Touring Date


09 Nov 2020  - 18 Nov 2020

General

The Japanese built their cultural and national identity on a volcanic Island chain, surrounded by an ocean,. The transition from being open to the world to being closed to it has shaped Japan‘s unique character. And even today, modern and technological Japan remains rigid and reserved, and it zealously preserves its unique tradition. A visit to Japan is a constant encounter with many contrasts; ancient temples alongside modern skyscrapers, fancy gardens and hi-tech gadgets, old samurai castles located in vibrant, modern cities. Japan is a western society that stands firmly in the east. Our tour includes Tokyo with its skyscrapers, wooden houses and traditional gardens, and the natural reserve Nikko with its abundance of temples – both Shinto and Buddhist. At Hakone, located on the edge of a volcanic lake, we can soak in a typical Japanese Onsen. Kyoto – Japan‘s imperial capital for over 1,000 years, and Takayama – ancient cultural center of the Japanese Alps. The Land of the Rising Sun brings us calm at dawn, hustle and bustle at midday, and placidity at night. Yokoso!

Available departures

This tour is repeated every weekday (working day).

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Full Itinerary

Monday 

Arrival in Tokyo Narita/Haneda

Day 1

After arrival and entry procedures at Narita/Haneda Airport, you will meet your guide, travel by coach to Tokyo, and continue to the city’s main sightseeing spots.
In the next few days, you will explore Tokyo - the center of modern Japan. You will spend each day exploring the main sights of the city, getting a thorough introduction to the city. Tokyo is a huge metropolis, which has surprises in store for you at every street corner. This is an exciting, vibrant, and bustling city, where everything and everyone moves at high speed. Sightseeing on this day will be adjusted to your arrival time.

An independent walking tour at night reveals yet another side to Tokyo, with its neon signs brightening the sky, thousands of lively restaurants and bars, and colorful entertainment districts.

Welcome to Japan!

Arrive at Narita/Haneda Airport 
After entry procedures, individual transfer to the hotel for check-in.  Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.
Enjoy dinner at Chabad Tokyo 

Tuesday 

Classic Tokyo

Day 2

Today you will explore Tokyo — the heart of modern Japan — with your guide. You will spend the day discovering the main sights, from ancient temples to modern pop-culture and electronic wonders, getting a thorough introduction of the city by private coach. You will learn more about the city’s history at the Fukagawa Edo or Edo Tokyo Museum. Also visit the traditional downtown area of Asakusa and walk through one of Tokyo’s oldest neighborhoods and get acquainted with Tokyo’s peculiar subcultures in Akihabara.
Privately Guided Day by Private Coach
9:00 Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

Full day of sightseeing in Tokyo, visit:
- Tsukiji outer market
- Asakusa Kannon temple

Enjoy Lunch/Lunch Box Catering service  

- Nakamise shopping street
- Edo Tokyo Museum
- Ueno park
- Akihabara
In the evening, transfer back to the hotel 

Enjoy dinner at Chabad Tokyo 

Wednesday 

Tokyo - Hakone

Day 3

Today, you will travel by coach to "the backyard of Tokyo", Hakone - a nature reserve and hot springs area with great museums, as well as the possibility, on a clear day, to enjoy one of the best views of Mt. Fuji.
Another highlight in this area is the Open-Air Museum, a renowned museum of contemporary art which uses the beauty of the surrounding nature as a backdrop for its exhibits. In the evening, you can enjoy one of the highlights of any visit to Japan - the hot springs.

Privately Guided Day by Private Coach
9:00 Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

Drive to Hakone (about 1 hour), visit:
- Chokokunomori (Hakone Open-Air Museum)
- Owakudani valley or Mt. Komagatake Ropeway 

Enjoy Lunch/Lunch Box Catering service 

- Cruise on Lake Ashi
Transfer to the hotel 
Enjoy Kosher/Vegan meal 

Thursday 

Hakone-Matsumoto Takayama

Day 4

Travelling by coach you will drive to Matsumoto, a typical castle-town. Matsumoto is famous for its black crow castle, one of the very few original castles that have remained complete from the feudal era. Along with the castle, you will visit Nakamachi - an atmospheric and well-preserved district with a small market, interesting galleries, and other hidden treasures.

From Matsumoto, you will continue to Takayama, driving down a beautiful road with breathtaking views of mountains, rivers, and large impressive dams, stopping along the way in different scenic spots. Takayama is a small town that has kept the charms of the olden days in areas preserved since the feudal period, which allows you to soak in an atmosphere reminiscent of past centuries. If time permits, you can see some of the sights the town has to offer before heading to your accommodation.

