• Group tour max size 18
• Return international economy flights, taxes and current fuel surcharges (unless a land only option is selected)
• 11 nights in 3+ star accommodation
• 11 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners
• All sightseeing and entrance fees
• All transportation and transfers
• English speaking National Escorts (if your group is 10 or more passengers) or Local Guides
• Specialist advice from our experienced travel consultants
• Comprehensive travel guides

The only thing you may have to pay for are personal expenditure e.g. drinks, optional excursions or shows, insurance of any kind, customary tipping, early check in or late check out and other items not specified on the itinerary.

Itinerary:

Day 1-2: Fly to Tokyo

Fly overnight to Tokyo, the capital of Japan and transfer approximately 1 and a half hours to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure. Please note: Early check in is not included. If your flight arrives in the morning and you wish to arrange this, please speak to your reservation’s consultant. You will be transferred by shared coach with other passengers who are not part of a Wendy Wu Tour. If you are on a shared bus transfer, you may have to walk for a few minutes to get to your hotel. Transfers will differ depending on group size.

Day 3: Japanese Drumming

Begin your tour of Tokyo immersing yourself in the local culture by taking part in a traditional Japanese drumming (Taiko) class, where you will learn how to beat the ‘wadaiko’ with ‘baichi’. Next, visit the Meiji Shrine and continue to the vibrant district of Harajuku before stopping by the famous Shibuya Crossing. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to further explore the city on your own

Day 4: Discover Tokyo

Tokyo is the ultimate 24-hour city, but look behind its hightech frontage and you’ll find plenty of tranquil backstreets and old temples to explore. Embark on a Tokyo city tour, starting with a stroll through the Imperial Palace East Garden and a visit to the 2nd observatory of the Tokyo Skytree for panoramic views over the city. Continue to the  district of Asakusa, stopping at Sensoji Temple and strolling along Nakamise shopping street. In the afternoon, explore the Tokyo National Museum and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You will spend 3-4 hours on foot today. Sumo: Tickets to a Sumo tournament are included in the afternoon to some of our departures travelling in May and September. The ritual involved in the performance is just as fascinating to watch as the sport itself. Please note that the tickets are subject to availability.

Day 5: Mount Fiji

This morning, transfer 2 and a half hours to Mt Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes area. The region is spectacular with the calm waters of the five lakes, formed by past volcanic eruptions, reflecting Fuji’s picture-perfect cone. Take a 3-hour easy walk around the base of this iconic mountain, through alpine forest. Take a short transfer to your hotel and check in for your overnight stay.

Day 6: Snow Monkeys

Travel to Matsumoto, a journey of 3 hours 30 minutes and explore the magnificent 16th-century Matsumoto Castle, also known as ‘Crow Castle’, due to its intense black exterior. You will have to remove your shoes before walking along some of the wooden floors and there are some steep wooden steps to reach certain areas. From the coach parking to castle, it is around 15 minutes walk on flat road. Next, stop in Yudanaka in search for the snow monkeys (Japanese Macques) at Jigokudani Yaen-Koen Monkey Park. There is around a 30- minute walk through the forested valley along paths, occasionally on an incline, from the bus park to the main pool where the monkeys bathe. Accustomed to humans, the monkeys can be observed upclose, and they almost completely ignore their human guests. Please keep in mind that the snow monkeys are wild, not domestic animals and sighting them is never guaranteed, particularly during the breeding season which runs from late September through to November.

Day 7: Japanese Alps

This morning, travel 2 hours to Hotaka to ride the ShinHotaka Ropeway into the Japanese Alps. You will reach the observation platform at 2,156 metres high to get stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Drive 1 and a half hours to Takayama, where you will have some free time to explore Kamisannomachi Street and sample the street food on offer (at your own expense). This evening, enjoy dinner in your ryokan.

Day 8: Bullet train to Kyoto

Today, take the bullet train to Kyoto. The journey consists of two trains, first the Limited express, which takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes to Nagoya, before changing to the Shinkansen bullet train for a 40-minute journey to Kyoto. On arrival this afternoon, visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine . You will walk up part of the mounta in and the incline allows a steady-paced walk around 15 minutes with flat road and steps to reach tori gates. Due to the limited space of Fushimi Inari Shrine coach parking, you may need to walk from coach parking for 15 minutes. Also visit Kiyomizu Temple. Next, take a stroll around the old neighbourhoods of Higashiyama and Gion, the geisha district with a stop at Gion Corner

Day 9:  Japanese Tea Ceremony

Start the day with a visit to Ryoanji, the ‘temple of the peaceful dragon’ and the famous Kinkakuji, also known as the ‘Golden Pavilion’ due to its gold-like exterior. You will need to remove your shoes at both temples. Continue to the Arashiyama district where you will have some free time to explore the Bamboo forest as well as enjoying a rickshaw ride. Later, witness the rituals involved in the preparation and pouring of matcha tea in a traditional tea ceremony. Due to the nature of the cultural experience, you will be required to remove your shoes before entering the venue. Sightseeing on foot will be approximately 3-4 hours on foot today.

Day 10: Kyoto Culture & Koyasan

This morning, explore the craft of Kimono creation at Nishijin Textile Centre, then continue your tour learning the art of Origami. This afternoon, travel by road to Koyasan for your overnight stay in a 13th century temple in a traditional tatami room. The journey is approximately 3 hours.

The temple where you will lodge tonight is staffed by monks who generally do not speak English. Accommodation is traditional and basic; single mattresses known as futons will be laid on traditional tatami mats, tatami mat floors are not hard and, mattresses are designed for comfortable sleep. The doors to rooms are made from rice paper so noise will travel, and they cannot be locked. Rooms are individually heated but hallways are not. There will be shared bathrooms with shower and toilet facilities. Please note that the showers are open-plan with no screens. In the morning there is no hot water for showering or use of the public bath. The evening meal is a Buddhist vegetarian dinner, known as Shojin Ryori and is served promptly at 18:00. The evening is free for quiet reflection in your room, please note there are no TVs on the premises.

 Day 11: Morning Prayers

Rise early this morning to join the monks in their daily morning prayers before a traditional breakfast. Take an hour walking tour of Koya-San before visiting Kongobuji Temple. Afterwards, travel by chartered coach to visit Okunoin. This afternoon, continue your journey 2 and a half hours to Osaka this afternoon and check in to your hotel for the next 2 nights.

Day 12: Himeji Castle & Sake Brewerey

Today, drive 2 hours to Himeji to visit the 17th century Himeji Castle. The castle is largely in its original condition, so please use common sense and be mindful of your step when strolling around the castle. You will have to remove your shoes before walking along some of the wooden floors and there are some steep wooden steps to reach certain areas. After the reopening in March 2015, Himeji Castle has welcomed many visitors. As such, they now issue numbered tickets to visitors in order to limit the number of people who can enter the Main Keep, reducing congestion, waiting time, and to protect the cultural properties. Please note that this means that there may be cases where some visitors are not allowed to enter the Main Keep. Continue on to a sake brewery to learn about the brewing process and enjoy some tasters. Travel back to Osaka, stopping at the bright lights of the Dotonbori district, where you will enjoy some free time before taking the coach back to the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner

Day 13-14: Depart Osaka

Transfer around 1 hour to the airport, per your international flight departure. Any time before your flight is at leisure.