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2024 “Discover Japan Experience”

Another UNIQUE Cooking Passions “Small-Group” Cuisine & Culture Journey

“Discover Japan – ‘Highlights of Japan’ Cuisine & Culture Experience”

12 Days / 11 Nights
Dates: Thursday 09 May 2024 to Monday 20 May 2024

PRICING*

– ¥780,000 per person  (Double or Twin Occupancy) ~AUD$8,210**
– ¥1,030,000 per person (Own Room) ~ $AUD10,840**

– 2 Final Places Remaining –

Booking Deadline: 15 December 2023
*ALL INCLUSIVE LAND CONTENT including – 11 nights Deluxe Accommodation; Breakfast Daily; Small Group of 10 travellers (maximum); Included meals as per itinerary; Japanese Cuisine & Culture Private Guided Tours as per itinerary; Shinkansen Bullet Train Experiences & Regional Japanese Rail Tickets (Osaka/Kinosaki/Arashiyama/Tokyo); Intercity Luggage Transfers (Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo); Private Group Escorts.

**AUD Pricing based on Foreign Currency Exchange Rate of $1AUD/JPY95 available at https://wise.com/gb/currency-converter/aud-to-jpy-rate?amount=1

Cooking Passions “Small Group” Cuisine & Culture Journeys
Cooking Passions Cuisine & Culture Journeys have been designed so that you can make the most of your precious time, as we have done all of the “behind the scenes” research to scope out the finest luxury hotels, sights, restaurants, spas, local transfers & excursions, so you don’t have too. 
Each of our tours are designed so you can do as much or as little as you like, while allowing you plenty of free time to explore and immerse yourselves in the sights, shopping, relaxation and eating that YOU want to experience (we’ll be happy to provide suggestions and tips on some of our favourites from our previous trips). So all you have to do is book your preferred flight, pack a bag & a sense of adventure, and join us for an unforgettable and luxurious Japanese Cuisine & Culture experience!!

The Mystique of “The Land of the Rising Sun”

Having travelled and escorted groups across many countries, Japan is unlike anywhere else we have visited and remains an entrancing enigma to many. Offering an enchanting mix of ancient rituals with futuristic modernity, Japan is a fascinating land of illuminating and exciting contradictions and definitely a “must see” destination on anyone’s travel bucket list.
From Tokyo’s dazzling neon-lit metropolis, Kyoto’s timeless emperor;  shogun and geisha traditions;  Hiroshima’s powerful monuments to peace;  and to Osaka’s vibrant nightlife & culinary scene, join us on our 12-Day “Discover’Highlights of Japan’ Luxury Culinary & Culture Experience” as our Small Group (10 travellers maximum) explores the “Land of the Rising Sun” – a truly captivating and enthralling country!

“Discover Japan” – Luxury Cuisine & Culture Experience

As a result of its unfamiliar cultural norms and diminishing language barrier, some travellers are reluctant to visit Japan!
We have curated our bespoke, fully escorted “Discover Japan – Luxury Cuisine & Culture Experience” so that you may comfortably explore some of Japan’s fascinating highlights in a fun and relaxed manner for an unforgettable, once in a lifetime Japanese cultural experience!

“Discover Japan” – Experience Highlights

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 Day 1 – Thursday May 9th 2024 – ARRIVAL* – OSAKA

