Dental Study Tour to Japan

Itinerary at a glance

• Day 1: Tokyo (Mon, 13 May) Arrive in Tokyo, a vast city encompassing a multitude of distinctive personalities, and transfer to the Royal Park Iconic Shiodome Hotel before dinner with the group.
• Day 2: Tokyo (Tue, 14 May) Visit the historic Asakusa neighbourhood and Senso-ji Temple. Visit a local dental clinic in Ginza. Visit the Skytree for spectacular Tokyo views and cruise along the Sumida River to Hamraiku Garden. Explore the gardens and take tea in a traditional tea house before a welcome dinner in the evening.
• Day 3: Tokyo (Wed, 15 May) Visit the Nihon University School of Dentistry, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo. Partners to visit the Meiji Shrine and fashionable Harajuku area. Continue to the designer shopping area of Omotesando. In afternoon, regroup and visit the Nezu Museum and its lovely garden. Return to the hotel, walking through the upmarket Ginza district.
  
• Day 4: Tokyo/Kanazawa (Thur, 16 May) Take the bullet train across Japan to Kanazawa. Visit the geisha quarter (Higashichaya Old Town) including the Ochaya Bunkakan Sake House, Kaikaro Geisha House, a gold leaf house and museum.
• Day 5: Kanazawa (Fri, 17 May) Visit Kenrokuen Garden. Visit the Samurai Quarter including the old pharmacy, the samurai house and garden, the Yuzen Silk Centre and the Kubani Kutaraki pottery.
• Day 6: Kanazawa/Nagoya (Sat, 18 May) Take the Thunderbird train to Nagoya. Visit the Noritake Museum and Craft Centre, known for its exquisite fine bone china and porcelain. Visit the Aichi Dental Museum - Teeth and dental care in Japan's past.
• Day 7: Nagoya/Hiroshima (Sun, 19 May) Morning tour of the Toyota Commemorative Museum. In the afternoon take the bullet train to Hiroshima and overnight.
• Day 8: Hiroshima (Mon, 20 May) Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Cruise on the Inland Sea past Miyajima Island.
• Day 9: Hiroshima/Kobe (Tue, 21 May) Take the train to Kobe, visiting Himeji castle on route. On arrival in Kobe visit the Carpentry and Craft Museum and transfer to the Oriental Hotel.
• Day 10: Kobe/Kyoto/Kobe (Wed, 22 May) Take the train to Kyoto. Visit the Golden Pavilion and its garden. Walking tour to food and craft markets (walk down Nishiki and Teramachi-dori) and explore old Kyoto. Visit to Fushimi Inari and take part in part of the Tofukuji walk. Return to Kobe late afternoon and visit a local clinic. Optional Kobe Beef dinnerOptional Kobe Beef dinner in the evening.
• Day 11: Kobe/Osaka/Kobe (Thur, 23 May) Visit Osaka and take part in culinary walk in Dotonburi. Afternoon at leisure in Osaka and return to Kobe. Farewell dinner.
• Day 12: Kobe (Fri, 24 May) Depart Kobe for airport.