This unforgettable journey takes the group through Japan’s most iconic regions—Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and the Mashiko area. In Tokyo, travelers will experience the vibrant energy of Japan’s capital, exploring modern attractions and historic sites. Kyoto offers timeless temples, gardens, and cultural heritage, while Osaka provides a lively food scene and unique urban character. The highlight of the trip will be in Mashiko, renowned for its pottery traditions, where the Taiko group will give a special performance and participate in a student exchange program—fostering cultural connection and shared learning with local students.

9am Approximate departure for Tokyo

**Subject to change

Day 2 - Friday, May 29, 2026 Mashiko (Dinner)

3pm Approximate arrival in Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo, meet your tour guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Mashiko, Hotel Mashikokan

(One way transfer provided)**Hotel Mashikokan accommodations confirmed by the group directly with the hotel

Day 3 - Saturday, May 30, 2026 Mashiko (Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner)

Rehearsal all day today

**No transportation 

Day 4 - Sunday, May 31, 2026 Mashiko (Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner)

Performance today 

**No transportation

**Subject to change

Student Exchange program this morning

After Lunch Travel back to Tokyo

Pay a visit to the famous Shibuya Crossing. When the lights turn red at this busy intersection, pedestrians surge into the junction from all sides like a floodgate opening. It's arguably one of the most iconic modern sights in Tokyo!

**Subject to change

Take in the sights of the Japanese landscape as we travel on the bullet train. Total journey time is around 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Explore one of Japan's most enduring images - Kinkakuji, or The Golden Pavilion. The garden is designated as a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. Next, you will discover the beauty of the traditional Japanese Zen garden and Ryoan-ji Temple. The garden consists of 15 carefully placed rocks that appear to float on a sea of gravel – an example of carefully calculated randomness.

Walk down the bustling Hanamikoji Dori, a street that runs from Sanjo Dori in the north to Kenninji Temple in the south. On both sides of the street are shrines and temples such as Kenninji Temple and Toto Temple, facilities for enjoying traditional performing arts such as the Gion Koubu Utamai Neriwa, as well as numerous restaurants and souvenir stores.  Wandering around during the day is enjoyable, but we recommend walking around at night.

**Subject to change

Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, a major Shinto shrine complex on Mount Inari. To get onto the beautiful walking trails at the back of the shrine, pass through corridors of thousands of bright red gates. The seemingly endless path of vibrant gates is an impressive setting and is one of the most famous images of Japan.

Enjoy a half-day trip to Nara. Visit the Todaiji Temple, see the world's largest Buddha statue and encounter deer as you explore the temples and halls (including Kasugataisha Shrine) in the surrounding grounds of Nara Park. You might even feed the deer with their favorite snacks - Japanese Senbei! (Rice crackers) 

**Subject to change

Travel between Kyoto and Osaka. Take in the sights of the Japanese landscape as we travel on the special rapid train. Total journey time is only 30 minutes.

Spend a rip-roaring day at Universal Studios Japan, the theme park filled with attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, Universal Cool Japan 2017, The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man, Jaws, Backdraft and

Terminator 2.

**subject to change

Travel between Kyoto and Tokyo. Take in the sights of the Japanese landscape as we travel on the bullet train. Total journey time is around 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Walk through the district of Asakusa, where the atmosphere of ancient Tokyo survives. Discover the charming streets lined with traditional craft shops and street-food stalls and visit Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo's most colorful and popular Buddhist temples.  **Tokyo public transport

Visit Tokyo Sky Tree, one of the city's landmarks which towers at a height of 634 meters. It is the tallest structure in Japan - and it was the second tallest in the world at the time of its completion.

**Subject to change

Visit the beautiful Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife who, in the early 20th century, began Japan’s transformation from a feudal to a modern society. Then, move on to the Harajuku district, Tokyo's cultural epicentre, to see pokemon, punks, goths and fashionistas. Anything goes in Harajuku!

After Lunch - Enjoy spending time in Tokyo's trendy Omotesando and Takeshita District. Omotesando is quite pretty and luxurious, while Takeshita is bursting with shops for all kinds of goodies!

