Japan And Indian Ocean Islands: Central Japan And Maldives, Tour Including Beach Holiday
The soul of an astonishing destination and the Maldives paradise
Come and be amazed by the places that make Japan the most unique destination in Asia: Tokyo, a city full of contrasts; Kawaguchiko, an idyllic spot in the mountains; the open-air museum of Iyashi no Sato Nemba; and Nagoya, the country's third largest city. We'll take in 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 in Kusastsu, and the uniqueness of Nikko.
To finish this surprising trip, you will enjoy a few days of relaxation on the paradisiacal beaches of the Maldives.
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Come and be amazed by the places that make Japan the most unique destination in Asia: Tokyo, a city full of contrasts; Kawaguchiko, an idyllic spot in the mountains; the open-air museum of Iyashi no Sato Nemba; and Nagoya, the country's third largest city. We'll take in 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 in Kusastsu, and the uniqueness of Nikko.
To finish this surprising trip, you will enjoy a few days of relaxation on the paradisiacal beaches of the Maldives.
Day 1: Departure with destination Tokyo. Night on board.
Tokyo
Day 2: Arrival in Tokyo and transfer to the hotel by shuttle bus. Free time. Overnight stay.
Day 3: Breakfast. We dedicate the morning to an extensive guided tour of approximately five hours through this impressive city. Its frenetic activity and ultra‑modern districts coexist with areas filled with calm and serenity. We begin with a brief stop at Zojoji Temple, where we will have the opportunity to take an excellent photograph of Tokyo Tower. Particularly notable at this temple are the hundreds of jizos, stone deities who act as guardians of children and are adorned with woollen hats, bibs and windmills. We then visit the famous Shibuya crossing, the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. Afterwards, we visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife. From there, we continue by coach along the elegant Omotesando Avenue, an important shopping district. We skirt the Imperial Palace and its gardens, stopping to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. We then pass through the Akihabara district, known as the city of electronics and the centre of Japanese manga and anime culture. Next, we head to the tallest structure in the country, Tokyo Skytree, with entrance included. We also visit the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, also known as Asakusa Kannon, the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo, with its 55‑metre‑high pagoda, as well as Nakamise Shopping Street, lined with small stalls ideal for purchasing souvenirs. Return to the hotel. In the afternoon, we meet the guide again to travel by underground to Shinjuku, where we will walk to a local restaurant to enjoy dinner. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay. Note: The order of visits may be subject to change depending on the allocated entrance time to Tokyo Skytree. In the event of adverse weather conditions or other exceptional circumstances, access to Tokyo Skytree may be restricted. In such cases, an alternative visit to another iconic observation deck in the city will be offered.
BreakfastDinner
Tokyo - Mount Fuji - Kawaguchiko
Day 4: Breakfast. We travel towards the beautiful Mount Fuji area, enjoying the scenic landscapes along the route. Our first stop is Arakurayama Sengen Park, with its beautiful pagodas, offering some of the most famous and iconic views of Mount Fuji. Arrival in Kawaguchiko, an idyllic town of small houses, flowers and mountains located beside the lake. Upon arrival, we visit the Fuji Sengen Shrine, a special place where, traditionally, the pilgrimage route towards the mountain began. At the shrine, we will have the opportunity to give thanks for visiting this magical site. We then enjoy a pleasant boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko. Afterwards, we ascend Mount Fuji via the road that leads to the Fifth Station at an altitude of 2,305 metres. In the afternoon, we return to Kawaguchiko, where we will stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. There, we may enjoy the hot spring baths in the onsen, followed by dinner. Overnight stay.
BreakfastDinner
Kawaguchiko - Iyashi no Sato Nenba - Nagoya - Kyoto
Day 5: Breakfast. In the morning, following a scenic road that runs alongside several lakes, we visit Iyashi no Sato Nenba, a small village that was destroyed by a cyclone in 1966 and later restored as an open‑air museum representing traditional mountain village life. Its typical houses have been converted into craft shops, restaurants and traditional museums. We then admire the Shiraito Falls, considered among the most beautiful in Japan, with a 150‑metre cascade. Continuation to Nagoya, Japan’s third largest city, located on the Pacific coast, where entrance to the Toyota Museum is included, an essential visit for car enthusiasts. We then continue to Kyoto. Arrival and overnight stay.
