10 Days Japan Discovery

Day 1 | Arrive Tokyo

‘Konnichiwa’ and welcome to dazzling, futuristic Tokyo, Japan’s incredible capital city. One of the most culturally rich cities on earth, Tokyo is the kind of place where everyday is a new adventure, and where no two neighbourhoods are the same. Some are deeply connected to the past, all glowing lanterns and low-slung rustic buildings, whilst others only have eyes for the future. To say Tokyo is eclectic would be a disservice to a city that prides itself on having something for everyone. This evening meet up with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for your first taste of Japanese cuisine.

Meals: Dinner

Hotel: Shinjuku Washington

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Day 2 | Tokyo Sightseeing

Diving in to all that Tokyo has to offer, today’s sightseeing tour will kick off 243 metres above the ground as you take in panoramic views of the city from the twin towered Tokyo Metropolitan Observatory. Step inside a forested inner-city oasis with a visit to the tranquil Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine, which was built to protect the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shōken. Soak in the peaceful surroundings here and make a wish on a traditional ema before heading on to Asakusa for a glimpse of Old Tokyo. Browse the craft shops along Nakamise Street, then visit the Sensoji Buddhist Temple, which has been rebuilt countless times since it was founded in the 7th century. This afternoon and evening it’s all about tailoring your trip your way. Perhaps take advantage of our optional visit to the Tokyo National Museum, where you’ll be treated to collections of Japanese art, samurai swords, intricate kimonos and more, followed by a trip to two of Tokyo’s premium shopping destinations, Ameyoko and Ginza. This evening, you could choose to get creative at a Sushi Making Experience.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Shinjuku Washington

CHOICE OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Tokyo National Museum, Ameyoko & Ginza - Love art? Home to the world's largest collection of Japanese art, you'll delight at Tokyo National Museum's pottery, Buddhist sculptures, samurai swords, ornate kimonos and more. Next up, visit Ameyoko shopping street, once a black market after World War II, today a buzzing market of 400 stalls. Top off the day shopping in the funky Ginza district.  The price shown is in Japanese Yen.

Adult: 5500.00 JPY

Sushi-Making Experience - Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on sushi-making experience! Guided by an expert sushi chef, you’ll master the art of creating delicious sushi and maki rolls. Vegetarian options are also available. After crafting your culinary creations, sit down to savour your sushi alongside traditional Japanese dishes like miso soup and crispy tempura. The price shown is in Japanese Yen. 

Adult: 10500.00 JPY

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Day 3 | Mt. Fuji and Hakone Sightseeing

You may have seen glimpses of its snowcapped peaks but today's the day you get up close and personal when you visit Mt. Fuji, the highest volcano in Japan. Driving up to the Fuji Subaru Line 5 Station (weather permitting), catch your breath as you survey the scenery from 2300 metres above sea level. Take in the spectacular views of the Fuji Five Lakes area below and enjoy some free time for lunch in the shadow of Mt. Fuji's iconic peak. Not done with incredible scenery just yet, you'll then catch the Komagatake Ropeway for equally impressive views of Lake Ashi, a crater formed lake. Driving back through Hakone, take in the incomparable mountain scenery and traditional buildings of this tranquil little city getaway before heading back to your hotel where the evening is all yours to stay in, or get out there and explore the streets on your last night in Tokyo.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Shinjuku Washington

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Day 4 | Tokyo - Kyoto

Board the bullet train this morning and speed towards the atmospheric city of Kyoto at a staggering 320 kilometres per hour. Known for geishas, gorgeous temples and traditional teahouses, Kyoto will undoubtedly charm you in an instant, then continue to impress on your sightseeing tour this afternoon. Starting off at the iconic Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, gaze in wonder at this gold leaf covered beauty that shines like a beacon above its reflecting pond. Heading on to the visually stunning Heianjingu Shrine, discover the history of this Shinto masterpiece and visit the 25 metre high torii gate that is equally, if not more beautiful than the shine itself. From here it will be on to a traditional handicraft centre to browse the Japanese crafts, before finally arriving at your hotel. No doubt hungry from an action-packed day, dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Kyoto Tower Annex

