MELBOURNE TO TOKYO

Welcome to our fascinating tour to magnificent Japan! After we are collected by our chauffeurs, we are transferred to Tullamarine International Airport where we meet our Tour Director and fellow passengers, ready to board our night flight to Singapore. Here, we change planes for our direct flight to Tokyo Haneda Airport where we will arrive tomorrow afternoon local time.

Refreshments and meals inflight

ARRIVE TOKYO

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Tokyo Haneda Airport, our English-speaking guide will greet us and assist with the transfer to our hotel. We’ll have time to unpack and settle in before we join together for dinner in the hotel.  Early to bed this evening so we’ll be refreshed and ready to begin our touring of this exciting city tomorrow!

OVERNIGHT:  Sheraton Miyako Tokyo, TOKYO 

EXPLORING TOKYO

After breakfast, we start our discovery tour of Tokyo by private coach and with the aid of our local English-speaking guide. Our first visit is to Sensoji Temple in Asakusa area. The oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, it is one of Tokyo’s most colourful and popular temples. Asakusa is the city’s oldest Geisha district. The streets around Sensoji feature many traditional shops that sell Japanese crafts and souvenirs—we’ll have plenty of time to wander through the area. We’ll also get a feel for old-school Tokyo at one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets, Nakamise-dori, which dates back to the 17th century. Most shops in this arcade have been run by the same families for several generations, some serving top-class street food and irresistible snacks - it’s here we enjoy our lunch. This afternoon, we visit the Tokyo Sky Tree. The Sky Tree is a TV broadcasting tower and Tokyo landmark. It is Japan’s highest structure and at it’s base, there is a large shopping complex which we have time to explore. We return to our hotel with some time to relax before this evening’s outing. Tonight, join our fellow guests for a Welcome Dinner on a Yakatabune, a traditional Japanese boat with origins dating back to the Heian period

(791-1185).

OVERNIGHT:  Sheraton Miyako Tokyo, TOKYO

MORE OF TOKYO

After breakfast, it is time to jump into another day of sightseeing visiting some of the iconic sites Tokyo has to offer.  We start our day with a visit to the Imperial Palace which is situated on the former grounds of Edo Castle. Although we don’t enter the palace, we do get to explore the expansive park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls - peace, right in the heart of Tokyo city!  The palace serves as the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family. From here, we walk past the beautiful old Tokyo Station which is now a hotel, and onto the Tokyo National Museum.  This museum houses one of Japan’s largest and finest collections of art and archaeological artifacts, with over 100,000 individual items, including nearly a hundred designated national treasures.  It’s now time to experience the fine art of sushi making, just as the Japanese do. This afternoon, we can stroll around Ginza. The Ginza is Tokyo's most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district, featuring numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and cafes. One square metre of land in the district's centre is worth over ten million yen, making it one of the most expensive real estate in Japan.

Dinner at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Sheraton Miyako Tokyo, TOKYO 

TOKYO TO KAWAGUCHIKO

We say farewell to bustling Tokyo and head to the tallest mountain in Japan. We travel to the highest point possible via coach which is Mount Fuji 5th Station (depending upon weather conditions). After time for lunch, we continue to Oshino Hakkai, a picturesque series of eight ponds in Oshino, a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region. The eight ponds are nourished by snow melting from nearby Mount Fuji that has been filtering down the mountain via porous layers of lava for over 80 years, resulting in extraordinarily pure mineral-rich water that is cherished by the locals. At Lake Kawaguchiko, we visit the most popular attraction - the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. The Ropeway, which is actually a gondola, ascends to an observation point near the summit of Mount Tenjo, from where Lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji can be seen. Don’t forget to bring your camera!  We now check into our hotel, with some leisure time before dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel GLAD, GOTENBA 

KAWAGUCHIKO TO TAKAYAMA

This morning, we depart Lake Kawaguchiko and start our journey to Takayama. On arrival, we explore the Sannomachi Street - Takayama Historic Old Town. It has been beautifully preserved with many buildings dating back to the feudal ages when the city thrived as a wealthy merchant town. We check into our hotel and have time to freshen up for dinner.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Associa Takayama Resort, TAKAYAMA

