Songbird Rising - Japan

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Wednesday July 22: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Thursday July 23: Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo, the bustling capital of Japan as well as its largest city. Meet your Tour Manager and transfer to the restaurant for a welcome dinner together. Afterwards, check in to the hotel, relax and enjoy a good night's sleep. (D)

Day 3, Friday July 24: Tokyo

Kick-start the day with a guided sightseeing tour, beginning at the Meiji Shrine, which honors the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. You will continue on to view the resplendent Imperial Palace Plaza; the culturally significant Asakusa Kannon Temple. This afternoon, participate in a Taiko Drumming Workshop. Then rehearse for tonight's debut concert performance which will take place at a local venue before taking dinner together. (B,D)

Day 4, Saturday July 25: Mt Fuji Area

Depart Tokyo for the Mount Fuji area. You'll get a closer look at the still-active volcano—the highest point in Japan at 12,389 feet and one of the country's three revered “holy mountains”—when you visit Mount Fuji's breathtaking Kawaguchiko 5th Station, the base point from which most hikers start their ascent to the summit. Enjoy a scenic Lake Ashi boat cruise followed by a round-trip ride on the nearby Hakone Komagatake Ropeway, an aerial tram that offers spectacular views as it takes you to the summit of imposing Mount Komagatake. Later, check in at the hotel in time for dinner. (B,D)

Day 5, Sunday July 26: Nagoya

The morning, visit Hamamatsu city, home to the famous Museum of Musical Instruments and both iconic Japanese brands, Yamaha and Suzuki! Visit the Hamamatsu Musical Instrument Museum, the first municipal museum of musical instruments in Japan. In the afternoon, perform your next concert in conjunction with a local Suzuki group at a local venue, such as Act Hall or similar. Later today, travel to Nagoya, the 4th largest city in Japan, for your overnight stay. (B,D)

Day 6, Monday July 27: Kyoto

This morning you will drive to Kyoto. Your sightseeing tour will start at the shimmering Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), a Zen Buddhist temple with two floors covered in gold leaf. See the breathtaking Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a mountainside structure that offers stunning views of the city and reached by way of Sannenzaka, a winding shopping street bustling with artisanal handicrafts, tradition food. In the afternoon, have a workshop of Samuri Kenbu where you will experience the traditional performing art with a Japanese sword 'katana' and a Japanese fan in traditional Japanese costumes! Walk around the Gion district. Gion district of Kyoto is known for its charming, historic atmosphere and strong ties to the world of traditional Japanese arts. (B,D)

Day 7, Tuesday July 28: Kyoto

This morning, visit the Kodiji Temple with a tea ceremony. Kodiji is one of the most popular temples of Zen buddhism in Kyoto with over 600 years of history and a famous Zen Garden. Experience the traditional Japanese tea ceremony inside the temple! Afterwards, visit the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, a Shinto temple famous for its 5,000 vibrant orange toriis, or symbolic gateways. Later this afternoon, rehearse at a local venue for this evening's third concert performance. (B,D)

Day 8, Wednesday July 29: Osaka

Today after checking out you'll travel to nearby Nara, once the imperial capital of Japan and home to some of the country's most culturally significant attractions. Begin your sightseeing tour with a visit to the magnificent Todaiji Temple, considered one of the world's largest wooden structures and home to one of the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world. Then explore serene Nara Park, noted for its free-roaming deer as well as some of the country's oldest Buddhist temples, before seeing Kasuga Shrine, famous for its hundreds of lovely lanterns donated by worshippers. This afternooon perform your final exchange concert of the tour before continuing to Osaka, your final stop on the trip . Tonight, show off your singing skills with an evening of Karaoke! (B,D)

Day 9, Thursday July 30: Osaka

Board the high-speed bullet train this morning and travel to Hiroshima, a city famous throughout the world as the site of the first nuclear attack. Today’s sightseeing tour includes the Peace Memorial Museum and Atomic Bomb Dome, the building closest to the bomb’s hypocenter that remained standing. Then enjoy a relaxing scenic journey to Miyajima Island where you’ll see playful monkeys and wild deer that surround the renowned Itsukushima Shrine. Dine in true Japanese style tonight with a Bento-Box dinner on the train. (B,D)

Day 10, Friday July 31: Departure

On your final morning, enjoy some last-minute sightseeing in Osaka. You could include the Osaka Castle, a historic attraction in a lush urban park that contrasts sharply with its skyscraper neighbors. Look for lunch at the Kuromon Ichiba Market, a foodie's delight that offers an amazing and exotic array of Japanese culinary specialties and is one of the oldest and most well-known fresh food markets in the world. Finally browse for souvenirs in the Shinsaibashi district, a colorful shopping arcade. This afternoon transfer to the airport for your early evening flight to the United States. (B)