Price from £3315 - 14 Days
Fully Inclusive from UK
Departures available from: 28 July 2010 - 26 Oct 2011
Departure from Heathrow. Other departure airports available for a supplement.
Hotel details
1. London to Tokyo:
Your door-to-door driver takes you to London Heathrow for your non-stop, overnight Japan Airlines flight to Tokyo.
2. Tokyo:
Arrive in Tokyo this morning and check in to the centrally located Keio Plaza Hotel, your home for the next three nights. The rest of today is free for you to relax, settle in and enjoy your new surroundings.
3. Tokyo:
Tour the sophisticated and vibrant city of Tokyo this morning taking in many of the major sights. Begin with the forested Shinto shrine of Meiji Jingu and the spacious plaza and pine groves of Imperial Palace Plaza, including the bronze statue of Kusunoki Masashige, a 14th-century samurai. Continue to the Asakusa Kannon Temple and the Nakamise arcade (one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan) before passing the afternoon at leisure, exploring at your own pace.
4. Nikko:
Spend a full day in the nearby region of Nikko, a former summer retreat for Japan’s imperial families. After visiting the Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogun in the Edo period, journey up the 48 hairpin zigzags of Irohazaka Driveway to the stunning blue waters of Lake Chuzanji and the 97-metre cascade of Kengo Waterfall, fed by the waters of the lake. This afternoon, head back to Tokyo and your hotel.
5. Tokyo to Kamakura and Hakone:
En route to Hakone today, take a break in Kamakura, site of the first Shogunate capital. After visiting the Kotokuin Temple, with its famous Daibutsu bronze Buddha image, continue on through the stunning scenery of Sagami Bay and Odawarae. Reaching Hakone, the Hakone Palace Hotel welcomes you for the next two nights.
6. Hakone:
A full day exploring the Hakone region, beginning in the Owakudani Valley. Enjoy stunning views of Japan’s highest mountain, Mount Fuji, along with the idyllic valley scenery of crystal-clear lakes, volcanic peaks and steaming hot springs, before cruising on Lake Ashi – one of the stunning lakes in the Five Lakes area. This afternoon, take a cable car up Mount Komagatake Ropeway to the summit and visit the Hakone Shrine and Treasure Hall before heading back to your hotel.
7. Hakone to Kyoto:
Journey by rail today as you board the Shinkansen express bullet train at Mishima bound for Kyoto. Reaching Kyoto, check in at the Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto, in the heart of the city, for the first of three nights. The afternoon is free for you to do as you please.
8. Kyoto:
Explore Kyoto on a full-day city tour. The many beautiful and historic sites include Nijo Castle, a World Heritage Site built in 1603; the elaborate Ninomaru Palace with its corridors of creaky floorboards to warn of an assassin’s approach; the wide verandahs and cliff-top hall of Kinkakuji Temple, which overlook the deep valley below; and the Heian Shrine, a mini replica of the first Imperial Palace and shrine dedicated to the founder of Kyoto, Emperor Kammu. There will also be a chance to take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony before returning to your hotel late this afternoon.
9. Nara and Kyoto:
Head to Nara, site of Japan’s first permanent capital, and take a morning orientation tour. Explore the Todaiji Temple, built in 752 AD and home to one of the largest bronze statues in the world the Great Buddha is considered a National Treasure. Next, visit Nara Park, where more than 1200 tame deer roam around the groves of cedar, oak, andromeda and wisteria, and view the peaceful forested shrine of Kasuga Taisha. This afternoon, you’ve some free time in Kyoto.
10. Kyoto to Hiroshima:
Take the high-speed Shinkansen bullet train from Kyoto to Hiroshima, where a brief city tour includes either a visit to the Mazda Motor Corporation Museum or Shukkein Garden. Check in at the central Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima for a two-night stay.
11. Miyajima Island and Hiroshima:
This morning, journey to Miyajima Island and visit the sixth century Itsukushima Shrine. Its pier-like construction reflects the island’s holy status: commoners were not allowed to set foot on the island and had to approach the shrine by boat instead. Explore the Momijidani Valley Park (Maple Valley) at the base of Mount Misen’s forested slopes, before going back to Hiroshima city. Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, symbolising the wish for everlasting peace after Hiroshima became the first city to suffer an atomic bombing.
12. Hiroshima to Osaka:
Board the Shinkansen Super-Express bullet train to Osaka for a short tour. The city’s sights include the monumental Osaka castle, built to be the strongest and most beautiful in Japan; the two sky-scraping Umeda Sky Buildings, which are linked by the Floating Garden Observatory on their 39th floors and offer fantastic views over Osaka; and the Minami shopping district. Settle in at the Nikko Hotel, set in the heart of the city, for two
nights.
13. Osaka:
Explore, shop or relax as you see fit during a well-earned day at leisure in Osaka.
14. Osaka to London:
Head to Osaka Kansai International Airport this morning for your Japan Airlines flight to London Heathrow, where your door-to door driver will meet you and take you home.
Offer details
Staying from 28 Jul 2010 for 14 nights
Departing from London airport, arriving at Tokyo
