Best of Japan - 8 Days

Japan
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Tokyo - Explore the Sensoji Temple district and temple, Harajuku, Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing, Kamakura - Visit the Big Buddha Statue, Hokokuji Zen Temple and the Bamboo Forest with a delightful village atmosphere. Opt to take part in a traditional tea ceremony, Lake Kawaguchi in Fuji Hakone Izu National Park - Marvel at the spectacular mountain scenery and views of Mt Fuji, Ryokan - Sample Japanese hospitality, bathe in natural hot springs, wearing a Yukata (casual Kimono) and sleeping on a futon, Kyoto - Explore this UNESCO Listed Nijo Castle, Sanjusagen-do Temple with its 1000 life-like statues and Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Temple), Kyoto - Take part in a walking tour of the famed Geisha District (Gion), with its ancient cobbled streets, streams, bridges and quaint teahouses and the opportunity to see Geisha and Maiko en route to their next engagement

Availability

From 2024-04-06 to 2025-11-15

Departure dates & prices

Dates Availability Price
  • Apr Sat 06 2024 to Apr Sat 13 2024
    Limited Availability
    From
    $4,655*
  • Apr Sat 20 2024 to Apr Sat 27 2024
    Sold Out
    From
    $4,655*
  • May Sat 11 2024 to May Sat 18 2024
    Limited Availability
    From
    $4,465*
  • May Sat 25 2024 to Jun Sat 01 2024
    Sold Out
    From
    $4,465*
  • Jun Sat 08 2024 to Jun Sat 15 2024
    Sold Out
    From
    $4,305*
  • Jul Sat 06 2024 to Jul Sat 13 2024
    Limited Availability
    From
    $4,305*
  • Jul Sat 20 2024 to Jul Sat 27 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,305*
  • Aug Sat 17 2024 to Aug Sat 24 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,305*
  • Aug Sat 31 2024 to Sep Sat 07 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,305*
  • Sep Sat 14 2024 to Sep Sat 21 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,655*
  • Sep Sat 28 2024 to Oct Sat 05 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,655*
  • Oct Sat 12 2024 to Oct Sat 19 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,655*
  • Oct Sat 26 2024 to Nov Sat 02 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,655*
  • Nov Sat 09 2024 to Nov Sat 16 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,655*
  • Nov Sat 23 2024 to Nov Sat 30 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,465*
  • Mar Sat 08 2025 to Mar Sat 15 2025
    Available
    From
    $4,975*
  • Mar Sat 22 2025 to Mar Sat 29 2025
    Available
    From
    $4,975*

What's included

3 breakfasts and 1 Japanese dinner at the Lake Kawaguchi.
7 nights 3 star (inclusive of 1 night in a traditional Japanese Inn).
Guided sightseeing and walking tours in Tokyo, Kamakura, Lake Kawaguchi and Kyoto.
Lake Kawaguchi and Mt Fuji - Kachikachi-yama Ropeway and observatory.
For tours staying at Lake Kawaguchi between 14 Apr – 28 May each year we'll visit to the Fuji Shibazakura (Moss Phlox) Festival with Mt Fuji as the backdrop.
Escorted by a licensed English speaking Japanese tour guide.
All transportation and transfers - buses, trains and bullet trains including Suica swipe card.
Baggage forwarding service from Tokyo to Kyoto (one bag per person).
Airport arrival transfer to tour hotel (by train) from Narita or Haneda International Airport on day 1.
Maximum Group size: 18 persons.

Itinerary

  • Day 1, Tokyo
    Saturday. Upon arrival to Tokyo you will be met at either Narita or Haneda International Airport by your guide. Travel by train into the heart of the city and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure.

    We recommend arriving before 3pm on this day, as there will be a Welcome Meeting at 6pm, where you will meet your guide and the rest of the group.
    No meals included.
    Day 2, Tokyo
    Today we explore the capital. Taking the subway to Asakusa we visit the lively Sensoji Temple District, which is home to Tokyo's first temple and scores of interesting souvenir and craft stalls. In the afternoon we'll head to Harajuku, which is a magnet for young and fashionable Tokyoites with its hip shops and cafes. Here, we'll visit the impressive Meiji Shrine where the emperor Meiji and his wife are enshrined. Yoyogi Park, beside the shrine is a popular hangout for locals and there is always a lot going on, especially on Sundays with bands playing, drum circles, dancers and busking.

