JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 1 TOKYO
Meals
- Greetings from Japan! Transfer to the hotel via coach (SHUTTLE BUS). We will pay a visit to this intriguing country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku neighborhood in the late afternoon and witness the throngs of people that utilize this cutting-edge and effective communal transport system. One of the most significant areas for nightlife is Shinjuku.
- Dinner is included, return you to your hotel.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 2 TOKYO
Meals
- After breakfast, we will embark on a five-hour morning tour of this magnificent city under the direction of our guide. taking in its hustle and bustle, very modern neighborhood's coexisting with quiet, peaceful parts. For a quick photo opportunity with the Tokyo Tower, stop by the Zojoji Temple. Pay attention to the 100 Jizos, which are carved stone representations of ancient guardian deities who lead us on our trips, inspire the timid (such as children), and guard those in danger.
- Our next visit is Shibuya Junction, the busiest intersection in the world. Emperor Meiji's wife and themselves are honoured at the Meiji Temple. We continue travelling in our bus down Omotesando's upscale boulevard. We will surround the gardens and the most stunning area of the Imperial Palace. Visit the well-known Nijubashi Bridge.
- After passing through Akihabara, the "electric village" filled with figures from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture, we will arrive at Kokugikan, the home for the Japanese sport of sumo. We'll also head to Sensoji, the oldest and most significant Buddhist temple in Tokyo, with its 55-meter-tall pagoda.
- Then we will have some free time to explore the historic shopping district of Nakamise in Asakusa.
- Lunch is included at a nearby restaurant.
- Back to the hotel, the afternoon is free for us.
NOTICE: Accommodations near Narita Airport might be available during the Japanese Olympics.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 3 TOKYO - HIROSHIMA
Meals
- After breakfast, transfer to the station to board the BULLET TRAIN for HIROSHIMA. The 800 kilometers between the two cities may be covered in around four hours. Arrival in Hiroshima. Sadly, this city is famous for being completely levelled by an atomic bomb in 1945.
- We will take a trip past the Peace Memorial, the Bomb Dome, and the spectacular Museum of Peace.
- Later we will travel by ferry to the island "where men and gods live together," where the sanctuary of ITSUKUSHIMA honors the sea guardian and is partially submerged in the water. It's time to go to the temple, meander through its charming Centre, and eat lunch.
- Dinner is included, Return to our hotel in Hiroshima.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 4 HIROSHIMA - MATSUYAMA
Meals
- After breakfast, we are boarding the ferry to Shikoku Island, where we'll have 2.5 hours of sightseeing the various islands that make up Japan. We'll ride the cable car to reach MATSUYAMA's magnificent castle. Then, we'll go to the renowned Buddhist temple and shrine known as ISHITEJI.
- Lunch is included.
- We will go to DOGO ONSEN, a nineteenth-century traditional Japanese bathhouse, in the late afternoon (entry is free).
- Over night stay at the hotel.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 5 MATSUYAMA - KOTOHIRA - TAKAMATSU - NARUTO - KOBE
Meals
- After breakfast, we will depart towards KOTOHIRA, a well-liked pilgrimage site in honor of the God of Sailors and a Shinto shrine. To reach the shrine, which is situated on Mount Zosu, one must ascend 785 stairs.
- The next stop is RITSURIN in TAKAMATSU, one of Japan's most exquisite gardens.
- Lunch is included.
- We next cross a spectacular sea bridge at NARUTO, stopping along the way to admire the structure and walk on its glass floor with the water 45 meter's below us. Our route traverses beautiful farmland and extensive coastal bridges that connect islands.
- Arrival in KOBE, over night stay at the hotel.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 6 KOBE - OSAKA - MOUNT KOYA
Meals
- After breakfast, we will proceed to visit the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum, which honors the devastating earthquake that devastated the city in 1995 and its immaculate reconstruction. On specific days, the Sake Museum or a climb up the Kobe Tower may be swapped out for the Earthquake Museum.
