NYC Hearts Japan | July 17-26, 2013
PacSet is proud to present the best of Summer in Japan, with an anime twist. This tour has it all – a festival, fireworks, Gundam Front, Akihabara, and an optional extension to Hiroshima, Kurashiki, and the town that inspired the Studio Ghibli/Hayao Miyazaki film Ponyo. The best part?
You can depart from Los Angeles OR New York City. That’s right, east coast friends – no more flying to LA to join a tour! What’s more, west coast – we’ve still got you covered. Just get to the Big Apple or the home of Hollywood and we’ll take it from there.
The tour includes:
- R/T airfare from New York City or Los Angeles
- 5 nights hotel accommodations in Tokyo (BASIC TOUR) | +3 nights accommodations for EXTENDED/PERFECT TOUR
- Stops in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kurashiki, Tomonoura, and Hiroshima (Tokyo & Yokohama only for BASIC TOUR)
- All transportation (train, ropeway, bus, shinkansen/bullet train) within Japan
- Professional bilingual guide services
- Custom tour guidebook
- Admission to all activities
- Much, much more!
Pick a tour package:
BASIC TOUR (Tokyo Only): $2,650 | EXTENDED TOUR (Tokyo + Extension Trip): $3,525 | PERFECT TOUR (Tokyo + Extension + All Options): $3,675 — View Payment Schedule for payment plan breakdown.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Departure
Depart from New York City or Los Angeles for Japan!
Day 2: Summer Arrives
Upon arrival, we’ll gather the groups from the two flights and make our way to our hotel. Upon arrival, guests can opt to relax at the hotel or join a special trip to Tokyo Tower, followed by a pre-paid trip to sample Kushiage, or fried skewers (fried cheese/fish/meat/vegetables/everything ^_^) for dinner!
Option: Tokyo Tower and Kushiage Dinner ($45)
Day 3: Let the Festivities Begin!
Our first full day in Tokyo begins at the Ghibli Museum, where you can see an exclusive Ghibli animated short and take photos with a giant robot before enjoying the musuem’s limited-edition ramune soda (only available in the summertime). Following the museum, we’ll head to the famous “closet” of anime fandom: Nakano Broadway. Here, you’ll be able to shop for anime and manga both new and old, including figures, cels, and other stuff that is sure to appeal to your inner collector. In the evening, explore on your own or join your guides for a special dinner on a yakatabune longboat as we sail around Tokyo Bay!
Option: Yakatabune Cruise and Dinner ($90)
Day 4: Electric Fireworks
Today we begin in Shinjuku, where the city’s most famous department stores, arcades, and cafes can be found. Then it’s off to the anime fan’s destination of choice, Akihabara, to shop ’til we drop, scope out the latest and greatest from Japan’s anime studios, rescue cute plushies from UFO catcher machines, and (if you like) visit a maid cafe. The evening hours will be spent in Yokohama for a gorgeous fireworks show by the bay before we take you all out for a late dinner in the city! (Dinner is free for all participants)
Option: Maid Cafe ($40)
Day 5: Sailing to the Future
We’ll begin our day by cruising across Tokyo Bay from Asakusa to Odaiba on the Himiko, a space-age ferry boat designed by none other than Galaxy Express 999 creator Leiji Matsumoto. Upon our arrival, we’ll check out another creation of the future: a life-size Gundam at the Gundam Front indoor theme park. Take the afternoon to explore the anime goods stores on Odaiba, or join your guides on a trip to Oedo Onsen hotspring to rest and relax the way the locals do! Be sure to save a little energy for the later hours; we’ll be hitting up a local summer festival to end the day!
Option: Oedo Onsen ($45)
Day 6: Fashionable Freedom
Kicking off day 6 is Harajuku, the center of Japan’s counter-culture movement and home to some of the world’s most unique fashion boutiques, cafes, art galleries, and toy shops. After exploring, the afternoon is yours to do with as you like – but if you like, your guide will be on hand to escort you to Otome Road in Ikebukuro, the fangirl capital of Japan!
Day 7: To Ponyo and Beyond
For our basic tour customers, the journey ends here – but for everyone else, we’ll be hopping on a shinkansen superexpress (the “bullet train”) to the west to reach Tomonoura, the small seaside port that inspired the backdrop for the Ghibli film Ponyo.Sample the local catch of the day and walk along beautiful seacliffs as we explore shrines, old shops, local vendors, and spectacular views of Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. Then, it’s off to Hiroshima where we’ll check in at our hotel and relax.
Day 8: From History to Hondori
Today we set off on a journey through history! We’ll start at Itsukushima, the famous “floating” shrine that has long been called one of Japan’s most gorgeous locations. After seeing the shrine and sampling the local delicacies, we’ll take a look at a more somber chapter of the area’s history at Hiroshima Peace Park and the A-Bomb Dome. That evening, we’ll venture into the city’s vibrant present with a stroll through the Hondori entertainment district, where the local specialty of Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki is always on the menu.
Day 9: A View from the Canal
On our last full day of our extended journey, we’ll venture to the city of Kurashiki, where the Bikan Historical Area will whisk you into the city’s history as a merchant quarter. We’ll browse the iconic canal and many museums in the area before retiring to our local accommodations for a farewell party and night out.
Day 10: Return Home or Sail On
We’ll help you get back to the airport and on your way, but if you’re still keen to explore, you’re invited to join us for our special extended voyage to the gorgeous, tropical Ogasawara Islands! For more information, click here.