Summer School Break 2019 - Panda Travel

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Japan-Landof theSamurai#1 June3-12,2019

SummerSchoolBreak2019  8nts/10daysfrom:$3095dbl/tpl$3695single The samurai were a special class in Japanese society. These revered warriors were highly respected for their strict dedication to their craft, the immense discipline required of a samurai and their indomitable fighting spirit. To many they were heroes. Although samurai do not have any official status in today's modern Japan, descendants of samurai families still enjoy a high esteem among the Japanese population and have remained an iconic symbol of courage, power, and masculinity for over 700 years of Japanese warfare history. Roads are an essential part of civilization. They help people travel and discover many different places. In Japan, during the Edo period the Tōkaidō (East Sea Road) was an important key artery for the ruling shogun dynasty to keep control over the country. Stretching along the Pacific Coast from Edo (Tokyo) to Osaka, two to three weeks on foot, was always an adventure. Does the Tokaido Road and the travelling life of a samurai sound exciting? Join us on this unique tour for not only have we included the best of cultural activities, but added in some fun experiences, a full day at Universal Studios Japan, Ueno Zoo to see the Pandas, experience the Shibuya Crossing, Kaiyukan Aquarium and a full free day in Osaka!

Itinerary/Details Day 1 – June 3rd, 2019 - Monday – Depart from Honolulu Hawaiian Airlines #855 Departs Honolulu 6:20pm – Arrive Haneda 10:05 pm +1 Check in for international flights begin 3 hours prior. Please meet your Panda Travel representative at the Hawaiian Airlines international check in counter, Terminal 1, formally known as the Hawaiian Airlines Terminal, Lobby 3, Makai side. As Hawaiian Airlines has quite a few international flights departing around the same time; therefore, kindly arrive at a minimum of 3 hours prior to the departure time.

Day 2 – June 4th, 2019 Tuesday – Haneda-Tokyo

After clearing customs, we will be met by our local guide and board the charter bus to our host hotel, The Sunshine City Prince Hotel, ideally situated in the Ikebukuro section of Tokyo. The hotel is less than a 10minute walk from the Ikebukuro JR Station. Our drive time is approximately 45 minutes. The lobby of the hotel connects to a huge shopping and entertainment mecca with four towers, including a 240meter-high skyscraper with an observation deck on the top. Sunshine City is typically open from 10 am to 8 pm seven days a week. We are also less than a 10-minute walk from the Ikebukuro JR Station. The third floor of the mall is practically all restaurants and stays open until 9:30pm. There is 24-hour Family Mart convenience store right off the lobby in case you would like to pick up food, snacks, or beverages. Within a 5-minute walk is a 24-hour super market, Seiyu, in case all you want is a light dinner bento to bring back to the room.

Newly remodeled Sunshine City Prince Hotel & lobby

Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel

Family Mart in hotel lobby

free

Day 3 – June 5th, 2019 Wednesday – Tokyo (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am as we are off on a full day of touring. Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s capital, and the world's most populous metropolis. Tokyo dazzles with its traditional culture and passion for everything new. Such is the joy of a city that prides itself on constant renewal and reinvention; it seriously never gets old. Tokyo has everything you can ask of a city, and has it in spades: a rich, cosmopolitan dining scene, more cafes, and bars than you could visit in a lifetime. The morning begins with a visit to the Tokyo Edo Museum, which showcases the history of Tokyo during the Edo Period. Almost every facet of life in old Tokyo is on show at the Museum in a compelling and memorable way. There are numerous intricately constructed and minutely finished scale models, reconstructed historical buildings that can be walked through, and a wealth of realia from over the ages presented close-up, sometimes even hands-on. As you enter, the first exhibition is a scene replicating old Edo, which includes crossing a life-size replica of the Nihonbashi Bridge. From here you look out over a vast space that resembles more an indoor version of a theme park than a traditional halls-and-corridors museum.

The extensive Edo section of the museum follows into modernized pre-War Japan - again presented in compellingly real detail and atmosphere. Especially recommended is the section dealing with Tokyo during the Second World War. Enjoy free time here to explore on your own.

