Day 00
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Haneda.

Day 01
Singapore – Haneda – Tottori (-/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel New Otani Tottori or similar
 
Get introduced to the wide variety of local produce in Tottori at the Kitchen of Tottori – Karoichi Market. Daily catches come directly from the nearby Karo Port and the compact market simply bustles with life and warmth as locals and tourists rub shoulders while going about finding their favourite seafood. After a spectacular seafood lunch with only the lightest of flavourings to complement their already awesome taste, you will need to get ready to stretch your legs. Speak of Tottori and images of the sweeping sand dunes immediately come to mind. Tottori Sand Dunes are the largest in Japan. Spanning 16 kilometers along the coast of the Sea of Japan, these dunes are 2 kilometers wide and stands at 50 meters. If you can make your way up to the Umanose “Horse’s Back”, outstanding views of the sea and ripples created by strong winds sweeping over the sand await. Af ter feasting your eyes on the masterpieces created by the wind and sand, you will continue on to the Tottori Sand Museum which features majestic sand sculptures created by Man. This is Japan’s only open-air museum that exhibits sculptures made of sand. As sand is the main material used to create these sculptures, they change gradually over time due to the effect of gravity and eventually collapse.

Day 02
Tottori (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel New Otani Tottori or similar
 
Today’s first stop is Kurayoshi Old Town, the traditional heart of Tottori. Many of the old homes of merchants and white-walled storehouses built from the Edo Period to the Meiji Era still remain. With the region still relatively unexplored by foreign tourists, you can still feel breath of old times as you walk along the charming streets. In the afternoon, we will visit the 20th Century Pear Museum, Japan’s one and only museum showcasing everything about Pears. Revolving around the great pear tree which spans 20 metres and replete with engaging exhibits and information, the museum allows visitors to trace – and taste – the story of the Nijjisseki Pear. From the pure passion of the growers 
focused on creating the next Best Pear to the shop staff who want you to try everything at least once, this is one unique museum visit that you will not forget.

Day 03
Tottori – Kaike Onsen (B/L/D)
Hotel: Kaike Tsuruya Ryokan (Hot Spring) or similar
 
Joining Follow Me Japan’s tours brings you off the typical tourist paths and also introduces you to some of best restaurants that only locals know about. However, travelling has to be about something a little more to be truly meaningful. Our answer to the “little more” can be found in People—the people that you will meet in our local activity day.
 
Today, many of you will be brought back to your childhood days as we visit a local school. Aside from getting an intimate glimpse of the daily lives of Japanese children, through deeper interaction with the town people, you will be further
entrenched into the social fabric of this small rural town – emblematic of countless small towns throughout Japan with a diminishing workforce and aging population.

Day 04 
Kaike Onsen (B/L/D)
Hotel: Kaike Tsuruya Ryokan (Hot Spring) or similar
 
Yushi-en Garden – most famous for its Peony flowers, is globally renowned as the world’s finest. April is one of the best times for viewing Peonies and these bulbous blooms are showcased throughout the sprawling garden grounds, wonderfully juxtaposed with the traditional landscape garden elements of the grey stone lanterns, waterfalls and rock gardens. In the afternoon, you will visit the Adachi Museum of Art. Established in 1980 by Adachi Zenko, the museum features renowned Japanese paintings, exquisite ceramics and an award-winning garden. Mr Adachi Zenko’s passion and great love for Japanese art and garden design is best depicted by the unparalleled beauty of the six gardens here. The gardens are said to be “as beautiful as pictures", and each photo you take will be like a postcard. Before heading back to the hotel tonight, let us stop by Matsue Castle. As one of the 12 original castles left in Japan, the 5-tiered donjon has been designated as one of Japan’s National Treasures. The dark and austere castle exterior is distinctive to this “Black Castle” and adds to its sombre magnificence. Moreover, the attraction of Matsue Castle is not only its castle building but also the picturesque moats surrounding it. You can enjoy a cruise on the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat to take in the traditional atmosphere.

Day 05
Kaike Onsen – Hiroshima (B/L/D)
Hotel: RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima or similar
 
Before leaving for Hiroshima, you definitely need to visit the Izumo Shrine. Izumo, present day Shimane, is believed to be the birthplace of Japan and is filled with myths of gods and heavenly battles. There is no place that depicts this better than the Izumo Shrine. Having existed since before the 7th century, Izumo Shrine is believed to be the oldest Shrine in Japan and its main shrine is designated as a National Treasure. The revered god Okuninushi is said to reside within the magnificent shrine, and this is also home to Japan’s largest shimenawa – a sacred rope made of straw. Moving on to Hiroshima, up next is a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Park and Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Monument. The monument is one of the most prominent features of Hiroshima city. It is a stark reminder of that fateful day in Japan's history. The ruin serves as a memorial to the people who were killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. Over at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will be able to see the bare, scorched steel at the Hiroshima Industrial Promotion Hall that was near the epicentre of the atomic bomb.

