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October 30 - November 8, 2024
Taste of Kansai Tour 2024

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. Engage with local Japanese culture through numerous hands-on experiences such as matcha green tea tasting, a maguro (tuna) slicing performance, making your own onsen tamago (hot springs eggs), creating your own umeshu plum wine, takoyaki and nigiri, and more!

  • 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!
  • Includes 23 meals
  • Complimentary pocket WiFi router
FROM
US$3,590
DAYS
10 Days
Destinations
Wakayama, Nara , Shiga, Kyoto, Hyogo, Osaka
  Taste of Kansai Tour 2024 route map

Ask HIS America's experienced Japan specialists about this tour and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Itinerary

October 29

Departure from U.S. airports

airplane

DAY 1 - October 30 - WAKAYAMA

Arrive at Kansai (KIX) Airport
Meet local guide and bus driver, head to hotel in Wakayama
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Wakayama.

DAY 2 - October 31 - WAKAYAMA

Umeshu (plum wine) making experience
Kuroshio Ichiba Fish Market + Maguro Cuting Show Lunch at local restaurant (fresh seafood set)
Mt. Koya sightseeing: Danjo Garan Temple, Kompon Daito Pagoda, and Kongobuji Temple
Traditional Buddhist dinner (shojin-ryori) on Mt. Koya
Stay a night at temple lodging


Fish Market Mt Koya Mt Koya Temple

DAY 3 - November 1 - WAKAYAMA & NARA

Experience 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)
Visit Todaiji Temple, Nara Deer Park, and Higashimuki Shopping Street
At the hotel, enjoy Kaiseki dinner and private onsen

Orange Picking Nara Kaiseki Dinner

DAY 4 - November 2 - SHIGA & KYOTO

Enjoy Lake Biwa Ropeway ride and Biwako Terrace
Visit Byodoin Temple and Omotesando shopping street sightseeing
Matcha making hands-on experience + tea break
Visit Yasaka Shrine and sightseeing around Gion geisha district
Yakiniku dinner at local restaurant


Biwako Matcha Gion

DAY 5 - November 3 - KYOTO

Scenic local train ride from Kameoka to Arashiyama
Arashiyama bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge sightseeing
Visit Suntory Beer Factory for factory tour + beer tasting
Visit Nishiki Ichiba Market and Shopping Street, free time for dinner at your leisure

Arashiyama Beer Nishiki Ichiba Market

DAY 6 - November 4 - KYOTO

Visit the traditional fishing village, Ine no Funaya and go on a boat tour
Sightseeing 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 (egg)
Enjoy onsen and deluxe kaiseki dinner at hotel

Ine no Funaya Ama no Hashidate Onsen Tamago

DAY 7 - November 5 - HYOGO

Visit Genbudo Cave and Genbudo Museum, famous for dinosaur fossils
Visit Himeji Castle (UNESCO World Heritage) and enjoy sightseeing at Kokoen Japanese Garden
Sightseeing at Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bridge and Maiko Marine Promenade
Explore Kobe Harborland, dinner at local restaurant (Kobe beef course menu)
Enjoy onsen at hotel

Himeji Castle Kobe

DAY 8 - November 6 - HYOGO & OSAKA

Sake brewery tours + tastings at Kikumasamune and Hamafukutsuru
Experience making Takoyaki or nigiri for lunch
Explore Osaka Castle and sightseeing
Aqualiner Osaka River cruise
Visit Tsutenkaku Tower and strolling around Shin-Sekai neighborhood

Sake Takoyaki Osaka

DAY 9 - November 7 - OSAKA

Full free day to explore Osaka!

Osaka

DAY 10 - November 8 - OSAKA

Free time in Osaka
Head to Haneda airport with a guide in afternoon for departure to the U.S.

airport

*Pictures shown are for illustration purposes only


HIS America's experienced Japan specialists will get back to you as soon as possible
Details
Prices

Tour date: October 30 - November 8, 2024 (10 Days 9 Nights in Japan)


Tour Price (per Person)
$3,590
Please inquire for children’s price (child under 6 years old, no separate bed)

Single supplement: Additional $800

Deposit
$200/person when applying for this group package tour.
Refundable if cancelled before June 25, 2024.

Final payment deadline
July 27 , 2024

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.


Included
  • Accommodation: 9 nights accommodations
  • Onsen (Hot Springs)
  • WiFi router
  • Admissions: For all trips and visits (except free day)
  • Transportation: Only the transportation specified in each itinerary are included.
  • Meals: 23 meals
NOT Included
    Incidental charges and expenses other than those specified in the preceding article including, but not limited to, laundry, domestic and international phone calls, telephone rental, additional meals and drinks and any other expense of personal nature, international air fares to Japan, excess baggage charges in respect to number and weight, medical expenses for injuries and illness, and traveling and accommodation costs between arrival and departure outside the duration of the package itinerary.

Ask HIS America's experienced Japan specialists about this tour and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Cancellation and Cancellation Fees:

After full payment is made, a cancelled reservation will incur a cancellation penalty charge per person according to the guidelines below. "Total Cost" is defined as the full cost of the package including tax and fuel surcharge (if applicable). "Departure" is defined as the date of departure for the package for which the reservation was made.

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.


TRAINS
-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.

DURING THE MEALS
-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.

VISITS
-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.

OTHER
-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

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENT OPTIONS
If you plan to extend your trip, we can also arrange

  • Hotel Accomodations other than specified in the itinerary
  • Japan Rail Pass and Rail Tickets
  • Japan Air Pass and Domestic Flights
  • Airport Transfers
  • Day Tours
  • 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.


Terms and Conditions


Cancellation Policy

Until noon on 6/25/2024 Fully refundable
After noon on 6/25 until noon on 7/27/2024 $200 deposit cancellation penalty.
After noon on 7/27/2024 Non-refundable if cancelled by customer.
After departure, no refunds for airfare or unused portions of the tour, including but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights, transportation, activities, and sightseeing.