Greetings from BOUTIQUE JTB.
We hope everything is well with you, our valued readers.
JTB is excited to celebrate its upcoming 100th anniversary on March 12th! BOUTIQUE JTB will be offering special tours related to the 100th anniversary in this and the next issue.

This issue features information on:
JTB 100th Anniversary Tour Part 1
Cherry Blossoms Tour in Tokyo
Japanese Holidays in 2012

We are pleased to offer the following special tour!

Tour Highlights
1) Travel Japan’s Golden Tourist Route
2) Visit historic sites that are over 100 years old
3) VIP shopping at a famous department store in Tokyo
4) Helicopter Cruising by HERMES Edition
5) Lunch at a members-only restaurant
6) Visit an invitation-only porcelain kiln in Kyoto
7) Special Dinner with private Geiko and Maiko performances at Michelin 3-star restaurant that is also celebrating its 100th anniversary

Imperial Palace Plaza

HERMES edition

Mt.Fuji & Hakone

Japanese Tea

Bamboo grove

Maiko

Day 1: Narita/Tokyo
Arrival at Narita Airport, and tranfer to hotel in Tokyo.
Stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo or similar for 3 nights
Free at leisure after arrival

Day 2: Tokyo
Full-day sightseeing of Tokyo
- Imperial Palace Plaza, establised as Edo Castle in 1457, and later becoming the Imperial Palace in 1871
- Edo Tokyo Museum
- Asakusa Kannon Temple, first built in the 7th century, & Nakamise Shopping Arcade,
- VIP shopping at Mitsukoshi Department Store, estabilised as a kimono shop in 1673
- Ginza

Day 3: Tokyo
Full-day sightseeing of Tokyo
- Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Helicopter Cruising by HERMES edition
One of only three helicopter tours in the world!
- Lunch at a members-only restaurant, Ark Hills Club
- Aoyama & Omotesando, Tokyo's fashion destination
- Roppongi Hills Observatory

Day 4: Tokyo/Hakone
Transfer to Mt. Fuji & Hakone
- 5th station of Mt. Fuji
- Lake Ashi Cruise
- Owakudani Valley with ropeway ride, The valley was created 2,900 years ago by a volcanic eruption, and named Owakudani in 1873 when Emperor and Empress Meiji visited there.
Transfer to the hotel in Hakone
Stay at Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa or choose to stay at a Japanese-style ryokan inn with onsen hot springs baths

Day 5: Hakone/Kyoto
Transfer to Odawara station
Bullet train, Shinkansen to Kyoto
Upon arrival at Kyoto station, half-day sightseieng of Kyoto
- Sanjusangendo Temple, home to more than 1,000 Buddhist statues
- Nijo Castle, World Heritage
Transfer to hotel in Kyoto
Stay at Hyatt Regency Kyoto for 3 nights
You may also choose to stay at a prestagious ryokan inn such as Tawaraya or Hiiragiya

Day 6: Kyoto
Full-day sightseeing of Kyoto
- Ryoan-ji Temple, World Heritage
- Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), World Heritage
- Japanese Tea Ceremony at a temple usually not open to the public
- Visit a Kiyomizu porcelain kiln, Invitation only
- Kiyomizu Temple, World Heritage
Return to the hotel

Day 7: Kyoto
Morning free at leisure
Half-day sightseeing in Arashiyama, Kyoto
- Tenryu-ji Temple, World Heritage
- Togetsukyo Bridge
- Stroll a bamboo grove
*You can also take the opportunity to enjoy a rickshaw ride
Transfer back to the hotel
Evening dinner at Michelin 3-star restaurant, KIKUNOI
The restaurant is also celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2012!
Enjoy a special Japanese-style full-course kaiseki dinner with private Geiko and Maiko performances!!

Day 8: Kyoto/Kansai Airport
Transfer to Kansai Airport
Leave Kansai Airport for your next destination.
SAYONARA!

*Tour price: Gross JPY1,000,000 per person (double occupancy at basic acommodation)
*We are happy to amend the itinerary upon your request.

HANAMI picnic

Mandarin Oriental Tokyo

Signature

Teppanyaki

Tour Highlights
1) Special cooking experience with a Michelin-starred chef
2) Enjoy a HANAMI picnic lunch, a spring tradition
3) Four dinners and one picnic lunch at Michelin-starred restaurants
4) Take advantage of Mandarin Oriental’s special promotion:
Stay 3 nights and the 4th night is free of charge (double occupancy)

Day 1: Narita/Tokyo
Arrival at Narita Airport, and tranfer to hotel in Tokyo.
Stay at Mandarin Oriental Tokyo for 4 nights
Free at leisure after arrival
Dinner at Signature(French inspired cuisine) or Sense(Chinese), both Michelin 1-star restaurants

Day 3: Tokyo
Cooking experience with a Michelin 2-star chef
Enjoy a HANAMI picnic lunch if the weather permits
Free at leisure after lunch (around at 3pm)
Teppanyaki (grilled cuisine) Dinner at Ukaitei Omotesando, Michelin 1-star restaurnat, or similar

Day 4: Tokyo or the suburbs
Mystery tour for cherry blossom viewing
*The tour will take you to the best venue for cherry blossoms on that day
Sushi Dinner at Taku, a Michelin 2-star restaurant, or similar

Day 5: Tokyo/Narita Airport
Transfer to Narita Airport
Leave Narita Airport for your next destination.
SAYONARA!

New Year's Day

Children's Day

The Emperor's Birthday

In addition, the week of August 13-15 is referred to a the "Bon" holiday. Many companies are closed and people return to their hometown in observance of this Buddhist tradition.

In October 2012, annual meetings of The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group will be held in Tokyo.
Deluxe/luxury hotels in Tokyo and private chartered cars are already fully booked from October 6th through 14th for these meetings. We strongly recommend that you will plan your trip in such a way to avoid Tokyo during this period, and instead enjoy other cities like Kyoto.