DAY 1 ARRIVAL TOKYOArrive in Tokyo. Transfer to hotel by limousine bus service. Meet our tour manager and fellow travellers tonight at the hotel. DAY 2 TOKYO (B/L/D)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. Then its all aboard for a Sumida River cruise to Asakusa. 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. Dinner later at a local restaurant. DAY 3 TOKYO (B/L)Meet our guide and walk to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, one of the best places in Tokyo to view the cherry blossoms. Short train ride to Harajuku, a groovy shopping and cafe district. Walk to Meiji Shrine where we may be lucky to see a traditional wedding taking place. Heading back to the main shopping strip, its free time to browse in this interesting area before lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel for a free afternoon to explore Shinjuku, the business and shopping heart of Tokyo. DAY 4 TOKYO (B/L/D)An early start as 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. We then drive to an old residential area of Tokyo called Yanaka, and see Tennoji Temple, the oldest and best known Buddhist temple in Yanaka, Yanaka Reien Cemetary, one of Tokyo's largest, which holds the graves of many famous public figures, writers and artists, and walk down Yanaka Ginza, where you will experience a real village atmosphere with some special craft and tea shops. We will visit a lovely chiyogami shop (colourful handmade paper printed with Japanese designs). If we can get you away from this beautiful shop, we will then return to the hotel. Dinner later at a local restaurant. DAY 5 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 (pack a small overnight bag as your luggage will go direct to our hotel in Kyoto). This area is famous for its hot springs, outdoor activities and natural beauty. Later in the afternoon we can relax at our ryokan (Japanese style hotel), your chance to experience the elements of Japanese culture and customs. Our Japanese style rooms will have tatami mat floors and futon bedding (please refer to our ryokan experience in our "Travel Notes" section). Dinner will be at our ryokan. DAY 6 KYOTO (B/D)Today we travel on the ultra cool bullet train to Kyoto.
Check into our hotel. Later in the afternoon we explore Gion, a famous geisha district where we will have some time to walk the traditional streets before experiencing a tea service performed by a geisha and then attend a 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. We will then take a short walk around Gion on dusk, this is when geisha and maiko (apprentice) come out for their evening engagements. Dinner at a local restaurant. DAY 7 KYOTO (B/L)Today we visit Nijo Castle built in 1603 by Japan’s first united shogun. See the palace building Ninomaru with its traditional sliding screens, decorative paintings and walk floors that squeak (a security measure against night intruders).
Cooking lesson nearby preparing some delicious Japanese food which will be our lunch. Return to the hotel, for a free afternoon. DAY 8 KYOTO (B/L/D)This morning we visit Kinkakuji Temple or Golden Pavilion (as seen in most brochures on Japan) which is literally covered in gold leaf and Ryoanji Temple, famous for its rock garden . We then visit Nishiki food market, with a long history of 400 years, selling everything from fish, vegetables and seaweed to tea, sweets, tofu and tempura. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch its onto Sanjusandendo Temple, an unusual temple with 1001 carved images of Kannon and then 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. Here you can expect to find a dazzling selection of silk fans, incense, dolls, hanging screens, antiques and kiyomizu-yaki porcelain. Some free time to explore the shops. Dinner at a local restaurant. DAY 9 HIROSHIMA/MIYAJIMA (B/L)A big day, after breakfast we embark on the bullet train for Hiroshima. See the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum before we continue our journey to the mystical island of Miyajima Island by ferry. Lunch at a local restaurant on the island. We will then 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. We explore Senjokaku Shrine and see next door Gojunoto (five storied pagoda). Return to Kyoto by train. DAY 10 KYOTO (B)Free day to explore more of Kyoto's treasures on your own. There is lots to see, and we can give you suggestions. DAY 11 KYOTO - DEPARTURE (B)Hotel rooms are available until 12 noon. Tour services finish here.
We can assist with an extended stay in Japan or airport transfers to Kansai Airport, Osaka or back to Narita Airport, Tokyo. SEE OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS | 
Japan Tour
