From your base in Tokyo, you will visit some of the most impressive sights of Japan, including various ancient temples as well as some of its modern and natural wonders. Discover Tokyo’s fascinating Shogun history or Japan’s rich tradition of art at superb museums, stroll through beautiful gardens and during your leisure time, perhaps take in the high-energy atmosphere of Ginza, Tokyo’s premier shopping and entertainment district.
DAY 1
Upon disembarkation in either Tokyo or Yokohama you will be met by your guide at the port and begin your tour of Tokyo.
Visit the beautiful Rikugien Gardens often considered one of Tokyo's most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens. Built in 1700, its name literally means "six poems garden" and reproduces in miniature 88 scenes from famous poems. This excellent example of an Edo Period strolling garden features, a large central pond surrounded by man-made hills and forested areas, all connected by a network of trails.
Continue to the Tokyo National Museum established 1872, it is the oldest and largest of Japan's top-level national museums. The museum features one of the largest and best collections of art and archeological artifacts in Japan, made up of over 100,000 individual items including nearly a hundred national treasures.
After your museum visit, head to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, enjoy some free time to explore the nearby Ameyoko Shopping Street. Featuring over 400 stores along a 500m strip, Ameyoko offers an insight in local fare and overall local life before continuing to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at your leisure with dinner on your own.
NOTE: In general, hotel rooms in Japan are smaller than hotel rooms elsewhere around the world. Per Japanese culture, standard typical bedding is two twin beds. Although every effort will be made to obtain rooms with one bed for couples, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you require two beds, kindly make sure to advise this when booking your program.
DAY 2
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will set out on a half-day tour of Tokyo, allowing you to see the city from a unique perspective than the day prior.
Visit Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, an Edo Period Japanese garden originally built at the residence of the Mito branch of the ruling Tokugawa family. The garden was named Korakuen after a poem encouraging a ruler to enjoy pleasure only after achieving happiness for his people. Koishikawa Korakuen and Hama-rikyu are the only metropolitan gardens that have been designated both as a special historic sites and special scenic spots.
Continue to the Tsukiji Outer Market adjacent to the site of the former Tsukiji Wholesale Market. It consists of a few blocks of wholesale and retail shops, as well as restaurants crowded along narrow lanes. ‘Be a local’ and perhaps combine your visit with a lunch of fresh sushi in one of the best places in Tokyo to enjoy fresh seafood!
It is then on to the Ginza Area one of the most luxurious shopping districts in the world – it is the complete opposite of the Tsukiji Outer Market. The streets in Ginza are lined with numerous departments stores, boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Enjoy free time to browse, shop or perhaps visit some of the free galleries.
Upon returning to your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 3
After breakfast set out for Zojoji Temple which stands next to the Tokyo Tower making it a popular photo spot. This was once the official temple of the Tokugawa family which ruled Japan for centuries. The family mausoleum is located at the back of the complex and contains the tombs of six Tokugawa shogun. The main entrance gate, Sangedatsumon dates back to 1622 and have survived numerous fires, earthquakes and wars.
Crossing over the famed Rainbow Bridge, continue to the futuristic manmade islands of Odaiba to visit the National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation home of some of Japan’s cutting-edge robotics. Also known as Miraikan, this extremely interactive museum allows visitors to experience the technological progress of today, from simple day-to-day questions to the latest technologies. Enjoy hands-on exhibits about environmental issues, humanoid robots, information technology, biology, and space exploration.
On the scenic drive back to the hotel, pass through the Shibuya area, one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts - its streets are the birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends. Witness the world- famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, with as many as 3,000 people crossing at a time.
Upon returning to your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 4
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out and transferring to either Narita or the Haneda International Airports.
Your transfer time will be based on the flight details provided and relayed while you are on the program. Should you have a late departing flight, luggage storage will be available at the hotel. Guests must vacate rooms by 12:00pm at the latest.
NOTE:
The day of the visit to the Miraikan Museum varies as the museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
9:00am Disembark the ship in Tokyo or Yokohama
Half day tour including: Rikugien Gardens, Tokyo National Museum & Ameyoko Shopping Street
Lunch at a local restaurant
3:30pm Drive to your hotel
4:00pm Arrive at your hotel and check-in
Dinner on your own
Overnight at the Tokyo Hilton or similar hotel
Day 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Half day tour including: Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Tsukiji Outer Market & Ginza Area
1:00pm Return to your hotel
Afternoon at your leisure with lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight at the Tokyo Hilton or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Half day tour including: Zojoji Temple, Miraikan Museum & Shibuya scramble-crossing drive-thru
1:00pm Return to your hotel
Afternoon at your leisure with lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight at the Tokyo Hilton or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at your hotel
12:00pm Check-out time at the hotel
TBA Transfer to either the Narita or Haneda International Airports based on your flight time
Luggage storage available at the hotel should you have a late flight
Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected weather:
The average high in March in Tokyo is 9 C (48 F)
The average high in April in Tokyo is 14 C (57 F)
The average high in June in Tokyo is 21 C (70 F)
The average high in October in Tokyo is 18 C (64 F)
What to bring:
A warm jacket or sweater for cooler days and evenings, an umbrella, warm gloves for cooler months and comfortable walking shoes.
Local currency:
Japanese yen
USD are not widely accepted therefore you will need to change your money into local currency
Electricity:
100 volts. We recommend bringing your own travel adaptor for electronic devices
Documents and visa requirements:
Valid passports are required to embark the ship.
Please consult your local Japanese embassy for visa requirements for your nationality
Hotel Information:
Hilton Tokyo
6 Chome-6-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
Phone: +81 3-3344-5111
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If a similar hotel is required, it will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•3 nights in a standard double room at the Hilton Tokyo (or similar hotel)
•3 breakfasts, 1 lunch
•Tours and entrances as listed in the itinerary with Local English-speaking guide
•Transfers
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Meals and beverages other than stated as included
•Gratuities to drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
