Spring 2015 – Japan Escorted Tour (SOLD-OUT!!)

Exclusive Japan Escorted Tour from Hawaii with Japanese Hospitality

“Let’s Enjoy Japan’s Sakura Viewing and Local Food & Sake!” (Japan Tour #002)

– Escorted by Yosh Sato (UHH/HCC graduate originally from Tokyo) & BIG-JIN Otaka (UHH/HCC graduate originally from Tokyo).

“We will welcome Hawaii locals to Japan and want you to experience good food, sake, services, shopping, scenery and a lot more! More importantly, we want you to experience what we enjoy most in Japan. Let’s enjoy Japan with us, Japan local style!!”  by Yosh

Tour Highlights:

1. Witness the seasonal Sakura, Cherry Blossom, with Mt. Fuji (World-Heritage Site) at Lake Kawaguchi-ko & at Matsumoto Castle (National Treasure)
2. Explore Kyoto, Takayama & Tokyo, the Historic Towns & Modern City of Japan
3. Play Pachinko Hard! – Japanese Gambling Experience
4. Enjoy Japan’s Local Food and Taste Fresh Local Sake at Breweries
5. Shop like Japan locals at 100 Yen Shops/Supermarkets/Depachika/Aeon Mall, etc.

Tour Dates:

April 13, 2015 – April 23, 2015  < 10 Days/9 Nights >

(4 nights in Tokyo, 2 nights in Takayama, Gifu, and 3 nights in Kyoto)

*We can arrange for your extended stay in Japan

Tour Destinations:

• *Tokyo (Tsukiji Fish Market, Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara & more)
• *Lake Kawaguchi-ko in Yamanashi (Mt. Fuji, Fuji-Q Highland, etc.)
• *Matsumoto in Nagano (Matsumoto Castle)
• *Takayama in Gifu (Old Town, Shirakawago, Onsen Hot Springs, Sake Breweries, etc.)
• *Nagoya in Aichi (Station Underground Shopping Malls, Depachika, etc.)
• *Kyoto (Kiyomizudera Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Gion, etc.)
• *Nara (Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Kasugataisha Shrine, etc.)

*On this tour, you will have free time and days to visit your favorite places in Japan. We can and will always help you with your free time.

Tour Prices (Land Only):

Adult 

– Double & Triple Occupancy

$1,680.00 per person + tax

– Single Occupancy

$1,830.00 per person + tax

• *For child occupancy or any other pricing questions, please contact us.
• *Maximum #: 20 PAX (10-15 PAX per escort)/minimum #: 10 PAX
• *The tour prices are based on the exchange rate on 11/15/2014 and subject to change anytime according to the fluctuation of exchange rate between U.S. and Japan.
• *Tour registration will begin on 11/25/2014 and end on 3/15/2015.

< Inclusions >

• * 9 night budget or business-type hotel accommodation with 5 breakfasts (2 at Tokyo hotel, 2 at Takayama hotel and 1 at Kyoto hotel) – because we want to offer our Japan tours at low prices, we try to negotiate with hotels directly and find last-minute deals in Japan. Therefore, we will be able to announce your hotels 1-2 week(s) before the tour departure.
• * A full-time services (tour guiding, escorting, interpreting, etc.) from the beginning to the end of the tour fully provided by English/Japanese speaking tour guide(s)
• * All transportation fees in Japan (4/14 airport limousine bus ticket from Haneda to Oimachi Sta., 4/15 1-day Tokyo train pass, 4/16 1-day train/bus pass to/from Lake Kawaguchi-ko, 4/18 express bus tickets to Matsumoto & Takayama, 4/20 express train ticket to Nagoya and bullet train ticket from Nagoya to Kyoto, 4/21 1-day bus pass, 4/23 airport limousine bus ticket from Kyoto to Kansai Airport)
• * All admission fees (4/18 for Matsumot castle, 4/21 for Kiyomizu-dera temple)
• * 1 luggage transfer per person from Tokyo to Kyoto Hotel or Kansai airport (by delivery company)
• * Roundtrip airport transfers from your home to Hilo airport (with above tour dates and in Hilo area only)

< Exclusions >

• * Roundtrip airfare from Hawaii to Japan
• * All lunches and dinners in Japan 
• * Travel insurances
• * Passport fees
• * Incidental hotel charges such as room service, laundry service, phone calls, etc.
• * Wi-Fi rental fee for smart phones
• * Personal expenses (food, omiyage, etc.)

