Day 1 Friday 28TH MARCH, ARRIVAL TOKYO

Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to hotel (group transfer).

DAY 2 Saturday 29TH MARCH, TOKYO (B/L)

Visit Tokyo Tower for a panoramic view of the city and if the weather is clear one can view Mt Fuji. Here we get our bearings and then drive through fashionable Ginza, the most exclusive and expensive shopping area in Japan. We pass the famous Kabuki-za Theatre which has been performing traditional Japanese theatre since 1889, before moving onto the Imperial Palace Plaza, the best place to take a photo of the Imperial Palace grounds.

After lunch our we visit an old residential area of Tokyo called Yanaka, to Tennoji Temple, the oldest and best known Buddhist temple in Yanaka originally established in 1274, Yanaka Reien Cemetary, one of Tokyo's largest, which holds the graves of many famous public figures, writers and artists, and Asakusa Sculpture Hall, once the home/studio of well known Japanese Sculptor Asakura Fumio, which is now a museum preserving his works. His beautiful home and traditional garden is a must see.

We finish up the day with a walk down Yanaka Ginza where you will experience a real village atmosphere with some special craft and tea shops.

DAY 3 Sunday 30TH MARCH, TOKYO (B)

Free day to explore on your own.

Optional Tour (own expense)
Morning walk from our hotel to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, one of the best places in Tokyo to view the cherry blossoms. Observing the beauty of the cherry blossoms and the family groups enjoying nature is enchanting. Joining the crowds on a trip to Harajuku by train is an experience on its own.
At Harajuku there is a fusion of young people parading, like you have never seen anywhere else in the world. Great groovy shopping and fun observing people. Walk to Meiji Shrine where we may be lucky to see a traditional wedding ceremony. Heading back to the main shopping strip, we give you free time for the rest of the day to go shopping, have lunch or perhaps walk to Shibuya, another large shopping district nearby.

DAY 4 Monday 31ST MARCH, TOKYO (B/L)

An early start with breakfast at the hotel at 6.30am and then we are off to the largest fish market in the world, Tsukiji Fish Market. This wholesale market handles about 2,888 tons of marine products each day, including 450 kinds of fish. From here we drive over the Rainbow Bridge to the area of Odaiba for a short stroll, before we embark on the Japanese anime inspired "Himiko" boat. This futuristic boat with 360 degree panoramic views runs through modern Tokyo.
Arriving at Asakusa, we will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we take a tour of Asakusa Kannon Temple, the oldest in Tokyo, and then free time for an hour or more to shop in the old Nakamise Shopping Arcade (with a history of several centuries) or perhaps take a rickshaw ride. Return to our hotel.

DAY 5 Tuesday 1ST APRIL, HAKONE (B/L/D)

Today we leave Tokyo  and head to the 5th station of Mt Fuji for some spectacular views (weather permitting) and a cruise on Lake Ashi at Hakone. This area is famous for its hot springs, outdoor activities and natural beauty. In the afternoon we relax in our Ryokan (please refer to our Ryokan experience in our "Travel Notes" section) in the Hakone area.

DAY 6 Wednesday 2ND APRIL, KYOTO (B)

Today is a trip on the ultra cool bullet train, a must do for every visit to Japan. Arriving in Kyoto, the cultural museum city of Japan, we walk to our hotel located nearby. You have free time to relax and have lunch (Kyoto Station shopping complex has a huge restaurant selection). In the afternoon we depart for Gion, a famous Geisha district where we will have some time to explore the traditional streets, before experiencing a tea ceremony performed by a Geisha and then attend  the special spring concert of Miyako Odori (cherry blossom dance). This is performed by the Geisha of Gion district and can only be seen in the month of April.

DAY 7 Thursday 3RD APRIL, KYOTO (B/L)

This morning we visit Kinkakuji Temple or Golden Pavilion (as seen in most brochures on Japan) which is literally covered in gold leaf. Then onto Nishiki food market, with a long history of 400 years, selling everything from fish, vegetables and seaweed to tea, sweets, tofu and tempura.

After lunch we visit Ginkakuji Temple or Silver Pavilion, a zen temple at the foot of Kyoto's eastern mountains with raked sand zen gardens and manicured forest garden. Lastly, we visit the panoramic Kiyomizu Temple which stands in the wooded hills of eastern Kyoto. The sights and sounds of the area below the Temple have not changed for centuries, with many of the family owned shops here dealing in traditional Kyoto made arts and crafts since the Edo era. Here you can expect to find a dazzling selection of silk fans, incense, dolls, hanging screens, antiques and kiyomizu-yaki porcelain. We will have some time to shop here before returning to our hotel.

DAY 8 Friday 4TH APRIL, KYOTO (B)

Free day at your leisure. Suggestions:
A walking tour through the backstreets of Kyoto with an english speaking guide visiting many workshops in private homes where such things as paper fans, lanterns, and Buddhist prayer beads are made along with much talking about Buddhism, Shinto, Geisha etc. - 5 easy walking hours, or a cooking class - learn how to cook typical Japanese dishes such as tempura, sushi and other healthy home favourites in a private Japanese home.

DAY 9 Saturday 5TH APRIL, HIROSHIMA/MIYAJIMA (B)

After breakfast we embark on the bullet train for our trip to Hiroshima. Arriving in Hiroshima we travel by coach and ferry to the mystical island of Miyajima, considered since ancient times to be one of the "three best views" of Japan.

We visit Itsukushima Shrine, dating back to the 16th century, constructed partly over water, so that at full tide it seems to be floating on the sea. In the water near the Shrine stands the world renowned red Torii gate, one of the largest in Japan. Free time in the village. You can try a local speciality for lunch called Okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) or some seafood. In the afternoon we return to Hiroshima for a tour of the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum. We take the train back to Kyoto early evening.

DAY 10 Sunday 6TH APRIL, KYOTO (B)

Free day at your leisure.

DAY 11 Monday 7TH APRIL, KYOTO (B)

Free day until afternoon transfer by train to Kansai International Airport, Osaka.
End of Tour

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