Japan Itinerary

Discover the Land of the Rising Sun 2005

Friday, June 17 Depart for Tokyo, Japan Day 1
Assemble in your departure city for your international flight to Japan.

Saturday, June 18 Tokyo Day 2
Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Narita Airport your delegation manager and coach driver will meet you. Enjoy your first taste of Japanese cuisine as you become acquainted with your fellow Student Ambassadors.

Sunday, June 19 Tokyo Day 3
Begin your discovery of Japan with a visit to the Imperial Palace Plaza. Though it is not possible to go inside the Imperial Palace, take a short walk through the plaza where you will be able to catch a glimpse of the palace and the picturesque Nijubashi Bridge. Later, discover the Asakusa Kannon Temple nestled in downtown Tokyo. Browse your way from the street toward the temple through the picturesque Nakamise shopping arcade. Dating from the late 17th century, it is one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan. Though destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, and in the air raids of 1945, today, this lively street thrives in bustling market fashion. Enjoy lunch at the Hard Rock café! Near the Hard Rock café, discover Roppongi Hills. Opened in 2003, this area represents the largest city redevelopment in Japan and offers a view into modern Japanese culture. The sprawling development encompasses designer shops, luxury housing, and a much-needed cultural center that combines education, culture and business. Continue becoming acquainted with Tokyo by investigating Meiji Shrine. Meiji Jingu is a Shinto Shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken, the great-grandparents of the present emperor. This spiritual oasis, built in 1920, covers over 700,000 square meters with 365 species of trees donated by over 120,000 Japanese citizens. The Shrine is comprised of three areas including: the Naien centered on the shrine buildings; the Gaien, which includes sport facilities and the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery; and the Meiji Memorial Hall. Upon achieving the rank of Grand Champion, sumo wrestlers have the special honor of giving a demonstration in the Meiji Jingu. Later, discover the legendary Orient Bazaar in Omotesando, Harjuku district. Enjoy the afternoon collecting souvenirs or browsing the trendy shops, which shed light on the fashion styles of the Japanese youth. Then, venture into Tokyo’s local train system to go to the Shinjuku area where tomorrow you will be introduced to Japanese government.

Monday, June 20 Tokyo Day 4
This morning return to Shinjuku to explore the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices. You may meet with local government staff who will explain a little about Japanese government. Be sure to take a moment and stop on the 45th floor to view the city from the building’s observation deck. On a clear day, you may be able to spot Mt. Fuji!

Tuesday, June 21 Mt. Fuji-Hakone Day 5
Escape the city and enjoy the scenic drive to Mt Fuji’s 5th Station near Lake Kawaguchi. The 5th Station, the highest point accessible by motor vehicles, commands views of the Fuji Five Lakes and surrounding mountains in the distance. Sometimes called “the boundary between heaven and earth,” the 5th Station lies above the level of the sea clouds. Then have the chance to explore with a soft trekking experience around the Fuji area if weather permits. Proceed to
Hakone National Park for a scenic aerial cable car ride up Mt. Komagatake. Arrive at the Hakone Guest House, located within the Fuji-Hakone National Park, to enjoy a restful night.

Wednesday, June 22 Nagoya-Gifu Day 6
Begin the morning, with a walk along the pathways meandering through the steaming vents in the natural onsen area of Hakone. Learn why onsens, or hot springs, are so popular for their cleansing abilities. After the morning’s exercise, prepare for the drive to Gifu. Use this time to catch up on some of your journal entries. You will have the exciting opportunity to experience the World Exposition, held just east of Nagoya in Aichi this year. In 1851, the first world exhibition was held in London. Ever since, world exhibitions were organized in irregular sequence for inspiring, informing and entertaining the world with the latest technologies, exciting architecture and glimpses into the future. The last expo took place in 2000 in Hannover, Germany. Aichi 2005 will be the fourth expo held in Japan after Osaka '70, Okinawa '75 and Tsukuba '85. The theme of Expo 2005 will be Nature's Wisdom. Over one hundred countries, local governments, companies and organizations will be presenting ideas and technologies seeking a harmonious coexistence of humans with nature. The pavilions will be located in two wooded areas and connected with each other by driverless buses, gondolas and a barrier-free elevated corridor. Continue on to Gifu, where after dinner, with weather permitting, witness the graceful act of ukai, or Cormorant fishing, from the Nagara riverbank. Watch as fisherman use fire to attract fish and then utilize their magnificent trained Cormorant birds to dive into the river to retrieve their catch. Bands placed around the neck of the birds prevent them from swallowing the fish.

