Your Itinerary
Welcome to Tokyo. Be met on arrival and transferred to your luxurious hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers at a welcome dinner at your hotel, savouring Japanese flavours with a modern flair.
Following breakfast, meet your guide and head to Roppongi, where you’ll soak in the scenery at the Tokyo City View observation deck at Mori Tower, which on a clear day provides outstanding panoramic views of the vast capital city. Next up is Tokyo’s old town of Asakusa, which is home to the city’s oldest temple, Sensoji. Visit the iconic Buddhist temple and stroll through the Namikase shopping street indulging in snacks and souvenirs. Following lunch, embark on your exciting Freedom of Choice activity.
Visit Meiji Shrine this morning, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji. Following your delectable Signature Experience, be guided to Ginza, Tokyo’s most famous upmarket shopping district. Marvel at the presentation and diversity of the food at a local department store before experiencing the fascinating Kabukiza Gallery, dedicated to the traditional performance art of Kabuki. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Depart for Hakone following breakfast and catch glimpses of iconic Mount Fuji if it’s a clear day. Your first stop is at Hakone Shrine, a beautiful, historic Shinto shrine nestled in the forest by the shores of Lake Ashi. Enjoy a cruise on the picturesque lake and arrive at Togendai before taking in the scenery on the way to the volcanic valley of Owakudani via the Hakone Ropeway. Follow the walking trails around the bubbling pools and steam vents and perhaps try one of the famous black eggs boiled in the area’s natural hot springs. Head to your luxury hotel, which boasts access to a naturally heated onsen, and delight in a kaiseki-style dinner, a traditional multi-course meal, this evening.
Day 5 - Hakone, Matsumoto, Takayama
Set out this morning for a Signature Experience Following your lunch, continue to Matsumoto and embark on your chosen activity before being transferred to your new hotel in Takayama, where you’ll indulge in dinner tonight.
Start off the day with a morning visit to the Miyagawa morning market, one of the largest in Japan. All of the market’s traders are independent farmers and craftspeople from the region, so it’s the perfect opportunity to try some of the area’s best produce. You’ll also take a stroll through Takayama Jinya, a beautifully preserved 17th-century building built for a noble family and the Tokugawa shonugate. Following your Signature Experience, wander along the stunning streets of the city’s old town on the way to the Festival Floats Museum, where you’ll admire the ornamental floats of the Takayama Festival. For dinner, you’ll have the chance to try the region’s famous Hida beef at a local restaurant.
Day 7 - Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa
Today you’ll visit the World Heritage-listed village of Shirakawa-go en route to Kanazawa. Some of the village’s famous gassho-zukuri farmhouses date back more than 250 years, and you’ll stop at Kanda House to gain a deeper insight into the traditional homes before strolling around the peaceful village. Continue to Kanazawa and the marvellous Kenroku-en garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Later, stroll through the Nagamachi Samurai district and the traditional Nomura Samurai House. Enjoy your choice of restaurant for dinner.
Day 8 - Kanazawa, Tsuruga, Kyoto
Start your day in the Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa’s largest geisha district. Enjoy a special Signature Experience before visiting the traditional Shima teahouse. Following lunch, be transferred to the train station to board a bullet train to Tsuruga, then change to a limited express train to Kyoto. Upon arrival, walk to your nearby accommodation and settle in before savouring a delicious dinner at the restaurant of your choice.
An exciting day of sightseeing lies ahead today. Set out for Arashiyama this morning, climbing aboard a rickshaw for a ride past the Nonomiya Shrine and the spectacular Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Following your rickshaw experience, stop off at the World Heritage-listed Tenryuji Temple, one of Kyoto’s five great Zen temples which was founded in 1339. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the famous Kinkakuji temple, commonly known as the Golden Pavilion for its gold-leaf-covered upper floors. You’ll then visit historic Nijo Castle before returning to your hotel and spending the evening at your leisure.
Begin your day with a special Signature Experience. In the afternoon, head out on your chosen Freedom of Choice activity before returning to your hotel.
After breakfast, board a private coach for the nearby town of Nara, once the Japanese capital for 74 years in the eighth century. Visit the incredible Todaiji Temple, one of the world’s largest wooden structures and home to the country’s largest statue of Buddha. Stroll through the fascinating temple before exploring the surrounding Nara Park, which is freely roamed by a large population of friendly deer who will generally bow their heads for a treat. Next, see Nara’s most celebrated shrine, Kasuga Taisha, which was established in AD768. Return to the hotel with free time this afternoon before savouring a special Signature Experience for dinner.
Day 12 - Kyoto, Himeji, Okayama
Head to Kyoto Station by foot and take a first-class bullet train to Himeji, where you’ll visit one of Japan’s most iconic and spectacular castles, World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle. Having avoided damage from war and natural disasters, the beautifully preserved castle is a fascinating historic site to explore. Journey on to a sake brewery for a Signature Experience. Following lunch at a local restaurant, return to the train station for another first-class bullet train journey to Okayama. Discover the city at leisure in the afternoon and evening after checking into your hotel.
Day 13 - Okayama, Naoshima Island
Treat yourself to a full day on the remarkable Naoshima Island today, first taking a private coach to Uno Port for your ferry to the island. Following your day-long Signature Experience, be transferred back to your accommodation and enjoy an evening at your leisure.
Day 14 - Okayama, Hiroshima
This morning, explore the beautiful and spacious Korakuen Garden, a member of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Afterwards, board a bullet train for a first-class ride to Hiroshima. After lunch, be taken to the Peace Memorial Park, which lies at ground zero of the devastating atomic bomb dropped on the city on August 6, 1945. Stroll through the park and discover its memorials and monuments before a moving visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Later, head to Hiroshima Orizuru Tower for expansive views of the surrounds. Tonight you’ll indulge in a yakiniku dinner, where delicious meats and sides are flame grilled over wood charcoal.
Day 15 - Hiroshima, Miyajima Island
After breakfast, set off on your chosen activity before boarding a ferry to Miyajima Island. A sacred island and holy place of Shintoism, Miyajima is home to the World Heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine, which is famous for its partially submerged “floating” torii gate. After strolling around the island, be transferred back to your hotel and enjoy Hiroshima’s charm at your leisure.
Day 16 - Hiroshima, Fukuoka
After breakfast, set off by foot to Hiroshima Station. Board a first-class bullet train to Fukuoka, where you’ll have free time for lunch before taking a private coach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Explore the shrine before reboarding your coach and driving to your accommodation. Tonight, soak in the atmosphere at a local izakaya, where you’ll enjoy a Farewell Dinner to toast your incredible Japanese journey.
Your journey finishes today after breakfast, with a transfer to Fukuoka Airport for your onward flight.
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