Japan's Hidden Treasures
Prices from £3169pp - 13 Days
Fully Inclusive from UK
Price is based on departure from Heathrow, other departure airport available for a supplement.
Hotel details
Day 1: Overnight flight:
Your tour begins with an overnight flight to Tokyo, Japan, the seat of Japanese government and home to the Imperial Palace. Lose a day en route as you cross the International Dateline.
Day 2: Arrive Tokyo:
Arrive in Japan's vibrant and energetic capital of Tokyo. Welcome to "The Land of the Rising Sun" where you are about to embark on a journey unlike any other.
Day 3: Tokyo, Japan:
Intertwining ancient Japanese culture with modern society, Tokyo encompasses centuries of art, culture and history. Begin with a visit to the Meiji Shrine, honouring both Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, who ruled from 1867 – 1912, and learn why he is recognised as the central figure in Japan's rapid modernization. Later, stroll through Nakamise Shopping Arcade, one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan, followed by a visit to Asakusa Kannon, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist Temple. A brief stop is made outside the gates of the Imperial Palace before returning to the hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner.
Day 4: Tokyo - Hakone - Tokyo:
Leave Tokyo and travel to Hakone, part of a magnificent national park, and enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi, well known for its reflection of Mt. Fuji (weather permitting). A ride on the Komagatake Ropeway cable car provides spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi and Mt. Futago. The valley contains clear lakes, volcanic peaks, steaming hot springs and shady valleys. Legend says that eating just one black egg that has been boiled in the healthy sulphur springs of the valley can add five to seven years to a person's life! See the treasures contained at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, where the artist uses kimonos as his paper and silk thread as his paint to create the most outstanding tie-dye kimonos in the world.
Day 5: Tokyo - Nagano:
This morning you will travel via the famous Shinkansen, or “bullet train,” to Nagano, home of the 1998 Winter Olympics. This afternoon you will take a walking tour to the Zenkoji Temple. One of the most visited temples in Japan, Zenkoji was founded 1,400 years ago and stores what many believe to be the first Buddhist statue ever brought into Japan. A replica of this statue is displayed to the public every seven years. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore on your own.
Day 6: Nagano:
Enjoy some leisure time in Obuse Town, an historical site and home to three major museums all linked to the famous painter Katsushika Hokusai who spent his latter years living here. Your lunch features local beef delicacies allowing you to sample the amazing flavours of this region. Continue to Jigokudani Yaen Koen, the only place on earth where wild monkeys bathe in hot springs.
Day 7: Nagano - Takayama:
This morning make a brief stop at Matsumoto Castle, built in 1504 and designated a national treasure. Next, visit the Ukiyoe Museum, which showcases fine wood block prints of Japanese customs and history. A special experience awaits you with a visit to Daio Wasabi Nojo Farm, where pungent wasabi is grown. Here you will make pickles and enjoy a local lunch of soba noodles and tempura. In the late afternoon, arrive at a traditional Japanese inn where you will spend the night and have a complete Japanese experience. This evening, dressed in a time-honoured kimono, you will savour a traditional dinner. Later, you may enjoy the luxurious hot spring baths at your hotel.
Day 8: Takayama - Kanazawa:
Begin the day with a stroll to the morning market then visit Takayama Jinya, the regional headquartres during the Edo period and host to one of Japan's greatest festivals. See many of the floats and marionettes during a visit to Matsuri-no-Mori. Later, a drive through Shirakawago and Gokayama showcases farmhouses with steep thatched roofs, a style called “gassho-zukuri,” which translates into "hands-clasped in prayer." Learn how to make Japanese paper at Gokayama Washi-no-Sato. Washi is usually made from bark but can also be formed from bamboo or grains.
Day 9: Kanazawa:
Return to the days of the samurai when you visit Nomura Family House, the traditional residence of Nagamachi Samurai. Continuing your tour, stroll through the Oumicho Fish Market, which has been providing food for feudal lords and citizens for about 270 years. Visit the traditional Geisha district of Higashi and a Shima (tea house). An afternoon spent at Kanazawa Castle, built in 1583, and Kenrokuen Garden, constructed as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, will certainly offer the time and environment for reflection.
Day 10: Kanazawa - Otsu:
The morning drive brings you to Miho Museum, also known as the “Museum in the Mountains.” The museum was the dream of Mihoko Koyama, the heiress to the Toyobo textile business and houses a private collection of Asian and Western antiques. Continue to Otsu, once briefly the capital of Japan, where your hotel is located on the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest fresh water lake in Japan.
Day 11: Otsu - Kyoto:
In Kyoto visit two temples considered national treasures, Kiyomizu Temple, with its panoramic views of this former Imperial capital and Sanjusangen-do Temple, which houses more than 1,030 standing Buddhist statues in its main hall. At Nijo Castle, built in 1626, see elaborate wood carvings and wall paintings. With two concentric fortifications, this unique castle also features the Ninomaru Garden designed by the famous landscape architect and tea master Kobori Enshu. Visit the Kinkakuji Temple, or the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, originally built in 1397, and dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. You will also enjoy a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto during the afternoon. This evening you may take an optional excursion to Gion Corner, a popular night spot where you can experience an overview of seven kinds of Japanese traditional arts and entertainment.
Day 12: Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto:
Today, travel to Nara, Japan's first capital. Todaiji Temple, completed in 1752, houses one of the largest bronze statues in the world. The Great Buddha Hall, dating from 1709, is the world's largest wooden structure and a national treasure. Kasuguga Taisha Shrine, situated in a forest, is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Nara and one of the "Three Great Shrines" in Japan, known for its thousands of lanterns. Your day concludes with a visit to Byodoin Temple, with its remarkable Phoenix Hall, dating back 950 years. Join your fellow travellers this evening for a special farewell dinner.
Day 13: Kyoto - Osaka - Tour Concludes:
As you depart this fascinating land, take a moment to reflect on all you have learned about the rich history and traditional culture of this country. On your return home, you will cross the International Dateline and gain a day, arriving in the U.S. the same day you departed Japan.
Offer details
Staying from 24 Jun 2010 for 13 nights
Departing from London airport, arriving at Tokyo
