fast train to Hiroshima, where you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Hiroshima by bus with a local guide. Your tour includes the Peace Memorial Park with the Atomic Bomb Museum, and the Miyajima Island with the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, which is a World Cultrual Heritage of UNESCO destination. After your visit, transfer to a local school for an exchange with the choir, and present your first concert for the student body. Next, transfer to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

DAY 6: TOKYO
Free time to explore Hiroshima before traveling via fast train to Tokyo. Upon arrival in Tokyo, transfer to “Origami” Kaikan and learn the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. After the visit, transfer to your hotel for check in. Dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 7: TOKYO
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the Japan Engineer College where you have a brief lecture on “Manga” and “Animation” and present a concert for the student body. The rest of the afternoon is free. Dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 8: TOKYO
Breakfast at hotel. The entire day is free to enjoy at your leisure. Dinner is at a local restaurant within walking distance to your hotel.

DAY 9: TOKYO
Breakfast at hotel. Travel by train to Nagano for sightseeing with your Tour manager. Continue to Matsumoto and visit the castle designated as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. Return to Tokyo via train for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10: TOKYO
After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Tokyo by bus with a local guide. Included is the Asakusa Kannon Temple with its shopping arcade "Nakamise"; the Imperial Palace Plaza; and the Tokyo Tower Observatory. Free afternoon. Dinner is followed by your final concert performance.

DAY 11: RETURN TO THE USA
Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States.