When arranging for your preferred international flights to Japan, please choose your:
ARRIVAL (Kansai International Airport to Osaka (Namba Station)  – Osaka’s main city train station, Namba, can easily be reached by train from Kansai International Airport.
At our Pre-Trip Tour Briefing  prior to departure, and included in your “Discover Japan Dossier”, we will provide you with complete instructions on how best to take the train to reach the Cross Hotel, . The trip takes about 50 minutes and the cost is approximately ¥1,490 (~USD15.00). From the Kansai Airport Station, the Nankai Limited Express Line takes you directly to Namba Station.
Our hotel, Cross Hotel Osaka, is a 900m walk away or short taxi ride from Namba Station.
ARRIVAL Private Airport Transfer (Optional) – A Private Airport Taxi Transfer can be pre-arranged upon your arrival into Kansai Airport, for the 60 minutes transfer from the airport to our hotel. The cost is approximately USD110.00.
OSAKA
Osaka has the vibrancy of Tokyo and the charm of Kyoto but possesses its own brand of character altogether.
Osaka’s importance as a merchant and port city dates back to 1586 with the building of the Osaka Castle by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who encouraged traders from other parts of Japan to settle in the city. It became the industrial powerhouse of Japan through the 1920’s and 1930’s and today is Japan’s third largest city after Tokyo and Yokohama.
As well as being famous for its extravagant and neon lit central city, it is also one of Japan’s culinary centres with a local cuisine renowned more for its practicality rather than finesse.
Our Accommodation  – Cross Hotel Osaka
Wonderfully situated  in the heart of Osaka’s Minami district, this stylish 4-star modern hotel is convenient for shopping, restaurants, nightlife, and public transportation. Cross Hotel Osaka is just a minute’s walk from the Dotonbori area and a 3-minute walk from Namba Subway Station while the Shinsaibashi Shopping precinct is only a 5-minute stroll from the hotel. Chuo Ward is a great choice for travellers interested in shopping, street food and shopping for food.

15:00pm – Check into your room upon arrival at Cross Hotel Osaka. Enjoy a little walk around the area to experience the amazing energy of Osaka from our centrally located location.
18:30pm – Group Welcome Dinner – Meet in the hotel lobby for our departure to our Welcome Dinner where you will be introduced to “yakinuki” or Japanese BBQ, where you will get the opportunity to grill your own pieces of Matsusaka Beef and vegetables atop a charcoal BBQ set in your table, similar to Korean BBQ restaurants. Matsusaka wagyu beef gets its tasty reputation from the special treatment the cattle are given. They are fed beer to create a healthy appetite, and given a body massage with a mixture of shochu to ultimately provide the highest quality and taste.

Accommodation: Cross Hotel Osaka

(Included Meals : D)

Day 2 – Friday May 10th 2024 – “Osaka Highlights Walking Tour” and “Evening Food & Culture Tour Experience”

– Breakfast at your leisure
9:00am – Meet in the lobby to begin our exploration of Japan’s third largest city. Join Nico on a morning walking tour of some of Osaka’s highlights including:

Lunch – We will head back to Dotonbori where you can decide whether you’d like to visit one of the many Kaitenzushi (also known as conveyor belt sushi or sushi train) restaurants which was invented in Osaka in 1958 or you might prefer to sample a bowl of ramen at a uniquely Japanese “cubicle” ramen shop.

pm – Remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.
17:30pm – Osaka Evening Food Tour – Tonight we will be introduced to the Osaka philosophy of ‘kuidaore‘ – eat, drink and enjoy life! Guided by our English-speaking Japanese guide – Yuki – we will be escorted around  Osaka’s lesser known restaurant & bar precincts visiting atmospheric venues and meeting colourful locals.
Our local Osakan guide will gently open the doors for us to see the city through the eyes of its inhabitants. Yuki will introduce us to some of Osaka’s classic dishes including Okonomiyaki (Savoury pancakes), Takoyaki (Osaka’s famous octopus dumplings) as well as demystifying for us one of Japan’s most iconic and often misunderstood culinary institutions – Fugu (Japanese Blowfish).

Accommodation: Cross Hotel Osaka

(Included Meals : B, D)

Day 3  – Saturday May 11th 2024- Hiroshima –  Hiroshima Peace Memorial

 

Hiroshima 
Now a modern city on Japan’s Honshu Island, the city was largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. Today, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park commemorates the 1945 event. In the park are the ruins of Genbaku Dome, one of the few buildings that was left standing near ground zero. Other prominent sites include Shukkei-en, a formal Japanese garden, and Hiroshima Castle, a fortress surrounded by a moat and a park.
am – Breakfast at your leisure.
09:00am – Group departure for a day trip to visit Hiroshima. This morning we will have our first opportunity to experience one of the world’s best ever forms of travel – a train ride on Japan’s legendary transportation marvel – the Shinkansen “Bullet Train”. 
Trains in Japan are by far the best way of travelling from A to B, and are used widely by the local population. They are uber efficient, clean, safe, comfortable and fast! With speeds of up to 300km/h, we will be travelling the 280 kilometres between Osaka and Hiroshima in 1 hour and 30 minutes in whisper-quiet comfort.

10:30pm – Exploration of the main sights of Hiroshima – The City of Peace – and a symbol of resistance and rebirth. Hiroshima, has a rich historic past that extends well beyond the tragic 1945 events.

Lunch – A visit to Hiroshima’s famed “Okonomimura” a culinary institution in Hiroshima. This vibrant, bustling building is a temple dedicated to okonomiyaki, the heart & soul of Hiroshima’s gastronomy, and boasts three full floors of food stalls, all serving some sort of variation of this iconic local dish.
15:00pm – Return Shinkansen train journey to Osaka.
pm – Remainder of the evening at your leisure to explore Osaka. Decide whether you’d like to do your own thing for dinner at one of Dotonbori’s many restaurants or we can decide as a group on where we would like to enjoy dinner together.

Accommodation: Cross Hotel Osaka

(Included Meals : B)

Day 4 – Sunday May 12th 2024 – Kinosaki – Classic Japanese Ryokan & Onsen Experience

10:00am – Check out from our Osaka hotel for departure by local train to Kinosaki, situated on the Sea of Japan in Central Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture.
12noon – Departure from Osaka Station
15:00pm – Arrival at Kinosaki Onsen
Kinosaki Onsen
With over 1400 years of tradition, Kinosaki is one of Japan’s top onsen (hot spring resort) destinations. This charming 8th century town, with its seven unique public hot spring baths and dozens of onsen ryokan accommodations, is the place to sample the quintessential onsen ryokan experience.
For hundreds of years, Kinosaki has been known throughout Japan as a hot spring town. Putting on yukata (light cotton kimono) & geta (wooden clogs) to visit each of the town’s seven public hot springs – each with its own unique style – has become a storied tradition of visitors to Kinosaki. In addition to its famous public hot springs, Kinosaki is also known for its mouthwatering cuisine, including Hyogo Prefecture’s Tajima Beef, the stock cattle of the world famous Kobe beef.
15:00pm – Check in to Nishimuraya Honkan, our luxury ryokan accommodation during our stay in Kinosaki.
Our Accommodation – Nishimuraya Honkan

No visit to Japan is a complete without experiencing a ryokan. The essence of Japan – simple and comfortable, yet painstakingly detailed – will surround you the moment you enter your traditional Japanese-style room.
Nishimuraya Honkan is a member of Relais & Châteaux, and has been praised as one of the “best onsen ryokan” in Japan. It’s 34 guest rooms are all traditional, Japanese-style. Guests staying at Nishimuraya Honkan can enjoy the property’s three private hot spring onsen as well as complimentary access to all 7 of the public hot springs of Kinosaki Onsen.
Each Japanese-style guest room is 8 tatami mats in floor size and also features a terrace area for extra comfort and enjoying the outside scenery.

16:00pm – After checking into your traditional ryokan Japanese tatami room, the remainder of the afternoon is free for you to start exploring Kinosaki and its “Seven Hot Springs” which are open to the public.
The ryokan will provide you with your traditional yukata (light cotton kimono), and a jacket in cooler weather, so that you can join the locals while strolling the willow-lined streets of town.
In Kinosaki Onsen, it is tradition for visitors to wear yukata while they are staying. It is a common sight to see people out shopping, eating at restaurants, and strolling through the town while wearing yukata.

pm – Evening at your leisure. Choose to have dinner at one of the many local restaurants in the town or you might prefer to enjoy a classic ryokan Kaiseki Dinner in your room, prepared by Nishimuraya Honkan.

Kaiseki is a multi course meal of various Japanese foods that is similar to haute cuisine. A kaiseki meal is like no other Japanese meal you have ever experienced with each varying course and dish presented in an artistic fashion. Nishimuraya’s Executive Chef, Etsunobu Takahashi, and his culinary team will present Kinosaki’s famous seafood & meat dishes served in a variety of styles such as sashimi, boiled, grilled, and hot pot.

pm – Following your Kaiseki dinner or while you have been out, upon returning to your room you will find your futon, Japanese style bedding, laid out and prepared for you. If you’re not quite ready for bed, enjoy a drink at the ryokan’s bar or head into the ryokan’s private Karaoke room for a few songs and a few laughs.

