In the Shadow
of Mt. Fuji: Japan by Rail
Discover one of
the world's most railway-rich countries!
March 24 - April 8, 2001
| Your
tour guide: Anthony Robins Anthony Robins has been living and working in a number of places in Japan for 13 years. He has been a member of the British-based Japanese Railway Society for nine years and is its coordinator in Japan. He is equally interested in historical and modern train and streetcar operations and has led four rail tours around Japan, as well as being involved in the arrangements for three others. Said one member of his 1996 tour: "Anthony is not only extremely knowledgeable about the Japanese railway scene, but - married to a Japanese, with two young daughters - he has a positive feeling for Japanese culture, which meant that he was able to point out and illuminate features which we would never have been able to interpret for ourselves, in a society very different from our own." Mr. Robins enjoys introducing people to aspects of Japanese culture ranging from castles to tea ceremony and sake. Having absorbed the Japanese interest in, or maybe obsession with, food, he is happy to advise participants on this matter as well! |
Itinerary
Day 1 (Saturday): Tokyo
Participants
will arrive at Narita (Tokyo's International Airport). From here,
we will travel by the Narita Express, which will take us to the
center of Tokyo in about an hour. The run will give a good impression
of the size of Tokyo, as we make our way through the suburbs
to our hotel located in one of Tokyo's leading centers - Shinjuku.
The first day's itinerary
will be a leisurely overview of a selection of rail operations
in this busiest of cities. Those who wish may visit the Tokyo
Transportation Museum, with its comprehensive range of exhibits,
large and small. It is a place which certainly provides a good
introduction to Japanese railways!
With such a comprehensive network of railways and subways, operated
by numerous companies, there is something for everyone in Tokyo.
The sheer density of services is unmatched, and the statistics
are stunning.
Tokyo's subway lines alone carry 7.5 million people a day and
1.5 million rail and subway passengers use just one station (Shinjuku).
Two surviving streetcar lines offer interest for fans and day
trips enable a run behind steam or trips on various types of
monorail and guided systems.
Among Tokyo's cultural attractions are the Imperial Palace, an
oasis in the centre of the city, and the historic area of Asakusa
with its famous temple and traditional souvenirs.
An introductory dinner will give participants the chance to orient
themselves and relax after their flights.
Overnight in our hotel in Tokyo
Day 2 (Sunday):
First Steam
The area north of Tokyo offers several steam operations. We will
take one of these as an introduction to the historic side of
Japanese railways, far removed from present-day bullet trains.
We will also have a chance to look at the variety of bullet trains
operating north of Tokyo. The day will conclude with a welcome
party offering the opportunity to mingle with other participants
and internationally minded local enthusiasts.
Overnight in our hotel in Tokyo
Day 3 (Monday):
Hakone
From Tokyo, it's a day trip by Odakyu Electric Railway's comfortable
"Romance Car" limited express running on its 3-feet,
6-inch main line to Hakone-Yumoto where the standard-gauge Hakone-Tozan
mountain line, with its switchbacks and steep gradients, takes
us into the heart of the scenic Hakone National Park. Hakone
offers a combination of bubbling volcanic activity and views
of Mt. Fuji. The Hakone Barrier is evidence preserved of Japan's
divided feudal past, and we will stop to see it during a round
trip through Hakone using the interesting variety of funicular,
cable-car, "historic" ship and bus.
Overnight in our hotel in Tokyo
Day 4 (Tuesday):
Behind the scenes
In the morning we once again take the busy Odakyu system, but
this time for the short ride to their Sagami-Ono Workshops. A
guided visit there offers an interesting insight into how legendarily
high levels of punctuality and reliability are achieved. Then
it is back to busy Shinjuku Station, to catch the attractive
Super Azusa tilting limited express over the classic Chuo Line
"behind Mount Fuji" to Matsumoto, where the Japan Alps
provide a scenic backdrop.
Overnight in our hotel in Matsumoto
Day 5 (Wednesday):
History in Matsumoto
In the morning, we will ride the local Matsumoto Electric Railway
to see some railway history. Its small depot offers Japan's oldest
surviving carriage, and from America, 1926 Westinghouse-built
locomotive ED30 1. We will also visit Matsumoto's attractive
castle, originally built in 1504, with the nickname "karasu-jo"
or crow-castle, reflecting its dark exterior.
The afternoon sees us on another tilting train, this time the
Shinano, which offers us great views and completes a full trip
along the Chuo Line. The Chuo Line ends at Nagoya, but we will
continue on the Tokaido Line via Sekigahara (scene of a key battle
in 1600) to historic Kyoto, Japan's former capital.
Overnight in our hotel in Kyoto
Day 6 (Thursday): Kyoto's
Sights
Today we enjoy
a full day in Kyoto, with a variety of railway and cultural sights.
We will first visit the steam roundhouse at Umekoji, where there
are 17 locomotives representing the development of Japanese steam.
The adjoining museum building, the former Nijo Station, displays
an interesting selection of historical artifacts.
After that, it is on to Nijo Castle, more a palace than a castle,
with its specially designed nightingale floors which creak to
warn of intruders. Then, we continue on the Keifuku Tramway which
takes us to scenic Arashiyama, long a favourite for Kyotoites
taking a short break from the city.
More than 1,200 years old, Kyoto was once Japan's capital and
is still considered its primary cultural center. While now also
a modern forward-looking city with an impressive new station,
a multitude of gardens, palaces and more than 2,000 shrines and
temples dot the city and provide authentically serene Japanese
atmosphere.
Overnight in our hotel in Kyoto
Day 7 (Friday):
Westward to Kyushu
We will continue by bullet train along the Tokaido and Sanyo
Shinkansen at speeds of more than 160 mph to Hakata, the terminus
in Fukuoka, on the western island of Kyushu. Here we have a break
for lunch before transferring to one of the frequent limited
expresses making the 75-minute journey to Kumamoto. After checking
in at our hotel, we will have time to explore services provided
by the local tramway and its operator, Kumamoto Electric Railways.
Overnight in our hotel in Kumamoto
Day 8 (Saturday): Asoboy
Steam
Today sees the start of a steam weekend with the scenic 90-minute
steam run along the Hohi Main Line to Miyaji. Asoboy is named
after the five volcanoes collectively called Mount Aso, which
features the worldís largest crater basin. The train reflects
the Japanese interest in things foreign, having an American Wild
West image with suitably clad crew! We'll have plenty of time
for photos on this train, which is pulled by 8620-type locomotive,
No. 58654, a 2-6-0 dating from 1922. Return is by the same train.
Overnight in our hotel in Kumamoto
Day 9 (Sunday):
Yamaguchi Steam
We set off back to Fukuoka, where we rejoin the shinkansen for
a short run to Ogori, the junction for the Yamaguchi Line. We
use the diesel powered Ok limited express to take us inland to
Tsuwano, a historic town associated with early Christian activity
in Japan.
We'll have time there for lunch and the sights before retracing
our route along the Yamaguchi Line, but with steam in the form
of 1937-built Pacific C57 1, running in preserved condition now
for 20 years.
The locomotiveís distinctive and rugged design reflects
the many tunnels on this route through rural Japan. Weíll
have plenty of time to look at and photograph the locomotive
before departing on our 100-minute journey from Tsuwano to Ogori.
After arriving back at Ogori, we are on the shinkansen for under
40 minutes before arriving in Hiroshima, where we get our first
glimpse of the trams which operate on Japan's premier system
as we make our way to our nearby hotel.
Overnight in our hotel in Hiroshima
Day 10 (Monday):
Hiroshima sights
We start off the day with a run along the tram system to its
westernmost terminus at Miyajimaguchi. "Guchi" means
"entrance" and from here it is a brief ferry trip to
Miyajima itself. Its approach is signaled by a red "torii",
the typical gate which indicates a Shinto shrine, in this case
"Itsukushima Shrine", originally dating from 593 and
last rebuilt in the 16th century.
