Capitals of Japan
Capitals of Japan
$3486
Capitals of Japan
10 Days
Visiting: Tokyo, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Kotohira, Takamatsu, Kobe, Naruto, Distant Oratory to Mt. Koya, Osaka, Kyoto, Mount Koya, Tsumago, Nagano, Matsumoto, Ikaho Onsen, Kusatsu Onsen, Nikko
Tour operator:
Tour code:
29714
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
36 - 72
Age range:
3-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Japan with our "Capitals of Japan" tour. This meticulously crafted adventure invites you to explore the vibrant Shinjuku district in Tokyo, reflect at the Peace Memorial and Museum in Hiroshima, and marvel at the sacred Itsukushima Shrine. Experience the traditional Japanese bath at Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, climb the steps to the Kotohira Shinto shrine, and find serenity at a Buddhist monastery on Mount Koya with a Zen meditation session. Wander through the historic and artistic heritage of Kyoto, visit the picturesque village of Tsumago, and be awed by the impressive Matsumoto Castle. The tour also includes a unique visit to the Jigokudani Monkey Park and a stay in a traditional Ryokan in Ikaho, offering a deep dive into Japan's rich culture, history, and natural beauty.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Welcome to Japan! Transfer by coach (SHUTTLE BUS) to hotel. 18H30.- 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. Shinjuku is one of the most important nightlife districts. Dinner included and return to hotel by metro with our guide.
Day 2 : Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
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. Brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to make a beautiful photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Pay attention to the hundred of Jizos, stone traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those who are weak (such children) and those in dangerous places, and who are dressed including hats, robes and windmills. Then we head to the junction of Shibuya, a junction that is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji Temple is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits. We continue on our bus along the elegant street of Omotesando. We will edge the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and the gardens. Stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. 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 street of Nakamise in the district of Asakusa. Lunch included in a local restaurant. Return to hotel.Free time in the afternoon. NOTE: During the Japanese Olympics, accommodation may be given near Narita airport.
Day 3 : Tokyo, Hiroshima
Location: Hiroshima, Tokyo
After breakfast, transfer to the station to take the BULLET TRAIN to HIROSHIMA. It takes four hours, more or less, to travel the 800 kilometers between both cities. Arrival at Hiroshima. This city is sadly known for the atomic bomb that fell on it in 1945 and which levelled the city. We will stroll around the Peace Memorial, the Dome of the bomb and we will visit the impressive Museum of Peace. After the war we will seek peace by embarking on a ferry to the island “where men and gods live together”, with the sanctuary of ITSUKUSHIMA dedicated to the guardian of the seas, built partially over the sea. Time to visit the temple, to stroll around its pretty centre and have lunch. Return to our hotel in Hiroshima. Dinner included. Note: The order of the visits in Hiroshima may vary without affecting their content.
Day 4 : Hiroshima, Matsuyama
Location: Matsuyama, Hiroshima
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.
Day 5 : Matsuyama, Kotohira, Takamatsu, Naruto, Kobe
Location: Kotohira, Takamatsu, Kobe, Naruto, Matsuyama
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 45 metres below us. Our road is surrounded by beautiful scenery and then crosses long bridges between islands over the sea. Arrival in KOBE, accommodation.
Day 6 : Kobe, Osaka, Mount Koya
Location: Kobe, Distant Oratory to Mt. Koya, Osaka
In Kobe we visited the Earthquake Memorial Museum, a place to remind the tragic seism that devastated the city in 1995 and its perfect reconstruction. Note: On some dates, the Earthquake Museum may be changed for the Sake Museum or a climb up Kobe Tower. We go on to Osaka. We will depart from this city 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. 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.
Day 7 : Mount Koya, Kyoto
Location: Kyoto, Mount Koya
Japanese breakfast at the temple. Then we leave early for KYOTO, to spend the whole day in the city, which was the capital of Japan between 794 and 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. Free time. Note: If you already visited Kyoto on your circuit, our guide will offer you information and advice on visiting the other parts of the city unaccompanied.
Day 8 : Kyoto, Tsumago, Matsumoto, Nagano
Location: Kyoto, Tsumago, Nagano, Matsumoto
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. We continue to NAGANO, accommodation.
Day 9 : Nagano, Monkey Park, Kasatsu, Ikaho
Location: Ikaho Onsen, Kusatsu Onsen, Nagano, Kusatsu Onsen
In NAGANO we will see the Zenko-ji, a place of pilgrimage with the first Buddhist image in Japan. Our travellers will be included the Gomakuyo ceremony to bring luck. After this, we will travel to the beautiful Japanese Alps and in the mountains we will go to the JIGOKUDANI Monkey Park, where we will include lunch and stroll amidst its forests with its rivers and spa waters where colonies of Japanese macaques live and bathe. After this, very beautiful high mountain scenery (we go up to 2,172 metres), passing semi-active volcanoes. KUSATSU, an attractive spa town, its main square full of life. We follow this with a walk in the city park which has the open air Onsen. Then on to IKAHO, a picturesque spa town where we will stroll in its ancient centre with its staircase streets. We will stay at a RYOKAN, a Japanese style hotel where we will continue to enjoy its baths. Traditional Japanese dinner included. NB: In the autumn, depending on the amount of fruit in the mountains, the movement of the monkeys is unpredictable. If the macaques do not come down to the park, it may be closed. The visit to Kusatsu may be cancelled due to the weather from November to April.
Day 10 : Ikaho, Nikko, Tokyo
Location: Tokyo, Nikko, Ikaho Onsen
We continue on our way to NIKKO, and in this fantastic town we will visit the impressive Nikko-Toshogu Temple with its room with the sound of a dragon. We will also see the Taiyuinbyo mausoleum, an impressive place full of peace. After this a stroll by the river in Kanmangafuchi, Hundreds of Jizos watch us! We will have free time in the centre before leaving for TOKYO once more.- Arrival in Tokyo at around 18.30 in the evening.-End of our services. Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Additional Services
City tour in: TOKYO, KYOTO Evening transfer: Shinjuku, Traditional quarter of Gion Ticket admission: Metro, Zojoji Temple, Meiji Temple, Sensoji Temple , Peace Museum in Hiroshima , Dogo Onsen, Ishiteji Temple , Shinto shrine , Ritsurin Garden , Naruto Brigde , Earthquake Memorial Museum , Okuno Mausoleum,Kongobuji Temple and Ajikan or Zazen meditation in Mount Koya , Shrine of Fushimi Inari, Imperial Palace, Kinkaku-ji Temple , Matsumoto Castle , Zenko-ji Temple, Gomakuyo ceremony,Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano , Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum in Nikko Ferry: Hiroshima - Miyahima, Hiroshima- Matsuyama Funicular: Matsuyama castle High speed train: Tokyo - Hiroshima
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Fully Guided
Travel by bus with English speaking guide
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Meals
Breakfast and 5 Lunch included in: TOKYO, MATSUYAMA, TAKAMATSU, TSUMAGO, NAGANO, 4 dinner included in: TOKYO, HIROSHIMA, MOUNT KOYA, IKAHO
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Transport
Includes arrival transfer
What's Not Included
Check out our Q&As
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Are there any physical activities or challenges during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes some physical activities such as climbing 785 steps to reach the Kotohira Shinto shrine and walking on a glass floor bridge in Naruto.
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What kind of activities are included in the visit to Nagano?
In Nagano, you will visit the Zenko-ji temple, participate in the Gomakuyo ceremony, and visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park where you can see Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs.
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What should I expect during the stay at the Buddhist monastery on Mount Koya?
During the stay at the Buddhist monastery on Mount Koya, you will experience a Zen meditation session and have a vegetarian dinner. The rooms are modest, traditional Japanese style with tatamis, and bathrooms are communal. There is also an optional religious ceremony early in the morning.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes various modes of transportation such as a coach, metro, high-speed bullet train, and ferries. Arrival transfer is also included.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes breakfast and 5 lunches in Tokyo, Matsuyama, Takamatsu, Tsumago, and Nagano. Additionally, 4 dinners are included in Tokyo, Hiroshima, Mount Koya, and Ikaho.
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What are some of the key activities included in the tour?
Key activities include exploring the Shinjuku district in Tokyo, visiting the Peace Memorial and Museum in Hiroshima, taking a ferry to the Itsukushima Shrine, experiencing a traditional Japanese bath at Dogo Onsen, climbing the steps to the Kotohira Shinto shrine, staying at a Buddhist monastery on Mount Koya with a Zen meditation session, and visiting the Jigokudani Monkey Park.
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Is there a guide provided during the tour?
Yes, the tour is fully guided with an English-speaking guide who will travel with you by bus.
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What is the highlight of the visit to Kyoto?
The highlight of the visit to Kyoto includes trips to the Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace, Kinkakuji temple (the Golden Pavilion), and its wonderful gardens. You will also visit the traditional quarter of Gion, famous for its Geisha.
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Are there any special ceremonies or cultural experiences included?
Yes, the tour includes a Zen meditation session (Ajikan) at a Buddhist monastery on Mount Koya and the Gomakuyo ceremony at Zenko-ji in Nagano.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes various types of accommodation, including hotels and a stay at a Buddhist monastery on Mount Koya. In Ikaho, you will stay at a traditional Japanese Ryokan.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of europamundo charges.
Up to 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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