Day 06
Hiroshima – Nagato Onsen (B/L/D)
Hotel: Otani Sanso (Hot Spring) or similar
 
In the morning, let us take the ferry to the renowned Miyajima. You can see with your very own eyes one of Japan’s most photographed panoramas and one of its top three scenic views. The red-lacquered complex of Itsukushima Shrine and the renowned torii gate that seems to float on the water are absolutely stunning to see both from afar and up close. After that, we are going to visit the Kintaikyo Bridge, which is one of the most famous wooden bridges in Japan. Built in 1673, the bridge is completely made of wood and is composed of five sequential wooden arches. The continuous arch shape was born out of the desire to reduce the number of bridge supports and strengthen its resistance to water. Through rebuilding and maintenance, the five arches still link the riversides today. A luxurious night at Otani Sanso awaits at the end of your day. Aside from being in global spotlight last year in December hosting the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, you will enjoy relaxing soaks in the outdoor hotsprings and a romantic night out at its star-gazing dome.

Day 07
Nagato Onsen – Hakata (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Okura Fukuoka or similar
 
First up for today, you will visit the geographical highlight of this region –Akiyoshidai. At the observatory, you will be able to witness vast rolling hills of the plateau dotted with countless limestone spires. Originally a coral reef in the ocean depth 300 million years ago, the plateau has been uplifted due to the tectonic movements and gradually weathered and eroded by rain through the years to how it is today. Beneath this spectacular scenery are hundreds of
limestone caverns, and the most impressive one is the Akiyoshi Limestone Cave – Asia’s largest limestone cave. The cave extends for over 10 kilometres and spans over a hundred metres in some sections. With the temperature maintained naturally at about 17 degree Celcius throughout the year, you can enjoy a walking course through this massive masterpiece of nature and marvel at otherworldly sights like the Ao-Tenjo (Blue Ceiling) and the Hyakumai-Zara (One Hundred Plates). Leaving Yamaguchi this afternoon, we are going to pass by the Tsunoshima Bridge. The bridge is 1,780 metres in length and connects Yamaguchi Prefecture to the Tsunoshima Island. The surrounding scenery is
beautifully interwoven with the ocean, islands, and the bridge. You can take fantastic photos at the side of the bridge as the view of Tsunoshima Bridge against the main island from this spot is exceptional.

Day 08
Hakata (B/-/-)
Hotel: Hotel Okura Fukuoka or similar
 
It is time to gear yourself up for the vibrancy and bustle of Hakata city on yourfree day. Shopping at major department stores and eating at local restaurants tucked into cozy nooks of the city will occupy you from sun-up to sun-down. However, as dusk falls, the city undergoes a transformation. Wheeled mobile food stalls line up to form lively rows selling everything from mouth-watering bowls of the famous Hakata ramen to fragrant barbeque meats. Squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder with the locals of Kyushu and enjoying an easy
camaraderie over a steaming bowl of ramen will be a perfect end-stop to your tour.

Day 09
Fukuoka – Singapore (B/-/-)
 
Flight back to Singapore.

COACH TOUR (SILVER)
Assemble date:   19 Apr, Wed (SO11954)

Flight schedule: (for suggestion only, not included in tour price)
19Apr   SQ 636   Singapore – Haneda      
2250 / 0645*1

20Apr   NH 337   Haneda – Tottori           
0940 / 1055

28Apr   SQ 655   Fukuoka – Singapore     
1000 / 1525

Tour price per person (in SGD)
Group size:   15-19 pax
Adult twin share $4,950; Adult triple share $4,750
Child twin share $4,950; Child with bed $4,550 
Child no bed (Age 4 & below) $1,850
Group size:   20 pax & above
Adult twin share $4,650; Adult triple share $4,450
Child twin share $4,650; Child with bed $4,250
Child no bed (Age 4 & below) $1,850

Tour price includes:
Hotel accommodation as stipulated in itinerary
Tours and Meals as stipulated in itinerary
Comprehensive travel insurance

Tour price excludes:
Return economy class airfare
Airport taxes & fuel charges (Estimated, subject to change)
Visa application fee (if any)

Optional Add-on:
International Sectors Airfare Adult $500; Child $375
Domestic Sectors Airfare Adult $150; Child $150
Airport Taxes Adult $190; Child $180

Remarks:
The prices are subject to change upon fluctuations of currency exchange rates.  Flight schedule and the sequence of the itineary are subject to change with or without prior notice to ensure the smooth running of the tour.   Minimum group size to confirm tour is 15 adults/children with bed.  Please refer to booking form for further terms and conditions.