FMJ 11D10N Summer Adventure in West Japan (DRIVE)

SEASONAL TOURS

CHUGOKU

FMJ 11D10N Summer Adventure in West Japan (DRIVE)

Departure date:02 Jun, 2024 (Sun) Drive Tour

Day 01 (Sun, 02 Jun'24)

Singapore – Kansai

(-/-/-)

Hotel: Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport or similar

Arriving in Kansai today, get a good rest and prepare for the journey ahead.

Day 02 (Mon, 03 Jun'24)

Kansai – Amanohashidate

(Breakfast/-/Dinner)

Hotel: Monjusou (Hot Spring) or similar

(Car pick up at Kansai Airport)

Starting your drive today, head to Tore Tore Center, the largest fish market in Kyoto and one of the biggest in Japan. Located next to the Maizuru Port, abundant fresh seafood is brought here daily. Feast on the ‘fruits of the Sea of Japan’ and pick up some souvenirs to bring home with you!

Visit one of Japan’s three most scenic views at Amanohashidate. A meandering pine tree-covered sandbar connecting both sides of the mouth of the Miyazu Bay, Amanohashidate is known as the ‘bridge to heaven’ and best viewed by adopting ‘matanozoki’ – bending over and looking at the sandbar upside down from between your legs! From Amanohashidate View Land, an amusement park on the southern side of the sand bar, you can enjoy the views along with fun rides, activities and games for the whole family.

Day 03 (Tue, 04 Jun'24)

Amanohashidate – Ine – Amanohashidate

(Breakfast/-/Dinner)

Hotel: Monjusou (Hot Spring) or similar

Heading to the northern side of Amanohashidate, see a different view of the sand bar from Kasamatsu Park where the ‘matanozoki’ posture is believed to have originated. Take a leisurely ride on a cable car or chair lift up to the observatory and be treated to panoramic views of Amanohashidate and its surrounds.

Later, drop by the small town of Ine located in a bay between the mountains and Sea of Japan. Famous for its unique boat houses known as ‘funaya’, the area has been awarded a two-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide. The traditional two-storey funaya are built on the edge of the water where the first storey serves as a boat garage while the second storey contains living and work spaces. Take a cruise around the bay and admire the picturesque boathouses from the water.

Day 04 (Wed, 05 Jun'24)

Amanohashidate – Kinosaki Onsen

(Breakfast/-/Dinner)

Hotel: Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei (Hot Spring) or similar

Take in the nostalgic atmosphere of Izushi, a well-preserved old castle town which retains the look and feel of the Edo period. Stroll along the streets of retro stores, try local specialty Izushi Sara Soba, stop by the historic Eirakukan Kabuki Theatre, and climb up to the castle ruins for a panoramic view over the town.

Toyooka, the “City of Bags”, has been making bags for over 1,000 years and is the largest bag producer in Japan. The quality of Toyooka Bags, or ‘Toyooka Kaban’, is maintained at the highest standard and recognised by both the Hyogo Prefecture Bag Manufacturing Union and the national government. Take a walk along Caban Street lined with specialty bag stores and perhaps pick up a Toyooka Kaban for yourself!

Genbudo Cave was formed 160 thousand years ago when magma from a volcanic eruption created rocks with stunning hexagonal prism shapes. These rocks were mined by locals and eventually, a cave resulted. The caves in Genbudo Cave Park have since been designated as natural monuments and can be visited along with a museum displaying mineral crystals from around the world.

Day 05 (Thu, 06 Jun'24)

Kinosaki Onsen – Tottori

(Breakfast/-/-)

Hotel: Hotel New Otani Tottori or similar

Today, visit the icon of Tottori, the Tottori Sand Dunes. Spanning 16km by 2km along the coast of the Sea of Japan, the naturally formed sand dunes reach up to 50m in height. Trek up to the Umanose “Horse’s Back” for outstanding views of the sea and sand ripples caused by wind sweeping across its surface. Activities like sand sledding and camel rides are also available for an extra memorable experience here.

After some fun in the sand, head over to the Tottori Sand Museum to marvel at some sand art! The world’s first museum specialising in sand sculptures, masterpieces by sculptors from around the world are exhibited here. As the sculptures are made of sand, they eventually collapse, making their transience part of the attraction.

Day 06 (Fri, 07 Jun'24)

Tottori – Tamatsukuri Onsen

(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Hotel: Chorakuen (Hot Spring) or similar

Today, get an intimate glimpse of Japanese school life in a very special Togo Elementary School Activity. Visit a local elementary school where you will befriend the school children and discover what life is like for students in Japan. Learn the inspiring story of this small rural school with big dreams of cultivating a brighter future for the town and its children, and be touched by the passion and hope of the community.

Afterwards, visit Japan’s only museum showcasing everything about pears, the Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum. Centred around a great pear tree with a branch span of 20m, the museum is replete with exhibits and information on Asian pear history and agriculture. See, and taste, the story of the Nijisseiki Pear, most deliciously served in the form of soft serve ice cream!

Explore the historic town of Kurayoshi later, where white-walled storehouses and red-roofed merchant houses take you back to the Edo period. Stroll around the nostalgic preservation quarter where many preserved buildings have been converted into shops, eateries, craft studios, and more.

