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 hotel to check-in. This evening, head to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner together. Afterwards, head back to the hotel, relax and enjoy a good night's sleep. (D)

Day 3, Friday July 24: Tokyo

Kick-start the day by participating in a Taiko Drumming Workshop. Afterwards, you'll depart for the Asakusa Kannon Temple followed by Nakamise Street, where you'll have time for lunch on your own. Then, you'll head to the Saitama Arts Theater for your first performance of the tour at 2:30pm with a local ensemble. Enjoy a post-concert reception with the local group before heading to the Harajuku neighborhood where you'll have time to explore on your own. Come together for dinner at a local restaurant before heading back to the hotel. (B,D)

Day 4, Saturday July 25: Mt Fuji Area

After breakfast at the hotel, head to the Ichikawa City Kinro Fukushi Center Bunkan where you'll have an exchange performance with JAMBO starting at 11:30am. After the performance, 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”. Enjoy 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, depart for the Museum of Music Forest where you'll have your next concert of the tour at 10:10am. After the performance, enjoy a cruise on Lake Kawachiko before transferring to 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. Continue to Nagoya, the 4th largest city in Japan, for your overnight stay. (B,D)

Day 6, Monday July 27: Kyoto

This morning you will take a bullet train to Kyoto. Upon arrival, begin a sightseeing tour, starting 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, check into the hotel and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. (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, head to the Kyoto International Community House for your next performance at 2:00pm. This evening you'll visit Teramachi Street where you'll have some free time to do some shopping. This evening, you'll receive cach back to get dinner on your own before heading back to the hotel. (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. Stop aloing the way for a visit to the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Continue onto Nara and have some free time to grab lunch on your own upon arrival. This afternoon, begin your sightseeing tour with a visit to the magnificent Todaji 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 evening, you'll have a sushi making class. Afterwards, you'll dine on the sushi rolls you've made yourselves! After dinner, head to to the hotel to check in. (B,D)

Day 9, Thursday July 30: Osaka

After breakfast, you'll have a Samuri workshop. Afterwards, head to Vega Hall where you'll perform your final concert of the tour at 2:00pm. Following the performance, you'll have a farewell dinner to celebrate your successful performance tour. After dinner, show off your singing skills with a karaoke activity! (B,D)

Day 10, Friday July 31: Departure

On your final morning, enjoy some last-minute sightseeing in Osaka. A journey through history unfolds at Osaka Castle, its imposing architecture and serene gardens offering a stark contrast to the city's frenetic pace. Continue to the Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori areas where you'll have time to grab lunch on your own and do some last-minute shopping. This afternoon transfer to the airport for your early evening flight to the United States. (B)