IGCA Congress 2010 Information
Welcome to Japan!
An island nation off the east coast of the Asian continent, many visitors expect Japan to be very industrial. In fact, Japan’s world-famous industry is confined to certain areas leaving the abundant nature of the mountains that cover 70% of the islands mostly untouched. You will find metropolitan centers filled not only with people but with thousands of Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples and Japanese gardens that harmonize the cutting-edge with the timeless into one enchanted nation.
In order to let you fully experience the diversity of Japan in one IGCA tour, the first half is based in the ultra-modern capital of Tokyo and the second half will take you to the ancient city of Kyoto. You will stay in two world-famous hotels: The Prince Park Tower Tokyo Hotel located in the gardens adjoining Tokyo Tower is the highest rated international hotel in Tokyo. The second is the luxurious Kyoto Hotel Okura in the heart of the city, a favorite of international guests.
Congress Date
Sunday, October 10 – Friday, October 15, 2010
Congress Hotels
The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
4-8-1 Shiba-koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8563 Japan
Tel: +81-(0)3-5400-1111
Kyoto Hotel Okura
Kawaramachi-Oike,Nakagyo-ku,Kyoto 604-8558 Japan
Tel: +81-(0)75-223-2333
Program/Itinerary
Day 1 : Sunday 10th October
From 7pm. the Welcome Reception will be held in the gorgeous venue within your Prince Park Tower Tokyo Hotel.
Day 2 : Monday 11th October
Tour of areas surrounding Tokyo such as Yokohama
Less than an hour south of Tokyo, Yokohama is Japan’s second largest city and greatest port. Yet it incorporates parks and nature better than any major city in Japan.
Day 3 : Tuesday 12th October
Suburban areas north of Tokyo
Traveling 20 miles north, we will dip into suburban Saitama Prefecture. This area has always been a big producer of the garden plants sold in the metropolis. Today will be a great chance to understand the production side of the garden plants, stones and Bonsai trees that are so essential to the urban Japanese garden. Evening will be back in central Tokyo for a taste of the city’s nightlife.
Day 4 : Wednesday 13th October
West central Japan by bullet train
Today takes us over 180miles southwest passing by Mt. Fuji on the world famous bullet train to the Nagoya region and the fabulous garden centers it has to offer.
Day 5 : Thursday 14th October
Travel around the finest garden centers of the important Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe region.
You will be impressed by the public supported continuation of the 2000 International Flower Expo site that brought tears to the eyes of some IGCA members who visited in 2009.
Day 6 : Friday 15th October
World Heritage Sites in Kyoto
The network of temples and shrines refined over 1,200 years time is the ancient gardener’s paradise of Kyoto with numerous World Heritage Sites. No other place has so much of Japan’s distinct history and art concentrated in one area. Immerse yourself in the delicate grace and elegance of the world’s finest examples of Japanese architecture, culture and gardening technique including a live flower arrangement demonstration by an Ikebana master at the place that founded this art.
>>Pre Tour & Post Tour