Day 07 (Sat, 08 Jun'24)

Tamatsukuri Onsen – Izumo – Tamatsukuri Onsen

(Breakfast/-/Dinner)

Hotel: Chorakuen (Hot Spring) or similar

Yuushien Garden is most famous for its peony flowers with up to 250 varieties of the flower grown here. In addition, blossoming irises, hydrangeas, sweet flags and more can be seen in summer, showcased among traditional landscape garden elements like ponds, waterfalls, streams and rock gardens, creating magnificent scenes of beauty.

More flowers and feathered friends await at Matsue Vogel Park where thousands of flowers and around 80 species of birds fill one of the largest greenhouses in the world. See and interact with birds from around the world and be entertained by the various bird shows. Then, take a stroll amongst flowers like begonias, fuchsias and more which bloom all year round here.

Established in 1980 by Adachi Zenko to combine his love of art and garden design, the Adachi Museum of Art houses a collection of renowned Japanese paintings, ceramics and other artwork. However, it is best known for its award-winning garden. The six stunning gardens here are said to be “as beautiful as pictures” and are indeed incredibly photogenic.

Day 08 (Sun, 09 Jun'24)

Tamatsukuri Onsen – Okayama

(Breakfast/-/Dinner)

Hotel: UNO HOTEL (Hot Spring) or similar

One of the largest flower parks in Japan, the Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park includes a flower dome, flowerbeds, and an European garden. A one kilometre roofed porch allows visitors to stroll among the flowers regardless of the weather, while the flower dome ensures beautiful flowers all year round.

Befriend some cows over at Hiruzen Jersey Land, a dairy farm set amid the idyllic pastures and mountains of the Hiruzen highlands. Enjoy the view of grazing cows against the backdrop of the highlands while savouring delicious jersey milk ice cream and other dairy products.

Head to Kurashiki, a town reminiscent of a bygone era. A former rice distribution centre, Kurashiki, literally ‘town of storehouses’, was centred around a system of canals with storehouses and merchant houses on either side. The Edo period storehouses have now been converted into museums, boutiques and cafes, while the willow tree-lined canal and stone bridges make the area extremely picturesque.

Day 09 (Mon, 10 Jun'24)

Okayama – Osaka

(Breakfast/-/-)

Hotel: Hotel Granvia Osaka or similar

(Car return in Okayama)

Denim lovers should not miss out on a visit to Kojima Jeans Street. The home of Japanese denim, Jeans Street is lined with over 30 stores selling premium Japanese denim, including famous local brand, Momotaro Jeans. Living up to its name, this unique street is also decorated with denim in distinctive ‘Japan blue’.

One of the three best landscape gardens in Japan, Korakuen is an exquisite garden located just beside Okayama Castle. Built in 1687 as a place for entertainment for the ruling family, the garden was opened to the public at the end of the feudal era. Stroll around this gorgeous garden with atypical features like spacious lawns and tea and rice fields.

Returning your car in Okayama, take a shinkansen to Osaka for the last leg of your journey.

Day 10 (Tue, 11 Jun'24)

Osaka

(Breakfast/-/-)

Hotel: Hotel Granvia Osaka or similar

Free and easy

Day 11 (Wed, 12 Jun'24)

Osaka – Singapore

(Breakfast/-/-)

Flight back to Singapore

DRIVE TOUR
Assemble date: 02 Jun 2024, Sun (SO15222)

Flight schedule: (for suggestion only, not included in tour price)
02 Jun SQ 620 Singapore - Kansai
0805 / 1540

12 Jun SQ 621 Kansai - Singapore
1725 / 2305

1st & 2nd passenger
S: Vitz / Passe / Tank / Roomy / Yaris
Adult twin $8,200; Adult single $11,050

A: Aqua / Axio / Corolla / Fielder
Adult twin $8,250; Adult single $11,050

B: Prius / Fielder HV / Yaris HV / Corolla Touring HV
Adult twin $8,400; Adult single $11,300

WA: Sienta / Wish / Sienta HV
Adult twin $8,800; Adult single $12,200

WB: Estima / Vellfire / Alphard
Adult twin $9,400; Adult single $12,750

3rd & 4th passenger
(sharing same car with 1st & 2nd passenger)
Adult twin $7,050; Adult triple $6,950
Child twin $7,050; Child with Bed $5,250; Child no Bed $3,000

Tour price includes:
Hotel accommodation as stipulated in itinerary
Meals as stipulated in itinerary
FMJ driving guidebook (1 per car)
ETC card and Japan Handphone (1 per car)
Car rental with insurance coverage

Tour price excludes:
Air ticket
Airport taxes & fuel charges
Parking & Entrance fees to sightseeing spots
Petrol or Oil refilling
Application fee for IDP
Visa application fee (if any)
Beverage during meals (own payment)
Corkage charge (if any)
Any other charges not stated as included

Remarks:
Flower viewing, sightseeing and activities are subject to weather conditions.
English Voice-over GPS Navigation system subject to availability.
The prices are subject to change upon fluctuations of currency exchange rates.
Flight schedule and the sequence of the itinerary are subject to change with or without prior notice to ensure the smooth running of the tour.
Minimum group size to confirm tour is 10 adults/children with bed.
Child No Bed applicable to children up to 5yrs old and price include child meals only
Child no bed will be served simple meals.
Please refer to booking form for further terms and conditions.

CONTACT FMJ

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TERMS & CONDITIONS

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Hotel Granvia Osaka

KANSAI