11-Day Jewels of Japan Tour from £6,590pp!
The Land of the Rising Sun boasts one of the world’s most enthralling and unique cultures and civilisations. Japan is a nation of samurai castles and Zen Buddhist temples on the one hand, and bullet trains racing through neon-tinted futuristic cityscapes on the other. This fully immersive tour offers a fantastic introduction to this fascinating country.
What’s included?
- Return flights from London Heathrow and all internal transport
- 3 and 4 star accommodation throughout
- All meals
- All sightseeing and entrance fees
- Expert tour guide
- ATOL protection
- FREE £659 donation to the charity of your choice!
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Tour highlights
- Witness the fusion of the past and present on a city tour in Tokyo, Japan’s capital.
- Ascend Japan’s iconic and inspirational tallest mountain, Mt. Fuji.
- Discover the stunning white facade of the feudal Himeji Castle.
- Explore the quintessential Japanese city known as the ‘thousand-year capital’, Kyoto.
Itinerary
Days 1/2 – UK to Tokyo
Fly overnight to the dazzling metropolis of Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 3 – Tokyo
Begin today with a stroll through the Imperial Palace East Garden and then take time to explore the Tokyo National Museum to learn about Tokyo’s historical heritage. After lunch, seek out the tranquillity at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa district, followed by a visit to the observation deck of the 634-metre Skytree for panoramic views over the sprawling city below.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner.
Day 4 – Tokyo
Start the day with a relaxing wander around the classical landscapes of the Hamarikyu Gardens. Continue to the Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, before driving past the famous Shibuya Crossing. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore as you wish. End the day with a dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay and witness the city lit up at night.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner
Day 5 – Mount Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes
Journey through the foothills of the iconic Mount Fuji to its base where we find the Fuji Five Lakes. Upon arrival, ascend 2,000 metres up to Mount Fuji’s 5th Station (weather permitting) where, with its perfectly conical looming overhead, you can take in the breathtaking views over the landscapes below. After lunch, continue to Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to view the artist’s elaborate dyed silk creations and spend some time strolling around the beautiful garden. Also explore Iyashi no Sato Historical Village, a former farming village on the shores of Lake Saiko.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner.
Day 6 – Bullet train to Kyoto
Start the day with a visit to Oshino Hakkai before learning how to make your very own traditional Japanese soba noodles which you will then tuck into for lunch! Later, transfer to Mishima station and journey on the bullet train to Kyoto. An enchanting city, Kyoto was capital for 1,000 years; today it is the legacy of ancient Japan, full of tranquil temples, silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner.
Day 7 – Kyoto
Enjoy a full day tour of Kyoto starting with a visit to one of Kyoto’s delightful temples – the 17th-century Buddhist Kiyomizu. Immerse yourself in the culture by experiencing the sacred rituals of a tea ceremony with a tea master and try your hand at origami. Dating back to the 6th-century, the art of ‘folding paper’ is a cultural symbol of simplicity, beauty and peace. Later, explore the impressive Fushimi Inari Shrine with its remarkable 10,000 red torii gates.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 8 – Journey to Hiroshima
Begin the day with a visit to Ryoanji Temple, home to Japan’s most famous zen garden and the famous Kinkakuji Temple, known as the ‘Golden Pavilion’. Continue to Osaka, arriving in time for lunch in the vibrant Dotonbori district. Later, travel by bullet train to Hiroshima, a city that needs no introduction.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner.
Day 9 – Hiroshima & Miyajima
Hop on the ferry to the holy island of Miyajima and visit the Itsukushima Shrine. Enjoy some free time and take an optional ride on the cable car up Mount Misen to enjoy the panoramic views. Return to Hiroshima and take a moment to reflect at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, paying homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb and also visit the Orizuru Tower.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner.
Day 10 – Himeji Castle
Travel to Himeji to visit its famous castle. The feudal era fort, one of the most impressive in Japan, towers over the city and is recognisable as the backdrop to several major films. Appreciate its turbulent past before strolling around Kokoen, the Edo-style gardens just across the castle moat. Later, transfer to Osaka for an overnight stay.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner.
Day 11 – Osaka to UK
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Price is correct as of 10/04/2024