Privately Guided Day by Private Coach
9:00 Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.
Drive to Matsumoto (about 3 hours), visit:
- The Wasabi farm
Continue to Takayama (about 2 hours), visit:
- Kami Sannomachi Street, the center of the old town of Takayama (as time permits)
Transfer to the hotel (end of bus service).
Enjoy Kosher/Vegan meal in a private room at the accommodation (subject to confirmation)
Accommodation: Meals: BF:Accommodation

Friday 

Takayama-Shirakawago-Kyoto

Day 5

Travelling by coach, you will leave Takayama and head to Shirakawago. Shirakawa-go is a quiet, picturesque village located in a secluded area deep in the Southern Japanese Alps. It is dotted with houses and small rice fields, connected by a network of watercourses-- a delight for photographers. Shirakawa-go is a World Heritage Site and is best known for its gassho-zukuri—traditional mountain-style farmhouses. You can even step inside one of the houses to see the architecture and observe the lifestyle of the locals who still reside within the village.

After visiting Shirakawago, continue by coach to Kyoto, Japan’s old imperial capital. The next few days will be dedicated to Kyoto - the hub of traditional culture in Japan. This is a city that for hundreds of years has been an island of tradition in the swirling whirlpool of continual progress in urban Japan.  Kyoto has 17 World Heritage Sites - the most properties in one city - each a masterpiece representative of the era in which it was constructed.

During your time in Kyoto, you will encounter the history, cultural aesthetics, religion, and the daily tales that make up the Japanese puzzle. You will discover and experience the past rippling through the every day life of locals.

Privately Guided Day by Private Coach
9:00 Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.
In the morning, drive to Shirakawago (about 1 hour), visit:
- Wada / Nagase house

Enjoy Lunch/Lunch Box Catering service 

Continue by bus to Kyoto (about 3,5 hours), visit:
- Kyoto Station, for its design/architecture
Transfer to the hotel
Enjoy Dinner at Chabad Kyoto 

Saturday 

Kyoto During Shabbat

Day 6

Today enjoy a day celebrating shabbat. Start with morning prayers and enjoy a beautiful and leisurely walk along the celebrated Philosopher’s Path, which is lined with temples, small stores, and scenic surroundings. Privately Guided Day On Foot
9:00 Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.
Enjoy breakfast at Chabad Kyoto 
Morning prayers for Shabbat.
Shabbat Lunch.
Sightseeing on foot in Kyoto, visit:
- Path of Philosophy

Return to the hotel. Shabbat ends at 07:37 PM

Enjoy dinner at Chabad Kyoto 

Sunday 

Classic Kyoto

Day 7

Today, you will visit Kyoto’s sights by private coach, deepening your knowledge of Kyoto and Japan. You will be exposed to the fundamentals of aesthetics, Zen, architecture, and horticulture through visits to famous places such as the distinguished stone garden at Ryoanji temple, the spectacular Golden Pavilion, the Shogun castle, and a downtown market. You will also have the chance to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, as well as taking a stroll along the picturesque streets of Gion, where you just might catch a glimpse of a geisha on her way to work.
Privately Guided Day by Private Coach
9:00 Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

Enjoy breakfast at Chabad Kyoto 

Full day of sightseeing in Kyoto, visit:
- Nijo Castle
- Kinkakuji Temple
Enjoy Lunch/Lunch Box Catering service 
- Ryoanji Temple
Enjoy a Tea Ceremony with a Tea Master
After the activity, visit:
- Nishiki Market
- Gion geisha district
Transfer to the hotel
Enjoy dinner at Chabad Kyoto 

Monday 

Kyoto-Miyajima-Hiroshima-Kyoto

Day 8

In the morning, use the Shinkansen and local train and ferry to head to Miyajima, an island near Hiroshima, known for its large red shrine gate - the Grand Torii - which looks as if it’s afloat at high tide. If time permits, you will also visit a temple with many small sculptures and unique ceremonies. After visiting the island, you will return to Hiroshima and visit the peace museum and park. Return to Kyoto by bullet train. Big luggage will be transferred directly to Tokyo. Pack a small bag for 1 night that you can leave at the hotel in Kyoto.

