Wonders of Japan

Overview

Wonders of Japan

From the gleaming metropolis of Tokyo to the intricate gardens of Kyoto, experience the wonders of Japan during the beautiful winter months.

Japan is a world apart – a cultural Galápagos where a unique civilisation blossomed, and today thrives in delicious contrasts of traditional and modern. The Japanese spirit is strong, warm and incredibly welcoming.

Standing at the Far-Eastern end of the Silk Road and drawing influences from the entire continent, the Japanese have spent millennia taking in and refining the cultural bounties of Asia to produce something distinctly Japanese. From the splendour of a Kyoto geisha dance to the spare beauty of a Zen rock garden, Japan has the power to enthrall even the most jaded traveller. And traditional culture is only half the story: emerging from Tokyo’s Shibuya Station and soaking up the energy, lights and sound of the city is like stepping out of a time capsule into a future world.

What's Included:

  • Return flights
  • 8 nights in hotels and 2 in flight (accommodation as specified or similar)
  • Full board basis
  • All sightseeing, touring and transfers
  • Visa fees for UK passport holders
  • Rail pass at Kyoto
  • Tour of Tokyo
  • Visit Mount Fuki and Hakone National Park
  • Watch snow monkeys bathe in the hot springs
  • Visit ancient city of Kyoto

Full Itinerary

Day 1 - 2: London Heathrow - Tokyo

Prepare for a culture and land entirely different from what you are used to. On arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport you wil be taken by shuttle bus to your hotel in Tokyo. Check into your hotel and explore.
Overnight - Tokyo

Day 3 : Explore Tokyo

One quarter of all Japanese live in Tokyo or the near vicinity and with a population of over 12 million inhabitants, Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world. The street level detail is what makes Tokyo such an incredibly interesting place to explore and at every turn you will be met with an array of sights, sounds and smells to enliven the senses. The city has many major sights to visit such as Senso-Ji Temple in the old downtown area of Asakusa or the fashion hub of Shibuya.
Overnight - Tokyo Meals - Breakfast & Lunch

Day 4: Mount Fuji & Hakone

Today you will be making a full day excursion to Mount Fuji and the Hakone National Park. Your day will get underway with the drive to the 5th Station of Mount Fuji from where, weather permitting, you will be able to take in the spectacular views before moving to Hakone, where you will board a cruise boat and travel across Lake Ashi to Hakone-en Garden. From the garden, you will take the ropeway up Mount Komagatake for a spectacular panoramic view of Mount Fuji and the valley below. Lunch is included. In the late afternoon you will begin the drive back to Tokyo arriving early evening.
Overnight - Tokyo Meals - Breakfast

Day 5: Tokyo - Yudanaka

Travel on Japan's ultra-modern and super-fast train network through spectacular snow covered landscape to Nagano, the host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Take some time to visit the iconic Zenkoji Temple, one of the most important in Japan. Afterwards, continue your journey deep into the northern mountains of the Japanese Alps to the Onsen resort town of Yudanaka.
Overnight - Yudanaka Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Yudanaka Onsen

Enjoy exploring the hot spring town of Yudanaka today, taking in all the sights, including the famous snow monkeys who come down from the mountain during the winter months to soak in natural hot springs at the Jigokudani Monkey Park. The monkeys completely ignore their human watchers and you can spend hours watching them play, and even swimming in the Onsen.
Overnight - Yudanaka Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7: Bullet train to Kyoto

Don't expect any delays or signal failures as you board the speedy bullet train for a thrilling train ride across the Japanese countryside to Kyoto, a city famous for its traditional Japanese lifestyle and Geisha performances.
Overnight - Kyoto Meals - Breakfast

Day 8: Kyoto

Follow your guide on an in depth tour of this former capital, home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. Track down Kyoto's treasures: sacred shrines tucked in among shopping arcades, time-honoured teahouses nestling among modern businesses and mysterious geisha scuttling down backstreets among the tourist souvenirs.
Overnight - Kyoto Meals - Breakfast

Day 9: Explore Kyoto

You could easily spend another full day discovering more of Kyoto's wonders, however for those eager to see even more of Japan, we do provide you with a rail pass enabling you to visit one of the nearby cities, including Nara, Kobe, Osaka or Hiroshima.
Overnight - Kyoto Meals - Breakfast

Day 10: Kyoto - Tokyo

From Kyoto, jump back on the trains and travel back to Tokyo. Enjoy one last evening in this sky-scraping metropolis.
Overnight - Kyoto Meals - Breakfast

Day 11: Tokyo - London

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

Hand Picked By

Tracey Murray

Using local restaurants to enjoy the fabulous cuisine, staying in central hotels to explore local area easily and all entrance fees and visas included, I would definitely recommend visiting this beautiful part of Asia.

Tracey Murray

Additional Information

  • Date: Various departures for 2024
  • Board Basis: Mixed meal plan
  • Duration: 10 nights
  • Departure Airport: London Heathrow
  • Guide Price: Please call for latest price
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