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Essence of Japan
15 Days Starting and ending in Tokyo, Japan
Visiting: Tokyo, Shinjuku, Tokyo Skytree, Imperial Palace, Sensō-ji, Meiji Shrine, Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, Matsumoto, Takayama, Hida Folk Village, Shirakawago Village, Kanazawa, Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine, Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, Osaka, Nara, Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Kyoto, Gion, Kyoto, Ryoanji Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, Nijo Castle, Shijo-dori Street, Mishima, Hakone, Lake Ashi, Owakudani Valley, Mount Hakone
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TTJPN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please Advise Request
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Essence of Japan" tour, a captivating journey through the Land of the Rising Sun. This escorted adventure offers a blend of culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes, starting with a VIP door-to-door travel service. Experience the vibrant cityscapes of Tokyo, the serene beauty of Mount Fuji, and the historic charm of Kyoto. Enjoy city tours, traditional tea ceremonies, and sake tastings, while traveling in comfort on Japan's iconic bullet trains. Explore Matsumoto Castle, Shirakawago Village, and the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Delight in the Gion Festival in Kyoto and savor a Kawadoko dining experience. With 13 nights in hotels, international flights, and a dedicated tour manager, this tour promises an unforgettable exploration of Japan's essence.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo (4-star)
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your overnight flight to Tokyo.
Day 2
Location: Tokyo, Shinjuku
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Shinjuku Hotel
On our Japan tours, we stay in Shinjuku, the futuristic, neon-lit neighbourhood in the heart of Tokyo. On arrival the rest of the day is free.
Day 3
Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Skytree, Imperial Palace, Sensō-ji, Meiji Shrine
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Shinjuku Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
A tour guide helps us to embrace this dazzling city. As we walk out amidst skyscrapers and the world’s tallest self-supporting tower (the Tokyo Skytree), we find Tokyo’s traditional side. Learn the stories behind legendary landmarks like the moated Imperial Palace, Tokyo’s oldest temple - Sensō-ji, and Meiji Shrine, a serene Shinto shrine set on a tree-lined avenue.
Day 4
Location: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, Matsumoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Matsumoto
Meals Included: Breakfast
Standing out from its surroundings at 3,776m high, Japan’s tallest mountain has inspired countless artists and photographers. Clouds often linger around this active volcano, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed for you to catch a sight of the iconic snow-capped peak as you travel from Tokyo to Matsumoto. If the weather is clear, you’ll see the volcano’s image reflected on the placid waters of Lake Jawaguchi.
Day 5
Location: Matsumoto, Takayama, Hida Folk Village
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Takayama
Meals Included: Breakfast
Known as one of the most beautiful castles in Japan, Matsumoto is a striking timber and stone structure with a unique moon-viewing turret. In the spring, take your time to stroll among the cherry blossoms in the spacious castle gardens.
Stop to sample sake (Japanese rice wine) in a traditional brewery, before we take the breathtaking journey through thick pine forests and snow-tipped peaks of the Japanese Alps to the hill town of Takayama. We’ll call in at the Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum with a collection of antique houses from the region and displays highlighting crafts and ancient traditions.
Day 6
Location: Takayama
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Takayama
Meals Included: Breakfast
Meiji-era inns, hillside shrines and a pretty riverside setting - the hamlet of Takayama is traditional Japan at its finest. Soak in the local character on our walking tour, when we’ll see highlights such as the open-air flower and fruit market and government house.
Day 7
Location: Shirakawago Village, Kanazawa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Kanazawa
Meals Included: Breakfast
Next on our Japan itinerary, we transfer by coach to Kanazawa, visiting the World Heritage Shirakawago Village en route. Kanazawa is a historic castle town, boasting beautifully preserved samurai and geisha districts. Our sightseeing tour includes Omicho market and Higashi Chayagai (the ‘teahouse district’).
Day 8
Location: Kanazawa, Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Hiroshima
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Hiroshima
Meals Included: Breakfast
We pack overnight bags whilst our luggage is transferred to Kyoto. We’ll have another sweep of the city, stopping at the gorgeous Kenroku-en Garden and BukeYashiki (Samurai’s house).
Located outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle and covering an area of 11.4 hectares, the Kenroku-en Garden was created in the 1620s and opened to the public in 1874. It’s the epitome of a traditional Japanese garden with plum and cherry blossoms, artificial ponds, hills and buildings.
From the quaint, quiet streets of Kanazawa, we’ll go full throttle into one of Japan’s other passions. The Shinkansen (bullet train) will hurtle us from Kanazawa to Hiroshima in perfect comfort. Our hotel for two nights has excellent views of the castle or the Peace Park.
Day 9
Location: Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine, Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Museum
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Hiroshima
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leafy Hiroshima, with its wide boulevards and friendly locals, might not be what you expected. It’s a vibrant and cosmopolitan city of peace with a devastating history. Today we’ll catch a ferry over to Miyajima Island to admire the ancient Itsukushima Shrine and its torii gate. We'll spend some time strolling through the park. In autumn, the maples here are ablaze with rich reds and oranges.
Back in Hiroshima, we’ll take a walking tour around the Peace Memorial Park and take some time for reflection at the Atomic Bomb Museum.
Day 10
Location: Osaka, Nara, Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Kyoto, Gion, Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Another bullet train takes us to Osaka, where we’ll board our coach for the onward journey to Nara, a former capital of Japan. The 8th-century Todaiji temple - supposedly the oldest wooden structure in the world - is wondrous, but the real highlight here are the adorable deer roaming through Nara Park. You can buy a packet of crackers to feed them - they’ll even bow to you before you feed them.
We arrive in Kyoto this afternoon. With its wealth of shrines and temples, colourful gardens and variety of arts and crafts shops, it's a real highlight of our Japan tour package. We’ll uncover geisha culture with some time in the Gion area - Japan’s most famous geisha district.
This evening we enjoy a traditional Kawadoko dining experience, with a Maiko (apprentice geisha) performance.
Days 11-12
Location: Ryoanji Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, Nijo Castle, Shijo-dori Street
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast
Highlights of our Kyoto tour on day 11 include the wonderful Ryoanji Temple (a Zen temple with a famous rock garden), and the beautiful Kinkakuji Temple, or ‘Golden Pavilion’, whose top two floors are completely bedecked in gold leaf. We also visit Nijo, a fortified castle with unique ‘nightingale’ floors designed to replicate the sound of the nightingale song when stepped on.
We stay in Kyoto during the much-anticipated Gion Matsuri - the country’s biggest annual event. It originated as a way to appease the gods during a plague in 869, but over time it has evolved into a huge celebration of Kyoto culture. Locals and tourists alike dress in colourful yukata robes and feast on sizzling street food. The celebrations are centred on a collection of 32 magnificent parade floats (yamaboko), which are built from crafted wood and Nishijin textiles. They’re paraded through the streets to eager crowds for the main procession, but in the days prior they're on display for closer inspection along Shijo-dori Street.
On the morning of day 12, we’ll learn about the main areas of the festival on a walking tour, then the rest of the day is yours to spend as you please during this very exciting time. All the main highlights are within easy reach of our hotel.
Day 14
Location: Hakone, Lake Ashi, Owakudani Valley, Mount Hakone, Tokyo
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Mishima
Meals Included: Breakfast
We drive to Hakone and embark on a cruise on Lake Ashi for stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. We’ll jump in a cable car all the way up to the Owakudani Valley and Hot Springs, in the crater of Mount Hakone.
Later, we’ll arrive in Tokyo.
Day 15
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
Day 15
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel (3.5-star)
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
What's Included
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13 nights in hotels and 1 in flight
The tour includes 13 nights of accommodation in hotels and 1 night spent in flight.
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International flights
International flights are included, with prices based on return flights with British Airways or Japan Airlines from London Heathrow.
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Titan tour manager and local guide
A Titan tour manager and local guide are included to assist throughout the tour.
What's Not Included
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Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately.
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Optional activities
Optional activities and excursions not listed in the itinerary are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with international flights from London Heathrow, and explore Japan with three exhilarating bullet train journeys. Enjoy the convenience of a coach for in-destination travel, ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience.Accommodation
Enjoy 13 nights in comfortable hotels across Japan, with one night spent in flight. Experience the vibrant cityscapes and serene landscapes from your well-appointed accommodations, ensuring a restful stay throughout your journey.Check out our Q&As
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What kind of dining experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a traditional Kawadoko dining experience with a Maiko (apprentice geisha) performance.
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Will there be any opportunities to experience traditional Japanese culture?
Yes, the tour includes a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, a visit to a sake brewery for tasting, and a Kawadoko dining experience with a Maiko performance.
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Are there any special events or festivals included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes experiencing the Gion Festival in Kyoto, which is the country's biggest annual event with a walking tour to learn about the main areas of the festival.
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What kind of transportation will be used during the tour?
The tour includes travel by coach, three journeys on the bullet train, and a cruise on Lake Ashi. Additionally, there is a cable car ride to the Owakudani Valley and hot springs.
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What are some of the key historical sites visited on this tour?
The tour visits several historical sites including Matsumoto Castle, Shirakawago Village, the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, Todaiji Temple in Nara, and the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima.
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Is there a guided tour of Tokyo included?
Yes, there is a guided tour of Tokyo that includes visits to the Imperial Palace, Sensō-ji Temple, and Meiji Shrine.
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Will there be any opportunities to see Mount Fuji?
Yes, there is a visit to the Mount Fuji Visitor Centre and if the weather is clear, you may see the iconic snow-capped peak reflected on the waters of Lake Jawaguchi.
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Do I have to pay a Single Supplement?
In most cases a single supplement will apply. If the price for a Single room for sole occupancy is not shown, please ask our team for details and we will be able to check the details for you.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We've been taking our customers across the world on escorted tours for more than 40 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our commitment to sustainable travel is part of our ethos. We love exploring the world and hope that, alongside our customers, we can be part of a bigger change in respecting the people and wildlife on our planet and minimising the impact we have on our environment.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
With some COVID-19 rules and restrictions still in place there are a few details that you need to know. This information is subject to change. It’s your responsibility to monitor changes and ensure you fulfil all relevant criteria for travel. Rest assured that we’re on hand to help and answer any questions you might have.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You’ll receive your Final holiday documents via email approximately 14 days prior to your departure.
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Free Date Changes
Titan Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 75 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit for future tours
Titan Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform titan travel, 75 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Titan Travel requires a minimum deposit of 395 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of titan travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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