$9,389.00

This quote was prepared in Feb of 2016 for a departure in April. This couple wanted to spend their 10th anniversary in Japan. It took them three Travel Agents before they came to me because they were not getting what they wanted from the other agents. A big, well-known agency who promised they could handle it. However, it took them two weeks to get back to my clients and only had two hotels to offer them. Another agency would only give them escorted/guided tours of Japan which they did not want at all. Another agent didn't get back to them at all. I was able to assure them that I have done trips like they requested in the past and offered them one quote to see if I was on the right path before they committed to my consultation fee.

This quote includes my consultation fee of $399, estimated airfare for two people and everything listed below.

HIGHLY SUGGESTED BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THE QUOTE PRICE – Travel Protection – You can never plan for an emergency and your personal insurance coverages doesn’t always travel with you or if it does you end up paying high premiums for out of service coverage. Estimated cost is $454 -$694 depending on the amount of coverage you want.

Itinerary in Brief

• Tuesday 11 April - Flight on Delta departing Seattle at 1pm
• Wednesday 12 April - Tokyo - Arrive on Delta at 4pm - Private Car from Narita Airport to Tokyo - Hotel Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu (Incl. B'fast)
• Thursday 13 April - Tokyo - 4 Hours Private Guide Service in Tokyo - Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu (Incl. B'fast)
• Friday 14 April - Tokyo - Kabuki at Kabuki-za - Robot Restaurant - Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu (Incl. B'fast)
• Saturday 15 April - Tokyo - Optional Day Trip from Tokyo - Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu (Incl. B'fast)
• Sunday 16 April - Hakone - Train from Tokyo (Shinjuku) to Hakone (Hakone Yumoto) - Happy Anniversary! - Yamanochaya (Ryokan - Incl. B’fast & Dinner)
• Monday 17 April - Kyoto - Taxi from Hakone to Odawara - Train from Odawara to Kyoto - Private Car from Kyoto Station to Hotel - Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto (Incl. B'fast)
• Tuesday 18 April - Kyoto - 4 Hours Private Guide Service in Kyoto - Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto (Incl. B'fast)
• Wednesday 19 April - Kyoto - Geisha Dances Miyako Odori - Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto (Incl. B'fast)
• Thursday 20 April - Depart - Trains from Kyoto to Narita Airport - Flight on Delta at 4pm & arrive in Seattle at 9am

Detailed day-by-day

Day 1 - Tuesday 11 April

Flight on Delta Airlines departing Seattle at 1pm

Day 2 - Wednesday 12 April

Arrive on Delta Airlines at Narita Airport at 4pm

Private Car from Narita Airport to Tokyo Hotel

Your adventures in Japan will get under way when you are met at the exit to customs at Narita Airport. Your driver will be waiting for you as you enter into the arrivals lobby holding a sign with your name on. You will transfer by private vehicle to your accommodation in Tokyo, making for a smooth and relaxing start to your trip. Narita Airport is some 40 miles to the east of Tokyo, so journey time is in the region of 90 minutes (dependent upon traffic). Sit back, relax and enjoy the views of Tokyo's skyscrapers as you approach the city.

Toyota Crown (1 to 2 People) - Private Vehicle (Car & Driver)

IC Transport Card

Japan has a public transport system unrivalled anywhere in the world for efficiency, cleanliness and coverage. The daily number of journeys on the Tokyo subway alone is in excess of 8 million yet despite its huge scope and vast number of lines navigating the system is really rather easy. As always the Japanese are pushing the boundaries with their transport technology and now there is a convenient tap-in, tap-out 'IC Card' that covers not just Tokyo's public transport but the entire country. In 2012 all the regional electronic transport cards were combined into a single system and now you can use any of them on the transport systems in most major cities in Japan. Simply the most convenient and developed public transport system you will find anywhere.

We are supplying you with Manaca cards, Nagoya’s version of the IC card. You will be able to use this throughout your time in Japan for travelling on buses, subways, over ground railways and in some places you will even be able to pay for taxis, buy drinks from vending machines and pay for your bento in a convenience store! Your card comes with 2,500 yen of credit and can be topped up in any major city at the automatic ticket machines at any station. And don't worry - instructions in English are provided! We are sure you will get great use out of this during your trip and can have that satisfying feeling of travelling like a local! All in all, an essential accessory for any visit to Japan.