After returning to the mainland, we will make our way back by
tram to central Hiroshima with photo stops en route. Our destination
will be the headquarters and main workshops of the Hiroshima
tramway system, and there will be an opportunity to see the wide
variety of cars used by the city. Our group will use one of these
cars to further explore the system before concluding the day's
tour with a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and
its adjoining monuments including the famous A-Bomb Dome, now
a World Heritage Site.
Other sights in and around Hiroshima are the historic wooden
bridge at Iwakuni and rural lines running into the interior of
Japan. Streetcars are regarded very nostalgically by Japanese,
but Hiroshima provides both historic cars and the latest European
low-floor cars operating on the only system in Japan with central
traffic control.
Overnight in our hotel in Hiroshima
Day 11 (Tuesday):
By Hikari Rail Star-The Newest Bullet Train
We'll have a leisurely start, with more time for trams or Astram,
Hiroshima's guided system, before taking the newest bullet train,
the Hikari Rail Star, which reaches speeds of over 175 mph. We
will join it for the 90-minute run to Shin-Osaka. Time for photographs
will be provided at this hub of shinkansen operations before
continuing to Toyohashi for more trams. The close proximity of
the hotel to the tram terminus will easily allow fans to enjoy
their comings and goings.
Overnight in our hotel in Toyohashi
Day 12 (Wednesday):
Last Chance!
We will travel
on Meitetsu's (Nagoya Railroad) interurban Panorama Car with
forward view from seats above the driver's compartment on a 90-minute
journey along the length of its main line to Gifu.
Here, we will take the opportunity to travel on two of Meitetsu's
more rural lines, which are scheduled to close in autumn 2001.
Cars operating the services include some going back to the 1920s.
We will return to Toyohashi by the competing JR route, offering
the chance to compare interurban services.
Overnight in our hotel in Toyohashi
Day 13 (Thursday):
The Oigawa
Literally meaning "Big River", the Oigawa Railway in
the climatically mild tea-growing area of Shizuoka Prefecture
offers steam on more than 300 days of the year and intersperses
that with historic electric units enjoying a second life after
running in various other parts of Japan. A journey on the Oigawa
takes the passenger to Senzu, where changing to the Iigawa mountain
line offers a spectacular ride, including rack operation, over
an impressively engineered new section built to bypass a dam
development.
Tonight's stay is something different, with a taste of tradition
- Japanese-style dinner and accommodation and the opportunity
to experience an invigorating hot spring bath.
Day 14 (Friday):
Return to Tokyo
We have a leisurely trip back via the Oigawa, with a stop at
their steam depot for photographic opportunities before rejoining
the route to Tokyo.
Overnight in a hotel conveniently located for Tokyo Station.
Day 15 (Saturday):
Last Look
Today offers a range of possibilities: a more relaxed time for
a look at the Imperial Palace, shopping for souvenirs or perhaps
another steam trip. Local enthusiasts will be available to guide
those who wish. Or venture off on your own, armed with two weeks
experience! This evening we will take the Skyliner Airport Express,
operated by Keisei Railways to our hotel conveniently located
near the airport. The Skyliner is similar to the Narita Express,
making 23 runs a day between the city and its airport in about
an hour.
Overnight in a hotel located near Narita Airport.
Day
16 (Sunday): Depart for U.S.
We transfer to the airport for our group flight back to the U.S. this afternoon. Enjoy recalling your wonderful memories as we fly home!
Included in the cost of this tour:
-14 nights accommodation in first-class hotels plus 1 night
in a traditional hot-springs Japanese inn.
