Unforgettable Japan

Day 1 - Tokyo

Hotel: Shinjuku Washington Hotel

Welcome to Japan!

On arrival, please make your own way from the airport to your hotel.

Your journey through this magical land of contrasts begins in Tokyo, a bustling metropolis known for its unique blend of tradition and modernity. As Japan’s capital, Tokyo offers an endless array of culinary delights. Indulge in its renowned street food such as yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), tempura (battered and deep-fried seafood and vegetables), or Tokyo-style ramen (rich and flavourful noodle soup). Explore the vibrant neighbourhoods and savour the diverse food culture that makes Tokyo a paradise for food enthusiasts.

With friendly locals, it’s the perfect welcome to this lovely country.

Day 2 - Tokyo

Hotel: Shinjuku Washington Hotel - Tokyo

Meal: Breakfast

This morning, you will begin your full-day coach tour of Japan's ultramodern capital - Tokyo! Ensure you allow enough time to enjoy your breakfast and to meet your Tour Leader in the lobby at 8:15am.

Your tour will begin with a visit to Meiji Shrine, located within a 170-acre forest in the centre of the city. Constructed of cypress wood and copper, the shrine commemorates Emperor Meiji, Japan’s 122nd emperor, who presided over Japan’s industrial revolution and emergence onto the world stage.

Visit the Tokyo Skytree. Open since May 2012, the Skytree is a television and radio broadcast site and contains a restaurant and two viewing platforms. At 634m, it's among the tallest structures in the world. Our entry ticket includes access to Floor350, giving us a birds eye view over the sprawling city.

Next, visit Asakusa district, and the Sensō-ji Temple. This is Tokyo’s oldest temple, and it's dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. On the approach to Sensō-ji is Nakamise Shopping Street, a centuries-old promenade of shops selling traditional snacks and souvenirs like kimonos and bottles of saké.

You will also spend some time exploring the grounds of the Imperial Palace. Here, we view the two bridges that form one of the entrances to the inner palace grounds. The current Imperial Palace is home to Japan's Imperial Family and is located in the former site of Edo Castle, surrounded by an imposing stone wall and moat system. 

Day 3 - Tokyo

Hotel: Shinjuku Washington Hotel - Tokyo

Meal: Breakfast

Today is a full free day in Tokyo. There is no end to the spectacular sightseeing and activities available to you, as Tokyo truly has something for everyone. Take as much time as you like to relax at your leisure, explore the city, shop for souvenirs and eat the delectable cuisine. Be sure to ask your guide for recommendations on more must-see spots around the city.

Day 4 – Tokyo - Hakone - Lake Ashi Cruise Kawaguchiko

Hotel: Route Inn Kawaguchiko (Onsen Hotel)

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast you will leave Tokyo and head to the national park region of Hakone, with a lunch stop in Hakone-Machi on the way. 

On arrival, take a boat cruise on Lake Ashi. The lake sits within the caldera of Mount Hakone and is famed for its views of Mount Fuji. Boats inspired by western warships cruise the scenic lake, and the picturesque, forested region has been popular with hikers and sightseers for centuries.

Transfer to Lake Kawaguchiko, an absolutely stunning area that's home to the second largest of the Fuji Five Lakes and promises more fabulous views of Mount Fuji.

Later, arrive at the hotel and prepare for a lovely dinner with your fellow travellers.

Day 5 - Kawaguchiko - Mount Fuji - Takayama

Hotel: TOKYU STAY Hida -Takayama Musubi no Yu - Gifu

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, depart Kawaguchiko, and travel by coach to visit Mount Fuji's 5th Station (weather permitting), which is halfway up the active volcano. Mount Fuji is the country’s tallest peak and it is considered one of Japan’s three holy mountains. Here, above the clouds, view the mountain’s enormous summit if weather permits.

Today's lunch will be at a highway service stop, but in Japan, these stops are renowned for offering high-quality food. After lunch, continue on to the city of Takayama. 

Day 6 - Takayama

Hotel: TOKYU STAY Hida -Takayama Musubi no Yu - Gifu

Meal: Breakfast

Today is a full free day in Takayama. Be sure to ask your guide for their recommendations on must-see spots around the city.

Day 7 - Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa

Hotel: Kanazawa Manten Hotel Ekimae

Meal: Breakfast

Before leaving Takayama this morning, tour Kamisannomachi Street in Takayama’s Old Town, a wonderfully well-preserved slice of old Japan, with houses and shops dating back to the Edo period (1600-1868). As well as the charming architecture, there are several quaint cafés and a number of old saké breweries to explore.

Next, head to Shirakawa-gō Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has more than 100 'Gassho-style' houses, which feature steeply-pitched roofs. Built many hundreds of years ago, these historic houses stand together in a beautiful natural setting. Enjoy exploring this unique village with its thatched-roof houses sitting among gorgeous mountain scenery and taking some time to have lunch.

Following this we will transfer to Kanazawa. On arrival we will take a brief tour around Higashi Chaya District, a beautifully preserved and picturesque historical area of Kanazawa.

