Wifi is available on the bus and in the hotels.
Day 1 : Arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport – Tokyo
Welcome to Japan! You will be greeted by an English-speaking assistant at Narita or Haneda airport who will help you get on the transfer bus to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day and evening to enjoy Tokyo at your leisure.
Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar
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Day 2 : Tokyo City Tour
Today, we will discover Tokyo, starting with the Imperial Palace, the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. Next we will visit the Tokyo Skytree, one of the tallest buildings in the world. The view of the metropolitan Tokyo area from there is spectacular. In the afternoon, we go to Asakusa where we will visit the Sensoji Temple, see the Five Storied Pagoda, and stroll along the traditional Nakamise shopping arcade. Our last stop today is Akihabara, known for being a Japanese pop culture zone, an electronic district, and a paradise for those who love subcultures.
Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar
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Day 3 : Free day in Tokyo (optional tours available)
Today you can either spend at your leisure, or you can choose one of our optional tours:
*One-day Tokyo Sightseeing Tour: 10,000 yen
*One day
Kamakura Tour: 12,500 yen
*
Sumo stable with lunch: 11,000 yen
*
Tokyo Disneyland (Park Ticket only): 9,400 yen
*
Tokyo DisneySea (Park Ticket only): 9,400 yen
*
Ghibli Museum (Entrance Ticket only): 1,000 yen
Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar
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Day 4 : Tokyo – Mt Fuji – Suwa
Today we visit the highest peak in Japan, Mt Fuji. It is has been loved throughout the ages because of its perfect conical shape. Let’s enjoy a magnificent view from Lake Kawaguchi weather permitting. In the afternoon, we head to the Suwa Lake area. Before arriving at the hotel, we visit two historically important places in the area; Takashima Castle that is also known as the floating castle, and the Suwa Taisha Shrine. We stay at a hot spring hotel for two nights where we will enjoy an extensive kaiseki dinner.
Saginoyu or similar
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Day 5 : Suwa – Mt Yatsugatake Area – Suwa
Today, we visit Yatsugatake, a huge mountain range that consists of many peaks the highest of which stands at 2,899m and has magnificent views. Today’s lunch is at a private family house where they will welcome us with local food and hospitality. This is a good opportunity to see how Japanese people live in a traditional house. We will also take a walk in the area to catch a glimpse of countryside life in Japan. After lunch, we continue our visit in the mountaineous area by bus to visit Mt Tateshina and Lake Shirakaba. In the late afternoon, we drive back to our accommodation to enjoy the hot spring.
Saginoyu or similar
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Day 6 : Suwa – Nakasendo Trail Tsumago and Magome – Takayama
In the morning, we drive to the Nakasendo, an old trail that was one of the major routes between Edo (now Tokyo) and Kyoto. Tsumago is the most well-preserved post town on the trail. We will go on a hike of around 2 hours through the forest and rice fields where you can see the life style of the local people. The goal of the hike is Magome, another beautiful post town with a different atmosphere from Tsumago. We will then drive to old charming town Takayama where we will stay for the next two nights.
Takayama Green Hotel or similar
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Day 7 : Takayama – Shirakawago – Takayama
We start the day in Takayama with the Morning Market where local farmers come to sell their products. Then we head to old town Sanmachi, which developed as an Edo Period merchant town and is still prosperous today. We also visit the Takayama Jinya, the only remaining local government office of the Edo period. Then we drive to picturesque village Shirakawago. Located around the Sho River deep in the mountains, Shirakawago is a historic village where unique traditional farmhouses have survived. This village is an outstanding example of a traditional way of life that’s perfectly adapted to a cold environment. We can also observe the inside of one of the farmhouses.
Takayama Green Hotel or similar
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Day 8 : Takayama – Nara – Kyoto
In the morning we drive to Nara, the ancient capital of Japan, where we will first visit the Todaiji Temple and Nara Park. The Todaiji Temple is one of Japan’s most famous Buddhist temples and a World Heritage site. Its Great Buddha Hall, which is one of the world’s largest wooden buildings, houses one of the world’s largest bronze statues of Buddha. Nara park is very famous for its many free-roaming deer to whom you can give specially made crackers. The deer will bow to you to beg for them! We also visit the Kasuga Taisha Shrine with its thousands of stone lantern along the main approach, before heading to Kyoto.
