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Japan, 17 Days · Classic tour
Tokyo, Fuji, Kyoto and Central Japan
Discover the main island of Japan in-depth
Our specialists have devised this route so that, when you return, you will have got to know the most important aspects of the main and largest island of the Land of the Rising Sun. Be surprised by Tokyo, the capital, full of towering buildings and dominated by neon when night falls; Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji National Park, a natural sanctuary where we will meet one of the national landmarks, the Fuji-san; Kyoto, the former Imperial capital, and neighbouring Nara, where the Todaiji temple and the sacred deer park are located; Himeji and Okayama, where samurai heritage awaits; Hiroshima, a permanent reminder of what should never be repeated, and the sacred island of Miyajima; Mt. Koya, where we will learn how the monks live and stay overnight in a temple; and Nikko, with its impressive temples nestled in the mountains north of Tokyo. Come on, you can't miss it!
Departure date
Departures from May 2024 till March 2025
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 by shuttle bus. In the afternoon, we will go by subway to the Shinjuku area. Welcome dinner. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Tokyo
Breakfast. We dedicate the morning to an extended, five-hour tour of this impressive city, accompanied by our guide. The frenetic buzz and ultramodern neighbourhoods of the city coexist in harmony with fantastically peaceful areas. We start with a brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to take a good photo of the Tokyo Tower. In this temple hundreds of jizo statues stand out, serving as guardian stone deities of children, to whom wool hats, bibs and windmills are given as offerings. 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. 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. We will cross the neighbourhood of Akihabara, known as the city of electronics and the home of manga and Japanese anime; we then pass by the Kokugikan, the Sumo stadium, the king of Japanese sport. We will also pay a visit to the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, also known as Asakusa Kannon, the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo with its 55-metre-high pagoda, and the Nakamise Shopping Street, full of small stalls ideal for buying souvenirs. Lunch at a local restaurant and rest of the afternoon free. Overnight stay in Tokyo.
Tokyo - Mount Fuji - Kawaguchiko
Breakfast. We'll make our way towards the beautiful area of Mount Fuji, passing through stunning landscapes en route. First stop will be Arakurayama Sengen Park, with its breathtaking pagodas and stunning views of Mount Fuji. We'll then arrive in Kawaguchiko, an idyllic town with small houses, flowers and mountains next to a gorgeous lake.Upon arrival we'll visit the Fuji Sengen Shrine, a magical place which was the traditional departure point of the pilgrimage to the mountain. We'll give our thanks in the shrine for the chance to visit this wonderful place.We'll then take a boat trip on Lake Kawaguchiko. After this, we'll begin our climb up to Mount Fuji on the road to the 5th station at an altitude of 2,305 metres. In the afternoon we'll head back to Kawaguchiko, where we'll spend the night in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn). Once there, we can bathe in its onsen (hot spring) and enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner.Overnight stay.
Kawaguchiko - Iyashi no Sato Nenba - Toyota - Kyoto
Breakfast. In the morning, we'll take a beautiful road which winds around lakes to Iyashi no Sato Nenba, a pocket-sized town that was destroyed by a cyclone in 1966, before later being restored as an open-air museum dedicated to traditional mountain towns. Its typical 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 more than 150 metres. Lunch. Onward to Nagoya, Japan's third largest city and which sits on the shores of the Pacific. Here we'll visit the Toyota Museum, a must-see for any automobile lover. Onward journey to Kyoto, check-in and overnight stay.
Kyoto
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure to spend all day in the city that was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, when the seat of the Imperial Court was found here. Kyoto was the only major Japanese city not to be bombed during the Second World War, and has therefore retained its rich artistic heritage. What's more, the Kyoto Protocol, intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, was signed here in 1997. We'll also see the city's main tourist attractions. Sights will include the district of Arashiyama; the Togetsukyo Bridge, which translates as 'moon crossing bridge' and commands wonderful views; the Tenryuji Temple, one of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto; and the mystical bamboo forest. We'll also see the stunning Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and the Kinkakuji Temple, better known as the Golden Pavilion, with its 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. Time at leisure.
Kyoto - Nara - Osaka
Breakfast. We will go to Nara to visit the Buddhist temple of Todaiji, which dates back to the year 752, to marvel at its giant Buddha, and enjoy the park well known for its sacred deer. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we will visit the Buddhist temple of Horyuji, a complex that brings together a seminary, monasteries and temples. Its main pagoda is one of the oldest preserved wooden buildings in the world and is considered the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, besides being an important place of worship. Continue to Osaka. At night we will walk through the neighbourhood of Dotonbori, glistening with neon lights and buzzing with all sorts of nightlife.
Osaka - Engyo-ji - Himeji - Okayama
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Mount Shosha following the road around Osaka Bay. Mount Shosha is home to Engyo-ji Temple, a complex with more than a thousand years of history and where some of the film 'The Last Samurai' was shot. Note: the cable car ride to the top is included.We'll then leave for Himeji, where we'll go into the immense castle that typifies Japanese castle architecture.Lunch at a local restaurant. Onward journey to Okayama to take in the lakes, waterfalls and traditional tea houses in Korakuen, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens. Overnight stay in Okayama.
