Japan - Land of the Rising Sun

Day 2 Tokyo

You’ll arrive in Tokyo this evening where we’ll transfer you to your hotel. After time to settle in, why not head out for stroll to get your bearings. You could visit the bright lights of Tokyo in the Shinjuku district where there are a range of restaurants offering traditional Japanese cuisine.

Day 3 Tokyo

Today a guided tour will take you to explore some of Tokyo’s incredible sights.

Your explorations of Japan begin here in dazzling Tokyo and take you first to the Tokyo Tower, and we head to the district of Asakusa, where you'll visit the fascinating Sensoji Buddhist temple, and head to the vibrant Nakamise shopping street.
In the afternoon we're going to visit the Tokyo Tower and make a stop close to the spectacular Imperial Palace. This is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan, so make sure you bring your camera! This evening, we will enjoy a welcome dinner.

Meals included: B,D

Day 4 Hakone & Mount Fuji

A spectacular sight awaits us today, as we journey to Hakone. This is the gateway to Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, and the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The scenery here is breathtakingly beautiful and we'll take a cable-car ride over the Owakudani Valley to admire views of mountains, sulphur hot springs and crystal-clear Lake Ashi.
The lake formed thousands of years ago in the crater of a dormant volcano, and we'll take a tranquil and scenic cruise across its waters.  At the hot springs, you'll have a chance to try the local delicacy of 'black eggs'. Cooked in the sulphur, eating just one egg is believed to add seven years to your life! We'll also make a photo stop at a great spot close to Mount Fuji, so you can capture its stunning beauty if the weather is on our side.

Meals included: B

Day 5 Tokyo - Takayama

Today we leave Tokyo behind and head to Takayama in the Japanese Alps. We’ll first drive to Matsumoto Castle, it's the country's oldest five-tiered wooden castle and has been designated a National Treasure of Japan. Step inside to explore the each of the floors taking the steep wooden stairs to the observation deck on the top floor. You’ll have time in Matsumoto to explore at leisure. Walk towards the river and watch koi swimming in the clear waters, or walk along Nawate shopping street where small shops sell local wares.

In the afternoon, we stop at Daio Wasabi Farm to see how Japanese horseradish is grown. The farm has a number of large fields where the wasabi plants grow and we will admire them from specially designed walking trails. To round off your visit, why not treat yourself to a wasabi-flavoured ice cream!

The drive from Matsumoto to Takayama is a long one, but this road takes you into the heart of the Hida Mountains along winding roads that pass through mountain tunnels and alongside rivers so clear you can see the rocky bed below – the panoramic views are breath-taking.

After arriving at our hotel in Takayama, we’ll meet for a dinner of local cuisine.

Meals included: B,D

Day 6 Takayama

This morning, we start with a visit to the Miyagawa morning market, where you can see and perhaps even sample the region's exotic fruit and vegetables. There is free time to explore this town and it is full of surprises. Affectionally called “little Kyoto” the old town has been beautifully preserved – the distinctive black facades of buildings lining narrow streets are full of museums, galleries, restaurants and craft shops. You could even visit the Matsuri no Mori festival museum or Historical Government House.

This afternoon we’ll visit one of Japan's most scenic areas Shirakawago, located along the Shokawa River. This UNESCO listed site showcases a rare type of architecture called Gassho-zukuri. Walk along the suspension bridge that crosses Sho River and wander through the small village. You’ll have time to wander through the site at your own pace. Perhaps you’ll step inside the Wada House, the largest traditional gassho-style farmhouse in the village. Just behind this house is a path that takes you up to an observation deck – here you’ll enjoy wonderful views of pine-covered mountains and centuries-old thatch-roofed farmhouses.

Meals included: B

Day 7 Takayama - Kyoto

A journey by train this morning takes us to Nagoya, where we board one of Japan's famous Bullet Trains bound for Kyoto. Then we’ll continue onto the historic city of Nara is where we’ll find the Todaiji Temple, the Deer Park with its hundreds of free-roaming deer and Kasuga Taisha, the most celebrated shrine in Nara.

