Japan Air Lines, world-famous for its outstanding onboard service, doesn't offer packages all that often for its North American audience, but this winter, it's selling a four-night Tokyo or Kyoto package from just $619, including transpacific air and hotel. And, in expensive Japan where every yen counts, so is all-important breakfast on each of the four days.
There are departures yet this year on December 1 and December 8, but there are plenty more in 2003.
The prices to gloriously old Kyoto from JAL's gateway cities are as follows:
Wednesdays on January 15, 22 and 29; February 5, 12, 19 and 26; March 5 from Honolulu or Kona $619 to $689; from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver $649 to $719; from Chicago or New York $679 to $749.
For Tokyo-bound visitors, there are Wednesday departures on the same dates from the same seven gateways ranging from $669 to $769 out of Honolulu or Kona; $699 to $799 from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver; and $729 to $829 out of Chicago or New York.
On Sundays, there are also departures for Tokyo on January 12, 19 and 26; February 2 and 9; and March 2 and 9 from the same cities and also from Las Vegas. The price is $669 to $769 from the Hawaiian gateways; $699 to $799 from the West Coast and Las Vegas gateways; and $729 to $829 from Chicago or New York.
The price is per person based on double occupancy, with an additional $90 in taxes and fees. The single supplement is a bone-crunching $240. The amount is subject to change, depending on the exchange rate at the time of purchase.
Hotels in Tokyo's lower-price bracket include the Shiba Park and the Sunshine City Prince. Middle-price bracket is either Keio Plaza or the Crown Plaza Metropolitan Tokyo. Higher-price bracket includes the Capitol Tokyu, the Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu and the New Takanawa Prince hotel.
In Kyoto, your lower-price bracket hotels are the Kyoto Tower, the Rihga Royal and the Sanjo Karasuma, the higher-price hotel being the New Miyako.
To book, you must go to the Internet site for Japan Air Lines, www.japanair.com/e/travelplan/vacation_valuef.php.
