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Option A - Tour Dates for tour commencing February 9th 2007
Study Component Schedule (This option can also be combined with
HCJS studies in Sapporo - ask for details)
|
Study Length
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Arrival*
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Commence
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Holidays**
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End Studies
|
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10 weeks
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NOV/21-22
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NOV/23
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DEC/01, JAN/01-03, JAN/08
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FEB/08
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8 weeks
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DEC/05-06
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DEC/07
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JAN/01-03, JAN/08
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FEB/08
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6 weeks
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DEC/19-20
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DEC/21
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JAN/01-03, JAN/08
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FEB/08
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4 weeks
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JAN/09-10
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JAN/11
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N/A
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FEB/08
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2 weeks
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JAN/23-24
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JAN/25
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N/A
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FEB/08
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*Arrival - there is a Nagoya airport pickup on the days indicated.
**Public/Institute holidays affecting classes are listed here in full.
Proposed Schedule (this may change, please refer to notes below)
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Day
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Date
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Destination(s) - Click for info
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Depart+
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Return+
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Lunch+
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1
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FEB/09
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The tour begins with ACJS students flying from Nagoya to
Sapporo with guide, transferring to our accommodations and then enjoying the
Sapporo Snow Festival. Today we will
mostly be in the Odori Koen area, and will meet up with the other members of our party from the
HCJS, and then check into our accommodation. This will be our base during the tour.
In the evening we will explore Susukino,
the largest and liveliest nightlife area north of Tokyo, home of thes best ramen in Japan and venue for the ice carving
competition.
.
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0800
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N/A
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No
|
|
2
|
FEB/10
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Sapporo. Today we cover the Satorando site of the
Snow Festival, then head for the
Hokkaido Historical Village and Museum, where you can learn about some of the background behind
the colonization of the island by the Japanese during the Meiji Period. The village itself is interesting, a Hokkaido snow covered version of
the "meiji mura" in Gifu, and its possible to see the village by horse drawn sleigh or on cross country skis (free). We will be
in the Nakayama Park area in the evening, enjoying the night scenery from Mount Moiwa.
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N/A
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N/A
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No
|
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3
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FEB/11
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Skiing/Snowboarding: We hit the slopes at Sapporo Teine.
Ski/Board rental, lift passes and lessons (if required) are included.
If you require snow wear, please contact the International Office after arriving in Okazaki.
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N/A
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N/A
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No
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4
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FEB/12
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Today is the final day of the Snow Festival, so after checking out some of the events we will
head to Otaru. After exploring the canal area we will take the train to the Otaru Beer craft brewery, easily the best
quality beer in Japan, see the brewing process and then sample the products. The tour is usually conducted by the
master brewer. We then return to the party atmosphere of Odori
Koen during the closing of the festival. There is free time for shopping & exploring in the evening.
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N/A
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N/A
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No
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5
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FEB/13
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We leave Sapporo and drive to Noboribetsu, see Hokkaido Brown Bears and Hell's Valley, visit
Lake Toya and the active volcano Showa-shinzan. This is an area with a lot of thermal activity, so if the snow is heavy we
will find an onsen or two. We head to Niseko ski resort in the evening and stay in hotel accommodation.
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N/A
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N/A
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No
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6
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FEB/14
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Niseko. A full day of skiing & snowboarding in Niseko, one of the top ski resorts in
Hokkaido. This is the best time of year for snow conditions. Ski/Board rental, lift passes and lessons (if required)
are included. Hotel Accommodation.
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N/A
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N/A
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No
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7
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FEB/15
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Niseko. If you are particularly keen (and not in too much pain from the exertions of
the previous day), there will be time for more skiing or snowboarding. Those who prefer something more sedate have the
option of exploring the shops of Niseko's Hirafu village. In the afternoon we head back towards Sapporo, stopping to enjoy
outdoor onsens along the way.
|
N/A
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N/A
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No
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8
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FEB/16
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Recovery day in Sapporo. We will start with a visit to the
Okurayama Ski Jump, with its brilliant views over Sapporo and the Winter Sports Musuem - enjoy riding a bobsleigh, try
your reflexes as a hockey goalkeeper, or simulate flying off the 90 meter jump! There are many exhibits and attractions to
enjoy. From here we will spend a lazy afternoon of people watching while we tour Sapporo Beer, and then enter the "all you can eat"
festivities involving "Genghis Khan" and the Sapporo Beer Hall. This is usually followed by the traditional post beer hall
Yamasa snow fight. It has become a Japan Discovery Tour tradition that you get bonus points if your snowballs hit the guide.
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N/A
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TBA
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No
|
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9
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FEB/17
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By train to Hakodate.
We visit historic Fort Goryokaku and the shiryokan, take the ropeway to the top of
Mount Hakodate for the spectacular views of the night scenery,
visit the Kanemori historic area and the Hakodate Beer Hall.
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0700
|
N/A
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No
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10
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FEB/18
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We drive through southern Hokkaido up to Onuma National Park and return via the coast road,
stopping to visit the geyser and sightseeing.
After dinner, the remainder of the evening is free time to either go out and see a few more
sites, shopping, or enjoy the hotel's heated swimming pool or beautiful bar.
|
N/A
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2030
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No
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11
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FEB/19
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Today begins with an optional tour to the Hakodate morning market (those who prefer to sleep in can join us for breakfast), before heading to the Motomachi District
where we will visit the Old Public Hall, Old British Consulate, Old Russian Consulate, the Russian Orthodox Church and Motomachi Catholic Church and
The Museum of Northern Peoples. Return to Sapporo. Some free time in afternoon, evening.
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0730
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N/A
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No
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12
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FEB/20
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Check out of accommodations, then a leisurely lunch (included). Airport transfers (in Sapporo and Nagoya) are included.
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N/A
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1700
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Yes
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+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
