Animated Spring 2019 | March 16-March 28, 2019
$500/month • $2,995 total
$2,995 total (Full Trip)
Package Options: Tokyo Only ($2,245) • Full Trip ($2,995) • Perfect Trip (all options included, $3,195)
(What’s included? Read the Trip Information)
Read Terms & Conditions and FAQ / Prices listed are per person, double occupancy
Sign up & payment deadline: January 11, 2019 Sign up!
Way more than a trip to Anime Japan.
If you’re an anime fan visiting Japan, we’ve got an idea for ya: how about traveling with fans like you? Okay, so we’re not just fans; we’re also professionals who know what you’re looking for and are driven by a desire to help you find that figure/doujin/Blu Ray/game on your wishlist. We’re the kind of people who understand that anime fans are just as interested in exploring, partying under the cherry blossoms, and having a good time as they are shopping.
Animated Spring has more time to explore Anime hotspots like Akihabara, Nakano Broadway, Ikebukuro (home to the re-designed Pokemon Center and fangirl paradise Otome Road) and the Ghibli Museum than the other guys. Plus, because we know there’s so much more than shopping on your wish list, we’ll also visit cultural sites like Meiji Jingu Shrine, cruise across the bay on the Hotaluna, a futuristic ferry designed by Leiji Matsumoto, and party with the locals at an Izakaya Dinner. Want more? Join optional trips to scenic Mt. Nokogiri, Tokyo Disney Sea, and/or a fancy dinner on a Yakatabune longboat in Tokyo Bay! If this sounds like a lot, don’t worry; there’s also a full free day so you can shop more, check out a different spot in the city, or just relax and admire the loot you bought in Akihabara. ^_~
Want to see more than just Tokyo? Join our extension to Kansai! You’ll get to explore Kyoto’s famous temples and shrines, savor Osaka’s famous food while exploring Namba and Umeda, and take in the views from Kobe’s gorgeous waterfront. You’ll also have the chance to relax in the waters of Arima Onsen (hot spring), shop Osaka’s “Otaku Road”, and picnic under the cherry blossoms with the locals (weather permitting)!
Ready to go? Sign up below and get ready for a journey you won’t soon forget! Don’t wait too long, though: space is limited!
“The detailed tutorials were really well laid out and informative. I especially appreciated the chance to be able to arrange alternate plans during the trip to be able to see things not on the tour. Finally, the enthusiasm of our guides and their love of Japan was infectious!” – Andrei, Animated 2015
“Evan went out of his way to help when I had problems arise during the trip. I believe all the guides genuinely cared about the attendees and making the trip as enjoyable as possible.” – Autum, Animated 2017
Baggage Info
1 check-in sized bag, 1 carry-on sized bag (ALL checked bags will be shipped to the airport from Tokyo; no checked bags during the Kansai portion of the trip.)
Optional Extras:
** = included with the perfect package
Tokyo Tower* ** +$15
Maid Cafe* ** +$45
Tokyo Disney Sea* or Mt. Nokogiri + Lunch* ** +$85
Yakatabune* ** (longboat bay cruise), with dinner and views of the cherry blossoms +$100
Single Room +$600 (Tokyo Only), +$1000 (entire trip)
Extend Your Trip: All trips can be extended! Mention your extension request during signup so we can follow up with you!
Today is the day you’ll need to depart your home country for the beginning of the trip!
Day 2: CLAMP’s Favorite Tower
Upon arrival in Tokyo, we’ll head to our hotel and get settled in. In the evening, you can choose to shop, rest, or join your guide for an optional trip to the picturesque observation deck of Tokyo Tower!
Optional: Tokyo Tower $15
Day 3: My Neighbor Akihabara
After a breakfast stop where we’ll have the chance to socialize and meet one another, we’ll begin our day at the Ghibli Museum, where you can explore the history of the iconic studio’s masterworks, see exclusive anime shorts, and even meet a giant robot! Then, it’s off to the mecca of all things Anime, Akihabara! Join the guides for shopping or go on your own – it’s up to you. You’ll also have the chance to join us for a visit to our favorite Maid Café for dessert!
Optional: Maid Café $45
Day 4: Gundam, Game Centers, and Anime Goods
We begin the day on the futuristic Hotaluna ferry boat, designed by anime legend Leiji Matsumoto, for a gorgeous ride across the bay to Odaiba! When we get there, you’ll have the chance to see the life-sized Gundam robot and Gundam-themed store, Gundam Front. You’ll also have the chance to explore Sega Joypolis, where you can play the latest arcade marvels, or poke around cute character goods shops for adorable (and potentially massive) plush toys! The journey continues as we make our way to Ikebukuro, where you can visit exclusive shops for anime series like Free!, Evangelion, Pokemon and more. If that’s not your thing, worry not: you can also chill at a local cat cafe, browse the fangirl-centric Otome Road (hi ladies!), or sample fancy desserts at countless cake shops near the station.
Day 5: Decision Time!
