In Japan there are about 3000 onsen resorts. Out of those just a few that Handmade Tours would like to recommend is this West Japan go around onsen tour. A tour not only to go into the onsen but to enjoy the onsen town. Check-in time is early as about 3 pm and you can enjoy these onsen towns. There is only 8 nights and is pretty short but will be staying at good quality inns. At this time of year is a delicious time for crab, oyster and fugu. And on Dec.14 is remembered as “Uchi-Iri" (Entering the House), refers to the attack by the 47 ronin at the mansion of Lord Kira. Let's see the Ako 47 ronin parade. To this day it is still relevant as it epitomizes the code of the samurai warriors, values that are considered important in modern Japan, one of loyalty and justice. For those that want sightseeing to be moderate, enjoy onsen, eat delicious food & to relax, this is a recommended tour.

Date	Place and Hotel ♨=onsen	Activity	B	L	D
Dec. 6 (Tue.)		Depart Honolulu to Kansai Airport.
7 (Wed.)	KANSAI AIRPORT HOTEL NIKKO	After arriving at Kansai airport, go to hotel that's connected to the airport terminal. There is a convenience store and some eating place nearby.
8 (Thu.)	ARIMA ONSEN GRAND HOTEL♨	From the hotel go to Osaka Shin Sekai (Good old city of Osaka), where the atmosphere of the Showa period remains. Visit Tsutenkaku, a symbol of Naniwa, also known as the Eiffel Tower of Osaka. Go up to the observatory and see the view of Osaka. Lunch is Osaka's famous “Kushiage" (deep fried skewers). Next go to Arima onsen, one of three Japan’s oldest onsen and in West Japan it is no. 1 popular onsen town. It is said the onsen is good for high blood pressure. Dinner is Kaiseki.	×	×	×
9 (Fri.)	YUMURA ONSEN IZUTSUYA♨	From Arima onsen go to Amanohashidate, one of three Japan’s best scenic views. It is a natural-made sand bar covered with many pine trees. View it from top of view land, bend down and look between your legs. Then go to Amanohashidate shopping street, enjoy shopping time. Next go to Toyooka Kaban Bag Tanaka, 80% of Japan’s bags are made from Toyooka of high-quality, you can experience making bag. Then go to Yumura onsen, it is highly regarded by a select few. With a source of 208 degrees hot spring water using this boiling hot water you can see boiling eggs and vegetables cooking scene. It is said the onsen is good for neuralgia and muscle aches. Dinner is seasonal crab cuisine.	×	×	×
10 (Sat.)	MISASA ONSEN IZANRO♨	From Yumura onsen go to Tottori Sand Dunes, those that want to can ride the camel and see the Sand Museum displaying sand sculptures. One of 31 Japan’s most beautiful places selected by CNN. Next go to JNR Kurayoshi Line, an abandoned railway track, if you walk a little on the tracks with a Stand by Me mood you can see scenery of the track and bamboo groves. Then go to Misasa onsen, Tottori-ken no. 2 popular onsen. It is said it’s good for aging & life-style related illness. Dinner is Kaiseki.	×	×	×
11 (Sun.)	KAIKE ONSEN BAYSIDE SQUARE♨	From Kurayoshi station ride a resort train “Ametsuchi" and go to Yasugi station. This train was designed with the concept of “native japanese.” About 1 hours 30 minutes. ride, from the train you can enjoy the Japan Sea and the countryside sceneries. Then visit Adachi Art Museum, it houses a collection of modern Japanese artworks & paintings, with a beautiful award winning Japanese garden. One of 31 Japan’s most beautiful places selected by CNN. Next go to watch the Yasugi Bushi, a traditional folk song & dance of the Dojo Sukui (a dance scooping small eel-like fish with a basket). Then go to Kaike onsen, Tottori’s most popular onsen. It is said it's good for skin problem and stomach pain. Dinner is crab cuisine.	×	×	×
12 (Mon.)	SOJA SUN ROAD KIBIJI♨	From the hotel go to Matsue Castle Horikawa boat ride, for a scenic cruise through Matsue's many canals as you take in views of the city and cruise under the bridges. Lunch is Tai (sea bream) chazuke, which was loved by the lord of Matsue. Next go to Yuhara onsen, there is West Japan’s best and well known mixed bathing outdoor hotspring “Sunayu". For the men & ladies they have prepared special bathing wear, so for those that want to go in give it a try. Then go to Kibi onsen, related to the folk tale Momotaro. It is said it's good for joint pains and poor circulation (excessive sensitivity to cold). Dinner is Fugu cuisine.	×	×	×
13 (Tue.)	KOTOHIRA ONSEN SHIKISHIMAKAN♨	From Kibi onsen go to Kurashiki Bikan Area, a historical district with classic architecture situated along a canal with shops, eateries & art galleries. Next go to Washuzan Observatory, great viewing of the Seto Ohashi Bridge and it's surrounding. Crossing the Seto Ohashi go to island of Shikoku and to Kotohira onsen, this onsen was found in 1997 and is a rare hot spring resort located on the approach to Kotohiragu Shrine. It is said it’s good for the skin & famous as a hot spring for beautiful women. Dinner is Kaiseki.	×	×	×
14 (Wed.)	AKO KANPO-NO-YADO♨	From Kotohira onsen go to Ako, there is the 47 Ronin festival on this date which has been held every year since 1903. Let's watch the Ako 47 Ronin festival parade famous for their loyalty. Then go to Ako onsen, it is rather salty maybe because it is a hot spring by the sea. It is said it's good for the skin, cuts, and burns. Dinner is Oyster cuisine.	×	×	×
15 (Thu.)		From the hotel visit Ako Oishi Shrine in the larger Ako castle ruins premise. There are stone statues of the 47 ronin lining the entrance to the shrine. Then visit Sakai Hamono Museum, gathers the traditional industry from Sakai with a 600 years history mainly on their knife and scissors making. Various are displayed and are sold there. Next go to Sakai Plaza of Rikyu, it introduces tea master Sen-no-Rikyu of the 16^th century, he was the most profound influence on the Japanese “way of tea" & tea ceremony. You can try the green tea (matcha) served by tea masters there. Then stop at Aeon Mall for last minute shopping before going to Kansai airport for your departure flight to Honolulu.	×

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