Japan 2015

Student promotional film- used with permission

 

DateDetails
DAY ZEROFriday – September 18th 201518/9/15:Sydney – Haneda with Qantas Airways
Depart 8:40 pm Friday Evening (need to be at airport 2 hours before)
DAY ONESaturday September19th 201519/9/15:Haneda – Itami with Japan Airlines
Arrive: 5:30 am
Depart :10:30 am- 
ORGANISE RAIL PASSES IF POSSIBLE AT AIRPORT
Itami (Osaka) arrival: 11:40 am
Arrive at Hotel mid afternoon
Coach Transfer: Itami Airport to Hiraiwa Ryokan, Kyoto
*Need to double check the hotels checkout time and our bags re last day
Hiraiwa Ryokan, Kyotohttp://www.kyoto-ryokanhiraiwa.com/en/314,Hayao-cho,Kaminokuchi-agaru,Ninomiyacho-dori,
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto,Japan. 600-8114
TEL:075-351-6748 FAX:075-351-6969
Duration from 20/09/2015 to 23/09/2015 – 3 nights/4 days
Breakfast included
ORGANISE RAIL PASSES IF NOT DONE
Will spend the afternoon looking around Kyoto Central eg BiC, Yobadashi etc to fill in timeTemple Visit??
Early night
NOTES
Exchange JR Rail passes at airport upon arrival or at Kyoto Station in the afternoon
NEED EVERYONE’S PASSPORTS

Book/reserve seats on Shinkansen for:·      Day Four/September 22nd (Kyoto to Nara) – JR Pass·      Day Five/September 23rd (Kyoto to Tokyo) – JR Pass·      Day Six/ September 24th (Tokyo to Nagano) – JR PassCheck in at Hiraiwa Ryokan – near station (about 10  minutes?)
Need to ensure that students have loose change for buses and trains over the next few days
 (buy something on arrival at Conbini for dinner??)
 Day TWO Costs
Breakfast, (Lunch) and Dinner when we arrive in japan ~3000 yen or bring snacks for bus as we will be on the move at lunch time (getting off plane and then bus to Kyoto)
DAY TWOSunday September 20th, 2015Kyoto day tour
Buy a Kyoto round-trip bus ticket.
Catch city bus to visit the Kiyomizudera Temple (Water Pavilion) via bus
http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.htmlGo to Nijo Castle via bus
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/bunshi/nijojo/english/index.html

Go to Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) via bus
http://www.shokoku-ji.jp/k_access.html
Lunch in area as appropriate
Dinner at JR Kyoto Railway Station complex and return to accommodation.
Notes
Out of Hotel by 9 am (breakfast between 8 & 8:45)
Exchange large currency for small currency if not done at airport
(For Buses)

Get water and snacks for day from Conbini
Buy round–trip bus ticketBus to Kiyomizudera Temple (2 hours for tour)
Bus to Nijo Castle (~ 1 hour for tour)
Bus to Kinkakuji Temple (1.5 hours for tour)
Dinner between 5:30 and 6:30 at Railway complex
Further sightseeing around station area or to hotel for the night if required.
Overnight in KyotoStudent briefing re next day
Staff Debrief and planning for next day
 Day THREE Costs
Bus pass- 500 yen
Temple Entrance 300+400 yen=700 yen
Castle- 600 yen
Lunch ~ 1000 yen
Dinner ~1000 yen
DAY THREEMonday – September 21st, 2015Kyoto day tour
AM- Train and Walk to Toei Eiga Mura
http://www.toei-eigamura.com/en/
Go back to station and catch bus? –
NEED TO CHECK
Lunch in Area or at park? 
PM- all within walking distance of hotel?
International Manga Museum (http://www.kyotomm.jp/english/)Sanjo Market. (http://www.sanjokai.kyoto.jp/)Can also visit Gion District in the late afternoon/evening
(http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html)

Kyoto Tower Observation Deck night visit
Notes
Get water and snacks for day from Conbini
Out of Hotel by 9 (breakfast between 8 & 8:45)-> note impact on activities due to possible Toei entrance times- have to revise once confirmedOvernight in KyotoStudent briefing re next dayStaff Debriefing and Planning
Transport to Toei

