March 17-24, 2019


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March 17-24, 2019



6nts/8days from: $3295 double/triple $3795 single Japan has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years and the country's ancestors have left their imprint everywhere. It is a world apart – a cultural Galápagos where a unique civilization blossomed, and today thrives in delicious contrasts of traditional and modern. The Japanese spirit is strong, warm, and incredibly welcoming. We begin in Fukuoka, on the northern tip of Kyushu Island, Japan’s most western happening city and gateway to the country. Set amid splendid natural diversity – bordered by mountains, flanked by sea, and dotted with hot springs – the metropolis is an exciting hub of modern city life. Rich with tradition and modern cultural attraction, contemporary art, architecture, shopping, and cuisine complement centuries’old temples and shrines. From here, we are off to Hiroshima with an onsen stay in Miyajima for the experience of seeing the Torii and shrine lit up at night. On to Kurashiki to visit the historical quarter, and then Kyoto, old Japan with its quiet temples, sublime gardens, and colorful shrines. Much more, as we have included visits to both the Reclining Buddha at Nanzion Temple and the Great Buddha at Todaiji as well the ever-popular Nara Deer Park and a visit to the Iga Ninja Museum. More, you say..ok how about the Nabana no Sato Spring Illumination with over 8 million LED lights!, Our tour ends in Nagoya, the birthplace of Toyota and pachinko. With over two million inhabitants and Japan’s fourth most populated city, Nagoya has cosmopolitan aspects including some fantastic museums, significant temples, and excellent shopping. Nagoyans take pride in the unpretentious nature of their friendly, accessible city. It’s a perfectly balanced tour offering history and culture combined with time to explore, shop, and enjoy Japan’s cuisine. Come, join us!

Itinerary/Details Day 1 – March 17th, Sunday – Depart from Honolulu Delta Air Lines #599 Departs Honolulu 11:43 am – Arrive Fukuoka 5:50 pm +1 Please meet your Panda Travel representative at the Delta Air Lines check in counter, located in Terminal 2, originally known as the Main Terminal. We ask that you arrive and meet at a minimum of 3 hours prior to the departure time.

Day 2 – March 18th, Monday –Fukuoka-Hakata After clearing customs, we will be met by our local guide and then the short bus ride to our hotel, Hotel Clio Court Hakata, adjacent to the JR Hakata Station. Location, hard to find a more convenient spot, just steps from so many dining and shopping options. After checking in, the remainder of the evening is free. Hakata is renowned throughout Japan for its ramen, and no trip here is ever complete without tasting the distinctive noodles and broth dish. Inside the JR Hakata Station you will find many ramen dining spots.

Hotel Clio Court Hakata

JR Hakata Station, right by the hotel

Accommodations: Hotel Clio Court Hakata

free

Day 3 – March 19th, Tuesday –Hakata (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off on a full day of touring. The morning begins with a visit to Nanzion Temple, home to what is possibly the world's largest bronze statue. The Reclining Buddha's dimensions are impressive, 41 meters in length, 11 meters in height, and weighing in at 300 tons (about the weight of a jumbo jet), it dwarfs the famous giant bronze Buddha statues of Kamakura and Nara. While not far from the hustle and bustle of Hakata, this temple seems like it’s a world away, nestled on the side of a steep mountain hillside in the tiny village of Sasaguri. As you enter Nanzo-in, you’ll first follow a path framed by mossy stone lanterns. It leads to a small yard with lots of beautiful details and great photo spots: a small red bridge and a tiny waterfall, hundreds of small stone Buddha statues all the way up the hill, stones covered with mosses and ferns, and even big rock formations with a cave-like path to go through. There is also a real cave you can enter, and inside you’ll find an altar and a dragon candle stand. It's too gloomy to take pictures, but just right for the atmosphere. Follow the route through the temple area and you’ll come to a wooden shelf with 7 Buddha statues. Look at them and choose the one you like best. Try to lift it. If it’s light and you can easily lift it, you can make a wish. If it’s heavy, your wish must wait, and you’ll have to put more effort in your request. Choose well, as there is only one buddha statue that is light, while the others are heavier than they look. As you make your way further up the mountain, the massive reclining statue of Buddha becomes visible. It represents Buddha at the moment of death and passage into nirvana. Take a walk around the statue, have a look at the soles of the feet, and see the holy teachings there written in gold. Colorful bands are wrapped