    The last stop of the day is Shibuya Crossing - regarded as one of the busiest intersections in the world. The famed junction has no less than 7 pedestrian crossings and when the traffic lights turn red a wave of pedestrians, up to a 1000, converge onto the intersection from every direction. Known as 'the scramble', it's a well-practised art to duck and weave with sportsman like agility to avoid collision, which we'll watch from the second floor of Starbucks, located directly opposite the crossing. This evening offers free time, though if travelling in January, May and September you might like spend the evening watching a Sumo tournament (must be booked in advance). See our Trip Notes for more information.
    No meals included.
    Day 3, Kamakura
    Tokyo - Kamakura - Tokyo. This morning we board a train for our day trip to Kamakura, Japan's first feudal capital, which is just an hour from Tokyo. Kamakura is a popular seaside location with a quaint village life feel and some stunning Zen temples. Here we'll visit the iconic bronze Big Buddha and the Zen Temple of Hokokuji with its beautiful bamboo garden. Here, you can drink tea and learn about the tea ceremony before walking the cobbled shopping district - adorned with lovely locally made items before returning to Japan's bustling capital for the night. Tonight, we'll organise a Shabu Shabu (a traditional Japanese hot pot meal) if the majority of the group are interested.
    No meals included.
    Day 4, Tokyo
    Today offers a guided tour of the Tokyo National Museum, housing a number of exhibitions from galleries to Japanese archeology. The Tokyo National Museum is located in Ueno Park, a large public park within central Tokyo and famous for a number of museums held within it's grounds. The remainder of the day offers free time to independently explore.
    No meals included.
    Day 5, Hakone
    Tokyo - Lake Kawaguchi. This morning we travel by highway bus (with luggage forwarding) to Lake Kawaguchi, located at the foot of Mt Fuji in the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. The scenery is stunning with panoramic views of a snow-capped Fuji most of the year. Upon arrival we'll travel along the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and visit the observatory. For tours staying at Lake Kawaguchi between 15 Apr - 28 May each year we'll visit the Springtime Fuji Shibazakura (Phlox Moss) Festival held at Motosu Lake, where the landscape is covered in a vibrant, hot pink moss with Fuji as the backdrop. No trip to Japan would be complete without sampling authentic Japanese hospitality at a traditional ryokan (a Japanese inn), which is where we'll bed down tonight. At the ryokan, sample tasty local cuisine and take a relaxing dip in the natural hot spring baths.
    no breakfast, no lunch, 1 dinner included.
    Day 6, Kyoto
    Lake Kawaguchi - Kyoto. The area has some great hiking trails and early this morning you might like to opt for a hike along the foreshores of the lake. We then travel by bus to Mishima, then bullet train to Kyoto - Japan's ancient and cultural capital.

    As one of the most culturally rich cities in Asia, Kyoto is home to an abundance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Here we enjoy a guided tour of Sanjusagen-do Temple, famous for its statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The one thousand life-size statues of Kannon are made of Japanese cypress clad in gold leaf. They stand in 10 rows of 50, each hand crafted and slightly different from the next. Late this afternoon we head to Gion, for a walking tour of this famous Geisha District. After, you may wish to watch a cultural performance at Gion Corner Theatre where you'll have the opportunity to see a Maiko (apprentice Geisha) performing.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 7, Kyoto
    This morning, we enjoy a guided tour of Nijo Castle, one of the city's most impressive UNESCO sites. Built by the first Tokugawa shogun in 1603, the exquisite Nijo Castle is a wonderful example of Momoyama architecture. After, we visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) a stunning Zen Buddhist temple and part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site. The top two floors of the monument are completely covered in gold leaf. Set upon a small lake with landscaped gardens, the large completely gilt structure is impressive, as it is a beautiful Temple. Kinkakuji Temple continues to be one of Japan's most visited temples.

    This afternoon offers free time for you to relax or to further discover the many sights of Kyoto your own way. Consider visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its winding path lined by thousands of bright red torii gates. Just a short train ride away from the main Kyoto Station, this must-see sight is free to visit and is open 24 hours a day. You might also wish to hire a Kimono and walk the streets as many Japanese do or take part in a cooking lesson.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 8, Kyoto
    Saturday. On day 8 our tour comes to an end after hotel check out.

    Prefer to end your tour in Tokyo? On day 8 you can opt to travel by train from Kyoto to Tokyo, where you will spend the night. On day 9 (Sunday) catch the train to Tokyo Airport (breakfast excluded on day 9).

    For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our [[travel guide|126582]].
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
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  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 02 April 2024 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
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