Year of the Tiger

1st January 2010

Year of the Tiger - 2010 likely to be a roaring success for InsideJapan Tours with a different tour available each month

The oriental zodiac sign of the Tiger sees people born with a list of character traits as long as your arm - they are patient but short-tempered, calm but rebellious, free spirits but fiercely territorial and whilst happy in familiar surroundings, they are just as likely to fly off on an adventure at a moment’s notice. Whatever your character and interests, InsideJapan Tours has a different tour for every month of the Tiger year and there are plenty of exciting events too:

February – Winter Highlights (14 nights). Experience stunning scenery in the wilderness of Hokkaido’s Shiretoko peninsula and the hot spring bathing snow monkeys in the Nagano region of Japan. Ł2,700 pp
Event - Sapporo Snow Festival – Life size snow sculptures and festival fun (5 - 11 Feb)

March – Spring Elegance (13 nights). Follow the cherry blossom and travel south from Tokyo, through the Japanese Alps including Matsumoto and Takayama, to the ancient capital of Kyoto. Ł2,200 pp
Event – Tokyo International Anime Fair – For all those Japanese cartoon fans (27 – 28 Mar)

April – Hidden Japan (13 nights). Head to the rural island of Shikoku and take in ancient hot spring town of Matsuyama, the Iya Valley’s vine bridges and gorges and stay in a Buddhist temple lodging. Ł2,300 pp
Event - Miyako Odori, Kyoto – famous Geisha dances (throughout Apr)

May – Essential Honshu (14 nights). Take in the bright lights of Tokyo and Osaka but also escape into quieter realms with the stunning national park of Kamikochi deep in the Japan Alps. Ł1,950 pp
Event - Asakusa Sanja Matsuri – Tokyo’s liveliest mikoshi festival (16 May)

June – Japan Unmasked (13 nights). Delve into the Alps to experience a Buddhist temple lodging before heading south to Hiroshima, the small canal town of Kurashiki and the ancient capital of Kyoto. Ł1,400 pp
Event - Takigi Noh, Heian Shrine, Kyoto – Outdoor traditional theatre (1 – 2 Jun)

July – Kyushu Elements (14 nights). Travel south taking in laidback Nagasaki, the hot springs of Beppu and the remote island of Yakushima with its lush green primeval forests and wildlife. Ł2,300 pp
Event - Gion festival, Kyoto – Japan’ biggest traditional festival (14 – 16 Jul)

August – Japan Sea Coast (13 nights). Go down the quiet west coast of Japan staying in the small hot spring town of Kinosaki, the castle town of Matsue and the laid back samurai town of Hagi. Ł2,100 pp
Event - Awa Odori, Tokushima – Japan’s most famous folk dance takes over the city (12 -15 Aug)

September – Nature and Culture (13 nights). Hike with wild black bear, taking in the traditional architecture along the Nakasendo Way, as well as the temples and culture of Kyoto. Ł2,450 pp
Event - Sumo Grand Tournament, Tokyo (12 – 26 Sep)

October – A Northern Soul (14 nights). Stay in hot spring towns, temple lodgings on sacred mountains in the northern Tohoku region of Japan and visit rural Sado island. Ł2,100 pp
Event - Doboroku Matsuri, Shirakawago – A harvest festival celebrated by local sake (14 – 19 Oct)

November - Tokaido Trail (nine nights). Enjoy the classic Japanese sights amongst the autumn colours. From Tokyo, the tour visits the mountains and hot springs of Hakone and the temples and culture of Kyoto. Ł1,250 pp
Event - Enjoy ‘Koyo’ or autumn leaf viewing across Japan (early – late Nov)

All prices exclude international flights which can be booked through InsideJapan Tours.

For more information call InsideJapan Tours on 0117 314 4620 (http://www.insidejapantours.com/).