7D Japan's Finest Rural Onsen Trails - Ishikawa, Gifu & Nagano

7 Days Japan’s Finest Rural Onsen Trails – Ishikawa, Gifu & Nagano (Prepared Specially for Ms Pik Lee) Natural hot springs (onsen) are numerous and highly popular across Japan. Every region of the country has its share of hot springs and resort towns, which come with them. There are many types of hot springs, distinguished by the minerals dissolved in the water. Different minerals provide different health benefits, and all hot springs are supposed to have a relaxing effect on your body and mind. On this journey, discover remote countryside, therapeutic onsens, culture and culinary of Japan of the highest order to Ishikawa, Gifu & Nagano

Yokoso Nippon!

Flights At A Glance: Fly 08May

Singapore / Osaka

SQ 618

0125/0900 (6h 35m) – Daily

Fly 14May

Nagoya / Singapore

SQ 671

1030/1620 (6h 50m) – Daily

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

DAY 00 07th MAY (WED) SINGAPORE / OSAKA Arrive at Singapore Changi International Airport for check in for your flight to Osaka.

Fly 08May

Singapore / Osaka

SQ 618

0125/0900 (6h 35m) – Daily

DAY 01 08th MAY (THU) OSAKA / YAMANAKA ONSEN After arriving at Kansai International Airport and completing immigration formalities, you will be greeted by your English-Speaking Driver and escort to Private chartered car for transfer to Osaka Station. From Osaka Station, you will take a train to Kagaonsen.

Train 08May Osaka / Kagaonsen

Thunderbird #17

1142/1356 (2h 14m) – Daily

On arrival at Kagaonsen Station, you will be greeted by your driver and transfer to Yamanaka Onsen to the luxurious environments of The Kayotei. Alongside the murmuring Daishoji River, The Kayotei is an intimate and luxurious inn, known for its warm hospitality and fresh & healthy cuisine featuring ingredients from the nearby Sea of Japan. This inn is unique in that floors throughout are carpeted with cushioned tatami mats, allowing you to immediately feel at home as you walk on the premises. Spend the rest of the day luxuriating in the peaceful retreat or consider a leisure stroll to the Kakusenkei Gorge.

Overnight: The Kayotei, Yamanaka Onsen Meals: Dinner #04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

DAY 02 09th MAY (FRI) YAMANAKA ONSEN (KANAZAWA EXCURSION) At 1000hrs, meet with your English-speaking guide and visit Kanazawa in a private chartered car. Once you arrive in Kanazawa, you will first visit the magnificent Kenrokuen Garden, reputedly one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan. Admire the harmonious coexistence of six Chinese attributes of perfection, evolving as the different seasons unfold. Kenrokuen Garden is beautiful in all seasons. Move onto the central area of town, explore the bustling Omi-cho market, which local people regard as the “Kitchen of all Kanazawa People.” See, smell and taste the freshest seafood from the Sea of Japan. Continue onto the Higashiyama Geisha District. Built in 1820, it still preserves an ambience of feudal times with wooden lattice fronts of old geisha houses. Worth a visit is Kaikaro, to discover the teahouse and approach the world of Geisha. Transfer to Nagamachi Samurai District - Walking through the traditional parts of Kanazawa takes guests to some historic houses, district, tangible evidence of Kanazawa’s prosperous past. In a tranquil setting, the narrow, rock-laid street bordered by earthen walls and decorative gates exudes an ambience of feudal times. By 1800hrs, return to the ryokan.

Overnight: The Kayotei, Yamanaka Onsen Meals: Breakfast & Dinner DAY 03 10th MAY (SAT) YAMANAKA ONSEN / SHIRAKAWAGO / TAKAYAMA At 0900hrs, meet your English-speaking guide and leave for Shirakawa-go (about 90 minutes), a secluded mountain village in the beautiful landscape. The ancient village of Shirakawago, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, has preserved its traditional Gassho-zukuri farmhouses. These four stories traditional buildings with steeply sloped roofs were built according to ancient lifestyles, using highly developed skills.

To withstand the heavy weight of snow, the angle of the roof is sharp, similar to the shape of two hands in prayer, called Gassho in Japanese. Once you transfer to the city of Takayama, start from Sanmachi area – most of the former merchant houses have been turned into museums or shops selling antiques, lacquer-ware and pottery etc. There are also a number of sake breweries which can be identified by the balls of cedar needles handing in the entrances. Continue your excursion to Takayama Jinya - originally the residence of the Kanamori clanm this building served as the regional government office for Hida when the province was controlled directly by the Tokugawa shoguns, from 1692 to 1868. Transfer to Takayama Yatai Kaikan – the float festival museum. Many of the floats are from the 17th Century and are true works of art on a grand scale.

Overnight: Wanosato Ryokan, Takayama Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

DAY 04 11th MAY (SUN) TAKAYAMA / KAMIKOCHI / MATSUMOTO By 1000hrs, we leave the Wanosato and meet with your English-speaking guide to move to Matsumoto in a private chartered car. On the way, you can visit Kamikochi area - Tucked away in the Azusa valley at an altitude of 1500m is the beautiful mountaineering and hiking resort of Kamikochi as defined as ‘where the god lives’, has some stunning alpine scenery which can be only be viewed between late April and the end of October because of the snow. British missionary Walter Weston helped popularize the area as a base for climbing the craggy peaks known as the Northern Alps, the highest mountain is the 3190m Mt. Hotakadake. Once you arrive in the central area of Matsumoto, you will visit Matsumoto Castle - Because of its black colour, Matsumoto Castle is known as “Crow Castle”. Many Japanese castles are merely restorations or reconstructions based on an original. Not so Matsumoto which is a fascinating example of a fortified “flat-land” castle which is one of the best preserved in the country, still imbued with the smoke and clamour of past battles. By 1800hrs, we transfer to ryokan to check in.

Overnight: Tobira Onsen Myojinkan, Matsumoto Meals: Breakfast & Dinner MATSUMOTO (EXCURSION TO NAGANO) DAY 05 12th MAY (MON) This morning around 1000hrs, you will be met with your guide & driver to visit Nagano and Jigokudani Yaen Koen in a private chartered car. You will first make a brief stop at Zenkoji Temple - Zenkō-ji was founded before Buddhism in Japan was split into several different sects, so it currently belongs to both the Tendai and Jōdoshū schools of Buddhism, and is co-managed by twenty-five priests from the former school, and fourteen from the latter. Move onto to Jigokudani Yaen Koen -Jigokudani is located in a mountainous area in approximately the center of Japan. Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in the valley of Yokoyu- River that flowing from Shigakogen area of the northern part of Nagano-Prefecture. At 850 meters in elevation, it is a harsh environment where snow covers the ground for one-third of the year. By 1800hrs, return to the Ryokan.

Overnight: Tobira Onsen Myojinkan, Matsumoto Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

DAY 06 13th MAY (TUE) MATSUMOTO / TSUMAGO / MAGOME / NAGOYA By 0900hrs, we leave Matsumoto and meet with your English-speaking guide and first, transfer to Tsumago / Magome area. Magome-juku was the forty-third of the sixty-nine stations of the Nakasendō, an ancient road that connected Kyoto and Edo (present day Tokyo) during the Edo period. This well-preserved section of the old route is in the present-day city of Nakatsugawa, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Tsumago was the forty-second of the sixty-nine station of the Nakasendō. It is located in Nagiso, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It has been restored to its appearance as an Edo-era post town. We then continue to Nagoya.

Overnight: Nagoya Marriott Associa Meals: Breakfast NAGOYA / SINGAPORE DAY 07 14th MAY (TUE) At 0730hrs, meet your driver in the hotel lobby and leave for Chubu Centrair International Airport for your flight return home.

Fly 14May

Nagoya / Singapore

SQ 671

1030/1620 (6h 50m) – Daily

END OF TOUR

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

TOUR PRICE PER PERSON: - The following prices are based 2 adults travelling in Twin Sharing; - The prices stated can only be indicative and may be adjusted once we have your date of travel, the exact number of people in your groups and other specific requirements.

