Japan - Land of the Rising Sun
Japan - Land of the Rising Sun
Japan - Land of the Rising Sun
Tour operator:
Tour code:
18382
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Interests:
Tour Overview
Ancient rituals & modern lives
Join us for a mesmerising introduction to one of the world’s most enthralling countries, mixing ancient past and gleaming modernity. Beginning in ancient Kyoto, where kimono-wearing geishas still shuffle their way along ancient streets, this very special tour takes in Japan's Sixth-century capital, Nara, sombre Hiroshima, Miyajima’s famous torii gate and Himeji’s awe-inspiring castle. Kanzawa’s breath-taking gardens and Shirakawa-Go’s traditional, thatched gassho-zukuri houses lead you into picture-book Takayama, and to Hakone National Park for (hopefully) distant views of majestic Mount Fuji. Two nights in the non-stop, neon futurscape of Tokyo, complete your fascinating journey.
Highlights
Holiday Highlights
See Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, Senso-ji temple and Meiji shrine
Discover Imperial Kyoto, and Japan's original capital, Nara
The views of Mount Fuji from the Owakudani cable-car
Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony
Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima’s famous 'floating' torii gate
Visit Himeji-jõ, Japan’s finest castle
See Shirakawa-go’s traditional houses
Kanazawa’s stunning Kenroku-en Garden
Spend the day in Takayama – gateway to the Japanese Alps
Learn the art of sushi-making
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly overnight to Osaka, via Beijing.
Day 2
You'll meet your tour manager when you arrive in Osaka, and transfer by coach into nearby Nara, Japan’s original Sixth-century capital.
Day 3
Join your guide for a sightseeing tour of Nara to see the Great Buddha at the Todai-ji temple, the sacred deer of Nara Koen Park and Kasuga Taisha shrine, famous for its many bronze and stone lanterns. Later, continue to Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital, to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Japan’s most-visited shrines, and to take part in a traditional tea ceremony – the perfect end to a memorable day.
Day 4
Today's guided tour will introduce Kyoto’s treasures, including the famous Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, the Zen Buddhist rock garden of Ryoan-ji and colourful Nishiki market. Visit the spectacular Kiyomizu–dera temple, which offers breath-taking views of the whole city, and stroll the lovingly restored streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. Later board a bullet train to Hiroshima, the site where the first atomic bomb was dropped, on August 6th, 1945.
Day 5
Catch a ferry from Miyajimaguchi to the tiny island of Miyajima, where one of Japan’s most famous sights – the 'floating' torii gate – acts as a ceremonial entrance to Itsukushima Shrine. Return to the mainland to visit the Peace Memorial Park, where the startling ruins of the UNESCO-listed A-Bomb Dome and the Cenotaph, under which the names of over 220,000 victims are recorded, serve as poignant reminders of the destruction of the now-rebuilt city. Later, take another bullet train to Himeji, where you will stay for the night and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 6
After breakfast, enjoy an included visit to Himeji’s extraordinary White Egret castle – perhaps Japan’s finest fortified palace. Entry to the fortress and its adjoining Kokoen gardens is included, and after your visit you'll travel to Tamba-Sasayama. This city is most famous for its eco-tourism and home-grown products such as black beans and soya beans, and after a locally-sourced lunch you'll continue to Kanazawa.
Day 7
This morning, you'll visit Kanazawa’s exquisite Kenroku-en Garden, one of the world’s greatest horticultural treasures, the Samurai House at Nagamachi and the Higashi Chaya geisha district. This afternoon, journey through mountains to the UNESCO-listed village of Gokayama. Visit a washi – a traditional Japanese paper-making centre – and make your own washi postcards before returning to Kanazawa.
Day 8
Today we head to UNESCO-listed Shirakawa-go to see its beautifully preserved, thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses. We'll then proceed to Takayama, in the heart of the Japanese Alps. Here, the streets of Sanmachi Suji are lined with traditional buildings and sake breweries, one of which you'll visit with your guide for a tasting.
Day 9
This morning, make the scenic journey into the Japanese Alps, passing Matsumoto's ancient castle and pausing for lunch at Daio Wasabi Farm, where you'll learn about this iconic Japanese food, which is also one of the world's most expensive vegetables. From here we'll continue to Fujikawaguchiko in the Five Lakes region, to stay close to the sacred mountain. On arrival, visit stunningly beautiful, flower-decked Oishi Park, on the shore of Lake Kawaguchiko.
Day 10
You'll travel to beautiful Hakone National Park, this morning. Keep your eyes on the horizon in hopes of a view of Mount Fuji as you cruise beautiful Lake Ashi and take a cable-car ride above the Owakudani Valley. This afternoon, head to Tokyo, the extraordinary Japanese capital.
Day 11
This morning's sightseeing will take you to Ginza (Tokyo’s Fifth Avenue) and the gardens of the Imperial Palace. Later, you will have the chance to learn about the traditional art of sushi-making, before enjoying an lunch.
Day 12
Join your guide for a fascinating day of exploration. Start with a bird's-eye view of the city from the observation floor of Shinjuku’s government buildings, and visits to Yoyogi park and shrine. Visit trendy Harajuku, and join the throng at world-famous Shibuya Crossing. In the afternoon, discover Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most traditional neighbourhoods, and the ancient Buddhist Senso-ji temple. Then transfer back to the airport to check in for your overnight flight home, via Beijing.
Day 13
Arrive home in the mid-morning, at the end of a truly unforgettable holiday in Japan.
What's Included
What's Included
10 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at hotels in Nara (1 night), Kyoto (1), Hiroshima (1), Himeji (1), Kanazawa (2), Takayama (1), Fujikawaguchiko (1) and Tokyo (2), plus two nights on the aircraft
Three lunches and two dinners
Three lunches and two dinners
Bullet train journeys from Kyoto to Hiroshima, and from Hiroshima to Himeji
Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Check out our Q&As
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1983
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Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our company’s mission is to enrich lives and improve wellbeing through travel. A big part of that is ‘Travel for Good’. Our ‘Travel for Good’ hub is our first step in a long journey to reduce carbon, offset anything we produce as a company and travel without harming the planet or the people of the destinations we go to.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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Fitness to Travel
We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. Please make sure that you make us aware of any requirements.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Newmarket Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 35% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of newmarket holidays charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 48 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. You can find the travel restrictions for different countries on www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.
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