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Japan, 14 Days · Classic tour
Tokyo to Sapporo
A spectacular and unique Japan where you'll want to leave nothing behind
Get ready to experience one of our most activity-packed trips to the Land of the Rising Sun. Join us as we explore Tokyo, the capital bursting with contrasts; Kawaguchiko, the idyllic mountain town; the open-air museum of Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba; the country's third largest city, Nagoya; the delicate beauty of Kyoto; the rural landscapes of the Japanese Alps in places like Tsumago and Matsumoto; the Jigokudani Monkey Park; the thermal springs of Kusatsu; the unique town of Nikko; the Bay of Matsushima with its thousand islands; the age-old temples of Hiraizumi; the contemporary art museum of Towada; and — once on the northern island of Hokkaido — the towns of Hakodate, Onuma, Noboribetsu, and Sapporo. Are you joining us?
Departure date
Departures from June 2024 till October 2024
From
London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow...
Travel details
City of origin - Tokyo
Departure with destination Tokyo. Night on board.
Tokyo
Arrival in Tokyo and transfer to the hotel on public transport. Meet-up with the guide. Late in the afternoon, we'll head out to explore this fascinating city by taking the underground (tickets included) to the Shinjuku area. We'll be able to see the sheer number of people who use this ultramodern and efficient public transport system, and we'll also soon discover that Shinjuku is one of the liveliest places to visit at night. Welcome dinner (included). Return to hotel. Accommodation.
Tokyo
Breakfast. In the morning, we'll set out on a five-hour tour of this impressive city with our guide. The city's frenetic activity and ultramodern neighbourhoods stand alongside in perfect harmony with fantastically peaceful areas. We start with a brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to take a good photo of the Tokyo Tower. This temple is home to hundreds of jizo statues (stone deities that act as guardians of children), to which knitted hats, bibs and windmills are given. We will then go to the famous Shibuya crossing, the busiest crosswalk on the planet. We'll pay a visit to the Meiji Shinto shrine, which is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife. We'll then head on to the lively Harajuku neighbourhood, where we'll find some of the most dramatic street fashion in the city, with shops and boutiques displaying the most eccentric styles. From there we continue with our bus through the elegant Omotesando Avenue, which serves as an important commercial hub. We will skirt the Imperial Palace and its gardens and make a stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. Afterwards, we'll cross through the Akihabara district, known as Electronics City and the centre of Japanese manga and anime. Later, we'll pass by the Kokugikan Sumo Stadium, the sport of sports in Japan. We'll also pay a visit to the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo with its 55-metre-high pagoda, and the Nakamise Shopping Street, full of cute stalls ideal for picking up some souvenirs. Lunch at a local restaurant included. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation.
Tokyo - Mount Fuji - Kawaguchiko
Breakfast. We'll make our way towards the stunning area around Mount Fuji, passing by breathtaking landscapes en route. First stop will be Arakurayama Sengen Park, with its spectacular pagodas and outstanding views of Mount Fuji. Arrival in Kawaguchiko, an idyllic lakeside town of pocket-sized houses, flowers, and mountains. We'll meet when we arrive at the Fuji Sengen shrine. In this magical place with towering trees, the pilgrimage to the mountain traditionally began. We'll give our thanks at the shrine for the chance to visit this enchanting place. We'll also take a boat trip on Lake Kawaguchiko. We'll then begin our climb up to Mount Fuji on the road to the fifth station, which is surrounded by spectacular forests and scenery, ultimately reaching an altitude of 2,305 metres. Return to Kawaguchiko, with time to stroll around the lake. We'll stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) and bathe in its onsen (hot spring). Traditional Japanese dinner included.
Kawaguchiko - Iyashi no Sato Nenba - Toyota - Kyoto
Breakfast. In the morning, we'll drive along a beautiful road dotted with lakes to Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, a village that was destroyed by a cyclone in 1966 and later restored as an open-air museum dedicated to traditional mountain towns. Its classic houses have been converted into artisan shops, restaurants, and traditional museums. We'll then go to admire the Shiraito Falls, widely considered the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan. with water cascading over 150 metres. Lunch at a service area. Afterwards, we'll head to Nagoya, Japan's third-largest city and located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Here we'll visit the Toyota Museum, a must-see for any petrolhead. Onward journey to Kyoto, check-in, and overnight stay.
