The cherry blossom (’Sakura’) is synonymous with the image of Japan in Spring. This 6-day tour is a perfect introduction to the vibrant city of Tokyo come to life during ’sakura’ season.

After arrival in Tokyo, make your own way to your hotel in Ueno. You will have the rest of the day free to explore many of the incredible sights in the futuristic yet historic city of Tokyo.

On the following day, a guide will take you along the Yanaka district; one of the historic neighbourhoods in Tokyo, a hark back to the old Japan and similar in character to Kyoto as well as being famous for its bountiful cherry blossoms. Visit Yanaka Ginza shopping street and Ueno Park with its 1,100-plus cherry blossom trees.
After the tour finishes at Ueno Park, you will be able to enjoy the cherry blossoms amongst the crowds of local Japanese enjoying in the sakura! In the afternoon after savouring the atmosphere and the magnificent views, use your Tokyo one-day travelcard so that you can continue to explore Tokyo and the many interesting sites it has to offer, independently.

On days 3 to 5, you may either continue to explore Tokyo, travel further afield on a day trip, or choose from a variety of optional tours.

Finally, make your own way to Toyko Airport for your flight back to the UK.

Itinerary:

Departure Dates in 2012: 20th March to 10th April

Tour Price: £449 per person based on shared twin rooms

 Tour price includes: 

• 5 nights accomodation at Tokyo Candeo Ueno Hotel or similar on a twin share basis
• Half-day guided cherry blossom tour in Tokyo

Please note:

*Flights can be arranged upon request
*Single supplement available. Contact us for further details
*Please contact Jaltour for optional tour rates and bookings
*All dates and rooms are subject to availability
*Extentions available

A sumo bout about to begin.

Jaltour has created a special offer to make Tokyo and Kyoto more affordable for first-time visitors to Japan. This 6-night / 8-day tour will allow you to see and experience the essential highlights of Japan at a great price. See the highlights of Tokyo with a morning tour before setting out to explore this fascinating city yourself. During May, you can Witness the spectacle of a traditional Japanese Sumo wrestling match. Travel on to Kyoto on the world-famous bullet train where you will stay for 2 nights in the cultural heart of Japan. Travel back to Tokyo for one more night, before taking a direct flight back to London

Included in tour price:

• Return economy class flights from London to Japan
• UK and Japan airport taxes
• Standard class accommodation based on shared twin/double rooms as follows:

6 nights in Western style hotels

·        Bullet train ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto (Standard Class)

• Guided sightseeing in Tokyo
• Sumo Tournament ticket in Tokyo (Sunday 6th May - Sunday 20th May)

Tour price includes return economy class British Airways flights from London Heathrow Airport. Based on twin-share. Single supplement and extensions available. Prices are subject to availability. Sumo Tournament ticket in Tokyo available on select dates in May only.

Prices starting from £589* per person

Jaltour has created a special offer  for anyone who has an interest in Anime and Manga! Visit the heart of this worldwide phenomenon , right here in Tokyo! You will also have a free day whereby you can explore this fascinating city by yourself! This 5-night, 7-day tour will allow you to see and experience the Anime & Manga scene in Tokyo at a great price!

Itinerary

21 Mar (Wed)	Tokyo Narita You will be met on arrival by a representative who will assist you in boarding an Airport Bus to your hotel. Stay for 5 nights
22 Mar	Tokyo Full-day guided sightseeing, including Asakusa Nakamise shopping arcade and Akihabara Electric Town.
23 Mar	Tokyo Full-day guided sightseeing, including Studio Ghibli museum, Nakano Broadway and Takeshita Dori in Harajuku.
24 Mar	Tokyo Guide will accompany you to the Tokyo Big Sight where you will then spend the day at International Anime Fair.
25 Mar	Tokyo Free day
26 Mar	Tokyo Transfer independently by Airport Bus to Tokyo Narita Airport for your return flight.

Tour price includes

• Return airport bus transfers from Tokyo Narita Airport to Tokyo
• 5 nights at the Tokyo Prince Hotel
• Guided sightseeing tours as stated
• International Anime Fair Ticket

*Based on twin-share. Single Supplement available please contact us

International flights not included but can be added. Extensions available. Prices are subject to change.  Jaltour standard Terms and Conditions apply.

***

Highlights of the Tour

Tokyo International Anime Fair 2012 (at Tokyo Big Sight) - http://www.tokyoanime.jp/en - The Tokyo International Anime Fair (known as “TAF”) is the world’s largest anime exhibition. Held every spring at Tokyo Big Sight, the exhibition features a “trade fair” with booth exhibits by anime-related companies, “events” including spectacular stage performances and theater movie showings/displays, and the “Tokyo Anime Awards” in which outstanding anime works are presented with awards. Every year the exhibition attracts the attention of people throughout the world for its extensive program.

