Japan Package Fully Escorted Tours focus on a specific area or special interest in Japan.

Sumo

Sumo wrestling is the ancient, traditional, sport of Japan and provides a fascinating, and at times dramatic, spectacle for anyone lucky enough to make it to a "basho", or tournament. Fights can be over in a matter of seconds as one wrestler hauls his opponent over the straw bales and out of the ring or thrusts him to the ground. Yet this does not make for a lack of excitement : the tension in the arena builds to climax as the wrestlers engage in the ritual face off before each bout begins with a thunderous clash of heads. Despite their often gargantuan size, these guys can move like ballerinas, pirouetting in the ring to circle the opponent to evade a violent thrusting attack. There are six tournaments a year and some of our tours give you the chance to check out this action. This will be a day out you will never forget and a chance to experience the full excitement of this amazing sport.

Hanami

Cherry blossom or 'sakura' is considered by many as Japan's national flower and one of the most popular and colourful annual spectacles. It is when the cherry trees begin to blossom and varying shades of pink petals decorate the landscape. The unpredictability of nature makes the exact blooming date an issue of keen discussion in the early spring with the 'cherry blossom front' a daily feature on the national news. The arrival of the blossom brings men, women, and children out into the parks, setting out picnics beneath the trees for 'Hanami' or flower viewing. Popular places such as Ueno Park or Yoyogi Park in Tokyo or Maruyama Park or Heian Shrine in Kyoto will be crowded with people using the blossom as a good excuse to eat, drink, (sing karaoke!) and celebrate the arrival of Spring.

Hanami is a ritual that has been observed for centuries: in the days of the Samurai, the cherry petals were seen to represent the warriors in the way that they would fall at the height of their beauty. The cherry blossom came to symbolize the Samurai way of life and 'Hanami' parties became a popular event within the warrior classes. These days, everyone can enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossom and do so as part of Japanese culture and tradition. We have 23 tour departures running in March and April (Spring Elegance, Southern Japan Enchantment, Grand Tour of Japan, and Takayama Spring Festival) during with, as long as the weather cooperates, you will be able to experience the beauty of the sakura blossoms and the fun of 'Hanami'.

Gion

Gion is Kyoto's most famous gensha district, and one of the city's most popular attractions. The district lies in the city centre and is filled with ochaya (tea houses where geisha entertain), theatres, shops, and restaurants. Every April, the usually hidden and secretive world of the geisha district throws open its doors for the mesmerizing Miyako Odori literally, Kyoto Dances. This month-long festival is a celebration of the skill and art of the geisha tradition, combining lavish costumes and intricate dance moves with a unique style of music and songs. The mainly Japanese audience gets the rare opportunity to enjoy the grace and charm of these traditional dances, usually only seen within the walls of the exclusive, invitation only tea houses. Each of the highly stylized dances tells a story, set against the changing backdrops of the four seasons, echoing the ebb and flow of life and adding to the colour and festival atmosphere of the performance. The Miyako Odori really is a chance to lose yourself in the romanticism and mystery of Japan's past. You are able to experience these dances as an optional extra on our Spring Elegance tours and April's Takayama Festival tour or Grand Tour of Japan. Maiko dance show at Gion Corner is included as part of your tour visiting Kyoto year round.

Onsen

Even away from the more obvious volcanoes, the presence of onsen, or hot springs baths, makes it impossible to forget the geothermic power lying just below the surface of much of Japan. Onsen are dotted over nearly every part of Japan, from rustic baths dug into the steep faces of the high Alps to luxurious pools set amidst Zen-like gardens or overlooking sweeping views, or huge marble tubs reminiscent of the springs at Bath. Though bathing tends to be a communal, and sometimes social, event, men and women now generally bathe separately. Though bathing naked with strangers with only a small towel for cover can be a daunting experience, it is one well worth trying, for any concerns about modesty - and any other worries at all - melt away in the steaming water. Bathing in an onsen is nearly a ritual: bathers scrub thoroughly at the showers and rinse before stepping gently into the piping hot p0ool. The bathing is simultaneously calming, cleansing, and relaxing = an experience that borders on meditation. For travellers preferring more privacy, many of the more luxurious ryokan, or traditional Japanese inns, now offer private rotenburo, or open-air baths just outside each guest room, and nearly all ryokan have onsen baths which can be reserved for private use. Hakone, Beppu, Nikko, Matsumoto, and Takayama are all famous hot spring towns with histories dating back as early as the eighth century. Japanpackage invites you to soak up Japanese culture at a ryokan during our tours and experience bathing at its best.