Introduction

March 11th, 2011, at 14:46, a massive earthquake
-magnitude 9.0 rocked the northeastern coast of Japan.

Followed by a tsunami the size of a 5 story building, the waves destroyed villages and cities along the pacific coast. This devastating tragedy is one that has affected people of all over the world. Thanks to a vast amount of aid from many countries, major life-line and infrastructures are almost recovered. Now, in the second stage of recovery, "manpower" is needed. KIE supports Japan through the Tsunami Relief Volunteer Tour "Kizuna."

"Kizuna"(kizuna) is a Japanese word meaning the strong bond between people.
"Friendship" and "family tie" are probably close counterparts in English.

Tour Itinerary & Tour Date

Tour Itinerary

Leave US Arrive Japan Free in Tokyo Go to Tono City Volunteer Day 1
 
Volunteer Day 2 Volunteer Day 3 Return to Tokyo
/Afternoon free at leisure
Depart Japan/Arrive US

Tour Date

November Departure: November 17, 2012 to November 25, 2012

destination

Destination

TOKYO

One of the most exciting metropolises in Asia, Tokyo is where traditions from centuries past co-exist with the ever-moving elements of the latest in urban culture. Tokyo Metropolitan area is now home to one-quarter of all Japanese, with 12 million people in Tokyo proper alone.

The Imperial Palace stands in the middle of the city and is still surrounded by its original innermost moat. The graceful gardens show off the four seasons in Japan. Not far away are the neon lights and world-class shopping district of Ginza.

For a glimpse into Tokyo's past, the Asakusa district with its narrow back streets lined with traditional buildings and shops is also a place to view open markets and kimono-clad women shopping for fresh ingredients for the evening meal.

MORIOKA

Morioka is in a Tohoku District and a city with a population of 300,000, located in the center of Iwate Prefecture. The city is about 330 miles from Tokyo (a 2 hour 50 minute bullet train ride). It was established approximately 400 years ago as a castle town and is famous for traditional craft such as ironware and dye. One of the famous local dishes is various types of noodles. Deriving from its castle town, there are many shrines and temples in the city. Morioka is one of the cities that suffered damage from the disaster on March 11th, 2011.

Accommodations

OURS INN HANKYU

1-50-5 Ooi, Shinagawa-ku,
Tokyo 140-0014, Japan

TONO MAGOKORO VOLUNTEER CENTER

10-10 Daiku-cho, Tono-shi, Iwate 028-0527, Japan

KAWAI CAMP

1-60-3 Kawai, Miyako-shi, Iwate 028-2302, Japan

General Information

Tour Cost

Required minimum number of participants: 10 people

From $2,499 per person (Air + Land)

Tour cost includes
  • Round-trip economy class airfare from/to the US and Narita or Haneda, Japan.
    (Land only does not include airfare)
  • Japan Railway East pass. (Flexible 4-day, Ordinary car)
  • Japan Railway East prepaid card. (3,000 yen worth)
  • Transportation from/to Morioka and volunteer sites.
  • Hotel/Inn accommodations. (Single occupancy)
  • Registration for volunteer.
  • Interpreter in Japan.
  • Basic travel insurance. (Coverage does not include trip cancellation)

From $750 per person (Land Only)

Tour cost Does Not include
  • Meals, sightseeing and transportation services not specified in the itinerary.
  • Any incidental charges such as telephone calls, room services and laundry.
  • Any excess baggage charges assessed by airlines.
  • Cost incurred due to change of return flight.
  • Any other service not specified in the tour itinerary.

Contact Information

KIE/Kintetsu International

KIE/Kintetsu International

T: 800-654-4090
E: kizuna@kintetsu.com