Japan: An Exploration of History, Culture and Society

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Overview
Highlights
- Walking is the best way to get to know a new place
- I’m energetic and enjoy a good physical challenge, so I’m always ready to spend the day on the move
- Whether it’s public transit, city streets or village cobblestones, I’m game
What's this trip about?
Itinerary
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m., meet group in lobby at 6:45 p.m.
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, ...
3 mile walk from Nihonbashi through the grounds of the Imperial Palace East gardens. In the afternoon, a 30-minute transfer is followed by an approximately 1 mile walk around the Edo-Tokyo Museum. The return journey to the vicinity of the hotel is 20 minutes via publi...
Walking up to approximately 5 miles throughout the day; gentle pace. Use of transportation including assorted rail and subway transfers; about 1 hour total; some stairs, flat city streets, elevators/escalators sometimes available. Shoes may need to be removed to visit...
Traveling approx. 300 miles; about 5 hours total throughout the day by rail and motorcoach, with stops. Walking approx. 2 miles around Tsumago; elective additional trail hike of about 3 miles; approx. 1.5 hours; some uneven terrain, stone trail. Sleeping in lodgings o...
Transferring via local bus approx. 6 miles one way; about 1 hour roundtrip. Walking approximately 2 miles throughout Kiso-Fukushima; about 2 hours; fairly flat, on pavement. Sleeping on floor in traditional Japanese fashion. Shoes will need to be removed to enter some...
Driving approx. 90 miles throughout the day; about 4 hours total with 1.5 hours in the morning Kiso-Fukushima to Matsumoto and 2.5 hours in the afternoon to Takayama. Walking approx. 3 miles total in and around Matsumoto Castle; mostly flat, some steep stairs that can...
Walking approx. 5 miles during morning group activities; more dependent on personal preference; flat terrain, pavement, roads. Train ride to Kyoto is about 165 miles; approx. 3.5 hours. Shoes will need to be removed to enter some of the attractions today.
On a w...
Walking approx. 5 miles throughout the day; some unavoidable stairs. Taxi transfers. Sitting on either tatami mats or small chairs on the floor while participating in the tea ceremony. Note that space is limited at the tea room, and that large groups will be split int...
Walking approx. 3 miles throughout the morning’s group activities; more depending on personal preference during free time; some unavoidable stairs. Taxi transfers.
Setting out from the hotel, we’ll begin a comprehensive multi-stop field trip led by our expert St...
Bullet train ride of approx. 220 miles to Hiroshima; about 2 hours. Walking approx. 5 miles throughout the day in Hiroshima and Miyajima; mostly flat, pavement, roads. Some short transfers by tram and ferry. Main luggage will be sent by overnight courier from Kyoto to...
Walking approx. 5 miles total around Hiroshima; mostly flat pavement. Some transfers by tram and taxis.
Our first field trip of the day will bring us to the Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum. Within the grounds of the park is the Atom Bomb Dome, whic...
Train transfer is approx. 180 miles; about 3 hours. Getting on/off motorcoach for short transfer to temples. Walking about 3 miles total throughout the day; some uneven ground and steep steps. Driving approx. 30 miles to hotel; about 1 hour. Accommodation is mostly Ja...
Walking approx. 3 miles as a group, more dependent on personal preference during free time. Coach transfer is approx. 220 miles; about 3.5 hours with luggage.
Free time to explore Yufuin before boarding the coach to Nagasaki. Our route will take around the rugge...
Walking approx. 3 miles in the morning; about 4 hours; with stops and opportunities to rest; gentle pace, more dependent on personal preference during free time. Some short public transportation transfers.
Setting out on foot we’ll take a tram to Tojin-machi, th...
Express and local trains to Dazaifu; 3 hours. Up to 5 miles total walking en route to and around Dazaifu, as well as in the museum.
Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll transfer via train to Fukuoka, known as “Japan's gateway to Asia.” En route, we’ll make a sto...
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructio...
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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- Number of Breakfast: 15
- Number of Lunch: 7
- Number of Dinner: 9
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