Miyako Hotel Kyoto-Hachijo or similar
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Day 9 : Kyoto
Today we will discover beautiful Kyoto, which became Japan’s capital in the late 8th century. First we visit the Fushimi Inari Taisha with the famous and seemingly endless arcade of vermillion torii gates spread across a thickly wooded mountain. If you like drinking sake, you will very much enjoy our next stop… a sake brewery! The guide gives you a little tour inside followed by a tasting. Next on the program are Kyoto’s most famous highlights, the Kiyomizu Temple and the Kinkakuji Temple that’s also known as the Golden Pavilion. In the evening, we will take a stroll around the Gion geisha district. If you are lucky, you may be able to catch a glimpse of a maiko or geisha on her way to the tea house.
Miyako Hotel Kyoto-Hachijo or similar
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Day 10 : Kyoto – Himeji – Matsue
Leaving Kyoto, we go to Himeji Castle that was built in the early 17th century. The UNESCO World Heritage site is also known as the ‘Egret Castle’ due to its beautiful white walls and roof. In the early afternoon, we will drive to the prestigious Adachi Museum that is famous for beautiful art works and its Japanese garden. The collection includes over 100 paintings by Yokoyama Taikan and a good selection of works by other major 20th century Japanese painters.
Matsue Tokyu Hotel or similar
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Day 11 : Matsue – Izumo Taisha – Hagi
Today’s excursion starts from Matsue Castle, completed in 1611 and one of Japan’s only 12 remaining original castles. Nex, we go to the Izumo Taisha Shrine that has a very long history since ancient time. Hagi is our final destination of the day, where we will drive along the coastline of Sea of Japan while enjoying the nice view from the window. We stay in this old castle town for two nights.
Senshunraku or similar
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Day 12 : Hagi – Motonosumi Shrine – Akiyoshido Cave- Hagi
This morning, we will visit the historical highlights of Hagi. Tokoji is a family temple of feudal lord Mori that has 500 stone lanterns donated by their vassals. We also walk around the castle town to see the well preserved samurai and merchant houses. Our next destination is the Motonosumi Shrine. The view of 123 torii gates with the ocean in the background is very photogenic. It was selected as one of “Japan’s 31 most beautiful places” by CNN. Before going back to the hotel, we visit the Akiyoshido Cave, one of the biggest caves in Japan with a total length of 10,700 meters. There is an underground river along the trail with many scenic spots.
Senshunraku or similar
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Day 13 : Hagi – Tsuwano – Hiroshima
Leaving Hagi, we first go to a small castle town, Tsuwano, that prides itself on its traditional arts, crafts, and literature. This town called the ‘Little Kyoto of San-in’ developed along the Tsuwano-gawa River and is surrounded by nature. We will enjoy a walk around this beautiful town. Then we head for Hiroshima, where we will first learn more about the terrible A-bomb disaster of 1945. It will be a precious experience to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum as well as the famous Atomic Bomb Dome. Although you can’t see the aftermath of the disaster in Hiroshima anymore today, the museum tells you all about what happened.
Rihga Royal Hotel or similar
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Day 14 : Hiroshima – Miyajima – Onomichi – Shimanami-Kaido – Dogo
Near Hiroshima city is the iconic Itsukushima Shrine. We take a boat to the small sacred island where it stands, and visit the site of the large red torii gate in the sea. The gate and the shrine seem to be floating on the water when the tide is high. Before heading to Shikoku, we stop at the picturesque town of Onomichi which has developed on a slope. We will enjoy the great views from the mountain top and walk down the nostalgic small streets. Then we get back on the bus and cross a series of huge suspension bridges spanning the Shikoku and Honshu islands. The view from the bridges that were built incorporating the latest Japanese technology will be unforgettable. The climate of this region is similar to that of the Mediterranean, making it suitable for growing fruits like grapes and oranges. We spend the night in hot-spring town Dogo in Matsuyama.
Hotel Tsubakikan or similar
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Day 15 : Dogo – Takamatsu – Iya
Today, we drive to Takamatsu in the morning. The Ritsurin Garden, one of the most famous Japanese gardens in the country, is the symbol of the city. Let’s enjoy the beautiful scenery while walking around this exquisitely landscaped garden.
In the afternoon, we go into the rarely visited Iya Valley where we will stop at the Kazurabashi, which is a vine suspension bridge. If you are brave enough, you may cross this thrilling bridge on foot. Tonight we stay at another hot-spring hotel surrounded by the mountains.
Hotel Iyaonsen or similar
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Day 16 : Iya – Tokushima – Naruto – Osaka
Today, we first drive to Tokushima where you can enjoy an Awaodori dance demonstration show. You’re invited to dance with the performers. The Ryozenji temple, one of the 88 pilgrimage temples, is located near the museum, so we may come across a few pilgrims there.
