When summer arrives, Japan’s landscapes are enveloped in a brighter light. We visit not only a famed tourist spot like sacred Mt.Fuji, ancient city Kyoto but also the headquarters of the Kōyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism.The main attraction of this tour is visiting 8 World Heritage sites of UNESCO.Please enjoy the contrast between urban and natural sceneries.
Wifi is available on the bus.
Tour Date and Price
Arrival and Departure: Starts in Tokyo and ends in Osaka
Tour Date: 2021 (10 nights and 11 days) Tour Price: USD 3,700*Price per person, Based on TWN and Triple room
Single room supplement: USD 800*Price per person
Price (age 4-11※): 1.925USD (※if no extra bed is requested for the child)
Japan Tour Highlights
Day 1: Arrival (Narita or Haneda) – Tokyo: Transfer to hotel in Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo! You will be greeted by an English-speaking assistant at the airport. The assistant will get you in the bus to your hotel.You can also extend your vacation before / after the tour in Tokyo, Osaka. Please contact us! Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar -/-/-
Day 2: Tokyo City Tour
Today, we head out to the Imperial palace. The Imperial palace is the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan.
We will visit Tokyo Skytree, a broadcasting and observation tower with the height of 634 meters (2,080ft). The view of the metropolitan Tokyo area from there will be spectacular. If the sky is clear, the Mt. Fuji can be seen in the distance.
Then we proceed to Asakusa Sensoji Temple, the Five Storied Pagoda and the traditional Nakamise shopping arcade.
Then drive to Akihabara area and enjoy Japanese pop culture zone, the electronic district and the mecca for the anime (Japanese cartoon characters). Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar B / L /-
Day 3: Tokyo – Mt Fuji (Lake Kawaguchiko) – Hamamatsu
This is the day when we visit the highest peak in Japan, Mt.Fuji which has just become No.17 World Heritage Site in Japan. It is has been appreciated by many Japanese for ages because of its perfect conical shape. Please enjoy magnificent shape from Lake Kawaguchi if weather permitting.
We then head out to Hamamatsu for the night and have Japanese style dinner at the hotel. Hamanako Royal Hotel or similar B / L / D
Day 4: Hamamatsu – Kyoto
We start the day bullet train ride experience from Hamamatsu toKyoto.
After the bus ride, you will feel that you have time slipped into the world one thousand year ago, when visiting Golden Pavilion.Kinkaku-ji is the Golden Pavilion built on the compound of the Rokuon-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple, which is designated as one of the 17 World Cultural Heritage-listed monuments in Kyoto.
Next, we visit at Nishijin Textile Center. There are also displays of completed fabrics and kimonos, as well as weaving demonstrations and occasional kimono fashion shows that ladies wearing beautiful seasonal design and patterns of kimonos and sashes.
We head out to Nijo-jo castle which is popular for travelers. The Tokugawa shougun’s Kyoto home stands in stark contrast to most of Japan’s other remaining castle, which were constructed purely for defense. Ironically, it was from Nijo Castle that Emperor Meiji issued his 1868 decree abolishing the shogunate form of government.
In the evening you will be taken to Gion “Geisha district” Those who have seen “Memoirs of Geisha” will be fascinated by its shooting spots. We stay in Kyoto for the night. Daiwa Roynett Hotel or similar B / L / –
Day 5: Kyoto – Nara – Osaka
Before leaving Kyoto, we can’t miss one place to visit…“Fushimi Inari Taisha”. Fushimi Inari Taisha is with seemingly endless arcades of vermillion torii gate spread across a thickly wooden mountain.
If you like drinking sake, you would love to visit our next stop…the sake brewery! The guide gives you a little tour inside the brewery followed by tasting.
Visiting the ancient capital of Japan is a must in your tour. You will be greeted with cute deer vowing to you around Todaiji temple at Nara. You will feel sacred when looking up the huge Buddha statue made in 8th century. Just outside the temple is the Nara Deer Park, where you will be greeted by numerous deer that roam around freely.Before we check in our hotel, let’s take short walk at Dotonbori (food and shopping district popular among Osaka residence). Sheraton Miyako Hotel or similar B / L / –
Day 6: Osaka – Himeji – Matsue
Leaving Osaka, we go to Himeji Castle that was built in early 17th century. It is called as “Egret castle” due to its beautiful white walls and roof. It is designated as World Heritage of UNESCO.
Then, we will drive to the prestigious Adachi Museum that is famous for beautiful art works and Japanese garden. The collection includes over 100 paintings by Yokoyama Taikan and a good selection of works by other major 20th century Japanese painters. Matsue Tokyu Hotel or similar B / L / D
Day 7: Matsue – Izumo – Hiroshima
Today’s excursion starts from Matsue Castle, completed in 1611 and one of only 12 remaining original castles nationwide.
Then go to Izumo Taisha (shrine) in Izumo. Its origine is unknown, however, it has such a long time history since ancient time.
Then, we will drive to Hiroshima. Hiroshima Prince Hotel or similar B / L / D
Day 8: Hiroshima – Takamatsu
Japan is the only country which has suffered A-bomb disaster. The first A-bomb was dropped on Hiroshima at 8:15 on August 6, 1945. It would be precious experience to visit Peace Memorial Park and Museum as well as A-bomb Dome that is designated as World Heritage of UNESCO. Although you don’t see the aftermath of the disaster in Hiroshima today, the museum tells you all about what happened.