Akihabara Electric Town (Akihabara) - Liberty (Shop) - http://www.liberty-shop.co.jp - Introducing many second hand premium products including, figure-models, video games, animation product, DVD products and plamode products and anime related products.

Kaiyo-do (Shop) - http://www.kaiyodo.co.jp/index.html - Kaiyodo is a Japanese company dedicated to figurines and Garage kits. While they mostly do anime related characters, more recently other creations have been made like King Kong. Kaiyodo was originally a small shop in Japan, but grew into a famous company over the years (Otaku no video, the anime, had a similar story), they now sell figurines worldwide from various non anime sources too.

Gachapon- Kaikan (Shop) - Home page: http://www.akibagacha.com - Gashapon machines are similar to the coin-operated toy vending machines seen outside of grocery stores and other retailers in other countries. While coin-operated vending toys are usually cheap, low-quality products, Japanese Gashapon can cost anywhere from 100 - 500 yen and are normally a much higher quality product.

LAOX (Overseas - Model Electronic & Appliances / Duty-Free) - http://www.laox.co.jp/english/laox_store/about_laox.html - Laox Duty Free, Akihabara - For all your gifts and souvenir needs! A rich Selection of souvenirs items only available in Japan. All are overseas models (Digital Cameras, Digital Video Cameras, Watches, iPods, Games, Laptops, DVDs etc…)

Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Arcade (Asakusa) - Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon, is Tokyo’s largest Buddhist temple and a major attraction for Japanese and foreigners alike. The busy shopping street leading from the Kaminarimon gate to the temple is the covered Nakamise shopping arcade, selling all sorts of Buddhist paraphernalia as well as assorted tourist kitsch. This is one of the best places in Tokyo to buy souvenirs.

Takeshita Street (Takeshita Dori) - Takeshita Street (竹下通り, Takeshita-dōri) is a pedestrian-only street lined with fashion boutiques, cafes and restaurants in Harajuku in Tokyo, Japan. Located directly across from the exit of JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Street is very popular with young teenagers, particularly those visiting Tokyo on school trips, or local young people shopping for small “cute” goods at weekends.

Daiso Harajuku - 100 Yen Shop - This is one of the largest 100 Yen Shops in central Tokyo, offering a wide array of goods, including clothing, kitchenware, food and stationary on multiple floors at 105 Yen per item. It is located only a few steps from Harajuku Station along Takeshita Dori.

Ghibli Museum (Kichijo-ji) - Very well know to Animation Fans, Ghibli Museum (Miitaka no Mori Jiburi Bijutsukan) is a commercial museum featuring the Japanese anime work of Studio Ghibli. Located in Mitaka, a western suburb of Tokyo, Japan, it opened in 2001.

Nakano Broadway (Nakano) - Stores specialized for animation, comic books, figures, costumes of anime characters are located waiting for you to visit. Nakano Broadway will offer you the chance to experience all kinds of Japanese Hobby Culture. Explore the Japanese Hobby Culture and the atmosphere of the Sub-Culture “Otaku World”.

*** END***

Although connected to mainland Japan by the Seto Bridge, mountainous Shikoku remains a mysterious travel destination for those seeking a holiday away from the crowds.  An island less-visited and often over-looked, Shikoku is renowned for its Samurai, Emperors, religion, legends and stories of old. There is plenty of beautiful and hidden scenery to be seen on this island, including the scenic Iya Valley and its Kazura Bridge; dating back to the 12th century. Samurai residences and farmhouses, mountains and onsen including one of Japan’s oldest onsen; Dogo, said to be around 3,000 years old, will give a sense of awe and wonder, and will reward travellers who venture to Shikoku. The following tour will give you a small insight into the history, culture and scenery of the island of ‘four countries’.

The tour starts off in Takamatsu, home to Ritsurin Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, a folk craft museum and a famous castle which still maintains its original turrets dating from 1588.

From here, you will travel by train to the serene and misty mountainous forests of Iya and the Iya Valley. The recorded history of Iya dates back as far as the 9th century, and later, serving as a refuge for the Heike Samurai Clan. As a result, the area is steeped in history and the views of the sweeping valleys are breathtaking. Since long ago, it has been possible to walk across vine bridges that link both sides of the valley, transporting you back to an era of times past. Stay in traditional Japanese accommodation at a ryokan, nestled in the scenic valley of Iya. 

Take a train to the city of Kochi, home to a famous castle with its original keep still intact. Although the castle never came under attack, it has a fascinating construction which will be of great interest to those interested in history.

