We're taking off
* See the page Shopping for air travel for thoughts on getting to Japan

We arrive in Japan
* Arrive Narita International Airport on your flight of choice
* Quarantine, Immigration (passport)
* Pick up bags, Customs
* Exchange currency
* Set JR passes to activate immediately
* Narita Express (train) to Shinagawa Station (JR Pass)
* Walk or taxi to Shinagawa Prince Hotel
* Check in, explore neighborhood
* Dinner in local restaurant (or just crash!)

To Nagano
* Shinkansen Hikari 502 - depart Shinagawa 8:34, arrive Tokyo Station track 15 at 8:40
* Shinkansen Asama 605 - depart Tokyo Station 9:04 on track 20; arrive Nagano track 11 at 10:53
* Walk to Hotel Metropolitan Nagano
* Visit Jigokudani Yean-koen (snow monkey park)
* Dinner at Hanbey izakaya (included)

Nagano
* Sightseeing in Nagano
* Ship bags ahead to Kanazawa hotel, from Hotel Metropolitan
* 3:30, picked up by ryokan staff, taken to Yakimochia in mountains for a true ryokan experience
* Dinner at the ryokan (included)

To Sado island:
* Breakfast at 6:15
* 7:15 ryokan staff takes group to Nagano Station
* Shinkansen Hakutaka 551 - board at 8:10 on track 12, arrive Joetsu-Myoko at 8:32
* Myoko Haneuma Line - board at 8:44, arrive Naoetsu at 9:00
* Taxi to Naoetsu Port to catch 9:30 ferry to Sado (Naoetsu Taxi reserved)
* Arrive Ogi Port 11:10    (Ferry schedule is here.)
* Site seeing in Ogi area; maybe tub-boats
* 40 minute bus ride to Yahatakan ryokan
   (Oki Line bound for Sawata Bus Station, get off at Yahata Onsen)
* Attend Aikawa festival (maybe) see this page for a little more detail

To Kanazawa:
* 40 minute bus ride to Ogi port
* Catch 11:50 ferry, arriving at Noetsu port at 1:30
* Local bus to Noetsu station
* LTD. EXP SHIRAYUKI 65 departs at 3:22, arrive Joetsu-Myoko at 3:37
* Shinkansen Hakutaka 565 - board at 3:45, arrive Kanazawa on track 13 at 4:48
* Hotel shuttle bus (17:35) or walk to Sai no niwa hotel

Kanazawa:
* Sightseeing around Kanazawa

To Takayama:
* Shinkansen Tsurugi 708, departs from track 11 at 12:06, arriving Toyama on track 11 at 12:29
* Ltd. Express Hida 14, departs from track 2 at 1:02, arriving Takayama at 2:32
* Itinerary by City of Takayama and Takayama Denver Friendship Association:
   Dress in kimono and stroll around town
* Staying at Open Heart Pension

Takayama:
* Itinerary by City of Takayama and Takayama Denver Friendship Association:
   Morning - Shin Hodaka Ropeway
   Noon: Lunch on the way to Takayama
   Afternoon: Visit to a Shunkei Craftman (Mr. Kumazaki)
   Afternoon: Hida Folk Village & Friendly Hill (City of Denver Park)
* Party to celebrate 55th anniversary of Denver / Takayama connection

To Tokyo:
* Bus from Takayama (8:00 a.m.) to Shinjuku station (1:30 p.m.)
* Walk to the brand new Tokyu Stay Hotel
* Last night in Japan!

Homeward bound (bus and airline ticket):
* Walk to Bus Stop #23 of Shinjuku Station West Exit (5 min.)
* 1:20 airport limousine bus to Narita, arrive 3:05