IC Card - Transport Pass (2)

Tokyo - Introduction

One quarter of all Japanese live in Tokyo or the near vicinity and with a population of over 12 million inhabitants, Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world. With its huge skyscrapers, underpasses, overpasses and crowds of pedestrians, Tokyo may not seem the most attractive city on the surface, but the city has a vibrant charm all of its own. The street level detail is what makes Tokyo such an incredibly interesting place to explore and at every turn you will be met with an array of sights, sounds and smells to enliven the senses. The city has many major sights to visit such as Senso-ji Temple in the old downtown area of Asakusa or the fashion hub of Shibuya from where all new trends are said to emanate. All in all a stay in Tokyo is to experience one of the world's most vibrant and interesting cities; a capital hurtling headlong into the future whilst maintaining its links with the traditions of ancient Japan.

Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu - Superior Class - The Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu is located in the center of Shibuya. The hotel offers a sophisticated and comfortable space for your relaxing stay.

Overnight at Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu • Twin - Incl. B'fast

Day 3 - Thursday 13 April

4 Hours Private Guide Service in Tokyo

Today you will have the services of a private guide for four hours. You will be travelling by public transport, as Tokyoites do, in order to help you to get a real feel for the Japan's capital. This will be a fantastic introduction to the city and you can ask your guide any questions you may have about Tokyo and life in Japan. Your guide will come to the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu at around 9:00 AM to meet you and your guiding will proceed from there.

Guide - Private Service

Overnight at Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu • Twin - Incl. B'fast

Day 4 - Friday 14 April

Kabuki at Kabuki-za

Kabuki is one of the stand out theatrical arts of Japan. Unlike Noh, which is a much older, more stylised and serious art form (some would say a little tortuous at times) Kabuki is pure entertainment; a fabulous mix of outlandish costumes, dramatic stunts, high speed action and great story telling. Kabuki dates from the Edo period and its emphasis on entertainment is in keeping with the flourishing of the arts and the 'floating world' which characterised this 300 year age of peace and prosperity.

After a complete rebuilding, the Kabuki-za theatre in Tokyo's central Ginza area re-opened on 2nd April 2013. Once again Kabuki in Tokyo has returned to its spiritual home with a beautiful traditionally designed yet modern theatre providing the very best space in which to enjoy this art. Performances last several hours and usually have four acts. However, if you do not wish to stay for the whole show you do not need to. An English captioning device is available for a small fee (500-1,000 yen depending on the performance). We highly recommend you get the device as the English captions are invaluable and allows you to grasp quite why the rest of the audience are falling off their chairs with laughter!

Ticket - Upper Tier B Seat (2)

Robot Restaurant

Are you ready for the weirdest, kookiest experience Japan has to offer? Welcome to Shinjuku's Robot Restaurant which obliterates the rest of Tokyo in the bizarre stakes. Forget the food - you're here for the hour long show: a "robot cabaret" accompanied by a garish kaleaidoscope of strobe lights, lazers, techno music and dancers in glittery bikinis. You'll even see giant dancing pandas, dinosaurs, ninjas and of course plenty of robots.

We will include a voucher for the robot show in the early evening today. Please note, despite being called a "restaurant" the food is pretty terrible, so we will just make a reservation for the show - not the bento box meal.

Performance - Ticket (2)

Overnight at Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu • Twin - Incl. B'fast

Day 5 - Saturday 15 April

Optional Day Trip from Tokyo

Today you might like to make an excursion from Tokyo. The charming town of Kamakura lies just 1 hour to the west of Tokyo and can be reached by direct train from Shinjuku Station (890 yen each way). Kamakura was formally the capital of Japan for a short period in the 12th century and at that time was possibly the world's largest city with a population of over one million. Today however, it is a sleepy coastal town which attracts large numbers of day trippers to spend time exploring the beautiful shrines and temples. The most famous site if the impressive bronze daibutsu (big Buddha) which is certainly a must-see for any trip to Kamakura.