Kyoto
Breakfast. We'll set off first thing so we can have all day to spend in the city that was the capital of Japan from 794-1868, when the seat of the Imperial Court was located there. This was the only major Japanese city that escaped bombing in the Second World War, and has therefore retained its rich artistic heritage. What's more, the Kyoto Protocol, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, was signed here in 1997. We'll also get to see the main sights in the city. We'll visit Arashiyama; cross the Togetsukyo Bridge (which translates as 'moon-crossing bridge' and commands wonderful views); see the Tenryuji Temple, one of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto; and stroll through the mystical bamboo forest. We'll then visit the wonderful Shinto shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace, and the Kinkakuji Temple, popularly known as the Golden Pavilion, with its truly magnificent gardens. After that, we'll take a stroll through Gion, the city's most traditional neighbourhood and where, if we're lucky, we might spot some elusive geishas. Free time. Accommodation.
Kyoto - Tsumago - Matsumoto - Nagano
Breakfast. We'll then travel through rural landscapes to Tsumago, a pocket-sized wood-built town and one of the most beautiful in the whole of Japan. Time at leisure to stroll around. Lunch at a local restaurant included. We'll then continue on to Matsumoto, where we'll visit a striking sixteenth-century castle also known as the Crow Castle. Overnight stay in Nagano.
Nagano - Monkey Park - Kusatsu - Ikaho Onsen
Breakfast. Today we'll venture into the stunning Japanese Alps. In Nagano we'll see Zenko-ji, a place of pilgrimage which is home Japan's first Buddhist image, and attend the Gomakuyo ceremony which will bring us good fortune. Then we'll travel through tall mountains to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. We'll have lunch and stroll through its forests, admiring as we go the rivers and thermal springs where colonies of Japanese macaque monkeys live and bathe. After that, we'll soak up the beautiful mountain scenery (we'll be 2172 metres up) as we pass by semi-active volcanoes on our way to Kusatsu, a delightful spa town with a lively central square. We'll watch the Yumomi performance, in which the actresses and songs will teach us about the traditional method used for cooling the hot springs. We'll then take a stroll through the city's park, which is home to an open-air onsen. Continue to Ikaho. Arrival at Ikaho, a picturesque thermal city. We will take a stroll through its historical centre and we will stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese-style accommodation, where we can enjoy its thermal baths. Traditional Japanese dinner included.
Ikaho Onsen - Nikko - Sendai
Breakfast. Afterwards, we continue to Nikko, where we will visit the impressive temple of Nikko-Toshogu, in which the room with the sound of the dragon is a highlight. We'll also visit the Taiyuinbyo mausoleum, an impressive and wonderfully peaceful place. We will take a stroll along the river in the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, with hundreds of Jizos watching us as we go! Time at leisure in the city centre before setting off for Sendai, a modern and vibrant city with over one million residents. Arrival and overnight stay.
Sendai - Matsushima - Hiraizumi - Morioka
Breakfast. We'll head for the wonderful city of Matsushima, lapped by the so-called Thousand Island Bay in the Pacific Ocean. This is considered one of the most beautiful places in the whole of Japan. We'll sip traditional tea in a tea house overlooking the sea while our guide tells us about the city. We'll then enjoy a fifty-minute cruise around the bay. Lunch en route. Onward journey to Hiraizumi to discover its temples, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. First stop will be the magnificent Buddhist temple of Chusonji. We'll unwind in the gardens of the Motsu-ji Temple and try out some Zen meditation. And finally we'll visit Takkoku no Iwaya, which was carved into the rock in the year 801. Onward journey to Morioka, the pleasant capital of Iwate Prefecture. Overnight stay and time at leisure.
Morioka - Hirosaki - Aomori - Hakodate
Breakfast. In a region full of wonderful landscapes we travel to Hirosaki to visit its castle, located in a beautiful park where, in spring, more than 2,500 cherry trees are in bloom. After that we'll move on to Aomori, the capital of the prefecture located in Mutsu Bay. We'll visit the Nebuta Museum and learn about traditional Japanese celebrations that are reminiscent of carnivals with their painted and illuminated floats. Lunch at a local restaurant. We'll then take a ferry over to the island of Hokkaido, enjoying the beautiful crossing that takes just over three and a half hours. Arrival in Hakodate. Before going to the hotel we will go up Mount Hakodate to enjoy the stunning views on offer. We'll descend the mountain by cable car. Time in the pedestrianised historical centre, where we'll be able to see how other cultures have influenced the city (Russian Orthodox Church, Christian churches, etc.). Overnight stay in Hakodate.
