+ Stroll through Japan’s three great gardens: Korakuen, Ritsurin & Kairakuen

+ Climb the soft blue hill of nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park

+ Walk the 100m tunnels of wisteria at Kameido Temple

+ Admire the dazzling display of azaleas at Nezu Temple

+ Be transported to Peony Heaven at Yushien

+ Blend art, architecture and horticulture at Chichu Art Museum in its exquisite setting on Naoshima Island

+ Travel in a small group and make new friends

For a detailed itinerary, please visit :www.rosstours.com/japan-festivals

HIGHLIGHTS

JAPAN

MatsueNikko

TOKYO

Okayama

In nearly 40 years of Cherry Blossom tours to Japan, we’ve missed the tunnels dripping with wisteria, mind-blowing displays of peonies and temple gardens frothing over with azaleas. No more; Linda is returning to Japan to lead this exciting new tour of famous flower festivals, some of my favourite gardens and the greatest Shogun inspired masterpiece in Nikko. This will be a flower-filled trip with a lifetime of memories.

Graham Ross VMM, Founder

TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT ROYCE OR ROSLYN

Visit our website www.rosstours.com

travel@rosstours.com1300 233 200

Japan’s Festival of Spring... azaleas, peonies and wisteria:

it’s a festival of flowers on this new spring tour through Japan.

SPRING FLOWER FESTIVALS

JAPAN’S

28 APRIL - 11 MAY 2018

Let us take you to the most beautiful places in the world.

TOUR LEADER LINDA ROSS

Linda has spent her lifetime hunting for plants and visiting gardens. She is inspired by all things Japanese; geisha and gardens, beer and bonsai, food and flowers, kimonos and kabuki. She is thrilled to be leading this brand new tour to see the best of springtime Japan.

TOUR DETAILSITINERARY

DAY 1 SAT 28 APRSYDNEY TO TOKYO

Depart Sydney on a Qantas evening flight to Tokyo.

DAY 2 SUN 29 APRTOKYO TO NIKKO

To Nikko today with a stop in Ashikaga to see the famous Wisteria Festival with tunnels, arbours and arches smothered in weeping wisteria. One plant is now 140 years old; “the Great Wisteria” spreads 1,000 sq.m. Check into the charming Nikko Kanaya. Dinner tonight is western-style, silver service.

DAY 3 MON 30 APRNIKKO

A festival today to celebrate the blue nemophila on Miharashi Hill, in spectacular fashion at Hitachi Seaside Park. A treat lies waiting for us at Kairakuen Garden in Mito, one of Japan’s three finest; a strolling garden with azaleas and wisteria in full flower. Dinner included tonight.

DAY 4 TUE 1 MAYNIKKO TO TOKYO

We’ll climb part of the Sacred Way of ancient cedars to Toshogu Shrine. It’s the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years. Next stop is the Imperial Villa that blends

traditional Edo Period and early modern Meiji Period architecture. On our way back to Tokyo we visit Tokaen Park in Kasukabe City. The wisteria trees here are more than 1,200 years old. Stay 3 nights at the New Otani hotel, Tokyo.

DAY 5 WED 2 MAY TOKYO

Camera batteries will need to be fully charged today as we travel around Tokyo to see breathtaking azaleas at Rikugien Garden and Nezu Shrine, then cascades of wisteria at Kameido Tenjin Shrine that were planted during the Edo period.

DAY 6 THU 3 MAY OMIYA

To Omiya Bonsai Village and Museum. Spot on timing for the Great Bonsai Festival. We will see exquisite bonsai from all over Japan, including wisteria and azaleas in full flower. All about peonies this afternoon in Tokyo’s Ueno Park and the Toshogu Peony Garden.

DAY 7 FRI 4 MAY TOKYO TO MATSUE

Afternoon flight to Izumo, once a market town and well known as a Shinto religious centre. A taste of old Japan at Matsue, a feudal castle nearby. Check into Hotel Tokyu, Matsue.

+ OUR TOUR INCLUDES

° Return Qantas flights (including taxes) Sydney / Tokyo / Sydney and domestic flights Tokyo / Izumo and Okayama / Tokyo

° Shinkansen and express train travel

° Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach throughout tour

° Deluxe accommodation for 12 nights

° Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

° Breakfast daily, plus 1 lunch and 5 dinners

° English speaking National Japanese Guide

° Guided tours of Nikko and Tokyo

° Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including, Ashikaga Flower Park, Kanaya History House, Hitachi Seaside Park, Kairakuen, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Tokaen, Rikugien Garden, Nezu Shrine, Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden, Lafcadio Hearn Residence, Yushien, Adachi Museum, Korakuen, Kawachi Fuji Garden, Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House Museum, Honmura Art House Project, Ritsurin Park.

° Fully escorted by Linda Ross

+ OUR TOUR COSTS

° Twin Share per person , land only $9,795

° Twin Share per person, including air $10,995

° Single Supplement $1,095

+ DISCOUNTS

° Early Bird $300 (pay in full before 1/12/17)

° Previous Traveller $100

° Garden Clinic Member $50

All prices in Australian Dollars. All air taxes as at 1st July 2017. Price based on minimum 15 passengers. Departure from Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane. Price from other Australian ports and New Zealand available on application. Group meals do not include beverages. Please refer to Ross Garden Tours standard terms & conditions. Ask us about other sightseeing and travel arrangements including pre and post tour accommodation, transfers, stopovers and other tours.

DAY 8 SAT 5 MAY MATSUE

Peony Heaven today at Yushien Garden. Just 40 years old, this private garden has a central pond, waterfalls, streams, stone lanterns, rock garden and peonies. The collection of peonies, 250 of them, are meticulously tended. Next stop is the Adachi Museum of Art that houses a collection of modern Japanese art, including paintings by Taikan Yokoyama.

DAY 9 SUN 6 MAYMATSUE TO OKAYAMA

Take the train to Okayama to visit Koraku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. This quintessential Japanese garden was created 300 years ago by Ikeda Tsunamasa, Lord of Okayama, as a symbol of the power of the Samurai. Stay 4 nights at the Granvia Hotel.

DAY 10 MON 7 MAYOKAYAMA

All about wisteria today at Kawachi Wisteria Garden, a private garden in the hills, famous for its spectacular wisteria. Two tunnels each 100 metres long are planted with different species of wisteria, ranging from white to dark purple. We will walk up to the lookout over the sea of wisteria and the surrounding valley.

DAY 11 TUE 8 MAYNAOSHIMA

Ferry to Naoshima, an island in the Seto Inland Sea, known for its modern art museums, architecture and sculptures. The complex is intended to blend into the natural environment of Setonaikai National Park.

DAY 12 WED 9 MAYTAKAMATSU

Our coach will take us to Ritsurin Garden in the city of Takamatsu on Japan’s fourth main island of Shikoku.It’s a garden for ‘strolling’, and that’s just what we will do today, across beautiful bridges, iris-lined ponds and through beautiful pavilions. In its exquisite setting, wooded Mt. Shiun serves as a great example of borrowed scenery. We’ll have lunch here then travel back to Okayama with the afternoon free Farewell dinner tonight in our hotel.

DAY 13 THU 10 MAY OKAYAMA TO HOME

Free morning with a late check out before we drive to Okayama airport for our homeward flights via Tokyo.

DAY 14 FRI 11 MAYARRIVE HOME