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Option A - Tour Dates for tour commencing August 21st 2009
Study Component Schedule
|
Study Length
|
Arrival*
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Commence
|
Holidays**
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End Studies
|
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10 weeks
|
JUN/09-10
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JUL/09
|
X
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AUG/20
|
|
8 weeks
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JUN/23-24
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JUN/25
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X
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AUG/20
|
|
6 weeks
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JUL/07-08
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JUL/09
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X
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AUG/20
|
|
4 weeks
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JUL/21-22
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JUL/23
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X
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AUG/20
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|
2 weeks
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AUG/04-05
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AUG/06
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X
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AUG/20
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*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)
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Day
|
Date
|
Destination(s)/Notes
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Depart+
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Return+
|
Lunch+
|
|
1
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August 21st
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2 night trip: We start with a visit to Okutono Jinya and drink tea in a 300 year old samurai barracks,
and stroll through the moss garden, before heading 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 to a Toyota Motor Factory for a birdseye view of thousands of robots and an exceptionally sophisticated production system.
We then drive deep into Gifu prefecture, escaping the heat and making our way to Takayama, where we will visit the Kokubunji temple, and have time for some souvenir shopping in the old streets.
In the evening we head deeper into the mountains to Hirayu Onsen, where we will stay in a traditional ryokan & be able to enjoy hot spring bathing and mountain cuisine.
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0900
|
N/A
|
Yes
|
|
2
|
August 22nd
|
Today we head to the spectacular Kamikochi valley (http://www.kamikochi.or.jp) high in the mountains. At this time of year the snows have finally melted, and the forests and marshes can be seen
at their best. We will hike up to Myojin Pond. Those who wish to climb one of the mountains will be able to do so. Participants seeking a more laid back experience can enjoy the easier trails, and the shops and cafes near the Kappa bridge.
Late in the afternoon we will return to Hirayu Onsen, visit the large waterfall, and then gradually descend from the alps into the castle town of Matsumoto, our destination for the evening. We will visit the castle grounds in the evening.
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
3
|
August 23rd
|
Our first destination in Matsumoto is the castle, one of only 4 castles in Japan designated as national treasures. More than 400 years old, this is one of the better preserved,
and from the top of the castle tower you have excellent views of the city and the surrounding mountain peaks. After some free time, our next destination is the Japan Ukiyoe Museum, one of the most extensive
collections of ukiyoe prints in Japan, and an excellent showcase of this art form. Leaving Matsumoto after lunch, we make our way to Komagane in southern Nagano. We will head up into the national park, and
take the ropeway to the glacial caldera. The ropeway is the 2nd longest in the world, and the top station is above 2600 meters (8500 feet) elevation. We will end the day with a visit to historic
Kozenji temple, before returning to Okazaki in the evening.
|
N/A
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1930
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No
|
|
4
|
August 24th
|
Day trip:
We drive deep into the forests of the Oku-Mikawa. Our first destination is very remote, a Senmaida, consisting of more than 1000 small rice fields in an painstakingly constructed terrace. We
will then hike through verdant forests to Horaiji, a 1300 year old temple that also has a brilliantly preserved Toshogu shrine in a grove of 350 year old cedar trees towering above us.
Weather conditions permitting, we will also make a visit to the beautiful Adera-no-nana-taki waterfalls. From
Horai we will visit the Nagashino battlefield & its museum, learning about the famous battle that occurred here in 1575, before heading down the valley to the 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 visit this shrine every year as it is one of the three major Japanese Inari.
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0900
|
1730
|
Yes
|
|
5
|
August 25th
|
Day trip: Today we head to
Kyoto, visiting world heritage sites in the
former capital. We begin the day with a visit to
Kinkaku-ji (the golden pavilion) and
beautiful Ryoanji with its cultural superstar rock garden. After lunch we will visit
Nijo Castle, the fortified camp built in the
heart of Kyoto city to protect the Shogun's
interests. This castle contains the Ninomaru palace, an original structure famous for its artworks and security devices such as the
"nightingale floors". We finish the day with a visit to
Yasaka Jinja and the
Gion district, the entertainment heart of Kyoto
and where most of the tea houses (such as Ichiriki Ochaya) that are famous for geiko (geisha) are located. There will also be some free time for shopping.
|
0730
|
2130
|
Yes
|
+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:
In the week before a tour commences, a briefing will be held for the participants. If the number of students
participating is 9 students or less (which is usually the case in the off season), then the actual destinations, or the
order in which they are visited, can often be altered to reflect the specific interests of the group members.
Please also note that the schedule may need to be changed in the event of inclement weather/typhoons etc, or the unforeseen closure
of any given destination. Appropriate alternative destinations are chosen only after consultation with you.
To help ensure that students can budget for expenses accurately, Institute staff will either purchase food (usually
bento and drinks) for you to eat or find a reasonably priced restaurant (maximum cost 1000 yen - with Yamasa paying for the
remainder of your food bill) if due to traffic/weather conditions we are delayed by more than one hour on the days we
return to Okazaki accommodation.
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C O M M U N I T Y M E M B E R S