On the way to go to Osaka, we stop at the Naruto Strait where whirlpools are generated during tide changes. After crossing two more bridges, we are back in Honshu where we spend the night in Osaka, where you can spend the evening at your leisure.
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka or similar
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Day 17 : Osaka – Koyasan
Today we start with 2 of the best highlights of Osaka; Osaka Castle and the Umeda Sky Building to enjoy a great view of the big city. In the afternoon we leave the city and go to the sacred training spot of Buddhist monks at Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 117 temple buildings located at 1,000m above sea level. We visit the Kompon Daito (Great Pagoda), the center of this monastic complex. We then proceed to Kongobuji, the administrative head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism. Tonight, we spend the night in a Shukubo (temple accommodation) and we enjoy a vegetarian dinner.
Shukubo
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Day 18 : Koyasan – Kumano
In the morning, the Shukubo holds a morning prayer and fire ritual before breakfast, and you can attend these sacred ceremonies. After enjoying a vegetarian breakfast, our first visit of the day will be to the Okunoin. The tall cedar trees lined up along the approach to the mausoleum give the area a mysterious atmosphere. Then we drive to another sacred area, the Kumano Kodo, which is a famous pilgrimage destination surrounded by mountains. Here we can see a famous huge torii gate which is standing at the former shrine site. Later in the afternoon, we are going to Kawayu, which means hot-spring water as natural hot water is gushing from the river bottom here. We will spend the night in a hot spring hotel.
Kawayu Midoriya or similar
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Day 19 : Kumano – River Cruise – Nachi Waterfalls – Nachi Katsuura
This morning, we will ride a wooden boat on the Kumano River while enjoying the magnificent view. The destination is another sacred shrine, the Hayatama Taisha. Later in the morning we drive to Nachi, where we will walk a part of the Kumano Kodo (old trail) to the Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Waterfalls. The Nachi Waterfalls are one of the biggest waterfalls in Japan. It is regarded as a sacred place. We spend the night in port town Nachi Katsuura tonight.
Hotel Urashima or similar
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Day 20 : Nachi Katsuura – Shirahama – Osaka
Before breakfast, we visit the Nachi Katsuura Fish Market to see the famous tuna auction. You can see hundreds of large tuna being auctioned off right in front of you. Then we drive back to Osaka along the scenic coastline of the Kii Peninsula. On the way, we will make several photo stops and admire the beautiful natural scenery. Hashikuiiwa is a series of rocks in the ocean that resemble bridge supports, and there are many uniquely shaped rocks in the Shirahama area. We will also stop at Senjojiki and Sandanbeki. We will arrive at the hotel in Osaka in the late afternoon, where you can spend the evening at your leisure. You can, for example, check out Dotonbori for immersion in the local street food culture.
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka or similar
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Day 21 : Osaka – Kansai Airport
This is the end of the tour, so unless you booked extra days at the end of the tour it is time to go back home with unforgettable memories and lots of souvenirs. You will leave for Kansai Airport by bus. Thank you very much for coming to Japan and we hope to see you again!
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INCLUDED
- 15 nights Western-style accommodation, 4 nights Japanese style, and 1 night at Shukubo accommodation (temple stay in Koyasan)
- Meet and greet upon arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Private coach transfers between destinations in Japan
- Comprehensive escort of our professional English-speaking tour guide as described in the itinerary
- Meals as described in the itinerary (50 meals)
- Admission fees to sites, gardens, and museums listed in the itinerary
EXCLUDED
- International airfares
- Meals that are not included in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills
- Gratuities
EXTENDED PLAN
You can also extend your vacation before/after the tour in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, or other areas. We can provide an extension for the same hotel that you are staying at during the tour for 15,000 yen ~ per night, per person. Please contact us for more details.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Transport: Travel by air-conditioned, private coach, baggage handling free
Arrival / Departure Airports: For arrivals at Narita or Haneda airport, this tour starts in Tokyo and ends in Osaka.
Meal Requests: Vegetarian, halal or special meals can be arranged
Meet and Greet: Please note that the meet and greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available on the first day of the tour after 10 AM. If you plan to stay extra nights before the start of the tour, please arrange your own hotel transfer
Tour schedule and prices are subject to change without notice
CANCELLATION POLICY
46 days or more prior to arrival date in Japan: no penalty
45-31 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 10% of the tour fee
30-15 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 20% of the tour fee
14- 8 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 30% of the tour fee
7 – 3 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 50% of the tour fee
Less than 3 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 100% of the tour fee