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1	4/13	Depart from Honolulu, Hawaii (HA457@4:50PM)
	4/14	Arrive in Tokyo, Japan (@10:05PM)
Day 2	4/15	1 Day Trip/Tokyo 9:00-15:00 Explore Tsukiji Fish Market & Asakusa-Sensoji temple & Nakamise shopping streets. 15:00 - free-time (explore nearby area: Kappabashi/Tokyo Skytree & Solamachi mall/Akihabara/Ueno & Ameya-Yokocho, etc.) (Evening) 19:00~ Join us at Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku (optional & reservation required).
Day 3	4/16	1 Day Trip/Tokyo - Sakura Viewing with Mt. Fuji at Lake Kawaguchi-ko. (Morning) View Sakura blooming and snow-covered Mt. Fuji at Lake Kawaguchi-ko. (Afternoon) Free-time (go visit the 5th station on Mt. Fuji or one of Japan's most popular theme parks, Fuji-Q highland (optional), to ride on thrilling roller coasters and see Mt. Fuji.
Day 4	4/17	Free Day/Tokyo - Explore Tokyo area more!
Day 5	4/18	Tokyo/Matsumoto/Takayama - Transfer from Tokyo to Matsumoto in Nagano by express bus to visit Matsumoto castle and see the seasonal Sakura (cherry blossom). Transfer from Matsumoto to Takayama in Gifu by express bus.
Day 6	4/19	Free Day/Takayama - Explore the old town of Takayama on foot or go on a half-a-day trip to Shirakawago, World-Heritage site. Visit Miyagawa morning market for omiyage, eat local food like Hida beef and taste fresh local sake at breweries, or relax in onsen hot springs!!
Day 7	4/20	Takayama/Nagoya/Kyoto (Morning) Transfer from Takayama station to Nagoya station in Aichi by express train and enjoy shopping at the Nagoya's famous underground shopping streets. Transfer from Nagoya Station to Kyoto Station by bullet train.
Day 8	4/21	1/2 Day Trip/Kyoto (Morning) Experience the feeling of old Kyoto at Kiyomizudera, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Gion area. (Afternoon) free-time
Day 9	4/22	Free-Day/Kyoto (Nara) - Explore Kyoto more! or Nara to visit Todaiji Temple, Kasuga-taisha shrine and Nara park to feed the deer crackers (optional & escorted by guide)
Day10	4/23	1/2 Day Free/Kyoto (Morning) Enjoy the last free time in Kyoto. (Afternoon) Transfer to Kansai Airport in Osaka by airport limousine bus (@3:00PM/4:00PM) (Evening) Depart from Kansai Airport for Hawaii (HA450@9:15PM) Arrive in Honolulu, Hawaii (@9:50AM)

*Scroll down to see tour images (or click here)

Flight Schedules/Air Tickets:

We highly recommend you to book your flights through Hawaiian Airlines with the following flight schedules:

Departing Flight:  [ HA457 ] – Monday, April 13, 2015, 5:40 PM

from Oahu – Honolulu (HNL) to Tokyo – Haneda, Japan (HND)

Returning Flight:  [ HA450 ] – Thursday, April 23, 2015, 9:15 PM

from Osaka – Kansai, Japan (KIX) to Oahu – Honolulu (HNL)

*Current airfare prices for the above flights on Hawaiian Airlines website (as of December 3, 2014):

$1,018.90 from Hilo to Haneda, Tokyo & from Kansai, Osaka to Hilo

$953.30 from Honolulu to Haneda, Tokyo & from Kansai , Osaka to Honolulu

* Please book your flights after receiving a confirmation of the guaranteed tour departure from us. We will notify you by March 15, 2015 if the minimum tour participant requirement of 10 PAX is met.

* Our tour escort will fly from Hilo to Japan on Hawaiian Airlines with the above flight schedules. Our meeting point will be held at Honolulu airport for those who will participate in our tour from other parts of Hawaii. Please meet our escort(s) at the boarding gate by 4:00 PM.

* If you plan to fly on other airlines, please let us know in advance. We can provide you with instructions to meet the tour group in Japan.

