Explore historical and modern landmarks in Tokyo and then travel south to Hakone for a lake cruise in the shadow of Mt. Fuji and an enlightening visit to a meticulously reconstructed 15th-Century castle.

DAY 1

Upon arrival at either the Narita or Haneda International Airports in Tokyo, you will be met at the exit of the Custom’s area. Transfer to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Meals are on your own.

Please note that check in time at the hotel is at 4:00pm.

Although every effort will be made to have the rooms available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have a very early morning arrival you may wish to book an extra night so that your room is available when you arrive.

NOTE: In general, hotel rooms in Japan are smaller than hotel rooms elsewhere around the world. Per Japanese culture, standard typical bedding is two twin beds. Although every effort will be made to obtain rooms with one bed for couples, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you require two beds, kindly make sure to advise this when booking your program.

For guests on Explorer's March 6 sailing, the group will stay at the Conrad Tokyo as the Hilton is not available.

DAY 2

After checking out of the hotel, you will enjoy a half-day tour of Tokyo starting with a visit to the Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine. Built to venerate Emperor Meiji, who reigned from 1852-1912, it is the largest and most visited shrine in Japan, in part because of its beautiful park-like setting and the fact that Meiji is revered as Japan’s first modern emperor.

Then it’s on to Tokyo Tower, Japan’s second highest structure, which was built in 1958 as a symbol of Japan’s rebirth. After riding an elevator to the nearly 500-foot-high Grand Observation Platform, you will be treated to an astounding view of the city. If the sky is clear, you can see Mt. Fuji.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, you will be transferred to your Odawara hotel to relax at your leisure. A bountiful buffet dinner will be served at the hotel. However, the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy as you please before you spend the evening at the hotel.

DAY 3

Today, you will visit Hakone, a part of the Fuji National Park. Upon arriving at Sounzan, you will board the Ropeway, an aerial tram that affords you wonderful views of the Owakudani Valley. In time, you will stop at Lake Ashi for a scenic cruise. The crystal-clear lake was formed about 3,000 years ago in the caldera left after the volcanic eruption of Mount Hakone. If the conditions are ideal, as they often are, you will see Mt. Fuji and its inverted reflection on the water.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. On the return to the hotel, you will stop at Odawara Castle, which was originally built in the mid-15th Century. The structure was destroyed in the latter half of the 19th century when political power changed from the Edo shogunate to the Meiji government, and the castle was condemned as the symbol of the samurai.

The castle that now stands is a reconstruction from 1960. However, the moat and stone walls are originals. The castle is a three-tiered, five-storied donjon, and its top floor is an observatory.

A traditional Japanese Kaiseki (multi course) dinner will be served at your hotel this evening.

DAY 4

After checking out of the hotel, you will be transferred to cruise terminal to embark the ship.

Land Program Details Step by Step

•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.

Extra Nights

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 4:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 4:00pm.

•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

DAY 1

Arrive at either the Narita or Haneda International Airports in Tokyo.

You are met near the exit of the Customs area and transferred to your hotel.

The afternoon and the evening at your leisure.

Check in time at your hotel is 4:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.

Meals are on your own today

Overnight at Hilton Tokyo or similar hotel

NOTE: Guests on Explorer's March 6, 2024 sailing will stay at the Conrad Hotel in Tokyo as the Hilton is not available on this date.

Meet and Greet and transfers

•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.

•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.

•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel

10:00am Check out of the Hilton Tokyo for a half-day tour

10:15am Visit Meiji Jingu shrine

11:45am Visit Tokyo Tower

1:00pm Lunch at a Tokyo restaurant

2:00pm Transfer to the Hilton Odawara

4:00pm Arrive at the Hilton Odawara

7:00-8pm Buffet dinner at the hotel

Overnight at Hilton Odawara (or similar hotel)

DAY 3

Breakfast at the hotel

9:30am Depart the hotel for Hakone

10:15am Hakone Ropeway

11:20am Lake Ashi Cruise

12:15pm Lunch at a local restaurant

1:30pm Depart for brief tour of Odawara and Odawara Castle

2:15pm Visit Odawara Castle

4:00pm Arrival back at your hotel

7:00-8:30pm Japanese Kaiseki dinner at the hotel

Overnight at Hilton Odawara or similar hotel

DAY 4

Breakfast at the hotel

9:30am Check out and transfer to the port

12:00pm Approximate arrival at the port for embarkation

Expected Weather:

The average high in March in Tokyo is 10 C (50 F)

The average high in April in Tokyo is 14 C (57 F)

The average high in October in Tokyo is 18 C (64 F)

The average high in October in Tokyo is 16 C (60 F)

What to bring:

A warm jacket and gloves for cooler temperatures, an umbrella and comfortable walking shoes

Local Currency:

Japanese yen

USD are not widely accepted therefore you will need to change your money into local currency

Electricity: The voltage in Japan is 100 Volts, which is different from North America (120V), Central Europe (230V) and most other regions of the world. You can use your electric appliances in Japan, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 110 - 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries). If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia), you need a voltage converter in Japan. We recommend bringing your own travel adaptor for electronic devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A valid passport is required.

Please consult your local Japanese embassy for any Visa requirements for your nationality

Accommodation (subject to change):

Hilton Tokyo

6 Chome-6-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan

Phone: +81 3-3344-5111

Hilton Odawara Resort and Spa

583-1 Nebukawa, Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0024, Japan

Phone: +81 465-29-1000

NOTE: Guests on Explorer's March 6, 2024 sailing will stay at the Conrad Hotel in Tokyo for one night as the Hilton is not available

We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified in advance. If you are not notified of changes before departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests:

•1 night in a standard room at Hilton Tokyo (or similar)

•2 nights in a standard room at Hilton Odawara

•3 American breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners

•Tours described in the itinerary with local English-speaking guides

•Touring and entrances per the itinerary

•Bottled water on the tour coaches

•Airport transfers

NOTE: Guests on Explorer's March 6, 2024 sailing will stay at the Conrad Hotel for one night in Tokyo as the Hilton is not available

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program Excludes for guests:

•Meals and beverages other than stated as included.

•Personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities