Enjoy a full itinerary of Japan’s historic and cultural sites with plenty of time to explore on your own with this 9 day tour. All the important sites are covered, including Mount Fuji, Nijo Castle and Hiroshima, along with tours of the country’s peaceful landscapes.
Itinerary
Day 1 Home City – Tokyo
Your journey begins with your transpacific flight. Spend the night aboard as we cross the International Date Line.
Day 2 Tokyo
Arrive at New Tokyo International Airport (Narita Airport). Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3 Tokyo
Explore Tokyo on a daylong excursion. In the morning, visit Meiji Shinto Shrine, Asakusa Kannon Temple, Nakamise Shopping Arcade and the Imperial Palace East Garden (Imperial Palace East Garden may be closed on Monday and Friday, in which case, you'll visit the Imperial Palace instead). After lunch, set sail on the Symphony. (L)
Day 4 Tokyo - Nikko - Tokyo
Your full-day excursion begins with a motorcoach ride to Nikko. You'll visit the famous Toshogu Shrine in the morning, travelling along the winding Irohazaka Road. After lunch, you'll visit Lake Chuzenji at the foot of the sacred volcano Mount Nantai, and the 97-metre Kegon Waterfall. Afterwards, drive back to Tokyo and arrive at Ginza or Shinjuku. Provide your own transfer back to the hotel. (L)
Day 5 Tokyo - Mt.fuji - Hakone
Take a deluxe motorcoach along the expressway to arrive at the foot of Mount Fuji. Drive halfway up Japan's highest mountain to enjoy a spectacular view from 2,300 metres. After lunch, proceed to scenic Hakone to cruise Lake Ashi by boat and ride the Komagatake Aerial Cableway. Relax at your hotel, the Hakone Hotel Kowaki-en, and enjoy its hot spring baths. (L)
Day 6 Hakone - Kyoto - Nara
Drive to Odawara in the morning to take a Shinkansen train to Kyoto. Stop for lunch at New Miyako before travelling on to Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan. See the great image of Buddha housed at Todaiji Temple, the colourful Kasuga Shrine with its 3,000 lanterns, and Deer Park where many deer roam free. Return to Kyoto. (L)
Day 7 Kyoto
See the many sights of Kyoto including the rich gold leaf of the Golden Pavilion, the opulent interiors of Nijo Castle, (if Nijo Castle is closed, visit Ryoanji Temple instead) and Kyoto Imperial Palace (on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays, visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Higashi Honganji Temple). After lunch, peruse the 1,001 images of Buddha at Sanjusangendo Hall, as well as Heian Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple (L)
Day 8 Kyoto - Hiroshima
Transfer to Kyoto station to board a Shinkansen train for Hiroshima. In the afternoon, you'll visit the 1,400 year-old Itsukushima Shrine and Peace Memorial Park, built in remembrance of the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima. Return to Kyoto by Shinkansen.
Day 9 Kyoto - Tokyo
Enjoy free time until your evening departure to Tokyo. Return to Tokyo by Shinkansen.
Day 10 Tokyo - Narita Airport
Transfer to Narita Airport by airport bus for your homeward flight.
|
