The way of the samurai, known as bushido, has fascinated westerners for hundreds of years. In this very special tour, we travel through Japan focusing on the era of the samurai, with introductions to the castles, battlefields, customs and mystique of the samurai. Visits to a range of original, reconstructed and castle ruins offer a glimpse into the lifestyle of the ruling class of the samurai. Attending a battle re-enactment of the battle of Nagashino serves as a template for discussions of the important battles that delineated the epoch periods of Japanese history. Introductions into the ancient craft of swordmaking, along with special sessions with sword masters allow you to come to a greater understanding of the importance of the sword in Japanese culture. This is an upscale tour of one of Japan’s major historical threads, the way of the samurai that is woven into the very fabric of Japanese culture.

• Visits to Castles and Castle Sites: Kanazawa, Nagoya, Hikone, Nijo, and Himeji
• Kanazawa samurai houses and introduction to a renowned tsuba collector
• Nagashino Festival, commemorating the Battle of Nagashino
• Battlefield visits to the site of the Battle of Sekigahara
• Private visits with experts on the Japanese sword, sword-making and sword collecting.
• A stay at a deluxe Japanese onsen ryokan with a full kaiseki meal
• A private dinner in a converted samurai house accompanied by a special performance of shakuhachi music

April 30 Friday

Depart USA by individually arranged flights.

May 1 Saturday Tokyo

Your flight arrives at Narita International Airport, where you will transfer by airport Limousine Bus to Tokyo and to your hotel. You will have the evening free to relax, unpack and rest up for tomorrow.

Accommodations: Royal Park Shiodome
Meals: none

 May 2 Sunday Tokyo

Spend the day with our British National Museum expert on Japanese Swords. He will lead us through a thorough introduction into the centuries-old world of the katana, and all that is involved in the production and maintenance of the blades used by samurai. Following an overview at the Tokyo Museum collection, we’ll have a private tour of the Tokyo Sword museum and then a special visit with one of the many artisans that it takes to craft these amazing pieces. Tonight we'll have a welcome dinner and sake tasting.

Accommodations: Royal Park Shiodome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

May 3 Monday Tokyo

Today begins with more time with our in-depth introduction into the katana and will include a special visit and then time at the Japan Sword store. We end our day with a visit to Sengakuji, burial site of Lord Asano and the 47 Ronin who defended his honor after he was forced to commit seppuku , commemorated in the classic tale Chushingura. The Sengakuji is still a popular spot in Tokyo and a place for modern admirers of what many feel were the finest examples of samurai loyalty to emerge from the Edo Period. We'll then head to the Tokyo Sword Museum for a private tour of their collection and then have optional time at the Japan Sword Store with our expert. Afterwards, have some free time on your own in Tokyo.

Accommodations: Royal Park Shiodome
Meals: Breakfast

May 4 Tuesday Tokyo to Nagoya

We’ll depart Tokyo via train to Nagoya for an in-depth tour of Nagoya castle (reconstructed in 1959 and now a museum of feudal history), where Tokugawa’s son Yoshinao ruled over the Owari area. This castle is most famous for its two golden shachihoko on the top of the donjon.

Accommodations: Nagoya Marriott Associa
Meals: Breakfast

May 5 Wednesday Nagashino

Today we venture out from Nagoya to participate in and enjoy the annual Nagashino festival, commemorating the Kassen (decisive battle) of Nagashino, which ushered in the Sengoku period. The protagonists in this epoch-making encounter during the Warring States Period were the 38,000 soldiers of an alliance between two of the unifying fathers of modern Japan, Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, against a force of some 15,000 troops under the command of Takeda Katsuyori. The battle is known for the effective first use of guns in Japan and delivered a crushing blow to Takeda’s cavalry. Nobori (16th-century-style battle banners) mark the way to the vibrant arena where the festival take s place. There are gunnery demonstrations, a procession of festival participants in period costume, demonstrations of swordsmanship, taiko-drumming, harquebus and matchlock rifle firing. Afterwards, we’ll retire to a nearby inn for dinner.

Accommodations: Nagoya Marriott Associa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

May 6 Thursday Nagoya to Kaga Onsen

Our bus today will take us to Kaga Onsen via a stop at Sekigahara . The battle of Sekigahara marked the end of the Sengoku period and saw the forces of Ishida Mitsunari square off against Tokugawa Ieyasu. A visit to the battlefield site will allow you to walk through the campsites, battle sites and areas where each stage of the encounter took place. Tonight, we will be staying at a typical Japanese ryokan, where we will experience Japanese style rooms with tatami mats and sleeping on futons on the floor, Japanese onsen (hot spring) baths and a special multi-course Kaiseki dinner while robed in the yukata provided by the inn. We’ll arrive early so you can take full advantage of the experience and have an opportunity to explore the walking trail following the perimeter of nearby Kakusen Gorge.