Privately Guided Day by Varied Transportation
8:00 Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

Enjoy breakfast at Chabad Kyoto 
Take a Taxi to Kyoto Station.
Take a bullet train to Hiroshima station (about 2 hours).
Meet your private coach at Hiroshima Station.
Drive to Miyajima-guchi (about 1 hour).
Take ferry to Miyajima.
Sighteeing in Miyajima on foot (please note that the roads on Miyajima are too narrow for buses and cars. Miyajima is best explored on foot.), visit:
Enjoy Lunch/Lunch Box Catering service 

- Daishoin temple
- Itsukushima Shrine
Take ferry back to Miyajima-guchi.
Drive back to Hiroshima City (about 1 hour).
Sightseeing in Hiroshima by private coach, visit:
- Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum
Drive back to Hiroshima Station
Take a bullet train to Kyoto station (about 2 hours).
Transfer to the hotel by taxi.
Enjoy dinner at Chabad Kyoto 

Tuesday 

Kyoto - Trendy Tokyo

Day 9

Today you will head back to Tokyo.
Many of Japan’s unique pop cultures, fashions, and subcultures have developed here in the heart of Tokyo, all right next to some of the city’s most significant temples and shrines. Any visit to Tokyo should include exploration of the areas where these cultures and fashions come to life, and where the latest trends meet the Japanese tradition, such as Harajuku, Omotesando, and Shibuya. Today, we will take you right where the action is taking place!

Privately Guided Day by Varied Transportation
9:00 Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.
Enjoy breakfast at Chabad Kyoto 
Go by taxi to Kyoto Station.
Take a bullet train to Tokyo station (about 2,5 hours).
Meet your private coach at Tokyo Station.
Sighteeing in Tokyo, visit as time and interest permits:
– Meiji Shrine located in one of Tokyo’s best parks
– Harajuku, the best of Japan’s street fashion
– Omotesando, Tokyo’s Champs Elysees
– Shibuya, the famous, busiest crossing in the world
In the evening, transfer to the hotel
Enjoy dinner at Chabad Tokyo 

Wednesday 

Tokyo-Narita/Haneda Airport

Day 10
A coach will transfer you to Narita/Haneda Airport for your departing flight home. Today will conclude your  introduction to the fascinating people and places of Japan, and we are certain you will leave with enduring memories and impressions of your personal, in-depth encounter with the Land of the Rising Sun.
Transfer to Narita/Haneda Airport

Pricing

Japan Tour  
Price Land Only

$5,500
Flights from Tel Aviv TBC
Single Supplement $750

Price Includes:

  • Air-conditioned tourist coach
  • Half Board throughout plus supplies to make sandwiches for lunch
  • English-speaking local guides and a professional experienced guide 
  • Entrance to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
  • Tourist class hotels or first class hotels throughout
  • Tips for local service providers 

Price Excludes:

  • International flights
  • Taxes and surcharges
  • Private expenses (drinks laundry & dry cleaning shopping etc.)
  • Insurance
  • Tip for Israeli guide (Recommended: $5 per person per day)
  • Tourist tax 1000 YEN per person (approx. $10 per person) must be paid on departure from Japan

Important to Know:

  • There may be changes to the order of places visited. We will make every effort to visit every place mentioned in the itinerary.
  • The tour organizers have no control over airline services such as seating, special meal requests, changes in departure times or delays. These remain the sole responsibility of the airline company.

Kashrut on Tours

Kosher food is provided to our travelers on all our tours. We work with the local Rabbinate to provide Hashgacha for all local ingredients and fresh meat and poultry. In some cases, we fly in kosher food from Israel and other sources, depending on the destination of the tour. We do not guarantee Pat Israel and Chalav Israel for all destinations. In many destinations we have our own crockery and cutlery. Where we don’t, we provide disposables at the meals. When we cook in Hotel kitchens, we ensure proper Kashering and we use our own kitchenware on kashered and covered surfaces. All this is done under the strict supervision of our trained staff/guides that function as our Mashgichim. Our travelers enjoy gourmet meals prepared by our team including fresh local fish, fruit, and vegetables. This is an integral part of Jewish travel. We make great efforts to assure that our travelers will experience local foods first-hand, while maintaining stringent observance of Kashrut laws on all occasions.

Deposit, Cancellation Fees & Policy:

A $500 USD Deposit per person must be received at the time of booking in order to confirm your reservation. Payment in full is due 90 days before departure. A minimum number of participants are required to operate tour dates. If a minimum number has not been reached prior to tour departure and the tour is cancelled you will receive a FULL refund.
• 60 days before departure bookings are refundable less a $100 administration fee
• 59-30 days prior to departure: 25% of total.
• 29-15 days prior to departure: 50% of total
• Less than 14 working days prior to departure: 100% of total – no refund

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance encompassing both cancellation and medical insurance is very important and we cannot stress that enough. We strongly recommend that our clients are adequately insured when travelling.