PKG Tour CodeJPN-KANSAI-2024
10/30 Taste of Kansai Tour 9nights/10days
*Departure guaranteed!*
Showcasing the finest of the Kansai region, this tour places a special emphasis on culinary delights of regional dishes!
Feature
- The highlight of this tour includes 1 Night stay at a temple lodging in Mt. Koya, the sacred center of Shingon Buddhism and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- This trip goes Wakayama, Mt. Koya, Nara, Lake Biwa, Kyoto, Uji, Kyoto-by-the-Sea, Kinosaki Onsen, Himeji Castle, Kobe, Osaka, and more!
- Showcasing the finest of the Kansai region, this tour places a special emphasis on culinary delights. Indulge in regional dishes that are sure to tantalize all of your senses! This fully-guided itinerary begins in Wakayama and sacred Mt. Koya, travels through Nara and Kyoto, passes by Lake Biwa (Japan’s largest lake), and visits the remote Japan Sea coast of “Kyoto-by-the-Sea.” It then heads back down through the traditional atmosphere of Kinosaki Onsen, concluding in the vibrant cities of Kobe and Osaka.
Schedule
- Day1
- Arrive at Kansai (KIX) Airport
Meet local guide and bus driver, head to hotel in Wakayama
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Wakayama.
dinner
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Wakayama or similar
- Day2
- MorningBreakfast at hotel
Umeshu (plum wine) making experience
Kuroshio Ichiba Fish Market + Maguro Cuting Show Lunch at local restaurant (fresh seafood set) - AfternoonMt. Koya sightseeing: Danjo Garan Temple, Kompon Daito Pagoda, and Kongobuji Temple
- EveningTraditional Buddhist dinner (shojin-ryori) on Mt. Koya
Stay a night at temple lodging
breakfastlunchdinner
Sekishoin Shukobo or similar
- Day3
- MorningExperience Buddhist morning services (optional)
Traditional Buddhist breakfast (shojin-ryori) on Mt.Koya
Strolling around Okunoin Temple
Orange picking hands-on experience
Lunch at a local restaurant (Wakayama regional persimmon leaf sushi set) - AfternoonVisit Todaiji Temple, Nara Deer Park, and Higashimuki Shopping Street
- EveningAt the hotel, enjoy Kaiseki dinner and private onsen
breakfastlunchdinner
Yuzanso or similar
- Day4
- MorningBreakfast at hotel
Enjoy Lake Biwa Ropeway ride and Biwako Terrace
Lunch at local restaurant (special Kyoto matcha cuisine set) - AfternoonVisit Byodoin Temple and Omotesando shopping street sightseeing
Matcha making hands-on experience + tea break
Visit Yasaka Shrine and sightseeing around Gion geisha district - EveningYakiniku dinner at local restaurant
breakfastlunchdinner
Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo-guchi or similar
- Day5
- MorningBreakfast at hotel
Scenic local train ride from Kameoka to Arashiyama
Arashiyama bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge sightseeing
Lunch at local restaurant - AfternoonVisit Suntory Beer Factory for factory tour + beer tasting
Visit Nishiki Ichiba Market and Shopping Street - EveningFree time for dinner at your leisure
breakfastlunch
Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo-guchi or similar
- Day6
- MorningBreakfast at hotel
Visit the traditional fishing village, Ine no Funaya and go on a boat tour
Lunch at local restaurant (fresh seafood set) - AfternoonSightseeing at Ama no Hashidate, One of Japan's "Top 3 most scenic views", including cable car ride
Explore Kinosaki Onsen Town + hands-on experience making onsen tamago (eggs boiled in hotspring) - EveningEnjoy onsen and deluxe kaiseki dinner at hotel
breakfastlunchdinner
Suishoen or similar
- Day7
- MorningBreakfast at hotel
Visit Genbudo Cave and Genbudo Museum, famous for dinosaur fossils
Lunch at local restaurant (Himeii regional cuisine set) - AfternoonSightseeing at Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bridge and Maiko Marine Promenade
Explore Kobe Harborland - EveningDinner at local restaurant (Kobe beef course menu)
Enjoy onsen at hotel
breakfastlunchdinner
Kobe Bay Sheraton and Towers or similar
- Day8
- MorningBreakfast at hotel
Sake brewery tours + tastings at Kikumasamune and Hamafukutsuru
Experience making Takoyaki or nigiri for lunch - AfternoonExplore Osaka Castle and sightseeing
Aqualiner Osaka River cruise
Visit Tsutenkaku Tower and strolling around Shin-Sekai neighborhood - EveningDinner at local restaurant (shabushabu set)
breakfastlunchdinner
Miyako City Osaka Tennoji or similar
- Day9
- MorningBreakfast at hotel
Full free day to explore Osaka!
