The IRT Society's Best-Loved Railway Journeys 2018 - 35

Laurence Krieg

Mark Fraze

tHe itinerary

Mark Fraze

tHe tour

Picture yourself enjoying pretrip canapés and drinks in the
Seven Stars' beautiful private
waiting room in Fukuoka's
Hakata Station. Suddenly, the
President of JR Kyushu drops by
to greet you. (This happened
to one group of our travelers!)
Imagine boarding this spectacular train, the first luxury sleeper
train in Japan. As you pull out
of the station, dozens of locals
wave flags of the U.S. and other
nations. What a send-off!
This train astounded IRT
guests in 2016 - its first Western group.
We are honored to present
our IRT Japan tour, featuring
the Cruise Train Seven Stars in
Kyushu.
We've designed this stellar
Japan tour with one of our fine
Virtuoso partners for guests
wishing to travel privately or
with a small group of friends.
If you've visited Japan before,
but want to return to sample
its unique charms as well as its
little-known-but incredible-
places, this tour is for you.

Day 1: Tokyo
Private airport transfer from
either international airport. The
famed Peninsula is our hotel for
the next two nights.
Day 2: Tokyo
This morning, meet your guide
and visit the Imperial Palace's
beautiful East Gardens and Fukagawa Fudo temple, followed
by a peek at the "Akihabara
scene," a fascinating window
into the parallel universe of Japan's geek-youth culture. Then
meet and speak with retired
sumo wrestlers, and visit Meiji
Shrine, historic Asakusa district
and Nakamise Shopping Street.
Day 3: Kanazawa
This morning, catch the new
Shinkansen (bullet train) to
Kanazawa, traveling to the west
coast of Japan. Enjoy a walking
tour of Kenrokuen garden, one
of the finest in Japan, a Kanazawa castle tour and gold leaf
workshop-to make your own
pair of golden chopsticks. Other
gems: a restored samurai house
and tiny garden. Next two overnights at the Nikko Hotel.
Day 4: Kanazawa
Enjoy a full day touring in

Mark Fraze

JNTO

Kanazawa, with visits to its
contemporary art museum, the
Higashi district's quaint streets
and narrow alleyways, and an
exquisite 19th-century chaya, or
teahouse. Kanazawa is remarkable for its architecture and
gardens, and also for its samurai
and geisha cultures.
Day 5: Bullet Train to Kyoto
Now the focus shifts to Kyoto,
hub of traditional Japanese culture. Begin with morning ride
on bullet train to Kyoto. Today's
activities include visits to the
railway museum, the grand
Kiyomizu-dera temple and a
private tea ceremony. Next two
vernights at Westin Miyako.
Day 6: Kyoto
Today enjoy spectacular Silver
and Golden Pavilions, the beautiful, tree-lined Philosopher's
Walk, the famed Daimaru Food
Floor (one of Japan's best food
stores), traditional Japanese tea
ceremony and - a real treat
- special meeting with one of
Kyoto's famous geishas.
Day 7: Eastern Kyoto
Mountains
Today, finish your Kyoto stay
with visit to beautiful Arashiyama district with its Bamboo
Forest, one of the most famous

in all of Japan. See Tenryū-ji
Temple and Sanjusangendo, a
towering pavilion from olden
times. Finish with a scenic ride
on Sagano Romantic Train.
Day 8: Kyoto - Kurashiki
Morning train to Kurashiki. It's
called the "Bruges of Japan"
because of its charm, canals,
stone bridges, weeping willows
and winding streets. We will see
the world-class Ohara Museum
of Art, which houses many
Western masterpieces as well as
modern Japanese works.
Overnight Kurashiki Ryokan.
Day 9: Fukuoka
This morning, three-hour train
to Fukuoka, on Japan's southernmost island, Kyushu. This is a
lively and surprising city. Enjoy
the extensive shopping and
dining opportunities. Or relax
with a stroll along the seaside
boardwalk. Overnight at Hotel
Nikko Fukuoka.
Day 10: Seven Stars Train
Enjoy your morning before
you transfer to Hakata Station.
There, the staff of the luxurious
Cruise Train Seven Stars in Kyushu
will welcome you to the beautiful Seven Stars' Kensei (Venus)
private lounge in the station.
Relax and nibble delectable

Visit our website for dates, prices,FOR
moreDATES,
tours * www
PRICES:
.irtsociety.com
WWW.IRTSOCIETY.COM
* (800) 478-4881, u.s. &*canada;
(800) (502)
478-4881
897-1725,*elsewhere
TOURDESK@IRTSOCIETY.COM
* tourdesk@irtsociety.com

|| 35
https://www.irtsociety.com/journey/deluxe-japan-rail-journey-kyushu-seven-stars/
The IRT Society's Best-Loved Railway Journeys 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The IRT Society's Best-Loved Railway Journeys 2018
