EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Discover the gracious spirit of Old Japan on this full-day tour to three of Kyoto's most alluring sites. The imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years, Kyoto is the cultural and artistic heart of the nation, best known for its Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, beautiful gardens and historically priceless buildings.

Following an approximately 90-minute scenic drive to Kyoto, you arrive at the magnificent Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto's world-renowned and most photographed temple and garden. Built in 1394, the original Kinkakuji was a retirement villa for a former Shogun. The three-story Chinese-influenced Golden Pavilion has delicately curving roofs, with the walls and eaves of the second and third stories covered in shimmering gold leaf.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll visit Nijo Castle, with its immense walls and moat. Completed in 1603, the castle is famous for its nightingale floors, designed to detect the footsteps of ninja assassins and warn the residents of invaders. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nijo Castle is one of the world's great historical buildings.

Another stop in your tour is Sanjusangendo, famous for its 1,001 12th-century statues of the Buddhist deity Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Sanjusangendo translates to hall with 33 bays and the 33 alcoves display 1,000 awe-inspiring statues and a single gigantic sitting image of Kannon. Carved from Japanese cypress and painted with gold leaf, each of the multi-armed figures stands five and a half feet tall, and has subtle differences in expression and accoutrements, testimony to the skill and originality of the Momoyama wood carvers.

Osaka's glorious past is yours to discover during this tour of some of the ancient city's most historic and beautiful sites.

A drive through the modern of city takes you to historic Osaka Castle. Originally intended to be Japan's strongest and most beautiful castle, this monumental old fortification was built over a 3.5-year period by 30,000 to 40,000 daily laborers, and is enclosed by stone walls 7.5 miles in length. Over the centuries, the castle has been destroyed by wars and natural disasters, and then rebuilt to its original splendor. During your visit, you’ll marvel at Osaka Castle's five-story donjon; it towers 131 feet in height and offers wonderful expansive views and photo opportunities. Other structures, including a two-story tower built in 1620, also remain.

You’ll also visit Shitennoji Temple. Built in 593 AD, Shitennoji Temple is believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan. Explore the temple's great southern gate, or nandaimon, central gate, or chumon, the pagoda, main hall, or kondoh, and lecture hall, or kodo. All are constructed in the straight-line, Shitennoji Cathedral style.

Discover the gracious spirit of Old Japan on this full-day tour to three of Kyoto's most alluring sites. The imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years, Kyoto is the cultural and artistic heart of the nation, best known for its Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, beautiful gardens and historically priceless buildings. Following a two-hour drive from Kobe, you arrive in the city of Kyoto, the old capital of Japan.

Visit Sanjusangendo Temple, famous for its 1,001 12th-century statues of the Buddhist deity Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Sanjusangendo translates to hall with 33 bays and the 33 alcoves display 1,000 awe-inspiring statues and a single gigantic sitting image of Kannon. Carved from Japanese cypress and painted with gold leaf, each of the multi-armed figures stands five and a half feet tall, and has subtle differences in expression and accoutrements, testimony to the skill and originality of the Momoyama wood carvers.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and continue your exploration of this historic city. Drive to Nijo Castle, with its immense walls and moat. Completed in 1603, the castle is famous for its nightingale floors, designed to detect the footsteps of ninja assassins and warn the residents of invaders. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nijo Castle is one of the world's great historical buildings.

You’ll also visit the magnificent Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto's world-renowned and most photographed temple and garden. Built in 1394, the original Kinkakuji was a retirement villa for a former Shogun. The three-story Chinese-influenced Golden Pavilion has delicately curving roofs, with the walls and eaves of the second and third stories covered in shimmering gold leaf.

Enjoy the unrivaled charm of Nara and Osaka, two of Japan's most historic cities, on this full-day tour.

It’s a scenic 90-minute drive to Nara, the oldest capital of Japan (710-784), and the cradle of Japanese arts, literature and crafts with temples and shrines that pre-date those found in Kyoto. Modeled after Changan, capital of Tang Dynasty China, the exquisite city of Nara is home to eight World Heritage Sites, and numerous art and architectural relics classified as National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese government.

