japan - ross garden tours · japan’s picturesque countryside to kanazawa on the sea of japan....

JAPAN

Follow the cherry blossom trail as it blooms across Kyoto, Kanazawa, Nikko and Tokyo on a 15-day tour that takes you inside Japan’s great gardens. Experience a fascinating mix of ancient Zen serenity and modernity that

makes Japan such an exciting cultural destination.

31 MARCH - 14 APRIL 2018

AT CHERRY BLOSSOM TIME

WITH GRAHAM ROSS

+ OUR TOUR INCLUDES

° Return Qantas flights (including taxes) Sydney / Tokyo / Sydney

° Shinkansen and express train travel

° Deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach throughout tour

° Deluxe accommodation for 12 nights, including an overnight stay at a traditional Japanese Ryokan

° Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

° Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 6 dinners

° English speaking National Guide

° Guided tours of Kyoto, Kanazawa, Nikko and Tokyo

° Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including, Ginkakuji, Hakusa Sonso, Heian Shrine, Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, Shinkyo Sacred Bridge, Tamozawa Imperial Villa, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu Temple, Nomura Samurai House, Kenrokuen, Shirakawago, Toshogu Shrine, Omiya Bonsai Village, Rikugien, Shinise Kinecan, Nabana No Sato, Honmaru Palace, Nezu Shrine and Meiji Shrine.

° Fully escorted by Graham Ross

+ OUR TOUR COSTS

° Twin Share per person , land only $11,495

° Twin Share per person, incl. air $12,795

° Single Supplement $2,650

+ DISCOUNTS

° Early Bird $300 (pay in full before 1/11/17)

° Previous Traveller $100

° Garden Clinic Member $50

DAY 1 SAT 31 MARSYDNEY TO TOKYO

Graham Ross, your Tour Leader, will meet you at Sydney Airport for the overnight flight to Tokyo.DAY 2 SUN 1 APRTOKYO TO KYOTO

On arrival take the bullet train to Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan. Our first garden is Heian Shrine with its avenue of 300 weeping flowering cherries. On to a welcome lunch at the Westin Miyako Hotel where we stay for four nights.DAY 3 MON 2 APRKYOTO

Legend has it that Ginkakuji - the Silver Pavilion - was to be covered in silver leaf, but the shogun died before that could happen. Next stop, Hakusa Sonso, a garden where we’ll join a tea ceremony and enjoy lunch at the family’s restaurant. Stroll the famous Philosopher’s Path under thousands of cherry trees with spring shrubs scenting the way. Dinner tonight at Junsei restaurant.DAY 4 TUE 3 APRKYOTO

The pinnacles of Japanese garden design today. First, we catch the glowing light on the 18-carat gold leaf-covered Golden Pavilion. Ryoanji Temple is next, Japan’s finest example of a rock and sand garden. After lunch, visit Gioji Temple surrounded by a luxuriant moss garden. Finish at Arashiyama with a walk through a bamboo forest.DAY 5 WED 4 APR KYOTO

An early start at Kyoto’s eastern Higashiyama Mountains to wonder at the towering, World Heritage listed, Kiyomizu Temple. Next is Nijo Castle and Ninomaru Garden with 430 ‘Sakura’ cherry trees. A special dinner tonight with a traditional geisha/maiko performance.DAY 6 THU 5 APR KYOTO TO NAGOYA

Travel by train to Nagoya to see the recently rebuilt Honmaru Palace and the Nagoya Castle. This afternoon visit a new concept in world class show gardens covering many hectares with beds filled with thousands of tulips and more hanging baskets than you could count. Stay for the spectacular evening light show. DAY 7 FRI 6 APR NAGOYA TO KANAZAWA

Express train north this morning, through Japan’s picturesque countryside to Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan. Kanazawa is a lovely change of pace where traditional crafts, such

as ceramics, embroidery and gold leaf work are still practiced. Next we visit Nomura Samurai house with a garden of meandering streams, waterfalls, lanterns, plants and moss all exquisitely arranged.DAY 8 SAT 7 APR KANAZAWA

Today visit Kenrokuen Garden which combines the six essential features of true gardens: vastness, symmetry, solemnity, coolness, antiquity and pleasure. Walk through Seisonkaku Villa, built by a samurai for his mother. The rest of the day is free to explore.DAY 9 SUN 8 APRKANAZAWA TO AWAZU

A once-in-a-lifetime experience today, travel into the Japanese Alps to visit UNESCO World Heritage Shirakawago Village. Traditional farmhouses have steep thatched rooves, called Gassho Zukuri. A Japanese ryokan tonight and a kaiseki dinner. Enjoy a traditional Japanese hot onsen spa bath.DAY 10 MON 9 APRAWAZU TO NIKKO

Train from Komatsu via Kanazawa to Takasaki and the natural beauty of Nikko National Park. Our hotel in Nikko for the next two nights is the 144-year-old Nikko Kanaya Hotel, the oldest Western-style hotel in Japan. Dinner tonight with silver service.DAY 11 TUE 10 APRNIKKO

A walking tour of the World Heritage listed Toshogu Shrine today to see the history behind this sacred region. Visit the Sacred Bridge and Tam0zawa Imperial Villa and walk around its beautiful garden. Afternoon free.DAY 12 WED 11 APRNIKKO TO TOKYO

Today we head to Tokyo, with a stop to see the Shogun’s ancient cedar trees and Omiya Bonsai Village. Check in to the luxurious New Otani Hotel for the next two nights.DAY 13 THU 12 APR TOKYO

A stroll around Rikugien Garden takes us around a lake, which features 88 stops, each representing a scene from classical Japanese literature. Pay a visit to Meiji Shrine and nearby Harajuku. Farewell dinner tonight.DAY 14 FRI 13 APRTOKYO TO HOME

Late check out today. Free day to explore more of Tokyo. Evening transfer to Tokyo Airport for our flight home.DAY 15 SAT 14 APRARRIVE HOME

TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT ROYCE OR ROSLYN

Visit our website www.rosstours.com/japan-in-spring

travel@rosstours.com

1300 233 200

ITINERARY TOUR DETAILS

TOUR LEADER GRAHAM ROSS

Graham is familiar to garden lovers around Australia from Better Homes & Gardens and

the Garden Clinic Radio Show on 2GB & 4BC. He has a passion for dynamic world-class gardens and Japan is at the top of his list.