Accommodation: Nishimuraya Honkan

(Included Meals : B)

Day 5 – Monday May 13th 2024 – Kinosaki – Classic Japanese Ryokan & Onsen Experience

am – Enjoy a leisurely Japanese breakfast.
Today is a day at your leisure to explore Kinosaki at your own pace. As well as the opportunity to visit each or any of the 7 public Onsen in the town, there are a number of things that you are able to explore.
Kinosaki is a small onsen town with everything in walking distance as there is only 1 main street where all the ryokans, public baths and shops are located. This is one of the few onsen towns in Japan where you can walk in the street wearing your Ryokan’s yukata. Enjoy a walk along the willow and cherry tree lined canal that runs through the town centre. Stop into one of the public onsen for a relaxing soak, or take a seat and soak your feet in one of the streetside hot spring footpaths.
There are several other hot spring towns in Japan, but very few have so many public bathhouses of varying style in such close proximity. All 7 of the onsen bathhouses can be walked to from the other. If you have the time, are up to the challenge and want to feel the cleanest and most relaxed you have ever felt in your life, try Kinosaki’s “Onsen Meguri”. Meguri is a Japanese term meaning pilgrimage, in this case you walk around to and soak in all 7 onsen bathhouses.

19:00pm – Group Dinner – Tonight we will experience one of the regions most famous products with Nishimuraya Ricca’s Tajima Beef dinner.
Most people would recognise Kobe Beef as the number one beef in Japan, and perhaps the world. The name “Tajima” refers to the region of the Northern Hyogo prefecture, in which Kinosaki is part of, with Tajima beef the stock cattle for this world famous Kobe beef. Specially bred Tajima cattle are known for their tender and flavourful meat with well marbled textures.

pm – The remainder of the evening at your leisure. Visit one of Kinosaki’s vintage arcade galleries or go for a late night soak at your favourite onsen.

Accommodation: Nishimuraya Honkan

(Included Meals : B, D)

Day 6 – Tuesday May 14th 2024 – Arashiyama (West Kyoto) – UNESCO World Heritage “Bamboo Forest”

am – Breakfast at your leisure
10:00am – Group departure by rail for Arashiyama – the stunningly beautiful and magical atmosphere of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Arashiyama
Set along the flowing Hozu River, Arashiyama is a welcome natural retreat from nearby bustling Kyoto. Dating back to 794, when Kyoto, then called Heian-kyo, became home to the imperial court. Arashiyama flourished as a summer and holiday retreat for court nobles attracted to its scenic charms.
Arashiyama’s Sagano Bamboo Forest, or Bamboo Grove, is both locally famous and world-renowned. Visitors can stroll paths lined with endless rows of towering bamboo. The experience has been described as other-worldly, serene, and dreamlike. The Japanese Ministry of Environment have named the sound of the rustling bamboo within this forest as one of the “100 Soundscapes of Japan”.

 

13:30pm – Upon arrival into Arashiyama, we will drop our bags off at our hotel, the GrandWest Arashiyama, which is a short 5 minute walk from our arrival rail station.
Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s most popular day-trip destinations from Kyoto, so we have arranged to spend the night here so that we can have this magical location mostly to ourselves once the day-trippers leave for the day and before they arrive the next morning.
Our Accommodation –  GrandWest Arashiyama
GrandWest Arashiyama is a modern retreat in the tranquility of the ancient mountains and forests of Arashiyama long beloved by residents of Kyoto. The hotel was fully renovated and repurposed from a local apartment complex into a boutique hotel in September 2017. Guests stay in one of its ten rooms built in the spirit of a traditional Japanese inn, filled with all the modern amenities needed to feel like you’re in your second home.