JR LineSagano LineKyoto Sta. -> Uzumasa or Hanazono Sta.
Randen Train
Arashiyama LineShijo Omiya Sta. -> Uzumasa Koryuji Sta.or Katabiranotsuji Station
International Manga Museum
The Kyoto International Manga Museum is located a two minute walk from the Karasuma-Oike Subway Station (5 minutes, 210 yen from Kyoto Station).
Dinner
Late night snacks/Sightseeing in Kyoto around station
Overnight in Kyoto
Student briefing re next dayStaff Debriefing and Planning
 Day FOUR Costs
Bus pass- 500 yen?
Train cost- 400 yen (return) to Toei Studio
Lunch ~ 1000 yen
Dinner ~1000 yen
Toei Studios cost- included in package
Nijo Castle entry- 600 yen
Entry to Kyoto Tower – 500 yen
International Manga Museum – 800 yen
DAY FOURTuesday September 22nd, 2015Day 1 of passNara Day Trip

Train to Nara (~ 1 hours trip on train)
Visit Todaiji Temple, Naramachi, Kofukuji Temple and Nara Deer ParkLunch in Naramachi
Notes
Out of Hotel by 9:00 am (breakfast between 8 & 8:45 am)
Get water and snacks for day from Conbini
Train times:  (~45 minute trip)
Leave KYOTO @ 09:33 am 
Departure track No.8  [JR Nara Line Rapid Service ]
Arrive NARA @ 10:19 am
Leave Nara @ 5:09 pm
Arrive Kyoto @ 6:18 pm
Dinner at Kyoto station
Early night to pack
Overnight KyotoStudent briefing re next day
Staff Debriefing and Planning
*Bags to be packed* for tomorrow’s trip to Tokyo
 Day FIVE CostsT
odaiji Temple – 500 yen
Kofukuji Temple – 600 yen
Nara Deer Park- free
Train – JR Pass
Lunch ~ 1000 yen
Dinner ~1000 yen
DAY FIVEWednesday – September 23rd, 2015Day 2 of passKyoto / Travel to Tokyo/ Shinjuku
*Need to double check the hotels checkout time
AM-Travel to Tokyo (arrive 12-1 pm)
PM-Check in to Tokyo to Edoya Hotel
Shinjuku VisitTokyu Hands Kinokuniya Book store
Walk through Kabukicho to see the lights
Skyscraper District 
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building– free admission
(night time views of the city
Atago jinja (Kamiya cho  Sta–Jibiya line, Torano mon Sta.-Ginza line)
Edoya Hotel – Tokyo   http://www.hoteledoya.com/e/main.html3-20-3 YushimaBunkyo-ku, Tokyo-to 113-0034 JapanTEL: +81 03 3833 8751Duration from 23/9/2015 to 1/10/2015 – 8 nights
Breakfast Included
Notes
Leave by 9 (breakfast between 8 & 8:45)
Depending on time, buy Bento Box for train for lunch
Trip to Tokyo
Catch a bullet train to JR Tokyo station
Travel by local train to Ochanomizu station (approx. 3 hours of travel);
Walk to Hotel Edoya to check-in.
From JR Ochanomizu station= 10 minutes walk
Use Hijiribashi exit
Cross the Hijiribashi bridge beside the station
Walk straight down & up for 700 m.
There is a crossing at top of the hill
Turn right
Train Options
Regular train options from Tokyo Station. – Travelling to Ochanomizu station
Namja Town (Toshima)- http://www.namco.co.jp/tp/namja/Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (entry until 21:00)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 500 yen (entry only), 3000 yen (entry and unlimited rides)
Eat at the local diners or Conbini’s near the hotel
Overnight TokyoStudent briefing re next day
Staff Debriefing and Planning
 DAY FIVE COSTS
Shinkansen Trip- JR PASS
Lunch ~1000 yen
Dinner ~1000 yen
DAY SIXThursday – September 24th, 2015Day 3 of passAkido/Asakusa/Kannon Temple/Fish Market Tour??
AM- Leave around 9 am
DETAILS FOR AKIDO to go here once confirmed
Akido- 10-11
Sushi Lunch at Tsukiji Outer Markets (most close early in the afternoon ~ noon to 2 pm)
Hama Rikyu Garden which is the most well-known and well-preserved traditional Japanese gardens in Tokyo-opportunity to partake in a tea ceremony for 500 yen
Water Bus to Kannon Temple