An alternative trip is to Nikko, located 2 hours to the north of Tokyo. There is one direct train from Shinjuku to Nikko a day which costs 1,890 yen each way. Nikko is not only surrounded by stunning scenery that makes up the national park, but is also home to the World Heritage site of the Tosho-gu Shrine. Nikko has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries and contains many important Buddhist and Shinto shrines and temples, but the most impressive and most famous is definitely Tosho-gu with its vivid colours and many ornate carvings. Once you have marvelled at Tosho-gu there are plenty more temples dotted throughout the surrounding forests that will keep you bewitched for a long time. Even higher up into the mountains from Nikko, it is very much worth visiting the serene Chuzenji-ko Lake and Kegon waterfalls. There are some pleasant walks around here and you may even pass some local monkeys!

If you find that after a while Tokyo's concrete and neon get you yearning for countryside, fresh air and scenery then you can do no better than a day trip out west to sacred Mount Takao (Takao-san in Japanese), part of a range of wooded mountains that form a natural boundary to Tokyo's urban sprawl and mark the start of the Chichibu-Tama National Park. After an easy train journey of just under an hour you will arrive at the base of the mountain from where numerous clearly-marked hiking trails (or a cable-car!) wind their way up to the summit. Many of the routes offer fine views back towards Tokyo and are dotted with small temples, religious statues and offerings increasing in number as the trails approach Yakuoin, an attractive temple dedicated to the 'kami' or spirits of the mountains. On a clear day you can also enjoy some great views of Mount Fuji. The hike to the summit of Takao-san can be done in 2-3 hours and is of only moderate difficulty. For those wanting a further challenge there are a number of more advanced hiking routes that head on from the summit of Mount Takao to other peaks deeper into the National Park. Again these are clearly marked and can be combined with the hike up Mount Takao to form a full day of more advanced hiking. Although popular with Japanese hikers, Mount Takao is virtually untouched by overseas visitors to Japan, so if you like the idea of getting off the beaten track then this might just be the day trip for you!

There are lots of other places of interest located in and around Tokyo so if none of these options takes your fancy then please have a look in your complimentary Info-Pack for a few extra ideas and take advantage of the excellent tourist information facilities available in Tokyo.

Overnight at Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu • Twin - Incl. B'fast

Day 6 - Sunday 16 April

Train from Shinjuku to Hakone (Hakone Yumoto)

From Shinjuku Station you will take the Odakyu Railways "Romance Car" train all the way to Hakone Yumoto station in the heart of the Hakone National Park. It's a comfortable ride and the wide windows afford a great view. The journey takes around 85 minutes.

Limited Express - Ordinary (2)

Hakone - Introduction

Hakone is a beautiful national park area around 50 miles west of Tokyo and just to the south of Mount Fuji, Japan's most sacred peak. The area consists of a handful of small villages and hamlets all connected by a variety of local transport, including buses, cable cars and a mountain railway that winds itself through the region's hills and valleys. Hakone has plenty to see and do, from tasting eggs boiled in volcanic waters to taking a boat trip across beautiful Lake Ashi. The outdoor sculpture park and Picasso gallery is a great place to wander around for an afternoon. Or maybe you will just sit back and relax whilst soaking in one of the many therapeutic hot spring baths that Hakone is so famous for. The other main draw to this area is the proximity to Japan's most sacred and iconic mountain, Fuji-san (Mount Fuji) with its near perfect symmetrical form soaring skywards and towering over the surrounding hills. From Hakone you have one of the best chances of getting a view of Mount Fuji from the various view points to be found throughout the area. However, be sure to have your camera at the ready; Fuji-san is notoriously shy and you do not want to miss that precious photo opportunity!