Remainder of the afternoon to explore the relaxed atmosphere of Arashiyama. As well as visiting the towering bamboo forest join Nico for a walk amongst some if its other  important sites including:

  • Okochi Sanso Villa– is the two-hectare former estate of Denjiro Okochi (1898-1962), Japan’s most famous silent film star. It’s “spiral-garden” and the views from Mt. Ogura, where Okochi Sanso lies, have been celebrated in classical poetry since Heian times.

pm – Group dinner at one of Arashiyama’s local restaurants.

Accommodation: GrandWest Arashiyama

(Included Meals : B, D)

Day 5 – Wednesday May 15th 2024 – Kyoto – Japan’s Cultural Jewel – Shogun, Gion & Geisha

07:00am – Early morning walk to beat the crowds and spend some time in the stunningly beautiful and magical atmosphere of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, all to ourselves before the day-tripper crowds arrive. After our walk we will stop for an amazing coffee at a hip “glass-cubed” take-away coffee shop on the banks of the river.

09:00am – Return to our hotel for breakfast before checking out and taking the train to Kyoto, one of Japan’s most culturally celebrated cities.
Kyoto
With Zen gardens, bamboo groves, Buddhist temples and geisha shuffling along cobbled laneways, Kyoto seems to be lifted straight from the scenes of an ancient Japanese woodblock print. Kyoto is the epicenter of Japanese culture and history and one of the most fascinating of Asian cities. Founded in 794 as Japan’s capital, it is home to over 15 World Heritage sites which all are associated with traditional Japan including stunning temples and shrines, mysterious geisha, Zen rock gardens, imperial palaces, refined cuisine, ornate kimono, and centuries-old bamboo groves
12noon – Drop our bags in to our Kyoto hotel prior to check in time.
Our Accommodation – Rinn Gion Shirakawa
The 4-star Rinn Gion Shirakawa features 22 rooms and is centrally located in Kyoto’s famous geisha district – Gion. 
Gion is one of the most famous areas for sightseeing in Kyoto, and indeed in Japan. There are many traditional Japanese restaurants in machiya-style town houses in Gion, so it’s no wonder this traditional area is on everyone’s list when they come to Kyoto.
Gion is also one of the main hanamachi in Kyoto, meaning that it is a geisha district. So you stand a real chance to see a maiko or a geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) in Gion.

13:00pm – We will start our exploration of some of Kyoto’s famous attractions with a visit to the fascinating Shogun castle in central Kyoto.

16:30 – 19:30pm – Private “Gion, The World of the Geisha” Guided Walking Tour – We will take a tour of Kyoto’s famous Gion district and learn all about the mysterious geisha traditions of the area. Our private English-speaking guide will tell us about the traditions from an insider perspective, as it can be difficult for outsiders to access geisha culture otherwise. We will also have the opportunity to explore Gion’s beautiful streets, temples, shrines, and shops, for a comprehensive overview of historic Kyoto. With a bit of luck, we may spot a Maiko (apprentice geisha) or Geiko scurrying between teahouse appointments.

Dinner and evening at your leisure to explore Kyoto.

Accommodation: Rinn Gion Shirakawa

(Included Meals : B)

Day 6 – Thursday May 16th 2024 – Kyoto – Japan’s Cultural Jewels

am – Breakfast at your leisure.
10:00am – Visits to some of Kyoto’s other famous UNESCO sights including:

17:00pm – Fushimi Inari Shrine – Late afternoon visit to one of Japan’s most popular and photographed iconic shrines- Fushimi Inari.
Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, Fushimi Inari was dedicated to the god of rice and sake in the 8th century, it is perhaps the single most impressive sight in all of Kyoto and its most important shrine.
The magical, seemingly unending path of over 5000 vibrant vermillion torii gates that wind through the hills behind Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine makes it one of the most popular shrines in Japan. Due to its popularity with thousands of tourists during the day, our late afternoon visit will allow us to enjoy this picturesque setting and scenic walk without the crowds.