-Meals as specified in the itinerary (Breakfasts daily, Welcome
dinner, Welcome party on second night, Farewell
dinner at traditional Japanese Inn)
-14-day Japanese Rail Green Pass (for first-class travel)
-Non-JR travel including day trip to Hakone by Odakyu Railways
(including Hakone Free Pass)
-Trip by Nagoya Railroad Limited Express and return
-Trip on the Oigawa Railway (one way by steam)
-Airport connection to Narita (by Keisei Railways)
-Steam supplements on JR (not included in the rail pass)
-Museum entrance fees
-One-day tram ticket and rental of tram in Hiroshima
-Transfer by taxis where hotels are located beyond walking distance
from a station
-Porterage of luggage (one large bag or two smaller bags per
person), hotel-to-hotel transfers. Please note porterage
-to and from the airport will be included only if traveling on
group flight.
-Tour Director throughout
-Society of IRT baggage tags and all pre-tour documentation
-Med-trip Travel Assurance: This policy provides 24-hour-a-day
information and referral service to Western-practicing
physicians and facilities in countries around the world.
It provides a 24-hour telephone service connecting
you with English-speaking registered nurses. It does not pay
for your medical care; however, we have found it
to be extremely helpful for our members and thus include
it in every IRT tour.
Not included: international airfare, any items of a personal nature such as laundry or liquor, unless specified; any item not specifically mentioned in the included list.
Please note: making a deposit on this journey signifies your understanding and agreement with all terms and conditions of The Society of International Railway Travelers tours. We strongly urge you to take out tour cancellation insurance to protect your travel investment.
Cost of Tour
Double occupancy: $4,678 per person
Single supplement: $500
Book by Nov. 20 and save $200 per person!
Group Air: Upon booking, inquire about group air departure and pricing.
Tour Conditions
How to Book: Call our tour desk at 1-800-IRT-4881 to make a reservation. A deposit of 15% of the total trip cost is required. Deposits can be made by check or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, or Discover). Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Final payment is made by check 90 days before departure.
Passport: A valid passport is required, valid for six months after departure from U.S.
Cancellations: Notice of cancellations must be received by this office in writing before 90 days prior to departure and are subject to a $250 per-person administrative fee. Final payment is due 90 days before the trip. Cancellations occurring within 90 days prior to the trip are nonrefundable unless the space is resold. In the event the space is resold, a refund, equal to the resale value of the space, is made after deduction of the $250 per person administrative fee and applicable airline cancellation penalties. No refunds will be made in the event of "no-shows" or cancellations the day of the trip. No refund will be given for unused portions of the tour. No refund for airline tickets once issued.
Insurance: We highly recommend that all passengers protect themselves with tour insurance to cover your costs in case you must cancel your journey. We will send you a brochure upon confirmation of your reservation. Please note: in order to waive pre-existing medical conditions exclusions in the tour insurance, insurance must be post-marked within ten days of date of deposit.
Minimum Participants: The main tour must have at least 15 passengers in order to qualify for special group rates.
Prices: This tour price is based on currency exchange rates in effect at the time of printing. In the event of revaluation or devaluation of U.S. currency, the tour operator reserves the right to make adjustments.
Price does not include: Passport and visa fees; personal expenses such as laundry; telephone calls; meals and alcoholic beverages not listed in the included section; optional sightseeing excursions; services other than those specifically mentioned in the included section; accident; sickness, trip cancellation and baggage insurance; and excess baggage charges. Please note that transfers and baggage handling to/from airport included only if traveling with the IRT group on its group flight.
Medical: Any physical or mental condition which may require special medical attention must be reported in writing. All Society trips require some walking to take full advantage of the transportation systems of each country we visit. In Japan, many rail stations do not have escalators; thus, the ability to walk up stairs is essential.
Baggage: Baggage and personal effects are taken at owner's risk throughout the trip and baggage insurance is strongly recommended. Porterage of one suitcase is included.
Responsibility: The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. (IRT) and Hardy Publishing Co., Inc. (HPC), parent company of The Society of International Railway Travelers, act only as agents for the passenger with respect to travel services. IRT and HPC do not own or operate any of the suppliers of services or accommodations for your trip. As a result, IRT and HPC are not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such supplier of any other third party over whom IRT and HPC has no control.