Today is the first of two free days on the tour! You can do your own thing, or you can join your guides for one of two optional excursions. The first: a seaside lunch followed by a trip to Mt. Nokogiri, a mountaintop temple where a giant buddha, thousands of stone carvings, and thrilling views are bound to leave an impression! The second: a visit to Tokyo Disney Sea, a Disney amusement park with numerous Japan-only attractions and a design that has earned the park accolades from Disney fans all over the world.
Optional: Mt. Nokogiri (lunch included) OR Tokyo Disney Sea $85
Day 6: Huge Shrines and High Fashion
We begin our day at Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo’s iconic forest shrine dedicated to the Meiji Emperor. After making wishes and taking in the sights, we’ll head to Harajuku, Tokyo’s new center of all that is hip. Shop for kitschy souvenirs, fashions, or just wander the aisles of one of Japan’s largest “100 Yen” stores searching for fun stuff to bring home. Then we head to Shibuya, where music stores and street art create one of Japan’s most vibrant urban collages. If all this urban exploring has you feeling like a change of scene, join us for a special multi-course Tempura dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay, complete with bottomless drinks and spectacular views of the budding cherry blossoms from the Sumida River.
Optional: Yakatabune Dinner Cruise $100
Day 7: Free Day!
Yup, it’s another free day for you to explore Tokyo! Your guides will be on hand the night before to help you plan your day out on the town.
Day 8: The Future (and Past) of Anime
No Anime Tour in this season would be complete without a visit to Anime Japan (formerly Tokyo International Anime Fair) – and that’s where we’re headed today. We’ll check out all the up-and-coming anime on the AnimeJapan show floor as we browse the exhibits. After seeing what’s next in Anime, we’ll step back into the past through a visit to Nakano Broadway! Here you can check out hundreds of thousands of new and used figures, manga, and more as you shop the “rental cases” and shops spread over four awe-inspiring floors. In the evening, we’ll gather for the 6th Annual Animated Spring dinner to socialize, laugh, and eat lots of good food (included!).
Day 9: Off to Osaka!
Guests on our basic tour: this is where we bid you farewell. ;_; Extra days in Tokyo can be arranged by request. For those on the extension, the adventure continues as we hop on the Shinkansen and are off to Osaka! After dropping our bags, we’ll proceed to Osaka Castle, a recreation of the famous castle involved in one of the biggest battles at the end of Japan’s warring states period. After exploring inside and outside the castle walls and numerous moats, we swing through Namba, the popular Osaka neighborhood that is home to one of the world’s largest shopping arcades, neon-lined rivers, and the Kansai area’s biggest Otaku Road.
Day 10: Kyoto!
We’re all about Japan’s old capitol city today! Board a private charter at Kyoto Station as we whisk you across the city to the famous golden pavilion, Kinkakuji. From there, we travel to Kiyomizu Temple to take in beautiful views and sample the flavors of the city. Next up is Nanzenji, where we’ll enjoy a tea ceremony and the picturesque grounds. Take part in an optional dinner at a Ninja-themed café before we head to Nijo Castle for a special seasonal treat: the yearly illumination of the cherry blossoms on the castle grounds.
Day 11: Shrine Gates and Sakura
The picturesque shrine gates of the fox-themed Fushimi Inari Shrine are today’s starting point, and trust us, you won’t want to miss exploring the legendary shrine tunnels at this PacSet favorite. From here, we’ll return to Umeda – Osaka’s hip, busy north side – where you can ride a rooftop Ferris Wheel, explore massive underground shopping streets, or just relax for a bit. In the evening, join us for a true seasonal tradition: a picnic under the cherry blossoms!
Day 12: Relaxing and Recharging in Kobe
Today begins with a trip to Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot spring towns. Explore back alleys and old shops and – if you don’t have any huge tattoos – experience the baths for yourself! Then, we will wind our way out of the mountains to Sannomiya, Kobe’s bustling market area where you’ll be able to finish any last minute shopping (or just take a break in one of the area’s famous cafes). If you like, join us for a visit to the city’s beautiful waterfront, where you can eat Pudding Ice Cream (it’s awesome, trust us) and take in the beautiful bayfront views!
Day 13: Return home
Return home to tell your friends how much fun you had!
| SIGN-UP IN: | Full Trip | Perfect Trip | Tokyo Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | $275 | $295 | $205 |
| May | $300 | $320 | $225 |
| June | $335 | $355 | $250 |
| July | $375 | $400 | $285 |
| August | $430 | $460 | $325 |
| September | $500 | $535 | $375 |
| October | $600 | $640 | $450 |
| November | $750 | $800 | $565 |
Sign up by July 11 and get the Full or Perfect Trip PLUS:
All guests who purchase this deal will leave Dallas on the afternoon/evening of March 15 and return March 28, the day the trip ends. The extra cost also covers the hotel in Los Angeles the night before the trip.
All spots MUST be signed up for by July 11, 2018. All standard policies still apply. Current DFW area guests can still get the discount if they are already signed up. Questions: e-mail info at pacsettours dot com or call 310 218 3816.