around the statue’s hand and lead to the ground. You can hold the ends of the bands and relate to Buddha for a moment. Next, we are off to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Fukuoka, where more than 2 million people visit during the first three days of New Year. In this shrine, Sugawara-no Michizane, an excellent poet, particularly in Chinese poetry in the late 9th century, is enshrined as the god of academic achievements. During the entrance exam season, young people from all parts of Japan preparing for these examinations and their parents come to the shrine to pray for success and academic achievement.Michizane passed away in Dazaifu in 903, just a few years after being sent into exile. Shortly after his death the country was ravaged by natural disasters, and people came to believe that the calamities were caused by the wrathful spirit of Michizane, still angered by his unjust treatment. Offerings were made to the spirit of Michizane and the tradition of Tenmangu Shrines was begun. The Tenmangu Shrine in Dazaifu was built on the site of his grave. The entire length of the approach is lined with shops that cater to the shrine's visitors. The shrine is rather large, stretching about 250 meters from one end to the other. After passing through the torii gate at the entrance, visitors will come across a pond that was built in the shape of the Japanese character for "heart". A path leads across two arched bridges and islands which represent the past, present and future. Enjoy free time to explore and have lunch on your own.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and approached lined with shops on both sides We now make our way back to Hakata and off to the Hakata Doll Hall Shogetsudo for a fun hands-on experience. With over 600 items on display, ranging from works by young artists to master craftsmen. Hakata Doll is one of most beautiful and famous arts and crafts in Japan, well-known throughout the world. If you are looking for a unique souvenir from Fukuoka, look no further than the daintiness of a Hakata Doll. Nothing can beat the beauty and fine tenderness formed from techniques that have been handed down for over 500 years. Enjoy your hands-on doll-coloring experience. Along with the memory, your Hakata Doll will be beautiful and unique, making it one of the coolest souvenirs ever.

Our last stop on tour is at the Tenjin Area, a huge area made up of department stores, shopping complexes and street after street of clothing shops. It’s a truly massive area that can cater to just about any need whether you are looking for high end fashion, or something a little more casual. Our arrival back at the hotel will be approximately 4:45pm and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.

Accommodations: Hotel Clio Court Hakata

free

Day 4 – March 20th, Wednesday –Hakata-Hiroshima-Miyajima (B/D) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am as we are off to Hiroshima and Miyajima. The morning begins with a bullet train ride on the Nozomi 16 that departs the Hakata Station at 9:10am and arrives at the Hiroshima JR Station at 10:16am. Please prepare a small overnight bag as our bags will be sent along to Kyoto. On arrival in Hiroshima, we are off on an afternoon of touring. With six beautiful rivers flowing through it, Hiroshima is called the City of Water. The origins of the city date back to 1589 when Mori Terumoto, a feudal lord, built Hiroshima Castle at the large delta of the Otagawa River. Because the delta resembled a large island, the area was called "Hiroshima", or 'wide island' in Japanese. Although many only know it for the horrific split second on August 6, 1945, when it became the site of the world's first atomic bomb attack, it is now a modern, cosmopolitan city with excellent cuisine and a bustling nightlife. Our first stop will be at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, located in the center of Hiroshima City. It is difficult to imagine that this triangle shaped piece of land bordered by two rivers was once a busy commercial and residential downtown area. The atomic bomb eliminated everything in the town. After World War II, a group led by a Japanese architect Kenzo Tange designed the park to turn the land into the Peace Memorial Park It was completed in 1954. There are many buildings and monuments which commemorate people who lost their lives at that time and represent the people's prayers for peace, such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph and the Statue of the A-Bomb Children, etc. By imagining the contrast between the misery of the atomic bomb attack and the beauty and tranquility in the park while visiting spots in the park, you will be moved to appreciate how precious peace is. Our next stop is at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, located in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. By standing on the Peace Boulevard side, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Peace Flame, and the A-Bomb Dome can be seen along a straight line. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which opened in 1955, gives people an opportunity to learn of the outcome of the bomb attack and consider what peace really means through many reference materials. The East Wing exhibits photographs, panels, videos, and panorama models showing the actual history of Hiroshima before and after the bomb attack. The main building exhibits victims' belongings and references which show the misery of the bomb attack. You will see a burnt lunch box, a tricycle which a 3-year-old boy was riding, etc., which reflects the instantaneous destruction and strike right at the heart of visitors. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was designed by a group headed by Kenzo Tange, who also designed the Hiroshima Peace