We can assume no responsibility nor liability in whole or in part for any delays, delayed or changed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss, damage, weather, strikes, acts of God, circumstances beyond our control, force majeure, war, quarantine, criminal activity, expense, accident, sickness, injury or death to person or property, or mechanical defect, failure, or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, restaurant, transportation or other services, for any substitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment beyond our control, with or without notice, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby. If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors you are required to spend an additional night, you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers and meal costs. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour due to these causes or voluntary cancellations. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
No revisions of the printed itinerary or the "included" section are anticipated; however, IRT and HPC reserve the right to make changes at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and IRT and HPC shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to passengers by reason of such cancellation, substitution or changes. All fares as well as ship and train schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, special programs, and guest lecture series (if applicable), are subject to change without prior notice. IRT and HPC shall not be required to refund any portion of the fare or make any other compensation under these circumstances. IRT and HPC cannot be responsible for penalties assessed by air carriers that may result due to operational and/or itinerary changes, regardless if the passenger and/or IRT and HPC make the flight arrangements. Any additional expenses resulting from the above will be paid by the individual passenger. IRT and HPC reserve the right to substitute a similar category for those listed in this brochure. IRT and HPC reserve the right to increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes in air fares, changes in the itinerary, currency fluctuations or fuel surcharges and such increases are to be paid to IRT and HPC by the tour participant upon notice to the tour participant of such increases.
When issued, the air tickets shall constitute the sole contract between the air company concerned and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. Please note that advertised air rates can change before ticketing. The airlines and other transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or events during the time passengers are not on board their conveyances.
By forwarding of deposit by either check or credit card, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers and accepts the terms of this contract. IRT and HPC reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member should such a person's health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other participants.
Behavior: Passengers are expected to behave in a reasonable manner toward other passengers, IRT personnel and other persons with whom we have contact during our tour. If a passenger behaves, in the opinion of our tour leader, in a way likely to disrupt the enjoyment or endanger the safety of other passengers, the tour leader will issue him with a verbal warning. Should this not resolve the matter, a second, written warning will be issued. If the disruptive behavior continues after the second warning, then the passenger will be removed from the tour and will have to make his own arrangements to return home. No refunds for the untraveled portion of the tour will be entertained. The right is retained to refuse any application for reservation(s), cancel any reservation(s) or decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour group at any time.
Acceptance of terms: Upon payment of a deposit, by either check or credit card, tour participants indicate acceptance of all stated IRT and HPC terms and conditions.
Optional Activities that may be Dangerous: Depending on the itinerary you have selected, optional activities furnished by independent suppliers will be available at some of the places you will visit. Some of these activities carry with them the inherent risk of serious personal injury. These activities include, but are not necessarily limited to: walking safaris; horseback /elephant back/camel safaris; canoe trips, white-water rafting and river cruises; hot-air balloon trips and gorilla-tracking on foot; steam engine foot-plate rides, cab rides or photo run-bys; helicopter rides scuba diving; shark diving; boat rides. You should be aware that your safety cannot be guaranteed. Should you elect to participate in such activities while you are on tour, you are of course, free to do so. However, you must understand that such participation will be at your own risk, and that The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. assumes no responsibility for your safety.
Complaints: The stated mission of The Society of International Railway Travelers is to offer the very best in rail travel around the globe for our members. However, if you have a complaint during your journey, please bring it to the attention to your tour leader as quickly as you can. Should the problem remain unsolved, please write to the Society at its main office at 1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY. Our desire is to set things right. We cannot accept liability for any claims not made to us in writing within two months of completion of your journey. We also cannot tender any refunds for any reason outside the terms set forth above. All claims will be settled by arbitration in Louisville, Kentucky.
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-IRT-4881
www.irtsociety.com
