Japan Backroads - Independent Adventure Tour
Number Of Nights: 8

Operates: Every Friday (May 06, 2011 through July 22, 2011)

Starts/Ends: Tokyo (Narita Airport)

Type Of Tour: Land Only

Visits: Tokyo (2 Nights) / Kyoto (3 Nights) / Takayama (2 Nights) / Tokyo (1 Night)

Meals: None

From: $1,850.00 Per Person Double Occupancy

Minimum: 1 Person

What Is A “Independent Adventure Tour”?
For the most part, a Independent Adventure Tour is a “Self-Guided Tour, they are designed for people who don't need a lot of hand holding, but want to leave nothing to chance. We make all the arrangements for you, train and bus tickets (when the tour includes a Japan Rail Pass, you have to make your own train reservations, we will explain where and how to do this), guided sightseeing tours where available, hotel accommodations, and we provide you with written instructions every step of the way.

Before you leave home you will receive a tour book created just for you along with a daily itinerary. Your information book includes instructions on how to ride the trains and buses, about dining, cultural information and self-guided sightseeing suggestions for each city you will visit. We also include airport maps for arrival and departure; train station maps; city maps showing your hotel, train stations and sightseeing spots; plus a hotel information sheet for every hotel with the name and address in both English and Japanese along with instructions on how to reach each hotel.

We have been a pioneer when it comes to independent travel in Japan and we've been doing this for over 25 years. Our tour itineraries may feature a path less taken, but we think this is the only way to really experience Japan. If you have an adventurous spirit and an open mind, then a “Backroads Adventure Tour”, may just be the tour for you.

We will share with you our years of experience, knowledge and insider tips. With a little reading on your part, you will become a Japan expert.

	Day 1 (Fri): Arrive Tokyo (Narita) / Transfer To Hotel (Bus Coupon) After entry procedures, transfer to your hotel by Airport Limousine Bus on your own. We provide you with a pre-paid bus coupon and detailed instructions with an airport map. Two nights’ accommodations at the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo.

	Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo / Hotel Category: Deluxe The Keio Plaza Hotel is one of the landmark highrise hotels in Tokyo, located in the popular Shinjuku area. Within easy walking distance to shopping, dining and entertainment. Only a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station.

Day 2 (Sat): Morning At Leisure / Join Afternoon Tokyo Tour
This morning is at leisure for you to explore Tokyo on your own. This would be a good time to visit the nearest Japan Rail (JR) Travel Center (Shinjuku Station, a 5-minute walk from your hotel) to exchange your 7-Day Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order for the actual Japan Rail Pass and to make advance train reservations on your own (passport required).

This afternoon join a sightseeing tour of Tokyo. First, enjoy a sweeping view of the city from the "Seaside Top" observatory deck on the 40th floor of the World Trade Center Building, before heading over to Tokyo Bay to take a cruise up the Sumida River to Asakusa. Upon arrival in Asakusa, browse the many colorful stores lining the Nakamise walkway leading up to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest and most famous Buddhist temple. The tour then takes you on a drive through Ginza, the world-renowned shopping and entertainment district, on the way to the Imperial Palace Plaza where you can enjoy the splendid view of the moats and walls around the seat of Japan's imperial household. Return to your hotel, evening at leisure.

Day 3 (Sun): Tokyo To Kyoto / Japan Rail Pass
Take a local train to Tokyo Station on your own. Board Bullet train for Kyoto on your own. Upon arrival at Kyoto Station, walk to your hotel on your own.
Three nights’ accommodations at the Hotel Granvia Kyoto.

Hotel Granvia Kyoto / Hotel Category: Deluxe
The Hotel Granvia Kyoto is located in the heart of Kyoto. Directly linked to ultra-modern JR Kyoto Station, travelers arriving by train will find this hotel the most convenient in the city.Offering spacious and comfortable modern rooms, a wide variety of restaurants and an indoor swimming pool (very rare in Japan), the Hotel Granvia Kyoto is an excellent choice for tourist looking for quality and convenience.

Bonus Offer: Complimentary upgrade to a Superior Room, subject to availability at time of reservation.

Bonus Offer From Ampac Tours: You will receive a complimentary Kyoto City Bus All-Day Pass. We have arranged to have this pass delivered to you upon hotel check-in.

GRANVIA

Day 4 (Mon): Join Kyoto Morning Tour / Afternoon At Leisure
This morning join a sightseeing tour of Kyoto: Nijo Castle, Golden Pavilion, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto Handicraft Center. Tour terminates at Kyoto Handicraft Center. Return to your hotel, courtesy of Kyoto Handicraft Center.
Optional tours are available for purchase.

Day 5 (Tue): Kyoto Day At Leisure
Complete day at leisure for you to plan your own activiites. Your options are many today, you may choose to use your Japan Rail Pass and visit a nearby city such as Nara or Osaka. Nara offers some wonderful temples such as Todaiji, home of the Great Buddha housed in the largenst wooden building in the world and the deer park. Cosmopolitan Osaka is a popular destination for both shopping and dining.

Day 6 (Wed): Kyoto To Takayama (via Nagoya) / Japan Rail Pass
Using your Japan Rail Pass, board a Bullet train for Nagoya on your own. Change train at Nagoya for Takayama, an ancient city dubbed “Little Kyoto” on your own. Get off at Takayama Station and walk to your hotel on your own.

Remainder of day on your own, you may choose to stroll the ancient streets of Kami Sannomachi lined with traditional Japanese wooden houses. There is so much to see in Takayama and most of it is accessible on foot. The only sight that requires taking a local bus is the Hida No Sato Folk Village, an open air musuem of traditional farm houses from the area.
Two nights’ accommodations at the Hida Hotel Plaza or similar.

Hida Hotel Plaza / Hotel Category: First Class
This hotel is convenently located only 3 blocks from Takayama Train Station. The hotel also offers the opportunity to try an authentic Japanese hot springs bath.

Day 7 (Thu): Takayama Day At Leisure
Complete day at leisure to explore Takayama on your own. Highlights: lively morning markets, Kusakabe Folkcraft Museum and the open-air Hida Folk Village (a collection of more than 30 traditional farmhouses and buildings) where you can watch demonstrations of local crafts such as weaving, dyeing, woodcarving, lacquer work and making of straw baskets, hats and sandals.

Day 8 (Fri): Takayama To Tokyo (via Nagoya) / Japan Rail Pass
Walk back to Takayama Station on your own. Using your Japan Rail Pass, take a train to Nagoya where you will transfer to a Shinkansen (Bullet Train) bound for Tokyo. Upon arrival take a local train to Shinjuku Station, walk on your own to your hotel.
Overnight accommodation at the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo.

Day 9 (Sat): Transfer To Airport (Bus Coupon) / Depart Tokyo (Narita)
Transfer to the airport by pre-paid Airport Limousine Bus on your own. (Transfer Included)

Tour Price Note: This Tour Will Operate With 1 Person.
Program	Number Of Nights	Meals	Operates Friday		Per Person Double Occupancy	Per Person Single Room
			Valid From	Valid To
Japan Backroads	8	None	May 06, 2011	July 22, 2011	$1,850	$2,835
Visa: Not required for U.S. citizens for stay up to 90 days. A valid passport is required for international travel. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your intended stay.

Japan Backroads - Independent Adventure Tour Number Of Nights: 8

Japan Backroads - Independent Adventure Tour
Number Of Nights: 8