Memorial Park. The strength of humanity rising from the ruins is expressed in the piloti-style space under the main building. The last stop today will be at A-Bomb Dome, a symbol of peace which most people have at least seen at one time in a picture. The building, which was designed by a Czech architect in 1915, had been used as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. Hiroshima citizens back then loved so much European modern-style buildings of the time. In 1912, the National Confectionery Exposition was held in this place. From that exposition, Baumkuchen, which represented German cake, was manufactured, and sold in Japan for the first time. Since the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall was located only around 160 meters from the hypocenter, the building was blown up, and all those inside the building died. However, the building was not destroyed completely because the blast of the atomic bomb, which was vaporized in the air, prevented it from totally collapsing. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and has been representing people's prayers for a lasting peace.

A-Bomb Dome

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

With lunch time quickly approaching, we will be making a stop at Hiroshima’s bustling downtown area and its main feature, Hondori Shopping Street. Hondori is a pedestrian arcade that is closed to traffic and lined with shops and restaurants. Enjoy free time here to have lunch on your own and shop a bit. This afternoon we will make the short drive to Miyajimaguchi for the 10-minute ferry ride to Miyajima Island, one of the most scenic spots in Japan. It has long been regarded as an Island of Gods on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. It is a romantic and historical island where Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage site, is located, along with the Virgin Forest of Mt. Misen, and numerous preserved shrines, temples, and historical monuments. Its star attraction is the oft-photographed vermilion torii (shrine gate) of Itsukushima-jinja, which seems to float on the waves at high tide – a scene that has traditionally been ranked as one of the three best views in Japan. From the ferry station, the local hotel/onsen staff will meet us for the short drive to our hotel. The arrival will be by 4:00pm, followed by dinner at 6:00pm. Enjoy free time to take in the onsen or take an afternoon walk along Omote-Sando, the main street here in town. There are many souvenir shops on both sides of the street. You will have time again tomorrow to explore during our island tour. Accommodations for this evening are at the Miyajima Hotel Makoto. This Japanese-style inn connects guests with nature and ancient Japanese history. The hotel also offers a large public bath with relaxing views of a traditional Japanese garden. After dinner, come join us on a stroll down to the waterfront area for the beautiful views of Itsukushima Shinto Shrine and the Torii lit up. It is beautiful and can only be seen when we stay overnight here in Miyajima.

Miyajima Hotel Makoto

room at onsen hotel

Accommodations: Miyajima Hotel Makoto

evening view of the Torii

free- Japanese style rooms

Day 5 – March 21st, Thursday –Miyajima-Kurashiki-Kyoto (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are on a walking tour of Miyajima Island. The morning begins visiting the cultural heritage site, called the "Itsukushima Shinto Shrine" that is dedicated to the God protecting people from sea disasters and wars. It is said that this shrine was constructed around 593; however, after the warlord Taira no Kiyomori (1118-1181) rebuilt it in 1168, it became the magnificent vermilion-lacquered building it is today. The most interesting feature of this shrine is the Torii (a kind of gate symbolizing a shrine) and the Shaden (shrine pavilion) in the sea, which are both submerged at full tide, but at low tide the sea water recedes completely, and it is possible to walk out to the gate.

Ferry to Miyajima

vermilion torii in the water

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine & approach

Now, off to the ferry station where our chartered bus will meet us and off to Kurashiki to visit the Kurahiki Bikan Historical Quarter. The drive time is approximately 2 hours. Once in the historical quarter, free time to stroll her backstreets, a tiny but immaculately preserved section of its old rice-merchant quarter, which prospered in the Edo period. There are about 300 old houses and granaries. The oldest is about 300 years old. Old Kurashiki today consists of dozens of characteristic whitewashed, black-tiled kura, or rice granaries, centered around a willow-lined transport canal. Many have been converted into museums, shops, teahouses,

and inns, injecting contemporary vitality into these relics of traditional Japan. It is considered one of the picturesque merchants’ quarter in Japan. The quaint charm of those times has been retained with white wooden houses with traditional black tiles & no electrical poles on the roads! Some families who have lived here for generations are still there! It is a “must see traditional neighborhood” where you will have time to enjoy the atmosphere, have lunch on your own and do some small kine shopping.