Hakodate - Onuma National Park - Noboribetsu - Sapporo
Breakfast. In the morning we'll explore the impressive and bustling fish market. We'll also climb up the Goryokaku Tower, where we'll get to admire an impressive view and see the star-shaped Fort Goryokaku in Hakodate. Free time to walk around the castle area before continuing to Onuma, a magnificent tourist spot, with its infinity of small islands where you can take a boat ride or walk among the islands. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we'll follow the ocean to Noboribetsu, an impressive volcanic area, and walk amongst fumaroles in Jigokudani (Hell Valley). We'll admire the steaming Lake Oyunuma, and continue our hike along the warm-water river until we get to a spot where we can bathe our feet. We'll then continue towards Sapporo, and arrive at the end of the day in this beautiful northern-Japanese capital. Accommodation.
Sapporo - Otaru - Sapporo
Breakfast. We'll take a sightseeing tour of the city with stops at the Clock Tower and the Odori Koen street/park, which is dominated by the TV tower. Afterwards, we'll take in the beautiful Hokkaido Jingu Shinto shrine and perform a kito, a ceremonial prayer, to give thanks for our completed journey. On the outskirts of Sapporo we'll also see the Hill of the Buddha, an avant-garde architecture centre opened in 2015. The lavender-covered hill is the site of a giant Buddha statue, while on the complex we'll also see the replicas of the Moai statues (Easter Island). Onward journey to Otaru, a small town reminiscent of Europe with winding shop-lined streets, an ancient canal, and small museums. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Sapporo about 3.30 pm. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation.
Sapporo - City of origin
Breakfast. Free time until the agreed time for the transfer to the airport. Flight with destination the city of origin. Arrival. End of the trip and our services.
Your trip includes
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Return flight.
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Overnight stay in the listed hotels, or similar.
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Ferry crossings according to the itinerary.
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Transport in vehicles appropriate to the size of the group.
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Transfers according to the itinerary.
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Regular tours mentioned in the itinerary, not stated as optional.
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Bilingual Spanish- and English-speaking local guides.
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Diet: 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 2 dinners.
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Insolvency protection.
Your trip doesn't include
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Any other service not previously mentioned as included.
Destinations Visited
Expected Hotels (or similar)
In this section you will find a selection of hotels according to the category specified in the itinerary.
Flight
Overnight stay on board.
Important remarks
- Triple rooms in Japan are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.
- Please check with your international vaccination centre about the recommended healthcare measures in Japan.
- Depending on the return flight, the trip may be one day longer.
- In Japan double beds are not common. If you want to have rooms with double beds during your trip, you must let us know in advance. We will do everything possible so that you can enjoy them, but we can not guarantee their use in advance in any case; They will always be subject to availability upon arrival at each of the hotels. Individual rooms may be, in some cases, smaller than the double rooms.
- In general, people with tattoos are not accepted in the onsen for cultural reasons. If they're small tattoos, they could be covered with a plaster, but access isn't guaranteed if the tattoos are large.
- Please check which documents are required to enter the country.
- The visit and the dinner on the day of arrival in Tokyo will depend on the flight arrival time. Failure to attend due to a delayed flight will not result in compensation.
- In winter, the route that leads to Mount Fuji 5th Station is often closed by snow or as a result of other weather-related reasons. If this happens on your trip, you will reach the point permitted by the authorities.
- On some trips you will not sleep in Nagano, but rather in Matsumoto.
- In autumn in Jigokudani, depending on the abundance of fruit of the mountains, the movement of the monkeys is unpredictable: they may not travel down to the park, so the park could be kept closed. In winter, meteorological factors may affect the monkey park, leading to the planned park visit being suspended. Furthermore, from November to April the Kusatsu visit and the Yumomi show do not operate.
- In the ryokan in Ikaho Onsen there are Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats, as well as more western-style rooms. They will be allocated according to availability upon arrival.
- Due to high hotel occupancy and limited availability in some seasons, hotels selected may be different from those mentioned.
- To make it easier to meet up with the transfer staff, we will need your mobile phone number.
- The order of the itinerary may be altered for logistical reasons, without prior notice, but no scheduled trips will be cancelled (except in the case that adverse weather conditions prevent its realisation).
- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.
- Prices are calculated based on admission fees to the sights as of the date of publication. If there is an increase in these prices, you will be promptly informed.
- If you are a person with reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.