· Return airfares with China Airlines from Sydney and Brisbane into Narita (Tokyo) and out of Hiroshima. Both flights go via Taipei.

· Accommodation in three to four star hotels with private facilities.

· A 10-day tour of Japan by coach and train.

· A 5-day tour of Taiwan by coach and train.

· Most meals.

· Entrance fees to many attractions.

· All transfers and transport.

· Services of Japanese and Taiwanese tour guides and an Australian tour leader.

The tour will visit Japan in mid-Spring, when the cherry blossoms should be at the peak of their blooming. This is an opportunity to see this beautiful country when it is at its best.

We will make every effort to match up single travellers who wish to travel at twin share rates. For anyone requiring a single room, there will be an extra charge of $865.

Note: Because of China Airlines’ flight schedule, passengers from Brisbane have to depart Australia one day earlier for an extra cost of $110 per person. Passengers from Melbourne will need connecting flights with Virgin Blue to Sydney, which will cost and extra $140 return per person.

Itinerary For Japan and Taiwan Cherry Blossom Tour – March/April 2005
NOTE: Breakfast is included every day plus the other meals indicated in the itinerary.
(L = Lunch, D = Dinner)


22.03.05
Depart Brisbane at 10.03am on CI 54, arriving in Taipei at 5.10pm. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your Taipei hotel.


23.03.05
Brisbane passengers have a free day in Taipei.

Sydney passengers depart Sydney at 12.55pm on CI 52, arriving in Taipei at 7.10pm. They will be met on arrival and transferred to their Taipei hotel.


24.03.05 (B/D)
Morning tour taking in Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Martyr’s Shrine, Chinese temple, National Museum, handicraft centre and Changing of the Guards.

Chiang Kai Shek played a large part in the relocation of the people from mainland China and memorials to him can be found throughout the island. We then visit a Chinese temple.

Because of the Japanese invasion, Daoists and Buddhists were forced to secretly meet in either denomination’s temples and because of this temples found in Taiwan are somewhat different to those found in other countries. The National Museum displays the history of the Taiwanese people and gives the visitor an understanding of their culture.

Changing of the Guards is spell-binding as the young soldiers toss rifles with unsheathed bayonets to each other in exact precision as the old guards dismount their block and the new guard takes up that position.

In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the markets and in the evening there will be a performance of the famous puppets.


25.03.05 (B/L/D)
Today, we depart the hotel for Nantou and Sun Moon Lake, visiting Wen Wu Temple, a Tehua village and Puli.

Nantou is situated in the centre of Taiwan and is famous for its rugged mountains caused by earthquakes. It boasts the highest mountain in Taiwan, Yushan Mountain, spectacular forests and a minority Aborigine group who live in a Tehua village. Here you can purchase Taiwan’s most famous tea.

Sun Moon Lake is so-called because the northern side is shaped like the sun and the southern side like a crescent moon. Wen Wu Temple and Tse-En Pagoda make the site one of the most famous sites. Chaing Kai Shek liked to visit there and built a summer retreat where the 5 star Hotel Lalu now stands.

Puli is located in a wine growing region. This town was devastated by an earthquake only a few years ago and is almost completely rebuilt. Overnight stay in Puli.


26.03.05 (B/L/D)
Today we travel the scenic railway to Hualien City. The change in vegetation is quite unique and very lush with fruits and sugar cane growing almost up to the railway line. Trains are comfortable with large picture windows to enable good viewing.

Overnight stay in Hualien, a large coastal city. Local shops are within walking distance.


27.03.05 (B/L/D)
We travel by bus today to Taroko Gorge, literally a mountain of marble with winding roads and tunnels thoughout. There will be ample time to walk and take pictures of the magnificent natural wonder. A visit to a marble factory is included where it is fascinating to watch natural marble cut and formed into many shapes and sizes, and a visit to Jualiien Stone Sculptural Park. Travel along the coastline, with lush vegetation on one side and the ocean on the other, back to Taipei.


28.03.05 (B) NARITA ARRIVAL
Transfer to Chaing Kai Shek International Airport. Depart 9.25am on CI 100 and arrive in Narita at 1.20pm.

After immigration and customs clearance, you will be welcomed by the representative of Tokyu Streamlines, and transferred to your hotel in Tokyo by chartered motor coach with English-speaking tour guide.

Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar.


29.03.05 (B/L) TOKYO
This morning, after breakfast, you leave the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Tokyo. Visit Tokyo Tower which is the world’s tallest self-supporting steel tower since its opening in 1958. Visit Happo-en to experience the Tea Ceremony and Imperial Palace Plaza. Lunch at a local restaurant then drive through the National Diet Building.

Then enjoy a Sumida River cruise, a forty minute boat ride from Hinode Pier on Tokyo Bay to Asakusa. The river was the most important waterway for the development of Tokyo.

Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street. The legend has it that fishermen brothers discovered an image of Kan’non (the goddess of mercy) in the Sumida River around 1370 years ago and they were inspired to enshrine it. Its symbol is a large red paper lantern that bears the word “Kaminari-mon”, or a thunder gate. Drive through Ginza then transfer back to your hotel - Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar.


