16 days / 15 nights
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| Specific Date |
| Date |
Location |
Program |
B |
L |
D |
| May 08 |
Arrive Osaka |
Arrive Osaka
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D |
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Arrive in Osaka today. Transfer by Airport Bus to the New Hankyu Hotel. Meet your travelling companions over dinner this evening.
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| May 09 |
Osaka / Himeji / Okayama / Kurashiki |
Himeji Castle, Korakuen Garden
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B |
L |
D |
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Depart Osaka this morning by bus for Himeji to visit 'White Heron Castle' - possibly the most beautiful castle in all of Japan and a World Heritage Site (currently undergoing some renovation work). Having escaped bombing during WWII, the castle dates back to 1618. Continue to Okayama with a boxed lunch enroute. Arrive in Okayama and visit Korakuen Garden - considered one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens, from which we can view Okayama Castle - known as 'Crow Castle', due to its black exterior. Time permitting, we will make a stop to view the impressive Seto-Ohashi Bridge, before arriving in Kurashiki. Connecting Honshu to Shikoku - at 13.1 km in length, it is the world's longest two-tiered bridge system. On arrival, check-into the APA Hotel Kurashiki Ekimae.
Before dinner we enjoy a short walking tour of Kurashiki, to get acquainted with the town and Historical District.
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| May 10 |
Kurashiki |
Ohashi House, Historical District, Leisure Time
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B |
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Begin the day with a visit to Ohashi House - built in 1796, this was the home of a wealthy rice merchant. Continue with a walk into the Historical District where we will disband and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. There are several small museums to visit in Kurashiki, including the O'Hara Museum of Art, which features the works of El Greco, Corot, Rodin, Gaugin and Picasso in addition to modern Japanese paintings and antiques. This is a great town for wandering, with its interesting Historical District and lovely willow-lined canal, filled with hungry carp. If you have time to spare, Kurashiki Tivoli Park, modeled after its counterpart in Denmark is a short walk away.
Lunch and dinner are on your own today - our guide will give some suggestions of local restaurants to try.
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| May 11 |
Kurashiki / Hiroshima / Miyajima |
Bullet Train, A-Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Museum, Shukkeien Garden
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B |
L |
D |
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We depart after breakfast on the Bullet Train for Hiroshima. We visit lovely Shukkeien Garden, Peace Memorial Park, the A-Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum and pass by Hiroshima Castle. Lunch today will be Hiroshima Style Okonomiyaki, a local specialty. We then proceed to the pier to catch the ferry to Miyajima Island. (Our suitcases will be sent ahead to wait for us in Kyoto, so just pack a small bag for these 2 days on the island.)
Arriving on Miyajima, we transfer to the Hotel Maya Rikyu. After settling into our Japanese-Style rooms, we will gather for a Japanese dinner. A walk after dinner to view the Itsukushima shrine by night is highly recommended.
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| May 12 |
Miyajima |
Itsukushima Shrine, Daishoin Temple, Leisure Time
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B |
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D |
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This morning, we take a walking tour to get acquainted with the town, and visit Itsukushima Shrine, with its massive vermilion torii gate. At low tide, you can go out and actually walk through the gate. We also explore the Daishoin Temple Complex before disbanding for the day, as the balance of the day is at leisure. Miyajima is a joy to discover on foot. There are a number of small museums, temples and shrines to explore in addition to the Miyajima Aquarium. There is also a bustling shopping district with plenty of restaurants to choose from for lunch. If natures wonders are of more interest, follow the signs to Momijidani Park, or perhaps ride the cable-car to Miyajima's highest peak, Mount Misen at 525m (1,750-ft.). We gather this evening for dinner.
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| May 13 |
Miyajima / Kyoto |
Walking Tour in Kyoto, Gion Geisha District
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B |
L |
D |
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After breakfast we will bid farewell to Miyajima as we re-board the ferry for the mainland. Returning to Hiroshima, we board the Bullet Train for Kyoto. Boxed lunch enroute. On arrival in Kyoto, check in to the Hotel Sunroute Kyoto. The hotel is within easy walking distance of Shijo Dori with its multitude of shops, restaurants and department stores. The Nishiki Food Market and surrounding arcade also offer many dining options in the area. Nearby Gion is close enough for a nightly stroll and we explore the neighbourhood this afternoon and take a walk in Gion before dinner. If we're lucky, we'll catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko on her way to an evening appointment.
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| May 14 |
Kyoto |
Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, Heian Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple
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B |
L |
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Tour Kyoto today, beginning with Nijo Castle, once used as the Tokugawa Shoguns family palace. Next, visit Kinkakuji Temple - The Golden Pavilion, a gilded structure originally used for a nobleman's villa. After lunch, continue sightseeing with vermilion hued Heian Shrine, and its beautiful garden and dramatic Kiyomizu Temple, in Kyoto's eastern hills.
