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| Japan Hida Takayama Shirakawago Hot Spring 7 Days |
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| Day 1 |
USA - NAGOYA() |
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Depart USA on transpacific flight for Tokyo, Japan. Cross the international date line and overnight on board the plane.
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| Day 2 |
NAGOYA - GERO/TAKAYAMA HOT SPRING(D) |
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Arrive Nagoya Centrair Airport. Pick up & proceed to Gero/Takayama. Spend the night in a hot spring hotel.
GERO HOT SPRING is one of Japan's three finest hot springs along with Kusatsu and Arima and is located in Gero City, Gifu Prefecture. It is located in the center of the archipelago and is surrounded by the over 1,000 meter-high Hida mountain range. The area has a more than 1,000-year history as an old hot spring resort and is renowned for its therapeutic. The transparent water retains a faint scent unique to this hot spring and the water feels silky to touch. The water from this spring is named water of health or water of beauty because it is said that the hot water promotes blood circulation, relieving fatigue and leaving the skin smooth.
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Hotel: Hotel Kusakabe Armeria or Similar |
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| Day 3 |
GERO/TAKAYAMA HOT SPRING - SAN-MACHI SUJI - SHIRAKAWAGO - YAKEDAKE HOT SPRING(B,L,D) |
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SAN-MACHI SUJI The center of the old town of Takayama and is still a living part of the city. The three main streets of San-machi Suji are narrow, and lined with stores selling traditional wares, craftsmen’s workshops, inns and breweries. You may also notice some storehouses in which are kept the tall festival floats that are brought out at Takayama’s famous Spring and Autumn festivals.
SHIRAKAWAGO A remote, mountainous region in northern Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawago is famous for its 110 ancient farmhouses, which were added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in 1995. The farm houses are built in an architecture style called gasshozukuri, as the houses' steep roofs resemble two hands folded for a prayer. The massive construction is required for the houses to withstand the large amounts of snow falling in the region during winter.
YAKEDAKE is a volcano that erupts most actively in Northern Japanese Alps in recent years. It erupted many times until 1963 in the Meiji era. Nowadays, white smoke can be seen from far which consists of steam that contains hydrogen sulfide. Since the last eruption at 1963, nowadays Yakadake is famous among mountain climbers. Due to the volcanic activity surrounding Yakedake, it's a blessing for hot spring around this area.
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Hotel: Okuhida Garden Hotel Yakedake or Similar |
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| Day 4 |
YAKEDAKE - MATSUMOTO CASTLE - TENRYUKYO GORGE - ZENKOJI - NAGOSO HOT SPRING(B,L,D) |
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MATSUMOTO CASTLE (Matsumoto Jo) is one of four castles designated as National Treasures of Japan the oldest castle donjon of which remains in Japan. Constructed in 615 on this elegant black and white structure with three turrets. Because of the elegant black roof, Matsumoto Castle is sometimes called Crow Castle. Inside the castle are step stairs and low ceilings leading past displays of armor and weapons from the Sengoku period ( Warring-States ) when the castle was build. The narrow wooden windows, once used by archers and gunmen, provide amazing views of the Japanese Alps, Matsumoto City and the koi and swans circling in the moat below.
TENRYUKYO GORGE is the most magnificent gorge along the middle of Tenryu River in the southern part of Shinshu region. About 100 meters of sheer rock soaring up from the swift-flowing river. This area has been designated as Quash-National Park. Its gorgeous nature, exciting boat ride, locally grown delicious apples, rejuvenating hot spring spa, etc. in Tenryukyo Gorge.
ZENKOJI was originally built during the reign of the Emperor Kimmei of Japan, in the 6th century, but was moved several times before coming to its present location. In the Sengoku period, when Zenkoji became involved in the struggles between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen, the chief abbot was afraid it would be burnt to the ground. He built a new Zenkoji in what is now Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, which still stands. In 1598, Toyotomi Hideyoshi moved the ''hibutsu'' to Kyoto, and then to Shinano, Nagano. The ''hibutsu'' and the Zenkoji temple itself have since been moved once more back to Nagano.
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Hotel: Kisoji Land Hotel or Similar |
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| Day 5 |
NAGOSO HOT SPRING - TSUMAGO - NAGOYA CASTLE - NAGOYA(B,L,D) |
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TSUMAGO Although not as large as some post towns, Tsumago became a unique community because of high vision and effort of local residents. Many post towns suffered damage and loss from fires in Kiso district, but Tsumago had few troubles and still retains the large street from ancient times. Tsumago was first designated as a protected area for the preservation of traditional buildings by the Japanese Government. Now the landscape is perfectly that of the Edo Period.
NAGOYA CASTLE was built in the beginning of the Edo Period for one of the three Tokugawa family branches, the Owari. Consequently, Nagoya developed into an important castle town and ultimately Japan's fourth largest city.
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Hotel: Nagoya Kanko Hotel or Similar |
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| Day 6 |
NAGOYA - OSU KANNON TEMPLE - NAGOYA(B,L) |
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OSU KANNON TEMPLE is a popular temple in central Nagoya. Originally located in neighboring Gifu Prefecture, the temple was moved to its current site by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612. The current buildings are 20th century reconstructions. A flee market is held on the temple grounds on the 18th and 28th of each month, while the adjacent shopping arcade offers Japanese souvenirs and a large variety of other goods every day of the month. |
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Hotel: Centrair Hotel / Comfort Hotel or Similar |
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| Day 7 |
NAGOYA - USA(B) |
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Morning free at own leisure. Then take hotel shuttle to airport for flight back to USA. |
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