Christmas in Japan
Christmas in Japan
Christmas in Japan
16 Days Starting in Tokyo, Japan and ending in Osaka, Japan
Visiting: Tokyo, Hakone, Fuji Five Lakes, Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Mount Koya, Himeji, Osaka
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2593
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 28
Age range:
12-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishActivities:
Tour Overview
Experience the magic of Christmas in Japan with this enchanting tour that takes you from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene landscapes of Kyoto and beyond. Begin your journey in Tokyo, exploring iconic sites like Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Jingu, and the historic Asakusa district. Marvel at the winter beauty of Mount Fuji from Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes region. Discover the alpine charm of Takayama and the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawago. Immerse yourself in the cultural heart of Kyoto, donning a kimono for a traditional tea ceremony on Christmas Day. Conclude your adventure with visits to Nara, Osaka, and the majestic Himeji Castle, creating unforgettable holiday memories.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Days 1-2: Fly To Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly overnight to Tokyo. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 3: Wonders Of Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover Tokyo’s most famous highlights, from the lively Shibuya Crossing to explorations of well-known neighbourhoods like Shinjuku. Visit Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine surrounded by a small forest within the city, and learn about the emperor who presided over the Meiji Restoration – Japan’s transition from feudal state to world power.
Day 4: Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin with a visit to the historic Asakusa district to see Sensoji, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple, then visit the National Museum in Ueno Park for an insight into the art and archaeology of centuries gone by. Ascend to the viewing deck at the Skytree for a bird’s eye view of the city. Later, get in the festive spirit with some time to admire Tokyo’s
Christmas illuminations.
Day 5: Hakone
Location: Hakone
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, head west to Hakone. Around here, winter is considered the best time of year for viewing Mount Fuji, when the skies are often cool and clear, and the mountain is usually wearing its famously beautiful snowcap. Take a cruise across Lake Ashi, then ride a cable
car along the Hakone Ropeway to reach Owakudani, known for its volcanic hot springs
and steaming vents. The wider Fuji area is your home for the next two nights.
Day 6: Fuji Five Lakes
Location: Fuji Five Lakes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue your Fuji adventure with a visit to Oshino Hakkai, a charming village filled with mineral-rich ponds and slowly spinning water wheels, before continuing to Kawaguchiko, a town famous for its Fuji views. Visit Fujisan World Heritage Centre, where you can learn about the mountain’s significance, and perhaps enjoy a photo opportunity on the
viewing deck.
Day 7: Matsumoto & Takayama
Location: Matsumoto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head into the foothills of the Japanese Alps, stopping first at Matsumoto to admire its iconic black castle. Its main tower, built in the late 16th century, is the oldest surviving castle tower in Japan. Continue to Takayama, a small city nestled in the mountains of Gifu province.
Day 8: Takayama
Location: Takayama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover this charming alpine city, considered the crown jewel of Gifu province. Explore the traditional streets of the well-preserved old town and visit the excellent Festival Floats Museum before lunch. This afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore, or make use of the onsen facilities at your hotel.
Day 9: Shirakawago & Kanazawa
Location: Kanazawa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive north to the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawago, famous for its traditional wooden gassho houses. With their steep thatched roofs, often laden in snow, these houses are one of the most iconic winter views in Japan. Visit the largest – Wada House – and learn about life in this remote rural area. Continue to Kanazawa, a serene city known for its samurai history, and check in at your hotel.
Day 10: Kanazawa To Tokyo
Location: Kanazawa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit beautiful Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. Here, admire the yukitsuri, a technique using ropes to support the pine trees and their heavy blankets of snow. Later, stroll the Edo-period Nagamachi District and visit one of its old samurai houses. This afternoon, board the Thunderbird train to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart.
Day 11: Christmas Eve In Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover the highlights of Kyoto. Once the capital of Japan, this former seat of power wears its history proudly on its sleeve. Begin at Kiyomizu Temple, with its views over Kyoto. Later, admire the vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine and the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji.
Day 12: Christmas Day In Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake to a Christmas day like no other. Spend the morning at a traditional tea house, where you’ll don a kimono (optional) and enjoy a tea ceremony and wagashi sweet-making experience. Later, indulge in a special Christmas lunch before an afternoon at leisure to explore Kyoto, call loved ones or simply relax until dinner.
Day 13: Boxing Day In Nara
Location: Nara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bid farewell to Kyoto and drive to Nara, another former capital. Visit the UNESCO-listed Todaiji Temple, and meet its sacred deer, who roam here at leisure and enjoy bowing to visitors. Stop by a traditional Japanese garden, then continue to Osaka for a culinary adventure in the Dotonburi area.
Day 14: Koyasan
Location: Mount Koya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Experience the tranquil winter beauty of Mount Koya, the heart of Shingon Buddhism. As the year draws to a close, wander through the vast, otherworldly Okunoin Cemetery, with its centuries-old gravestones, softly-glowing lanterns and towering cedars glittering with frost. Return to Osaka.
Day 15: Himeji Castle
Location: Himeji
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Himeji, one of Japan’s most magnificent castles. Explore the majestic 17th-century keep before lunch. Drive to Kobe, where you’ll visit a small sake brewery museum and a Christmas market before indulging in a farewell dinner. Try Kobe’s famous Wagyu beef or an alternative vegetarian dish. Return to Osaka.
Day 16: Fly Osaka To Uk
Location: Osaka
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport and fly to the UK, arriving home the same or the following day
What's Included
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Meals
The tour includes various meals throughout the trip, such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours of Tokyo, Hakone, Fuji Five Lakes, Matsumoto, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Koyasan, and Himeji Castle.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for the duration of the tour.
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Transportation
Transportation between locations, including flights to and from Japan, is included.
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Special Experiences
Special experiences such as a tea ceremony, wagashi sweet-making, and a visit to a sake brewery museum.
What's Not Included
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional food and drinks, and other personal purchases are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not listed in the itinerary are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and other travel documentation costs are not included.
Experiences
Traditional Tea CeremonyExperience the perfect display of Japanese culture as you witness the preparation and
performance involved in the 'Way of Tea', a traditional tea ceremony.
Wagashi-Making Class Wagashi are a traditional sweet treat made of fruit, anko and rice flour. Come Christmas Day, you will learn how to make these beautiful confectioneries from scratch!
Visit Shirakawago The landscapes of the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawago are particularly enchanting in the winter. Soak up its peaceful rural scenery and visit one of its famous gassho houses.
Check out our Q&As
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What can I expect to see in Tokyo during the tour?
In Tokyo, you will discover famous highlights such as the lively Shibuya Crossing, explore well-known neighborhoods like Shinjuku, visit the Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine, and learn about the Meiji Restoration. You will also visit the historic Asakusa district to see Sensoji, the city's oldest Buddhist temple, and the National Museum in Ueno Park. Additionally, you will ascend to the viewing deck at the Skytree for a bird's eye view of the city and admire Tokyo's Christmas illuminations.
-
What activities are planned in Hakone?
In Hakone, you will have the opportunity to view Mount Fuji, take a cruise across Lake Ashi, and ride a cable car along the Hakone Ropeway to reach Owakudani, known for its volcanic hot springs and steaming vents.
-
What will we do in the Fuji Five Lakes area?
In the Fuji Five Lakes area, you will visit Oshino Hakkai, a charming village with mineral-rich ponds and water wheels, and continue to Kawaguchiko, a town famous for its views of Mount Fuji. You will also visit the Fujisan World Heritage Centre to learn about the mountain's significance and enjoy a photo opportunity on the viewing deck.
-
What can I expect to see in Matsumoto and Takayama?
In Matsumoto, you will admire its iconic black castle, which has the oldest surviving castle tower in Japan. In Takayama, you will explore the traditional streets of the well-preserved old town, visit the Festival Floats Museum, and have some free time to explore or use the onsen facilities at your hotel.
-
What will we do in Shirakawago and Kanazawa?
In Shirakawago, you will visit the UNESCO-listed village famous for its traditional wooden gassho houses with steep thatched roofs. You will visit the largest house, Wada House, and learn about life in this remote rural area. In Kanazawa, you will visit Kenrokuen, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, stroll the Edo-period Nagamachi District, and visit an old samurai house.
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What activities are planned for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Kyoto?
On Christmas Eve in Kyoto, you will visit Kiyomizu Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji. On Christmas Day, you will spend the morning at a traditional tea house, don a kimono (optional), enjoy a tea ceremony and wagashi sweet-making experience, and indulge in a special Christmas lunch. The afternoon will be at leisure to explore Kyoto, call loved ones, or relax until dinner.
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What will we do in Nara and Osaka on Boxing Day?
In Nara, you will visit the UNESCO-listed Todaiji Temple and meet its sacred deer. You will also stop by a traditional Japanese garden before continuing to Osaka for a culinary adventure in the Dotonburi area.
-
What can I expect to see in Koyasan?
In Koyasan, you will experience the tranquil winter beauty of Mount Koya, wander through the vast Okunoin Cemetery with its centuries-old gravestones, softly-glowing lanterns, and towering cedars glittering with frost.
-
What activities are planned in Himeji and Kobe?
In Himeji, you will explore the majestic 17th-century keep of Himeji Castle. In Kobe, you will visit a small sake brewery museum, a Christmas market, and indulge in a farewell dinner featuring Kobe's famous Wagyu beef or an alternative vegetarian dish.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
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Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
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What is 'Happy to Share'?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance in line with our normal booking conditions. Either way, our Operations Team will contact you around 75 days before departure to let you know whether a share partner has been found or not. We regret that Happy to Share requests cannot be accepted within 75 days of departure. Wendy Wu Tours reserves the right to change or withdraw this arrangement at any time.
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Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
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Low Deposit
Wendy Wu requires a minimum deposit of 350 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 wendy wu charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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