Accommodations: Kayoutei Ryokan
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

May 7 Friday Kaga Onsen to Kanazawa

From 1583 to the end of the Edo Period, Kanazawa Castle was the seat of the powerful Maeda Clan, lords of Kaga, a feudal domain ranking second only to the Tokugawa possessions in terms of size and rice production. Today we take a short train ride to Kanazawa where we will visit Kanazawa castle, go to Myoryuji (Ninja Temple) with its trap doors and hidden passages, and then take a walk through the historic samurai district. We end our touring day with a visit to the owner of a ryokan which houses an amazing collection of tsuba from all periods of Japanese sword making. After this introduction you can dine on your own before retiring to our western style hotel for the night.

Accommodations: Excel Tokyu Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

May 8 Saturday  Kanazawa to Kyoto

Today we train to Kyoto with a stop to explore Hikone Castle. Rule of the surrounding area was given to Ii Naomasa after the Battle of Sekigahara and the new castle was completed in 1615 by Naomasa’s son, Naotaka. Upon arrival in Kyoto we’ll check into our hotel and explore the immediate area.

Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Kyoto Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

May 9 Sunday Kyoto

Today we’ll thoroughly explore Nijo Castle, best known for its “nightingale floors”, designed to warn those inside of the approach of threats or friends. You may make a stop at the Japanese sword store across from the Castle while taking your lunch. Then it’s on to a special visit to a master of one of the samurai arts, who will educate us on both the art and spirit of the samurai. We’ll end the day with dinner in a converted samurai house, accompanied by a private shakuhachi flute performance.

Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Kyoto Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

May 10 Monday Kyoto

This morning we will head to Daitoku-ji for a private tea ceremony. Tea was a central form of relaxation, concentration and peace-making for the samurai, and Daitoku-ji was an important place for its practice. The rest of the afternoon is on your own to explore Kyoto with advice from our tour leader.

Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Kyoto Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

May 11 Tuesday Himeji and Takeda

Today we head out of Kyoto by train to explore Himeji, considered the most spectacular example of a Japanese castle in existence. Himeji-jo is the only castle in Japan where you can really get a feeling for what castles were like in the Sengoku period. (Please note that Himeji will be under renovation during 2010.) Toyotomi Hideyoshi first built a small donjon on this site for his campaigns in western Japan from 1577-1580. You can still see some of the remnants of Hideyoshi's castle in Himeji castle as Ikeda incorporated some of the stone walls into his castle. Ikeda Terumasa, an ally of Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Battle of Sekigahara, was awarded this province (Harima) for his alliance during the war. Ikeda Terumasa built the donjon of Himeji-jo and erected the castle as it is known today. Himeji-jo's nickname Shirasagi-jo means " White Heron Castle" because the main donjon with its three smaller donjon resembles a white heron. After a thorough exploration of Himeji, you can choose to head on to Takeda, for a visit to the castle ruins of Takeda Castle, which was built by Ohtagaki Mitsukage, a retainer of Yamana Sozen, lord of the area, in 1441. We’ll head back to Kyoto for a farewell dinner.

Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Kyoto Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

May 12 Wednesday Depart for U.S

Transfers from Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport will be arranged to coincide with your flight departures.

Meals: Breakfast

You may wish to extend your tour in Japan. We will provide reservations at the group hotel in Kyoto and sightseeing itineraries of Kyoto and Tokyo at no extra charge. For those wishing additional services from us, including hotel reservations, local guides, custom itineraries and transportation arrangements, please discuss possibilities and fees with our custom travel department.

Estimated Price:

$6250 for a group of 12 participants. There may be a small group surcharge if the final group is smaller.

Tour Price Includes:

11 nights accommodations* based on Twin occupancy as described or similar.

Daily breakfast and additional meals as indicated, including a mix of lunches and dinners.

A full program of informative commentary by an Esprit tour leader fluent in Japanese.

Airport transfers and train tickets in ordinary class.
Daily touring, including admissions and local transport.

A single supplement will apply.

The itinerary will be finalized approximately 30 days prior to departure and is subject to change at any time. Price may be adjusted for currency fluctuation at final payment.

For registration information and Terms and Conditions, call 800-377-7481, or email info@esprittravel.com.

Note:

Each tour is designed to allow us to include as many special events, personal visits with artisans, seasonal festivals, and performances as possible. Actual visits and events will be finalized approximately 30 days prior to departure to allow for the inclusion of special exhibitions, visits and events, and are dependent on the schedules of our Japanese colleagues. A final itinerary will be sent to you about two weeks prior to tour departure.