Magic of Japan

Welcome to Tokyo!  In 1868, the Japanese Emperor moved the capital from Kyoto to Edo, which was then renamed as Tokyo (\"Eastern Capital\"). Large parts of Tokyo were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and due to the air raids in 1945 during World War II. The city was rebuilt and today it offers a wealth of shopping, entertainment, culture, and dining choices as well as a variety of beautiful green spaces to its visitors. Upon arrival at Narita International Airport today, you will be met by our representative and assisted to an airport bus for your transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Later in the evening, have your first introduction to this fascinating country, take a trip by metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku District, the most happening place in Tokyo, known for its buzzing clubs, upscale bars, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. Discover the most modern transport service of metro, mingle with the crowd and have a taste of day to day life of the common Japanese. Enjoy your dinner at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel by metro.




Overnight in Tokyo

After an early breakfast, enjoy a guided city tour of Tokyo, a diverse collection of everchanging neighbourhoods, where futuristic modern districts peacefully coexist with quiet, warm neighbourhoods from the past. Your first stop will be at Zojoji Temple, standing next to Tokyo tower, it gives you a perfect backdrop for your photograph, a perfect representation of modern meeting the past. Apart from its impressive gateway dating back to 17th century, pay attention to hundred of Jizos traditional stone deities dressed in hats and robes and believe to protect and guide travellers, provide strength to weak and in danger. Next stop will be Shibuya, believed to be the most crowded junction of the world. Visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife. Continue to the elegant street of Omotesando and visit the majestic Imperial Palace and it Gardens. Stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. Pass through the district of Akihabara, the “electric town” with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture and then see Kokugikan, the Sumo stadium, home of this Japanese sport. The final stop will bat the Buddhist Temple of Sensoji, the oldest and most important Buddhist Temple in Tokyo, dedicated to Bodhisattva of compassion. Next to it is the iconic 55mts high Pagoda. Spend some free time to visit the nearby traditional commercial street of Nakamise. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel and have the afternoon at leisure.




Overnight at Tokyo

After breakfast, set out for the beautiful region of Mount Fuji, passing through pretty countryside on our way. Go on to Kawaguchiko with its tiny houses, flowers and mountains, and its beautiful lake. First of all you see the Arakurayama Sengen Park, with its beautiful pagodas, and from here enjoy the best and most well-known views of Mount Fuji. After this, you will visit The Fuji Sengen Shrine set in a magical site surrounded by tall trees, and the starting point of the traditional pilgrimage to the mountain. At the shrine, you will express your thanks for being able to visit this wonderful place. After that, enjoy a delightful boat trip on Kawaguchiko Lake which lasts approximately 30 minutes. After lunch (not included), you start to ascend Mount Fuji on the road that takes us to the “fifth station”, surrounded by spectacular forests and views, to a height of 2,305 metres. Return to Kawaguchiko arriving at 17.15hrs, with time to stroll near the lake. We will stay at a Ryokan (a traditional Japanese hotel), where we recommend you to enjoy its Onsen. The experience in this typical Japanese public bath will be unforgettable. Dinner included.




Overnight at Kawaguchiko



* In winter, the route up to Mount Fuji is closed due to snow or other adverse weather conditions; during this season, we will ascend as far as the authorised point. * In the planned Ryokan, some rooms are in Japanese style, with accommodation on tatamis, and others are in western-style

After breakfast, you will continue along the pretty road bordered by lakes Kawaguchi and Saiko. Arrive at Yashi No Sato Nenba, a tiny village destroyed by a typhoon in 1966 and later restored as a traditional open-air mountain village and museum. Its traditional houses have been transformed into arts and crafts shops, restaurants, and traditional museums. Head out to then Shiraito Falls, considered done of the most attractive sites in Japan, with a waterfall height of 20 metres. After that you will visit the Toyota Museum, a must-see for motor lovers before going to Kyoto and check in.




