Japan - Land of the Rising Sun - Timeless Tradition & Modern Marvels

Timeless Tradition & Modern Marvels

This tour of Japan is the perfect introduction to one of the world’s most enthralling countries, a heady mix of ancient shrines and modern developments, plus stunning works of nature. You’ll start in bustling Osaka, from where you’ll explore Himeji’s awe-inspiring castle, Japan's 6th-century capital Nara,and ancient, mesmerising Kyoto. Kanazawa’s gardens, Shirakawa-Go’s traditional thatched gassho-zukuri houses and picture-perfect Takayama are followed by Nagoya’s museums of the modern age, and (hopefully) some unforgettable views of majestic Mount Fuji from Fujinomiya and Hakone. Two days in Tokyo's non-stop, neon futurescape – where gleaming modern towers and the latest technology share the landscape with temples and palaces – complete a fascinating journey.

Highlights

Explore Himeji, Japan’s best-preserved feudal-era fortress
Take the train to Nara, Japan’s 6th-century capital with its sacred deer
Experience bustling Osaka, ‘Japan’s Kitchen’
Head to Kyoto and visit the famous red torii gates and Arashiyama bamboo forest
Journey to coastal Kanazawa with its famous gardens
Discover Shirakawa-Go’s traditional thatched houses and picture-perfect Takayama, gateway to the Japanese Alps
Stay in modern Nagoya, home of the Toyota Museum
Travel to Hakone National Park, where you’ll get a glimpse of fabled Mount Fuji, and enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashin
Spend two nights in futuristic capital Tokyo, with an included tour, time at leisure and a sushi-making lunch offering the perfect mix

Inclusions

10 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two on the aircraft
14 meals (10 breakfasts, three lunches and one evening meal)
11 tours and excursions
Return flights to Japan, outbound to Osaka and returning from Tokyo
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day 1

Fly overnight from the UK to Osaka.

Day 2

You'll meet your tour manager when you arrive in Osaka, and transfer into the city, heading to your hotel for a three-night stay. The rest of the day is at leisure, as you relax and unwind after the journey.

Day 3

Board the coach and head to Himeji’s extraordinary White Egret castle – perhaps Japan’s finest fortified palace and certainly the best-preserved feudal-era castle in the country. Enjoy a tour of the extraordinary 14th-century fortress and then take a relaxing stroll around the adjoining Kokoen gardens (entry included), before an included lunch and tour of a traditional sake brewery.

Day 4

This morning you'll board the train to Nara, Japan’s sixth-century capital, where sights include Todai-ji temple’s Great Buddha, the sacred deer of the Nara Koen Park and Kasuga Taisha shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines and famous for its traditional lanterns. Return to Osaka by train for a guided exploration of Dotonbori, known as ‘Japan’s Kitchen’, with its restaurants and street vendors.

Day 5

Head to Kyoto for a one-night stay. Discover the highlights of Japan's former imperial capital, including the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine’s red torii gates, the spectacular Kiyomizu-dera temple, which offers breathtaking views of the city, and the famous Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion. After lunch, enjoy some free time wandering the lovingly restored streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka before you head to Arashiyama's bamboo forest.

Day 6

Journey to coastal Kanazawa today and visit the exquisite Kenroku-en Garden, one of the world’s great horticultural treasures. Here you’ll get a glimpse of Japan's past at Nagamachi’s Nomura Samurai House and, if time allows, visit the Higashi Chaya-Gai geisha district, followed by a gold leaf-decorating class. Overnight in Kanazawa.

Day 7

Board the coach for the scenic journey to the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-Go, where several thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses, built to withstand the snows of winter, are beautifully preserved. You’ll visit the Wada-ke house, built by one of the region’s wealthiest families, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before journeying to the picture-perfect surroundings of Takayama, a charming, laid-back gateway to the Japanese Alps, with its preserved Sanmachi-Suji area of streets lined with traditional streets and sake breweries. Continue to Nagoya for an overnight stay.

Day 8

Join your guide this morning as you head to the nearby Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, which documents the fascinating history and development of Toyota, which began life as a textile machinery company in the 1920s. Continue to Fujinomiya and the Mount Fuji World Heritage Centre, where you’ll visit the Fuyinomiya Sengen shrine, which sits in the centre of the town and dates back to the 10th century. Tonight you’ll spend the night in nearby Mishima, where an included dinner and hot springs (onsen) await at your hotel.

Day 9

Journey north today to beautiful Hakone National Park, dominated on clear days by the cone of Mount Fuji. You’ll visit the atmospheric Hakone Shrine, shrouded in dense forest, near the shore of Lake Ashin, then take a cruise on the lake and ride the cable car above the Owakudani Valley. After the tour, travel through the volcanic landscape to Tokyo for the first of two evenings in Japan’s pulsating capital.

Day 10

Join your guide for a fascinating day that will include Asakusa, ancient Buddhist Senso-ji temple and nearby, traditional Nakamise shopping street. Enjoy an entertaining lunch that includes a sushi-making experience, a bird’s eye view of the city from the observation floor of Shinjuku’s government buildings, a stroll along the tree-lined avenues of Yoyogi park, the Meiji Shrine and a visit to world-famous Shibuya Crossing – a chaotic four-way sea of humanity.

Day 11

Make the most of the final day of your tour as you enjoy vibrant, cacophonous Tokyo at your leisure.

Day 12

Transfer to the airport for your return flight at the end of a fascinating adventure in Japan.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from Hiroshima airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. On departure the transfer time to Tokyo airport is approximately 30 mins.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 20kg.

Passports and visas

British citizens require passports when travelling overseas and this must be valid for six months beyond the date you return. If you are not a British citizen, you may need a visa for the country/countries you are visiting (please contact the respective embassies to check and to apply).

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.

Travel vaccinations

Requirements and advice can vary over time, and from person to person, so please contact your GP about eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or any other preventive measures.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Road Conditions

In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.