Culture and Art of Japan

Welcome to Tokyo. Be met on arrival and transferred to your luxurious hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers at a welcome reception at the hotel.

Accommodation
Three Nights, The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Location
Tokyo , Japan

Following breakfast, set off with your Tour Director to Roppongi, where you’ll visit the observation deck at Mori Tower, which provides outstanding views of the vast capital city when the weather permits. Next up is Tokyo’s old town of Asakusa, which is home to the city’s oldest temple, Sensoji. Visit the iconic temple and stroll through the Nakamise shopping street indulging in snacks and souvenir shopping. Following a restaurant lunch, embark on your exciting Freedom of Choice activity. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinners

Location
Tokyo , Japan

Visit Meiji Shrine this morning, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and one of the city’s most popular attractions. Following your delectable Signature Experience, visit Ginza, Tokyo’s most famous upmarket shopping district. Marvel at the presentation and diversity of food at a local department store before the day’s touring comes to an end. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at your leisure.

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Location
Tokyo , Japan

Depart for Hakone following breakfast and catch glimpses of iconic Mount Fuji if it’s a clear day. Your first stop is at Hakone Shrine, a beautiful, historic Shinto shrine nestled in the forest by the shores of Lake Ashi. Board a boat for a cruise on the picturesque lake and arrive at Togendai before taking in the scenery on the way to the volcanic valley of Owakudani via the Hakone Ropeway. Follow the walking trails around the bubbling pools and steam vents and perhaps try one of the famous black eggs boiled in the area’s natural hot springs. Head to your luxury hotel, which boasts access to a naturally heated onsen, and enjoy dinner with your fellow guests this evening.

Accommodation
Hakone, Kowakien Ten-yu

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinners

Location
Hakone , Japan

Set out this morning to to Gotemba for a Signature Experience. Following your soba lunch, continue to Matsumoto and visit the spectacular Matsumoto Castle. One of Japan’s most complete original castles, the structure dates back to the 16th century. Tour the castle and its pristine grounds before being transferred to your new hotel in Takayama, where you’ll indulge in dinner tonight.

Accommodation
Two Nights, Associa Takayama Resort

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinners

Location
Takayama , Japan

Start off the day with a visit to the Miyagawa morning market, one of the largest in Japan. All the market’s traders are independent farmers and craftspeople from the region, so it’s the perfect opportunity to try some of the area’s best produce. After lunch, wander along the stunning streets of the city’s old town along the way to the Festival Floats Museum, where you’ll admire the ornamental floats of the Takayama Festival. For dinner, you’ll have the chance to try the region’s famous Hida beef at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Location
Takayama , Japan

Today you’ll visit the World Heritage-listed village of Shirakawa-go en route to Kanazawa. Some of the village’s famous gassho-zukuri farmhouses date back more than 250 years, and you’ll stop at Kanda House to gain a deeper insight into the traditional homes before strolling around the peaceful village. Continue to Kanazawa and visit the marvellous Kenroku-en garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Later, visit the Nagamachi Samurai district and the traditional Nomura Samurai House. Enjoy your choice of restaurant for dinner this evening.

Accommodation
Hotel Nikko Kanazawa

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Location
Kanazawa , Japan

Start your day in the Higashi Chaya District, Kanawa’s largest geisha district. Enjoy a special Signature Experience before visiting the authentic Shima tea house. Following your time in the district, be transferred to the train station to board your first-class train to Kyoto, with a Japanese lunch provided on board. Upon arrival, walk to your nearby accommodation and settle in before savouring a group dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation
Four Nights, The Thousand Kyoto

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinners

Location
Kyoto , Japan

An exciting day of sightseeing lies ahead. Set out for Arashiyama this morning, climbing aboard a rickshaw for a ride past the Nonomiya Shrine and the spectacular Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Following your rickshaw experience, visit the World Heritage-listed Tenryuji Temple, one of Kyoto’s five great Zen temples which was founded in 1339. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the famous Kinkakuji temple, commonly known as the Golden Pavilion for its gold-leaf-covered upper floors. You’ll then stop off at historic Nijo Castle before returning to your hotel and spending the evening at your leisure.

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Location
Kyoto , Japan

Begin your day with a special Signature Experience. In the afternoon, head out on your chosen Freedom of Choice activity before returning to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your choice of restaurant.

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Location
Kyoto , Japan

After breakfast, board a private coach for the nearby town of Nara, once the capital of Japan for 74 years in the eighth century. Visit the incredible Todaiji Temple, one of the world’s largest wooden structures and home to the country’s largest statue of Buddha. Stroll through the fascinating temple before exploring the surrounding Nara Park, which is freely roamed by a large population of friendly deer who will generally bow their heads for a treat. Next, visit Nara’s most celebrated shrine, Kasuga Taisha, which was established in 768 AD. Return to the hotel and enjoy free time this afternoon before savouring a special Signature Experience for dinner.

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Location
Kyoto , Japan

Head to Kyoto Station and take a first-class bullet train to Himeji, where you’re treated to a Signature Experience. Journey on to a sake brewery, touring the traditional site and enjoying a delicious tasting. Following lunch at a local restaurant, return to the train station for another first-class bullet train journey to Okayama. Discover the city at leisure in the afternoon and evening after checking into your luxury hotel.

Accommodation
Two Nights, Hotel Granvia Okayama

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Location
Okayama , Japan

Treat yourself to a full day on the remarkable Naoshima Island today, first taking a private coach to Uno Port for your ferry to the island. Following your day-long Signature Experience, be transferred back to your accommodation and enjoy a French dinner at your hotel.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinners

Location
Okayama , Japan

This morning, visit the beautiful and spacious Korakuen Garden, another member of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Afterwards, board a bullet train for a first-class ride to Hiroshima, where you’ll have lunch at a local restaurant. After your meal, be taken to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which lies at ground zero of the devastating atomic bomb which dropped on the city in August 1945. Stroll through the park and discover its memorials and monuments before a moving visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Later, visit the nearby Hiroshima Orizuru Tower for great views of the surrounding area. Enjoy your evening at leisure.

Accommodation
Two Nights, Sheraton Grand Hiroshima

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Location
Hiroshima , Japan

Head to the Mazda Factory Museum this morning to learn all about one of the world’s leading car manufacturing companies. For lunch, try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki at a local restaurant before boarding a ferry to Miyajima Island. A sacred island and holy place of Shintoism, Miyajima is home to the World Heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine, which is famous for its partially submerged “floating” torii gate. After strolling around the island, be transferred back to your hotel and enjoy Hiroshima’s charm at your leisure.

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Location
Okayama , Japan

After breakfast, board a first-class bullet train to Hakata, where you’ll have free time for lunch before taking a private coach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Explore the shrine before reboarding your coach and driving to your luxury accommodation. Tonight, soak in the atmosphere at a local izakaya, where you’ll share a farewell dinner to toast your incredible Japanese journey.

Accommodation
Fukuoka, Miyako Hotel Hakata

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Location
Fukuoka , Japan

Your journey ends today after breakfast, with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• Breakfast

Location
Fukuoka , Japan