Overnight at Kyoto

Today you will spend the whole day in the city that was the capital of Japan from the year 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. After breakfast you will head for the outskirts of Kyoto. Arashiyama, where you cross the Togetsukyo Bridge (“bridge over the moon”), which has fantastic views. You will visit the Tenryuji temple, one of the \"five major Zen temples of Kyoto\" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a walk through its mystic bamboo forest. The visit includes a trip to one of the most important parts of the city. You will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, “the golden pavilion” and its wonderful gardens. At night, a transfer to GION will be included, a busy traditional quarter famous for its Geisha. Free time. The return to the hotel will be free, we suggest you take a taxi and your guide can explain to you how to do it.




Overnight in Kyoto

Today, after breakfast, you will leave Kyoto and head out to Nara where you visit Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752, which has a giant Buddha and where passengers can take photos and touch and feed the deer that wander through the park. Next visit Horyuji Buddhist temple, a World Heritage Site. Time to discover its seminary, monasteries, and temples. Its main pagoda temple is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and an important place of worship. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing your trip to Osaka. In the evening we will visit Dotonbori, a colourful district filled with nightlife.




Overnight in Osaka

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, drive along the Osaka Bay to Reach Mount Shosha, home to the 10th century Buddhist Temple of Engyo-ji, the temple where the film “the last Samurai” was shot. Continue drive to Himeji, visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Himeji Castle, founded in 14th century and expanded over the centuries, it is one of the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, comprising a network of 83 rooms. Arrive Okayama and check in at the hotel. After a brief rest, visit Korakuen, one of the three great gardens of Japan with beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and tea houses.




Overnight at Okayama

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Hiroshima. Enroute visit Kurashiki, roughly meaning “town of storehouses”, it was an important rice distribution centre from 17th till 19th century. The Canal area still preserves the old-world charm of that era, with many storehouses been converted into museums, boutiques, and cafes. Arrive Hiroshima, one of the two cities to ever face the wrath of an atomic bomb which destroyed it completely. Visit the peace Memorial, which commemorates the time before and after the dropping of the nuclear bomb that changed the history of Hiroshima forever, The dome and the impressive Peace Memorial Museum. Later continue to the outskirts of the city, enjoy a short ferry ride crossing to Miyajima, the island where “man lives alongside the Gods”. Visit the Itsukushima Shrine, dedicated to the guardian of the seas, it is famous for its “floating” tori gate that is built on the sea. Return to Hiroshima.




Overnight at Hiroshima

After a leisurely breakfast, take a ferry to Shikoku Island, a two and a half hours pleasurable journey giving you an overview of the many islands which makes up Japan. Arrive and transfer to the hotel in Matsuyama. Later take a cable car up to the 17th century impressive castle atop 132mts high Matsuyama Hill. Visit Ishiteji, literally meaning “Stone hand Temple” a beautiful Buddhist temple and a place of pilgrimage. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant. Later in the afternoon visit Dogo Onsen (Admission included) a traditional Japanese Bath facility built in the 19th century.




Overnight at Matsuayama

After a leisurely breakfast, depart for Kotohira, a Shinto Shrine dedicated to the God of sailors and a place of pilgrimage. The shrine stands on Mount Zosu and is reached by climbing 785 steps. Next move to Takamatsu, visit Ritsurin, the beautiful garden dates to 17th Century and is full of ponds, water streams, small bridges, footpaths, tea houses and folk art and crafts exhibits. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Naruto, cross one of the largest bridges in the world, admire its construction, you can also walk on its glass floor and observe the sea 45 mts below you. Continue with the scenic drive over the sea to reach Kobe. Arrive and check in at the hotel.




Overnight at Kobe

After a leisurely breakfast, explore Kobe. Visit the Earthquake Memorial Museum, a place to remind the tragic seism that devastated the city in 1995 and its perfect reconstruction. Later, make your own way to Kansai International airport for your flight back home.



* On some dates, the Earthquake Museum may be changed for the Sake Museum or a climb up Kobe Tower.).



** For those booking Land Only option, please note that your flight back home must have a departure after 4pm.