Japan - Land of the Rising Sun
Japan - Land of the Rising Sun
Japan - Land of the Rising Sun
13 Days Starting in Tokyo, Japan and ending in Osaka, Japan
Visiting: Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka
Tour operator:
Tour code:
LJAPN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 35
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Please make us aware of any specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Rail Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, with this immersive cultural tour. Begin in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, exploring iconic landmarks like the Meiji Jingu Shrine and the vibrant Nakamise shopping street. Venture to Hakone for breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and a serene cruise on Lake Ashi. Discover the historic Matsumoto Castle and the traditional city of Takayama, nestled in the Japanese Alps. Experience the charm of Kyoto with visits to Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion, and a rickshaw ride through a bamboo forest. Continue to Hiroshima for a poignant tour of the Peace Memorial Park and the floating torii gate of Miyajima Island. Conclude your adventure in Osaka, exploring the Umeda Sky Building and Osaka Castle. This tour includes return flights, 10 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels, 14 meals, and guided excursions, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching experience of Japan's rich heritage and natural beauty.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Uk/Tokyo
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Location: Tokyo
Today you'll depart on your scheduled flight to Tokyo via Hong Kong.
Day 2 : Tokyo
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Location: Tokyo
Accommodation Name: hotel
This evening you'll arrive in Tokyo, where we'll transfer you to your hotel. After time to settle in, why not head out for stroll to get your bearings.
Day 3 : Tokyo
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Location: Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Your explorations of Japan begin here in dazzling Tokyo and take you first to the Meiji Jingu Shrine. This collection of buildings and tranquil grounds is dedicated to the first emperor of modern Japan. Next we'll transfer to the district of Asakusa, where you'll visit the fascinating Sensoji Buddhist temple, and head to the vibrant Nakamise shopping street. In the afternoon we're going to visit the Tokyo Tower and make a stop close to the spectacular Imperial Palace. This is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan, so make sure you bring your camera! Tonight we'll head to a restaurant for a welcome dinner.
Day 4 : Hakone & Mount Fuji
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Location: Hakone
Meals Included: Breakfast
A spectacular sight awaits us today, as we journey to Hakone. This is the gateway to Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, and the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The scenery here is breathtakingly beautiful and we'll take a cable-car ride to admire views of mountains, hot springs and crystal-clear Lake Ashi. The lake formed thousands of years ago in the crater of a dormant volcano, and we'll take a tranquil and scenic cruise across its waters. We'll also make a photo stop at a great spot close to Mount Fuji, so you can capture its stunning beauty.
Day 5 : Takayama
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Location: Takayama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Your next base is Takayama, a traditional Japanese city in the mountains, and a day of discoveries starts with a visit to the perfectly preserved Matsumoto Castle. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Japanese Alps, it's the country's oldest five-tiered wooden castle and has been designated a National Treasure of Japan. In the afternoon we're going to tour Daio Wasabi Farm to see how Japanese horseradish is grown. The farm has a number of large fields where the wasabi plants thrive and we will admire them from specially designed walking trails. To round off your visit, why not treat yourself to a wasabi-flavoured ice cream!
Day 6 : Takayama
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Location: Takayama
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our day out today starts early at Miyagawa morning market, where you'll see and even sample the region's exotic fruit and vegetables. We'll then have the chance to see a traditional house and enjoy some free time in Takayama. One of Japan's most scenic areas is Shirakawago, located along the Shokawa River. We'll head here later to take in wonderful sights of pine-covered mountains and centuries-old thatch-roofed farmhouses.
Day 7 : Kyoto
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Location: Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast
A journey by train this morning takes us to Nagoya, where we board one of Japan's famous Bullet Trains bound for Kyoto. We'll start the sightseeing as soon as we arrive in historic Kyoto. It's filled with fascinating temples, ancient buildings and splendid gardens, and we'll see highlights including Nijo Castle, built in 1603 for the first Shogun of the Edo Period. We'll also admire the Sanjusangendo Temple, the longest wooden building in Japan, which houses 1,001 unique carved statues of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy.