Tokyo Edo Museum From here we are off to Asakusa, the traditional, low-rise, down, and dirty Tokyo of yesteryear. Although on the surface it’s ye olde Japan, this was the first part of the capital to have significant western influence. It was even the site of Japan’s first cinema. Attractions in the area include one of Tokyo’s most historic temples – Sensoji, and the impressive Kaminarimon Gate that marks the entranceway to the temple. Also, you can’t miss Phillip Stark’s ‘Golden Poo’ on the roof of the nearby Asahi Breweries headquarters. Sensoji Temple dates to 645, but with the original destroyed in the air raids of 1945, today’s building is a 1958 reconstruction. At the top of the steps, as a mark of respect, clap twice and bow your head. It’s also customary to make a small offering by tossing coins into the wooden rack. The Five Storied Pagoda was built in 1973 and amongst others; it stands in honor of comedians! Standing 54 meters high, reinforced with concrete and steel, and like all pagodas, running down the center is a giant pillar of Japanese Cypress tree wood. Once through the gate you’ll be in Nakamise Shopping Arcade. The street is lined with colorful, lively stalls selling traditional knick- knacks, festival foods, and rice crackers. There are over 50 shops along this shopping street. Enjoy free time here.

Asakusa, Sensoji Temple Next, we are off to Harajuku, the area around Tokyo's Harajuku Station. It is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles while also offering some historic sites and shopping for adults.

The focal point is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands, and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend conscious teens. Enjoy some free time to stroll around, have lunch on your own and take in this incredible atmosphere that is Harajuku. By the way, the crepes make for a wonderful snack, do try one! Right close by is Omotesando, a zelkova tree-lined avenue with so many shops that it would literally take hours to see them all. Yes, many are shops we are familiar with, but there are also many offering notable Japanese brands. We will remain in the area for 2 hours. Next on our list is a visit to Shibuya Crossing and shopping area, rumored to be the world’s busiest, this intersection in front of Shibuya Station is famously known as ‘The Scramble’. It’s an awesome spectacle of giant video screens and neon, guaranteed to give you a 'Wow – I'm in Tokyo!' feeling. People come from all directions at once – sometimes over a thousand with every light change – yet still manage to dodge each other with a practiced, nonchalant agility. Come meet Tokyo's most famous pooch, Hachikō. This Akita dog came to Shibuya Station every day to meet his master, a professor, returning from work. After the professor died in 1925, Hachikō continued to come to the station daily until his own death nearly 10 years later. The story became legend and a small statue was erected in the dog’s memory in front of Shibuya Station. It's a brief stop, just so you can experience the crossing and stop by for a photo at the Hachiko Dog statute. From here, back to our hotel, arrival by 5:00pm and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.

Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel

free

Day 4 – June 6th, 2019 Thursday – Tokyo (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide by 8:30am as we are off on a full day of touring Tokyo! If you've ever dreamed about melt-in-your-mouth, out-of-this-world sushi, then you might have heard of Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world. Most of Tokyo, and even high-end sushi restaurants in Hong Kong and San Francisco, gets their fish from this cultural landmark near the center of Japan's capital city. Tsukiji sits on some of the most valuable real estate in Tokyo. At some point in the future the market will move to reclaimed land on Tokyo Bay, but for now, enjoy the charm of this unique spot. Opened in 1935, Tsukiji sprang to life after the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed most of Tokyo in 1923. It has since become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. Every morning sightseers start lining up at 3 a.m. to watch the frozen tuna auction. The more expensive fresh tuna auctions – where a single Bluefin once sold for nearly $1.8 million- are privately conducted. If you’re a foodie, love markets, enjoy photography – or simply like visiting unique places – then you’ll probably love Tsukiji. After a good stroll around the market, there’s nothing like a sushi breakfast to complete the experience. There are plenty of sushi shops – make sure to choose one where you see locals’ dining. If you don’t feel like sushi, there are other options including ramen, donburi and more.

Tsukiji Outer Market If you finish early we encourage you to visit Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple, less than one block away. With an Indian-style exterior, was built in 1617 near Asakusa, but was burnt down in a huge fire that swept through Edo (Tokyo) in 1657. The Temple was then rebuilt on the present site but destroyed again by the Great Tokyo Earthquake of 1923. The current main building was built in 1934.The main building possesses a distinctive ambience not found in other Japanese temples, due to its variety of architectural styles.

Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple From here we are off to Ameyoko Shopping Street, famous throughout Japan for its wide variety of products. The name "Ameyoko" is a short form for "Ameya Yokocho" (candy store alley), as candies were traditionally sold there. Alternatively, "Ame" also stands for "America", because a lot of American products used to be available there when the street was the site of a black market in the years following WWII. You can get just about EVERYTHING here, clothes, bags, cosmetics, fresh fish, dried squid and spices are sold along Ameyoko. It is quite the scene to just walk around through the very crowded and narrow streets. An awesome place to sightsee, shop and eat! Enjoy some free time here to explore on your own.

Ameyoko Shopping Street Now, off to lunch at a local restaurant and then a special treat with a visit to the Ueno Zoological Gardens, established in 1882, it is the oldest zoo in Japan. It is now home to over 3,000 animals from 400 different species. Our visit here today is to see the zoo’s highly popular giant panda cub, Xiang Xiang. It is the zoo’s first baby panda since 1988.

Xiang Xiang has taken Japan by storm. Born to mother Shin Shin and father Li Li in June 2017, Xiang Xiang is Ueno Zoo’s symbol of adorableness (or as the Japanese would say in a high pitch, “Kawaii!”). You will have the opportunity to watch her munching on bamboo shoots and nuzzling her mother. This bright-eyed cub has been the object of major media attention, with visitors clad in panda paraphernalia flocking to see her since her first public appearance. We now return to our hotel, arrival by 4:30pm and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.

Accommodations: Sunshine City Prince Hotel

free

Day 5 – June 7th, 2019 Friday – Tokyo-Kyoto (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off to Kyoto! The morning begins with drive to Tokyo Station where we will catch the bullet train, Nozomi 221 to Kyoto station. The departure is at 10:00am with an arrival at 12:17pm. Please only bring along a small bag with personal items. The larger pieces will meet up with us later at our hotel, transported by truck. A bento box lunch will be provided for you to enjoy on the train ride. Once in Kyoto, our bus will be waiting and off for an afternoon of touring. Welcome to Kyoto, it is old Japan, made up of quiet temples, grand gardens, and colorful shrines. While the rest of Japan has adopted modernity with abandon, the old ways remain in Kyoto. There is no better way to begin our touring than with a visit to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, with over 1200 years of history. It is one of the signature World Heritage sites in Kyoto. Kiyomizudera, literally translated as "Pure Water Temple" is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan, founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Kiyomizudera is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. The stage affords visitors a nice view of the numerous cherry and maple trees below that erupt in a sea of color in spring and fall, as well as of the city of Kyoto in the distance. The main hall, which together with the stage was built without the use of nails, houses the temple's primary object of worship, a small statue of the eleven faced, thousand armed Kannon. NOTE: Kiyomizudera's main hall is covered up from February 2017 to March 2020 for the renovations. While we can enter, some areas may be restricted. Now, time to spend at two of Kyoto’s most attractive streets, Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka. They are pair of gently sloping lanes that lead down from Kiyomizudera Temple. Lined with beautifully restored traditional shophouses, these pedestrian-only lanes are regarded as one of the best sightseeing spots in Kyoto. 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. Enjoy free time in this area to browse, have a snack or two and some one of a kind shopping.

From here, off to our hotel for the next two nights, New Miyako Hotel, ideally located right across the street from the JR Kyoto Station and just around the corner from the AEON Mall. There are so many dining and shopping options to enjoy tonight. Our arrival will be by 3:30pm. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.

Accommodations: New Miyako Hotel Kyoto

free

Day 6 – June 8th, 2019 Saturday – Kyoto (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off on a full day of touring Kyoto. Our 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 Temple & grounds From here we will be visiting 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. Now, off to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Last on todays’ schedule, an enjoyable hands-on experience, handkerchief painting at the Kodai Yuzen and Gallery, founded by the long-established kimono store "Kodai Yuzen Co., Ltd.", to show the public, the beauty and tradition of Kyoto Yuzen dyed garments which also includes an exhibit featuring an array of kimonos. We now make our way back to our hotel, arrival by 3:30pm. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.

Accommodations: New Miyako Hotel Kyoto

free

Day 7 – June 9th, 2019 Sunday – Kyoto-Nara-Osaka (B/L) Please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off on a full day of touring as we make our way to Osaka. The morning begins with a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, an important Shinto Shrine in Kyoto and famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. The approach to the shrine is lined with many colorful shop and food stalls. Grab a snack as you walk along or maybe some omiyage to bring home.

Fushimi Inari Shrine From here we are off to Nara, a short 30-minute drive. Once here, time for lunch at a local restaurant.

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.

This afternoon we begin at 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. Now, right next door, 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.

Nara Deer Park

Todaiji Temple

The Great Buddha

Now, off to Osaka, the drive time approximately 1.5 hours. Accommodations for the next three nights is at the Karaksa Hotel Osaka Namba, ideally located, just a 5minute walk to the Dotonbori and the Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade Street.

Welcome to Osaka, Japan’s 3rd most populous city and the working heart of Kansai. Famous for its down-toearth citizens and the colorful Kansai-ben (Kansai dialect) they speak, it's a good counterpart to the refined atmosphere of Kyoto. Primarily, Osaka is famous for good eating: the phrase kuidaore (eat 'til you drop) was coined to describe Osakans' love for good food. Osaka is also a good place to experience a modern Japanese city. It's only surpassed by Tokyo as a showcase of the Japanese urban phenomenon. Our arrival will be by 4:00pm. After time to freshen up, join your guide for a brief walk around this exciting area of the city. We guarantee, its ono! The Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade is practically endless with the very best of shopping at your fingertips. When you are hungry, fear not as the Dotonbori has anything and everything you would possibly be looking for.