- Then we moving to Osaka! From here, we'll go to MOUNT KOYA, one of Japan's holiest mountains and the country's principal Shingon Buddhist centre. This magnificent mountain has 120 shrines and monasteries, making it a popular destination for pilgrims.
- We will visit the Okuno Mausoleum, a sizable, remote cemetery with more than 200,000 graves.
- The 1593-built Kongobuji Temple is our next stop. This evening, we're visiting a Buddhist monastery. With the monks, we'll partake in a Zen meditation (Ajikan). Dinner is included (vegetarian food). If you choose to go, there is an early morning religious service at the temple. We consider our stay in the monastery to have been a profound existential experience. The hotel's small, non-bathroom rooms are styled in traditional Japanese way with tatamis. Public restrooms are available.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 7 MOUNT KOYA - KYOTO
Meals
- This morning after Japanese's breakfast at the temple we leave early for KYOTO, where we shall stay all day. Between 794 and 1868, KYOTO, where the Imperial Court is situated, served as Japan's capital. Kyoto's rich creative heritage has survived since it was the only important Japanese city to escape bombing during World War II. The renowned Kyoto Protocol reducing greenhouse gas emissions was ratified in 1997. One of the city's most significant neighbourhoods is visited during the tour.
- Later we will take a tour of the Imperial Palace, the magnificent Kinkakuji temple, popularly called "the golden pavilion," the Shinto shrine of Fushimi Inari, and its wonderful gardens. Before visiting GION, a lively traditional area well-known for its geisha, take advantage of some free time. Note: If Kyoto was a stop on your tour, our guide will provide you tips and information about exploring the rest of the city on your own.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 8 KYOTO - TSUMAGO - MATSUMOTO - NAGANO
Meals
- After breakfast, we will travel to TSUMAGO enjoying lovely rural landscapes along the way. One of the finest spots in Japan is this small town with its wooden cottages. Lunch is included, as well as free time to explore. Then we travel to MATSUMOTO, a popular tourist destination, where we will see the magnificent "Crow Fortress," a 16th century castle, in person. Free hour to tour this hopping tourist destination.
- Over night stay in the NAGANO.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 9 NAGANO - MONKEY PARK - KASATSU - IKAHO
Meals
- After breakfast, we will go to The Zenko-ji, a temple that houses the first Japanese Buddhist statue. is located in NAGANO. Here the Gomakuyo ceremony, intended to bring luck, will be performed for our travelers.
- After that, we'll take a trip to the stunning Japanese Alps and visit the JIGOKUDANI Monkey Park, where we'll have lunch and take a stroll through the forests, rivers, and spa waters where colonies of Japanese macaques reside and take baths.
- After that, we travel up to 2,172 meter's in elevation passing through stunning scenery and partially active volcanoes. We will arrive in KUSATSU is a charming resort town with a bustling central plaza.
- We will experience Yumomi performance, where the actresses and singers will educate us on the conventional technique used to cool the bath waters.
- After that, we take a stroll through the city park, where there is an outdoor Onsen (Hot spring).
- Then we'll travel to IKAHO, a charming spa town, where we'll stroll through its historic district with its staircase streets.
- We will end our day by a enjoying relaxing bath at the hotel's baths while staying in a RYOKAN (a Japanese-style hotel).
- We have also arranged for a traditional supper to enjoy Japanese delicacies.
- Kindly note: The monkeys' movements in the autumn are erratic and depend on the availability of fruit in the highlands. The park might be closed if the macaques don't descend to it. From November through April, the Yumoni show and the visit to Kusatsu are postponed because of the weather.
- Over night stay at the hotel
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 10 IKAHO - NIKKO - SENDAI
Meals
- After breakfast, we leave for NIKKO and arrive at this fantastic city at 10.30am.
- Later we will visit the impressive Nikko Toshogu Shrine with the room of the crying dragon.