30.03.05 (B/L) TOKYO – HAKONE
Breakfast at hotel.
Baggage collection – your baggage will be left at the Bell Captain’s desk. Please take yopur overnight bag with you for your Hakone stay.

Leave the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Hakone. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on Lake Ashi aboard a sightseeing vessel. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Enjoy Hakone Ropeway and visit Owakundani Valley. Check in at hotel – Palace Hotel Hakone or similar.


31.03.05 (B) HAKONE – TOKYO
Breakfast at the hotel then leave for Tokyo. Afternoon is free at leisure. Accommodation is the Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar.


01.04.05 (B/L) TOKYO – KYOTO
Breakfast at hotel.
Baggage collection – your baggage will be transported separately to your hotel in Kyoto. Leave the hotel and walk to Shinagawa Station with your guide. Depart Shinagawa at 9.54am on JR Bullet Train NOZOMI #115 and arrive Kyoto at 12.04pm. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant then visit Heian Shrine, Sanjusangendo Hall and Kiyomizu Temple.

Check in to hotel – Hotel New Hankyu Kyoto or similar.


02.04.05 (B/L) KYOTO AND NARA SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Kyoto and Nara.

Visit Nijo Castle which was built in the early 17th century. Ninomaru-goten, renovated in 1626, is renowned as a priceless example of the architectural style of that period. You then visit the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto’s most popular temple. It is the home of perhaps the world’s most authentic and exquisite Japanese garden, as well as the celebrated Golden Pavilion. Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

After lunch you will visit Todaiji Temple – the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. One of Japan’s best-known temples, it enshrines a gigantic bronze statue of Buddha. Next you will visit a deer park where the deer roam freely, lending a pastoral atmosphere to the park. Visitors may pet or feed them (special food is sold in the park grounds.) Then visit Kasuga Shrine before transferring back to your hotel – Hotel Hankyu Kyoto or similar.


03.04.05 (B/L) KOBE SIGHTSEEING
Breakfast at hotel then leave for sightseeing tour of Kobe. Visit the Old Sake Breweries Museum. Nada area has many breweries. There were three reasons for the development of sake brewing in the 18th century that made the name of Nada known throughout Japan. One was the discovery of miya-mizu, excellent quality water for making sake; two, the production of rice of high quality, an ingredient in sake; and three, a convenient location for transportation by sea. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Next enjoy shopping in China Town. Moto-machi is a lively town perfect for shopping, gourmet food and night spots in the centre of Kobe. Under Kobe Station is a maze of shopping streets and, above ground, a big shopping arcade. The unique event is the Shunsetsu-matsuri Festival at Nankin-machi, that celebrates the Chinese New Year at the end of January or in early February. Nankin-machi has many Asian shops and Asian restaurants. Transfer back to your hotel – Hotel New Hankyu Kyoto or similar.


04.04.05 (B) KYOTO
Breakfast at hotel then the rest of the day is at leisure.

Hotel New Hankyu Kyoto or similar.


05.04.05 (B/L) KYOTO – HIROSHIMA
Breakfast at the hotel.

Baggage collection – your baggage will be transported separately to your hotel in Hiroshima.
Leave hotel and walk to Kyoto Station with your guide.
Depart Kyoto at 11.12am on JR Bullet Train NOZOMI #9 and arrive at Hiroshima at 12.51pm. Box lunch will be provided.

Transfer to your hotel by foot with your guide. Check in at hotel and the afternoon is at leisure.

Accommodation is the Hotel New Hiroden or similar


06.04.05 (B) HIROSHIMA AND MIYAJIMA SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima. You will visit Itsukushima Shrine. Miyajima Island is the popular name of Itsuku-shima Island situated in Miyajima Town in southwestern Hiroshima. It is a scenic site in which the mountains, sea and red shrine buildings blend in harmony, and the entire island is designated as a historic site. It is one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan, along with Matsushima in Miyagi and Ama-no-hashidate in Kyoto.

Next visit Peace Memorial Park. The Genbaku-dome (The Atomic Bomb Dome) is the symbol of Hiroshima, the city that advocates peace in the world. It is located in Hiroshima and faces Hiroshima Bay in the Seto Inland Sea. It was originally the Hiroshima Industrial Promotion Hall built in 1915. While all structures vanished in the atomic bomb explosion, only this building miraculously remained standing. It was August 6, 1945 when the first atomic bomb in history was dropped on Hiroshima.

Transfer back to your hotel – Hotel New Hiroden or similar.


07.04.05 (B) HIROSHIMA DEPARTURE
Breakfast at hotel then leave the hotel for Hiroshima Airport by coach.

Depart Hiroshima at 10.00am on CI 113, arriving in Taipei at 11.50am. While waiting for our connecting flights to Australia, there will be a five hour Taoyuan tour. Visit the Yingko Pottery Street, a cobbled street lined with potters, Sanhsia Tsushih Temple, Tai Mao Shopping Mall and Night Market.

Brisbane passengers depart Taipei at 9.50pm on CI 53, arriving in Brisbane at 8.25am the next morning (08.04.05).

Sydney passengers depart at 10.20pm on CI 51, arriving in Sydney at 9.30am the next morning (08.04.05)


NOTE: Because of the huge cost of meals in elaborate restaurants in Japan, the included meals will mainly be in restaurants that are simple, but with good food.