| Discovery Index | Search
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Day
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Date
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Destination(s)/Notes
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Depart+
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Return+
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Lunch+
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1
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August 8th
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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.
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0815
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N/A
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No
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2
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August 9th
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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 Japanese beer garden and BBQ we have planned.
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N/A
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1530
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No
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3
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August 10th
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Day trip: Leg and other muscles will be sore today, so the schedule today involves relaxing,
cold mountain streams, sitting back as you enjoy good food and drink and the sounds of the forest. We start the day with a
visit to
Tenonji temple - built by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu late in the 14th century. This temple contains a unique
structure - the main hall. If the thought occurs to you that it looks similar in terms of architecture to Kinkaku-ji in
Kyoto (the golden pavilion, also built around by Yoshimitsu) it is because this hall is an original. Kinkaku-ji, rebuilt in the
1950's is an exact replica of this remote country temple. We plan to spend the rest of the day kicking back at
Otogawa Yana, one of the most interesting ways to fish.
Fishing for Ayu (a small sweet trout) is a popular summer pastime in Japan and a good example of a Japanese traditional
fishing method. The cool river water is funneled by stone and wood barriers so that it
passes over a small weir, and the ayu fish washed over the weir are trapped by a bamboo raft - you just pick them up by hand,
take them to your BBQ, grill them and reach for another cold beer or soft drink. Please bring a towel if you would like to go for a swim.
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0930
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1700
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Yes
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4
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August 11th
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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
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.
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0730
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N/A
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No
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5
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August 12th
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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.
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N/A
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1830
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Yes
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C O M M U N I T Y M E M B E R S
