Ultimate Japan

Kon’nichiwa and welcome to the capital of Japan – Tokyo! Meet your group and tour leader for an informal welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 6.30pm, before going out for an optional group dinner. With a population of above 10 million people, Tokyo offers endless choices when it comes to shopping, green spaces, entertainment, historical sites, culture, and dining!

Rise and shine in the city of Tokyo! After a full breakfast, follow your tour leader to learn about the diverse history and colourful culture of Japan as we visit the Hama Rikyu Garden and Meiji Jingu (Shrine), before making the famous Shibuya/Harajuku walk in the city. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to shape your adventure to your likes. Your tour leader will be happy to recommend the best places and activities to your taste. You can catch some fresh air at the public Ueno Park and visit the Tokyo National Museum within. Or explore one of the many fascinating museums across the city including Edo-Tokyo Museum, Hokusai Museum, or Odaiba Team Labo – home to immersive, futuristic art installations.



Late in the afternoon, you can join the optional ‘Tokyo Flavours and Dishses’ tour of Shinjuku’s famous bar region. Shinjuku has been deemed the ‘place to be’ when the sun goes down and is home to the tiny, 8-seater Gold Gai bars! Enjoy happy hour Japanese-style, stroll alleyways filled with bars and snacks, and an authentic night out in Tokyo!

Make the best of this morning in Tokyo on your own terms, or you can join an optional ‘Kitchen Tour’ to the world-famous Tsukiji fish market to sample some of Japan’s iconic and tasty seafood and sashimi. This tour will follow a local guide through Tsukiji’s outer markets, brimming with food stalls and retail shops. With over 2,500 tons and 450 types of fish coming through the wholesale market each day, your guide will provide plenty of information about the operations and importance of this world-famous fish market and the legendary tuna auctions. Next up, visit a nearby sake shop to sample Japan’s beloved beverage of choice!



We will farewell Tokyo for the breath-taking Hakone region at noon. Grab a seat for the two-hour train journey as we head towards the mountainous town known for its hot springs (onsen) resorts and views of Mount Fuji. On arrival in Hakone, follow your guide on a walking tour and take a scenic boat tour along Lake Ashinoko while you snap some picture-perfect shots of Mount Fuji. Explore the Hakone Shrine along the shore of Lake Ashinoko and visit the Tokaido Checkpoint to learn about its significance. Alternatively, you have the option to view the unique installations at Hakone Open Air Museum. Finish up the day with an included 30-minute gondola ride on the Owakudani Cable Car for views of the active sulfuric hot springs, Lake Ashinoko and Mount Fuji from above!

Kick-start the day with a scenic mountain train ride and hop on an express/bullet train that reaches speeds of 270 kilometers per hour as we make our way to Takayama! The journey will take approximately 5 hours and includes travel by local train and Shinkansen Bullet Train. Takayama is a charming city hidden in the mountainous region of Hida and made famous for its authentic Japanese touch and preserved old towns. This afternoon hop on a local bus for the Hida Folk Village and tag along your expert local guide to get a glimpse of a beautifully preserved sample of the Japanese culture, strolling along traditional thatched-roof homes built during the Edo Period of 1603-1967! Learn about the traditional Japanese way of life, crafts, and culture of these olden times. Tonight, put your feet up at the 4-star Wat Hotel and make the most of the beautiful onsen and spas.

After an included breakfast at the hotel, explore Takayama’s morning market with your tour leader as we embark on our walking tour. This traditional market was established over 600 years ago and is a great way to interact with locals and tourists alike as your browse the crafts, flowers, and fresh produce for sale. Continue strolling the town with visits to the Merchant House and Takayama Jinja Building. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the quaint town of Takayama, go on a nature walk, or hop on the optional day trip to Shirakawago with your guide at noon. If you enjoy sake, make sure to have a taste of Takayama’s prized signature drop at a local store.

Travel by express train and Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima (approximately 5 hours). Hiroshima is well known for the 1945 atomic bomb attack which destructed the entire city within a 2km radius. After the war, great efforts were taken to rebuild Hiroshima. The city was tastefully reconstructed in a way that still pays tribute to the suffering, with a large park built in the city centre – Peace Memorial Park. Following your guide through the park, you will visit the Peace Memorial Museum to learn of the historical war events that took place here. Then, visit the A-Bomb Dome, one of few buildings that remained standing following the attack. Explore the somber UNESCO World Heritage Site and listen carefully as your guide shares stories of Hiroshima’s unique past. This evening, you can explore Hiroshima on your own, or join an optional Cooking Class & Dinner and learn to make a signature Japanese dish, the Okonomiyaki or savoury pancake!

Known as the ‘romantic shrine Island’ just 1 hour outside of Hiroshima, Miyajima Island makes for the perfect day trip and is home to some of Japan’s best views. Visit the island with your local guide and explore the famous floating Torii Gate and Itsukushima-jinja Shrine. Then, hop on the nearby cable car to the top of Mt Misen and embrace the 360-degree views of the inland sea. Enjoy some photo opportunities on the mountain top before returning to Hiroshima with free time in the late afternoon to enjoy the sites of the city. Your guide will be more than happy to offer tips and suggestions on what to see and do during your final night in Hiroshima.

Travel by Shinkansen bullet train for approximately 1 hour before arriving at the spectacular Hemeji Castle. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed castle is 400-year-old national treasure and has never been destroyed by war, earthquake, or fire. Explore the enchanting white castle with your guide before continuing to Kyoto via Shinkansen Bullet Train (approximately 1 hour). Considered the cultural and historic heart of the country, Kyoto is brimming with temples, shrines, peaceful gardens, geisha, restaurants, and shops. This traditional city is the perfect place to get lost in! After checking into the hotel, enjoy free time to explore Kyoto at your own pace.



If you are feeling adventurous in the evening, join the group for an optional Kyoto Lanes & Lanterns walking tour to wander the backstreets of Gion, visit local spots off the beaten track, sample tasty Japanese snacks and explore the wooden walls and lanterns of Yasaka Shrine.

Enjoy a full day to explore the cultural hub of Japan as we roam the city by public bus! Your tour guide will lead you to three or four of the best temples depending on the season, so listen carefully as they explain the significance and history of these fascinating sites.

Learn about the best spots to visit around town and enjoy the afternoon freely to continue your discovery of charming Kyoto with your bus pass valid for the day.





Accommodation

Heianbo Ryokan

Meals Included

Breakfast

Included Activities

Kyoto Sightseeing (1-day public bus pass)

Entrance Fees

Kiyomizu-dera - 400 JPY

Imperial Palace - Free

Nanzenji Temple - Free

Shosei Strolling Garden - 500 JPY

Nishiki-Koji Market - Free

Gion Corner cultural centre - 3,150 JPY

Ryoanji Zen Garden - 500 JPY

Tenryuji Temple - 600 JPY

National Museum - 500 JPY

Today is yours to explore Kyoto and the surrounding towns! If exploring Buddhist temples and hanging out with friendly deer sounds tempting to you, join an optional half-day tour to the neighbouring city of Nara. Join a local guide as you meet the holy deer of Nara, learn about the surrounding temples, and stroll the beautiful backstreets of the old town. Feeling active in the afternoon? Join the group for a unique shopping tour with a local! This optional tour will take you to one of the most romantic and iconic regions of the city – Miyagawa-cho. Then, learn how to make two of the country’s favourite treats – Sake and Wagashi Sweets. This optional tour also visits to a 300-year-old tearoom to try an abundance of different Japanese green teas. Don’t forget to ask your guide what unique souvenirs you can purchase along the way!

Alternatively, ask your local guide for tips and recommendations on what to do for a day exploring Kyoto independently.

Today we will leave Kyoto and travel by train, cable car, and local bus (approximately 3 hours) before arriving at Mount Koya. Home to a small mountaintop Buddhist community, Mount Koya (Koyasan) is one of Japan’s most magical destinations. Tonight, we will experience a stay like no other at a traditional Shukubo, a Buddhist Temple lodging. Mount Koya is home to more than 100 temples and monasteries, some of which you will visit with your local guide. The most famous and sacred landmark here is the otherworldly Okunoin Cemetery. Follow your guide as they share stories of the cemetery and explore the location of Kobo Daishi’s (the founder of Shingon Buddhism) mausoleum. Visit the headquarters of Shingon at Kongobuji Temple and marvel at the beautiful Japanese rock gardens while you are here. After a day exploring Mount Koya, we will enjoy an included Shojin Ryori dinner, Buddhist vegeterian cuisine!

Wake up early to catch the morning prayer service at your Shukubo lodge. Here you will witness the sacred Goma Ritual where a priest will burn wooden sticks in a fire to destroy negative energies and thoughts while beating the taiko drums and chanting. The ceremony is said to create a trance-like state and have a profound effect on those who witness it – so keep an open mind! Then, hop on a local bus, cable car, and train (approximately 2 hours) as we make our way to the city of Osaka. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area. You have the option to join Kansai Soul tour to discover why Osaka is considered the soul of the Kansai region. Explore old backstreets, markets, and retail areas away from tourists; discover the New York-inspired neighbourhood of Shinsekai; wander through the flashy, glittering, famed district of Dotonbori; and sample famous Osaka treats like kushi-katsu and takoyaki octopus balls.

Fill up on breakfast because a big day exploring Osaka awaits! This vibrant and eclectic city is the heart and soul of the Kansai region, so let us get straight into it. First up, follow your guide to the Kuromon food market and explore some 150 shops selling culinary delights including fresh seafood, yakitori, sushi, and traditional sweets. Next up, make your way to Osaka Castle and explore the surrounding citadels, gates, and impressive stone moats. Continue with a stroll through Osaka’s unmissable Dotombori district to check out the neon-lit canals and try some Japanese-style street food. Spend your afternoon freely to shape your experience to your taste, there is no shortage of things to do in Osaka. Join your tour leader and travel mates for an optional group dinner to bid a proper farewell on our last night.

Today we saw our goodbyes! Enjoy a final breakfast together before hotel check-out at 11:00. Roam through the backstreets of Osaka one last time before farewelling your new travel mates — until next time!