Japan Autumn Leaves Tour Momiji Package (21d/20n)

Welcome to Tokyo! You will be greeted by an English-speaking assistant at the airport. The assistant will get you on the bus to your hotel. You can also extend your vacation before or after the tour in Tokyo, Osaka, or elsewhere in Japan. Please let us know when inquiring if you are interested in an extension!
Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar
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In the morning, we head to the Imperial Palace. The Imperial palace is the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan.

Then we will visit Tokyo Skytree, a broadcasting and observation tower with a height of 634 meters (2,080ft). The view of the metropolitan Tokyo area from there is spectacular. If the sky is clear, Mt. Fuji can be seen in the distance. Then we proceed to Asakusa to see the famous Sensoji Temple, the Five Storied Pagoda, and the traditional Nakamise shopping arcade.

Last on the program today is Akihabara to get a taste of Tokyo’s modern side. This lively neighborhood is Japan’s pop culture zone, an electronic district, and a mecca for fans of anime and manga-related products.

Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar
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Today you can either spend freely at your leisure, or you can join one of our specially prepared optional tours or make use of our ticketing service for interesting exhibitions.
*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) 8,200 yen
*Tokyo DisneySea (Park Ticket only) 8,200 yen
*Ghibli Museum (Entrance Ticket only) 1,000 yen
*Team Lab (Entrance Ticket only) 3,200 yen
*Tours need to be reserved by the previous business day

Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar
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Today we will visit the most famous mountain in Japan, Mt.Fuji! It is has been appreciated by the Japanese for ages because of its perfect conical shape. Please enjoy the magnificent volcano from Lake Kawaguchi if weather permitting. We will also visit the Autumn Leaves Festival there.

Then it is time to travel to the Suwa Lake area. Before arriving at the hotel, we will visit two historically important places in the area; Takashima Castle, which was nicknamed ‘floating castle’ because of its appearance, and Suwa Taisha which is the head shrine of 25,000 Suwa Shrines.

You will stay at a hotel with hot springs for two nights. Let’s enjoy an extensive kaiseki course dinner at the hotel!

Saginoyu or similar
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Today, we will visit the mountain area to enjoy autumn leaves. Yatsugatake is a huge mountain range that consists of many peaks. The highest peak is Mt. Akadake, which is 2,899m high. There are various trees that are decked out in red, orange, and yellow hues this season.

Today’s dinner is at a private house, and the family will welcome us with local food and hospitality. This is a good opportunity to see how Japanese people live in a traditional house.

Saginoyu or similar
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In the morning, we will drive to a good starting point for our hike of a part of the Nakasendo trail. Nakasendo is an old road that was constructed 400 years ago by the Tokugawa Shogunate as one of the major routes between Edo (Tokyo now) and Kyoto. Tsumago is the most well preserved post town on the Nakasendo. There used to be 31 accommodations for travelers going from/to Edo or Kyoto in this town.

Then we go on an 8km hike through the forest and rice fields. You can also see the lifestyle of the local people. Our destination is Magome post town, which is a beautiful town that spreads on a hill, so it has a different atmosphere than Tsumago. We will then drive to Takayama, an old charming town, where we will stay for two nights.

Takayama Green Hotel or similar
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Takayama is surrounded by mountains, and is also known as ‘Little Kyoto’. We start the day with the Morning Market, where local farmers come to sell their products. Then we go to old town Sanmachi, developed as a merchant town and built in the Edo period and still prosperous today. We visit Takayama Jinya that is the only remaining local government office of the Edo period.

Next, we drive to Shirakawago. Located around the Sho River in the deep mountains, Shirakawago is a historic village where unique traditional farmhouses have survived. This village is an outstanding example of a traditional way of life 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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In the morning we drive to Nara, the ancient capital of Japan. In Nara, we will first visit Todaiji Temple and Nara deer park. 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. You can feed them specially made crackers. The deer will bow to you to beg for them! We also visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine which has thousands of stone lantern along the main approach, before heading to Kyoto.

Miyako Hotel Kyoto-Hachijo or similar
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Today we will visit Kyoto, which became the capital after Nara in the late 8th century. First, we will visit Fushimi Inari Taisha with seemingly endless arcades of vermilion torii gate spread across a thickly forested mountain. If you like drinking sake, you will surely love our next stop… a sake brewery! The guide gives you a little tour inside followed by a tasting.

We can’t miss Kyoto’s most famous highlights, Kiyomizu Temple and Kinkakuji Temple also known as the Golden Pavilion, so they are next on our itinerary.

In the evening, we will take a stroll around Gion, a famous geisha district. If you are lucky you can 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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Leaving Kyoto, we stop by Himeji Castle, that was built in early 17th century. This UNESCO World Heritage site is also known as “White Heron Castle” due to its beautiful white walls and roof.

Then, we will drive to the prestigious Adachi Museum, which is famous for the beautiful artworks that are displayed there and the gorgeous 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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Today’s excursion starts from Matsue Castle, completed in 1611 and one of only 12 remaining original castles nationwide.

Next on the itinerary is Izumo Taisha Shrine. Its origin is unknown, however, we do know that its history dates back to ancient times. Then we go to Hagi, driving along the coastline of the Sea of Japan where you can enjoy the nice view from the window. We stay in old castle town Hagi for two nights.
Senshunraku or similar
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In the morning, we visit the historical highlights of Hagi. Tokoji is the family temple of feudal lord Mori. There are 500 stone lanterns that were donated by the family’s loyal vassals. We also walk around the castle town that still has well-preserved samurai and merchant houses.

