• Sightseeing
• Visit Imperial Palace East Garden
• Stroll through the Ginza District
• Experience Shibuya Crossing
• Admire the city lights of Tokyo Bay while on a dinner cruise
• Tokyo sightseeing including Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Arcade
• Enjoy a sumo wrestling demonstration and a traditional Chanko Nabe lunch
• Visit a former farming village, reopened as a museum
• See Mt Fuji while riding the Hakone Ropewav (weather permitting)
• Spend a night in a traditional ryokan guesthouse
• Take in the sights of historic Takayama on foot
• Free time to explore Miyagawa Open Air Market
• Wander through Shirakawa-go, with its famous gasshö-zukuri thatched roofs
• Learn about the Japanese tradition of washi papermaking in Gokayama
• Sample the famous sake beverage
• Tour the Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Stroll the Philosopher’s Walk
• Take part in a black ink calligraphy class
• Experience a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto
• Visit Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
• Enjoy a tofu and shichimi-making lesson
• Stroll through the Arashivama Bamboo Forest and see the Togetsukyo Bridge
• Enjoy a Buddhist lunch at Shigetsu (Tenryuiji Temple)
• Visit the island Miyajima and see the giant Itsukushima Torii Gate (currently under maintenance)
• Tour the Hiroshima Peace Park. and visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and the very moving Peace Memorial
• Visit Himeji Castle
• Explore the Todai-ji Temple
• Feed the deer in Nara Deer Park
• Free time to explore Osaka’s Dotonbori District
• Learn the way of the Samurai in Osaka, Japan’s pre-modern warriors

Travel

• Return economy-class flights from Australia to Japan. Taxes included
• Airport transfers on the first and last day of the tour
• All touring in air-conditioned vehicles
• 4 bullet train journeys in Japan
• 2 Limited Express train journeys in Japan
• Tipping is not part of the Japanese culture, so tips are not expected

Accommodation

• 12 nights in 3–4-star hotels
• Plus 1 night in a traditional ryokan guesthouse, Hakone

Properties include:

• Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo
• Hakone Yunohana Prince Hotel, Hakone – Japanese Style Ryokan accommodation
• Hida Hotel Plaza, Takayama
• Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachi Jo, Kyoto
• Sheraton Grand Hotel Hiroshima, Hiroshima
• Sheraton Miyako Hotel, Osaka
• Hote/s listed are an indication and are subject to change without notice.

Meals: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners, including group welcome and farewell dinners
Tour Guides: English-speaking locally based national guide
Exclusions: Personal Expenses, Travel Insurance

ITINERARY

Please read Fitness to Travel Requirements under the Terms and Conditions tab.Prices subject to change

Day 1 – Fri 24 Oct 25 | Arrive Tokyo

Welcome to Japan, a country that combines the ultra-modern with the ultra-traditional in such a way that it seems completely natural. We begin in Tokyo, Japan’s buzzing capital citv. Formerly known as Edo, a small local fishing village, the Tokyo of today is a vibrant metropolis renowned for its advanced technology and diverse fashion sense, intermingled with the ancient traditions of Japanese culture.

We don’t want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don’t, we recommend you arrive by 5.300m for dinner at the hotel with the guide. For those arriving in the evening and unable to attend the dinner, we’ll meet you the following morning when our touring begins as we start exploring Tokyo. Please refer to the letter you received upon check-in with further details on the start time and your guide’s information.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 – Sat 25 Oct 25 | Tokyo

One of the world’s main economic centers Tokyo is a city that presents a different view of itself at every turn. Starkly modern, it becomes a jewel box at night with a glittering display of neon and fluorescent lights. But you can retreat to quiet residential back streets or sculptured gardens and still find the harmony, scale, and simplicity the Japanese have prized for centuries.

Our day begins with a visit to the scenic and spacious Imperial Palace East Garden, which provides a calm oasis amid the bustle of Tokyo. The garden is the former site of Edo Castle’s innermost circle of defense. As none of the castle’s main buildings remain today, the garden has been created in their place.

This afternoon we’ll stroll through the shopping district of Ginza and experience the hustle and bustle of Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s busiest districts, and home to the famous Shibuya Crossing. Approximately 5,000 people can make their way across the intersection at any one time!

This evening, we board a Yakatabune, a typical Japanese-style houseboat from the Heian Era, where we’ll enjoy our highlight welcome dinner as we cruise along Tokyo Day. Have Your cameras ready, the views of the city skyline from the bay are really something!

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3- Sun 26 Oct 25 | Tokyo

Tokyo’s downtown Shitamachi district is home to an array of sights, culture, and a wonderful mix of old and new. We’ll explore the district using the extensive subway network today, starting this morning at the impressive Asakusa Sensoji Buddhist Temple that dates back to the 7th century. Incense burns at the temple to purify and act as a strong form of spiritual offering, or as a way to carry one’s prayers to heaven. Watch as locals and tourists alike purchase bundles of incense (osenko), light them, let them burn, and fan the smoke towards themselves. It is said to have healing powers!