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Day 5 | Kyoto Free Day

Waking up this morning, the day is free to explore your way, and beautiful Kyoto is a prospect that will surely fill you with excitement. Perhaps start your day surrounded by lush greenery at the Ginkaku-ji shrine, or head over to the Gion district in the hopes of catching a glimpse of a geisha. Think of yourself as something of a foodie? You're in the right place. Kyoto is a huge culinary destination where you can enjoy fresh sushi, steaming bowls of ramen or creamy matcha ice cream to your heart's content, most likely at the Nishiki Market. This morning we imagine that you'll find our optional visit to Nara hard to resist. Known as a place that specialises in the art of bokusho (ink making), you'll watch talented artisans create these beautiful masterpieces and even have a go yourself before heading on to Todaji Temple and Nara Park, an area taken over by hundreds of cute, free roaming deer. Keen to see a Kyoto icon? You could join our optional trip to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. It's instantly recognisable for its tunnel of thousands of orange vermilion torii gates stretching upwards through a thickly wooded mountain towards the shrine.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Kyoto Tower Annex

CHOICE OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Nara Visit and Ink Making Experience - Delve into ‘bokusho,’ the art of ink-making. These handcrafted inksticks are more than just utensils used by calligraphers and artists, they're works of art. Observe the artisans at work and have a go at making your own. Later, visit Todaji Temple, one of Japan's most historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara housing one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha. Afterwards, visit Nara Park, you might recognise it as the home to hundreds of freely roaming deer.  The price shown is in Japanese Yen

Adult: 7500.00 JPY

Japanese BBQ Experience with Unlimited Drinks - Fire up the flavour with a Japanese BBQ, or Yakiniku, one of Japan’s most beloved dining traditions. Grill tender meats and fresh vegetables on a traditional metal net over sizzling charcoal. With appetizers and desserts included, your taste buds are in for a treat! The price shown is in Japanese Yen.

Adult: 10500.00 JPY

You will have the opportunity to choose between the following two Choice Experiences:

Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple - Dive into Kyoto’s history at Kiyomizu Temple, a UNESCO-listed treasure perched in the foothills of Mount Otowa. Soak in the views from its famous wooden stage, make a wish at the sacred waterfall, then wander through the endless sea of orange torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. 

Adult: 6500.00 JPY

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience - Traditional Tea in Wazuka Village - Located in the southern part of Kyoto, Wazuka village is famous for its exquisite matcha green tea. Step into the world of a family-owned tea farm that stands as a pillar of the community, fostering employment, education, and tourism. Embark on a guided tour through the tea fields, guided by those who know it best, and uncover the deep-rooted significance of tea in local culture. Complete your visit with a tea tasting session, savouring the flavours that make Wazuka's matcha well known.

Adult: 8500.00 JPY

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Day 6 | Kyoto - Kurashiki - Hiroshima

Leaving Kyoto behind your first stop today will be Kurashiki, where you'll meet up with a Local Guide for a sightseeing tour of the historic Bikan Quarter. With black and white warehouses converted into contemporary museums, old wooden houses and winding laneways, this area exudes a timeless elegance. You'll learn stories about the trading history of the district before heading on to Hiroshima, a place that needs little introduction and a city where peace and hope resound. Destroyed beyond recognition on the 6 August 1945 by the world's first atomic bomb attack, Hiroshima respectfully remembers its catastrophic past while looking to the future with optimism. It's a thriving cosmopolitan city with a lot to offer, including its delicious cuisine. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Oriental / Hiroshima Tokyu Rei

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Day 7 | Hiroshima Sightseeing

