TOURS INCLUDE:

• A detailed custom-made itinerary with an engaging combination of stadiums, teams, visits, targeted sightseeing and outings, the result of which will give you a cost-effective and in-depth personal tour of Japan like no other. 

• Business class hotels with modern facilities.  Your choice of single or twin rooms.  Modest additional charge for a single.

• All in-country travel to planned events (including taxi, subway and high-speed bullet train).

• Best available game seats.  

• Loads of additional sightseeing outings and gatherings at little or no cost to you.  We'll never have you at a loss for things to do.  

• Visits with local baseball and Japanese friends. 

• Airport transfers on scheduled arrival and departure days via business class high speed trains, not buses.

• A supply of personalized Japanese business cards with your name translated to share with people you meet at the games and elsewhere.

• Services of professional tour guides...that's us!  (Some of you may want to come earlier or stay later.  We can help you plan that.)

• Translation and travel desk services.

• Detailed pre-departure information.

• A truly remarkable time.

• Click for more details on Overview and Itinerary pages.

Not included: Airfare and meals (see below)

TRIP DETAILS

Optional Hot Springs Day  On the final day of the scheduled baseball tour the group splits.  Some stay and do last minute shopping or touring before departing for the airport.  Others who've chosen the optional day will make their way to the Hakone mountainside near Mt. Fuji where we’ll tour, enjoy the natural hot springs (separated by gender), have a going away dinner banquet and overnight in traditional Japanese rooms.   

A past participant says, "Do this.  It gives you a completely different experience of Japan.  It's worth it for the dinner alone, but going on the Hakone Ropeway, through the Owakudani Boiling Valley and across Lake Ashi will be a very memorable part of your trip.”  

The next day we'll depart after a hearty buffet breakfast, another soak if you like, some shopping and poking around.  You'll feel relaxed and rejuvenated as you go to the airport or embark on your extra days in Japan or elsewhere.  

Air Travel  In the past we included airfare in the trip price, but discontinued that practice.  We found it didn't work because folks want to use their own air miles or are going to other places before or after the trip.  In addition, some guests found better deals than we had arranged since air rates tend to be quite fluid.  

It's easy to check the travel web sites and the airlines for the best air fare.  We have gotten good results with www.SideStep.com that checks all airline sites for rates. 

To help your searching, please note that the airport code for Tokyo Narita is NRT.  

You may also want to investigate the services of our Japan air  specialist who strives to get you the most cost-efficient airfare.  Contact Katsumi Mamiya at 1-888-557-5022 for a no-obligation quote and information.  He is available from 9 to 5 Pacific Time. 

Don't worry about calling Katsumi.  He is absolutely no-pressure and will be the first to tell you if you can do better somewhere else.  We receive nothing from Katsumi should you decide to purchase from him except the satisfaction of knowing you'll be well served.

We suggest getting your air ticket as soon as you can.  If you buy the ticket and can't go the airlines will generally give you a credit on that ticket for at least a year.  If you get the ticket with your air miles, the miles simply go back into your account with little, if any, penalty.  Check, of course, with your air carrier.

Meals  We've never included meals in the tour price.  The combination of each participant's unique tastes as well as the overwhelming variety of dining options make a fixed selection impractical.   

Japan has every food you can imagine, and some you can't.  I promise that even the most finicky eater will find pleasure with the countless places to eat at reasonable prices.  

We familiarize you with each town so you can go out by yourself, or with some of the group, to eat on your own terms.  We do, however, schedule occasional meal gatherings where we can all get together as a group.

Payment/Cancellation/Refund  Payment is not due until 25 days before departure.

We have a very liberal cancellation policy.  If you cancel more than 25 days before trip departure, you receive a full refund of your trip payment.

If you cancel less than 25 days before trip departure, you receive a full refund of your trip payment, if your space can be filled from a waiting list. If your space cannot be filled from a waiting list, you'll receive an 80% refund.

Our refund policy among travel trips has no equal.  We've tried to craft this so the risk to you is minimized if you're unable to go at the last minute.  We're not interested in profiting from travelers who find they cannot go.

Credit Card Payments  If you so desire, we are happy to take your credit card as payment.  However, we will need to charge you a 2% fee in order to do so.  This fee represents a portion of what the credit card company charges us to accept such payment.

Money  Japanese currency is the yen. Credit cards are accepted in Japan, though cash is king for meals and small purchases.  Guests budget $40 - $50 per day for meals, souvenirs and the like. 

I highly recommend getting your cash exchanged at the airport upon arrival and getting all you think you'll need. You can always exchange remaining yen back to dollars at the airport upon your departure.

There are ATM's around, but not all take our cards. There are banks but, since we are generally always on the move, it will be pain for you to stop during the trip to find a bank to do an exchange. 

So the watchword is to get what you need upon arrival at the airport.  

Passports  For U.S. or Canadian citizens a valid passport is all that's required for entry into Japan.  No visa is needed.  If you have a passport, please see that it's valid for six months after your return date.  

For further details about U.S. passports see http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/index.html   

For Canadian passports visit http://www.ppt.gc.ca/

Deductibility  Baseball personnel or those in ancillary businesses may want to check with their tax advisors as to the deductibility of this trip as a business expense.

