POST CONGRESS TOURS
PC - 1 MT.FUJI & HAKONE 2 DAYS
Date: September 5 (Fri.) - September 6 (Sat.) Fare: \ 86,500 (double occupancy / two lunches included) \ 91,500 (single occupancy / two lunches included) Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
September 5, Friday KYOTO - MT.FUJI
Board a Japan Railways "Bullet" train at Kyoto Station and come to the foot of Mt. Fuji. After arriving there around 14:00, free at leisure to enjoy the beauty of nature in a cool, dry climate and the comfort of Hotel Highland Resort near Lake Kawaguchi.
Mt.Fuji
Alt. 3,776 m. The highest and most popular mountain in Japan. The monarch of the Fuji Volcanic Chain, Mt.Fuji is considered to be one of the most beautiful conical volcanoes in the world. The base of Mt.Fuji, which forms an almost perfect circle, stretches 35 to 40 km from east to west and the same distance from north to south. Many explanations have been given as to the origin of its name, one of which is that it is derived from the Ainu word for "fire". Geologists believe that Mt. Fuji is a Quaternary formation. In other words, it is said that in the Glacial period at the beginning of the Quaternary period-about 600,000 years ago-two mountains were thrust upward from the earth's surface one after another on the present site of Mt. Fuji with an interval between. About 300,000 years after that, an immense quantity of lava poured forth from the same location and spread over these mountains, forming the outer crust and giving Mt. Fuji its present shape. Mt. Fuji is said to be a veritable storehouse of plants. Almost 2,000 species of plants grow on the hillside. They reveal a fairly distinct vertical distribution according to altitude and other environmental factors.
Lake Kawaguchi
17.4 km in circumference, 5.6 sq.km in area and 831 m above sea level. It is a favorite summer resort. The scenic beauty of this lake is enhanced by the small, thickly wooded islet called Unoshima (Cormorant Isle), on which there is a shrine dedicated to Benten-goddess of fortune and music. There are ten museums near the lake. One is the Yamanashi Prefectural Fuji Visitors Center containing materials on the natural history of Mt. Fuji. The other is the Fuji Museum which has exhibits relating to the people and natural surroundings of the Fuji Five Lakes district, including the Amano Collection, noted for its erotica.
September 6, Saturday MT. FUJI - HAKONE - TOKYO
Morning, drive halfway up Mt. Fuji. After a Chinese lunch at Hotel Highland Resort, visit Peace Pagoda and the Golden Buddha's statue. Then enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi, and ride an aerial tramway up Mt. Komagatake. Lastly, proceed to Odawara and board a "Bullet" train bound for Tokyo. Tour disbands on arrival at Tokyo Station. Transfer service to hotels in central Tokyo is available.
Lake Ashi
725 m above sea level. The area of the lake is 6.8 sq.km, with a circumference of 18 km and a depth of 40.6 m at the deepest point. At its northern end, an outlet flows into the Hayakawa River, which runs underground for a distance and then bubbles up to the surface lake a spring, finally ending its short, rapid course in Sagami Bay at Odawara. Lake Ashi is famous for the Sakasa-Fuji (inverted reflection of Mt. Fuji), which can be seen on a clear, calm day, especially at daybreak. Ferryboats crisscross Lake Ashi, connecting five main points along the shore: Hakonemachi, Moto-Hakone, Hakone-en, Kojiri and Togendai. Large excursion ships modeled after medieval European pirate and merchant ine), Haiden (Oratory) and some other structures were destroyed, but they were restored to their former magnificence. The large torii gates at the various entrances to the grounds are made of cypress wood more than 1,700 years old from Mt. Ari in Taiwan. The torii gate standing at the point where the southern and northern approaches meet is on of the largest wooden torii gates in Japan. It is about 12 m high, with pillars 1.2 m in diameter. Behind the shrine is the reinforced- concrete Treasure House in which many articles used by Emperor Meiji are exhibited, including the six-horse carriage in which the Emperor rode at the time of the promulgation of the Imperial ConstitutiOn.
Tokyo Tower
The general broadcast transmission tower that towers over the back of Zojoji Temple. It is 333 m tall, the fourth tallest tower in the world. At 150 m is an observation platform, while the special observation platform is at 250 m. In the daytime, one can look over the Kanto Plain as far as Mt. Fuji, while at night it commands a view of the spectacular Tokyo city lights. The lower part of the steel tower contains the Tokyo Tower building, which has an aquarium on the first floor, shops on the second, a wax museum on the third, the Modrn Science Museum on the fourth, and television transmission rooms on the fifth.
Note: 1. Detail information of assembly time and place, please contact JTB counter in the Kyoto International Conference Hall (1st floor). 2. Tour may be canceled should the number of participants fail to reach 25.
