2012 NEW YEARS CELEBRATION
Special Price - £1050pp - Small Group tour...

• Tokyo: (5 nights)
• Guided Tokyo tours
• Tokyo Bay Cruise
• New Years Eve Celebrations -Zojoji Temple
• Hatsumode New Years Day celebrations & tour

• Kyoto Tour Extension
• Bullet Train passing Mt Fuji
• Kyoto: (3 nights)
• Kyoto and Nara Full day tour

This special tour provides a great opportunity to visit Japan during the New Years festival period and countdown to 2012. Experience the unique customs and traditional ceremonies that are part of welcoming the New Year in Japan.

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1 Tokyo (29th December)
For customers travelling from the UK your flight will need to departure on the 28th December and you will arrive at Narita Airport in Tokyo on the 29th. Other countries departure dates may vary depending upon location.

Upon arriva in Tokyol, you are met by your tour assistant and transferred to your hotel for a 3 night stay. The rest of the day is at your leisure to adjust to the 9 hours time difference. Stay at Tokyo Prince Hotel (5 nights)

Day 2 Tokyo (30th December)
Today we enjoy a full day sight seeing tour of Tokyo by coach with our guide and we visit many of the main highlights of this magnificent City. Our tour includes a visit to the Tokyo Tower where you can enjoy panoramic views across the city from the observation tower. Next we visit the Imperial Palace Plaza, Asakusa Kannon temple and Nakamise shopping Arcade.

Later we take a Tokyo bay cruise along the picturesqe Sumida river which runs through Tokyo city centre and we then make a stop at Odaiba, a popular shopping and entertainment district on a man made island in Tokyo Bay. Afterward we driving accross the colourful Rainbow Bridge.

Day 3 Tokyo (31st December) - New Year Eve Celebrations
Enjoy Free time in Tokyo until the evening New Years Eve celebrations begins

The New Year eve countdown will be held at the Zojoji Temple, which is very close to your hotel (approximately 5 min walk). Usually over 3,000 people come to the temple every year to celebrate the New Year!

Walk to the temple with your guide and as Japanese tradition dictates, you will receive a piece of paper to write your wishes on and then attach it to a balloon. When the clock strikes 00:00, release your balloon into the sky!! Then join in the celibrations and wish everyone a Happy New Year!!!!

Day 4 Tokyo - (1st January)
On the 1st day of the new year our guide will meet you at your hotel and we will have a special half day tour which includes visiting the Meiji Jingu Shrine, travelling by local train.

The Japanese have a ritual of visiting a Shrine soon after New Year and this first Shrine visit of the new year is called Hatsumode.

Hatsumode involves making wishes for a brand new year! and is originally a very solemn event, different from the "New Year Parties" held in the west. Often Japanese wear full Kimono and the event at Meiji Jingu usually attracts over 3 million people over a three day period. However the number of people may exceed this this year due to the tragic events of 2011 and hopes for a better 2012. This is a great opportunity to experience this Japanese style of celebration and show welcomed support and encouragement to the Japanese people following their difficult previous year.

A common custom during hatsumode is to pick a written oracle called omikuji. The omikuji tells you how you will do in various areas in your life, such and business and love, for that year. If your omikuji predicts bad luck you can tie it onto a tree on the shrine grounds, in the hope that its prediction will not come true. Often a good-luck charm comes with the omikuji hat will summon good luck and money your way.

Later we visit Omotesando Street and enjoy 'Fukubukuro' window shopping. Fukubukuro is a Japanese new years custom where merchants make grab bags filled with unknown random contents and sell them for a substantial discount to hopefully attract customers to visit their shop in the coming year. Afterwards we return to the hotel around mid- afternoon and the rest of the day is free at your leisure.

Day 5 Tokyo (2nd January)
Free day in Tokyo to explore this exciting city at your leisure.

Day 6 Tokyo - Departure (3rd January)
Take the pre-arrange transfer to Narita Airport for your onward flight home.

Alternatively for those taking the 3 nights Kyoto Extension

Day 6: Tokyo - Kyoto (3rd January)

Free time to explore Tokyo until your transfer to Tokyo station by private car where you will have assistance boarding the Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Kyoto. Along the way you can get great views of Mt Fuji on clear days. Upon arrival take free shuttle bus to your hotel.

Accommodation at the excellent Rihga Royal hotel (3 nights). The rest of the day is free to explore Kyoto.

Day 7 Kyoto - (4th January)
Day free at Leisure to explore the fascinating city of Kyoto or purchase an optional afternoon tour to the colourful Heian Shrine and inner garden and ponds, Sanjusangendo Hall, a renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues that date back to the 13th century and magnificent Kiyomizu Temple with spectacular views across the entire city. (This highly recommended afternoon tour can be prearranged at time of booking).

Day 8 Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto (Includes Lunch) - (5th January)
Full day sight-seeing tour of Kyoto & Nara including a visit to the Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion) centred around one of the best examples of a Japanese Zen garden in the world.Then to Nijo Castle, residence of the Tokugawa Shogun. Built in 1603, Nijo Castle is noted for its Ornate interior and 'nightingale floor' designed to sing when stepped upon to warn of Ninja assassins. We then travel to the Old Kyoto Imperial Palace. Finally we explore the Kyoto Handicraft Center where we enjoy demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts.

Buffet lunch is provided at the Kyoto handicraft centre. Afterwards we travel to the ancient capital of Japan, Nara. Our tour includes a visit to Todaiji Temple, one of the world's largest wooden buildings housing the Great Buddha. We proceed to the Kasuga Shinto Shrine the most famous and beautiful Shinto shrine in Nara with 3,000 antique stone and bronze lanterns. Finally we explore Nara Deer Park with more than 1,000 deer roaming freely around the 1,250 acres park. Return to your hotel in Kyoto (includes: Lunch).

Day 9 Osaka to UK - (6th January)
You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the futuristic Kansai International Airport in Osaka for your departure. Arriving UK later the same day.

Group Departure Dates & Prices 2010 & 2011 (£)

Reference	Arrival Date	Land Only (twin share)
Tokyo (6 days)	29th December	£1050
Kyoto Extension (9 days total)	29th December	£595

Price Includes (The prices shown above are 'per person')

• Airport/hotel transfers.
• Small group tour with professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Selections of quality accommodation in well furnished hotel rooms with private facilities.
• Tokyo Prince Hotel and Rihga Royal hotel in Kyoto (Kyoto extension only)
• Meals as specified in the itinerary. (Lunch day 9)

Price Does Not Include

• International Flights
• Optional tours.
• Travel Insurance.

Why choose to travel with Magical Japan?
From the moment you talk to our travel consultants, who have all travelled extensively in Japan, our experience ensures you will have a magical holiday. There are no additional entrance fees or transportation costs on any sightseeing tours that are already listed in our programme. Your tours are with officially qualified professional English speaking tour guides. The tour itineraries are regularly checked and provide an ideal length of time to show you the sights, with free time to explore according to your own interests. Our tour is arranged on a small group basis maximum 10 people per group, as we feel this gives our travellers more flexibility and enjoyment.

Flights As agents of many airline consolidators, we can obtain flights in various classes with reputable airlines such as ANA, BA, Virgin, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair etc. We will book airline tickets according to availability unless you specify at the booking stage. We can also provide land-only tours if you prefer to organise your own flights and save airmiles. For the cheapest deal we recommend you book your international flights at time of booking, as this can save you £££s off your final holiday price.

Your Meals: Meals are as stated in the itinerary. Breakfast at hotels can be booked in advance or whilst in Japan. Alternatively, there are many places around the hotels where you can buy good value meals.

Other details of our tour arrangements Upon arrival at Tokyo Airport, you will be met by one of our assistants and directed to the limousine bus terminal. For each day of your itinerary (excluding free time), you will be met by English speaking guides at your hotel for escorted small group tours.

Suitable for travellers of all ages. Add on tours and city extension available, for details visit optional tours page. This tour is Guaranteed departure from 6 people. In the unlikely situation where the number is less, we will offer you alternative arrangements.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information available. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.