This is amazing value for a destination such as Japan, as the price covers all of the following: 

• Return air fares with China Airlines from Sydney and Brisbane into Hiroshima and out of Narita (Tokyo).  Both flights go via Taipei.

• Accommodation in 3 to 4.5 star hotels with private facilities.  

• Many meals.  

• All transfers and transport.  

• A 10 day tour of Japan by coach and train.

• A 3 day tour of Taiwan.

• Entrance fees to many attractions.
  

• Services of Japanese and Taiwanese tour guides and if there are 14 or more participants, an Australian tour leader. 

This tour will visit Japan in early Spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. This is an opportunity to visit this beautiful country when it is at its best.

The program in Taiwan has many interesting features and this is a great opportunity to visit this fascinating yet seldom visited country.

If you don't have anyone to share with, but wish to travel at twin share rates, we will do our best to match you up with someone else in the same situation, but this is not guaranteed. For a single room there is an extra cost of $890.


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Tour Itinerary

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	Itinerary for Japan & Taiwan Cherry Blossom Tour
	Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner
22.03.11	Depart Sydney at 10.00pm on CI52, arriving in Taipei at 4.15am the next morning. Depart Brisbane at 11.15pm on CI 54, arriving in Taipei at 6.00am the next day.
23.03.11 (L)	Both flights will be met at the airport and be transferred separately to your hotel in central Taipei (the Sydney passengers will have their rooms reserved from the night before, so they can go straight in, and the Brisbane passengers will instead have a $50.00 per person twin share or $100 single room discount from the tour price.) About 9.00am depart the hotel for your Taipei tour. Take in Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Martyr's Shrine, Chinese Temple, National Museum, handicraft centre, and Changing of the Guards. Chiang Kai Shek played a large part in the relocation of the people from mainland China and memorials to him can be found throughout the island.  We then visit a Chinese temple. Because of the Japanese invasion, Taoists and Buddhists were forced to secretly meet in either domination's temples, and because of this temples found in Taiwan are somewhat different to those found in other countries.  The National Museum displays the history of the Taiwanese people and gives the visitor an understanding of their culture. Changing of the Guards is spell-binding as the young soldiers toss rifles with unsheathed bayonets to each other in exact precision as the old guards dismount their block and the new guard takes up that position. In the afternoon, there will be a visit to a handicraft centre.
24.03.11 (B,L,D)	Full day tour to the amazing Taroko Gorge.  Travel by express train to Hualien City then travel by coach to the gorge.  It is one of the largest canyons in the world, especially unique in that it is made of marble and is quite spectacular.  Return to Taipei by express train.
25.03.11 (B,L)	Late  morning depart by coach to Yehliu, an area of sandstone formation created by wind and sea.  Then on to the Junming Art Museum where you will view amazing sculptures from wood, stone and tin, all set in beautiful gardens.  After lunch transfer to Taipei airport, departing at 4.55pm on CI 112, arriving in Hiroshima at 8.05pm. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Accommodation:  Hotel New Hiroden.
26.03.11 (B,L)	Hiroshima & Miyajima Sightseeing Visit Itsukushima Shrine.  Miyajima Island is the popular name of Itsuku-shima Island situated in Miyajima Town in southwestern Hiroshima.  It is a scenic site in which the mountain, sea and red shrine buildings blend in harmony, and the entire island is designated as a historic site.  It is one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan, along with Matsushima in Miyagi and Ama-no-hashidate in Kyoto. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit Peace Memorial Park.  The Genbaku-dome (The Atomic Bomb Dome) is the symbol of Hiroshima, the city that advocates peace in the world.  It is located in Hiroshima and faces Hiroshima Bay in the Seto Inland Sea.  It was originally the Hiroshima Industrial Promotion Hall built in 1915.  While all structures vanished in the atomic bomb explosion, only this building miraculously remained standing.  It was August 6, 1945 when the first atomic bomb in history was dropped on Hiroshima. Accommodation:  Hotel New Hiroden.
27.03.11 (B,L)	Hiroshima/Kyoto After breakfast and baggage collection (your baggage will be transported separately to your hotel in Kyoto), leave the hotel and walk to Hiroshima Station with your guide. Depart Hiroshima by bullet train.  Lunch at a local restaurant. Sightseeing tour of Kyoto, visiting Heian Shrine, Sanjusangendo Hall and Kiyomizu Temple. Check in at the hotel. Accommodation:  Mitsu Garden Hotel
28.03.11 (B,L)	Kyoto and Nara Sightseeing After breakfast you will leave the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Kyoto and Nara. Visit Nijo Castle which was built in the early 17th century.   Ninomaru-goten, renovated in 1626, is renowned as a priceless example of the architectural style of that period.  You then visit the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto's most popular temple.  It is the home of perhaps the world's most authentic and exquisite Japanese Garden, as well as the celebrated Golden Pavilion. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. After lunch you will visit Todaiji Temple, the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is one of the world's largest wooden buildings.  One of Japan's best known temples, it enshrines a gigantic bronze statue of Buddha. Next you will visit a deer park where the deer roam freely, lending a pastoral atmosphere to the park.  Visitors may feed or pet them (special food is sold in the park grounds).  Then visit Kasuga Shrine before transferring back to your hotel. Accommodation: Mitsu Garden Hotel
