Highlights of Taiwan and Japan: Cherry Blossom Tour

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13 days 12 nights

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Single Supplement: USD $1020.00

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Qingshui Cliff is located in Hualien County in Taiwan. Magnificent in clear weather and mysterious in the fog, Qingshui Cliff is one of Taiwan’s natural wonders. A breathtaking coastal cliff twenty-one kilometers long wraps around the edge of Qingshui Mountain in Taroko National Park. The cliff rises an average of 800 meters over the Pacific Ocean, making for an incredibly stunning, picturesque view. Whether driving along the cliff road or viewing it from the observation area, visitors are treated to the sight of marble limestone overgrown with bushy green shrubs rising over a gorgeous coastline and endless ocean. The Qingshui Cliff is a common stopping point for travelers on there way through Hualien County to visit Taroko Gorge.

Sun Moon Lake Shuttle Boat Tours take passengers out in small ferries onto breathtaking Sun Moon Lake – Taiwan’s largest freshwater lake and one of its most beautiful nature scenes. Although many travelers choose to hike, cycle, or take the ropeway over the gorgeous lake, shuttle boats offer unforgettable views of the lake’s incredible natural scenery that can’t be enjoyed any other way. splendid coastline of mountain ridges covered in greenery and often shrouded in fog and mist. At the center of the lake is little Lalu Island, a land sacred to the aboriginal Thao people, and shuttle boat tours take passengers to view this protected treasure up close (though outsiders are forbidden to walk on it). Shuttle boats also offer attractive views of Ita Thao – a native Thao village on the shores of the lake. Travelers often connect their shuttle boat tours with an exploration of the village and its charms.

The Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is one of Taiwan’s most stunning geographic locations, with dense rows of cypress trees shading the various hiking trails. Taking a walk through their hike on a foggy day. Some trails are narrow taking you up wooden or stone-paved paths up and around the rugged mountains, while other paths are broad and level, following old unused rail lines through the verdant woodland. Great trees like giants with large, twisted roots, pretty little waterfalls and streams tripping over grey stones, forest temples as grand as palaces, and long rickety bridges – Alishan Forest is a cornucopia of visual delights right out of a fairy tale. Perhaps the most popular forest hikes through Alishan are to view the sunrise over the magnificent mountains, which can be observed from a variety of breathtaking viewing areas.

Scenic Alishan Forest Railway is a sightseeing rail line running through the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. The Scenic Railway features a switchback system for ascending the lovely mountains of the region, up to over 2,000 meters in elevation. The 86-kilometer-long railway was built during the period when Taiwan was a Japanese colony as convenient transit for Japanese workers heading to and from cypress lumbering sites, once stretching as far as Fenqihu Village. Now the old diesel train carries passengers along a narrow-gauge track into a fantasy forest of mystery and wonder, passing through over 50 tunnels through the rugged mountain landscape, as well as over 77 wooden bridges. The railway is divided into four segments, with the Chushan line segment being one of the most popular, conveying passengers to see the sunrise over Jade Mountain – the highest mountain in Taiwan.

Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden is an old mansion house built for a Chinese noble family during the Qing Dynasty in the city of Taichung. The opulent residence gives travelers a window into the Qing Dynasty’s elegant court culture. The overall mansion is subdivided into an upper and lower mansion to accommodate the large size of the Lin family, each section built to magnificence in palatial Chinese style. Even the names of certain sections of the mansion evoke the idea of regal richness in the imaginations of those who visit – the Tower of Prospective Fragrance, the Hibiscus-Mirror Studio and many other parts of the mansion maintain a distinguished ambience. The attached garden is one of Taiwan’s most spectacular, and also has locations right out of a Chinese fable, including a Pool of Small Habits, a Veranda for Contemplating Nirvana, and the Flying Goblet Drunken Moon Pavilion.

Rainbow Village is a former military dependents’ community in the city of Taichung. One military veteran had the idea to make his world a little brighter and more enjoyable, and this mesmerizing explosion of color is the delightful result. Huang Yung-Fu, now known as “Grandpa Rainbow”, was one of the last people living in this community, which was scheduled for demolition. One day he began painting colorful birds around the walls of his home, eventually adding various other animals and cutesy characters. When he ran out of space he moved on to other empty homes in his neighborhood. Eventually the whole village was covered in his colorful art, which led the local city government to preserve Rainbow Village. Now the psychedelic colors of the village draw travelers from all over the world.

The National Taichung Theater is a grand theater building in Taichung which displays professional offerings for both local and international performance arts. The building itself is a local marvel with a modern design, built by innovative Japanese architect Toyo Ito in 2014. It has since become an icon of the city of Taichung. Its bulbous, free-flowing form has been compared by Ito to a whirlpool, with the voices and arts inside flowing out like waterspouts. The inside of the theater is just as impressive, with multiple performance areas, including an opera gallery, playhouse, and a modular “Black Box”. There is also a “Tutu Gallery”, resembling a ballerina’s dress, where artwork is displayed. There is also an expansive park for visitors out in front of the building, inspiring creativity whether you are exploring the inside or outside.