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| May 15 |
Kyoto |
Nara: Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple; Fushimi Inari Shrine
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B |
L |
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This morning, travel out of Kyoto to nearby Nara. Highlights include Todaiji Temple, the world's largest wooden building that houses a colossal image of Buddha, Peaceful Deer Park, where many tame deer roam the grounds, vermilion-hued Kasuga Shrine with its thousands of lanterns and Kofukuji Temple and Treasure Hall. Time permitting, on the way back to Kyoto we visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, dedicated to the goddess of rice. The 4km pathway behind the shrine is lined with more than 10,000 red torii gates, presented by worshippers - a magical stroll.
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| May 16 |
Kyoto |
Day at Leisure
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B |
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Full day at leisure to explore Kyoto. There is plenty to see and do here - museums, temples, shrines, and many, many gardens. The Kyoto Botanical Garden is excellent, and easily reached by subway. The city is easy to navigate, by foot or by transit - just grab a map and go! Optional tours are also available.
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| May 17 |
Kyoto / Kanazawa |
Nagamachi Samurai District, Shima Geish House, Kenrokuen Garden
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B |
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D |
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Depart by train this morning for Kanazawa. (Our suitcases will be sent ahead to wait for us in Takayama.) Sightseeing will include a stroll through Nagamachi Samurai District, visiting Nomura Samurai House, Higashi Chaya Geisha District, visiting Shima Geisha House, Myoryuji (Ninja) Temple and Kenrokuen Garden - another of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens. Check into the Toyoko Kanazawa-eki Higashi-guchi Hotel for overnight accommodation.
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| May 18 |
Kanazawa / Takayama |
Village of Ogimachi, Gasso Zukhuri Village
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B |
L |
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Depart by coach this morning into the Japan Alps. Visit the charming village of Ogimachi, in the Shirakawa-go valley. Tour the Gasso Zukhuri Village, and see how local families live at Gasshozukuri Seikatsu Shiryokan and Wada Ke House. The 'praying-hands' thatched-roof farmhouses are massive, housing large extended families. The entire village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There will be some free time to explore before continuing on to Takayama. We will check-into our Japanese style rooms (with Western mattresses!) at Takayama Ouan and embark on an orientation walk in the town to acquaint you with some restaurant options nearby. Dinner at leisure.
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| May 19 |
Takayama |
Miyagawa Morning Market, Takayama's Historic District
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B |
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This morning, our first stop is the Miyagawa Morning Market - quaint and colourful, with produce and other local goods. Walk in San-machi Suji - Takayama's Historic District and tour Kusakabe House - one of a number of Merchant Homes that may be visited in Takayama. Balance of the day at leisure for further exploration. There are a number of small museums in town, and a longer walk takes you to another wonderful folk village, Hida-no-Sato, or nearby Shiroyama Park.
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| May 20 |
Takayama / Matsumoto / Tokyo |
Matsumoto Castle, Japan Ukiyo-e Museum
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B |
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D |
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Depart this morning on a spectacular drive to Matsumoto. Visit the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, with its exceptional collection of woodblock prints. On arrival in Matsumoto, enjoy some free time for lunch before visiting Matsumoto Castle - known as 'Crow Castle' due to its black exterior walls, the castle's origins date back to 1504. Late this afternoon we continue by bus for Tokyo, arriving this evening. A boxed dinner will be provided enroute. On arrival check-in at the Yaesu Fujiya Hotel.
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| May 21 |
Tokyo |
Tsukiji Market, Hama Rikyu Garden, Asakusa, Imperial Palace Plaza, Ginza
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B |
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Tokyo is an enormous city, but surprisingly accessible by public transit. Our central location also affords us the opportunity to do much of today's sightseeing on foot. We will begin early, with a visit to Tsukiji Market - the largest wholesale fish market in Japan. The action here is incredible, and the sights amazing - the vendors are polite, and don't mind us taking pictures. There is free time to explore here as we cannot visit the market as a group. Next, visit nearby Hama Rikyu Garden, before continuing by water-bus to Asakusa. We visit Asakusa Kannon Temple and take some free time for lunch and strolling the Nakamise shopping street. Another subway ride takes us to the Imperial Palace Plaza, and we finish the day with a walk through Ginza, Japan's most famous shopping district.
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| May 22 |
Depart Tokyo |
Depart - OR - Extend your stay to visit Mt. Fuji
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B |
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Free time to explore until you transfer to the airport for departure by Airport Bus.
OR Join a full day excursion to Mt. Fuji (join-in tour).
Set off by deluxe motorcoach this morning to Mt. Fuji. Keep a topcoat handy, as you will be driving halfway up to Mt. Fujis fifth station. You will also visit the Fuji Visitors Center. After lunch, proceed to Hakone to enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi, and time permitting, an aerial cableway ride up and down Mt. Komagatake. Return to Tokyo by Bullet Train, and your tour will finish at Tokyo station, walking distance or a short taxi ride from the hotel.
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| May 23 |
Depart Tokyo |
Depart for extension passengers. Extra nights are available.
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B |
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Free time to explore until you transfer to the airport for departure by Airport Bus.
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