- Then we will proceed to Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, set in an impressive, peaceful site, followed by a walk near the river, in Kannanga Fuchi, under the watchful eye of hundreds of Jizo statues!
- Free time in the city centre before leaving for SENDAI, a modern, bustling city with over 1 million inhabitants. Passengers can explore the city and have dinner in its busy, thriving Centre.
- Overnight stay at hotel.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 11 SENDAI - MATSUSHIMA - HIRAIZUMI - MORIOKA
Meals
- After breakfast we depart for the marvelous city of MATSHUSHIMA, on the “Thousand Islands” Bay in the Pacific Ocean and considered one of the most attractive cities in Japan.
- After arriving, we will visit a magnificent “tea house” overlooking the sea and enjoy a cup of traditional tea while our guide tells us about the city. Then we will go on a 50-minute cruise (included).
- Lunch is included.
- We continue to HIRAIZUMI to visit its temples and the UNESCO World Heritage. In a first step we visit the magnificent Buddhist temples of Chusonji. We take time to relax in the gardens of Motsuiji temple, where passengers can take part in a Zen ceremony (admission included).
- Finally, we will know Site of Takkoku no Iwaya, carved in the rock in 801. We then carry on to MORIOKA, the pleasant capital of Iwate province, where we settle in at our hotel and have some free time to explore.
- Overnight stay at hotel
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 12 MORIOKA - HIROSAKI - AOMORI - HAKODATE
Meals
- After breakfast, we travel to HIROSAKI, where we will visit its castle in a beautiful park where more than 2,500 cherry trees blossom in the spring.
- After this we go on to AOMORI, the provincial capital of the Bay of Mutsu. We will see the Nebuta Museum where we will learn about the Japanese traditional parties that remind us of carnival, with their painted and lit up floats. Lunch included in a local restaurant.
- Then we board the ferry to HOKKAIDO Island. The crossing takes just over three and a half hours.
- HAKODATE –Arrival-. Before going to our hotel, we will ascend Mount Hakodate, which has wonderful views. We make the descent by cable car. Time in the beautiful city pedestrian Centre in which to admire the influence of other cultures in the city (Russian Orthodox and Christian churches).
- Overnight stay at hotel
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 13 HAKODATE - ONUMA - NOBORIBETSU - SAPPORO
Meals
- After breakfast, we visit the impressive and busy fish market. Then we climb the GORYOKAKU Tower with its impressive views, from where we can make out the star-shaped fortress of Hakodate.
- Then we will take a stroll through the castle area before continuing to ONUMA.
- Free time in this wonderful tourist site, with its countless small islands in which to explore the islands, go on a boat trip.
- Lunch is included.
- In the afternoon our journey takes us towards the ocean and NOBORIBETSU, an impressive volcano site, where we can walk amidst geysers in Jigoku Dani (Hell’s Valley), admire the hot spring lake of Oyunuma and follow the path next to the hot spring to the site of the footbath. Then we carry on to SAPPORO.
- At the end of the day, we arrive at this beautiful city, the capital of North Japan.
- Overnight stay at hotel
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 14 SAPPORO
Meals
- After breakfast, City tour (included) stopping at the clock tower and Odori Koen avenue-park, dominated by the telecommunications tower.
- We will see the beautiful Shinto shrine of Hokkaido Jingu. The visit includes a ceremonial Kito (prayer session) in which we give thanks for the journey
- Lunch is included.
- We will leave Sapporo, we know the HILL OF BUDDHA, new centre of avant-garde architecture opened in 2015, the hill covered with lavenders keeps the giant statue of Buddha, in the complex we will also see the replica of the statues Moai (Easter Island).
- We then continue to OTARU, a small city with a European air and streets filled with shops, an old canal, and tiny museums.
- We return to Sapporo at about 4.30 hrs. Free time in the afternoon.