Famous Blade Runner Neon

Shinsaibashi Shopping

Accommodations: Karaksa Hotel Osaka Namba

Dotonbori Street

free

Day 8 – June 10th, 2019 Monday –Osaka-Universal Studios Japan-Osaka (B) After breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby by 8:30am as we are off to send a full day at the ever-popular Universal Studios Japan. Your entrance ticket in included. Arrival will be at approximately 9:00am and our departure is scheduled for 6:00pm. Once back at our hotel, the remainder of the evening is free.

Accommodations: Karaksa Hotel Osaka Namba

free

Day 9 – June 11th, 2019 Tuesday –Osaka (B) After breakfast, a complete free day to enjoy as you wish. If its shopping, a full day along the Sinsaibashi Shopping Arcade will bring you joy, but close by there are a couple of other shopping areas worth exploring. Kuromon Market, one of the main food markets in Osaka, is one of them. With more than 190 years of history and tradition, this very popular market is known by locals as "Gastronome" and "Osaka' s Kitchen". All kinds of fresh food items are available at this market, fully satisfying the hunger of the people of Naniwa (Naniwa is the old name for this area).

Eat-in shops for sushi or fresh seafood over rice, also grilled fish, shellfish, meat, and other food being served in or outside of shops give off mouth-watering aromas. 600 meters long with over 170 stalls, Kuromon Market offers not only fresh fish and food items, but a complete range of household goods and yes even appliances. Close by is another gem, Doguyasuji Shotengai, a 150-meter-long shopping arcade that is lined with specialty shops selling cookware, kitchen utensils and restaurant supplies. This arcade offers a variety of appliances, tableware and cooking accessories. Enjoy the day!

Accommodations: Karaksa Hotel Osaka Namba

free

Day 10 – June 12th, 2019 Wednesday –Osaka-Kansai (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:30am. While its our last day on tour, there is still a full day ahead of us and we will make the best of every moment. The morning begins with a visit to Osaka Castle, one of Osaka’s most popular landmark sights. Travel back in time almost 400 years to feudal Japan on the chaos and violence of an epic conflict—the final one of the samurai era. In 1614 and 1615 hundreds of thousands of samurai—blasting guns, shooting arrows, and wielding swords—unleashed their force on the Osaka castle, inaugurating the downfall of the Toyotomi clan and sealing Tokugawa Ieyasu's position as Japan's undisputed master. Explore the fury of samurai warfare—from gory beheadings to fierce sword fights. For days Ieyasu's forces barraged the castle's walls with fire from 300 cannon, causing fear and confusion. In January 1615 Hideyori finally signed a treaty, ending what became known as the Winter Siege, or Fuyu no Jin. But the truce fell apart, and the Summer Siege, or Natsu no Jin, began. Magnificent Osaka Castle has been destroyed – and restored – several times, with its most extensive refurbishment completed in 1997. As you walk around you can still marvel at its massive stone walls, goldleaf trim, copper roof, and panoramic views. There is also a fascinating on-site museum that chronicles its tumultuous history.

Osaka Castle From here, visiting Tempozan Marketplace and Kaiyukan Aquarium.

Tempozan Marketplace, right beside the aquarium offer some unique shops and a variety of lunch options, from their food court to sit down restaurants. Here you will also find Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho, a food hall designed to resemble Osaka streets in the 1960s. It houses 20 different eateries serving Osaka favorites such as takoyaki (octopus dumplings), ikayaki grilled squid with soy sauce, and kushikatsu skewered kebabs of meat, fish, and vegetables. We cannot forget to mention the Tempozan Ferris Wheel as no trip here is ever complete without a ride on this enormous wheel, one of the world’s largest. The ride allows for some incredible views over Osaka bay. If you decide to try it out, please keep in mind that one complete rotation takes 15 minutes. And now, a visit to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, included in today’s touring. It is one of the world’s largest aquariums, and certainly the most impressive aquarium in Japan. Enjoy an hour here and walk through the many marine habitats that house charismatic animals like manta rays, otters, penguins and sharks! From here, we begin to make our way towards the Kansai area and the airport, but there is still one very important stop, the AEON Mall Rinku Sennan. We will have about 1.5 hours here, so you can enjoy some last-minute shopping and maybe pick up a dinner bento at the supermarket to bring along to the airport. Arrival at the Kansai Airport will be by 6:00pm and once here we begin the check-in process.

Hawaiian Airlines #450 Departs Kansai 8:45pm – Arrive Honolulu 9:45 am