Breakfast
Kyoto
Day 6: Breakfast. We depart early and spend the entire day in the city that served as the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868 and was home to the Imperial Court. During the Second World War, Kyoto was the only major Japanese city not to be bombed, which is why it has preserved a remarkably rich artistic heritage. Additionally, Kyoto was the city where the 1997 protocol aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions was signed. Our visit includes the city’s main landmarks. We visit Arashiyama, cross the Togetsukyo Bridge—meaning “bridge that crosses the moon”—from where wonderful panoramic views can be admired, visit Tenryuji Temple, one of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto, and stroll through the mystical bamboo forest. We also explore the magnificent Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji Temple, popularly known as the Golden Pavilion, with its splendid gardens. Afterwards, we will have time before taking a walk through Gion, the city’s most traditional district, where, if we are lucky, we may glimpse an elusive geisha. Free time. Overnight stay.
Breakfast
Kyoto - Tsumago - Matsumoto - Nagano
Day 7: Breakfast. Travelling through beautiful rural landscapes, we reach Tsumago, a small village of wooden buildings, considered one of the most beautiful in Japan. We take a stroll through its streets. Lunch at a local restaurant. We then continue to Matsumoto, a tourist city where we visit its impressive 16th‑century castle, known as the Crow Castle. Afterwards, we continue to Nagano. Overnight stay in Nagano.
BreakfastLunch
Nagano - Monkey Park - Kusatsu - Ikaho Onsen
Day 8: Breakfast. Today we venture into the beautiful Japanese Alps. In Nagano, we visit Zenko‑ji Temple, a major pilgrimage site housing the first Buddhist image introduced to Japan. We will attend the Gomakuyo ceremony, performed to attract good fortune. Afterwards, travelling through high mountain landscapes, we head towards Jigokudani Monkey Park, where lunch will be served and we will walk through forested areas alongside rivers and thermal springs inhabited by colonies of Japanese macaques who bathe in the hot waters. Later, continuing through stunning high‑mountain scenery (reaching 2,172 metres), we pass semi‑active volcanoes before arriving in Kusatsu, an attractive spa town with a lively central square. We then enjoy a walk through the city park, which features an open‑air onsen. Arrival in Ikaho, a picturesque spa town. We stroll through its historic centre and stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, where we may enjoy its hot spring baths. Traditional Japanese dinner included. Note: On specific dates, accommodation may be arranged in nearby cities such as Takasaki or Maebashi, in Western‑style hotels, with Western‑style dinner and without onsen facilities.
BreakfastLunch
Ikaho Onsen - Nikko - Tokyo
Day 9: Breakfast. We then continue to Nikko. In this beautiful town, we visit the impressive Nikko Toshogu Shrine, renowned for the hall featuring the “sounding dragon” ceiling. We also visit the Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum and take a walk along the river at Kanmangafuchi, where hundreds of jizos appear to watch over us. Free time before returning to Tokyo. Arrival at the hotel. Overnight stay.
Breakfast
Tokyo - Maldives
Day 10: Breakfast. Free time until the agreed time for the transfer to the airport. Flight to Maldives destination. Night on board.
Breakfast
Maldives
Day 11: Arrival and transfer from the airport to the selected hotel in Maldives. Free time. Overnight stay.
Days 12-14: Free day. Overnight stay.
Maldives - City of origin
Day 15: At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport. Flight with destination the city of origin. Arrival. End of the trip and our services.
Your trip includes
Return flight.
Overnight stay in the listed hotels, or similar.
Transport in vehicles appropriate to the size of the group.
Transfers according to the itinerary.
Visits on regular tours that are mentioned and not listed as optional.
Bilingual Spanish- and English-speaking local guides.
Transport of 1 suitcase of standard dimensions up to 23 kg per person.
Diet: 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners.
Flight from Tokyo to Maldives.
Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Maldives.
Stay in selected hotel in Maldives.
Selected meal plan in Maldives.
Transfer from the hotel in Maldives to the airport.
Insolvency protection.
Your trip doesn't include
Visa to enter in Maldives.
Departure taxes in Maldives.
Any other service not previously mentioned as included.
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.
If your reservation includes accommodation in a ryokan, please note that it may have a traditional setup with futons or a semi-western setup with beds, depending on the ryokan.
Triple rooms in Asia 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.
Check-in time at the hotel on the day of arrival depends on each establishment, but in no case will it be before 3:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.
If the total number of passengers in the group is 5 or fewer, the city tour will be carried out by hop-on, hop-off tourist bus.
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.
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.
On specific dates, accommodation may be arranged in cities near Ikaho Onsen, such as Takasaki or Maebashi, in Western-style hotels with a Western-style dinner and without onsen.
To make it easier to meet up with the transfer staff, we will need your mobile phone number.
The groups may be multilingual.
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.
Consult the necessary documentation to enter the destinations visited and for transit in the countries where air stopovers are made.