Visit the incredible Todaiji Temple, founded in 752, and best known for its Daibutsu, a colossal statue sitting 49 feet tall, making it the world's largest Buddha statue. The eighth century statue is housed in an all-wood building, the Daibutsu-den, considered the largest wooden building in the world. Stroll through Nara Park, commonly referred to as Deer Park. The tranquil park covers 1,295 acres of woodland and is home to over 1,000 free roaming deer. Considered messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion, Nara's deer are a symbol of the city and are designated a National Natural Monument. Also visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

Following lunch at a nearby restaurant, you'll drive to Osaka, with a stop to visit the imposing Osaka Castle. One of Japan's most famous castles, it has massive stone foundations, wing-tipped roofs with gilded decorations.

Sample a selection of sake made with water from Mount Fuji and then visit a heritage center dedicated to the mountain and its influence throughout Japan.

A scenic drive through the countryside will bring you to Fuji Takasago, a sake brewery founded in 1831 at the foot of Mount Fuji, where its groundwater is most abundant. The water from the snow melt that runs off the mountain takes nearly 100 years to filter through the earth’s underground layers, leaving the water extraordinarily pure.

Following an enlightening tour of the brewery, where you will watch rice being turned into sake, you will be offered a selection of Fuji Takasago’s rice wines. During the sampling, you may notice that the Mount Fuji water imparts a mild taste to the sake. Being high in amino acids, these sakes are also rich in umami, a flavor associated with rice wine.

You will gain a different perspective of Japan’s most celebrated peak at the Mount Fuji World Heritage Center nearby. Its exhibitions include Japanese art and literature that the mountain has inspired and paper screens that show Mount Fuji changing with the seasons. Another highlight is the building’s inverted lattice cone sculpture that mimics the shape of Mount Fuji when viewed in the reflecting pool.

The center was named to recognize UNESCO declaring Mount Fuji to be a World Heritage site for its solitary beauty, iconic shape and deep impact on Western art. It may well be the world’s most famous stratovolcano.

Osaka shines as one of Japan's most modern cities, yet it holds its past dear, as you'll see during your visit to Osaka Castle and free time in the Namba shopping district.

Enjoy the drive to the Osaka Castle, which was first built in 1583 and now serves as the symbol for the city. Although the original castle was destroyed over the years, many of the key features of the complex still remain, including turrets and sections of the walls that border the surrounding moat. The existing version of the castle itself was built in 1931 to replicate the original. The steep, stone walls at its base are particularly noteworthy, as they rise nearly 100 feet, an architectural rarity in Japan.

Next, you'll drive to Osaka's energetic Namba district, a hub for shopping, dining and entertainment. During your free here you'll discover a plethora of stores and boutiques selling every imaginable type of merchandise, from designer fashions to miniature Buddha statues; the dining choices are just as diverse.

Following your free time in Namba, you'll meet your guide at the designated point and time for the drive back to the pier. Guests who wish to remain in Namba to further explore on their own, should advise their guide and will be responsible for making their own way back to the pier at their own expense.

OVERVIEW

See a remarkable array of attractions in downtown Kobe and come away with an excellent overview of its charms. The Buddhist temple Nofukuji is noteworthy for its Great Buddha, a towering statue erected in 1991 to replace the original, which was melted down for scrap to support Japan’s need for metal during World War II. Sorakuen Garden is an equally serene setting that surrounds a central pond. The camphor trees were supposedly planted nearly 500 years ago to ward off calamity. Architecture will take center stage in Kitano Ijinkan Gai, a historical neighborhood with Western-style residences that British architects designed in the late 19th century for foreign merchants and diplomats. They are handsomely furnished with period pieces. Kobe is also well-known for its sake. While browsing a brewery, you will see how it makes rice wine with high-mineral-content local water and a specific rice variety that imparts a rich flavor.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold the Great Buddha statue outside Nofukuji temple.
• Stroll the winding paths of Kobe’s only traditional urban garden.
• Walk through a neighborhood of unexpected Western-style architecture.
• See how Kobe’s uniquely flavored sake is brewed using traditional techniques.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy the unrivaled charm of Nara and Osaka, two of Japan's most historic cities, on this full-day tour.

Following a 1 1/2-hour drive, you arrive in Nara, the oldest capital of Japan (710-784), and the cradle of Japanese arts, literature and crafts with temples and shrines that pre-date those found in Kyoto. Modeled after Changan, capital of Tang Dynasty China, the exquisite city of Nara is home to eight World Heritage Sites, and numerous art and architectural relics classified as National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese government.

