April 18-29 2012
October 17-28, 2012
Takayama/Shirakawago/Kanazawa
A very leisurely journey high in the Japan Alps and in
Kanazawa, on the Sea of Japan, to experience and absorb a bit of old Japan with
its unique and very original traditional crafts and folkware, countryside
lifestyle, soaks in mountain hot springs and beautiful gardens. Stay each night
in a Japanese minshuku (family-run bed and breakfast) and enjoy fresh mountain
vegetables and other local delicacies, morning markets, historic architecture,
Hida Village and the fine quality traditional arts and crafts of Takayama and Kanazawa.
In
Shirakawago explore 200-year-old Gassho Zukuri (praying hands) thatched-roof
farm houses and local crafts while enjoying a relaxing stroll through this
remote mountain valley village, a World Heritage Site.
Spend
the final four days in Kanazawa, a rival to Kyoto with its unique Japanese traditional
arts and crafts, museums, Noh theater, castle, labyrinth of streets and its beautiful Kenroukuen Garden, one of the three most
famous gardens in Japan.
Tour cost
is $3200/person for a group of 7 or 8, $3500/person for a group of 4 to 6, plus RT airfare (approx. $1000 from PDX), and includes
double occupancy Japanese style accommodations, land transportation, guide and entrance fees and
breakfast and dinner while staying in Japanese inns.
Tour cost is based on an exchange rate of 80 Yen=$1.00.
Omicho Market, the "kitchen" of Kanazawa.
Kanazawa castle. Kanazawa was second in political and military power to Edo (Tokyo) during the Tokugawa period.