Today's Hiroshima sightseeing tour will begin with a ferry ride across the beautiful Seto Inland Sea, bound for the island of Miyajima. Considered one of Japan's most scenic spots, this is where you'll visit the 12th-century Itsukushima Shrine and see the famous orange torii gate, which appears to be floating above the sea. Heading back to Hiroshima, it will be on to the quiet, leafy space of the Peace Memorial Park. Dotted with memorials and tranquil spaces for reflection, visit the cenotaph displaying the names of all those who lost their lives in the catastrophe before heading on to the Memorial Museum. Here, exhibits of ragged clothes, a melted lunchbox and a watch frozen in time at 8.15am all bring home the horror of a day that changed history forever. Your tour will end at the UNESCO-listed Peace Memorial, the only building in the city to survive the bomb. This afternoon, perhaps opt to join our ‘Secrets of Hiroshima' Choice Experience.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Oriental / Hiroshima Tokyu Rei

CHOICE OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Secrets of Hiroshima - Craving oysters, sashimi, miso soup, and more? Your taste buds are in for a treat! Feast on local favourites after visiting Shukkeien Japanese Garden. ‘Shukkeien,’ meaning ‘shrunken-scenery garden,’ features miniature valleys, mountains, and forests, all connected by a picturesque winding path. Later, visit Hiroshima Castle, built in 1589. Its grounds are surrounded by a moat. Like the rest of the city, it was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945, but thankfully, it was rebuilt 13 years later. The price shown is in Japanese Yen.

Adult: 10500.00 JPY

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Day 8 | Hiroshima - Himeji

Heading on from Hiroshima, this morning you'll journey on to Himeji, a city best known for its beautiful and fairy taleesque 400-year-old castle. After some free time for lunch and exploring the city your way, this afternoon you'll meet up with a Local Guide to visit the UNESCO-listed castle. Known as the White Heron Castle, this site is widely considered Japan's most spectacular castle and looking up at its vast size, beauty and stunning gardens, it won't be hard to see why. Learn about its history before heading on to your hotel for an evening free to spend however you choose.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Nikko Himeji

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Day 9 | Himeji - Osaka

On the last full day of your Japan tour package, perhaps start with a visit to a sake brewery led by your Local Guide. Made with a combination of quality rice, clean water, koji mould and yeast, sake is the drink that compliments just about anything in Japan. Learn about its history and brewing process before heading on to the final destination of your Japanese adventure, Osaka, a spirited and liberal city. With an afternoon free to explore your way, explore this neon sign loving metropolis or take advantage of our Chioce Experience to the Umeda Sky Building and Osaka Castle. Standing at 170 metres tall, admire the views of the city from the Floating Garden Observatory before heading on to the striking castle to delve into the rich collection of paintings, samurai costumes and historical artefacts that are housed within its walls. This evening and to see out your trip in style, you can opt to join our foodie inspired experience to Namba, Osaka's dining and entertainment hub, for a final feast of local delights.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Hankyu Respire Osaka

CHOICE OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Umeda Sky Building & Osaka Castle - Get a bird's eye view of Osaka from the Umeda Sky Building. Take it all in from the Floating Garden Observatory – an open air viewing platform that straddles the two towers of the Umeda Sky Building. Head to Osaka Castle, a historical landmark in the middle of the modern cityscapes which was built around 1585 by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Choose to see historical artefacts, samurai costumes, colourful paintings and a model village of a 16th century castle town.  The price shown is in Japanese Yen.

Adult: 6000.00 JPY

Dinner in Dotonbori - Savory Okomomiyaki Japanese pancakes, takoyaki fried snack, kushikatsu deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables. Hungry yet? In Namba, the dining and entertainment district of Osaka, head to a local restaurant for a dinner of traditional Osakan cuisine followed by dessert. Wash it all down with 90 mins of unlimited drinks, with your choice of with a choice of beer, soft drinks, or even traditional, fragrant sake.  The price shown is in Japanese Yen.

Adult: 10500.00 JPY

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Day 10 | Depart Osaka

Culturally satisfied after your incredible Japan journey. We're sure you'll be leaving with big smiles courtesy of Japan's faultless hospitality. Say sayonara to your fellow travellers.

Meals: Breakfast