TAKAYAMA TO KANAZAWA

Today we make our way to Shirakawago and neighbouring Gokayama regions which line the Shogawa River Valley in the remote mountains that span from Gifu to Yoyama Prefectures. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, Gokayama is known for its gassho zukuri farmhouses. Gassho-zukuri means "built like hands in prayer", is represented by the steep thatched roofs of the farmhouses. This architectural style has evolved over many generations - the roofs were built without nails and are intricately designed to withstand large amounts of snow. Some of these farmhouses are more than 250 years old. We have time for lunch before continuing to Kanazawa.  Here, we settle in for the next two nights.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Kanazawa Sainoniwa, KANAZAWA

PLEASE NOTE:  Tomorrow morning, you will be required to bring your luggage to the front bell desk by 8.00am. It will be delivered the following day to the hotel in Kyoto. Please prepare an overnight bag with your necessities for tomorrow night in Kanazawa and Wednesday’s clothing.

EXPLORING KANAZAWA

We have planned a wonderful day of exploration. First we visit Kenrokuen Garden, considered one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens, Kenrokuen Garden is a must-visit location in Kanazawa. The name Kenrokuen means “having six factors”, representing the attributes which bring out the garden’s stunning beauty: spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and magnificent views. The iconic Kotoji-toro Lantern, over two metres tall with two legs, symbolizes Kenrokuen’s beauty and harmony. Next stop is Kanazawa Castle Park located right next to Kenrokuen Garden. Once the home of the Maeda family, who governed the Kaga Domain – present day Ishikawa and Toyama – for over 280 years, Kanazawa Castle is an essential part of the city’s history. Many features of the castle have been destroyed over its long history – including the original castle tower, which was destroyed in a fire – and many of them have been rebuilt. Two of its longest lasting features are the Ishikawa-mon Gate, which was rebuilt in 1788, and the Sanjikken Nagaya which was rebuilt in 1858. Both of them have been designated as important cultural assets.  We now have lunch before visiting Nagamachi Samurai District. Nagamachi, situated at the base of the former Kanazawa Castle, was a samurai district where samurai and their families once lived.  It retains an historic ambiance with its preserved residences, earthen walls, private gates, narrow lanes and water canals. A highlight of the area is Nomura-ke, a meticulously restored samurai residence. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the lifestyle and artifacts of the prosperous samurai era. In contrast, the Shinise Kinenkan Museum offers insight into the lives of the merchant class which flourished as the samurai’s influence waned. We now return to the hotel for some time at leisure before dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  Kanazawa Sainoniwa, KANAZAWA 

KANAZAWA TO KYOTO

After breakfast, we transfer to Kanazawa Station and take the bullet train to Tsuruga Station (Economy class and reserved seats).  Here we change for the super fast express train to Kyoto. On arrival, we embark on an afternoon sightseeing tour. First up is the Fushimi Inari Shrine, an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 metres and belongs to the shrine grounds. We continue to the Gion District.  Gion is the perfect place to explore the Kyoto of another age. Known as the city's entertainment district, particularly for the refined performers known as geisha (or more properly geiko) who have enthralled patrons for centuries, Gion is full of handsome, understated townhouses and teahouses, restaurants serving traditional Kyoto cuisine, and venerable temples and shrines.  It’s now time to check into our next two night’s accommodation where our luggage will be delivered.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement, suggest purchasing a lunch box to eat on train

OVERNIGHT:  Hilton Garden Inn, KYOTO 

MORE OF KYOTO

It is time to further explore Kyoto. First, visit the Sagano Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama where we can take a morning stroll in the bamboo groves. The most captivating spot inside the temple grounds is the landscaped garden that features a pond surrounded by rocks and pine trees set against the great Arashiyama Mountains. For more than four centuries, the Togetsu-kyo Bridge has stood as a distinguished landmark in the Arashiyama District of western Kyoto. Crafted from wood, this historic bridge stretches gracefully across the Katsura River, commanding a picturesque vista in the shadow of Arashiyama Mountain. After lunch, we visit Tenryuji Temple, the most significant temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. It holds the top rank among the city's five great Zen temples and is a registered World Heritage site. Tenryuji serves as the head temple of its own school within the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism. We now return to the hotel for some time at leisure. This evening experience a tea ceremony with Geisha. After finishing the tea ceremony, move towards the restaurant where we can enjoy a Kaiseki Dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  Hilton Garden Inn, KYOTO 

PLEASE NOTE: Tomorrow morning, you will be required to bring your luggage to the front bell desk by 8.00am. It will be delivered on Day 13 to your hotel in Osaka. Please prepare a bag with your necessities for two nights in Hiroshima.

