Shukokai 75th Anniversary

Tour Information

Melbourne Departure

TOUR 1
Shukokai Anniversary Training Week

Melbourne Departure
2nd - 11th December 2024

Details of the Anniversary Training Week

Monday Dec 2nd
Leave Melbourne at 7:20am on the 2nd of December and fly into Osaka via Tokyo. Meet up with the rest of the tour in Kobe Japan on 2nd December. We will be met at Kansai Airport and transferred to our Accommodation in Kobe.  All transfers are included and we will have use of our buses all week to get us around to our various activities.

Tuesday Dec 3rd
Day starts with a memorial service commemorating Sensei Tani (the founder of Shukokai).  Our training starts that night with a session all together.  Training will be conducted by Sensei Ishitobi Hanshi.

Wednesday Dec 4th
We will be training during the day.  Our Union will be hosting a kumite training session conducted by current Japanese National Team member/members.

Thursday Dec 5th
More daytime training with Sensei Ishitobi followed by a dinner for all Union Chief Instructors.

Friday Dec 6th
Grading Day!  Sensei Ishitobi has organised the facility for any students eligible to be tested for Shodan and above.  You will need to confirm your eligibility with your Sensei and nominate by a set time (yet to be decided).

Saturday Dec 7th
Training day with Sensei Ishitobi

Sunday Dec 8th
Tournament day.  We will be attending the Shukokai Union 75th Anniversary Championships.  The tournament will be open to competitors aged 21 and under.  Please speak with your Sensei if you are eligible.  Our Senior instructors will be given the opportunity to referee with JKF officials and we will also be seeking any volunteers who’d like to help our Japanese hosts as table officials etc.

Monday Dec 9th

THE BIG CELEBRATION PARTY!  This is our big dinner celebration for the 75th Anniversary of Shukokai Karate Do.  All together.  

Tuesday Dec 10th/11th

Home time for those heading home today after the completion of our Training week. Leave Osaka at 2:50pm on the 10th and arrive in Melbourne at 5:40am on the 11th of December.

The Anniversary Training Week Tour departing Melbourne is 9 nights

TOUR 2
Shukokai Anniversary Full Cultural Tour

Melbourne Departure
2nd - 18th December 2024

TOUR 2

Departing Melbourne and arriving in Osaka on December 2nd.

Once we arrive in Kobe, our entire group will participate in all of the Karate Activities as listed in

“TOUR 1: Shukokai Anniversary Training Week”

On this extended tour we will enjoy Japan in all it’s brightest colours, as all the trees change into full Autumn vibrancy.

After our Training week is completed our Cultural Tour continues:

Tuesday 10th Dec
Bullet train to Hiroshima!  We will pack up our luggage in the morning and have that transferred to Hiroshima while we all hop on the Shinkansen for our first high speed rail experience.  We will be spending 2 nights in Hiroshima exploring The Peace Park, Miyajima, Iwakuni and Okonomiyaki!!!!  We will also be training with our friends, the Kurumaji Family Dojo in Yoshiura.

Thursday 12th Dec
Ok, so we are taking off on a bit of an adventure.  We will pack our luggage and send it to Kyoto from here, but we won’t be getting to Kyoto until the 13th…   You’ll need an overnight bag as we travel to the Ancient Capital of Japan, Nara.  In Nara we will spend the night in a traditional Japanese Ryokan (Japanese Inn). Kimonos and great food!

Friday 13th Dec to Monday 16th
Off to Kyoto.  Here we will be exploring some of the Cultural Wonders of the World.  On one of the days our group will have its own private bus tours, customised by our Chief Instructors, even complete with a special guest tour guide on each bus…  There may also be an opportunity in Kyoto to do one last karate session together in one of the oldest dojos in Japan.

Tuesday 17th/Wednesday 18th Dec
And we are done.  It’s home day.  We will leave Osaka at 2:50pm on the 17th and arrive in Melbourne at 5:40am on the 18th of December.

The Full Cultural Tour departing Melbourne is 16 nights

Tour Inclusions

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Anniversary Training Week Tour
(Melbourne Departure)
9 nights

Flights

  • Return flights

Accommodation

  • 8 nights accommodation in Kobe

Meals

  • All breakfasts

Transfers & Rail

  • Chartered coach transfer from Kansai Airport to the hotels in Kobe (02DEC)

  • Chartered coach for half-day sightseeing on or around 03DEC including a visit to Tani Sensei’s grave

  • Early returners only: Chartered coach transfer from Kobe hotels back to Kansai Airport on 10DEC

  • All applicable fuel surcharges, airport levies and government charges as of this quote date but subject to change until final payment received

  • Bus transfers to and from all Karate events (bus cost yet to be applied to Melbourne bookings)

Merch

  • Anniversary Tour T-Shirt and Soft Shell Jacket

Anniversary Full Cultural Tour (Melbourne Departure)
16 nights

Flights

  • Return flights

Accommodation

  • 8 nights accommodation in Kobe

  • 2 nights accommodation in Hiroshima

  • 1 night in Traditional Ryokan in Nara

  • 4 nights accommodation in Kyoto (final night in Kyoto yet to be priced)

Meals

  • All breakfasts

  • Banquet dinner in Nara

Transfers & Rail

  • Chartered coach transfer from Kansai Airport to the hotels in Kobe (02DEC)

  • Chartered coach for half-day sightseeing on or around 03DEC including a visit to Tani Sensei’s grave   

  • Bus transfers to and from all Karate events (bus cost yet to be applied to Melbourne bookings)

  • Chartered coach transfer from the Kyoto hotel(s) to Kansai Airport on 17DEC

  • 2x Hotel-to-Hotel luggage transfers by courier (Kobe to Hiroshima and Hiroshima to Kyoto)

  • Extenders only: chartered coach(es) for Full Day Sightseeing in Kyoto on or around 14DEC, with special guest tour guides.

  • All applicable fuel surcharges, airport levies and government charges as of this quote date but subject to change until final payment received

  • 5 day JR West Kansai to Hiroshima area pass

Merch

  • Anniversary Tour T-Shirt and Soft Shell Jacket

Payment and Pricing Information

Please read the following payment information very carefully

Tour Costs Departing Melbourne

TOUR 1: Karate Training Week
2-11 December 2024

Single: $4163.60 AUD

Twin share: $4021.60 AUD

Triple share: $3915.60 AUD

**Please see above for a full list of inclusions, payment schedule and other important information.

TOUR 2: Full Cultural Tour
2-18 December 2024

Single: $5214.60 AUD

Twin share: $4879.60 AUD

Triple share: $4721.60 AUD

**Please see above for a full list of inclusions, payment schedule and other important information.

Payment Terms

  • Payment for the Tour will be split into 3 non refundable payments.

  • Payments can be made via direct bank transfer or credit card. Please note credit card payments will incur a 3.1% surcharge.

  • The current quote is based on 97 yen to the dollar to give you the best possible tour price.

  • Please note the land component will be re-costed on September 18th and there may be a variation due to the exchange rate at that time.

  • Any items not mentioned in the “inclusions” section are not covered by the quoted price.

  • Travel Insurance is not included in the tour price. It’s the responsibility of each participant to purchase their own travel insurance. If you need to cancel your tour we can provide receipts as proof of payment for travel insurance claims.

  • The cost of the karate competition, karate seminar and anniversary dinner are yet to be quoted. These will be communicated in August.

  • All prices quoted are in AUD.

  • Please note the cost of the bus service during the Training Week to take us to and from all activities and training sessions has not yet been priced.

  • Lastly, an additional night of accommodation in Kyoto is also yet to be priced for Melbourne bookings.

Payment Schedule

1. Deposit

  • To confirm your spot on tour a $950 non-refundable deposit is required upon booking.

  • Any add-on merch you select is also payable upon booking.

  • Once you complete your booking form, you will be sent an email within 1-2 business days. This email will confirm your booking on tour and contain your deposit amount and details for bank transfer.

2. Airfare Component

  • The Airfare component will be due by 16th August 2024

3. Final Land Component

  • The balance of the land component will be due In October, date to be advised.

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Travel Information

Please read the following travel information very carefully

  • Please note, there are strict conditions on the availability of Japan Rail passes for any Japanese passport-holders that may be travelling with your group from outside Japan. Please check with us for any questions regarding these conditions.

  • You must have 6 months of Validity on your passport from the date of travel.

  • Australian passport holders do not need entry Visas for Japan. If you are travelling on another Passport it is your responsibility to check visa and travel requirements.

  • Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. It is the responsibility of each individual to purchase their own travel insurance.

75th Anniversary Tour Merch

As part of your tour package you will receive a Tour T-Shirt, and Anniversary Tour Soft Shell Jacket. Perfect for the chilly Autumn nights on tour.

You will be asked to select your size during booking.

.

Add-On Tour Merch

You also have the opportunity to add on any of these limited edition tour merch options during booking.

Soft Shell Jacket $110
(Kids sizes available)

Tour T-Shirt $40
(Kids sizes available)

Beanie $30

Tour Backpack $50

18L (450mm x 310mm)
Perfect for your protective gear and a gi.

SSU Tie $60

For the instructors having to wear formal attire to functions :(

Tour Training Towel $15

For those who get sweaty!

 FAQs

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  • During our Training week, all karate activities are optional. If you need to take a break then you definitely can.

  • In between activities there will be heaps of time available for people to take off and explore around Kobe, and neighboring cities. Osaka, Himeji for example are all really close and easily accessible.

  • I recommend Covermore because I’ve had experience with them in the past, they cover participation in non professional sporting activities.

  • Yes, however please note that you will be responsible for organising and paying for your own transfers. Our package prices are all inclusive of transfers. If you would still like to book your own flights please note this in the variation section on your booking form.

  • All breakfasts are included as well as the banquet dinner in Nara for participants of the full cultural tour.

  • The tournament is only open to under 20’s, while the seminar is for all Karate students on tour. The 75th Anniversary dinner & Party is for all of us to enjoy together. The costs for these will be communicated in August.

This tour is being organised and operated for the Shukokai Union Oceania by.

Contact Craig Catania:

(+61) 0438 554 883

craigcatania@gmail.com