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter From here, off to the Okayama Station for our bullet train ride to Kyoto on the Nozomi 178 departing at 4:09pm and arriving at the Kyoto JR Station at 5:10pm. Once here, our hotel, New Miyako Hotel is just across the street. After checking in, our guide will be available to show you around the immediate area. The location of our hotel is in a perfect spot for shopping and dining. There are two big shopping complexes in the JR Kyoto Station, JR Isetan, and Porta. Right around the corner is the AEON Mall offering a full service supermarket, shops, restaurants and a food court.

Accommodations: New Miyako Hotel Kyoto

free

Day 6 – March 22nd, Friday –Kyoto (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off on a full day of touring. The morning begins with a visit to Kyoto’s famed Golden Pavilion. Be it capped by snow in winter or set against a lush green background in summer, nothing is as symbolic of Kyoto as Kinkaku-ji's golden reflection shimmering across the rippled surface of the pond before it. Kinkaku-ji is one of Japan's best-known sights. The original building was built in 1397 as a retirement villa for Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. His son converted it into a temple. In 1950, a young monk consummated his obsession with the temple by burning it to the ground. The monk's story was fictionalized in Mishima Yukio's The Golden Pavilion. In 1955, a full reconstruction was completed that exactly followed the original design, but the gold-foil covering was extended to the lower floors.

The temple is set in three stories. The 1st floor is Shinden-zukuri, the palace style. It is named Ho-sui-in. The 2nd floor is Buke-zukuri, the style of the samurai house and is called Cho-on-do. The 3rd floor is Karayo style or Zen temple style. It is called Kukkyo-cho. Both the 2nd and 3rd floors are covered with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer. The roof, upon which the Chinese phoenix settles, is thatched with shingles. The entire temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden with a pond in the front called the Mirror Pond. The stones in the pond give a representation of the Buddhist era.

Golden Pavilion From here we are off to Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. His grandson completed the castle's palace buildings 23 years later and further expanded the castle by adding a five-story castle keep. The wide moat, massive stone walls, and heavy yet elaborate gates are still impressive, and were the only fortifications the inhabitants felt necessary, so firm was their grip on power. The grounds are large and contain several lovely gardens as well as groves of plum and cherry trees. The palace building itself is imposing, yet upon closer examination, is rich in decorative detail. Inside the palace are several masterpieces of Japanese art, most notably the painted screens of the main chamber. In this room, the shoguns met the daimyo (high-ranking warlord-administrators) who sought an audience. The screens were painted by artists of the Kano school and employ rich colors and large amounts of gilt to depict flowers, trees, birds, and tigers. They were meant to impress. Also, in the palace are the famous "nightingale floors," which were designed to squeak when stepped on and thus alert guards to any intruders. While the rest of Japan has adopted modernity with abandon, the old ways remain in Kyoto. There is no better place to experience this feeling than with visiting two of Kyoto's most attractive streets are Sannenzaka and Ninen-zaka, a pair of lanes that lead down from Kiyomizu-dera Temple toward Nene-no-Michi Lane. The atmosphere of traditional old Kyoto is alive here. Lined with beautifully restored traditional shophouses and blissfully free of the overhead power lines that mar the rest of Kyoto, this pair of pedestrian-only lanes that make for some of the most atmospheric strolling in the whole city. In fact, it’s here that you are most likely to be able to imagine what Kyoto looked like before modernity descended in full force. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and teahouses to refresh yourself as you explore, including the single most atmospheric teashop in the city, Kasagiya.

Souvenir shops selling Kyoto original goods like dolls and Japanese fans, Japanese restaurants using the reconstructed merchant’s house, and ceramic shops stand side by side along the slope. The neighboring famous temples and shrines also attracting people here. Enjoy free time here to explore and have lunch on your own. Now on to visit Kodaiji Temple, established in 1606 in the memory of Ttoyotomi Hideyoshi by his wife who is also enshrined here. He was one of Japan’s greatest historical figures. We will be entering the temple’s main hall which was originally covered in lacqer and gold but rebuilt in a more modest style after burning down in 1912. The building is surrounded on two sides by impressive gardens designed by leading contemporary masters. The gardens are lit up during special illumination shows in spring and autumn. One of the gardens is a rock garden consisting of a large field of raked gravel meant to represent the vast ocean. The other garden is an impressive tsukiyama style garden featuring a pond, manmade hills, decorative rocks and beautiful pine and maple trees, the latter of which turn brilliant shades of red and orange during foliage season. Within this garden stands the Kaizando (memorial hall) where Nene would pray for Hideyoshi and which now enshrines wooden images of both. Up on the hillside behind the temple lies a mausoleum for Hideyoshi and Nene. The interior is richly decorated with special lacquerwork, known as Kodaiji Makie, that features designs of powdered gold and silver set in lacquer, a technique that Kodaiji is famous for. After free time here to explore, we will make our way back to our hotel, arrival by 4:30pm. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.