Day 8 : Kyoto
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Location: Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We'll start the day by viewing the Kinkakuji Temple with its Golden Pavilion. Next we're heading to the beautiful district of Arashiyama today, where a rickshaw ride through a bamboo forest promises to be an exhilarating experience. Sit back and enjoy the sight of the towering stalks swaying gently in the wind and casting shadows on the path. A sushi-making demonstration and lunch are also included before an afternoon of exploration in Nara. This historic city is where we'll find the Todaiji Temple, one of the most famous in Japan, and the Deer Park with its hundreds of free-roaming deer. We'll also visit Kasuga Taisha, the most celebrated shrine in Nara.
Day 9 : Kyoto
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Location: Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast
How you spend today in Kyoto is entirely up to you. You could take part in a Kendo lesson, a modern martial art which uses bamboo swords, or maybe enjoy a more genteel experience, a traditional tea ceremony. Kyoto is the birthplace of the tea ceremony and there are a number of places which offer you a chance to experience it for yourself. If you fancy a spot of retail therapy, Downtown Kyoto has plenty to offer, including department stores and a wonderful food market.
Day 10 : Hiroshima
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Location: Hiroshima
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We're taking another Bullet Train today, and this time it will transport us to Hiroshima. This city is infamous as the target of the first-ever atomic bomb, dropped by the US at the end of the Second World War. You'll tour this rebuilt city and nearby Miyajima Island, taking in views of the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO-listed site built over water. You'll also see the Peace Memorial Park, a vast area of open land dedicated to the promotion of world peace, and the Atomic Bomb Dome. This building stood at the epicentre of the devastating bomb blast and has been preserved as a lasting reminder of that tragic event. Tonight we'll get together for a farewell dinner. We'll head to a restaurant and try okonomiyaki, savoury pancakes served with a variety of toppings including seafood, vegetables, pork and noodles.
Day 11 : Osaka
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Location: Osaka
Meals Included: Breakfast
Osaka is the final destination of your tour, and you'll journey here by road, so this morning is all about relaxing and admiring the view from your window. Your hotel in Osaka is located close to the city's main shopping and entertainment district, so there's plenty to keep you busy during a free afternoon. If you fancy a spot of retail therapy, you could make your way to the upmarket stores along Midosuji Street, the so-called Champs-Élysées of the East. And later on, why not head to a nearby restaurant and sample some of the local cuisine.
Day 12 : Osaka/Uk
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Location: Osaka
Meals Included: Breakfast
You'll spend the first half of today discovering Osaka Castle and the Floating Garden Observatory at the top of the Umeda Sky Building. From here you'll get panoramic views of the city and there will be free time for lunch if you wish. Later, we'll transfer you to the airport for your flight back to the UK via Hong Kong.
Day 13 : Uk
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Location: Tokyo
You'll arrive back in the UK today.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 star hotels -
Return flights from London
Return flights from London are included in the tour package.
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10 nights in 3 & 4-star hotels plus 2 nights in flight
Accommodation for 10 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels, plus 2 nights in flight, is included.
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14 meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners and welcome drink
The tour includes 14 meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners, and a welcome drink.
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Travelsphere Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guide
A Travelsphere Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guide will accompany the tour.
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Overseas transfers and other transportation
Overseas transfers and other transportation are included in the tour package.
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Tour of Japan's capital, Tokyo
A guided tour of Tokyo, Japan's capital, is included.
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Hakone, gateway to Mount Fuji
A visit to Hakone, the gateway to Mount Fuji, is included.
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Cruise on Lake Ashi
A scenic cruise on Lake Ashi is included.
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Cable-car ride over Owakundi Valley
A cable-car ride over Owakundi Valley is included.
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Matsumoto Castle, Japan's oldest existing castle
A visit to Matsumoto Castle, Japan's oldest existing castle, is included.
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
Tipping and gratuities are at your discretion and not included in the tour package.
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Any other items not mentioned or detailed as optional
Any other items not mentioned or detailed as optional are not included in the tour package.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo, the 4-star Associa Takayama Resort, the 4-star Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, the 4-star Granvia Hiroshima, and the deluxe Hotel Nikko Osaka. Each hotel offers modern amenities including restaurants, bars, and private facilities in the rooms.
Excursions Included
- Tour of Japan's capital, Tokyo
- Hakone, gateway to Mount Fuji
- Matsumoto Castle, Japan's oldest existing castle
- Visit a wasabi farm
- Takayama, a traditional city in the mountains
- Ride the Bullet Train to Kyoto
- Sightseeing in Kyoto
- Arashiyama and rickshaw ride
- Sushi-making demonstration
- Visit the historic city of Nara
- Bullet Train journey to Hiroshima
- Hiroshima sightseeing tour and Miyajima Island
- Tour of Osaka
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with return flights from London, overseas transfers, and other transportation including the iconic Bullet Train. Enjoy scenic drives, a cruise on Lake Ashi, and a cable-car ride over Owakundi Valley.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in 3 and 4-star hotels throughout the tour. Some of the hotels include Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo, Hotel Associa Takayama Resort in Takayama, Kyoto Tokyu Hotel in Kyoto, Hotel Granvia Hiroshima in Hiroshima, and Hotel Nikko Osaka in Osaka. These hotels offer various amenities such as restaurants, bars, fitness rooms, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes 14 meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners, and a welcome drink.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes overseas transfers and other transportation. You will also experience a journey on the iconic Bullet Train.
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Is there a local guide provided during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a Travelsphere Holiday Director and a Specialist Local Guide.
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What activities are included in the tour of Tokyo?
In Tokyo, you will visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine, walk down Nakamise shopping street to Sensoji Buddhist temple, stop close to the Imperial Palace, and visit the Tokyo Tower. You will also have a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
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What can I expect during the visit to Hakone and Mount Fuji?
In Hakone, you will drive up to the Fujinomiya 5th Station for panoramic views of Mount Fuji, take a cruise on Lake Ashi, and enjoy a cable-car ride over the Owakudani Valley. You will also have the chance to try 'black eggs' cooked in the sulphur hot springs.
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What will we do in Takayama?
In Takayama, you will visit the Miyagawa morning market, explore the old town, and visit Shirakawago, a UNESCO-listed site with traditional Gassho-zukuri architecture. You will also have time to explore the town at your own pace.
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What are the highlights of the Kyoto tour?
In Kyoto, you will visit Nijo Castle, Sanjusangendo Temple, and the Kinkakuji Temple. You will also enjoy a rickshaw ride through a bamboo forest in Arashiyama, participate in a sushi-making demonstration, and visit the historic city of Nara.
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What will we see in Hiroshima?
In Hiroshima, you will visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, walk through the Peace Memorial Park, and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. You will also take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island to see the 'floating' o-torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine.
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What can I do during the free day in Kyoto?
During the free day in Kyoto, you can visit the Kyoto Tower for panoramic views, partake in a traditional tea ceremony, explore more temples and shrines like Fushimi Inari, or enjoy some retail therapy in Downtown Kyoto. In the evening, you can visit Kyoto station for its restaurants, galleries, and sky garden.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Travelsphere’s Flexibility Promise has been created to give you complete peace of mind and make you feel confident when booking your holiday with us. We have also been awarded the WTTC safe travels stamp which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Travelsphere has been operating escorted touring holidays for 60 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travelsphere, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will receive Holiday conformation upon booking, and then several documents detailing any adddiotnal information and the optional excursions that you can book before you travel. The final information covering your flights, hotels and itinerary will be sent to you around 14 days before your departure date.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, we do not offer single share options
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, Im afraid not
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If we can accomadate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - and make sure you have your booking number to hand.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Our Travelsphere Cares programmes, in partnership with the Planeterra Foundation, support local projects and social enterprises by helping them earn an income from tourism. We simply donate a portion of the funds from our tours, so it’s great to know that when you travel with us you are helping to change lives and turn travel into real impact.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Like minded travellers
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.
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Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Travelsphere allows you to make 4 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 to Future Tours
Travelsphere allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform travelsphere, 75 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Travelsphere requires a minimum deposit of 21% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 84 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travelsphere charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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