Please bookmark this page to receive information about the October trip to Japan. We will be updating the draft itinerary on an ongoing basis.
Thursday morning departure, October 26th. Late Friday afternoon arrival in Narita (outside of Tokyo).
Leave Saturday evening on 11/5 and return to SFO on Saturday again, November 5th
Current economy airfare is about $780.00. We hope to fix the price and book through the Consulate travel agent during April. We will also be traveling throughout Honshu by Shinkansen (bullet train) and some intercity rail. The cost of the rail pass will be about $350.00
Participants will be responsible for contacting Class One Travel to secure their air ticket and rail voucher. Hitomi is the contact person hitomi@classonetravel.com
We expect to travel to the areas of Tokyo, Shizuoka (Mt. Fuji), Kansai (Kyoto and Osaka) and Hiroshima (Miyajima Island).
Tentatively we are looking at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo for four night (trying to get Japanese government hotel rates), a night in Shizuoka hot springs, two nights at the Westin, Osaka and a farewell evening at a Japanese style inn (ryokan) on Miyajima Island (one of the seven most beautiful places in Japan.
Participants will probably be responsible for paying for their hotel expenses at time of checkout.
A valid passport. No visa is required.
Scott Keene and Cressey Nakagawa are working with their contacts in Japan to develop a stimulating and valuable exchange. We hope to develop a program where we can both learn about Japanese politics, economics and culture - and share our deep knowledge about U.S. and California politics, issues and the media.
Depending on interest, we hope to have some stimulating speakers to talk about Japan. Perhaps a visit to the Asian Art Museum and pre-departure briefings. Most important, we all need to learn and appreciate the differences between Ginjo and Dai-Ginjo Sake. Planning on this critical topic is well underway.
Thanks for your interest and please stay tuned.