- Overnight stay at hotel
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 15 SAPPORO - TOYAKO ONSEN - MOUNT USU - FERRY TOMAKOMAI SENDAI
Meals
- After breakfast, we will travel through picturesque countryside in the interior of Hokkaido Island, passing lakes and mountains until arriving in the resort city of TOYAKO at the base of a large volcano, on the shores of a charming lake that formerly filled a previous crater. Time to spare for a stroll along the riverside. To learn more about the eruptions this region has experienced, we'll go to the volcanology museum.
- Lunch is included.
- Later we will next ride the cable car to the top of the USU Volcano, where we can explore the volcano's amazing landscape. We continue on to Shiraoi, where we stop by the POROTOKOTAN, the Ainu village museum, there we can learn about the Eskimo culture that predated the Japanese settlement on this island.
- After that, we continue on to TOMAKOMAI and board a cutting-edge ferry for a night journey.
- Dinner is included.
- Over night stay at the hotel.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 16 FERRY TOMAKOMAI SENDAI - SENDAI - YAMADERA - AIZUWAKAMATSU
Meals
- After breakfast, we travel to Sendai port and reach there around ten clock. From there, we continue to YAMADERA, a stunning collection of temples that was established more than a thousand years ago in the mountains, amidst vast tree woods. It's time to see this magical location.
- Next, we continue to YONEZAWA. We are in one of the primary districts for the production of sake; first, we will visit the Sake Museum and its little distillery before continuing through lovely countryside to AIZUWAKAMATSU.
- Lunch is included
- Over night stay at the hotel.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 17 AIZUWAKAMATSU - OUCHIJUKU - TOKYO
Meals
- After breakfast, we will visit the ancient home known as the SAMURAI MANSION in AIZUWAKAMATSU to discover more about the Samurai Warriors.
- Later we take a trip through the Castle Garden, where we can catch a glimpse of young students practicing's their moves in the dojo. We will ascend to Iimoriyama, where we will view the sculptures that Mussolini contributed and hear about the young people who died here as martyrs. We keep travelling till we reach OUCHI-JUKU, a community with traditional homes and thatched roofs that is really lovely.
- Later we travel to the spectacular OYA-MUSEUM, which was once a stone quarry.
- Return to TOKYO at the conclusion of the day.
- Over night stay at the hotel.
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 18 TOKYO - KAMAKURA - ODAWARA - GORA
Meals
- After breakfast, we will depart from Tokyo and travel to KAMAKURA. For two centuries, Japan's capital was located in this "oasis of tranquilly," which is home to a large number of temples, sanctuaries, and gardens. We can enjoy a green tea while strolling through the bamboo grove of the Zen monastery Hokoku-ji, which has free entrance. We also see Sugimoto-dera, the city's oldest temple and one that was built in 734. Prior to seeing the Great Buddha, spend some time around the charming city Centre (Daibutsu - admission included).
- We then follow the Pacific Ocean on a beautiful route. Free time for lunch and a stroll on the small oceanic island of ENOSHIMA.
- Later we will proceed to ODAWARA, where we include entrance to the castle, an impressive mediaeval fortress that was renovated in the twentieth century and is one of Japan's most important castles.
- Then Continue to Hakone, a picturesque location of lakes and mountains close to Mount Fuji. Over night stay at the hotel, in the charming village of GORA (or a nearby place).
JAPAN TOUR PACKAGE - DAY 19 GORA - MONT FUJI - KAWAGUCHIKO - TOKYO
Meals
- After breakfast, we begin the day by climbing OWAKUDANI, also known as "hell Valley," which is filled with steam boilers, bubbling mud, and sulphurous vapours. We next continue on to OSHINO HAKKAI, a small, charming village with 8 ponds and views of Mount Fuji.
- Later we will proceed to KAWAGUCHIKO, a picturesque city of modest homes, flowers, and mountains close to its lovely lake, where we also incorporate a lovely boat tour. Later, we begin the ascent of Mount Fuji, reaching a height of 2305 meter's along the path that leads to the "fifth station" among breathtaking scenery and forests.
- Back to Tokyo at the end of the day.
- End of our services.