2 Day Hakone Freepass

Upon arrival at Hakone Yumoto you will start using your 2 Day Hakone Freepass. The pass is valid for two days from today and entitles you to unlimited use of 6 different forms of transport in the Hakone region. These include the mountain buses and railway, one of the longest cable cars in Japan and a funicular railway as well as a pirate ship which cruises across Lake Ashi! These all criss-cross the region making it easy to explore and enjoy the surroundings as well as some of the many top quality art museums. The pass also gives you small discounts at many attractions in the area so be sure to show your pass when purchasing tickets. And of course, if you are lucky with the weather, you will be rewarded with stunning views of Mount Fuji.

Hakone Freepass - 2 Day (2)

Happy Anniversary!

Yamanochaya - Superior Class

The Yamanochaya (literally ‘mountain teahouse’) is a gorgeous secluded ryokan with just 15 guestrooms. The property perches on a steep mountainside camouflaged among bamboo, cryptomeria and pine trees. From the entrance where you’ll leave your shoes, wooden steps lead up to the lobby lounge and bar area with views over the Hayakawa River below. After a welcome cup of green tea, you’ll meet your kimono-wearing hostess who will be at your service throughout the stay, serving your meals in your room and unrolling your futon bedding and buckwheat pillows at bedtime.

Guest rooms are almost Zen-like in their simplicity - natural wood and soft tatami mat flooring - and decorated with calligraphy scrolls and flowers. You will be staying in a Japanese style room with raised futon beds and a private open-air hot spring bath (rotenburo).

There are five communal hot spring baths dotted around the ryokan, most outdoors where you can feel the mountain breeze. Dinner is a kaiseki banquet of seemingly endless exquisitely presented courses including local specialties such as mackerel sashimi, yuzu citrus and matsutake mushrooms. All that’s left is to gaze at the moon and enjoy a cup of sake at the ryokan bar.

Overnight at Yamanochaya

Takenoko with Rotenburo Twin Use - Incl. B’fast & Dinner

Day 7 - Monday 17 April

Taxi from Hakone to Odawara

This morning you will be picked up at your accommodation and will travel to Odawara station by private taxi. Your driver will probably not speak that much English but will ensure you get to the station safely and comfortably for your onward journey. Travel time is in the region of 40-60 minutes.

1 to 2 People (from Gora) - Private Service

Train from Odawara to Kyoto

Today you will travel to Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital and the cultural centre of the nation. From Odawara the journey to Kyoto will see you racing down Japan's eastern seaboard by Shinkansen and takes 2 hours 10 minutes.

Hikari Super Express - Green (2)

Kyoto - Introduction

Kyoto is one of the most culturally rich cities in Asia. Home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, this ancient city showcases the heart and soul of traditional Japan. Kyoto boasts an array of world-class gardens, majestic festivals and delicate cuisine, all of which make much of the rhythms of nature and the changing of the seasons. On first glance however, visitors will see that like any large Japanese city, grid-like Kyoto has its fair share of neon and concrete. But the discerning eye will soon pick out Kyoto’s treasures: sacred shrines tucked in among shopping arcades, time-honoured teahouses nestling among modern businesses and mysterious geisha scuttling down backstreets among the tourists and souvenirs. Kyoto’s charm lies in these details and whether you’re here for three days or three years, the closer you look, the more you’ll discover.

Private Car from Kyoto Station to Hotel

On arrival at Kyoto Station you will be met on the train platform by a driver. The driver will escort you to his vehicle and then drive you direct to your Kyoto accommodation.

Taxi (1 to 2 People) - Private Service - Incl. Platform Meet

Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto - Superior Class

Located 7 minutes walk to the west of Kyoto Station, the Rihga Royal Hotel offers high quality 4 star accommodation with friendly service. The building itself is quite unattractive from the outside but the rooms are of a high specification with all the facilities one would expect such as satellite television channels, air conditioning, tea and coffee making equipment, direct dial phones and safety deposit boxes. There is also a well stocked mini bar. The hotel offers a choice of restaurants, four serving western cuisine, two Japanese and one Chinese food. The evening buffet is excellent or you may prefer to check out the Top Of Kyoto restaurant located on the 14th floor which offers excellent views over the city. Breakfast is included in your stay with a variety of both Japanese and English options available to choose from. A western style buffet is served in the Top of Kyoto restaurant which makes for a very nice start to the day. If you like to enjoy a morning swim the pool is open from 7am with a charge of 2,160 yen. The hotel also offers a free shuttle bus service from the Shinkansen side of Kyoto Station.