Sky Tree
NOTES:Appropriate clothing for Akido
 DAY SIX COSTS
Hama Rikyu Garden- 300yen
Tea Ceremony- 500 yen (optional)
Water Taxi- 740 yen
Lunch ~1000 yen
Dinner ~1000 yen
Akido ~ 2000 yen
DAY SEVENFriday – September 25th, 2015Day 4 of passKamakura + Tokyo Disney Evening visit
AM- Leave around 9-9:15 to go  to Kamakura
– Pokemon Centre?
– Cup Noodle Museum
Lunch in Area (snacks for TDL)
Leave Kamakura 4:00 pm for  Tokyo Disney Land entry at 6 pm
Dinner at Disney Land
NOTES
Return to OCHANOMIZU

Trains at 9:00, 9:03, 9:06, 9:15, 9:17
Overnight in Tokyo
Staff Debrief and planning for next day
 Day 7 Costs
Lunch ~1000 yenDinner ~1000 yen
DAY EIGHT

Saturday – September 26th, 2015Day 5 of pass
School Visit + Ghibli Museum
NEED TO CONFIRM MUSEUM TIMES BEFORE WORKING THIS DAY OUT- 2013 details below for reference
AM/PM- Travel by train from Ochanomizu to Miktaka to the Ghibli Museum.
AM/PM-school visit- Komagome high school.
Evening activity- Fukuro Matsuri Ikebukuto
NOTES
Get water and snacks for day from Conbini
Out of Hotel by 9:30 am (breakfast between 8 & 9, Relax in rooms etc for 30 minutes)
Need to be at Ghibli at 11 am
Train 10:02 Arrive Mitaka 10:24
Catch Neko bus to Ghibli for 11 am admission (must bring tickets and confirmation slip from Edoya!!)
Bus Times at 10:30/40/50 am (10 minutes travel)
Leave Museum around 12:30, bus back to Mitaka (every 10 minutes?)Train to ?
Return to hotel
Overnight in TokyoStudent briefing re next day
Staff Debriefing and Planning
 Day 8 Costs
Bus to Ghibli Museum ~400 yen (return)
Lunch ~1000 yen
Dinner ~1000 yen
DAY NINESunday – September 27th, 2015Day 6 of passAM- Morning in Harajuku
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3006.html

PM- Harajuku surrounds
Chance to walk down Omotesando and visit places like the Oriental Bazaar, Kiddy Land, Omotesando Hills and Tokyu Plaza
Asimo Show at Honda Welcome Plaza
Weekends & Public Holidays 11:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30 [English]Evening in Shibuya
AM – Travel by train along the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku to visit Takashita-dori and Omotesando
Lunch in area
Have Okonomiyaki dinner at Sakuratei (Open til 11 pm) 
See directions below
Evening – Travel by train to Shibuya to visit Shibuya’s hexagonal crossing; visit the local shopping streets as well as Shibuya 109 building.
NOTES
Get water and snacks for day from Conbini
Out of Hotel by 9:00 am (breakfast between 8 & 8:45)
HarajukuOchanomizu station to Harajuku Station
Harajuku Sightseeing via Takashita-dori and then back up Omotesando ?·      
Cosplayers on bridge near station·      
Meiji Shrine Visit·     
Yoyogi Park·      
Daiso·      
Kiddy Land·      
Omotesando Hills·      
Tokyu Plaza·      
Oriental Bazaar2-3 hours at venues + time at Meji Shrine (3-4 hours?)
Okonomiyaki at Sakura Tei (http://www.sakuratei.co.jp/en/access.html)1
. Harajuku Station (8 minutes walk) Yamanote Line
From Harajuku Station walk down Takeshita Dori. You will reach the intersection with Meiji Dori. Go straight across the street, passing in between the Murasaki Sports and KDDI Design Studio buildings. When you reach the Family Mart, take a left. The next road will split into a fork — take the narrow street on the left. Once you see our restaurant’s red lantern on the left, you’ll know you’ve arrived!
2. Meijijingu Mae Station (4 minutes walk) Chiyoda Line / Fukutoshin LineCome out of Exit 5 from Meijijingu Mae Station, turn around, and head back towards the intersection. Cross the intersection, turn left and walk down Meiji Dori. When you reach the intersection of Takeshita Dori and Meiji Dori, turn in between the Murasaki Sports and KDDI Design Studio buildings. When you reach the Family Mart, take a left. The next road will split into a fork — take the narrow street on the left. Once you see our restaurant’s red lantern on the left, you’ll know you’ve arrived!
3.Omotesando Station (4 minutes walk) Chiyoda Line / Ginza Line / Hanzomon LineCome out of Exit A2 and continue straight up the large street. You’ll reach a Lawson Convenience Store at the bottom of Omotesando Bldg. Turn right here. Continue straight , pass through the intersection (passing a family mart). The next road will split into a fork — take the narrow street on the left. Once you see our restaurant’s red lantern on the left, you’ll know you’ve arrived
Shibuya– must be done at night time to get the full effect!Train to Shibuya from Ikebukuro Station (regular times)Look around 
Shibuya5 way crossing
Shibuya Station to Ochanomizu StationOvernight in TokyoStudent briefing re next day
Staff Debriefing and Planning
 Day 9 Costs
Train- JR Pass
Lunch ~1000 yen
Dinner ~1200 yen
DAY TENMonday  September 28th, 2015Day 7 of passNagano Day Trip
Zen Koji Temple and Soba Noodle making (HAVE TO BOOK SOBA)
Ninja Village
Leave Hotel at 7:50 am to catch 8:16 train to Tokyo. Platform 23 at 8:3610:30 bus from Nagano (express line 70) to Togakushi11:21 at Soba Museum for 2 hours (1 hour to make and then eat)12:21 bus to Ninja village (arrive12:39)
Leave Ninja at 14:27Arrive Zen koji at 15:23One hour at Zen KojiBus to station at (16:13) or 17:13(16:28) 17:28 at nagano station (bento box for train??)
 Day 10 Costs
Dinner ~1000 yen
Togakushi Kogen Free Kippu ticket 2600 yen
Soba Museum ~1100 yen (including lunch)
Ninja Museum 500 yen
DAY ELEVENTuesday  September 29th, 2015 Day Trip- OdaibaOdaiba
NOTES
Out of Hotel by 9:00 am (breakfast between 8 & 8:45)
Get water and snacks for day from ConbiniTrain Travel·       OCHANOMIZU @ 9:19 (JR Chuo/Ome Line Rapid Service) to TOKYO (9:23)·       TOKYO @ 9:31 to SHIMBASHI (JR Keihin-Tohoku/Negishi Line Local) .·       SHIMBASI @ 9:40 to ODAIBA-KAIHINKOEN (Yurikamome)·       Arrive 9:53 at ODAIBA-KAIHINKOENOptions for OdaibaFuji TV Building
Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (some restaurants until 20:00, 22:00 on weekends)
Closed: Mondays (or Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday).
Admission: Free (observation deck: 550 yen)The headquarters of Fuji Television, one of Japan’s private, nationwide TV stations. You can see some exhibits on popular programs, buy Fuji TV goods at a shop and access the futuristic looking building’s observatory deck housed in the sphere shaped part of the building.
Decks Tokyo Beach
Shops: 11:00 to 21:00
Restaurants: 11:00 to 21:00 (some restaurants until 24:00)
Theme Parks: various hours
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free (separate admission fees for theme parks)
Decks is a shopping mall featuring various stores, restaurants and multiple indoor theme parks, including the Tokyo Joypolis (reopened in July 2012 after renovations), a Legoland Discovery Center, a Madam Tussauds wax museum and a trick art museum.
Aquacity Odaiba
Hours: 11:00 to 21:00
Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00 (some restaurants until 4:30)