Take a trip to Akihabara, nicknamed Japan’s 'Electric Town' thanks to its postwar industry. Today, it's a cultural centre for anime and manga lovers, and is also home to Japan’s most famous J-pop group, AKB48.

**Tokyo public transportation

**subject to change

Experience the hustle and bustle of the world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market (outer market only). Learn how the Japanese demand for fresh seafood drives a huge fishing industry and try fresh fish from this morning’s catch! 

Next, explore the beautiful and historical Hamarikyu Gardens in Tokyo, which used to be part of the family residence of the Tokugawa shogun and which functioned as an outer fort for Edo Castle.  Explore the gardens of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, built on the site of the old Edo Castle.  **Tokyo public transportation

Check out the views from Odaiba Waterfront, from the stunning illuminations on Rainbow Bridge to the replica of the Statue of Liberty, which commemorates the French Year in Japan.

**Subject to change

**subject to change

PAYMENT POLICIES:  Payments must be made in accordance with the deadlines set below.  Since the operation of group travel programs requires extensive long term planning, costs are incurred long before departure date.  Should payments not be received within 21 days of the deadlines noted below we reserve the right to treat your booking as canceled by you in which case the cancellation fees provided will become payable.  Any account that requires to be reinstated will incur a $50 fee.  Reservations are non - transferable.   Terms of payment are with a cashier’s check, money order, personal check or credit cards. Personal checks will not be accepted within 60 days of your travel date.  

Checks payable to:  UR Tours & Events, INC

Mail payment to:  132 73rd Street, Brooklyn, NY  11209 

• $1,000 per person deposit due at booking  **Non refundable

• $1,000 per person deposit due on or before November 15, 2025

• $1,500 per person deposit due on or before December 15, 2025

• $1,500 per person deposit due on or before February 1, 2026

• Balance due no later than March 1, 2026

**UR Tours does not do room assignments. Room assignments are made by the group leader.

Travel Protection Plan:  URTE STRONGLY recommends (and some schools require) that you purchase travel/medical/baggage protection for the trip.  There are many policies available that offer coverage for baggage protection, medical expenses, cancellation/interruption as well as cancel for any reason coverage.  Travel protection coverage that you purchase is a policy between you and the third party protection provider.  Protection can be purchased with Travel Insured International or via the trip specific URL provided below.  Plan details are available before purchase and it’s the traveler’s responsibility to review these carefully.  Please note that Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is up to 75% of nonrefundable trip costs.  Trip cancellation must occur 48 hours or more prior to scheduled departure.  CFAR must be purchased immediately after initial trip payment.  You must have paid for the full trip cost for all nonrefundable trip costs for your trip prior to cancellation.  Contact Travel Insured International directly with any coverage questions at 844-440-8113.URTE is not qualified to answer technical questions regarding benefits, exclusions, and conditions of travel protection plans.  Declining travel protection will result in the loss of your trip payments.  You also acknowledge that without coverage there is no way to recoup losses, costs or expenses incurred.  URTE is NOT responsible for refunding any non-refundable payments if an individual or family does NOT purchase travel protection. If you choose to travel without adequate coverage we will not be liable for any losses however arising, for which travel protection would otherwise have been available.   https://www.travelinsured.com/agency/

CANCELLATION/CHANGES:  Should a cancellation become necessary, it is imperative that you inform URTE immediately in writing.  Cancellations are based on receipt of written notice on date/time within business hours.  Cancellations made via phone will not be accepted.  

• Initial payment of $1,000 is NON REFUNDABLE, NON TRANSFERABLE

• Cancellations received between November 15- December 14, 2025 will incur a $1,500 cancellation fee

• Cancellations received between December 15, 2025 - January 31, 2026 will incur a $2,500 cancellation fee 

• Cancellations received between February 1 - February 28, 2026 will incur a $3,500 cancellation fee 

• NO REFUNDS AFTER MARCH 1, 2026 

Cancellation fees do not represent any non recoverable online payment processing and/or convenience fees.  ALL TICKETS ARE NON REFUNDABLE!