Near Hiroshima city there is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site, Itsukushima Shinto shrine. We take a boat off the main island to a small sacred island, on whose beach stands the vermillion color Torii gate. The gate and main hall of the shrine look floating in the water when the tide is high.
We will go on to Shikoku island crossing on a series of huge suspension bridges spanning Shikoku and Honshu islands. The view from the bridges made with latest Japanese technology will be unforgettable. The climate of this area of Japan is similar to that of Mediterranean Sea, which is suitable for growing fruits like grapes and oranges. JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu or similar B / L / D
Day 9: Takamatsu – Tokushima – Koyasan
We will start excursion from Ritsurin Koen (park), one of the best Japanese garden in Takamatsu. It takes your breath away with picturesque scene of ponds, small bridges and tea house.
Then drive to Tokushima where you can enjoy Awaodori demonstration show in Awaodori Museum. You can also danse with the performers.
Leaving Shikoku with a 2 hour boat ride to Honshu island again, the tour continues to the sacred training spot of Buddhist monks at Koyasan mountains. 117 temples are located 1,000m (about 3,000ft) above sea level and Koyasan is designated as World Heirtage site of UNESCO.
The legendary monk Kobodaishi is one of the most historical religious figures.
Tonight, you spend your night in the Shukubo and you can taste vegetarien dinner. Shukubo B / L / D
Day 10: Koyasan – Osaka
In the morning, Shukubo have devoted thereselves to pray for the repose of ancestor’s souls for more than a thousand year. Some of shukubo show this ceremony daily. After taking vegetarien breakgfast, we start the sightseeing of Koyasan. The mausoleum of Kobodaishi, Okunoin and lined up tall cedar trees approach to the mausoleum makes the area sacred atmosphere. We can’t miss Danjo garan. Kompon Daito(Great Pagoda) is planned by Kobo Daishi,as a center of his monastic camplex.Canstruction began in 816,and was nearly completed some seventy years later.The design is a three-dimensional expression of the mandalas of Shingon Buddhism.Images of the eight patriaechs of Shingon Buddhism are also painted in the corners of the structure.
We proceed to Kongobuji. Kongobuji is the administrative head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism.
Then we head out to Osaka. Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka or similar B / L / –
Day 11: Osaka – Kansai Airport
Time to get back home with unforgettable memory and lots of souvenir. Leaveing for Kansai Airport by airport bus. Return by air. Thank you very much for coming to Japan and Sayonara. B / – / –
INCLUDED
7 nights Western-style accommodation, 2 nights Japanese style accommodation and 1 night at a Shukubo (guest house of a temple in Koyasan) accommodation
Meet and greet upon arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Private coach transfers between destinations in Japan
Comprehensive escort of our licensed professional English speaking tour guide as described in the itinerary
Meals as described in the itinerary (11 meals)
Admission fees to sites, gardens, and museums as listed in the itinerary
EXCLUDED
International airfares
Meals that are not included in the itinerary
Travel insurance
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills
Gratuities
EXTENDED PLAN
You can extend your vacation before/after the tour in Sapporo, Tokyo, Osaka, or other places. We can provide you with an extension of your stay in the same hotel as during the tour for an extra 15,000 yen ~ per night, per person. Please contact us for more details.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Transport: Travel by air-conditioned private coach, baggage handling free
Arrival/Departure Airports: For arrivals at Narita or Haneda airport, this tour starts in Tokyo and ends in Osaka.
Meal Requests: Vegetarian, halal or special meals can be arranged
Meet and Greet: Please note that the meet and greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available on the first day of the tour after 10:00 AM. If you plan to stay extra nights before the start of the tour, please arrange your own hotel transfer
Please note that the tour schedule and prices are subject to change without notice
CANCELLATION POLICY
>46 days prior to arrival date in Japan: no penalty
45-31 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 10% of the tour fee
30-15 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 20% of the tour fee
14- 8 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 30% of the tour fee
7 – 3 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 50% of the tour fee
<3 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 100% of the tour fee
Feedback from Clients
Lyn H. – 2019 Summer –
The guide was well-informed, patient and very helpful
We were very satisfied with every aspect of the tour, it was great value for money, and we would recommend the tour to anyone. Both the guide and the driver were excellent, very skilled, and patient. There was a good variety of sights and the hotels were consistent of high standards.
Adam J. – 2019 Summer –
The sights were diverse with many beautiful shrines
The guide was knowledgeable, helpful, made funny jokes, and even helped us fold cranes. The sights were diverse and we saw many beautiful shrines. I tried many different foods that I would normally not eat, and the hotels were roomy and very good.
Michelle B. – 2019 Summer –
We got to experience different culinary specialties per city
I’m not one to normally try new food, but during this tour I did and it was definitely interesting to experience many different Japanese specialties. Guide Hide-san was very knowledgeable, helpful and a great communicator. I liked that he taught us how to make cranes to offer in Hiroshima.
Wifi is available on the bus.