29.03.11 (B,L)	Kobe Sightseeing Following breakfast at the hotel, leave for your sightseeing tour of Kobe.  Visit the Old Sake Breweries Museum.  The Nada area has many breweries.  There were three  reasons for the development of Sake brewing in the 18th century that made the name of Nada known throughout Japan.  One was the discovery of Miya-mizu, excellent quality water for making Sake; two, the production of rice of high quality, in ingredient in Sake; and three, a convenient location for transportation by sea. Lunch today will be at a local restaurant. Next, enjoy shopping in China Town.  Moto-machi is a lively town perfect for shopping, gourmet food and night spots in the centre of Kobe. Under Kobe Station is a maze of shopping streets and, above ground, a big shopping arcade. A unique event is the Shunsetsu-matsuri Festival at Nankin-machi, that celebrates Chinese New Year at the end of January or in early February.  Nankin-machi has many Asian shops and Asian restaurants.  Transfer back to your hotel. Accommodation:   Mitsu Garden Hotel.
30.03.11 (B)	Kyoto After breakfast in your hotel, you will visit a promenade called Path of Philosophers and take a short walking tour from Nanzenji Temple. The afternoon will be free for your own activities. Accommodation:  New Miyako Hotel
31.03.11 (B,L)	Kyoto/Tokyo After breakfast at your hotel, your baggage will be collected and transported separately to your hotel in Tokyo. Leave the hotel for Kyoto Station with your guide.   Depart Kyoto by bullet train. A Box lunch will be provided on board. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation:  Shiba Park Hotel.
01.04.11 (B,L)	Tokyo to Hakone Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and prepare for baggage collection.  Your baggage will be left at the Bell Captain's desk, and you will take your overnight bag with you for your Hakone stay. Leave the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Hakone. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on Lake Ashi aboard a sightseeing vessel. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Enjoy Hakone Ropeway and visit Owakundani Valley. Accommodation:  Hakone Hotel Kowakien.
02.04.11 (B)	Hakone to Tokyo After breakfast at your hotel, depart for your return trip to Tokyo.  Afternoon will be at leisure in Tokyo. Accommodation:  Shiba Park Hotel.
03.04.11 (B,L)	Tokyo Sightseeing This morning, after breakfast, you leave the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Tokyo. Visit Tokyo Tower, which is the world's tallest self supporting steel tower, opened in 1958.  Then experience the Tea Ceremony Shinjuku Gyoen.  Have lunch at a local restaurant followed by a drive through the National Diet Building. Next enjoy a Sumida River Cruise, a forty minute boat ride from Hinode Pier on Tokyo Bay to Asakusa.  The river was the most important waterway for the development to Tokyo. Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street.  The legend has it that fishermen brothers discovered an image of Kan'non (the goddess of mercy) in the Sumida River around 1370 years ago and they were inspired to enshrine it.  Its symbol is a large red paper lantern that bears the word 'Kaminari-mon', or a thunder gate.   Drive through Ginza then transfer back to your hotel. Accommodation: Shiba Park Hotel.
04.04.11 (B)	Narita Departure In the morning you will be transferred to Narita Airport, for your flight to Taipei.  Depart Narita on CI 107 at 9.40am, arriving in Taipei at 12.10pm. Upon arrival in Taipei, you will be met our the airport by our Taiwan tour guide and transferred to Taipei city. You will be taken to the Taipei 101, which was the world's largest building in 2004, with 101 floors. If you wish you can choose to take the elevator up to the observation deck (own expense) for an incredible view over Taipei. There is also a multi-level mall which adjoins the building to hundreds of fashionable stores, restaurants and clubs. In the mid afternoon you will be taken to Yangmingshan National Park to enjoy the natural hot springs. The springs are a milky colour with a temperature of about 55 degrees Celsius. If you wish you can choose to have a swim in the warm natural springs. In the evening you will be taken to Shilin Night Market for some last minute shopping. Afterwards, Brisbane passengers will be transferred to Taipei International Airport for your flight home. Brisbane passengers depart Taipei at 11.50pm on CI53, arriving in Brisbane at 10.25am the next day (05.04.11). Sydney passengers will be transferred to the Golden China Hotel for an overnight stay.
05.04.11 (B/D)	Today is at leisure. You will have a late 5pm checkout from the hotel. After dinner, you will be transferred to Taipei airport for your flight to Sydney. Sydney passengers depart Taipei at 11.55pm, arriving into Sydney at 11.05am the next day (06.04.11)

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Deposits and Payments:  A non-refundable deposit of $400.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable 8 weeks prior to departure.
Refunds and Cancellations:  Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.
Insurance:  Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired.
Passports:  All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia. No visas are required for Australian passport holders.
Basic Tour Price and Taxes:  Air taxes and fuel levies are included in the basic tour price.At present the taxes are $280, therefore, as air taxes and fuel surcharges change regularly the exact amount will be advised at time of final payment. Total tour cost may therefore change by a small amount.
Not  Included in the Cost:  All items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals, (except those specified in the itinerary), etc. Also travel insurance.
Health and Fitness:  Macleay Valley Travel recommends that the passenger is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in this tour. Persons with a disability requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a companion. Macleay Valley Travel and their representatives cannot provide this service. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.
Booking through other Agents:  As we keep the cost of out tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affairs (fair trading) department. Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.
Health and Fitness:   Macleay Valley Travel recommends that the passenger is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in this tour. Persons with a disability requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a companion. Macleay Valley Travel and their representatives cannot provide this service. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.
Limitation of Liability:  As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation & other services. Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents & neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.

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