We’ll also stroll Nakamise Streetwhich is full of quirky shops and local snacks. Don’t miss trying some of the interesting ice cream flavours on offer.

Special Experience – Experience a sumo wrestling demonstration before savouring a traditional Chanko Nabe (a sumo hotpot-style stew) lunch at a local restaurant.
After a fun and interactive sumo wrestling experience, we’ll spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4- Mon 27 Oct 25 | Tokyo- Hakone

Hakone, part of the Fuji-Hakone-lzu National Park, is less than 100 kilometres from Tokyo and one of the most popular destinations among Japanese and international tourists looking for a break from the big city. It is famous for its hot springs, outdoor activities, natural beauty, and the view of nearby Mt Fuji.

This morning we’ll visit a former farming village, lyashi- no-Sato Nenba. After being destroyed by a typhoon in 1966, the village was reconstructed and reopened fort”/ years later as an open-air museum and traditional craft village, complete with restaurants, shops, and galleries.

We’ll then arrive in the mountainous town of Hakone, where we’ll enjoy a cable car ride on the Hakone Ropeway and see incredible views of the iconic Mt Fuji (weather permitting). We will stop along the Hakone Ropeway and see the magnificent Owakudani Vallev, created about 3,000 years ago when the Hakone Volcano last erupted.

Tonight, we’ll be staying in an authentic 0/0kan guesthouse, where we’ll sleep on traditional Japanese-style bedding made up of a futon bed on tatami mats on the floor. We will also have the chance to bathe in a natural onsen (hot springs) and enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5- Tue 28 Oct 25 | Hakone-Takayama

Located in Gifu, Takayama is a relatively small vet traditional city with an abundance of old inns, shops and sake breweries. Takayama is a city best known for its background in carpentry; it is believed Takayama craftsmen worked on the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and many of the temples in Kyoto and Nara Its elevated location and relative isolation allowed Takayama to remain relatively untouched by outside influences for a 300-year period.

We’ll make our way to Takayama via the rail network starting with the bullet train and then connecting with a regional service for the final journey into Takayama Station. Upon arrival at the city, we’ll explore the narrow streets of the beautifully preserved Old Town on foot. We’ll see Takavama Jinya, a traditional Japanese building dating back to 1816, before making our way to the Sanmachi Suji District. The quaint streets of the district are lined with old-style merchant houses that date back to the Edo and Meiji periods. Today, these houses are used as sake breweries, shops and restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 – Wed 29 Oct 25 | Takayama – Shirakawago – Gokayama – Takayama

One of the biggest morning markets in Japan, the Miyagawa Open Air Market is a feast for the senses. Located on the banks of the Miyagawa River, we’ll wander the many stalls, and check out the range of fresh fruit, vegetables, spices, and local souvenirs on offer this morning

Next, we’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site of Shirakawa-go, famous for its gassho-zukuri thatched-roof farmhouses characterised by their extremely steep roofs, some of which are more than 250 years old. Gassho-zukuri means ‘constructed like hands in prayer’, as the farmhouses’ roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks in prayer. This architectural style, developed over many generations, was designed to withstand the large amounts of heaven,’ snow that fall during winter. We’ll visit the largestgassho-zukuri farmhouse in the town, where one of the town’s wealthiest families once lived.

We’ll then observe the traditional art of Japanese Washi papermaking in Gokayama. Some artists enjoy working with rice paper because of its distinct texture and slightly translucent appearance. Rice paper, or Washi as it is known, is commonly used in the traditional paper-folding art of Origami, practiced since the early 1600s.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 – Thu 30 Oct 25 | Takayama – Kyoto

Kyoto, one of Japan’s most beloved cities is our destination today. This ancient city was the imperial capital of Japan for 1,000 years with the Emperor residing in its elaborate palaces. Considered the country’s spiritual capital, Kyoto is graced with an abundance of temples, pavilions, gardens, and museums. While there are many keen tourists looking to imbibe the serenity that Kyoto exudes, it is still possible to find a peaceful moment to personally connect with your surrounds.

All aboard Japan’s famous rail system for our journey to Kyoto. upon arrival, we’ll delve into the unique craft of sake brewing.

Special Experience – Enjoy a tasting experience at a local sake brewery in Kyoto and learn how Japan’s drink of choice is made.

Later today we’ll explore the incredible tunnel of orange Torii Gates that make up Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari shrine, dedicated to the god of rice and sake in the 8th century. Its resplendent orange Torii Gates are a sight to behold, numbering more than 10,000 as they wrap themselves around the base of the Inari Mountain.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 – Fri 31 Oct 25 | Kyoto

We’ll delve further into the delightful Japanese culture today. A morning walk along Philosopher’s Path is a tranquil start to our day of exploring Kyoto. Named after Nishida Kitara, one of Japan’s most famous philosophers who meditated along the path while walking to university every day. The path is an enchanting and peaceful place in the city.

Special Experience – Delve into the stunning art form of Japanese black ink calligraphy’ and try your hand at perfecting this ancient art.

Afterwards, we’ll experience a Japanese tea ceremony. In Japan, it can take years to master the art of the tea ceremony, the art form of cha-no-yu. With many distinct styles, the different configurations of tatami (straw floor mats), utensils and temae (the preparation), the hanging scrolls selected with attention to the season and theme, and the chabana (floral arrangement) are all purposefully chosen to infuse meaning into the ceremony.

The remainder of our day is free to enjoy at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 – Sat 01 Nov 25 | Kyoto

This morning our first stop is the stunning Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), an exemplar of traditional Japanese architecture. The temple’s top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf and the pavilion is set amongst beautiful gardens.

Special Experience – Partake in a hands-on tofu and shichimi (Japanese seven-spice blend) making session, followed by a delicious lunch featuring creative Obanzai dishes.

After our immersive lunch experience, we’ll make our way back to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 – Sun 02 Nov 25 | Kyoto – Hiroshima

Hiroshima, a symbol of the utter devastation of war continues to build its reputation today as a symbol of peace. When the first atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, the city was obliterated. This moving city is our destination today.

We start our final day in Kyoto with a visit to the Togetsukyo Bridge, or ‘Moon Crossing Bridge’, originally built in the Heian Period for nobles who enjoyed the natural surroundings. Next, we walk through the otherworldly Arashlvarna Bamboo Forest, finding peace and tranquility as we stroll along the paths that wind through the towering bamboo stalks.

Later we’ll tour the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tenrvu-ji Temple, ranked at the top of Kyoto’s five great Zen temples, before enjoying a typical Buddhist lunch.

This afternoon, we travel to Hiroshima by bullet train.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 – Mon 03 Nov 25 | Hiroshima – Miyajima – Hiroshima

The island of Miyajima lies just off the coast from Hiroshima and is renowned for its solitude, magnificent views, and the Shrine of Itsukushima, built on wooden piers over the water. The shrine’s Torii is out at the head of a bay and is one of the most photographed places In Japan. The giant Torii Gate seems to float on top of the water at high tide, its orange hue contrasting vibrantly with the blue of the surrounding water. We’ll take the ferry to the island this morning and have some time to ourselves to enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site.

This afternoon we’ll visit some of Hiroshima’s important sites, including the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the very moving Peace Memorial Museum, commemorating the dropping of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.

Day 12 – Tue 04 Nov 25 | Hiroshima – Himeji – Osaka

A kaleidoscope of vibrant colour, traditions and culture, Osaka is Japan’s second largest city. Formerly known as Naniwa, the city was Japan’s first recorded capital city.

Our day begins with a bullet train ride to Himeji Castle. As Japan’s largest and most-visited castle, it is regarded as the finest surviving example of Japanese castle architecture. UNESCO World Heritage-listed Himejijo, in its current form, dates back to 1617 and has remained intact despite extensive bombing during World War II and a great earthquake in 1995. We’ll enjoy time at the castle and in the nearby beautiful Kokoen Gardens, a short walk from the castle’s main gate.
This afternoon we’ll make our way to Osaka and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 -Wed 05 Nov 25| Osaka – Nara – Osaka

Nara, in the heart of Japan’s Kii Peninsula, is a city rich in history and culture, having served as Japan’s capital during the Nara period before Kyoto. We’ll begin our exploration of Nara with a visit to the ancient Buddhist temple of Todai-ji, also known as the Great Eastern Temple. Established in the 8th century, Todai-ji is home to the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana known as Daibutsu, and is housed in the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), which itself is one of the largest wooden structures in the world!

Surrounding T Odai-ji is the serene Nara Deer Park where friendly sika deer roam We’ll have the chance to explore the picturesque park and even purchase deer crackers to feed the deer. Considered sacred messengers of the gods, these deer are a symbol of the city and have a protected status.
Heading back to Osaka we’ll have some free time for lunch and a spot of shopping in the vibrant Dotonbori district.

Special Experience – Dive into the world of pre-modern Japan with a fun, interactive session on the way of the Samurai. Unleash your inner warrior as you learn their legendary’ skins.

Many Samurai lived by the concepts of loyalty to one’s master, self-discipline, and ethical behaviour. They were also adept with the bow and sword. We’ll learn about the art and try out the movements ourselves, definitely resulting in a few laughs!

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a Japanese-style group farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 14 – Thu 06 Nov 25 | Depart Osaka
Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!