Fengjia Night Market is by far the most popular nighttime street market in Taichung. The night market sprang up around the same time as the opening of Feng Chia University, which brought an influx of business to the area. It is one of the top places in Taiwan to sample some delicious street food. You’ll find these mouthwatering foods in brightly lit shops decorated in bold colors, with cute themes and characters that make each stand unique. What foods are the best will depend on your taste, though certain foods of Fengjia are considered must-try, including classic “sausage inside a sausage”, Angry fried squid on a skewer, and a Taiwan delicacy – Black tea stinky tofu! Other shops feature various games, as well as reasonably-priced souvenirs.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is a monument in Taipei, which was built in honor of Generalissimo Chiang Kai- Shek, Chinese military leader and statesman. Chiang Kai-Shek set up the government of the Republic of China in Taiwan in 1949 and was elected to the office of president for five terms. Although some criticize him as having been a dictator, there is no doubt he had a profound impact on the modern state of Taiwan, which can be seen in this palatial monument to his memory. A grand white hall full of symbols, such as the eight-sided roof (for good luck), the 89 steps leading to the hall (Chiang’s age), and other elements connected to Chinese culture. Local events take place in the nearby square, including a formal Changing-of-the-Guard Ceremony.

The National Palace Museum is a Chinese history and culture museum in Taipei. This grand, palace-like museum houses nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks from China’s imperial age to as far back as the Neolithic age. Much of the artwork was evacuated by Chiang Kai-Shek during the Chinese Civil War in attempt preserve the country’s ancient history, and many of the artifacts came directly from the Forbidden City. The incredible pieces of this historic collection are featured in rotating exhibitions and are arranged to highlight various themes including women artists, calligraphy, paintings, porcelain, even imperial historical documents. Tours of the facility are available to the public with audio tours available in English and other languages.

Taipei 101 is a massive skyscraper, the tallest in Taiwan, as well as the tallest building in the world until 2010. Initially constructed in 2004 as the Taipei World Financial Center, the Taipei 101 employs super-fast elevators to zoom passengers from its 5th floor all the way up to the 89th floor in less than a minute. It’s innovative structural design features Asian thematic elements, its multi- layered tiers appearing like a large bamboo shoot had sprang up into the sky. The tower also features state-of- the-art safety features to accommodate the region’s tropical storms. The tower includes a classy shopping mall arranged in a cylindrical shape, featuring fashionable stores and restaurants. The tower is often used as a centerpiece for national celebrations, but the top event at the tower is its New Year’s Eve fireworks event. An unbelievable number of fireworks launch from various points along the structure of Taipei 101, reaching an astounding 16,000 fireworks for its 2020 display.

Located north of Nara Park is one of Japan’s most historic and famous temple called the Todai-Ji Temple. This temple is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple’s main hall named Daibutsuden, is the largest wooden building in the world. It is home to one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha siting at fifteen meters tall.

Located in central Nara is Nara Park, it is one of the most famous and popular parks in Japan. The park is famous and popular because it is home to over one thousand deer. The deer roam freely throughout the park and visitors are able to get up close and feed the deer as well. This park is conveniently located near most of Nara’s main tourist destinations, which include Todai-Ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-Ji Temple, and the Nara National Museum.

The Fushimi Inari-Taisha Grand Shrine is located in southern Kyoto and is one of the most famous and visited shrines in Kyoto. This shrine is only five minutes away from Kyoto Station by train, and features over a thousand vermillion colored torii gates that brings many tourist to this shrine every year.

Arashiyama is located on the western outskirts of Kyoto and is a well-known destination for both the cherry blossoms and fall colors seasons. North of the famous Togetsukyo Bridge is Sagano, and together they make this place a nice little getaway from temples and shrines to enjoy nature. Popular destinations include the Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama.

Located in the Arashiyama district in Kyoto, the Tenryu- Ji Temple is Arashiyama’s most popular temple. The temple is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The original buildings of Tenryu-Ji Temple was lost many times throughout its history, except for Tenryu-Ji’s garden. The Tenryu-Ji Temple Zen Garden that visitors see today is the original garden and landscape.

One of the most popular and well-known spots for visitors is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. A nice walking path takes visitors through the groves of bamboos. The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is also one of the most famous and photographed places in all of Kyoto and brings many visitors every year during the autumn color season.

The famous Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple is located in northern Kyoto and is most known for the building covered in gold leaf. This famous building is the number one most popular destination for tourist visiting Kyoto. The Golden Pavilion sits overlooking a large pond and various small attractions and shops are available for visitors.

