Trip itinerary Download PDF itinerary

• Day 1: Tokyo (SAT)
  

  Day 1: Tokyo (SAT)

  Welcome to Japan! Transfer by coach (SHUTTLE BUS) to hotel.
  6pm - Meeting with guide. Late in the afternoon we will pay a visit to this fascinating country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku district and see the crowds of people who use this modern and efficient collective transport system. The visit includes an ascent to the METROPOLITAN TOWER which has a wonderful view of the city from the 45th floor. Then we will take a walk around an hour to the restaurant.
  Shinjuku is one of the most important nightlife districts. Dinner included and return to hotel by metro with our guide.
  
  NOTE: This visit may take place on Saturday or Sunday evening, depending on the passenger flight arrival times.
  
  Overnight: Tokyo

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• Day 2: Tokyo (SUN)
  

  Day 2: Tokyo (SUN)

  In the morning we take part in a 5-hour trip with our guide to see this amazing city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with quiet, peaceful areas. We will pass near the walls and gardens of the Imperial Palace and visit the Shinto shrine dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife, and their spirits.
  In Yasukuni Jinja shrine we will have the chance to reflect on peace in this shrine, built in remembrance of the 2.5 million Japanese citizens who lost their lives in World War II. Passengers who wish to do so can visit the War Museum. We will pass through the district of Akihabara, the “electric town” with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture and then see Kokugikan, the Sumo stadium, home of this Japanese sport.
  We will also visit the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo, with its 55-metre high pagoda. Then we will have some free time to visit the traditional commercial district of Asakusa.
  
  Lunch included. Free time in the afternoon.
  
  Overnight: Tokyo

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• Day 3: Tokyo - Mt Fuji - Kawaguchiko (MON)
  

  Day 3: Tokyo - Mt Fuji - Kawaguchiko (MON)

  We set out for the beautiful region of Mount Fuji passing through pretty countryside on our way. We reach the idyllic city of KAWAGUCHIKO with its tiny houses, flowers and mountains and its beautiful lake. On our arrival, we will visit the FUJI SENGEN SHRINE set in a magical site surrounded by tall trees, and the starting point of the traditional pilgrimage to the mountain. At the shrine, we will express our thanks for being able to visit this wonderful place. The trip includes the ascent by cable car to Mount Tenjo. The views of the neighbouring lakes and Mount Fuji are spectacular.
  The visit also includes a delightful boat trip on Kawaguchiko Lake.
  
  After lunch we start to ascend Mount Fuji on the road that takes us to the “fifth station”, surrounded by spectacular forests and views, to a height of 2,305 metres.
  
  Note: In winter the route is frequently closed due to snow or other adverse weather conditions; during this season, we will ascend as far as the authorised point. Return to Kawaguchiko with time to stroll near the lake. We will stay at a Ryokan (a traditional Japanese hotel), and have the chance to enjoy its ONSEN (public baths). Traditional Japanese dinner included.
  
  Overnight: Kawaguchiko

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• Day 4: Kawaguchiko - Iyasi no Sato Nenba - Toyota - Nagoya (TUE)
  

  Day 4: Kawaguchiko - Iyasi no Sato Nenba - Toyota - Nagoya (TUE)

  In the morning we continue along the pretty road bordered by lakes to IYASHI NO SATO NENBA, a tiny village destroyed by a typhoon in 1966 and later restored as a traditional open-air mountain village and museum. Its traditional houses have been transformed into arts and crafts shops, restaurants and traditional museums. We then have the opportunity to admire the SHIRAITO FALLS, considered one of the most attractive sites in Japan, with a waterfall height of 150 metres. We will stop for lunch included in a service area and then continue to NAGOYA, the third most important city of Japan, on the shores of the Pacific. Here we will visit the TOYOTA MUSEUM (admission included), a must-see for motor lovers.
  
  Overnight: Nagoya

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• Day 5: Nagoya - Kyoto (WED)
  

  Day 5: Nagoya - Kyoto (WED)

  We are only 130 km (81 miles) from KYOTO. We leave at first light to spend all day in the city that was the capital of Japan from the year 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court.
  During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. The visit includes a trip to one of the most important parts of the city.
  We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, “the golden pavilion” and its wonderful gardens.
  Free time before visiting GION, a busy traditional quarter famous for its Geisha.
  