19:30pm – Group Dinner– Tonight we will enjoy dinner at one of Chef Nobu’s restaurants in Gion.

nobu-kyoto-counter

nobu-kyoto-teppanyaki

Accommodation: Rinn Gion Shirakawa

(Included Meals : D)

Day 7 – Friday May 17th 2024 – Tokyo

Tokyo
One of the world’s greatest metropolises, Tokyo is brimming with life and culture, both historical and contemporary, and is a sensory bombardment with its wonderful abundance of street-level detail meaning there is always something to keep the attention.
Tokyo is a truly overwhelming city: a vibrant hub of modern civilisation, constantly buzzing with activity. Japan’s capital since the Meiji restoration of 1868,
am – Breakfast at your leisure.
10:00am – Check out from our Kyoto hotel for departure by Japan’s famous high-speed Shinkansen Bullet train to Tokyo, for the 2 1/2 hour train journey with speeds of up to 300km/h. During our journey, there may be the possibility of seeing Japan’s majestic Mt Fuji as we pass by.

13:00pm – Upon arrival in Tokyo, we will drop our bags off at our hotel in one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and trendy districts – Ginza.
GINZA
Built on the site of a silver coin mint dating back to the Edo era (1603-1868), Ginza is an area steeped in history with an air of self-assured elegance. Its main street houses some of Tokyo’s original department stores, and many still flock here for peerless service that matches the high-class products on offer. Ginza’s backstreets are adventures in boutique shopping and tiny yet exquisite bistros.
Ginza, often compared to New York’s Fifth Avenue, is where Tokyo’s rich history gracefully mingles with the present. Rather than resting on its reputation, however, Ginza constantly evolves with the times, providing cultured modernity, energy and old-Tokyo charm. With its understated elegance, Ginza promises a calm yet classy escape in the heart of Tokyo, making it even more of an urban retreat on the weekends (while we are visiting) when its main drag Chuo Dori becomes a stylish pedestrian promenade. 

Our Accommodation – Karaksa Hotel Premier Tokyo Ginza
Centrally located  with only short walks to Shimabashi Train Station, which services the Haneda & Narita International Airports, and Ginza’s main shopping and entertainment precinct, Karaksa Hotel Premier Tokyo Ginza is a polished 3-star hotel in the popular shopping district of Ginza.

13:30pm -Tokyo’s clash of old and new makes it one of the world’s most dynamic & cosmopolitan cities of the world. We will commence our exploration of Tokyo’s “old vs new” juxtaposition with a visit  to one of Tokyo’s oldest sites – Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa – followed by one of  its modern icons – the Tokyo Skytree Tower.

sensoji-temple-600x400

19:30pm – Depart the hotel to experience dinner at a typical, Japanese-style Izakaya (Japanese Gastropub) restaurant for a quintessential Japanese dining experience of great food and drink amongst local Japanese.

pm – Remainder of the evening at your leisure.

Accommodation – Karaksa Hotel Premier Tokyo Ginza

(Included Meals : B, D)

 

Day 9 – Saturday May 18th 2024 – Tokyo – Japanese Sake Experience

am – Breakfast and early morning at your leisure.  Go for an early morning walk around the grounds of the Imperial Palace.

japan-tokyo-imperial-palace-600x375

am – For those that are interested, we can visit the nearby Tsukiji Fish Market’s “Outer Market’, known as Japan’s “Food Town,” where one can encounter all of Japan’s traditional foods. A mixture of wholesale and retail shops along with numerous restaurants line the streets, this is where Japan’s new culinary trends are said to be born.
tsukiji-outer-market-600x400
12:30pm / 14:30pm – Japanese Sake & Culture Appreciation Experience – This afternoon we have arranged for two intimate & private Japanese Sake Appreciation Experiences (5pax per session) at a boutique Sake & Sake Accoutrements Boutique in the trendy area of  Roppongi.
The boutique represents the flagship sake brand of a 350-year-old brewery to showcase the wonders of Japanese sake brewing and express the beauty of Japanese culture.
The experience will provide for a guided comparative tasting of five varieties of top class sake presented in special artist-crafted sake cups and paired with seasonal bites curated by head chef and owner of Ginza Wakyo.

pm – Evening at your leisure. We haven’t arranged dinner for this evening so it is an opportunity to either visit one of Tokyo’s many Michelin rated restaurants or, at the other end of the scale, try one of my favourite Japanese dishes – tonkatsu – at a restaurant specialising in this dish of crumbled pork (prawn or chicken options are usually also available).

