Animated Summer | July 8-18, 2014
PacSet is proud to present the best of Summer in Japan, with an anime twist! Formerly the NYC <3s Japan tour, this one has it all – a festival, fireworks, Gundam Front, Akihabara, and more. Plus, this year, we’ve added another departure city: you can depart from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Chicago! Also, we’ve got a fantastic optional extension to the historical city of Kamakura, the island of Enoshima, and Mt. Nokogiri. No matter what part of the tour you’re most interested in, we promise that the Animated Summer will be an experience you’ll never forget!
- R/T airfare from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, or New York City! (exact airport TBD)
- Tour dates from July 8-15 for BASIC Package, until July 18 for EXTENDED/PERFECT
- Hotel accommodations: 6 nights in Tokyo, 3 nights near Kamakura (TOKYO ONLY for Basic Package)
- Stops in Tokyo, Enoshima, Kamakura, and Mt. Nokogiri (TOKYO ONLY for Basic Package)
- All transportation (train, ropeway, bus, shinkansen/”bullet train”, etc.) within Japan
- Professional bilingual guide services
- Admission to all activities
- Customized tour guidebook
- Nightly turndown service with local snacks and homemade sweets
- Additional OPTIONS available: Tokyo Tower and Kushiage Dinner ($45), Yakatabune Cruise and Dinner ($90), Maid Cafe ($40), Oedo Onsen ($45)
- Much, much more!
Depart from New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, or Los Angeles for Japan!
Day 2: Summer Arrives
Upon arrival, we’ll gather the groups from the two flights and make our way to our hotel. Upon arrival, guests can opt to relax at the hotel or join a special trip to Tokyo Tower, followed by a pre-paid trip to sample Kushiage, or fried skewers (fried cheese/fish/meat/vegetables/everything ^_^) for dinner!
Option: Tokyo Tower and Kushiage Dinner ($45)
Day 3: Let the Festivities Begin!
Our first full day in Tokyo begins at the Ghibli Museum, where you can see an exclusive Ghibli animated short and take photos with a giant robot before enjoying the musuem’s limited-edition ramune soda (only available in the summertime). Following the museum, we’ll head to the famous “closet” of anime fandom: Nakano Broadway. Here, you’ll be able to shop for anime and manga both new and old, including figures, cels, and other stuff that is sure to appeal to your inner collector. In the evening, explore on your own or join your guides for a special dinner on a yakatabune longboat as we sail around Tokyo Bay!
Option: Yakatabune Cruise and Dinner ($90)
Day 4: Electric Fireworks
Today we begin in Shinjuku, where the city’s most famous department stores, arcades, and cafes can be found. Then it’s off to the anime fan’s destination of choice, Akihabara, to shop ’til we drop, scope out the latest and greatest from Japan’s anime studios, rescue cute plushies from UFO catcher machines, and (if you like) visit a maid cafe. The evening hours will be spent in Yokohama for a gorgeous fireworks show by the bay before we take you all out for a late dinner in the city! (Dinner is free for all participants)
Option: Maid Cafe ($40)
Day 5: Sailing to the Future
We’ll begin our day by cruising across Tokyo Bay from Asakusa to Odaiba on the Himiko, a space-age ferry boat designed by none other than Galaxy Express 999 creator Leiji Matsumoto. Upon our arrival, we’ll check out another creation of the future: a life-size Gundam at the Gundam Front indoor theme park. Take the afternoon to explore the anime goods stores on Odaiba, or join your guides on a trip to Oedo Onsen hotspring to rest and relax the way the locals do! Be sure to save a little energy for the later hours; we’ll be hitting up a local summer festival to end the day!
Option: Oedo Onsen ($45)
Day 6: Fashionable Freedom
Kicking off day 6 is Harajuku, the center of Japan’s counter-culture movement and home to some of the world’s most unique fashion boutiques, cafes, art galleries, and toy shops. After exploring, your guide will be on hand to escort you to Otome Road in Ikebukuro, the fangirl capital of Japan – or to the neighboring Shonen Jump theme park!
Day 7: Free day!
Today is a free day, so do as you like! Your guide will be on hand in the morning to help you get to any destination you have your heart set on.
Day 8: Enter Enoshima
We bid a sad farewell to part of our group today, while the rest of us head west to the island of Enoshima. Scour the cliffs, explore caves, or just take Japan’s fanciest outdoor escalator up the mountainside to take in some awesome ocean views! The island has all kinds of fantastic destinations for shopping, food, and more, so bring your cash and charge that camera!
Day 9: Kamakura Exploration
Today, we experience the traditional city of Kamakura! The day begins with a visit to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and the shopping street that makes up Kamakura’s traditional center. Next, it’s off to Hase Temple, where the only thing more breathtaking than the traditional temple buildings and giant Kannon goddess is the view of the ocean and beach. To cap off the day, we’ll visit the famed giant Buddha before heading back to the city.
Day 10: Big Buddha or Beach Bum
The day starts with a trip across Tokyo Bay to Mt. Nokogiri and Nihonji temple, a maze-like temple on top of an old quarry used for hundreds of years. Following our trip up and down the mountain by ropeway, we head back to Kamakura for an optional trip to the beach for a dip in the ocean (or maybe just a little sunbathing).
Day 11: Return home
Head home and tell your friends about your adventures!