In association with 
Tauranga City & 
Tauranga
Program dates: *Monday 6th April to Saturday 14th April 2012. (*Actually depart Tauranga on 5th and stay Auckland Airport Holiday Inn 1 night)
Program duration: 8 nights, 9 days.
Cost: Per person twin share: $4845 (Single room surcharge applies)
Highlights:
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7 nights in Japan including 4 nights homestay in Tauranga’s sister city “Hitachi City”
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Enjoy 50th Anniversary of the famous “Hitachi Sakura Matsuri” Cherry Blossom Festival,
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Visit Nikko’s World Heritage Site of Toushogu Shrine and Shinkyo Bridge.
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Discover Tokyo with 2 nights in the city and an opportunity to go to Disneyland or Kamakura (The ancient Capital of Japan).
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Tour escorted by Japanese Speaking guide from Lets Homestay.
Included in the above fees are:
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One way coach transfer Tauranga~Holiday Inn Auckland Airport
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One nights accommodation Holiday Inn Auckland Airport, including dinner
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Return Flight to Japan with Air New Zealand
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Hotel accommodation on 1st night in Hitachi City, breakfast included
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4 night homestay with a Hitachi City based host family, breakfast and dinners included.*Lunches are your own cost (unless at hosts home)
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Discovery tour of Hitachi city with local English speaking guide
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Enjoy the 50th Annual Hitachi Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Matsuri).
Option to join in the famous road race.
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Day trip to the spectacular Nikko, see the world heritage site of Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls and the Shinkyo bridge, said to be one of the three finest bridges in Japan.
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Farwell dinner party with host families
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Transfer to Tokyo by highway bus
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Half day sightseeing tour of Tokyo with Hato Bus Tours
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2 nights hotel in Tokyo’s Ginza Capital Hotel including breakfasts and 1 dinner.
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Free day in Tokyo. Option to go to Disneyland or Join a tour to Kamakura to see the Big Budha (extra cost)
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Japanese speaking escort from Lets Homestay, Tauranga, with group throughout tour (except homebound flight)
Not Included in the fees are:
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Some meals as indicated on itinerary
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Road race during cherry blossom festival (2000JPY)
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Optional tour cost on day 8 (Disneyland 6300JPY or Kamakura 10300JPY)
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Travel Insurance (must be obtained individually)
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Personal Spending Money
Conditions: Tour numbers must reach 10 to be operational/all costs are subject to change without notice due to tariff rises and currency fluctuations until paid in full/$500 non refundable deposit per person required at time of booking/full payment required by 30th January 2012/valid for sales until 30th January 2012 or until sold out/Please contact us for single supplement cost if required in Hitachi and Tokyo/travel insurance is required/once paid in full this package is non refundable and non transferable.
Important Dates
| Applications required by | 20th December 2011 |
| $500 deposit due | On receipt of application (non-refundable) |
| Balance of Program fees due | 30th January 2012 |
| Host Information | Early March |
| Tauranga Departure Day | Monday 2nd April 2012 |
| Depart Japan | Friday 13th April 2012 |
| Return home to Auckland | Saturday 14th April 2012 |
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Participants
The program is open to residents and friends of Tauranga City. All participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. -
Departure
Participants will meet in Tauranga and depart by bus to the Holiday Inn Auckland Airport for the first night. -
Japan Arrival
The group will be met by Hitachi Dentetsu Travel staff at Narita International Airport and transfer by bus to Hitachi City. 1 night in a hotel in Hitachi to refresh before the homestay. -
The Homestay
7 nights homestay with a Hitachi City family arranged by Kiwi Hitachi Club. During the homestay enjoy fantastic hospitality and Hitachi City’s famous Cherry Blossom Festival. -
Kiwi Hitachi’s Japanese Cultural Experience
Try on a “Kimono”, try cooking some Japanese food. Kiwi Hitachi have a cultural session for you to experience a little extra during your stay in Hitachi. -
Sakura Festival (Matsuri)
This is a special year for this event, the 50th Anniversary fo the “Sakura Matsuri”. It was supposed to be celebrated in 2011 but due to the Earthquake and Tsunami they had to put the festivities off until 2012. This festivial wille one the highlights of your trip to be sure. See the Furyu-mono dragged down the main street. A chance to partake in the popular road Race, see the cherry blossoms lit up in the evening and enjoy a “Hanami” with your hosts. Hanami is the culture of enjoying food and drink under the cherry blossoms in the eveing with a group of co-workers, family or friends. -
Nikko Day Trip
Travel to the iconic tourist location of Nikko. Visit Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage Site, see the famous 3 monkeys. See Lake Chuzenji, Japan’s answer to Queenstown and the spectacular Kegon Falls. -
Tokyo sights
With the experienced Hato Bus and an English speaking guide, enjoy a few of the key lighlights of Tokyo, including Tokyo Tower, Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple, and the Nakamise shopping street. -
Tokyo Disneyland or Kamakura Option
During a fee day in Tokyo, you may choose from Kamakura walking tour with English speaking guide, or a day at Tokyo’s Disneyland, or just spend the day exploring Tokyo at your leisure. All tours are extra cost. -
Tokyo Accommodation
You will be staying two nights in the Ginza Capital Hotel. It is conveniently located, close to train stations, shops and the famous Tokyo Tsukiji Fish market. -
Transfer to Narita Airport on Departure
Travel to Narita International Airport in the relaxing limousine bus service.
Note: Program finishes at Auckland International Terminal. Transport back to Tauranga is your own responsibility -
Handling and Support
The program is being handled by Hitachi Dentetsu Travel and Kiwi Hitachi Club based in Hitachi City. Hitachi City office is also a principle supporter.
Lets Homestay and House of Travel are the principle coordinators on the NZ side and supported by Tauranga City Council and Tourism Bay of Plenty.
Stuart Cundy
Email: stuart@letshomestay.com
Tel: (07) 543 3220
House of Travel, Tauranga
Debra Lamartinie
Email: debral@hot.co.nz
Tel: 577 3079
Hitachi Dentetsu Contact
Mr Masahiro Kumasaka
3-4-6 Saiwai-Cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki ken,Japan
Tel: +81 (294) 21 6787