Accommodations: New Miyako Hotel Kyoto

free

Day 7 – March 23rd, Saturday –Kyoto-Nara-Nagoya (B/L/D) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby 9:00am as we are off on a full day of touring. The morning begins with a drive to Nara for a visit to the Nara Deer Park and Todaiji Temple. The drive time is approximately 30 minutes. Nara, the ancient capital city in the Kansai region of Japan. Throughout 2010 the city celebrated its 1300th anniversary. Centuries before anyone had heard of Delhi or Shanghai or London or Paris—and long before anywhere called Kyoto (let alone Tokyo) existed—Nara was the first permanent capital of Japan, and the place where the country began to establish itself as a Buddhist kingdom. If you think of Japan as a land of bullet trains and J-pop in Shinjuku storefronts, come to Nara—a city filled with rolling hills, ancient temples, and 1,200 entitled deer roaming its old streets. Our first stop will be at the Nara Deer Park, home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered in Shinto to be messengers of the gods, Nara's nearly 1200 deer have become a symbol of the city and have been designated a natural treasure. You can purchase deer biscuits to feed them. The deer bow immediately when they see you have food. From here we are off to visit Nara's premier attraction, Todaiji Temple, and its Great Buddha (Daibutsu), Japan's largest bronze Buddha. When Emperor Shomu ordered construction of both the temple and Daibutsu in the mid-700s, he intended to make Todaiji the headquarters of all Buddhist temples in the land. As part of

his plans for a Buddhist utopia, he commissioned work for this huge bronze statue of Buddha. It took eight castings to complete this remarkable work of art. At a height of more than 15m (50 ft.), the Daibutsu is made of 437 tons of bronze, 286 pounds of pure gold, 165 pounds of mercury, and 7 tons of vegetable wax. However, thanks to Japan's frequent natural calamities, the Buddha of today isn't quite what it used to be. In 855, in what must have been a whopper of an earthquake, the statue lost its head. It was repaired in 861, but alas, the huge wooden building housing the Buddha was burned twice during wars, melting the Buddha's head. The present head dates from 1692. Be sure to walk in a circle around the Great Buddha to see it from all angles. Behind the statue is a model of how the Daibutsuden used to look, flanked by two massive pagodas. Behind the Great Buddha to the right is a huge wooden column with a small hole in it near the ground. According to popular belief, if you can manage to crawl through this opening, you'll be sure to reach enlightenment. You can also get your Englishlanguage fortune for ¥200 by shaking a bamboo canister until a wooden stick with a number comes out; the number corresponds to a piece of paper. The wooden structure housing the Great Buddha, called Daibutsuden, was also destroyed several times through the centuries; the present structure dates from 1709. It is the largest wooden structure in the world, but only two-thirds its original size.

Nara Deer Park

Todaiji Temple

The Great Buddha

We are now off to Iga, on the trail of ninja, but first let’s enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Now, a visit to the Iga Ninja Museum, for a tour and ninja show. These masters of secrecy and disguise were an actual part of Japanese feudal society, but the art of nijiutsu is not indigenous to Japan. The ancient discipline is rooted in spiritual principles from the Indian subcontinent Ninja rose to prominence in the 12th century as the nation’s samurai class steadily gained power. A ninja’s willingness to use poisons, sneak attacks and other guerrilla tactics that generally ran counter to the samurai’s chivalrous, honor-driven code of bushidō (the Way of the Warrior) made them extremely popular as hired “special forces” operatives of their day. They became particularly active during the Sengoku (Warring States) Period of continuous tumult and conflict spanning some 150 years from the middle of the 15th century, when feudal daimyo lords would tap ninja to spy on their enemies and carry out nighttime raids. Ninja back then were also known users of gunpowder, which they had managed to manufacture without the usual necessary ingredients from abroad. Their knowledge of this military game-changer was a closely