Day 8 – Kanazawa - Kyoto

Hotel: Hotel Keihan Kyoto Grande

Meal: Breakfast

This morning, after breakfast, visit the stunning Kenrokuen Garden – one of the most beautiful in Japan. Developed over more than 200 years, starting in 1620, the garden contains almost 9000 trees and 200 plant species.

We also visit Nomura Samurai House, the historic residence of the Nomura Samurai clan. The intriguing house and grounds provide an insight into the lifestyle of the samurai, or military nobility, during the 16-19th centuries. The residence features beautiful architecture, gardens and décor, such as intricately painted screen doors.

After a break for lunch at one of Japan's high quality service stops, transfer by coach from Kanazawa to Kyoto. Upon arrival in Kyoto, the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure.

Day 9 - Kyoto

Hotel: Hotel Keihan Kyoto Grande

Meal: Breakfast

Today is a full free day to spend in Kyoto. This golden city was once the capital of Japan and sits on the island of Honshu. It's famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. Beautiful Geisha are often found in the Gion district.

Day 10 - Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto

Hotel: Hotel Keihan Kyoto Grande

Meal: Breakfast

This morning, after breakfast, we'll drive-by Heian-jingū (Heian Shinto Shrine) on our way to visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, otherwise known as the Golden Pavilion. This is a Zen temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold. The site is set within a beautiful classical Zen garden. The detailed architecture of Kinkaku-ji incorporates three distinct architectural styles – Shinden, Samurai, and Zen. We then travel the short distance to Nara for lunch at leisure.

Following this we'll wander through gorgeous Nara Park, where more than 1200 tame sika deer roam freely. We then visit Tōdai-ji (Great Eastern Temple), famed for its Great Buddha Hall, which remains one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. This impressive building houses a 15m-tall bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. 

Back in Kyoto, you have the evening to yourself

Day 11 - Kyoto - Osaka

Hotel: Osaka Garden Palace

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, begin a full-day coach tour of Kyoto. The first stop will be Arashiyama, a stunning area known for its thick bamboo forest, which is also designated by the Japanese government as a Place of Scenic Beauty. Today's lunch will be in Arashiyama. 

Next we'll visit magnificent Fushimi Inari Shrine. Famous for its thousands of vermillion torii (shrine gates), which straddle a network of trails behind its main temples, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is incredibly photogenic. The trails lead into the forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233m and belongs to the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. 

Following our tour we'll depart Kyoto and head to Osaka, where we'll check into our hotel and spend the evening relaxing.

Day 12 – Osaka - Himeji - Hiroshima

Hotel: Hiroshima Grand Intelligent Hotel

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast we'll depart Osaka to visit the so-called 'White Heron Castle', Himeji – it's the largest surviving example of a traditional Japanese castle. Comprising 83 buildings, the white roof of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex is said to evoke the wings of a heron taking flight, hence the popular name Shirasagi-jō (White Heron Castle). This is the most visited castle in Japan and the site offers some wonderful views of surrounding Himeji city. We will have time in Hemeji for lunch around the castle area. 

After our visit here we'll transfer to our hotel in Hiroshima via Fukuyama. 

Day 13 - Hiroshima - Miyajima - Hiroshima

Hotel: Hiroshima Grand Intelligent Hotel

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, this morning your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby. Board a ferry for the short trip to Miyajima, an island known for its forests and ancient temples. Just offshore, there's a 'floating' torii, which becomes partially submerged at high tide. It marks the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine, which was first built in the 12th century. Nearby, the Museum of History and Folklore has cultural artifacts in a 19th-century merchant's home. We’ll take a walk along Omotesando Shopping Street where you can grab some lunch before returning to Hiroshima by ferry.

Once we're back in Hiroshima we'll visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, otherwise known as the Genbaku Dome, or the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. A shell of a building that was one of very few left standing after the United States bombed Hiroshima in 1945. In Hiroshima today, locals have mixed feelings about the UNESCO World Heritage-listed structure: some see it as a reminder of war, while others consider it a tribute to the lost that ensures we'll never forget the tragic events that took place here.

Later, we'll visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which contains many poignant, yet important, exhibits. The flame in the cenotaph is intended to burn until the last nuclear weapon has been destroyed.

Day 14 - Hiroshima  Osaka

Hotel: Osaka Garden Palace

Meal: Breakfast

This morning, after breakfast, depart Hiroshima via the bullet train to Shin-Osaka Station. Upon arrival in Osaka, begin a coach tour with your guide, passing Osaka Castle, which played a major role in the unification of Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period in the 16th century.

After arriving at the Dōtonbori area, walk through one of Japan’s typical downtowns. One of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations, this street runs parallel to the Dōtonbori canal and is a hugely popular destination for shopping, street food, bars and entertainment. At night, the streets here are illuminated by hundreds of colourful neon lights and mechanised signs, including the famous running Glico Man sign and the Kani Doraku crab sign.

Day 15 - Osaka

Hotel: Osaka Garden Palace

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is a full free day in Osaka to spend at your leisure. Be sure to ask your guide for recommendations on great places to see and eat.

This evening enjoy dinner as a group at a local restaurant.

Day 16 - Osaka

Today marks the end of your spectacular journey through Japan.