tonkatsu-600x330
pm – Tokyo Bluenote Jazz Club – After dinner Join Nico at one of the world’s premier jazz clubs and Japan’s first live jazz venue located in the classy and central Aoyama district.
Opened since 1988, this club of the New-York’s franchise The Blue Note is renowned as the best live jazz locale of the Japanese capital. Since its opening, over thirty years ago, the club has hosted many jazz musicians, the most famous having their portraits in the gallery that welcomes customers. The venue provides a classy and comfy atmosphere that perfectly suits jazz music. The decoration was designed to remind of the New-York City origins of the bar with a red brick wall and comfortable leather upholstered seating.

Accommodation – Karaksa Hotel Premier Tokyo Ginza

(Included Meals : B, L)

Day 10 – Sunday May 19th 2024 – Tokyo

am – Breakfast at your leisure.
FREE DAY – You would have now mastered Japan’s incredibly efficient public transportation system, so we have left today as a free day for you to explore Tokyo as you desire. We can provide you with suggestions on whether you would like to visit some of its cultural attractions, many museums, or alternatively you might like to do some last minute shopping before the tour ends.
Some suggestions are:
meiji-shrine-600x400
19:00pm –  Final Group Dinner at one of Tokyo’s Kaiseki restaurants.

Accommodation – Karaksa Hotel Premier Tokyo Ginza

(Included Meals : B, D)

Day 11 – Monday May 20th 2024 – Tokyo Departure

am – Breakfast at your leisure before checking out of our hotel.
For those of you returning to Australia, the closest airport to central Tokyo is HANEDA AIRPORT about 45 minutes out of town, while NARITA AIRPORT is about 90 minutes out of town.
Airport shuttles, as well as Tokyo’s public train system can get you to either of the airports. We will assist in arranging your preferred transfer to the airport of your departure.
PRICING & INCLUSIONS
 ¥780,000 (~ A$8,210**) – Double/Twin Occupancy
 ¥1,030,000pp (~ A$10,840pp**) – Own Room

 

**AUD Pricing based on Foreign Currency Exchange Rate of $1AUD/JPY95 available at https://wise.com/gb/currency-converter/aud-to-jpy-rate?amount=1
The following is INCLUDED in the price:
The following is NOT INCLUDED in the price:

**Note: Price is subject to change without notice as a result of international currency fluctuations that may affect the cost of land transportation, hotels, or other related services. You will be notified as soon as any changes are affected. 

HOW TO BOOK
Booking Deadline: 15 December 2023
As accommodation and travel continue to be at their premium in Japan following its reopening to the world, due to the limited rooms available at our selected hotels, bookings must be secured by 15 December 2024 so that we can confirm them with our accommodation providers. We trust this meets with your understanding.
Booking Deposit: 
A $AUD1900 non-refundable BOOKING DEPOSIT is required to hold a booking for the tour, at the time of your reservation. We are able to refund your Booking Deposit should a replacement be found for any cancelled places.. The Booking Deposit is used to secure accommodations and tour services at the time of your request for places. Banking Details are included below to facilitate your Booking Deposit payment. Please forward your completed BOOKING FORM to urbanprovider@icloud.com.
BOOKING DEADLINE – 15 December 2023
Final Payment: 
Payment in full is required at least 90 days prior to departure (Final Payment Due: 09 February 2024). Payment can be made at any time before the final due date, if you prefer. Final Payment will be converted from ¥JPY to $AUD based on the prevailing Foreign Cash Currency Exchange rate at the time of payment. To view the Foreign Cash Currency Exchange to be used at the time of payment, please visit the Wise rates website at – https://wise.com/gb/currency-converter/aud-to-jpy-rate?amount=1
Cancellation:
In the event that you may have to cancel your tour for any reason, we allow refunds for payments in the following way:
Payment Options (Places confirmed upon receipt of payment)
We look forward to hosting you on this very special “Discover Japan”  experience! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate in contacting us.
Arigato gozaimas,
Nico & Belinda Moretti
Cooking Passions Cooking School
267 Vincent Street, LEEDERVILLE WA 6007
AUSTRALIA
www.urbanprovider.com.au
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