Tour Registration:

To reserve your tour, please click here (online registration) or fill out a tour registration form and mail it to us with a deposit fee of $100 per person. Checks, cash or credit card payments (by Paypal or at our office) are acceptable.

Attn: Yosh Sato
Japan Tour Sales
MAIKAI OHANA TOURS
260 Kamehameha Avenue, Suite 209
Hilo, HI 96720

Final Tour Payment(s):

After your tour registration with $100 deposit payment, our balance (tour price + tax -$100) will be due by February 15, 2015 if the tour departure is guaranteed or otherwise by March 15, 2014. We will notify you of the balance payment.  A personal check, cash or credit cards (by Paypal or at our office) are acceptable.

Cancellation Policy:

If you need to cancel your tour reservation, you must advise us in writing (by letter signed by the person who has made the reservation or e-mail). Please note that any cancellation request by phone will not be accepted. Then we will confirm your cancellation and notify you of any cancellation fee(s) if any.

If you cancel your reservation, one of the following cancellation fees applies:

• > anytime prior to 2/15/2015 ( – 2/15/2015): $100 deposit fee per person
• > 60 to 30 days prior to the departure date (2/16 – 3/15): 25% of total tour price
• > 31 to 15 days prior to the departure date (3/16 – 3/31/2015): 50% of total tour price
• > 14 to 0 days prior to the departure date (4/1 – 4/13/2015): 100% of total tour price

*Deposit will be refunded to you if the tour is cancelled due to the minimum participant requirement.

Terms and Conditions:

1. You must have a valid US passport to travel to Japan.
2. Participants with Non-US passport may require to obtain visa from the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu before the tour departure. Please contact at 808.543.3111.
3. You must be in good health condition and able to walk long-distance.
4. Daily tour schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.
5. Due to limited storage space on transportations, it is recommended to carry only 1 luggage and 1 hand carry bag per person during the tour.
6. Travel insurance is recommended to purchase for your protection.
7. Your hotels will be determined and notified to you 7 days before the tour departure date. All rooms will be budget/economy-class/business type: twin-bedrooms for double occupancy and single-bedrooms for single occupancy with non-smoking or smoking (can be treated with room freshener).
8. Credit cards are widely accepted to make your payments in Japan. However, it is recommended to exchange and carry some amount of cash to be expensed for your own needs. Local shops (100 yen shops, etc.) and restaurants may not accept credit cards.
9. Children are welcome to participate in the tour, but must be accompanied by a parent(s), grandparent(s) or others with a parent’s permission note. We offer reduced prices for children, so please inquire.
10. A minimum of 10 tour participants is required to guarantee the departure of the tour.

(Registration status as of 1/21/2015: SOLD-OUT!)

Tour Itinerary (continued from above):

Day 1: Hawaii/Tokyo

– Free airport shuttle from your home!

We will come and pick you up! (in Hilo area only)

 

 

 

 

We will depart from Hawaii and arrive in Tokyo, Japan late at night (if flown with Hawaiian Airlines).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2: Tokyo

Tsukiji Fish market

Sensoji temple in Asakusa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3: Tokyo

Sakura viewing with Mt. Fuji at Lake Kawaguchi-ko

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4: Tokyo

Free Day!! Explore Tokyo area more!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 5: Matsumoto/Takayama

Matsumoto Castle in Nagano

Takayama town in Gifu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 6: Takayama

Free day!! Explore the old Takayama town and relax in onsen hot spring!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 7: Nagoya/Kyoto

Nagoya Station Shopping

Kyoto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 8: Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple (world heritage site)

Ninen & Sannen zaka shopping streets

Gion (geisha district)

Free time afterwards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 9: Kyoto

Free day!! Explore Kyoto more or let’s go visit Nara with us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 10: Kyoto/Hawaii

Free time (in the morning)

Transfer to Kansai Airport by limousin bus (in the afternoon)

*Do you need to shop more? or do last-minute shopping in Japan? There are premium outlets nearby Kansai airport. You can leave Kyoto in the morning and spend the afternoon there!

– Rinku Premium Outlets (http://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/en/rinku)

– Rinku Pleasure Town, “Seacle” by Daiwa House Gropu (http://www.seacle.jp)

 

 

(Registration status as of 1/21/2015: SOLD-OUT!)