  Overnight: Kyoto

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• Day 6: Kyoto - Nara - Osaka (THU)
  

  Day 6: Kyoto - Nara - Osaka (THU)

  We head for the outskirts of Kyoto to Arashiyama where we cross the Togetsukyo Bridge (“bridge over the moon”), which has fantastic views. We will visit the Tenryuji temple, one of the "five major Zen temples of Kyoto" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a walk through its mystic bamboo forest.
  
  Then we leave for NARA and visit Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752, which has a giant Buddha and where passengers can take photos and touch and feed the deer that wander through the park. Lunch included.
  After the visit we will see HORYUJI Buddhist temple, a World Heritage Site that includes a seminary, monasteries and temples. Its main pagoda temple is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and an important place of worship.
  
  We continue to OSAKA where we arrive in the evening. Accommodation in this modern city (Japan’s second largest city). We will visit Dotonbori a colourful district filled with nightlife.
  
  Overnight: Osaka

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• Day 7: Osaka - Himeji - Inbe - Okayama (FRI)
  

  Day 7: Osaka - Himeji - Inbe - Okayama (FRI)

  We set out for HIMEJI including admission to its huge castle, built in the traditional architectural style of Japanese castles. Lunch included.
  
  We then continue to INBE a small town famous for its pottery. Passengers can wander through its quiet streets with their traditional houses, visit its shops and see its pottery kilns. After the visit we carry on to OKAYAMA, where we will visit Korakuen, one of the prettiest gardens in Japan, with its lakes, waterfalls and traditional tea houses.
  
  Overnight: Okayama

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• Day 8: Okayama - Kurashiki - Itsukushima - Hiroshima (SAT)
  

  Day 8: Okayama - Kurashiki - Itsukushima - Hiroshima (SAT)

  We leave for KURASHIKI a city with a very well conserved historical centre. Time to wander through this charming olde-worlde charming town with its quaint atmosphere. Then we carry on to Miyajimaguchi, where we take a ferry to Miyajima, the island “inhabited by Gods and men” and its Itsukushima shrine dedicated to the guardian of the seas, built partially over the sea. Time to visit the temple, stroll through the pretty centre and have lunch.
  
  Then we set out for HIROSHIMA sadly famous for the atomic bomb that fell in on it 1945 and completely destroyed the city; we will visit the peace memorial park, the atomic bomb dome and the impressive Peace memorial Museum. Dinner included.
  
  Overnight: Hiroshima

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• Day 9: Hiroshima - Matsuyama (SUN)
  

  Day 9: Hiroshima - Matsuyama (SUN)

  Today we will take a ferry to Shikoku Island on a pleasant crossing that lasts two hours and a half and see the many islands that make up Japan.
  
  In MATSUYAMA we will take the cable car up to its impressive castle. Afterwards, we will visit ISHITEJI, a beautiful Buddhist temple and a place of pilgrimage. Lunch included.
  
  In the late afternoon, we will visit DOGO ONSEN (admission included), a traditional Japanese bath facility built in the 19th century.
  
  Overnight: Matsuyama

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• Day 10: Matsuyama - Kotohira - Takamatsu - Naruto - Tokushima (MON)
  

  Day 10: Matsuyama - Kotohira - Takamatsu - Naruto - Tokushima (MON)

  We depart for KOTOHIRA a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors and a place of pilgrimage. The shrine stands on Mount Zosu and is reached by climbing 785 steps.
  Afterwards in TAKAMATSU we will visit RITSURIN, one of the prettiest gardens in Japan. Lunch included.
  Then in NARUTO we cross an impressive bridge over the sea, stopping on the way to admire the construction and walk on its glass floor with the sea 450 metres below us.
  We then continue to TOKUSHIMA, famous as the home of the most important festival in Japan, with its Awa Odori dances. There we watch a colourful Japanese dance performance (admission included).
  
  Overnight: Tokushima

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• Day 11: Tokushima - Kobe - Osaka - Mt Koya (TUE)
  

  Day 11: Tokushima - Kobe - Osaka - Mt Koya (TUE)

  We set out early along a pretty motorway crossing huge bridges over the sea. In KOBE we will visit KAWASAKI WORLD, an amazing museum that tells us of the technological prowess of this company which builds motorbikes, planes, high-speed trains and construction technology.
  After stopping by in Osaka for lunch. We will depart from this city at 1pm to visit MOUNT KOYA, one of Japan’s sacred mountains and Japan’s main centre of Shingon Buddhism. There are 120 shrines and monasteries on this mountain which is a magical place of pilgrimage.
  We will visit Okuno Mausoleum a spiritual place and an immense cemetery in the wilderness that has more than 200,000 graves. We will visit Kongobuji temple built in 1593.
  
