+ Stroll the master gardens of Japan; reflect, contemplate and de-stress

+ Visit Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s finest gardens

+ Buy some famous Kutani pottery in Kanazawa

+ Walk the ‘Sacred Way’ of ancient Japanese Cedars, once path to the Toshugu Shrine

+ Sip a drink in the 144 year old Kanaya Hotel

+ Wear your yukata to dinner in our ryokan

+ Admire Japan’s Imperial flower - the Chrysanthemum up close

+ Learn about the ancient art (and craft) of bonsai

+ Stroll the garden and holiday home of the Imperial Family

+ See the grandest Buddhist and Shinto Shrine in Japan

+ Marvel at Japan’s most spectacular light show experience

+ Travel on the famous Shinkensen Bullet trains

+ Travel in a small group and make new friends

+ Relax – we’ll take care of everything!

For a detailed itinerary, please visit :www.rosstours.com/japanautumn

HIGHLIGHTS

Awazu

NikkoKanazawa

Kyoto

TOKYO

NagoyaJAPAN

Let us take you to the most beautiful places in the world.

I love the gentle season of autumn with the breeze blowing and the leaves falling. I love the old Kanaya Hotel and my friend Suzuki-san who will be there to welcome us. I love wearing my yukata and singing and dancing at our ryokan dinner. I love the ancient bonsai at Omiya. I’m gob-smacked at the lights at Nabana No Sato ... the dahlias are not bad either! And the chrysanthemums... I can’t ask for more!

Graham Ross, Founder

TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT ROYCE OR ROSLYN

Visit our website www.rosstours.com

travel@rosstours.com1300 233 200

Graham Ross will tell you autumn is his favourite season

with richly coloured gardens and landscapes. He’ll take

you to ‘Master’ gardens to appreciate exquisite design.

Share ancient traditions on this journey; it’s more than a

holiday, it’s the total Japanese experience.

12 - 27 NOVEMBER 2017

AUTUMN IN

JAPANWITH GRAHAM ROSS

DAY 1 SUN 12 NOVHOME TO TOKYOMeet your Ross Tour Leader at Sydney Airport for your flight to Tokyo.

DAY 2 MON 13 NOVTOKYO Our local guide will welcome us to Japan and take us to the New Otani Hotel. Before we check in its festival time for chrysanthemums at Shinjuku Gyoen. Then visit Meiji Shrine just next door. Welcome dinner tonight at the hotel in the Samurai House with its ancient garden.

DAY 3 TUE 14 NOVTOKYO Visit Rikugien Garden, one of Japan’s strolling gardens to understand garden design, built in 1695. The forest of flaming Japanese maples along the river will set the scene. Nezu Shrine is close by, that dates to the Edo Period (1603-1868). Return to your hotel with the afternoon free.

DAY 4 WED 15 NOVTOKYO - NIKKOTravel to the ancient Imperial retreat at Nikko. Stop at Omiya Bonsai Village, home to the finest Bonsai. Check in to the historic, Nikko Kanaya Hotel for two nights. Dinner tonight is western style, silver service.

DAY 5 THU 16 NOVNIKKOVisit the World Heritage Toshogu Shrine (1542) today, Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Temple. See cryptomerias, Shinkyo Sacred Bridge across the Daiya River, and giant lanterns wrapped in a mountain mist. Walk through the Imperial Villa.

DAY 6 FRI 17 NOVNIKKO - KANAZAWATravel by Bullet train across the spine of Honshu from Nikko to Kanazawa. See forests of flaming Japanese maples and sacred cryptomeria. Check into Tokyu Hotel for 2 nights.

DAY 7 SAT 18 NOVKANAZAWAGraham’s all-time favourite garden is your destination today, Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s finest! Free afternoon to check out Kanazawa’s famous Kutani Ware porcelain.