Overnight at Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto

Twin Regular Floor - Incl. B'fast

Day 8 - Tuesday 18 April

4 Hours Private Guide Service in Kyoto

For today I have scheduled in a half day tour of the city by public transport with a private guide. Your guide will come to your accommodation at around 9:00 AM and take you on tour that will encompass some of the more famous sights but also some lesser known places of interest. With a knowledgeable local by your side you will be set for a great time in this amazing city and are sure to discover things that you might otherwise miss. Please let us know in advance if there are any sights you particularly wish to see, or areas of interest you have, as we can pass this information on to the guide for you. Your guiding will finish at around 1:00 PM either back at your accommodation or anywhere else in the city you wish.

Guide - Private Service

Overnight at Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto

Twin Regular Floor - Incl. B'fast

Day 9 - Wednesday 19 April

Geisha Dances Miyako Odori

More than just the month of cherry blossoms, April is also when Kyoto's geisha quarters stage special, breathtakingly beautiful song and dance performances. This unforgettable spring extravaganza attracts admirers from all over the world. The dances, with their richly decorated costumes and spectacular stage sets, are perfect, living examples of Kyoto-style grace and elegance. We will be supplying you with tickets for some of the best seats in the house. The auditorium is quite small so you will get the best view of the performance

NOTE: The difference between First Class and Special Class seats would be the inclusion of the tea and sweets. The tea provided at the dances is the traditional bitter matcha green tea served during tea ceremonies. The sweets are quite sweet in an effort to balance the bitterness of the tea. The inclusion of these would be perfect for those who would like to try the tea ceremony tea and sweets, but do not have time to join an actual tea ceremony.

Performance - First Class Seat (2)

Overnight at Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto

Twin Regular Floor - Incl. B'fast

Day 10 - Thursday 20 April

Trains from Kyoto to Tokyo (Narita Airport)

From Kyoto we will provide you with reserved seat tickets for the Shinkansen to Tokyo and then the Ltd Express train on to Tokyo Narita Airport. The journey takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Green Car Ticket - (2)

This package also includes

• Comprehensive tailor-made Info-Pack
• Full telephone support from English-speaking staff in our Japan office
• Full financial protection peace of mind
• All taxes and service charges

NOT included in this package

• Meals other than those detailed above
• Local transport at each destination (taxis, buses, subways etc.) except where specified
• Entrance fees to shrines, temples, museums etc. unless otherwise stated above
• Baggage Handling unless explicitly stated above (see Luggage Forwarding below)
• Incidentals such as room service, mini-bar etc.

Baggage Handling and Luggage Forwarding

Even if baggage handling is not included in your trip that doesn’t mean you need carry heavy bags around with you. Japan has a fabulous luggage forwarding service known as ‘takkuhaibin’. For around 1,500 yen (a little over £12) you can forward a bag next day between pretty much any two points in Japan. Nearly all hotels will be happy to help and your Info-Pack will tell you when we suggest making use of this service.

Our Japan Office

Our service to you does not end when you leave for Japan. Our Japan office in Nagoya (between Tokyo and Kyoto) provides English-speaking help and support throughout your time in Japan - help is only ever a phone call away! Our Japan office will have full details of your travel itinerary so will quickly and easily be able to help get you back on track in the unlikely event that you should encounter any difficulties or unforeseen circumstances.

Your Tailor-made Info-Pack

We aim to make your adventures in Japan run as smoothly as possible. To facilitate this we will provide a detailed Info-Pack, tailor-made for your specific trip, full of tips, hints and information covering subjects as diverse as transport, food, language and bathing etiquette! Most importantly the Info-Pack contains all the necessary information to get between destinations, with bi-lingual train times and full instructions for every journey you will be making in Japan. The Info-Pack also contains plenty of suggestions of what each destination has to offer, making it an incredibly useful document, providing support every step of the way!