  Note: In winter as it gets dark earlier, we will not have time to enter Kongobuji temple. We will spend this night at a Buddhist monastery. The monks will offer us a Zen meditation session (Ajikan). Dinner included (vegetarian food). There is religious ceremony at the temple early in the morning if you wish to attend it.
  
  Note: We consider the sojourn at the monastery as an experience of great existential value. The rooms at this place are modest, without bathrooms, in the traditional Japanese style with tatamis. Bathrooms are communal.
  
  Overnight: Mt Koya

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• Day 12: Mt Koya - Kyoto (WED)
  

  Day 12: Mt Koya - Kyoto (WED)

  Japanese breakfast at the shrine.
  
  We will depart for KYOTO at first light where we will enjoy a full free day.
  Our guide will inform you so you can make the best of your alone time and visit the most interesting places in this gorgeous city.
  
  Overnight: Kyoto

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• Day 13: Kyoto - Tsumago - Matsumoto (THU)
  

  Day 13: Kyoto - Tsumago - Matsumoto (THU)

  We set out for TSUMAGO passing attractive country scenery on our way. This small village with its wooden houses is one of the prettiest places in Japan. Free time to explore and lunch included.
  
  Then we continue to MATSUMOTO, a tourist city where we will visit the impressive 16th century castle, known as the “Crow Castle”. Free time to explore this bustling tourist city.
  
  Note: In some tours we will not sojourn in Matsumoto but in Nagano.
  
  Overnight: Matsumoto/Nagano

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• Day 14: Matsumoto - Nagano - Kasatsu - Takasaki (FRI)
  

  Day 14: Matsumoto - Nagano - Kasatsu - Takasaki (FRI)

  Today our journey takes us through the beautiful Japanese Alps. In NAGANO we will visit Zenkoji temple, a pilgrimage site where the first Buddhist image of Japan is located. Passengers will have the opportunity to take part in the Gomakuyo ceremony that brings good luck.
  
  Then we continue through the mountains to Monkey Park with lunch included and wander through its forests with their rivers and thermal fountains where colonies of Japanese monkeys live and bathe. Then our journey takes us through beautiful mountain scenery (reaching an altitude of 2,172 metres) with semi-active volcanoes.
  
  KUSATSU is an attractive spa city with a lively main square. Our visit includes admission to the Yumomi performance with actresses who sing songs about the traditional method for cooling spa waters. Then we can stroll through the city park with its outdoor Onsen. Our journey continues to TAKASAKI where we settle into our hotel.
  
  NOTE: In autumn monkey migration is unpredictable as it depends on the abundance of fruit in the mountains. If the monkeys do not go down to the park, it may be closed. In winter the route may be changed due to weather problems (snow). In such cases we will use other roads and eliminate the visit to the Monkey Park. The visit to Kusatsu and the Yumoni performance are cancelled from November to April due to weather conditions.
  
  Overnight: Takasaki

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• Day 15: Takasaki - Nikko - Tokyo (SAT)
  

  Day 15: Takasaki - Nikko - Tokyo (SAT)

  In Takasaki we will climb to the top of the hill where Byakuen Daikannon is found, a gigantic statue honouring the Goddess of Mercy.
  Afterwards, we will resume our journey to NIKKO. In this fantastic town, we will visit the impressive Toshogu shrine with its outstanding room where the clapper of a priest suggests the sound of a crying dragon. We will also visit Taiyuin-byo Mausoleum a site surrounded by peaceful scenery. We will go for a stroll along the river in Kanmangafuchi, under the attentive watch of hundreds of Jizo statues!
  
  We will enjoy some free time in the city’s centre before returning to Tokyo. We arrive at the end of the day.
  
  Tour officially ends.
  
  Recommendation: If you start or end your trip in Tokyo, we advise you to book an extra day or two in this city. In this way, you will be able to get to see Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Tower, Tsukiji Fish Market and other places of interest.

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