JAPAN GROUP TOUR

Explore Japan's distinctive culture and unique traditions

Japan doesn’t always conform to stereotypes. There are, of course, the robot restaurants, the skyscrapers, the futuristic neon, the salarymen crowds and the edgy fashion tribes. There are the snow monkeys which luxuriate in mountainous hot spring onsen baths in the Japanese Alps; the tiny subtropical Okinawan islands with endless white sandy beaches in the south; the monasteries on sacred Mount Koya serving Buddhist cuisine; the contemporary art projects scattered across the tiny fishing island Naoshima.

Discover what the view is like from the top of Mt. Fuji, wear a kimono and stroll the historic streets of Kyoto, visit a maid cafe down in the electronic town of Tokyo… If you’re lost for travel itinerary or bucket list ideas, rest assured this Japan group tour will do it for you.

JAPAN TOUR

10 DAYS FROM USD $2,575per person 20pax

Japan is truly timeless, a place where ancient traditions are fused with modern life as if it were the most natural thing in the world. There could be hundreds of reasons why you should add Japan in your travel list. Being one of the most advanced (in terms of technology) countries in the world, Japan also offers an ancient outlook to tourists, especially their religious sites.

ACTIVITY ITINERARY

DAY 1 – TOKYO ARRIVAL

Arrival at Narita/Haneda flight XXXX

Meeting with your assistant in the arrival hall and transfer to your hotel by private coach. (90/60 minutes).

The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Overnight in Tokyo

SERVICE INCLUDE:
Guiding: English speaking assistant
Transfers: Private coach

DAY 2 – TOKYO TOUR

Breakfast at hotel

After breakfast, meet with your guide in the hotel lobby for a departure to Meiji shrine by private coach.

Begin your exploration of Tokyo with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings.

After visiting the shrine, we will pass by private coach through the adjacent Omotesando shopping street, a broad tree lined avenue home to the flagship stores of the world’s top fashion brands.

Next, your guide will take you to the Roppongi ward by private coach where we will visit the Roppongi Hills Observation Deck.

The 238 meters tall Mori Tower is the centerpiece of the Roppongi Hills complex in Tokyo’s Roppongi district. The tower houses the entrance to the excellent Mori Art Museum and the Tokyo City View observation deck. On a clear day, you can see Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree and even as far as Mt. Fuji!

After visiting Roppongi head across town to Asakusa.

Lunch on own

Asakusa is Tokyo’s old town where you can soak up the atmosphere of what Tokyo must have been like hundreds of years ago. Visit Sensoji, also known as Asakusa Kannon and Tokyo’s oldest temple. The Broadway leading up to the Temple is called Nakamise and this shopping street has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and souvenirs for centuries.

A private coach will take you back to your hotel

End at hotel

Overnight in Tokyo

SERVICE INCLUDE:
Guiding: English speaking guide
Transfers: Private coach
Entrances: Mentioned in bold letters

DAY 3 – TOKYO TOUR

Breakfast at hotel

Meet with your guide in the hotel lobby for a departure to the Tokyo Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, and the residence of Japan's Imperial Family.

You will then have the chance to learn how to make Japanese Sushi in a cooking class. Learn how to make various types of Sushi and enjoy your self-made Sushi together afterwards.

After the cooking class, a private coach will take you back to your hotel

End at hotel

The remainder of your day is at leisure

Overnight in Tokyo

SERVICE INCLUDE:
Guiding: English speaking guide
Transfers: Private coach
Entrances: Mentioned in bold letters
Activities: Mentioned in bold letters
Meals: Sushi-Lunch (at cooking class)

DAY 4 – TOKYO, HAKONE - KYOTO

**Luggage will be transferred to the hotel in Kyoto separately**
*Please prepare an overnight bag for 1 night in Hakone*

Breakfast and check-out at hotel.

Meet with your guide at the hotel for a departure to the town of Hakone by private coach.

Throughout the day you will have a chance to get a glimpse of Mt Fuji, however please keep in mind that she is a notoriously shy mountain and it needs to be a clear day.

First stop in Hakone will be the Hakone shrine. This shinto shrine was very popular among Samurai during the twelfth century and is hidden away in a dense forest. In fact, the shrine is so well hidden that it would be easy to miss were it not for its magnificent torii gates.

Next stop will be Hakonemachi where you will board a Pirate Boat taking you to Togendai. Both are ports on the shores of Lake Ashi, which is in fact an enormous volcanic crater created by an eruption 3,000 years ago. *In case of bad weather, Pirate Boat departure may be subjected to rescheduling or cancellation.

After arriving in Togendai, lunch on own

You will continue your journey via Rope Way heading towards Owakudani.

The first thing you will notice when arriving in Owakudani is the smell of sulfur coming from this active volcano. There are walking trails around Owakudani that lead to steam vents and bubbling pools. The eggs they sell in Owakudani are boiled in the volcano’s natural hot springs and are said to prolong life by seven years!

*Owakudani is generally accessible by ropeway, however as this area is an active volcanic zone, hiking trails may be closed due to volcanic gasses. People with respiratory problems should consult their physician before visiting the area.

A private coach will take you back to your hotel.

Tonight, you will be staying in a Japanese style room with delicious meals and access to onsen; baths that use mineral water from the naturally heated springs. End at hotel

Overnight in Hakone

SERVICE INCLUDE:
Guiding: English speaking guide
Transfers: Private coach
Entrances: Mentioned in bold letters
Luggage: Transfer Tokyo – Kyoto
Meals: Dinner (at hotel)

DAY 5 – HAKONE - KYOTO

Breakfast at hotel and check-out

Meet with your guide in the lobby of your hotel and transfer to Odawara station by private coach.
At Odawara station, board the Shinkansen bullet-train bound for Kyoto station. (2 hours)
*No guide/assistant will accompany the group on the train ride

Upon arrival at Kyoto station your assistant will be waiting on the platform of the station to take you to your hotel on foot.
(5 minutes)

End at hotel and check-in
(Possible from 14:00)

The remainder of your day is free at leisure

Overnight in Kyoto

SERVICE INCLUDE:
Guiding: English speaking guide (in Hakone)/ assistant (in Kyoto)
Transfers: Private coach
Shinkansen Bullet- Train (Odawara – Kyoto / Ordinary Class)

DAY 6 – KYOTO

Breakfast at hotel

After breakfast, meet with you guide at the hotel for a departure to Nijo Castle by private coach

Nijo Castle was built by the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate as the Kyoto residence of the Shogun and is surrounded by stunning gardens. The ornamental building was completed in 1603 and is well-known for its

Momoyama architecture, decorated sliding doors, and ‘chirping’ nightingale floors.

From Nijo castle a private coach will take you to Kinkakuji

Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, was originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun. After the death of Shogun Yoshimitsu it became a Buddhist Temple at his request. It is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples, with its top two floors completely covered in gold-leaf.

After visiting Kinkakuji a private coach will take you to the nearby town of Arashiyama.

Lunch on own

First stop in Arashiyama is Tenryuji temple. Ranked among Kyoto's five great Zen temples Tenryuji is the largest and most impressive temple in Arashiyama. Founded in 1339 at the start of the Muromachi Period, the temple is now considered important cultural property and ranked by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In addition to its temple buildings, there are beautiful gardens with walking paths.

On the way to Nonomiya shrine your path will lead you through Arashiyama’s famous bamboo groves, which are unlike any other place in Japan. The bamboo has been used to manufacture various products, such as baskets, cups, boxes and mats at local workshops for centuries. Nonomiya shrine is a Shinto shrine where in ancient times, unmarried imperial princesses stayed for a year or more to purify themselves. The shrine is referenced in numerous works of literature, most notably in the world’s first novel; The Tale of Genji.

A private coach will take you back to your hotel.

End at hotel

Overnight in Kyoto

SERVICE INCLUDE:
Guiding: English speaking guide
Transfers: Private coach
Entrances: Mentioned in bold letters

DAY 7 – KYOTO - NARA - KYOTO

Breakfast at hotel.

After breakfast meet with your guide in the hotel lobby for a departure to the town of Nara by private coach.
During the eighth century Nara was Japan’s capital for 74 years and many of the temples and shrines built at that time still stand today.

Visit Todaiji temple, one of the world’s largest wooden structures and home to Japan’s largest Buddha. The park surrounding the temple is called Nara Park, but is referred to by many as “Deer Park” due to the large population of more than one thousand tame deer who freely roam the streets and will bow their heads in exchange for a treat.

Next stop is Nara’s most celebrated shrine, Kasuga Taisha. Established in 768 AD the shrine is dedicated to the deity tasked with the protection of the city and is famous for its hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns which have been donated by worshipers over the years.

Lunch on own

From Nara, a private coach will take you to the Fushimi ward in Kyoto, where we will visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Featured in the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha”, this shrine is known for its thousands of red torii gates leading up and through the sacred forest of Mount Inari and has been voted number one must see spot in Kyoto by visitors.

Departure Fushimi ward to hotel by private coach

End at hotel

Overnight in Kyoto

SERVICE INCLUDE:
Guiding: English speaking guide
Transfers: Private coach
Entrances: Mentioned in bold letters

DAY 8 – KYOTO

Breakfast at hotel.

Meet with your guide at the hotel for a departure to Higashiyama by private coach
Start the day with a visit to Kodaiji Temple. It was constructed in 1605 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi by the great political leader's wife. It features temple halls, gravel and landscape gardens, teahouses and a bamboo grove.

After the temple visit, you will have the chance to witness a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Your Tea Master will give you a full explanation of Japanese tea as well as the tea ceremony itself, its long history and relationship with Zen Buddhism. The Master will also tell you the meaning behind each movement involved in the making and serving of the tea, as well as the equipment involved.

You will continue then your tour and head towards the Gion district, Kyoto's most famous geisha district; filled with shops, restaurants and teahouses, where geiko and maiko entertain.

From Gion, a private coach will take you back to your hotel

End at hotel

The remainder of your day is free at leisure

Overnight in Kyoto

SERVICE INCLUDE:
Guiding: English speaking guide
Transfers: Private coach
Entrances: Mentioned in bold letters

DAY 9 – KYOTO – HIROSHIMA

**Luggage will be transferred to the hotel in Osaka separately**
*Please prepare an overnight bag for 1 night in Hiroshima*

Breakfast and check out at hotel

Meet with your assistant at your hotel and transfer to Kyoto station by walk.
Board a bullet train bound for Hiroshima (1 hour 45 minutes) *No guide/assistant will accompany the group on the train ride

Upon arriving at Hiroshima station, your guide will be waiting at the platform of the station.
Lunch on own

After lunch. a private coach will be waiting to take you to the Peace Memorial Park.

Located in the center of the city, Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park takes up over 120,000 square meters and is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in history to suffer a nuclear attack. Before the atomic bomb, the area where the Peace Park now stands used to be the political and commercial heart of the city, and for this reason it was chosen as the pilot's target during World War II. It was decided that the area was not to be redeveloped, but instead devoted to peace memorial facilities.

The park's main attraction is the Peace Memorial Museum. The museum covers the history of Hiroshima and the advent of the nuclear bomb. It provides visitors an opportunity to hear eyewitness testimonies and learn about the devastating effects the A-bomb had on the city of Hiroshima and its people. *The museums Main Building will be closed until Spring 2019 for major renovations. The East Building will remain accessible during this time.

After visiting the museum, a private coach will take you back to your hotel
The remainder of your day is free at leisure

Overnight in Hiroshima

SERVICE INCLUDE:
Guiding: English speaking guide (in Kyoto) / guide (in Hiroshima)
Transfers: Private coach
Bullet Train (Kyoto-Hiroshima/Ordinary class)
Luggage: Transfer Kyoto – Osaka
Entrances: Mentioned in bold letters

DAY 10 – HIROSHIMA – OSAKA

Breakfast and check out at hotel.

After breakfast, meet with your guide for a departure to Miyajima guchi port by private coach where we will board a ferry to Miyajima Island Miyajima is small sacred island located in the Inland Sea. It has been a holy place of Shintoism since the earliest times. Here you will find perhaps the most photographed site in Japan; The Floating Torii Gate which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of Japan's '3 Most Beautiful Views'.
Next a private coach will take you to Hiroshima station.

After arriving at Hiroshima station, you will board a high-speed bullet train bound for Shin-Osaka station. (1.5 hours) *No guide/assistant will accompany the group on the train ride

At Shin-Osaka station, an assistant and a private coach will be waiting to take you to your hotel.
Overnight in Osaka

SERVICE INCLUDE:
Guiding: English speaking guide (in Hiroshima)/ assistant (in Osaka)
Transfers: Private coach
Ferry (From/To Miyajima)
Bullet train (Hiroshima-Shin-Osaka/Ordinary class)
Entrances: Mentioned in bold letters

DAY 11 – OSAKA

Breakfast at hotel and check-out

Free until your departure time.

Meet with your assistant in the hotel lobby for a ransfer to Kansai International Airport by private coach. (90 minutes)
Depart Kansai Airport by XXX

SERVICE INCLUDE:
Guiding: English speaking assistant
Transfers: Private coach

ACCOMMODATION

Tokyo — Shinjuku Washington Hotel — Standard Room — Standard Hakone
Hakone — Ichinoyu Ashinoko — Standard Room — Standard
Kyoto — New Miyako Hotel — Standard Room — Standard
Hiroshima — Hotel New Hiroden — Standard Room — Standard
Osaka — Shin-Osaka Esaka Tokyu REI Hotel — Standard Room — Standard

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