Okayama - Kurashiki - Miyajima - Hiroshima
Breakfast. We'll then head onwards to Kurashiki, a city with a very well-preserved historic centre. We have time to stroll around this charming town and bask in its atmosphere, which is reminiscent of a bygone era. We continue on to Hiroshima, the city sadly known for being hit and completely destroyed by an atomic bomb in 1945. We'll take a wander through the Peace Memorial Park, see the Atomic Bomb Dome and visit the impressive Peace Memorial Museum. We continue our journey with a stop in Miyajima, the island "where men and gods coexist", and where the Shinto shrine of Itsukushima is found. This shrine is dedicated to the guardian of the seas and built partially on the sea. We arrive at the island by ferry. We have time to visit the temple and stroll around the beautiful town centre. In the afternoon, return to Hiroshima for dinner and overnight stay.
Hiroshima - Matsuyama
Breakfast. Today we take a ferry to the island of Shikoku, a pleasant journey of about two and a half hours. In Matsuyama, we'll take a cable car up to its magnificent castle. Afterwards, we will visit Ishiteji, a beautiful Buddhist temple and place of pilgrimage. Lunch at a local restaurant. We will end our afternoon in Dogo Onsen, a traditional Japanese hot spring built in the 19th century. Overnight stay in Matsuyama.
Matsuyama - Kotohira - Takamatsu - Naruto - Kobe
Breakfast. We'll set off for Kotohira, the site of a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of sailors and a place of pilgrimage. Built on Mount Zozu, it is reached by climbing 785 steps. Later on in Takamatsu we'll visit Ritsurin Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Lunch at a local restaurant. From there we will go to Naruto, where an impressive bridge crosses the sea. We will stop to check out the bridge and walk over its glazed floor, from which you can contemplate the impressive swirls of the sea from a height of 45 metres. Afterwards, crossing large bridges from island to island, we arrive in Kobe. Overnight stay.
Kobe - Osaka - Mt. Koya
Breakfast. In Kobe we visit the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum, which serves as a memorial to the tragic earthquake that devastated the city in 1995 and a record of its impeccable reconstruction. After passing through Osaka, at 1:00 pm we will leave the city to head towards the sacred mountain of Koya, the most important centre of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. This mountain is a place of pilgrimage and magic and is home to 120 temples and monasteries. We will visit the Okuno mausoleum, a spiritual place amid natural surroundings which has an enormous cemetery of more than 200,000 tombs. We will also visit the temple of Kongobuji, which was built in 1593. We'll then spend the night in a Buddhist monastery, where the monks will give us a lesson in Zen meditation (Ajikan). Evening meal included (vegetarian). If we wish, we can attend the religious ceremony of the temple at dawn.
Mt. Koya - Kyoto
Japanese breakfast at the temple. Today we'll go to Kyoto. We will head there first thing in the morning and, when we arrive, we will have the rest of the day free to start getting to know the city.
Kyoto - Tsumago - Matsumoto - Nagano
Breakfast. Traversing beautiful rural landscapes our route continues to Tsumago, a small town with wooden buildings, considered one of the most beautiful in Japan. We can take a stroll through its streets. Lunch at a local restaurant. We'll then continue on to Matsumoto, a touristy city where we can visit a striking 16th century castle commonly known as the 'castle of the crows'. We'll have some free time here, and then we'll continue to Nagano. Overnight stay in Nagano.
Nagano - Monkey Park - Kusatsu - Ikaho Onsen
Breakfast. Today we'll venture into the stunning Japanese Alps. In Nagano we will become acquainted with Zenko-ji, a place of pilgrimage which is home Japan's first Buddhist image, and we will attend the Gomakuyo ceremony to attract luck. Afterwards, we will travel among tall mountains to reach 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 - Tokyo
Breakfast. In Takasaki we'll climb the hill up to the site of Byakue Dai-Kannon, a giant statue of the Goddess of Mercy. 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! We will have some free time before leaving for Tokyo, the capital.
Tokyo - City of origin
Breakfast. At the prearranged time, 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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Accommodation in selected hotels or similar category.
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Ferry segments as per itinerary.
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Transport in vehicles appropriate to the size of the group.
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Transfers as per itinerary.
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Visits in a guided tour that are detailed in the program and not considered as optional.
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Bilingual Spanish- and English-speaking local guides.
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Diet: 15 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 5 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.
- Due to the shorter daylight hours in winter, there is not enough time to enter the Kongobuji temple.
- 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.
- Due to high hotel occupancy and limited availability in some seasons, hotels selected may be different from those mentioned.
- The view of Mount Fuji depends entirely on the weather and can never be guaranteed.
- 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.