Japan Uncovered
Enjoy 17 amazing days exploring all aspects of Japan in this extensive tour, taking in all the classic sights and key cultural activities. Featuring modern cities, starting with Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city, a flamboyant city with its fun-loving people and amazing food to experience. Take time to reflect in Hiroshima and Miyajima. Admire the breath-taking iconic Mount Fuji. Venture deep into the Japanese Alps, visit the Snow Monkeys, and watch the entertaining interactions of the large social groups.
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Day 1 – International Outbound Night Flight – Osaka
Today begin your adventure boarding your overnight international flight to Japan.
Day 2 – Osaka
Arriving in Osaka, the lively and fast-paced 3rd largest city in Japan. You will be met by an English-speaking representative for the transfer to your hotel.
Day 3 – Nara
This morning, take a coach for the transfer to Nara that will take around 1 hour, and its historic treasures, including 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Stroll through Nara Park to Todaiji Temple, one of the Great Temples of Japan and home to the world’s largest bronze statue, Daibutsu. Meet the resident sika deer on the way. Wander around the attractive Japanese Isui-en Garden, dating back to the Mid 17thcentury.
Returning to Osaka to visit the impressive Osaka Castle, this famous castle is known for its hilltop perch and sweeping views of the city. Later take a short cruise down Yodogawa River.
Day 4 – Osaka – Hiroshima
This morning travel by coach around 2 hours to Himeji, here you will explore the magnificent 17th Century Himeji Castle and the neighbouring Koko-en, a traditional-style garden. Due to the largely original condition, you will need to remove your shoes before walking along some of the wooden floors and some steep wooden steps. