DAY 1 ARRIVAL TOKYOArrive in Tokyo. Meet your 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.
After lunch we visit 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 Asakusa Sculpture Hall, once the home/studio of well known Japanese Sculptor Asakura Fumio, and 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.
Return to the hotel by train. Walk to dinner at a local restaurant. DAY 3 TOKYO (B)Free day to explore on your own.
Optional Tour (own expense)
Visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, one of the best places in Tokyo to view the cherry blossoms. Observe the beauty of the cherry blossoms and family group picnics under the trees. Short train ride to Harajuku. 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, its free time to browse in this interesting area. DAY 4 TOKYO (B/L)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. From here we drive over the Rainbow Bridge to the area of Odaiba for a short stroll, before we take a Sumida River cruise to Asakusa. 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 by subway. 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. This area is famous for its hot springs, outdoor activities and natural beauty. Late afternoon we relax in our ryokan (please refer to our ryokan experience in our "Travel Notes" section) in the Hakone area. DAY 6 KYOTO (B/D)Today we travel on the ultra cool bullet train to Kyoto.
Check into our hotel. Later 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. Dinner at a local restaurant. DAY 7 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. Lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch we visit 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. Then its onto Sanjusandendo Temple, an unusual temple with 1001 carved images of Kannon. Dinner at a local restaurant. DAY 8 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. 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. Return to the hotel. DAY 9 HIROSHIMA/MIYAJIMA (B/D)After breakfast (taking an overnight bag) we embark on the bullet train for our trip to Hiroshima. Arriving in Hiroshima we travel by public tram to see the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum.
We continue our journey to the mystical island of Miyajima Island by tram and ferry. Free time in the village for lunch. You can try a local speciality called Okonomiyaki (savory pancake) or some seafood. We 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. Check into our ryokan. Enjoy the village after the crowds of the day have gone home. Dinner at the ryokan. DAY 10 KYOTO (B)We must leave Miyajima this morning and make our way back to the Hiroshima Train Station for the return journey to Kyoto. Transfer back to our hotel. Enjoy a free afternoon. DAY 11 KYOTO (B)Last chance this morning for shopping or sightseeing. Later we depart for Tokyo and for those departing Japan, Narita Airport. Please note we will be using a 7 day JR Rail Pass and you can use this to get to the airport. If you wish to extend your stay by one night, the Rail Pass is still valid one more day. END OF TOUR. SEE OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS | 
Japan Tour
