15 Day Discover Japan Tour

Osaka Himeji Hiroshima

After breakfast, make the trip to the moving city of Hiroshima. Largely destroyed when the first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the city became known worldwide for this unenviable distinction. Enroute, we stop in Himeji to visit the castle. The castle was registered in 1993 as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. Enjoy your time here before heading to Hiroshima.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Kuretakeso or similar, Osaka

Hiroshima Osaka

Make the journey back to Osaka.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Plaza or similar, Osaka

Osaka Nara Osaka

This morning, you will travel to Nara and visit the Todaiji Temple, one of Japan’s most famous temples. The massive building is home to one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The seated Buddha, reaching 15 metres tall, represents Vairocana and is supported by two Bodhisattvas. Along the approach to Todaiji stands the Nandaimon Gate, a large wooden gate watched over by two fierce looking statues. Representing the Nio Guardian Kings, the statues are designated national treasures together with the gate itself. After the Todaiji Temple you will wander back through Nara Park, home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered in Shinto to be messengers of the gods, Nara’s nearly 1200 deer have become a symbol of the city.

Next, visit the Osaka Castle. Built in 1583, the castle is an outstanding representation of Japan’s feudal period. After Osaka Castle you will continue on to Dōtonbori, which exemplifies Osaka’s vibrant food culture, where you will enjoy an amazing welcome dinner.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Plaza or similar, Osaka

Osaka

Today is a free day to explore Osaka at your own pace. 

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation:  Hotel Plaza or similar, Osaka

Osaka Kyoto

This morning, you will board the famous Japanese Shinkansen Bullet Train to Kyoto (15 minutes). Begin your day by visiting the UNESCO World Heritage, Kinkaku-ji, commonly known as the Golden Pavilion. A Zen temple and World Heritage site with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold and detailed architecture incorporating three distinct styles of Shinden, Samurai and Zen. Afterwards, you'll visit the Nishijin Textile Centre and enjoy a traditional kimono show. Kimonos are still used for important festivals or formal moments in Japan even day.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Kyoto Yamashina Hotel or similar, Kyoto

Kyoto Kanazawa

This morning you will visit Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate and adesignated UNESCO world heritage site. After relaxing in the Arashiyama District, you will visit the Togetsu Bridge, the landmark of Western Kyoto for over four hundred years. Stroll through Bamboo Grove, one of Kyoto’s top sights and for good reason: standing amid these soaring stalks of bamboo is like being in another world. Continue your journey to the city of Kanazawa.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: The Square Hotel or similar, Kanazawa

 Kanazawa

Begin the day with a visit to the Higashi Chayagai district, famous for its teahouses built in traditional Japanese design. Continue to the Kenroku-en Garden – from its scale and beauty, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful feudal lords’ gardens in Japan and has been maintained over many generations. After the gardens you will make your way to the Nagamachi Buke Yashiki district. A samurai district located at the foot of the former Kanazawa Castle, Nagamachi was where the Samurai and their families used to reside. The area preserves a historic atmosphere with its remaining samurai residences, earthen walls, private entrance gates, narrow lanes and water canals. Finish the day with a visit to the Omicho Market and sample some local food.

Meals included: breakfast

 Accommodation: The Square Hotel Kanazawa 

Kanazawa Shirakawa Go Takayama

Today after breakfast you will journey on to Takayama. Enroute, we visit Shirakawa-go. Shirakawa-go is a village located in Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is best known for being the site of Shirakawa-gō, a small, traditional village showcasing a building style known as gasshō-zukuri. After, you will continue on to Takayama.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Best Western Hotel or similar, Takayama

Takayama Nagano

Today, you will visit some of Takayama’s highlights. You will start with the Hida Folk Village, an open air museum exhibiting over 30 traditional houses from the region. Afterwards, you'll continue to the Matsuri-no-mori museum which showcases the key aspects of the Takayama Festival, which takes place for two days each spring and autumn. After learning about the Takayama Festival you'll continue on to San-machi Suji. Sanmachi Suji is a collection of three streets that make up Hida Takayama’s famous historic district. The area located in the centre of Hida Takayama served as a bustling merchant town in the past. Today it is easily recognized with its distinctive old wooden architecture and charm, a traditional Japanese village area and Takayama Jinya. A small 3 lane area is filled with old wooden buildings consisting of sake breweries, small boutiques and some larger merchant houses which are now museums. After, we continue on to Nagano.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Chisun Grand or similar, Nagano

Nagano Matsumoto

Begin today with a visit to Hokusai Museum which is a museum dedicated to the ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai, commonly referred to as Hokusai. His most well-known works include The Great Wave off Kanagawa and Red Fuji, which are a couple of prints from the collection Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. You'll continue to the Nagano's Zenkoji Temple - one of the most important and popular temples in Japan.

You will then depart Nagano for the city of Matsumoto. On arrival you will visit Matsumoto Castle, considered one of the top 3 feudal castles of Japan and arguably the city’s most famous site. You will have time to stroll through the former merchant district of Nakamachi, lined with well preserved old buildings where you can find lovely local crafts, treasures and great restaurants.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Rako Hananoi Hotel or similar, Matsumoto

Matsumoto Mt Fuji

Today you will leave Matsumoto behind and travel to Mt Fuji. Visit Oshino Hakkai. Known as the Springs of Mt Fuji, the eight ponds are fed by melting snow filtering down from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji through porous layers of lava resulting in very clear spring water that is revered by the locals. Continue your tour with a visit to the Mt Fuji 5th Station, which at 2300 meters above sea level, the offers a commanding view of the Fuji Five Lakes area below. 

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Accommodation: Dadu Fuji Resort Hotel or similar, Mt Fuji

Mt Fuji Tokyo

Today, visit Gotemba Peace Park to capture a breathtaking view of Mt Fuji before taking a cruise on Lake Ashi. Savour the numerous delights of nature in the Hakone region. Hakone is part of the Fuji- Hakone-Izu National Park, less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo. Famous for hot springs, natural beauty and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji, Hakone is one of the most popular destinations among the Japanese looking for a break from Tokyo.

Tonight’s dinner allows you to farewell your fellow travellers before enjoying some free time in Tokyo over the next couple of days.

Meals included: breakfast, 

Accommodation: Tokyo Bay Ariake Washington Hotel or similar, Tokyo

Tokyo

Today is a free day at leisure to enjoy the Japanese way of life in one of the world’s greatest cities.

Meals included: breakfast

Tokyo Bay Ariake Washington Hotel or similar, Tokyo

Tokyo

Check out of your hotel and make your way back home.

Meals included: breakfast