Study Component Schedule

 *Arrival - there is an airport transfer available on arrival for the study component.
 **Public/Institute holidays affecting classes are listed here in full.

 Proposed Tour Schedule (this may change, please refer to notes below)

Day	Date	Destination(s)/Notes	Depart+	Return+	Lunch+
1	July 24th	Night climb  Overnight trip: We start the discovery tour with a visit to historic Okutono Jinya, a 300 year old samurai barracks with a beautiful moss garden. From here we fast forward to one of the key reasons for Japan's emergence as a modern economy. At Toyota Motor Corporation we walk through their superb Kaikan, learning about the processes involved before heading off for a factory tour for a birdseye view of an assembly plant and the robots of the welding plant. Thats the easy bit of the tour. From here we head to Shizuoka, and then join the fit, healthy and active as we Climb to the peak of Mount Fuji. This volcano is Japan's highest mountain and most famous symbol. We start with a break at the vast lagoon of Hamanako, before heading up to the Shin-5-gome (5th station), before taking advantage of the cooler night air to start the climb (with safety guide etc) from mountain hut to mountain hut. Unless you need to stop (the air becomes to thin for some members of the climbing party each year), you should see the sunrise. Its wonderful stuff - but it is strenuous and exhausting and not to be attempted if you are unfit or ill. An alternative "hot spring & relaxation" option is available for those who prefer not to climb.	0815	N/A	No
2	July 25th	Crater  We should be able to see the sunrise and peer into the massive volcanic crater. After we descend Fuji, we head across the mountain face to the beautiful Shiraito-no-taki waterfalls before returning to Okazaki. By this time the climbers are usually exhausted. The non-climbers and any climbers still on their feet might appreciate the "mystery tour" we have planned in the afternoon.	N/A	1530	No
3	July 26th	Day trip: Today is a more leisurely day. We have chartered a sailing boat and from the marina at nearby Gamagori, and sail across Mikawa Bay to Oshima island. Oshima is a deserted island, but during the summer it is a popular and uncrowded destination for swimming, relaxing and BBQs (lunch and dinner is included). Late in the afternoon we will get back onto the boat and enjoy a sailing sunset cruise.	1000	2000	Yes
4	July 27th	Overnight trip: We begin an overnight trip into the remote mountainous region leading to the southern alps. Our first stop is the mysterious Toyokawa Inari shrine, dedicated to a fox-riding god called Toyokawa Dakinishinten. The legend of Dakinishinten dates from the 15th century, and was believed by samurai warriors such as Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Millions of people visiting this shrine every year as it is one of the three major Japanese Inari gods. From the Inari shrine we drive northwards up the Toyokawa valley then climb into the hills on our way to the 1300 year old temple complex of Horaiji, with its wonderful views (fog permitting). At Horaiji we will also visit a well preserved Toshogu shrine in a grove of majestic 350 year cedars. Our next destination is very remote, a Senmaida, consisting of more than 1000 small rice fields in an painstakingly constructed terrace. From here we head even deeper into the mountains, visiting an old sake brewery enroute, before slipping into Nagano prefecture via the Niino pass as we head towards beautiful Tenryu Gorge. Weather conditions & time permitting, we'll get into a flat bottomed river boat and shoot the rapids. From Tenryu, we make our way to Komagane, to enjoy onsen spring baths, country cooking & hospitality, and a visit to the local boutique beer brewery. Please bring your passport or "Alien Registration Card" for hotel registration.	0730	N/A	No
5	July 28th	After breakfast, we will take a bus into the national park to a ropeway, (the 2nd longest in the world) taking us from 1662 meters above sea level to 2612 meters (5450 to 8568 feet) where we enter the pristine environment of the Senjojiki cirque, a glacial caldera high in the alps. Even in mid-summer it can be cool, so please bring at least 1 warm jacket. If the weather holds, we may be able to see the cone of Mount Fuji, poking up from behind the escarpment of the southern alps. Descending from the caldera, we make a brief visit to historic Kozen-ji temple which has beautiful architecture. After lunch we will make a short visit to the Mars whisky distillery, then drive to the old post town of Tsumago. This old town was bypassed when the railroad was built in the Meiji Period and as a result is almost perfectly preserved, with no overhead electric cables etc blighting the landscape. We will be able to enter the Honjin and a superb museum. The small village is also a perfect place to pick up some souvenirs.	N/A	1830	No

+Departure from/Return to Okazaki times given using 24 hour clock (ie 0800 = 8am, 1830 = 6.30pm)
+Lunch - Yes/No indicates whether lunch is included or not.
Return = N/A means an overnight stay, usually in a ryokan or minshuku, where evening meal/breakfast is always included.

Discounts: As this is an off-season tour (the usual number of participants is 5 or less), it is possible to obtain a discount of 5000 yen off the program fee (in addition to the accommodation discounts offered through the "early bird" pass) if payment is completed more than ten weeks before program commencement.

 Notes: