Best of Japan (14 days)
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Tokyo - Hakone - Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa - Kyoto - Hiroshima - Osaka -
International Flight -
Accommodation -
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Meals -
Escorted Tour -
Domestic Flights -
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Visa -
Insurance -
Tipping
Interested in Japan’s historical sites and scenic wonders? It’s cosmopolitan cities and quaint small towns? Best of Japan tour covers all. This small group tour will guide you through the best sites Japan has to offer.
Day 1 London Heathrow to Tokyo
Depart London Heathrow for international flight to Tokyo.
We can also arrange departures from your local airport.
Day 2 Tokyo
Upon arrival at Tokyo International Airport, you will be greeted by our English-speaking assistant and transferred to your hotel in city centre. Spend the rest of the day acclimatise or if you feel up to it, make most of the easy access to JR station and metro to explore the city at your own leisure.
Day 3 Tokyo
This morning we meet our guide in hotel lobby, embark on grand tour of Tokyo. First visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Japan’s first modern time emperor – Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, the shrine was completed in 1920. It offers a piece of tranquillity in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. We then continue to Shibuya Crossing, one of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks. We’ll take a cruise on the Sumida River, and visit Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping street. End the tour by visit Ginza, Tokyo’s famous upmarket shopping area.
Return to hotel after tour.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 4 Tokyo - Mt Fuji/Hakone
This morning we embark on our journey to Mt Fuji and Hakone National Park by coach. Mt Fuji is not only the highest (3,776 metres) and most sacred mountain in Japan, it’s also the symbol of Japan. We visit Mt Fuji 5th Station, Owakudani Boiling Valley, Hakone Ropeway, Boat Cruise on Lake Ashi. Return to Tokyo late afternoon / evening.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Day 5 Tokyo - Takayama
Today we leave Tokyo and travel to Takayama. Located in the mountainous Hida region, Takayama is well preserved and offers a rare glimpse into the ancient past.
Visit Yatai Kaikan, Jinya House and Kamisannomachi – Takayama’s beautifully preserved Old Town.
Transfer to hotel for dinner.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 6 Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa
After breakfast, we enjoy a guided tour of Takayama and Shirakawago (deep in the mountains in Shogawa River Valley, and UNESCO world heritage site, Shirakawago is famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses). Visit Takayama Morning Market, Shirakawago Hamlet, Wada House and Observatory Deck.
Proceed to Kanazawa in the afternoon.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 7 Kanazawa
Kanazawa, a charming coastal city, is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. Largely unscathed during the second world war, Kanazawa is one of Japan’s best preserved historical cities. Take a guided tour of Kanazawa, visit Kenrokuen, Higashichaya Street and Nomura Samurai House. Also stop by a Gold Leaf Workshop. Gold leaf has been made in Japan since ancient times. Nowadays Kanazawa is the largest producer of gold leaf in all of Japan make up to 99% of the overall production. Here you’ll create own work of art and take home as souvenir.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 8 Kanazawa - Kyoto
Continue your journey by limited express train Thunderbird to Kyoto. Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years since 794. Now still the cultural capital, the city boasts over 2,000 shrines and temples. After check in to hotel, you’ll have some free time to explore this historical city.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 9 Kyoto
Today enjoy a full day tour of Kyoto which will include Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogun in 1603, noted for the contrast of its solemn appearance and gorgeous interiors. Then continue to the Golden Pavillion, with the most authentic and exquisite Japanese style garden. Afternoon the tour continues to the Kiyomizu Temple, where you will enjoy a sweeping view of the entire city from its lofty terrace, surrounded by a quaint old lane lined with pottery shops. The tour then takes you to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of some 40,000 inari-jinja shrines located all over Japan. The bright red Senbon Torii gates are a must-see attraction.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 10 Kyoto - Hiroshima
Enjoy a relaxing morning in Kyoto.
Afternoon take Shinkansen bullet trains to Hiroshima – the principal city of the Chugoku Region, a city rebuild from the ashes.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 11 Hiroshima - Miyajima/Hiroshima
Undoubtedly our tour of Hiroshima begins with the Atomic Bomb Memorial Dome and Peace Memorial Museum. Also takes in Miyajima Island, visit Itsukushima Shrine.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 12 Hiroshima - Osaka
Morning continue our journey by Shinkansen to Osaka – Japan’s second largest metropolitan area, a vibrant city famous for its street food and friendly local people. Visit Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building Observatory and Dotombori area.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 13 Osaka
Free day to explore or do some last minute shopping.
We recommend a visit to the Himeji Castle (only half an hour away by bullet train).
Day 14 Osaka to London Heathrow
Sadly our adventure in Japan has come to an end. Transfer to Osaka Kansai Airport for flight to London.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Surrounded by trees, this upscale hotel is 9 minutes’ walk from Shinagawa Station and a 12-minute walk from Sengaku-ji, a revered Buddhist temple.
Visit the website to see more!
Visit the website to see more!
A 3-minute walk from Kanazawa train station, this upscale high-rise hotel is 2 km from both Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en garden, which is considered 1 of Japan’s 3 perfect gardens.
Visit the website to see more!
This upmarket hotel is 4 km from both Kiyomizu-dera temple and Nijō Castle.
Visit the website to see more!
A 3-minute walk from trains at Hiroshima Station, this refined high-rise hotel is 3 km from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and 25 km from Itsukushima Shrine, a Shinto religious complex.
Visit the website to see more!
Set in a bustling area, this polished hotel is a 3-minute walk from Osaka-Umeda train station, a 7-minute walk from the observation deck at Umeda Sky Building and 5 km from Osaka Castle.
Visit the website to see more!
Tour Price includes:
- International economy flights;
- Hotel / Ryokan accommodation as shown (based on twin occupancy);
- Meals as described (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner);
- Meeting and assistance on arrivals and departures;
- Sightseeing excursions with English speaking private guides;
- Entrance fees for visits mentioned in program;
- Bullet Train (Shinkansen) journeys where mentioned in program;
- All currently applicable taxes.
Tour Price excludes:
- Drinks during meals;
- Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs etc;
- Travel insurance (can be arranged, please ask for details);
- Optional tours;
- Early check-in or late check-out;
- Flight and accommodation upgrades.
