Photo courtesy of Collette

Collette, America’s oldest tour operator at 99 years of age, has rolled out a new tour of Japan designed by its president and CEO Dan Sullivan Jr., in coordination with Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, vice president of product and Sullivan’s daughter, and David Lutz, Collette’s Japan product manager.

“We’ve created what I think is the best tour of Japan,” said Sullivan, “one of the few that does all the major highlights. And it’s a great value for money. It’s a 14-day tour, inclusive of 23 meals, and it sells land-only in the three thousands.”

The starting tour price is $3,999 per person double occupancy, which Sullivan said is an extraordinary price for a tour that he believes covers the essential attractions of Japan better than any other tour.

“Other comparable tours tend to be much more,” he said. “Even our own previous tour was more than $5,000.”

The list of essential attractions includes Tokyo, including the Ginza district and the Imperial Palace; Kyoto, with a visit to the Nijo Castle, home of the first Shogun; the lakeside resort of Hakone, with its hot springs and spas; Matsumoto and the Matsumoto castle; the Imperial Palace; Senso-ji, a Buddhist temple in Asakusa; and a ride on Shinkansen bullet express train to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park, at the site where the first atomic bomb was dropped.

“Takayama and Kanazawa feature all the great things about traditional Japan,” said Sullivan. “Takayama is renowned for many things, including Kobi beef. Kanazawa is known for its elaborate Japanese gardens and the samurai district.”

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The leisurely pacing of the tour is itself an attraction, said Sullivan.

“It’s great pacing,” he said, “with three nights in Tokyo, one in Hakone, two in Takayama, two in Kanazawa and four in Kyoto, with a day trip to Hiroshima. There is only one one-night stay. It gives you a chance to really relax and immerse yourself in Japanese culture.”

The tour is designed to include a generous portion of immersion, such as a tea ceremony in the home of a Japanese family, and a variety of local meals. It also includes shopping in Tokyo, a cruise on Lake Ashi and a ride on the Kachi Kachi Ropeway 1,300 feet high, with views of Mt. Fuji.

The trip incorporates a number of opportunities to meet locals and learn about culture and crafts such as stenciling and attendance at a geisha show in Kyoto.

“It’s a great four-star product,” said Sullivan, “with excellent hotels and great value for the money.”

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