Closed: No closing daysAquacity is a shopping mall featuring various stores, boutiques, restaurants, cafes and a 13 screen cinema complex. The fifth floor houses a ramen food theme park where you can try different ramen from all over Japan. There are nice views of the Rainbow Bridge from the wooden deck in front of Aquacity and neighboring Decks.
DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
Shops: 10:00 to 21:00
Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00
Gundam Front Tokyo: 10:00 to 21:00, 1200 yen
Closed: No closing daysThis shopping, dining and entertainment complex opened in 2012. Its most unique attraction is the Gundam Front Tokyo with various attractions and a shop centered around the anime series’ robots. A “life sized” Gundam statue stands in front of the building.
National Museum of Emerging Science
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00
Closed: Tuesdays and December 28 to January 1
Admission: 620 yenAlso known as the Miraikan, this well done, highly interactive and bilingual science museum includes exhibits about environmental issues, robots (starring Asimo among others), information technology, biology and space exploration.
Oedo Onsen Monogatari
Open: 11:00am to 9:00am (entry until 7:00am)
Closed: Early closure at 23:00 once per month for cleaning
Admission: 2480 yen (1980 yen after 18:00). Additional 200 yen on weekends and holidays. Additional 2000 yen overnight fee after 2:00.Opened in 2003, Oedo Onsen is a hot spring theme park which reproduces the atmosphere of the Edo Period. Here you can enjoy various types of indoor and outdoor baths which are fed by hot spring water pumped from a depth of 1400 meters. Restaurants, massage, games and other entertainment, as well as overnight stays are available.
Palette Town
Palette Town is a large shopping and entertainment complex consisting of the Venus Fort shopping mall, Toyota Mega Web, a Ferris Wheel, the Zepp Tokyo music venue and Tokyo Leisureland.
Venus Fort
Hours: 11:00 to 21:00
Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: FreeVenus Fort is a shopping mall in the style of a 18th century South European town. The mall features over a hundred shops, fashion boutiques, cafes and restaurants on three floors including a few outlets shops on the upper floor.
Toyota Mega Web
Hours: 11:00 to 21:00 (some attractions end 1-3 hours earlier)
Closed: Small number of irregular closing days
Admission: Free (test rides: 300 yen)Mega Web is a giant Toyota showroom that shows off all of Toyota’s latest models, car accessories and technologies. Attractions include test driving of cars (requires driving license valid for Japan) and a museum exhibiting cars from past decades
Ferris Wheel
Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (until 23:00 on most Fridays, Saturdays)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 920 yen (entire cabin: 3080 yen)This 115 meter tall ferris wheel is one of the world’s largest and offers nice views of Tokyo Bay and Odaiba below. Each cabin seats six (or four in the all-glass cabins), and the complete revolution takes about 15 minutes.
Leisureland
Hours: 10:00 to 23:50 (some parts open 24 hours)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free (attractions are paid)This huge entertainment complex features a large game arcade, bowling alleys, slots, batting cages, karaoke, darts, table tennis and sports games. There is also a ninja illusion house, a haunted house and food court.
Panasonic Center
Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (entry to Risupia until 17:00)
Closed: Mondays (or Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday) and New Year holidays
Admission: Free (Risupia: 500 yen)The Panasonic Center is a showroom for the latest products and technologies by the Panasonic Corporation. On display are the newest cameras, TVs, computers, Nintendo games, home appliances and more. The third floor is Risupia, a hands-on math and science museum.
Overnight in TokyoStudent briefing re next day
Staff Debriefing and Planning
 Day 11 Costs
Train- 500 yen one way
Lunch ~1000 yen
Dinner ~1000 yen
Entry Costs as listed above (depends on what tourists want to do)
DAY TWELVEWednesday  September 30th , 2015Edo DayUeno/Yanaka AreaGinza/YurakinchoEdo Tokyo MuseumRyogoku (sumo area)(free)
*MUST PACK FOR FINAL DEPARTURE*
 Day 12 Costs
Lunch ~1000 yen
Dinner ~1000 yen
Edo Museum cost 600 yen (adults), 300 yen (students)
DAY THIRTEENThursday – October 1st, 2015Ameyoko Markets, Akihabara+ Departure
*Need to double check the hotels checkout time and our bags (will they look after them for us??)
AM- Explore Ameyoko Markets10-15 minute walk to Ameyoko MarketsSpend an hourGo to Akihabara around 10-10:30 amLunch locally
PM-  Back to hotel around 4 to pick up bags
Travel to Haneda Airport
Notes
Out of Hotel by 9:00 am (breakfast between 8 & 8:45)
Flight at at 10 pm;
 Day 13 Costs
Lunch ~1000 yen
Dinner ~1000 yen
DAY FOURTEENFriday – October 2nd, 2015Flight Sector: Haneda (Tokyo) – SydneyDeparture time from Haneda  10 pm to Sydney. Thursday 1st OctoberArrive at Sydney Airport at 8:30 am