Visit the incredible Todaiji Temple, founded in 752, and best known for its Daibutsu, the world’s largest Buddha statue, sitting 49 feet tall. The eighth century statue is housed in an all-wood building, the Daibutsu-den, considered the largest wooden building in the world. Nara Park, commonly referred to as Deer Park, surrounds the temple. The tranquil park covers 1,295 acres of woodland and is home to over 1,000 free roaming deer. Considered messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion, Nara's deer are a symbol of the city and are designated a National Natural Monument.

Kasuga Shrine, Nara’s most celebrated, is dedicated to the city’s protector and is also in your itinerary. It is famous for its lanterns, which have been donated by worshipers though the years and are only lit during two Lantern Festivals, in the months of February and August.

Following lunch at a nearby restaurant, you'll drive to Osaka, with a stop to visit famous and imposing Osaka Castle. See the massive stone foundations, wing-tipped roofs with gilded decorations, and comprehensive museum displaying Osaka's most significant historical and cultural artifacts.

This mostly panoramic tour affords you magnificent views of Mount Fuji from both a hilltop outlook and a beautiful coastal pine grove so stunningly scenic that artists have captured its beauty for centuries.

Head to Nihondaira Park Outlook, which offers a glorious view of Suruga Bay and majestic Mount Fuji. You might also catch a glimpse of Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, perched high above the outlook.

Your scenic drive takes you to the seaside pine grove - Miho no Matsubara. The grove consists of more than 50,000 pine trees, including a 650-year-old tree thought to have mythical powers. The view from the shore with Mount Fuji lording over the scenery has been rated one of the top three views in Japan.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a relaxing guided walk through the Arima hot springs district and explore further independently, during which you may partake of the therapeutic waters. Arima lies in a natural mountain setting and although largely modern, it has remained compact and easy to walk. As you meander the atmospheric narrow streets of the historical area, the guide will elaborate on Arima’s more than 1,000-year history, the local traditions and the two types of hot springs. The so-called gold water contains iron deposits said to relieve skin ailments, while the silver water is considered a remedy for various muscle and joint ailments. During free time, you might dine on your own, shop along the retail street Yumotozaka and take advantage of the mineral-rich hot springs. If you prefer not to fully immerse in the hot springs, you could opt for a simple footbath that is immensely rewarding as well.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain an overview of the Arima hot springs on an enlightening walk through town.
• Learn about the different types of hot springs and the therapeutic benefits of each one.
• Spend free time dining, shopping and relaxing in the hot springs on your own.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Browse the bustling Kuromon Market, where you will see every imaginable gourmet delicacy, and learn to prepare your own sushi by following a chef’s instruction. The covered market holds more than 150 stores where everything from blow fish to fresh fruits to traditional sweets can be found. Expect it to be crowded and loud, which is much of the charm. Chances are, you will see fishmongers preparing fresh cuts of seafood, people dining on street food and others just milling about awed by the abundant choices. You may be offered samples, but don’t get too full as you will soon be making sushi for your lunch. The chef will show you how to prepare two styles of sushi. Nigiri sushi typically features raw fish atop a mound of hand-pressed rice. Then there is gunkan sushi, in which the rice is wrapped in a strip of seaweed to create a bowl for the various toppings.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Meander through the historical Kuroman Market, which specializes in fresh seafood.
• See some of the seafood that you may use to prepare your own sushi for lunch.
• Learn the basics of preparing sushi by following a sushi chef’s instruction.
• Dine on your lunch, which will feature nigiri and gunkan styles of sushi.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Marvel at glorious Suruga Bay while riding a ropeway to a hilltop Shintō shrine and then delve into the Japanese culture by making chopsticks. While some people climb the 1,000 or so steps leading to the Kunozan Toishogu shrine, you will ride ropeway. More wonders await you within the shrine complex, a collection of brightly painted ornate buildings dedicated to the shōgun that unified Japan in the early 17th century. Be sure to notice the well-armed guardian statue near the Romon gate. Stop at Nihondaira Park outlook, which offers a glorious view of Suruga Bay and majestic Mout Fuji. You will experience Japan’s creativity at Sumpu Takumi Shuku, a cultural workshop where artisans produce traditional crafts using centuries-old techniques. There you will have the opportunity to create your own pair of lacquered chopsticks by grinding and polishing.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride a ropeway to hilltop Shintō shrine while admiring the views of Suruga Bay.
• Browse the shrine, which is dedicated to a revered shōgun that brought peace to Japan.
• Create your own lacquered chopsticks at a workshop for traditional artisans.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.