DAY 8 SUN 19 NOVKANAZAWA - AWAZUTravel deep into the mountains today to the UNESCO listed Shirakawago Village. Stay tonight in a traditional ryokan with bath house, so make time for a hot bath. Unforgettable dining tonight at Kamiya Ryokan, Awazu.

DAY 9 MON 20 NOVAWAZU - KYOTODepart for Kyoto by train. Nijo Castle is famous for Tokugawa Shogun. A special dinner tonight attended by a Maiko Geisha & shamisen performance. Stay 3 nights at Westin Miyako, Kyoto.

DAY 10 TUE 21 NOVKYOTOVisit the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji Temple). Next stop is Hakusa Sonso; garden, villa and museum created by the painter, Kansetsu Hashimoto in 1915. A tea ceremony will be performed by a family member, who is a Tea Master. Lunch will be served. Finish the day at Kiyomizu Temple.

DAY 11 WED 22 NOVKYOTOAdmire the reflection in the lake at Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion). Ryoanji Temple is our next stop, renowned throughout the world as Japan’s finest example of a rock and sand garden. Dinner tonight is Shabu Shabu at a nearby restaurant.

DAY 12 THU 23 NOVKYOTO - NAGOYATravel to Nagoya by train. Visit Nagoya Castle with its spectacular chrysanthemum exhibition and

Hommaru Palace, just rebuilt with precision timber joinery and cultural treasures. Check in to Marriott Associa Hotel in the city centre for 2 nights.

DAY 13 FRI 24 NOVNAGOYAFree morning. Afternoon visit to Nabana No Sato, a huge horticultural park, with dahlias and tuberous begonias in a giant greenhouse. We will stay until dark to experience the light show, voted for three years now, Japan’s best illumination display.

DAY 14 SAT 25 NOVNAGOYA - TOKYOWe’ll take the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Tokyo passing Mt Fuji. Our local guide will give us a city tour then we’ll check back into the New Otani Hotel. Farewell dinner tonight located in our hotel.

DAY 15 SUN 26 NOVTOKYOLeisure day in Tokyo. Stroll along the famous Ginza. Time for Hibiya Park, museums and galleries. Afternoon transfer to Haneda airport for your flight.

DAY 16 MON 27 NOVARRIVE HOME

TOUR DETAILS

+ OUR TOUR INCLUDES

° Return group economy airfare & taxes Sydney / Tokyo / Sydney

° Deluxe accommodation for 13 nights

° Full breakfast every day, 1 lunch and 7 dinners

° Air-conditioned coach throughout the tour

° Guided tours of Tokyo, Nikko, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Nagoya

° Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including Shinjuku

Gyoen Chrysanthemum Exhibition, Meiji Shrine, Rikugien

Garden, Omiya Bonsai Village and Museum, Toshogu Shrine,

Imperial Villa Nikko, Kenroku-en Gardens, Nomura Samurai

House, Shirakawago village, Ryoanji, Goldan Pavillion, Nijo

Castle, Hakusa Sonso, Kiyomizu Temple, Silver Pavillion, Saihoji,

Nagoya Castle, Nabana no Sato and Shinise Kinenkan Museum

° Fully Escorted by Graham Ross

+ OUR TOUR COSTS

° Twin Share per person, land only $12,095

° Twin Share per person, including airfare $12,995

° Single Supplement $2,995

+ FITNESS LEVEL

° This tour requires a moderate level of fitness

+ DISCOUNTS

° Early Bird $300 per person (Pay in full by 1/7/17)

° Previous Traveller $100

° Garden Clinic Member $50All prices in Australian Dollars. All air taxes as at 1st Feb 2017. Price based on minimum 15 passengers. Departure from Sydney. Price from other Australian ports and New Zealand available on application. Group meals do not include beverages. Please refer to Ross Garden Tours standard terms & conditions. Ask us about other sightseeing and travel arrangements including pre and post tour accommodation, transfers, stopovers and other tours.

ITINERARY