2024 Japan Cup
Itinerary
Tour Highlights
- Prime reserved seating at two race meetings including the Japan Cup
- Fully escorted sightseeing in Hokkaido
- Fully escorted sightseeing in Tokyo
- Day Tour to Mount Fuji and Hakone
Day 1: Sunday, 17th of November
*Members departing from Melbourne must check in on Saturday the 17th of November from 10:30pm.
Melbourne departures will board Cathay Pacific flight CX178 for Hong Kong at 01:05 am which arrives at 07:00am. Remain in the International Terminal and depart Hong Kong for Sapporo on Cathay Pacific flight CX580 at 09:10am which arrives at 02:50pm. Welcome to Japan!
We will clear customs and board our charter bus to the Sapporo Grand Hotel. (60 min) The Sapporo Grand Hotel is a lovely hotel and ideally located which gives us convenient access to a wide range of restaurants and shops.
Take time to rest after your long flight. From 07:00pm in the lobby meet tour coordinator Haydn Thompson, and our host in Hokkaido, Mr Naohiro Goda. A private dining room within the Sapporo Grand Hotel has been arranged to enjoy a banquet dinner of Japanese and western dishes. *Drinks are also included. Cheers, or as they say in Japan, "kampai".
Day 2: Monday, 18th of November
An early start is scheduled for our busy day ahead. Today's sightseeing will be hosted by the fluent English speaking and popular Japanese racing personality, Naohiro Goda. Naohiro is a Japanese bloodstock expert and will provide informative commentary throughout the day.
The temperature is likely to be cold during our time in Hokkaido and for this reason we recommend you bring a winter jacket, gloves and scarf for our excursions.
From 08:30am we will board our charter coach directly to Shadai Stallion Station, operated by Teruya Yoshida. Teruya is a son of Zenya Yoshida the legendary breeder who died in 1993. His breeding operation was taken over by his three sons Teruya, Katsumi and Haruya and his land and the broodmares were divided amongst the three brothers.
Our first stop Shadai is home to so many of Japan's past champions. Famous stallions standing at Shadai include Harbinger, Orfevre, Hearts Cry and Lord Kanaloa.
We will next visit Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm which is home to many superbly bred mares and boasts world class facilities including covered training tracks which are essential during the winter months. Katsumi is intent on expanding his operation and now owns more mares than his brothers. Northern Farm has been the leading breeder in Japan for four of the past five years. This year the first four finishers in the Japanese Oaks and Japanese Derby were all bred by Northern Farm.
Next stop is Northern Horse Park which is a racing-themed tourist park and also houses a racing museum. One of the residents should be no stranger to Australian horseracing fans. The 2006 Melbourne Cup winner Delta Blues is now 16 years of age and keeps fit at the equestrian school with the park. Their friendly staff will take delight in presenting Delta Blues for a souvenir photo. Lunch will be at one of Hokkaido's best restaurants named "K's Garden" which is renowned for serving dishes entirely from freshly harvested ingredients from Hokkaido. The locally farmed beef with delicious marbling is guaranteed to be on the menu. K's Garden is famous for its sommelier and a selection of more than 2000 French wines.
After lunch we will visit Shadai Farm. The Shadai breeding farm is also owned by Teruya Yoshida and is home to many superbly bred mares from the USA and Europe. Teruya has dominated the racing and breeding industry in Japan for the past 25 years. Shadai Farm has bred Japanese Derby winners such as Neo Universe and Agnes Flight, in addition to Victoire Pisa the winner of the Dubai World Cup and Hearts Cry, winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Tonight at 07.00pm we have booked a "optional" group dinner at a local restaurant called Izakaya Hananomai. As Sapporo is famous for seafood and November is the top of the season for seafood eating, we have chosen a menu to suit.
Day 3: Tuesday, 19th of November
From 08:00am we will board our charter bus directly to Oiwake Farm - Lily Valley Training Centre for our 09.30am visit. Oiwake Farm is run by Masashi Yoshida, son of Haruya and was opened as a training complex in 2011. The 1020 metre roofed training track is an incredible facility.
Next stop will be Sapporo's Nijo Fish Market. Lovers of fresh sashimi and sushi will be in heaven as we explore a city block full of shops preparing seafood for sale. The range and volume of seafood is amazing.
Next we will make what we expect to be a popular visit to the Sapporo Beer Garden for lunch. Visitors to this red brick heritage building can try a freshly brewed Sapporo classic beer in the comfort of the beer hall. A barbequed lamb dish called Genghis Khan will be on our menu whilst enjoying a Sapporo beer.
Free time will be available in the afternoon to rest or for further sightseeing and shopping.
Day 4: Wednesday, 20th of November
Check out of the Sapporo Grand Hotel and from 08:30am we will board our bus transfer to Chitose Airport.
Board Japan Airlines flight JL506 from Chitose Sapporo at 11:00am which arrives in Haneda at 12:40pm. Here we will board our bus transfer directly to our accommodation at the Keio Plaza Hotel to commence our 5 night stay in Tokyo.
The Keio Plaza Hotel is located in Shinjuku, which is a vibrant shopping and entertainment district in the heart of Tokyo. Shinjuku has many restaurants where we can dine as a group throughout our stay at very reasonable prices.
Take time to rest after our busy morning.
For those who would like to do some shopping, Haydn will escort tour Members to the main shopping district which is located next to the West Exit of Shinjuku Station. The Keio Department Store, Odakyu Department Store and Takashimaya Times Square are popular places to shop.
From 07.00pm we will meet in the lobby for an optional group dinner.
Day 5: Thursday, 21st of November
The magnificent buffet breakfast at the Keio Plaza Hotel is also a meal to celebrate each morning with a wonderful range of Japanese and Western options.
Our day trip to Hakone at the base of Mount Fuji will depart the hotel at 08:00am. It is recommended you bring a warm jacket and scarf as the weather is likely to be cool.
Our charter bus and English speaking local guide will take us directly to a traditional Ryokan called Ryuguden which is located on the shore of Lake Ashi which boasts scenic views of Mount Fuji. Here we have an option to try their incredibly relaxing Japanese hot spring bath followed by a delicious Japanese lunch.
After lunch we will take a ride on the Mt Komagatake Ropeway, board a cruise on the beautiful Lake Ashi. Should the weather gods be kind, wonderful scenic views of Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance next to a backdrop of beautiful autumn colours.
We will return to Tokyo by bullet train which is an amazing thrill for those who are yet to experience.
Day 6: Friday, 22nd of November
We will meet in the lobby at 09:00am for our day of Tokyo sightseeing. Here we will meet our local Japanese tour guide who will join us for the day. This morning we will learn how to use the public transport system, and using our Pasmo Cards, we will board a train for Harajuku to visit the famous Meiji Shrine. There is no better example of classic Shinto architecture in Tokyo. Surrounded by densely wooded parkland, we can view the beautiful colours of the changing autumn leaves.
From Harajuku, we will then take a train to Ueno where we will walk through picturesque Ueno Park and view the autumn colours. At the end of the park we will visit the Ueno Markets, a larger version of the Victoria Markets in Melbourne. Here we will explore the numerous laneways full of bargains. Everything imaginable is for sale including Japanese arts and crafts, neck ties, suits, fashion wear, Japanese teas and spices.
For those not interested in shopping, there are plenty of cafes where you can escape the crowds.
Next we will board a subway for Asakusa - a very historical part of Tokyo located beside the Sumida River. The Asakusa Kannon Temple is surrounded by the Nakamise shopping arcade where many a bargain souvenirs can be found.
From Asakusa we will board a local train to the Ginza, Tokyo's most famous shopping and entertainment district. Take time to explore the many department stores with specialty shops before we return to Shinjuku and the Keio Plaza Hotel by subway.
Day 7: Saturday, 23rd of November
Meet in the lobby at 08:30am for our first visit to Fuchu Racecourse. It will be a relaxed day as there will be a much smaller crowd than we will experience tomorrow.
We have reserved seats in the main grandstand. The first race is at 10:00am and the day provides a chance for us to become familiar with the local betting system. During the day we will visit the magnificent on-course JRA museum devoted to the history of Japanese and international horse racing. Watch their latest horse racing short 3D movie in a 360 degree Circle-Vision Theatre.
Some Members may choose to use today as a free day for personal sightseeing and shopping.
Day 8: Sunday, 24th of November
Meet in the lobby at 08:30am for undoubtedly the main event of our Japan Cup Tour. Today's race meeting at Fuchu is highlighted by the running of Japan's most prestigious race - the Japan Cup. A crowd of 100,000 is expected.
The Japan Cup is a 2400 metre event on grass for horses for three-year-olds and upwards. It is the richest race in Japan with a total purse of JPY 528,500,000. Previous winners of this race include champions such as Better Loosen Up, Horlicks, Tokai Teio, Vodka and Deep Impact.
We request that all ladies and gentlemen dress as per Members regulations of Australian racecourses. Gentlemen are encouraged to wear a suit and tie, however hats and fascinators are not a requirement for the ladies.
We will take the train to Fuchu Racecourse and access our reserved seats in the main grandstand. Lunch can be purchased on course at one of the many restaurants offering a wide variety of inexpensive Japanese and western dishes.
Our tour coordinator Haydn will organise a "Punters Club" to have a flutter on the Japan Cup. Good luck to us!
Day 9: Monday, 25th of November
Official check out time is 11:00am.
Today is a free day for final sightseeing and shopping.
Refer to your international air ticket for your departure time and airport of departure. Warning there are two international airport in Tokyo. (Haneda and Narita)
Please note you need to check in at least two hours prior to your departure time.
The main group will board a charter bus at 02:00pm for Narita International Airport. (90 min)
We will check in and depart Tokyo for Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific flight CX505 at 18:00 which arrives at 22:25. Remain in transit.
Day 10: Tuesday, 26th of November
Depart Hong Kong for Melbourne on Cathay Pacific Airways flight CX105 at 00:05am which arrives at 12:15pm. Welcome home!
*We hope to see you on a Tailor Made Travel Racing Tour again in the future.
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