Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All accommodations, motor coach transportation, the ride aboard the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo to Kakone and the train excursion from Kanazawa to Kyoto, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, luggage handling, admissions, the services of the Tauck Director, ship crew and drivers are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at the Narita or Haneda Airport in Tokyo and will provide you with a private transfer to the Hotel Seiyo Ginza, regardless of the date and time of your arrival, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. We will also provide transportation from the Westin Miyako Hotel to Kansai Airport or Itami Airport whenever you choose to depart.

 

Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from place to place, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.

Tauck Director – Essence of Japan is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck World Discovery. In addition, a bilingual local guide assists in each city.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff, local guides and drivers are included.

No Options Sold ― Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.

 

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours ote― To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director are not included. We ask that when extending gratuities, you do so on an individual basis and not as a group.

Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcohol and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, visa fees and services, vaccinations and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Luggage Responsibility ― Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Protection Plan for more information.

Airline Security Measures – In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.

Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, and aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.

 

You may also visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Internet website to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items by clicking here.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. Should you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Holiday and Museum Closures ― Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility ― Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 7 PM with a Welcome Reception at the Hotel Seiyo Ginza on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. Please allow sufficient time to claim your luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends when you check out of the Westin Miyako Kyoto on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow at least 2 ½ hours for flight check-in.

 

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

 

Photography on Tour ― Occasionally, we will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

 

Air Conditioning – All hotels and motor coaches used on this tour are air-conditioned for your comfort.

ATM and Credit Cards ― We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

 

Clothing and Packing - Clothing should follow the seasons. Comfortable cotton, cotton/synthetic blends and linen fabrics are recommended. Temperatures do vary from place to place. We recommend that you pack lightly for your trip to Japan, as there is very little room for luggage aboard the trains and you will pack an overnight bag for your stay at the Hyatt Regency Hakone on Day 4 and at the Kagaya Hotel on Day 7. The balance of your luggage will be transported by luggage truck and there will be no access to the remainder of your luggage for those two nights. A small bag with wheels that you can comfortably manage on your own without assistance is strongly suggested.

We recommend that you dress smartly. Japanese women do not dress in untidy or unattractive clothing. Jeans and capri pants are suitable for casual dining and sightseeing. However, shorts are rarely seen outside of hiking or sport venues, unless they are longer-length Bermuda shorts. Most women wear cropped length pants and they do not, as a rule, wear t-shirts as is commonly seen in the West. Most wear a conservative top that may be sleeveless but is not low-cut, and many Japanese women wear heels even with casual clothes.

Shoes that are easily removed are essential, as it is customary to remove shoes when entering temples, shrines, private homes and certain restaurants. Clean socks and hosiery are also required to avoid unnecessary embarrassment.

Japan’s top French restaurants usually require jackets and ties. The older generation considers it inappropriate for women to wear dresses without hose or tops without sleeves.

Bring packets of pocket-sized tissue and handkerchiefs, as tissue and paper towels are often not found in lavatories.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your journey to Japan:

• Cotton, cotton/synthetic and linen clothing
• Light weight shirts, pants, capri pants and dresses
• Light jacket or sweater
• Jacket and tie and casually-elegant attire for fine dining
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Shoes that are easy to slip on and off when visiting places of worship
• Hat (a wide brimmed hat is recommended)
• Collapsible umbrella
• Swimwear
• Gym wear
• Sun screen
• Sunglasses
• Camera, extra film and batteries
• Soap leaves, travel packets of tissues, handkerchiefs and hand sanitizer (toilet tissue and paper towels are not available in many lavatories)
• Binoculars
• Travel alarm clock
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling
  

Elevation – The highest overland elevation is 4,455 ft (1,358 m) while traveling through the "Alps of Japan" on Day 5. The highest overnight elevation is 2,157 ft (657 m) at the Hyatt Regency Hakone.

 

Health – Essence of Japan is an active tour. Much of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot; therefore, we recommend that you pack sturdy, comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in to appreciate fully what Japan has to offer.

Some sites have limited motor coach access and often involve walking some distance from the motor coach parking to the site itself. Due to the ancient nature of several of the sites you will visit, stairs, walkways and garden paths are sometimes uneven, irregular, steep and/or slippery. If you join us for the visit to the fish market, you should be aware that there are crowds of people and fast-moving carts and forklifts. The Matsumoto Castle has six stories and the stairs are very steep. Quite often, you will be asked to remove your shoes to gain entry into the temples, shrines and historical residences along your journey.

We regret that we cannot accommodate wheelchairs and scooters on this itinerary. We also regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you require such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.

If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

If you are a U.S. citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Japan. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, prerecorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website by clicking here.

If you are a citizen of another country, please contact a Japanese embassy or consulate to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.

Luggage –

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour

As there is very little space on Japanese trains for luggage, pack lightly and use small suitcases. For your stay at the Hyatt Regency Hakone on Day 4 and at the Kagaya Hotel on day 7, you will need to pack all essential clothing and personal care items in an overnight bag; the rest of your luggage will be transported to the next hotel by luggage truck.

Checked Luggage – General

While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!

Carry-on Luggage - General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not be accessible during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirement – If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a valid passport to enter Japan; however, you do not need a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

If you are a citizen of another country, you should contact a Japanese embassy or consulate to determine what travel documentation is required.

We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. We also recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Travel with Children ―

Age Recommendations – Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.

Babysitting – Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.

Safety and Welfare Responsibility – We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. For safety and security purposes, children under 18 years of age must be booked into a room with at least one accompanying adult. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.

Special Travel Documentation for Children


Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

Destination Information

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others.

Unless your cellular carrier is an inbound roaming partner of either DoCoMo or Vodafone Japan, then your cell phone is considered incompatible and will not work in Japan. Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine limitations and services that exist for your service.

Currency and Exchange Rates – The official currency for the Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY).

Travelers’ checks and major international credit cards are accepted by leading banks, hotels, ryokan (Japanese inns) and stores in major cities. However, when traveling outside of major cities it is best to obtain local currency first. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are commonly available in large urban areas throughout Japan; however, many do not accept foreign credit cards or cash cards and their service hours are very often restricted. We advise you to contact the institution that issued your card to determine where you would be able to use your card. Foreign credit, debit and cash cards can be used at over 21,000 Post Office ATMs in locations throughout Japan. Post offices where this service is available display stickers indicating which cards are accepted. Cards from the Cirrus, Plus, Maestro and Visa Electron networks can be used. Accepted credit cards include Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – You should familiarize yourself with Japan's specific required customs declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries.

You may access the Japanese Organization of Customs and Tariff Bureau by clicking here.

If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the United States at the end of your extension, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol that can be part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits by clicking here.

If you are a resident of another country, you should refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.

Electrical Current – The electrical current throughout Japan is 100 V, AC. There are two kinds of frequencies in use: 50 Hertz in eastern Japan (Tokyo) and 60 Hertz in western Japan (Kyoto). If your electrical devices do not meet these standards, you will need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters.

Internet Access is available as indicated below:

Hotel Seiyo Ginza - High-speed access in rooms
Hyatt Regency Hakone - High-speed access in rooms
Associa Takayama Resort - In the business center
Kagaya Hotel - Limited access upon request in the main lobby
Westin Miyako Kyoto - On-request access in rooms for a fee

We also recommend that you consider three other types of Internet access while in Tokyo or any other part of Japan:

• Rent a prepaid mobile phone with Internet connection
• Visit the nearest Internet Cafe.
• WiFi - wireless Internet access

Time Zones – Japan is 9 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). Japan does not observe Daylight Savings Time. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest that you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com by clicking here.

Weather - The weather throughout the four main islands that make up Japan is generally temperate, with four distinct seasons. The weather can get very hot during the summer months, particularly in the South. May, June and July are the wettest months, and June, July and August are hotter and more humid.

	CLIMATE CHART
	Temperature
	Tokyo				Kanazawa
	Japan				Japan
	Fahrenheit		Celsius		Fahrenheit		Celsius
	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low
January	49	34	9	1	43	32	6	0
February	49	35	9	2	43	32	6	0
March	54	39	12	4	50	35	10	2
April	64	50	18	10	63	45	17	7
May	73	58	23	14	72	54	22	12
June	77	65	25	18	77	62	25	17
July	83	72	28	22	84	70	29	21
August	87	75	31	24	88	72	31	22
September	80	68	27	20	80	65	27	18
October	70	57	21	14	69	54	21	12
November	61	48	16	9	59	44	15	7
December	53	39	12	4	49	37	9	3
	Kyoto
	Japan
	Fahrenheit		Celsius
	High	Low	High	Low
January	47	32	8	0
February	48	33	9	1
March	55	37	13	3
April	67	47	19	8
May	75	56	24	13
June	81	64	27	18
July	88	72	31	22
August	91	74	33	23
September	82	67	28	19
October	72	54	22	12
November	62	44	17	7
December	52	36	11	2

	Rainfall
	Tokyo		Kanazawa		Kyoto
	Japan		Japan		Japan
	Inches	MM	Inches	MM	Inches	MM
January	1.8	46	10.5	266	2.0	51
February	2.4	61	7.2	184	2.6	66
March	3.9	99	6.0	153	4.4	112
April	4.9	124	5.7	144	6.0	152
May	5.4	137	6.1	154	6.1	155
June	7.3	185	7.6	194	9.8	249
July	5.0	127	8.9	227	9.2	234
August	5.8	147	6.5	164	5.6	142
September	7.1	180	9.5	242	8.0	203
October	6.5	165	7.4	188	4.4	112
November	3.5	89	10.5	267	2.7	69
December	1.8	46	11.3	287	1.6	41

Cancellations Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in its Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers a Tauck Protection Plan.

If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties waived. Please click here for more details.

If you choose not to purchase the Tauck Protection Plan, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows: