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Kosher Surfing Camp
Kosher Summer Vacation
Sirmione, Italy
Starting
July 10 through October 31, 2011
Sukkot in Crete
October 11-23, 2011
Sukkot in Fort Myers, FL
October 11-23, 2011
Japan & Korea
October 23, 2011
Singapore, Vietnam & Thailand
October 23, 2011
China: In the Footsteps of the Jews
October 25, 2011
Australia, New Zealand & Fiji
October 25, 2011
Ecuador, Galapagos & Peru
October 27, 2011
Japan: Tradition & Modernity
October 30, 2011
Iberian Fiesta
October 30, 2011
Moroccan Encounter
October 30, 2011
Panoramic Portugal
October 30, 2011
India & the Pushkar Camel Festival
October 30, 2011
Guatamala & Belize
October 31, 2011
Kosher Cuisine of Provence
October 31, 2011
China & Hong Kong
November 2, 2011
Ecuador, Galapagos & Peru
November 8, 2011
Andalucia, Spain
November 10, 2011
Peru
November 10, 2011
Exotic India
The Golden Triangle
November 13, 2011
Tunisia & Rome
November 13, 2011
Australia & New Zealand
November 14, 2011
Morocco Magic of the Orient
November 14, 2011
Panama Thanksgiving Retreat
November 21, 2011
California Wine Tour
December 4, 2011
Ethiopia
December 11, 2011
Mystical Morocco
December 22, 2011
India & Nepal
December 22, 2011
Morocco
January 6, 2012
Vietnam & Cambodia
January 16, 2012
Portugal
January 22, 2012
Costa Rica Volcano & Rainforest Adventure
January 22, 2012
Thailand, Vietnam & Angor Wat
February 5, 2012
Australia & New Zealand
February 6, 2012
Columbia
February 12, 2012
Peru
February 19, 2012
Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam
March 11, 2012
India
March 18, 2012
Japan & Korea
April 29, 2012
California Wine Tour
June 3, 2012
Spain
July 9, 2012
Slavic States
August 5, 2012
New Zealand Ski Tour
August 19, 2012
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The Japanese Legend: Tradition & Modernity in the Land of the Rising Sun
Glatt Kosher Tour
October 17 - 28, 2010
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Explore a land of many contrasts. In a volcanic Island chain, surrounded by an ocean, the Japanese built their cultural and national identity. The transition from being open to the world to being closed to it has shaped Japan‘s unique character. And even today, modern and technological Japan remains rigid and reserved, and it zealously preserves its unique tradition. A visit to Japan is an encounter with many contrasts almost everywhere; ancient temples alongside modern skyscrapers, fancy gardens and hi-tech gadgets, old samurai castles located in vibrant, modern cities. Japan is a western society that stands firmly in the east. Our tour includes Tokyo with its skyscrapers, wooden houses and traditional gardens,
and the natural reserve Nikko with its abundance of temples – both Shinto and Buddhist. At Hakone, located on the edge of a volcanic lake, we can soak in a typical Japanese Onsen. Kyoto – Japan‘s imperial capital for over 1,000 years, and Hiroshima, rebuilt from scratch after the tragic event of the atomic bomb in World War II. The Land of the Rising Sun brings us calm at dawn, hustle and bustle at midday, and placidity at night. Yokoso!
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Day 1, Sunday: Tokyo
Arrival to Tokyo, meeting and orientation at the hotel. |
Day 2, Monday: Tokyo - Nikko
We’ll start our visit to Japan by taking a drive to Nikko National Park (140km from Tokyo) where we will visit the most impressive of the 200-plus Toshogu Shrines in Japan, all built in memory of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the man responsible for the unification of Japan and the eventual restoration of the Japanese Imperial family. This complex - which houses his remains - was built by his grandson, Tokugawa Iemitsu. We’ll examine numerous buildings in the complex and gain some insights into the life of this important man. After that, we’ll drive up the thrilling Irohazaka Driveway to Lake Chuzenji formed by the eruption of Mt. Nantai. We’ll view the lake and, weather permitting, have a picnic lunch here. |
Day 3, Tuesday: Tokyo
We’ll get up at the crack of dawn today to visit Tsukiji Fish Market - the largest and most interesting of its kind in the world. Here millions of dollars exchange hands daily as fish are sold to the tens of thousands of restaurants in Japan. It’s not unusual for a fresh Tuna to sell here for up to $80,000 per fish! After the auction, we’ll return to the hotel for Tefillah & breakfast. The rest of the day will be filled with sightseeing in Tokyo. Our agenda includes as many of the following as time and traffic will allow: Edo Tokyo Museum, Asakusa Kannon Temple with Nakamise shopping arcade, Akihabara Electronics District and the glitzy Ginza avenue stores. |
Day 4, Wednesday: Tokyo - Hakone
In the morning, we’ll start by visiting the Meiji shrine, Harajuku & Omote Sando. Meiji Shrine, a Shinto complex dedicated to the memory of Emperor Meiji who brought the corrupt Shogunate to an end in 1867. Emperor Meiji, who is buried at the shrine, is credited with modernizing Japan and initiating Japan’s economic and industrial infrastructure. From the city, we’ll once again head for nature. We’ll drive to the vacation village of Hakone, visiting the Open Air Museum which houses works of some of the world’s finest sculptors and artists – Henry Moore, Picasso and others, Owakudani Valley/Komagatake Ropeway, and Lake Ashi.
Transfer to the hotel, enjoy the hot springs. |
Day 5, Thursday: Hakone - Takayama
This morning we’ll drive through the Japanese Alps to Takayama. This town started to develop in the 8th century, and is famous for its carpentry workshops. We‘ll stroll through the picturesque markets of this town as we admire the traditional houses that line the streets here. We‘ll also visit Yatai Kaikan museum where we‘ll see a display of great chariots, dating back hundreds of years, that were used to transport the gods in the Takayama festival that is help twice a year, spring and fall. This is one of the most spectacular festivals in Japan, and draws large crowds who join the parade. |
Day 6, Friday: Takayama - Kobe
Today we take a walk through the morning stalls of the Takayama market, displaying local art from the area‘s villages. We continue to the open museum that displays various houses from various periods in Japan history. At the end of this visit we head to Yoatsu village that lays alongside the Japanese Alps, and pay tribute to Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who saved over 6000 Jews from the Nazis during World War 1. The memorial hall is located in his hometown. We transfer to our hotel in the city of Kobe and prepare ourselves for Shabbat. |
Day 7, Shabbat: Kobe
We’ll spend a wonderful, peaceful and relaxing Shabbat with the Jewish community in Kobe, the only fully functional Orthodox community in Japan. After Shacharit and a Kiddush/Breakfast, we’ll take a stroll through the neighborhood near our hotel. |
Day 8, Sunday: Kobe - Hiroshima
Our first stop this morning upon departing Kobe by coach will be Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s three most beautiful castles and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This castle was built in 1333 as an army stronghold, and in the 17th century was rebuilt to serve the shoguns, and the city of Himeji was built around it. It is 5 stories high and is surrounded by many structures and gardens of Sakura trees. We continue to Kurashiki, where we visit the Ohara art museum. We end the day in Hiroshima, located on the Oceanside. |
Day 9, Monday: Hiroshima – Miyajima - Kyoto
Today we have guided tour of Hiroshima. We will learn the history of the city that was A- Bombed at the end of World War II. Hiroshima, which in 1945 was the 6th largest city in Japan, was of strategic military importance. The headquarters of the Second Army, which was charged with protecting all of southern Japan, was located here. However, Allied bombing during World War II was not focused there. The city was built mainly of wood, which made it very vulnerable to fire. We will visit the A-Bomb Dome, the Peace Park, Museum and memorial. We’ll make our way across the water by ferry to Miyajima Island, a sacred island that houses what is arguably Japan’s most beautiful shrine – Itsukushima. The whole island is an historical site and is considered one of the three most beautiful sites in Japan. The birth of the city is dated back to 593 AC when empress Seiko was crowned and a shrine was built in honor of this event. We then head to the train station and take a train to Kyoto, capital of Imperial Japan for over 1,100 years. |
Day 10, Tuesday: Kyoto
Kyoto, considered the “Jerusalem of Japan” is home to over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, some of the most important in Japan, as well as the traditional site of the coronation of Japan’s emperors. Due to its sanctity, the city was not bombed by the allies during World War II. We‘ll visit Ryoanji Temple – a Zen Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is famous for its simplistic and stark dry-landscape garden. From there we’ll proceed to the ultimate opposite, the Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji Shrine, an opulent gilded building in a magnificent garden, along with a tea house. Our next stop will be at Kyoto’s famous Nishiki Market. |
Day 11, Wednesday: Kyoto
We’ll continue to the Kiyomizu Dera complex and the Ninenzaka and Sanenzaka lanes as we stroll through the fascinating side alleyways of this inspiring sacred city. Toward evening we’ll turn into paparazzi as we stake out the Gion district in search of Geishas on their way to their evening appointments.
In the evening we‘ll go out and enjoy a moving experience at Beit Shalom, a center of supporters of Israel. |
Day 12, Thursday: Kyoto – Home Gateway
Another fascinating tour has come to an end. After breakfast we'll transfer to the airport and board a flight back to our home gateway. |
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Land Only No Transfers |
$4,850* |
Air & Land |
$5,600 |
Single Supplement |
$1,050 |
Pre/Post Hotel Night |
$65 per person sharing
$110 per single |
*Prices Are per person, based on double occupancy and are subject to change. Taxes and fuel surcharges are not included.
Airfare is based on Tel Aviv as the tour's gateway. Please call for airfare from other gateways. |
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A $500 USD Deposit per person must be received at the time of booking in order to confirm your reservation.
Payment in full is due 90 days before departure.
A minimum number of participants are required to operate tour dates. If a minimum number has not been reached prior to tour departure and the tour is cancelled you will receive a FULL refund. |
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Price Includes:
- Shinkansen Bullet Train tickets according to the tour plan
- First Class Tourist Hotels
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Comfortable air conditioned touring coach
- Half board kosher food daily & supplies for making sandwiches for lunch
- Professional experienced English-speaking Israeli guide
- Local English-speaking Guide as required
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Price Does Not Include:
- Travel & Health Insurance
- Personal expenses and evening entertainment not included in the itinerary
- Tips for local service providers ($120 to be collected in cash abroad)
- Shows and evening entertainment not included in the itinerary
- Tip for our Tour Guide (Recommended: $3 per person per day)
- Miscellaneous expenses such as departure fees, visas, security surcharges etc. where applicable.
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Important to Know:
There may be changes to the order of places visited. We will make every effort to visit every place mentioned in the itinerary.
The tour organizers have no control over airline services such as seating, special meal requests, changes in departure times or delays. These remain the sole responsibility of the airline company.
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Kashrut on Tours
Kosher food is provided to our travelers on all our tours. We work with the local Rabbinate to provide Hashgacha for all local ingredients and fresh meat and poultry. In some cases, we fly in kosher food from Israel and other sources, depending on the destination of the tour. We do not guarantee Pat Israel and Chalav Israel for all destinations.
In many destinations we have our own crockery and cutlery. Where we don't, we provide disposables at the meals. When we cook in Hotel kitchens, we ensure proper Kashering and we use our own kitchenware on kashered and covered surfaces. All this is done under the strict supervision of our trained staff/guides who function as our Mashgichim. Our travelers enjoy gourmet meals prepared by our team including fresh local fish, fruit, and vegetables. This is an integral part of Jewish travel. We make great efforts to assure that our travelers will experience local foods first-hand, while maintaining stringent observance of Kashrut laws on all occasions.
Rabbi Menahem Fogel
A native of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Menahem Fogel served as a pulpit rabbi in South Africa and Canada before returning to Israel in 1984 to take up the position of spokesman of Yad Vashem, in Jerusalem, a position he held for six years. Since that time he has held senior positions in both the public and private sectors developing interactive computer systems for museums around the world. He also lived and worked in the USA, Netherlands, Austria, UK and India. A lifelong yearning for travel led to his becoming a Tour Manager in 2000 and developed expertise in tourism to Japan & China, Alaska, Canadian Rockies and Africa. Recently he took on the added role of Rav Hamachshir for The Kosher Travel Club to ensure the highest standards of Kashrut are implemented on all our Kosher Tours.
For any questions about Kashrut please feel free to email menahemf@netvision.net.il |
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