In a volcanic Island chain, surrounded by an ocean, the Japanese built their cultural and national identity. The transition from being open to the world to being closed to it has shaped Japan‘s unique character. And even today, modern and technological Japan remains rigid and reserved, and it zealously preserves its unique tradition. A visit to Japan is an encounter with many contrasts almost everywhere; ancient temples alongside modern skyscrapers, fancy gardens and hi-tech gadgets, old samurai castles located in vibrant, modern cities.
READ MOREJapan is a western society that stands firmly in the east. Our tour includes Tokyo with its skyscrapers, wooden houses and traditional gardens, and the natural reserve Nikko with its abundance of temples – both Shinto and Buddhist. At Hakone, located on the edge of a volcanic lake, we can soak in a typical Japanese Onsen. Kyoto – Japan‘s imperial capital for over 1,000 years, and Takayama – ancient cultural center of the Japanese Alps. The Land of the Rising Sun brings us calm at dawn, hustle and bustle at midday, and placidity at night. Yokoso!
Close thisArrival to Tokyo airport (NRT), meet and greet, transfer to the hotel (A short time to freshen up), and then we’ll go out together, Dinner at Chabad Japan.
Today we’ll begin with a visit to Tokyo’s famous Toyosu fish market, where about 2000 tons of different species from the sea are sold every day. We will continue to visit Team Lab Borderless, the world’s first digital art museum. We will continue to take a cruise on Sumida River, and we will visit the Buddhist temple of Asakusa Kannon – the most important in Tokyo.
READ MOREThe entire complex as well as the lane leading to the temple is packed with stands selling a variety of typical Japanese items, and it is a fascinating experience to be among Tokyo’s locals. We will enjoy seeing the Nakamise Shopping Arcade and continue to visit the Shibuya Area. Shibuya is one of the most popular areas of Tokyo, one of the most desirable for entertainment, and for fashion shopping. Dinner at Chabad Japan.
Close thisAfter breakfast we will go to visit the Owakudani viewpoint from which we may see active volcanoes. We will take a cruise on Lake Ashi and we’ll see the large vermillion Hakone shrine. We’ll ascend by cable car to Owakudani Valley and we will visit the Hakone Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will drive back to Tokyo. Dinner at Chabad Japan.
After breakfast we will start our day with a visit to the bustling business district of Ginza. We will continue to visit The Shitamachi Museum, which traces the history and culture of the Edo (old Tokyo) era.
READ MOREWe will continue our day by visiting the Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo, which is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. We then will visit the Shinjuku district that is best known for its lavish nightlife. Dinner at Chabad Japan.
Close thisAfter breakfast we transfer to Tokyo station from which we will take a bullet train to Shin Kobe Station. After arriving in Kobe, we will visit the Nunobiki gardens by cable car and then drive to our hotel. Preparations for Shabbat and Shabbat dinner.
We’ll spend a wonderful, peaceful and relaxing Shabbat with the small Jewish community of Kobe. After Shacharit and Kiddush/Lunch, we’ll take a stroll through the neighborhood near our hotel.
After breakfast we will take a bullet train from Kobe Station to Hiroshima. We shall arrive in Hiroshima and board a ferry and sail to the island of Miyajima (the Temple Island), or its full name, Itsukushima. This is a historical site which is considered one of the three most beautiful sites in Japan.
READ MOREWe’ll return to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park & Museum. Later we will transfer to Hiroshima Station and take a bullet train from Hiroshima Station to Shin Kobe Station. Upon arrival at Kobe Station we shall go to the Jewish community center for dinner.
Close thisAfter breakfast we will make our way to Kyoto to start our Kyoto city tour. We will visit Kiyomizu-dera. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of ancient Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will continue on to visit the Nishiki Market which is renowned as the place to obtain many of Kyoto’s famous foods and goods.
READ MOREWe continue our day by visiting the Kinkaku-ji Temple (the Golden Pavilion) Then we will attend a Tea Ceremony with a Geisha, We will continue the journey with a visit to Gion street, the famous geisha district. We will take the bus back to Kobe. Dinner at Chabad Japan.