Meals included: B

Day 8 Kyoto

We'll start the day by viewing the Kinkakuji Temple with its Golden Pavilion. The top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf and glisten in the sunlight. Next we're heading to the beautiful district of Arashiyama today, where a rickshaw ride through a bamboo forest promises to be an serene experience. Sit back and enjoy the sight of the towering stalks swaying gently in the wind and casting shadows on the path. A sushi-making demonstration and lunch are also included.

A sushi-making demonstration promises to be a great experience as you learn the art of rolling the rice and creating mini masterpieces of raw fish (vegetarian options available). 

This afternoon we will visit Nijo Castle, built in 1603 for the first Shogun of the Edo Period

Meals included: B,L

Day 9 Kyoto - at Leisure

Today has been left free for you to explore Kyoto at leisure. You might choose to head to the Kyoto Tower for panoramic views of the city, and see the Gion district where you partake in a tea ceremony. Kyoto is the birthplace of this traditional ceremony and there are a number of places which offer you a chance to experience it for yourself.

Perhaps you’d like to visit more of the unique temples and shrines in the area – at Fushimi Inari and find not one or two, but thousands of vermilion torii gates that sit close together and straddle a network of paths that lead into the forest at the base of Mount Inari.

Or perhaps, if you fancy a spot of retail therapy, head to Downtown Kyoto where you’ll find department stores and a wonderful food market. In the evening, make sure you venture to Kyoto station, an unspoken highlight of the city and home to an array of restaurants, galleries, a sky garden and a staircase with crowd-pleasing illuminations.

Meals included: B

Day 10 Kyoto - Hiroshima

Today, we’ll take another shinkansen and venture south to Hiroshima. On arrival, we’ll take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island where you can see deer roaming around the area. Unsurprisingly, it’s not the wildlife that it the big draw to this island – here is where you will find the “floating” o-torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine. Both the shrine and the gate are unique for being built over water and therefore seeming to float during high tide – a time at which they are perhaps their most beautiful. We’ll enjoy some free time here – why not take the short walk up to the Daishoin temple, have a drink in the islands brewery or simply sit on the waterfront and take in the tranquil surroundings.

Back on the mainland, Hiroshima is infamous as the target of the first-ever atomic bomb, dropped by the US at the end of the Second World War. The Atomic Bomb Dome stood at the epicentre of the devastating bomb blast and has been preserved as a lasting reminder of that tragic event. You'll visit the remains of this building and walk through the Peace Memorial Park, an area of open land dedicated to the promotion of world peace to see the Cenotaph for the victims of the Atomic Bomb, and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Tonight we will get together for dinner. Meals included: B,D

Day 11 Hiroshima - Osaka

Osaka is the final destination of your tour, so take this morning to relax and admire the view of Japan from the window of your shinkansen. On arrival in the city, we’ll visit the Floating Garden Observatory at the top of the Umeda Sky Building – it’s the perfect stop for lunch, whether you choose to stay at the top and enjoy the incredible views across the city, or head to the lower floor where a food court has been designed to recreate the atmosphere of the city in the early 12th century. Our last stop is Osaka Castle surrounded by a moat and lush gardens, this five-storey castle has a history dating back more than 400 years. Enjoy your last evening at leisure. Meals included: B

Day 12 Osaka - UK

This morning there is time to explore Osaka at leisure – walk down to the river to take a boat tour or simply pick up one or two last minute souvenirs.

This afternoon, we’ll transfer to Osaka airport for our return flight to the UK.

Meals included: B

Day 13 UK

From Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka and beyond, your tour of Japan comes to an end as you arrive back in the UK.

Additional Information

On day 10 your main luggage will travel by road and therefore you will need to take an overnight bag for your 1 night stay in Hiroshima.
 
Please note: While you are travelling through Japan you may find that meals are local and differing to our usual diets. Meal choices may be limited, particularly for those with dietary requirements such as gluten-free or vegetarian where you will be served simple vegetables or salad. Please ensure to advise us and clearly describe any dietary requirements at least 60 days before you arrive in Japan. Please note, these requests can not be guaranteed.

Please note: Porterage is not included in Japan.   There are so many aspects of Japan to experience and to ensure that you see the best of the country this tour will be very full with long, yet rewarding days.