Thursday, June 23 Gifu Day 7
Venture to the old-fashioned city of Takayama, where much of the city retains traditional architecture, especially along the Takayama Old Alley. The area is renowned for its abundance of pure water, which makes it an ideal location to brew sake, or Japanese rice wine. During your exploration of the city, you will visit the Hida Folk Village where you will see examples of traditional thatched roof architecture. Watch demonstrations of various crafts such as woodcarving and weaving while the craftsmen explain their trade and the typical lifestyle of the Japan of yesteryear. The Kami Sannomachi town is one of the three original townships combined to create Takayama. This section of the city has left rows of original homes, which now represent a Historic Preservation District of the country. Consider taking a walk through the Higashiyama temple district to explore 13 temples, five shrines and enjoy the scenic hilltop park all along a two-mile walking course. Visit the Kokubunji Temple, originally built in 746. The original temple burned down and today the oldest part of the structure dates from the 16th century. Standing beside the Kokubunji temple’s three-tiered pagoda is a gingko tree said to be over 1,000 years old! From there, visit the Hida Shunkei Lacquer Ware Museum to learn about the craft of woodcarving, and view pieces dated as far back as the 17th century.

Friday, June 24 Kikugawa/Home Stay Day 8
This morning, you will meet your home stay family, with whom you will be spending the weekend to observe the Japanese lifestyle. Remember to bring photos of your family from home to share with your hosts. You will also have the opportunity for some student interaction this afternoon sponsored by your home stay coordinators.

Saturday, June 25 Home Stay Day 9
Enjoy the hospitality of your host family. Be sure to journal about some of your experiences.

Sunday, June 26 Home Stay Day 10
Enjoy the hospitality of your host family.

Monday, June 27 Hiroshima Day 11
Do not forget to thank your host family as you say goodbye this morning and rejoin your delegation. This morning, arrive at Hiroshima Station on board a JR Shinkansen, or superexpress train. Spend a solemn day in Hiroshima reflecting on the destruction of WWII at Peace Memorial Park. Located at the site of Ground Zero, the park includes the cenotaph, the Flame of Peace and the Peace Memorial Museum. The museum, with its display of terrifying artifacts, is a powerful and moving reminder of the destruction the atomic bomb inflicted upon Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The museum encourages each visitor to make a vow for universal peace…

Tuesday, June 28 Kyoto Day 12
This morning, take a ferry to Miyajima Island, home of Itsukushima Shrine. On the island, walk to the vermilion Itsukushima Shrine, designated as a World Heritage site in 1996, to see the Grand Torii gate which looks as if it is floating at high tide. A committee chooses World Heritage sites, from several nominated locations all over the world, which represent a significant “cultural or natural heritage.” Ferry back and proceed on to explore the city of Himeji. The World Heritage listed Himeji Castle, or “White Heron Castle,” represents Japanese castle architecture at its finest. Nearly all of the castle’s original structure is still intact from its construction in the early 1600s. The nickname “White Heron” stands for the graceful appearance of the castle’s white plaster walls. With inner and outer walled zones, gates built around maze-like spaces and a double moat, this castle was built to confuse and intimidate enemies. This evening, as you enjoy the drive to Kyoto, share your reflections of all you have seen with your fellow Ambassadors.

Wednesday, June 29 Kyoto Day 13
Spend the morning exploring important historical sites in Kyoto, the former Imperial Capital. Begin with the hard to miss glittering majesty of the Kinkakuji Temple, better known as the Gold Pavilion. Dating from the Muromachi Period of 1336-1573, this World Heritage listed temple is covered in gold leaf and topped by a bronze roof. The upper stories of the Golden Pavilion seem to float as they reflect brilliantly against the rock-studded pond. Step back in time to discover Nijo Castle, built in 1603. The castle, built by Shogun Leyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, is a World Heritage Site.The accompanying Ninomaru Palace is considered a National Treasure because of its splendid architecture and magnificent interior decoration. Leyasu built the castle as his primary Kyoto residence and a symbol of the Tokugawa power. To ensure the shogun’s safety, the castle floors are equipped with a type of alert system; the famous Uguisu-Bari or Nightingale Floor, constructed to "sing" at every footstep. The wooden planks move the metal cramps underneath up and down, creating a friction with the nails and omitting a nightingale-like sound, immediately alerting those inside of any intruder. Next, take a step into the movie world at the Toei Uzumasa movie studio. Today you will have a chance to experience the enchantment of Japan as represented through this interactive theme park. Stop in the Gion district to walk the ancient streets of this well-known Geisha district. Keep your eyes open and you may see a traditionally dressed geisha walking down the road. This afternoon you will learn and participate in the traditional tea ceremony. This ancient tradition is the ritualized preparation and serving a powdered green tea in the presents of guests. Tonight, enjoy the farewell dinner, as this will be your final evening in Japan.

Thursday, June 30 Depart for the U.S.A. Day 14
Pack up your suitcase for the last time and board the coach for the airport. If your flight schedule permits, you may have the opportunity to visit one of the most solemn sites in Japan, Sanjusangendo Temple. The temple is home to over 1000 statues of the Buddhist deity, Kannon. The principal image, a seated thousand-handed Kannon and its 28 guardians are all designated National Treasures. The 1,001 smaller Kannon images are Important Cultural Properties. The temple takes its name from the 33 spaces between the pillars in front of the main altar. In Buddhism, the number "33" is of symbolic importance. The bodhisattva Kannon incarnates in 33 different shapes in its missions of mercy.