Take the chance of interacting with a maiko while drinking tea, ask her about her profession, training, and lifestyle. What is different between her life and other girls in Japan? Drink a cup of tea with her, and fulfill some of your curiosity, and even take a picture with her.

The Kiyomizu-Dera Temple is located only 15 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station to the eastern side of Kyoto. This temple is one of the most popular temples in Kyoto and is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple features a large wooden terrace that offers a fantastic view of the cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn colors during the fall season with the city of Kyoto in the background.

Maruyama Park is located in eastern Kyoto near the Gion district, only 20 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station. During cherry blossom season in the spring, this is the most popular park for hanami and to view the cherry blossoms. In the center of the park is the tall weeping cherry tree that becomes lit up for a beautiful cherry blossom spring night.

Located only 20 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station, is the Gion Geisha District. The Gion Geisha District is one of the most famous and popular destinations for tourist visiting Kyoto. This area is filled with restaurants, teahouses, shops, and other attractions to entertain guests. The machiya merchant houses along with river and the occasional geisha walking around, brings visitors from everywhere to experience everything that this area has to offer.

The Miho Museum is located in the city of Koka and along with Koka’s ninja attractions, is a fun side trip from Kyoto. This museum has a unique architecture that blends in well with its surroundings and artwork display. This museum features many exhibits of world history and culture.

Hikone Castle is located in Hikone Japan not too far from Kyoto off the shores of Lake Biwa. This castle is one of the four castles in Japan that were declared as national treasures. This castle is an original castle that has never been destroyed and rebuilt. Around the castle is the Hikone Castle Museum and the beautiful Genkyuen Garden.

Built on the grounds of Hikone Castle in 1677, the Genkyuen Garden features a central pond and a circular walking path. It was originally built as a means of entertainment for the local lord, his family, and his guests. From the garden visitors can see the Hikone Castle’s mainkeep, known as “borrowed scenery”. There are also a cluster of wooden buildings where tourists can enjoy a cup of tea during their serene visit.

The shinkansen (or "bullet train") is a type of high speed train that travels between most of the major cities in Japan. By taking the shinkansen, trips between destinations that might take almost a full day by car can be reached in a few hours. The bullet trains can run up to 320 kilometers per hour (close to 200 miles per hour), and are known to be generally on time, comfortable and safe.

One of the most popular ways to get around Hakone is by taking the Hakone Ropeway. The ropeway travels between Sounzan and Togendai. The Hakone Ropeway gives visitors a beautiful view of Hakone and on a clear day, it is possible to get a nice view of Mount Fuji as well.

Owakudani is located in Hakone and is an area around a crater where gaseous fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers exist. Just like most of Hakone, on a clear day, it is possible to see Mount Fuji as well. There are hiking trails available for guests, but these trails are difficult for inexperience hikers.

Mt. Fuji is a widely-known symbol of Japan. At 3,773 meters, Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain. “Station (gome)” is the unit representing one tenth of the length from the trail entrance to the top.The fifth station Mt. Fuji is the fifth point from the base at the height of 2,305 meter. Being the end of the Fuji Subaru Line toll road and the highest point that general cars can reach. From the observatory you can see below Komitake Shrine, an ancient place for prayer that has been visited by worshippers and disciplinant, and Yamanaka-ko, the largest lake among the five Fuji lakes.

The outer Tsukiji Fish Market offers a variety of freshly prepared food products and ingredients. Travel in between the different stores and taste a few of their dishes, freshly prepared with some of the best ingredients.

The Imperial Palace is located in the center of Tokyo, only a short walk away from Tokyo station. The palace is home to the current Imperial Family. The inner grounds of the palace is not open to the public, except on January 2nd and December 23rd where guests are able to enter and see the current members of the Imperial Family from a balcony. Visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

Take a lesson from an expert and prepare fresh sushi. Experience the difference in the taste of Japanese-grown ingredients. Then, enjoy eating your masterpiece for lunch after completing your sushi lesson.

Ueno Park is located in next to Ueno Station in Tokyo. This large public park features many museums such as the Tokyo National Museum and the National Science Museum. The entrance of the famous Ueno Zoo is also located in the park. Ueno Park is Tokyo’s most popular location to view the cherry blossoms in the spring, and has a large number of Hanami parties.

The Sensoji Temple located in Asakusa is one of the most popular Buddhist temples to visit. The temple was built and completed in the year 645 and is Tokyo’s oldest temple. The surrounding area offers shopping for souvenirs and food. The Sanja Festival is one of Tokyo’s biggest festivals and is held every May at Asakusa Temple.

The Tokyo Skytree is Japan’s tallest structure ever built and the world’s second tallest structure ever built at the time of its completion. Located not too far from Asakusa, this 634 meter tall tower is now one of the most popular destinations for visitors. The main observatory is 350 meters high and the second observation deck is 450 meters high and both offer a breathtaking view of the city.