KYOTO TO HIROSHIMA

After breakfast we make our way to Nara to embark on a half-day tour. View Todai-ji Temple which is the landmark of Nara that was built in the 8th century to serve as the head Buddhist temple in Japan. The most notable part of the temple is the Daibutsu- den, the largest wooden building in the world, where you can find a 15-meter-tall bronze, Buddha. You will also see several deer strolling outside the temple or in the nearby Nara Park, a large park in central Nara. It is the home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered the messengers of the gods, Nara's over 1000 deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated as a natural treasure. Deer crackers are for sale around the park, and some deer have learned to bow to visitors to ask to be fed. They are accustomed to humans who are only allowed to feed them “deer crackers” (shika senbei) sold in packs of about 10 for 150 yen. It’s important to follow this order: Bow to the deer, let the deer bow back, feed the deer a cracker.  After time for our lunch break, we arrive at Kyoto Station to take the Bullet train to Hiroshima. (Economy class and reserved seats.) Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

OVERNIGHT: Hilton Hotel, HIROSHIMA

HIROSHIMA

We start our day by visiting the historical Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Stroll through the park and pass by Genbaku Dome (A-Bomb Dome), the ruins of the former Industrial Hall of Hiroshima. The park’s main facility is the Peace Memorial Museum. Consisting of two sections, the East Wing shows the history of Hiroshima before the bombing, the lives of the people during WWII, and the efforts of Japan to promote international peace. The West Wing, on the other hand, exhibits a more moving collection of articles, from the personal belongings left by the victims. We now take the ferry to Miyajima Island. See the Itsukushima Shrine, formally known as Itsukushima, earns its fame and name from its iconic "floating" torii gate. This architectural marvel, built over water, creates a stunning sight, particularly during high tide. The shrine complex includes a prayer hall, main hall, and noh theater stage, all connected by boardwalks above the sea, making it a unique and revered destination. Return to Hiroshima, dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant near the hotel (Okonomiyaki).

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Hilton Hotel, HIROSHIMA

HIROSHIMA TO OSAKA 

This morning, we will be transferred back to Hiroshima Station where we board the bullet train to Shin Osaka Station (reserved seats, ordinary class). Upon our arrival in Osaka, we depart for a sightseeing tour. We see Osaka Castle which stands as a majestic symbol of Japan's rich history and enduring cultural legacy. Situated amidst the bustling modernity of Osaka city, this imposing fortress transports visitors back to a bygone era of feudal lords, samurai warriors, and intricate castle architecture. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the centre of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule as it was the largest castle at the time. The castle tower is now entirely modern on the inside and even features an elevator for easier accessibility. It houses an informative museum about the castle's history and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This afternoon stroll around Dotonbori, a restaurant mecca that has long been referred to as Osaka’s former entertainment and pleasure district. A short walk from this street leads to the touristy town of Ebisubashi, with the famous billboard of the Glico Running Man and a view of the Dotonbori River. Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant, and it will be a beautiful time to discuss our favourite moments from our holiday in Japan.

Lunch at own expense; suggest purchasing a lunch box before boarding the train

OVERNIGHT:  Doubletree by Hilton Osaka Castle, OSAKA

HOMEWARD BOUND

Sadly, we’re coming to the end of the tour and it’s nearly time to say goodbye to Japan. After breakfast, we have time for some last-minute shopping before joining the group for our final farewell lunch. This afternoon, we transfer to Osaka (Kansai) Airport and check in for our flight to Singapore departing late afternoon.

Meals inflight

ARRIVE MELBOURNE

Our Singapore Airlines flight touches down at Melbourne Airport this morning. After clearing Customs and Immigration, our chauffeurs will be waiting for us in the arrival lounge. We’re sure you will arrive home with a sense of well-being, appreciation and love for the amazing country of Japan.