Close thisAfter breakfast we will visit the legendary Nijo Castle, an original Shogun castle built by Tokugawa Eiyasu, the founder of Japan’s longest ruling Shogun dynasty. Then we will visit the Nishiji Textile Center -Kimono Factory. Later, we will see Arashiyama Area, Togetsu Bridge & Tenryuji Temple.
READ MOREWe will visit the Bamboo Forest, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Bamboo Forest. We will take the bus back to Kobe. Dinner at Chabad Japan.
Close thisAfter breakfast we will drive to the Osaka Sake Museum and will then visit the Osaka castle. We will visit the Umeda sky building. If time permits, we will stroll along the Umeda area and as per the flight time we will transfer to the airport for the flight back home.
Guide: Mrs. Rona Michelson
* Price per person in USD double or twin room
** Supplement Price for single room
Air-conditioned tourist coach
Half Board throughout plus supplies to make sandwiches for lunch
English-speaking local guides and a professional experienced guide from the staff of Shai Bar Ilan
Entrance to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
Tips for local service providers
Tourist class hotels or first class hotels throughout
International flights
Taxes and surcharges
Tourist tax 1000 YEN per person (approx. $10 per person) will be paid ion departure from Japan
Private expenses (drinks laundry & dry cleaning shopping etc.)
Travel Insurance
Tip for Israeli guide (Recommended: $5 per person per day)
There may be changes to the order of places visited. We will make every effort to visit every place mentioned in the itinerary.
The tour organizers have no control over airline services such as seating, special meal requests, changes in departure times or delays. These remain the sole responsibility of the airline company.
Only strictly kosher food is provided to our travelers on all our tours. On some of our tours we are able to provide glatt meals. Kashrut is of utmost importance to us and we take special measures to ensure that everything served is kosher.
Breakfast is prepared using our utensils. We use local fresh fruits and vegetables, and we use milk products when they are permitted. We use kosher cereals, and bread. We usually serve hard boiled eggs and sometimes scrambled eggs or omelets. At breakfast, we prepare our lunches so that people have their choice as to what they eat for lunch. We bring food from Israel to supplement what is served in the hotel such as cheeses, peanut butter, tuna, etc.
For dinners, we serve either fish or meat (usually chicken) as our main course. In areas where meat is not available nor readily acquired, we will have fish. When possible, we acquire the meat locally from Chabad or other reliable kosher source, and in some cases we fly the meat in from Israel. We try to provide as many meat meals as possible. The main course at dinner is preceded by soup and salad and accompanied by freshly prepared vegetables. Dessert typically consists of fresh fruits.
We do not guarantee Pat Israel and Chalav Israel for all destinations.
In many destinations we have our own dishes and silverware. Where we don’t, we provide disposables at the meals. When we cook in hotel kitchens, we use our own knives, cutting boards, pots and pans, cooking implements and disposable metal trays. All food preparation is done on covered surfaces under the strict supervision of our trained staff/guides who function as our mashgichim.
We make great efforts to assure that our travelers will experience local foods first-hand, while maintaining stringent observance of Kashrut laws on all occasions.
On most of our tours, you will be accompanied by two of our staff members- one a guide for the tour who is knowledgeable about the places you are visiting and will accompany you throughout the day and the second, a person who will deal with the logistics of the tour and provide kashrut supervision in the kitchen.
It is our aim to provide the finest hotel possible in each area we visit. We require our hotels to allow us to work in the kitchen and to supervise the cooking and there are many hotels that are not willing to cooperate. They simply have no desire for us to be “meddling” in their cooking process nor are they happy about our bringing our equipment into their kitchens. We work very hard to find the best hotel in the area that will meet our requirements. Because we are not ready to compromise on kashrut, we may not always be able to use a five star hotel.
A $500 USD Deposit per person must be received at the time of booking in order to confirm your reservation. Payment in full is due 90 days before departure. A minimum number of participants are required to operate tour dates. If a minimum number has not been reached prior to tour departure and the tour is cancelled you will receive a FULL refund.
• 60 days before departure bookings are refundable less a $100 administration fee
• 59-30 days prior to departure: 25% of total.
• 29-15 days prior to departure: 50% of total
• Less than 14 working days prior to departure: 100% of total – no refund
We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance.