Hotels  We stay in modern, business class hotels within a five-minute walk of subway and rail lines.  All hotels have in-room bathrooms and hair dryers.  Also included daily is a fresh yukata, a light robe-like garment, meant to be worn in place of pajamas, so you can save the packing of night clothes if you wish.  

Health  This trip requires a moderate amount of physical exertion.  

You should be able to navigate a Major League Baseball style stadium and be ready to climb up and down the usual stadium stairways, all without handrails.

I doubt we ever walked more than a mile at any one time.  But you'll need sufficient stamina to keep pace with an active group of travelers on long days of touring.   

The weather can often be hot and humid during our time there.  

Japan is not ADA accessible.  Sometimes the urban terrain is uneven, such as a step or drop-off that we would not  expect in the U.S. or Canada, so you must be aware of where you walk.  

They also drive on the other side of the street in Japan, so you need to keep a watchful eye crossing streets.   

No special shots are needed to enter Japan, which has a modern medical infrastructure.  

If you have any questions about your ability to participate in the trip, please call or write.

Free time  We leave plenty of time for you to explore, poke, dig and mine Japan.  We have lots of optional touring and suggested things for you to do, all for little, if any, additional cost.  We'll run you ragged if you let us, or you can wander off by yourself.  It's up to you.  The hallmark of a trip with us is flexibility.

Dress Code  Dress is casual.

Your dress throughout the trip can be what you'd wear to go with friends to a Major League Baseball game on a warm evening.

See what previous guests wore by taking a quick look through the Trip Photo Gallery at:

Click here for TRIP PHOTO GALLERY

Phone, Fax and Internet  It's easy to keep in touch.  You can direct dial, use phone cards with a set amount of time on them, or use most any telephone credit card, all from your hotel room.  

U.S. cell phones do not work in Japan, but you can easily rent a phone upon arrival at Narita if immediate communication is important.

Fax machines are available at the hotels.  We'll give you the hotel telephone and fax numbers well before we leave.  

Internet access is also available.

Jet Lag  While coming from the U.S. or Canada to Japan I’ve never suffered jet lag nor am I personally aware of anyone who has.  Coming over appears to be a snap.  Going home is another story. Most everyone I know suffers it at home.  To combat it, I try not to schedule anything major during the first few days back and then do my best to adhere to a regular sleeping schedule.

Staying Longer

If you're interested in spending more time in Japan, then I might suggest you do so at the end of the tour.  At that point you'll really know a lot about Japan and getting around and we can help you plan your extra days.

During the trip we travel through Japan using public transportation.  You become familiar with how to get around and thus can make better use of your time after the tour.  We don't stuff people into a tour bus.  You traverse the county in the most open way possible - with everyone else.

Some have wondered about arriving early to "get my bearings."  We suggest that you not do that since we understand what we need to do to introduce you to Japan in the proper way and, as I mentioned, you won't have jet lag to contend with on the way over.

Personal Security  Japan is reputed to be one of the safer countries in the world and we've never experienced anything on our trips to make us think otherwise.  Common sense is in order, of course.

Stories abound as to the honesty of the Japanese.  Margaret, my wife, experienced this first hand when she accidentally dropped over $100 worth of yen in a parking lot as she hurried to a lunch appointment.  Three members of a Japanese construction crew working nearby saw this, rounded up all the bills, and ran her down to return the cash.

I don't mean to suggest there's no crime in Japan, but I personally feel much safer in Japan than I do in the U.S.  And I have reason to feel this way.  The U.S. Department of State confirms, "The general crime rate in Japan is at levels well below the U.S. national average."  

An interesting read about Japan is the Consular Information Sheet that the State Department puts out.  It's at http://travel.state.gov/travel/japan.html

Smoking  All flights from the U.S. and Canada to Japan are nonsmoking, as are the train cars we reserve, and the cabs we take. Nonsmoking and smoking hotel accommodations are available according to your preference.  We reserve non-smoking rooms, unless you request otherwise.

Packing and Luggage -- Very Important!  Please pack in a rolling suitcase.  The type that fits into the overhead luggage compartment of an airplane. You can accompany that with a backpack or briefcase.

Since you won’t need clothes for a variety of different settings and since the hotels have laundry service, previous guests have found themselves able to work within this luggage arrangement.

A rolling suitcase accompanied by a backpack or briefcase enables you to breeze through train stations and get on and off trains with ease. Luggage with built-in rollers is an absolute must.

Small rolling luggage, the size that fits in an overhead, is preferable since it fits on trains easier. Luggage in Japan has to accompany you in the bullet train seating cars. There are no baggage cars. The seating cars resemble a roomier version of a commercial passenger jet…and like a jet the cars lack large spaces for carry-on luggage.

Another reason we recommend that your luggage be small, the size that fits in an overhead, is so that you can, in fact, put it in the overhead on your way over thereby eliminating the risk of your air carrier losing anything.

Bags generally become lost by not making it on the right plane at the start or they miss a connecting flight. So we hope for you to keep as much on board with you as you can.  Airlines are getting worse, by their own admission, at getting bags to the right place at the right time.

Language  Many Japanese speak English and for those who don't you can get by with smiling and pointing without worrying about getting lost, going hungry or being unable to find a restroom.  We won't, however, rely on that.  Our cultural attaché, Mayumi Smith, is a native Japanese and accompanies us on the tour.    

Electricity  Electrical devices made for use in North America have no problems with the Japanese electrical system. The wall outlets are the same. However, like in North America, not all outlets have a third hole to receive plugs that may have a rounded ground prong. If you happen to have an appliance that has the third prong, you'll want to bring an adapter that turns it into a two-prong plug.

Tipping  There's no tipping.  Really. You pay the price indicated.  Tax is also generally included.  Sometimes, at more expensive restaurants, there might be a service charge included in the bill.  So while prices may sometimes seem higher they do include the service charge and tax.

Bowing  Visitors are not expected to know the complexities of the bow.  Bow as you like, but a handshake is just fine.

Gifts  The Japanese are gift-givers.  To the extent that we need to present gifts from the group, I will take care of that.  So you need not be concerned about gifts, though some folks find it fun to bring baseball trinkets like baseball cards, pins or the like to give to people they meet at games.  And that is always a hit to whomever you give them to.  When giving to kids, first ask the parents.  The parents and the children will be delighted.

Game Tickets  We obtain the best available reserved seat tickets for each game. The ballpark, day of the week, and opponent determine available seat locations.

Business Cards  We'll have business cards printed with your name and contact information written in Japanese for you to use on the trip.  The exchange of business cards is common in Japan and the cards are treated with some reverence.  People you meet at the games and elsewhere will most often be blown away when you give them one of your Japanese cards.  It's fun.

Pre-Departure Information   As part of the tour you'll receive a wealth of pre-departure information to thoroughly prepare you for your visit and the people you'll meet.  We invite you to contact us with any questions you may have.

Health Insurance  Most private health insurance is not place specific, meaning it will cover you anywhere, including Japan.  However, you may have to pre-pay by credit card for such medical services and be reimbursed by your insurance company upon your return home.  You will want to check with your insurance provider.  Japan has modern health care services.

Travel Insurance  You may want to explore the purchase of travel insurance in addition to your own insurance.

This coverage may supplement your existing insurance and provide help in cases such as loss, delay or damage of baggage, or a medical problem that may suddenly arise during the trip. 

Such a plan may provide coverage for international travelers and may include air ambulance transportation in emergencies and locating English-speaking medical and legal assistance worldwide and for those expenses that may not covered by your own policy.

Disabled Tour Members  Japan is not ADA accessible and, therefore, we cannot be held responsible for denial of services by transportation carriers, hotels, restaurants or other suppliers.  

We are not equipped to be able to give individual help for walking, dining, getting on or off transportation or other needs.  

A qualified companion must accompany those travelers needing such assistance and we would want to talk with both the traveler and companion to be certain that the type of travel we do in Japan is clearly understood and accepted.

Limits on Responsibility and Liability Disclaimers  By embarking upon travel you voluntarily assume the risks of such travel and we advise you to obtain insurance coverage as may be available against such risks.

You acknowledge that there are many risks and uncertainties inherent in travel including, but not limited to, the hazards of various modes of transportation, forces of nature, acts or omissions of foreign governments, terrorism, war or insurrection, theft, illness and damage to person or property due to the negligent acts or omissions of tour operators and other third parties.

We at JapanBall.com are independent contractors who purchase hotel, restaurant and transportation services, event tickets and other products from independent suppliers who are not subject to our control.  Therefore, we cannot be liable for any injuries, damages or losses that may occur due to any action or omission of such suppliers, their agents, employees or suppliers, or by any event over which we have no control.

We shall not be responsible for any injuries, damages or losses caused by social or labor unrest, mechanical or construction difficulties, criminal activities, disease or sickness, local laws, climatic conditions, or any other action, omissions or conditions outside our control.

In case of a postponement of an event there shall be no refund except to the extent such may be available to us.

Dates, schedules, program details and costs, although provided in good faith based on information available at the time of publication are subject to change and revision.  Every effort will be made to carry out the program as planned, but alterations may occur without penalty to us.  We reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the itinerary whenever, in our sole judgment, conditions warrant.

We also reserve the right, without penalty, to withdraw a tour announced, to decline to accept any person as a participant in a tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from a tour at any time when such action is determined by us to be in the best interests of the health, safety or general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant, subject only to the requirement that the recoverable portion of the total amount paid that corresponds to the cost of unused services and accommodations be refunded, if any, and only to the extent that such may be refunded or otherwise available to us.

We accept no liability for the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.

You acknowledge that this particular tour includes attendance at professional baseball games and exposure to risks inherent in that venue including, specifically but not exclusively, the risks of bats and balls leaving the field of play and striking you wherever you may be in the stadium and the risks of fall or other injury as you traverse the stadium, its stairs, aisles, and other areas.

---

Bob Bavasi

JapanBall.com

Everett, Washington

    Phone:  425-423-9655    

E-mail:  Info@JapanBall.com or Click here to use a form to reach us, being sure to include your e-mail address if you wish a response.