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Option A - Tour Dates for tour commencing February 4th 2005
Study Component Schedule
|
Study Length
|
Arrival*
|
Commence
|
Holidays**
|
End Studies
|
|
10 weeks
|
NOV/23-24
|
NOV/25
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DEC/23, DEC/31-JAN/03, JAN/10
|
FEB/04
|
|
8 weeks
|
DEC/09-10
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DEC/09
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DEC/23, DEC/31-JAN/03, JAN/10
|
FEB/04
|
|
6 weeks
|
DEC/20-21
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DEC/22
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DEC/31-JAN/03, JAN/10
|
FEB/04
|
|
4 weeks
|
JAN/04-05
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JAN/06
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JAN/10
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FEB/04
|
|
2 weeks
|
JAN/18-19
|
JAN/20
|
x
|
FEB/04
|
*Arrival - there is a free 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)
|
Day
|
Date
|
Destination(s) - Click for info
|
Depart+
|
Return+
|
Lunch+
|
|
1
|
FEB/04
|
We begin our tour flying from Nagoya to Hakodate and complete the hotel transfer.
We visit Fort Goryokaku and the shiryokan, take the ropeway to the top of Mount Hakodate for the spectacular views,
visit the Kanemori historic area and the Hakodate Beer Hall.
|
0800
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
2
|
FEB/05
|
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. 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
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
3
|
FEB/06
|
We travel by train to Sapporo and complete the transfer to our hotel.
Our first destination is the Odori Koen site of the Sapporo Snow Festival, visiting Sapporo Tower en route, before we head to
Susukino for the ice carvings and Ramen Yokocho.
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
4
|
FEB/07
|
Today we visit the massive snow sculptures at the Makomanai site, as well as some of Sapporo's
major attractions including the historic Sapporo Clock tower, Aka Renga and the Hoheikan in Nakajima-koen. In the evening we
will enjoy barbecuing lamb and seafood at Sapporo Beer.
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
5
|
FEB/08
|
We are heading to the Hokkaido Historical Village and Museum, where you can learn 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). From here we
head 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.
In the evening, we are heading to Susukino to enjoy the nightlife.
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
6
|
FEB/09
|
Skiing/Snowboarding
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
7
|
FEB/10
|
Jozankei Onsen
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
8
|
FEB/11
|
TBA
|
N/A
|
TBA
|
No
|
|
9
|
FEB/12
|
In Nagano City our first destination is the famous Zenkouji, one of the major pilgrimage centers in Japan and home to the "Key to Paradise". From Nagano City we'll head to Jigokudani Onsen and fascinating
Yudanaka Snow Monkeys - enjoying the walk through the snowy forest on the way. The rest of the day and evening is at the large Shiga Kohgen ski resort - site of several of the 1998 Winter Olympic events including the snow boarding. Night skiing or snowboarding is also available - with ski/snowboard rental all included.
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
10
|
FEB/13
|
In the morning we leave Shiga Kohgen and head for the historic castle town of
Matsushiro where we enter the Sanada residence and the incredible underground
WWII Imperial Headquarters carved out of the rocks beneath the mountains by forced labour (primarily Koreans who endured severe hardships) during the 10 months leading up to Japan's unconditional surrender in August 1945. We still do not know how many people died digging the headquarters, and during the long walk through the underground tunnels its hard to come to grips with how many more lives would have been lost had the war continued. From Matsushiro we move to
Matsumoto, an old but prosperous town centered on
Matsumoto Castle - one of the few castles in Japan designated a national treasure. In addition to the castle we'll visit the old
Kyuu Kaichi school, and if time permits drop (or if you and the group decide to switch
Kyuu Kaichi to
JUM for art's sake) the magnificent
Japan Ukiyoe Museum, which houses the Sakai Collection of ukiyoe works. |
N/A
|
2030
|
No
|
|
11
|
FEB/14
|
Northern Alps - Oku-Hida Onsen area
|
0730
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
12
|
FEB/15
|
Takayama and Shirakawa-go areas.
|
N/A
|
2030
|
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, where evening meal/Breakfast is always included.
TBA = "To Be Announced" - usually refers to destinations where bookings cannot be confirmed until closer to the tour.
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