Travel out to the remote coastal area of Tosa-Kure where you can stay in traditional Japanese accommodation with private outdoor hot-springs. Here you can admire the view of the sea whilst tasting delicious local delicacies at the ryokan’s outdoor restaurant.

After a night of relaxation, travel on to Matsuyama where you can see the splendour of one of Japan’s finest surviving castle. Excellent displays in English make for a fascinating exploration. You may also want to take the chance to soak in a hot-spring at Dōgo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot-springs and once used by members of the imperial family.

Day	Itinerary	Hotel
1	Arrive at Takamatsu Airport Transfer by airport bus to your hotel (pay locally) Stay for 2 nights	ANA Hotel Clement
2	Takamatsu Free to explore Takamatsu	As above
3	Takamatsu ® Iya Valley Travel independently by train (pay locally) to Oboke. Journey time approximately 1 hour, 40 minutes) Upon arrival, transfer by ryokan shuttle bus to your hotel. Stay for 2 nights	Hikyo no Yu (incl. dinner & breakfast)
4	Iya Valley Free to explore Iya Valley and/or Chiiori	As above
5	Iya Valley ® Kochi Transfer by ryokan shuttle bus to Oboke station. Travel independently by train to Kochi (pay locally). Journey time approximately 50 minutes. Transfer by taxi (pay locally) to your hotel Stay for 2 nights	Richmond Hotel
6	Kochi Free to explore Kochi	As above
7	Kochi ® Tosakure Travel independently by train to Tosakure Transfer by ryokan courtesy bus to your ryokan. Stay for 1 night	Kuroshio Honjin (incl. dinner & breakfast)
8	Tosakure ® Matsuyama Travel independently to Matsuyama (pay locally). Journey time approximately 5 hours. Stay for 2 nights	ANA Hotel, Matsuyama
9	Matsuyama Free to explore Matsuyama or visit nearby Dogo Onsen	As above
10	Matsuyama ® Tokyo Transfer by airport bus to Matsuyama Airport

Included in tour price:

• Airport Bus: Matsuyama ® Matsuyama Airport
• Standard class accommodation based on shared twin/double rooms as follows:
  • 6 nights in Western style hotels
  • 3 nights in traditional Japanese-style accommodation (with private bathroom)
• 3 breakfasts, 0 lunches and 3 dinners

* Based on twin-share. Single Supplement available please contact us. Extensions available.  Supplements may apply. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.  Direct bookings only.  Jaltour standard Terms and Conditions apply.

]]> http://www.jaltour.co.uk/special-offers/scenic-shikoku/feed http://www.jaltour.co.uk/special-offers/snow-monkey-tour http://www.jaltour.co.uk/special-offers/snow-monkey-tour#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:33:55 +0000 Jaltour http://www.jaltour.co.uk/special-offers/snow-monkey-tour Visit Nagano Prefecture's popular Jigokudani Yaen-koen to see the snow monkeys and enjoy a stay in a Japanese style ryokan accommodation. ]]> Visit Nagano Prefecture’s popular Jigokudani Yaen Park to see the snow monkeys and enjoy a stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese accommodation).

Tour Price from £300 per person

Tour Operates from 14 December 2011 - 29 March 2012 every Wednesday and Friday (excluding 2 January)

 Tour Price includes :

English-speaking assistant at Tokyo station

Return bullet train ticket from Tokyo to Nagano

Snow Monkey Tour (including lunch)

1 night stay at a ryokan (including Japanese-style dinner & breakfast)

Prices subject to change according to availability and exchange rate fluctuation

Get a glimpse of China with this special tour. Guided sightseeing to all the main sites in the main cities, including private guided sightseeing in Shanghai. All hotels include breakfast and all tours include lunch.

Tour price includes

• Return economy class  flights from London Heathrow Airport to China and domestic flights
• UK and China airport taxes
• Return private transfers from Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai airports to hotels
• Accommodation based on shared twin/double rooms for 7 nights in Western-style hotels
• Group guided sightseeing in Beijing and Xi’an and private guided sightseeing in Shanghai as listed below
• 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 0 dinners

Departures until December 2011

Single Supplement available please contact us
Extensions available upon request.

Weekend,Summer and Winter supplements apply. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Experience the bustling city of  Hong Kong !

Tour price includes

• Return economy class  flights from London Heathrow Airport
• City View Hotel, Hong Kong for 4 nights on a twin share basis  (Room only)
• Guided sightseeing tour of Hong Kong Island

Departures until December 2011

Single Supplement available please contact us
Extensions available upon request.

Weekend,Summer and Winter supplements apply. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.