guarded secret and most ninja homes were replete with nooks and crannies wherein both the black powder itself and any information regarding its creation and use could be safely stored and protected. The front half of the Iga-Ryu Ninja Museum is a perfect example of a “ninja house” — a dwelling that looks typical from the outside but hides a host of secrets within. Though the house comprises a mere three tatami-floored rooms looking out over carefully raked dry gardens with pleasing selections of greenery, there are hidden passages and the ability to disappear behind doors in the blink of an eye. Watch as a costumed ninja figure is found hiding in a crawl space between floor levels. Then, in the corner of a bare alcove, with a flip of a latch, reveals a passageway that leads out from beneath the family altar and emerges in a well. Meanwhile, at the back of the house, lifting the bases of sliding shoji-screen doors exposes sandpits for hiding scrolls and other valuables. Nearby, when an ordinary-looking floorboard is levered up, a cache of swords and shuriken (throwing stars) sparkle below. Ninja would often adopt disguises — typically as one of seven general identities, ranging from farmers or itinerant priests to acrobats. Though it was easiest to hide weapons in the folds of a priest’s robe or a farmer’s attire, it seems they often strapped their shuriken to their shins, where they were both easy to grab and could deflect blows to a vulnerable part of the body. After the show, we are off to Nagashima to enjoy the Nabana no Sato Spring Illumination, a collaboration of blooming spring flowers and light show. Our arrival will be after 5:00pm so that we can enjoy the colorful night illumination of more than more than 8 million LED lights. Now for dinner at a local restaurant before making our way to the hotel, the Cypress Mercure Mercure Nagoya Hotel, city center and a short walk to the train station. Check-in will be approximately 8:15pm and the remainder of the evening is free.

Accommodations: The Cypress Mercure Nagoya Hotel

free

Day 8 – March 24th, Sunday –Nagoya-Airport (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:30am. It may well be our last day on tour, but for sure we will make the best of every minute before our flight home later this evening. The morning begins with a visit to Marunaka Center Market, a fresh food market within walking distance of Nagoya Station. With about 50 stalls specializing in fresh fish, meat, vegetables, and other items, enjoy some free time to explore. Around the market you will find a a cookware and cooking knife shop, a Japanese sake store, and restaurants. From here, we are off to visit Nagoya Castle, built in the beginning of the Edo Period as the seat of one of the three branches of the ruling Tokugawa family, the Owari branch. As such, it was one of the largest castles in the country, and the castle town around it ultimately grew to become Japan's fourth largest city. Most of the castle buildings were destroyed in the air raids of 1945. The current reconstruction of the castle keep dates from 1959 and contains a museum with exhibits about the castle’s history. The park surrounding the castle keep features two circles of moats and impressive walls with corner turrets which is particularly attractive during cherry blossom season which we may just be lucky to catch a glimpse of.

Next, a visit to Osu Kanon Temple, a popular Buddhist temple originally built during the Kamakura Period (1192-1333) in neighboring Gifu Prefecture. The temple was moved to its current site in 1612 after the original temple had been repeatedly damaged by severe flooding. The current buildings are 20th century reconstructions. The main object of worship at the temple is a wooden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, which was carved by Kobo Daishi, an instrumental figure in Japanese Buddhism. Underneath Osu Kannon's main hall is the Shinpukuji Library which contains over 15,000 classic Japanese and Chinese texts. Among these texts are several national treasures and important cultural properties, including the oldest copy of the Kojiki, a chronicle of the early history of Japan including its mythological origins. Close-by is the Osu Shopping District, a huge and popular shopping area with over 1,200 shops and restaurants. All kinds of shops, including electrical appliance shops, secondhand clothing stores, restaurants and cafes are open. The mall is always crowded with people and filled with energy. Enjoy free time here for lunch on your own as well as shopping. Our last stop before the airport is at the AEON Mall Tokoname, with over 180 shops. The mall is home to one of the largest manekinekos in the world; Otafuku (which means lots of good fortune), who bestows good luck upon everyone who visits. Manekinekos are displayed in Japan as talismans whose raised paw, it is said, draws in money and customers. Make sure you don't forget to get your picture taken together! Now, off to the Chubu International Airport to begin the check-in process for our flight home.

Delta Air Lines #612 Departs Nagoya 9:40 pm – Arrive Honolulu 9:51 am