Journey through Japan
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13 Days
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Japan
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On the go pace
An enchanting mix of the traditional and modern: explore Tokyo’s bustling downtown and visit its ornate and colourful Buddhist shrines and temples; see Hiroshima’s moving Peace Memorial Park, and then ride a speeding bullet train to Kyoto for a traditional tea ceremony.
Your journey starts here
Highlights
| VIP private home pick-up service |
| Flights |
| Transfers |
| Services of a tour director |
| Accommodation |
| Selected meals |
| Porterage |
| All airport taxes |
VIP private home pick-up
Get picked up at home and whisked off to your departure point (within 50 miles).
Select options
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Overview
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Your detailed itinerary
Tour departing on 12th March 2018
Meals included: 11 breakfasts,
Overview
An enchanting mix of the traditional and modern: explore Tokyo’s bustling downtown and visit its ornate and colourful Buddhist shrines and temples; see Hiroshima’s moving Peace Memorial Park, and then ride a speeding bullet train to Kyoto for a traditional tea ceremony.
At a glance
- Asakusa Kannon Temple Tokyo's oldest and one of its most colourful Buddhist temples.
- Toshogu Shrine Lavishly-decorated shrine of Tokugawa Ieyasu, once the most powerful man in Japan.
- Gassho-Zukuri houses Explore these unique thatched-roofed houses in Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture.
- Peace Memorial Park Visit the moving Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Museum in Hiroshima.
- Bullet Train - Hiroshima to Kyoto Ride one of the country's famous bullet trains.
- Traditional Tea Ceremony Enjoy this most Japanese of cultural practices in Kyoto.
Extensions
- 2 nights stop over in Dubai
Please call our Travel Specialists to book this holiday with an extension
Day 1
Depart UK
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 2
Arrive Tokyo
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for three nights (check in from 2pm). The rest of the day is yours to relax.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 3
Tokyo
One of the most exciting cities in the world, Tokyo is home to more than 8 million people. Today's sightseeing tour takes you to the Meiji Shrine - a magnificent 20th century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. Afterwards, pass by the Imperial Palace Plaza, the State Guest House, the Akihabara district and the famous Ginza shopping street. Your tour concludes with a visit to the Asakusa Kannon Temple and the Nakamise Shopping Arcade. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening in this cosmopolitan city.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 4
Tokyo - Nikko - Tokyo
Journey north to Nikko for a visit to Toshogu Shrine and its famous Yomeimon Gate, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Next, continue on to the I-Ro-Ha Zaka driveway, which reaches elevations of 3,940 feet, to visit Lake Chuzenji and the Kegon Waterfall. Later, return to Tokyo.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 5
Tokyo - Matsumoto - Nagano - Toyama
This morning drive to Matsumoto where you will see Matsumoto Castle and the Matsumoto City Museum. Later, travel to Nagano to visit Zenkoji Temple. Founded 1400 years ago, the temple houses what is said to be the first Buddhist statue brought to Japan. In the evening, arrive in Toyama.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 6
Toyama - Shirakawa - Takayama - Nagoya
Continue through Japan's beautiful mountain scenery to one of the country's most remote regions - Shirakawa. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the unique Gassho-Zukuri (meaning joined hands) style thatched houses can only be found in this area. This afternoon, journey through the Japanese Alps, via one of Japan's longest road tunnels, to the secluded town of Takayama, where old traditions are untouched by the passage of time. Visit the Kusakabe Heritage House for a glimpse of traditional Japanese architecture of the late 19th century before heading to Nagoya.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 7
Nagoya - Toba - Osaka
Begin with a trip to Toba and visit Mikimoto Pearl Island to learn about the pearl cultivation process. Later, enjoy a visit to the most important shrine of the Shinto 'church' - Ise Grande Shrine. This afternoon, continue to Osaka, Japan's second largest city, where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 8
Osaka - Matsue
Head to the city of Yonago, on the coast of the Sea of Japan and after a brief visit, continue to the Adachi Museum of Art to view Japanese-style gardens and view paintings by one of the greatest Japanese painters Yokoyama Taikan. Later, visit Matsue to see Matsue Castle and Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, to learn about the life of an international writer.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 9
Matsue - Hiroshima
En route to Hiroshima, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Itsukushima Shrine and its famous floating Torii Gate. From here, continue to Hiroshima where your sightseeing tour of this important historical city features the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Museum, which commemorates the victims of the atomic bomb. Also visit the Shukkeien Landscape Garden, which dates back to 1620.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 10
Hiroshima - Kyoto by Bullet Train
A highlight of your tour is a journey on one of Japan's famous bullet trains, bound for Kyoto. Reaching Kyoto, one of the most fascinating cities in Japan, the remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 11
Kyoto
Enjoy a tour of Kyoto, visiting many of the city's temples, shrines, palaces and pagodas. A highlight of the day is a visit to the extraordinary Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the official residence of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. You will also visit Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion and the Heian Shrine and garden. During the day there will also be the chance to participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 12
Kyoto - Hakone National Park - Tokyo
Drive on the Meishin and Tomei expressways to Hakone National Park for a leisurely cruise on Lake Ashi and an aerial cable car ride over the beautiful Owakudani Valley. From here, weather permitting, enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, before continuing on to your hotel at Tokyo's Narita airport for one night.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 13
Tokyo - UK
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Hotels
- Tokyo: Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu;
- Toyama: Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu;
- Nagoya: Nagoya Sakae Tokyu Rei;
- Osaka: Shin-Osaka Esaka Tokyu Rei;
- Matsue: Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu Inn;
- Hiroshima: Hiroshima Tokyu Rei;
- Kyoto: Kyoto Tokyu Hotel;
- Tokyo Narita Airport: Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu.
Notes
Book Early With heavy demand for this tour, especially during Cherry Blossom season, you are encouraged to book early.
Accommodation will be as stated or similar standard.
Single rooms in Japan are traditionally small with a single bed. Anyone booking a single room will be paying a supplement to have their own private room.
Latest customer reviews
22nd September 2016
It would have been better to spend 2 nights in Hiroshima, where there was lots to do, rather than go to Matsue, which was a very long journey and where there wasn't much to see apart from the castle and another temple.