Our next destination is Motonosumi Shrine. The view of the 123 torii gates lined up against the backdrop of the ocean is really photogenic. It was selected as one of the “Japan’s 31 most beautiful places” by CNN.

Before going back to the hotel, we will visit the Akiyoshido Cave under the Akiyoshidai Plateau. It is one of the biggest caves in Japan with a total length of 10,700 meters. There is an underground river along the trail that boasts many scenic spots.
Senshunraku or similar
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Leaving Hagi, we will go to small castle town Tsuwano that prides itself on traditional arts, crafts, and literature. The town developed along the Tsuwano-gawa River and is surrounded by nature. We will enjoy walking in the beautiful town.

Then we head for Hiroshima, which is known all over the world for its tragic history. It is a precious experience to visit the Peace Memorial Park and the Museum as well as the A-bomb Dome that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although you don’t see much of 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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Near Hiroshima city there is another UNESCO designated World Heritage site, Miyajima or Itsukushima. We will take a boat to the small sacred island, on which beach stands the famous vermilion color Torii gate. The gate and the shrine seem to be floating on the water when the tide is high.

Before going to Shikoku island, we make a stop at Onomichi, a town that was built around a slope. We will enjoy a great view from the mountain top and walk down the nostalgic small streets.

Then we cross a series of huge suspension bridges spanning between the Shikoku and Honshu islands. The view from the bridges made with the latest Japanese technology will be unforgettable. The climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean Sea area, which makes it suitable for growing fruits like grapes and oranges.

We stay in picturesque hot-spring town Dogo in Matsuyama.
Hotel Tsubakikan or similar
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In the morning, we will drive to Takamatsu. Ritsurin Garden, one of the top Japanese gardens, is the symbol of the city. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery while walking around the garden.

Then we will travel into a rarely visited area called Iya Valley. We stop at Kazurabashi, which is a vine suspension bridge. If you are brave enough, you can cross this thrilling bridge on foot.

We spend the night at another hot-spring hotel surrounded by the mountains.
Hotel Iyaonsen or similar
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We drive to Tokushima where you can enjoy an Awaodori demonstration show in the Awaodori Museum. You can also dance with the performers. Near the museum, we will visit one of the 88 temples on Shikoku’s famous pilgrimage route, Ryozenji. You may come across pilgrims there.
On the way to Osaka, we will stop at Naruto Strait where whirlpools are generated at high tide and lo -tide. We can look down the strait from the observation deck.After crossing two bridges, we are back in Honshu and stay in Osaka.
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka or similar
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In the morning, we visit Osaka’s highlights. First we will go to Osaka Castle, which is the symbol of the city and is surrounded by a huge park. We also visit the Umeda Sky Building to enjoy a great view of the big city.

The tour continues to the sacred training spot of Buddhist monks in UNESCO World Heritage site Koyasan. 117 temples are located here at 1,000m above sea level. We will visit Kompon Daito (Great Pagoda) of Danjogaran that was planned by the legendary monk Kobo as the center of his monastic complex. The design is a three-dimensional expression of the mandalas.

We then proceed to Kongobuji, the administrative head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism. Tonight, you will spend a night in the Shukubo (temple accommodation) and enjoy a vegetarian dinner.
Shukubo
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In the morning, Shukubo hold a morning prayer and fire ritual before breakfast. You can attend these sacred ceremonies if you’d like that. After taking a vegetarian breakfast, we continue sightseeing in Koyasan. You will see the mausoleum of Kobodaishi, Okunoin. Tall cedar trees lined up along the approach to the mausoleum gives the area a sacred atmosphere.

Then we drive to another sacred place, the Kumano Kodo. This famous pilgrimage destination is surrounded by mountains. Kumano Hongu Taisha is the central Shinto shrine of the Kumano religious beliefs. We will also see the huge torii gate which is standing at the former shrine site.

We stay in Kawayu which means hot-spring water. Natural hot water is gushing from the river bottom here, and you can enjoy bathing here.
Kawayu Midoriya or similar
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We will start the day with a ride on a wooden boat on the Kumano River while enjoying the magnificent view. The goal is another sacred shrine of the Kumano religion, Hayatama Taisha.

Then we drive to Nachi, where we will walk a part of the Kumano Kodo (old trail) to Nachi Taisha Shrine and the Nachi Waterfalls. The Nachi Waterfalls are some of the biggest waterfalls in Japan. It is regarded as a sacred place.

We will spend the night in port town Nachi Katsuura.
Hotel Urashima or similar
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Before breakfast will we visit Nachi Katsuura Fish Market to see the famous tuna auction. You can see hundreds of tuna being sold to the highest bidder.

Then we will drive along the coastline of Kii Peninsula. On the way to Osaka,will we make several photo-stops to admire and photograph the beautiful natural scenery. Hashikuiiwa is a series of rocks on the ocean which look like bridge supports. There are many uniquely shaped rocks in the Shirahama area. We will stop at Senjojiki and Sandanbeki.

We finish the drive when we arrive at the hotel in Osaka.
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka or similar
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Now it is already time to go back home with new unforgettable memories and lots of souvenirs. A transfer is not included, but if you would need an airport transfer please contact us before your departure. Thank you very much for coming to Japan and we hope to see you again!

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