breakfast
- Day10
- MorningBreakfast at hotel
Free time in Osaka
Head to Haneda airport with a guide in afternoon for departure to the U.S.
breakfast
BOOK
Remarks
- Booking Policy
Rates:The mentioned prices may fluctuate due to the changes of surcharge, fees, taxes or currency status without prior notice. The actual prices will be officially confirmed at the time of booking. Please kindly verify with your H.I.S. representative.
Reservation: The reservation must be made 65 days before the start of the tour. - Pertinent Information Before Travel - Hotel :
-The hotel rooms are considerably smaller than western ones.
-The ceilings are much lower, giving a perception of the scope of the rooms.
-The normal double beds are French-sized (140cm x 200cm), with a few hotels featuring double rooms with a double bed.
-Rooms with double beds or smoking rooms must be specially reserved and, because of the scarcity, cannot be guaranteed.
-The pajamas and yukata provided by the hotel are only for use in the hotel. - Pertinent Information Before Travel - Trains (if included) :
-The spaces for suitcases on Japanese trains are very limited (this is the reason for the separate transport of the luggage in our packages).
-For the packages that mention the JR Pass, our assistant or guide will help with reserving the train (for the tours with a guide, we cannot guarantee that the whole group can sit together). It is only possible to reserve the trains after arriving in Japan and there may be no availability for the trains mentioned in the program.
-2nd Class tickets (regular) are used in the packages. Usage of 1st class tickets must be booked and requires extra fees.
-Please refrain from talking loudly on the train.
-Talking on the phone on the train is forbidden.
-Please note that it is very difficult to reserve train tickets during specific periods such as "Golden Week" consecutive national holidays, Bon Holidays and the end of the year/New Year period.
-Commuter trains and arterial roads in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka are crowded during the rush hour, and in the mornings and evenings. - Pertinent Information Before Travel - Meals (if included) :
-Japanese meals rarely include desserts. Sometimes there will be a small plate with fruits that accompany the main dish.
-In some typical restaurants it is obligatory to take off your shoes. We recommend wearing stockings or socks (this is not obligatory).
-For special food needs and requests (allergies, vegetarians, etc.), please state them during your reservation, so that we can inform the restaurants. - Pertinent Information Before Travel - Visits (if included) :
-Often during temple/shrine visits, guests will have to take off their shoes. We advise wearing socks (not obligatory, but do not go barefoot).
-Cultural properties may be under renovation and covered.
-Itinerary may change due to inevitable causes such as closing, natural disasters, traffic jams, etc. - Pertinent Information Before Travel - Others (if included) :
-You are not allowed to stand and smoke on the street. Smoking is permitted only in designated smoking areas.
-Surcharge for arrival between 20:00 and 07:00.
-Guide / Assistant: Assistant from the airport to the hotel in English (day 1). Assistance service available for a maximum of 4 hours. After 2 hours from the originally scheduled landing time, the assistant may no longer be available. During peak seasons, assistance may be available separately at the airport and at the hotel. In case of arrival during the closure of the JR offices at the airport and in Tokyo, customers will not be able to be accompanied to validate the Japan Rail Pass and will therefore have to make changes and bookings independently in the following days. Guide in English (day 2 and day 4) Telephone support (emergency number) for the duration of the stay.
-Surcharge for arrival between 20:00 and 07:00 - Travel Arrangement Options
If you plan to extend your trip, we can also arrange any travel items as follows.
-Hotel Accommodations other than specified in the itinerary
-Japan Rail Pass and Rail Tickets
-Japan Air Pass and Domestic Flights
-Airport Transfers
-Day Tours
=Travel Insurance
etc.
We can also arrange your international flights between any cities in the U.S. and Japan at our special airfare. Please ask your agent for more details.