From the towers and gadgets of Tokyo to the serenity of sacred shrines and the soaring beauty of Mt Fuji, this tour provides the perfect blend of guided excursions and free time to explore this fascinating region at your own pace. Linger in the gardens of Kyoto, shoot through the mountain air on a Shinkansen bullet train, and stay in a traditional Japanese Inn.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Wellness Moment: Onsen Spa Visit, Kawaguchiko
Your Discover Moment: Tokyo. Higashi Chaya District visit. Kenroku-en garden visit. Nagamachi Samurai District walk. Hida No Sato folk village visit. Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum visit. Miyajima Island excursion. Nijo Castle and gardens visit. Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion visit. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine visit. Lake Kawaguchiko (Five Lakes Region) walk. Kaiseki dinner. Japan Rail (JR) pass (14 days). All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Experience the past in Takayama's folk village and Kyoto's historic centre, explore Nijo Castle, lose yourself in the picturesque Kenroku-en Garden, marvel at iconic Mt Fuji and Miyajima's floating torii gate
How large will the group be?
Max 15, avg 12
What meals are included in this trip?
1 breakfast, 1 dinner
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Bullet train, local train, subway, tram, ferry, public bus, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (10 nts), traditional inns (1 nt), traditional inns with shared facilities (2 nts).
Itinerary
Tokyo
Arrive to your starting hotel around 4:00 pm and join your group and CEO for a Welcome Meeting in the evening around 6:00 pm. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. Please ensure you arrive on time for the welcome meeting and bring your passport so your CEO can collect the required information for your train tickets. Refer to your voucher for the most up to date welcome meeting time.
Tokyo/Kanazawa
In the morning collect your JR Pass. Board a bullet train for Kanazawa in the afternoon. The evening is yours to explore, or opt to attend a dinner with the group. Take a short train ride to Kanazawa. In the 17th century, this beautifully preserved castle town was Japan's wealthiest, and it became a thriving center for culture and arts.
Kanazawa
Explore the city's well-preserved geisha district. Then, stroll through Kenroke-en, ranked one of the nation's top three gardens before exploring the historic Nagamachi samurai district. After strolling through the expansive gardens of Kenrokuen, opt to stop at the massive Kanazawa castle next door.
Kanazawa is also home to many interesting museums, opt to visit one or learn more about local crafts. Loving the food in the city? Take a trip to the local seafood market to see where some of the fresh, tasty ingredients come from.
Kanazawa/Takayama
Arrive in picturesque Takayama and relax in the traditional Japanese inn. Arrive in Takayama in the afternoon and begin taking in the beautiful scenery of this traditional city.
Takayama
Explore the Hida No Sato traditional folk village, and walk the quaint streets of the old town – lined with sake breweries and craft shops. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the area. Enjoy free time to explore this beautiful landscape. Discover traces of a feudal past in the thatched houses and rice fields. Opt to visit one of the markets or rent a bike and cycle out of the town centre and into the countryside.
Takayama/Hiroshima
Arrive in Hiroshima and visit the Peace Park and Museum to learn more about the tragic history of this city. The large Peace Park in the centre of the city is an extremely moving place dotted with memorials of those killed by the atomic bomb and others who subsequently died. The burning flame in the park will only be extinguished when all nuclear weapons in the world have been destroyed. Take a tram ride through the city to reach Peace Park.
Hiroshima
Take a ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima to see the famous floating Torii Gate and meet the friendly local deer. Take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, not far from the coast.
Here, view one of the most photographed sights in Japan— the floating Torii Gate. The shrine itself dates back to the 6th century and is designed in a pier-like structure.
Enjoy time to explore the island and its many shrines and temples. Sample local treats like maple leaf shaped cakes, and opt to hike up to the peak of the island, Mt Misen, to see spectacular views of the surrounding islands.
Hiroshima/Kyoto
Travel to historic Kyoto. Explore the marvellous Fushimi Inari shrine and walk under thousands of torii gates. Continue on to Kyoto, the former imperial capital and home of the country's most treasured remnants of Japanese imperial life.
Walk around Gion and perhaps catch a glimpse of a geisha going from teahouse to teahouse.
Kyoto
Wander the impressive Nijo Castle and gardens before visiting Kyoto's iconic Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion.
Kyoto
Spend a full free day discovering the Zen gardens, huge wooden temples, pagodas and shrines of Kyoto. Opt to enjoy the Zen gardens of Ryoan-ji and the Silver Pavilion, and take a leisurely stroll down the lovely Philosopher’s path to Nanzen-ji.
Kyoto/Fujikawaguchiko
Travel to the Mt Fuji region and enjoy optional walks around Lake Kawaguchi. Savour an amazing Japanese kaiseki dinner. Leave Kyoto and travel to Kawaguchiko arriving mid afternoon. Take the rest of the afternoon to visit the Onsen Spa at tonight's accommodation before dinner.
Fujikawaguchiko/Tokyo
Enjoy a morning in Kawaguchiko exploring the Five Lakes region on foot. Later, travel to Tokyo by train.
Tokyo
Explore buzzing Tokyo with a free day. Opt take in some more sights, visit the museums and gardens, or do some shopping. Meet with the group later tonight for our final dinner together.
Tokyo
Depart at any time. We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this vibrant city.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