Our Recommended Hotels OPTION A 2N in The Kayotei, Yamanaka Onsen 1N in Wanosato Ryokan, Takayama 2N in Tobira Onsen Myojinkan, Matsumoto 1N in Marriott Associa, Nagoya

Airport & Fuel Taxes

Price Per Person

S$14,800

S$395

GRAND TOTAL (2 PERSONS)

S$30,390

Cost includes: - Return Business Class airfare on Singapore Airlines (SIN-Osaka/Nagoya-SIN); - 2N in The Kayotei, Yamanaka Onsen with breakfast & dinner; - 1N in Wanosato Ryokan, Takayama with breakfast & dinner; - 2N in Tobira Onsen Myojinkan, Matsumoto with breakfast & dinner; - 1N in Marriott Associa, Nagoya with breakfast; - All tours, excursions and visits/entrance fees as stated; - Private land transportation with air-condition; - Private English-speaking guide

Cost excludes: - Visas if any; - Gratuities to guide and driver; - Personal and other expenses not stated; - Any other activities termed and highlighted as “OPTIONAL�

- Travel Insurance; - Any extra meals other than specified; - Any expenses incurred beyond our control due to natural disaster, weather conditions, etc.

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

HOTELS: Yamanaka Onsen: The Kayotei Ryokan - Welcome to The Kayotei. This luxurious ryokan has 10 Sukiya suites that are arranged in the traditional style of a tea ceremony pavilion. The Kayotei mixes antique tansu chests of drawers, low polished oak tables, hand-painted screens, traditional ceramic pieces and modern sculptural designs. There are two indoor communal baths sourced from natural hot springs. The baths are splendidly glassed in on three sides, providing guests with onsen views of natural forest sceneries. Traditional Japanese-style cuisine is served to the guests. http://www.ryokancollection.com/eng/kayoutei/ryokan_story.htm?ryokan=kayoutei http://www.kayotei.jp/

Takayama Wanosato Ryokan – When you see a small collection of thatched roofs peaking above the jade green forest, you’ll know you’ve arrived at Wanosato, a quiet Ryokan 20 minutes outside of Takayama. Teapots burble above crackling fires, while tatami mats creak underfoot. It’s a Japan of a time gone, but not forgotten. At Wanosato, there is an intimate grouping of eight rooms (each complete with its own spa) in an incredibly green setting, all set around a stunning river that powers an old waterwheel. A complimentary Japanese breakfast is offered, as is high-speed complimentary Internet access. This luxury Ryokan also boasts a communal spa tub, tour/ticket assistance, and multilingual staff to help you identify things in the area, or on your plate. Speaking of food, the dishes served in the restaurant utilize many rare local ingredients, including the lusciously marbled Hida beef, Japan's very finest. You’ll be amazed at how close beef comes to butter. At the end of the day, Wanosato is about reflection and relaxation. Whether you find that around a meal, or in the spa — the ends justify the means. http://www.wanosato.com/

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

Matsumoto Tobira Onsen Myojinkan - Tobira Onsen is a serene hot spring village in the deep mountains on the outskirts of Matsumoto, Nagano prefecture. Myojinkan is quietly nestled in an environment blessed with abundant greenery and the sound of a river stream. This natural beauty, refined interior, delicate cuisine, and hospitality of the staff makes Myojinkan highly popular throughout the year. The combination of traditional beauty of a Japanese ryokan and innovative ideas derived from prominent overseas resorts produces a unique and comfortable space of Myojinkan. For dinner, you can choose between Japanese kaiseki restaurant, modern Japanese cuisine restaurant, and organic French restaurant. Myojinkan is a resort ryokan constantly pursuing what people long for when traveling and escaping from the urban bustle. http://myojinkan.tobira-group.com/

Nagoya Nagoya Marriott Associa - Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, located in Nagoya Station / Downtown, Nagoya, is a popular choice for travelers. From here, guests can enjoy easy access to all that the lively city has to offer.

No less exceptional is the hotel's easy access to the city's myriad attractions and landmarks, such as Nagoya Station(Sakuradori Entrance), Meitetsu Nagoya Station, JR Central Towers. At Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, the excellent service and superior facilities make for an unforgettable stay. To name a few of the hotel's facilities, there are safety deposit boxes, concierge, smoking area, disabled facilities, shops. Guests can choose from 780 rooms, all of which exude an atmosphere of total peace and harmony. The hotel's indoor pool, massage, fitness center, spa are ideal places to relax and unwind after a busy day. With an ideal location and facilities to match, Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel hits the spot in many ways. http://www.associa.com/english/nma/

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg