Showing 2022 season
Overview
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Highlights of this tour through Japan are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites you’ll visit. Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, has long been worshipped as a sacred mountain; you’ll enjoy views of majestic Mount Fiji and Lake Kawaguchi during your cable-car ride (weather permitting). In Kyoto, visit Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the shogun’s official residence, and the Temple of the Gold Pavilion, a Buddhist temple overlooking a large pond and covered in beautiful gold leaf. In Hiroshima, visit Peace Memorial Park and see the only remaining structure—the Atomic Bomb Dome—that predates the 1945 atomic blast. An excursion from Hiroshima takes you to Miyajima Island and the Itsukushima Shrine, built over water and known for its iconic floating Torii gate.
In addition to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, famous shrines, and other historic sites, this Japan tour also includes visits to two of Japan’s beautiful gardens: Koraku-En, dating to 1686 and considered one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens, and Shinjuku Gyoen, dating to 1603 when it was a feudal lord’s home. You’ll enjoy a local lunch and taste the “Japanese pizza” of Hiroshima: the legendary okonomiyaki dish. Plus, you’ll ride on the famous bullet train.
History, scenery, and fun experiences…this Japan vacation has it all!
Small Group Discovery
Each Cosmos Asia tour is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery Asia vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
2022 Tour itinerary
Total meals included:
- 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches
TOKYO, JAPAN
Day1
Welcome to Japan’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
TOKYO
Day2
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions prior to morning sightseeing in Tokyo. Your tour starts with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. Next, visit Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. Originally dating from the early 1600s, the garden was destroyed in World War II and reopened in 1949 as a public park. Today, it remains a very popular stop for locals and visitors alike. Last stop is the Asakusa Kannon Temple and the bustling Nakamise shopping arcade. The balance of the afternoon is at leisure.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
TOKYO–MOUNT FUJI AREA.
Day3
This morning, leave Tokyo and head south along the coast to the beautiful Five Lakes region. Here, take a cable-car ride (weather permitting) for panoramic views of Lake Kawaguchi and spectacular Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
MOUNT FUJI AREA–KYOTO
Day4
This morning, board one of Japan’s famous bullet trains bound for Kyoto. Upon arrival, visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly colored Torii Gates. Then, take a walking tour through Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, and sample a local Japanese treat. This evening, you may choose to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan (additional fee).
Meals included:
- Breakfast
KYOTO
Day5
Your day begins with a visit to Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the official residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Then, visit stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavillion, covered in shimmering gold leaf. The afternoon is free for you to explore more of Kyoto’s historic sites and shrines.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
KYOTO–HIROSHIMA
Day6
This morning, drive south to Hiroshima. Once there, travel to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its floating Torii Gate.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
HIROSHIMA
Day7
Today’s sightseeing starts at Peace Memorial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Peace Memorial, commonly referred to as the Atomic Bomb Dome, that has been preserved just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the bombing. You will also visit the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost that day. For lunch, experience the city’s legendary dish, okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style savory pancake. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
HIROSHIMA–OKAYAMA–OSAKA
Day8
Drive north to Okayama and visit Koraku-en, one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan.” Covering some 30 acres, the garden features ponds, plum groves, and tea fields. A unique feature not typically found in Japanese gardens are the wide lawns which are said to help uplift the spirit and promote open mindedness. Continue on to Osaka and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
OSAKA
Day9
Your sightseeing tour starts at the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses, where traditional thatched-roof farm houses dating from the Edo period have been restored. See the old architecture and be transported back in time. Next, visit Osaka Castle and take a walking tour in Dotonbori, the city’s most famous entertainment district. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps return to Dotonbori this evening to sample some local cuisine and see the sparkling neon lights.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
OSAKA
Day10
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Hotels
It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
Shiba Park Hotel
First-Class
Feel relaxed as if at home at the Shiba Park Hotel. Located near the Tokyo Tower, this hotel offers modern comfort with access to the city's main sites.
Location
1-5-10 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Hotel Facilities
- Bar/Lounge
- Ice Machine
- Luggage Storage
- Currency Exchange
- Spa Services
- Business Center
- Parking/Valet
- Free WiFi
- Restaurant On-Site
- Laundry Available
- Elevator
Room Facilities
- Television
- Cable/Satellite
- Phone
- Room Service
- Hair Dryer
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Internet Access
- Desk
Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel
Moderate First-Class
This brand new hotel features great access to and view of Mt. Fuji, as well as a restaurant, sauna, and free Wifi.
Location
, Mt Fuji Area, Japan
Hotel Facilities
- Elevator
- Free WiFi
- Laundry Available
- Restaurant On-Site
Room Facilities
- Air Conditioning
- Climate Control
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Phone
- In-Room Safe
- Hair Dryer
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
Moderate First-Class
This hotel fuses traditional Japanese style with convenient and modern amenities.
Location
80, Mikura-cho, Nishiiru, Karasuma, Sanjo St., Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Hotel Facilities
- Elevator
- Restaurant On-Site
- Laundry Available
- Luggage Storage
- Free WiFi
- Pool
- Spa Services
Room Facilities
- Internet Access
- Phone
- Desk
- In-Room Safe
- Coffee Maker
- Television
- Air Conditioning
- Hair Dryer
- Cable/Satellite
- Complimentary Toiletries
Hiroshima Tokyu REI Hotel
First-Class
The hotel offers 2 restaurants along with a coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge. Complimentary wireless and wired high speed Internet access is available in public areas and an Internet point is located on site. Additional amenities include multilingual staff, laundry facilities, and room service (during limited hours).
Location
10-1 Mikawa-Cho, Naka-Ku, Hiroshima, Japan
Hotel Facilities
- Laundry Available
- Elevator
- Parking/Valet
- Luggage Storage
- Bar/Lounge
- Restaurant On-Site
Room Facilities
- Wake-Up Calls
- Room Service
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Cable/Satellite
- Phone
- Air Conditioning
- Coffee Maker
- Smoking Rooms
- Alarm Clock
- Pay Movies
- Hair Dryer
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Desk
- Television
- Internet Access
- Climate Control
Shin-Osaka Esaka Tokyu REI Hotel
Moderate First-Class
This tall, modern hotel is located in Toyotsu cho directly in front of the Esaka Staton. The proximity to the station makes for great shopping and dining, and sightseeing easy.
Location
9-6, Toyotsu-Cho, Suita-Shi, Osaka, Japan
Hotel Facilities
- Laundry Available
- Ice Machine
- Beauty Salon
- ATM
- Elevator
- Currency Exchange
- Restaurant On-Site
- Luggage Storage
- Parking/Valet
Room Facilities
- Air Conditioning
- Climate Control
- Coffee Maker
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Desk
- Mini-bar
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Smoking Rooms
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Alarm Clock
- Phone
- Pay Movies
- Television
- Wake-Up Calls
- Hair Dryer
- Internet Access
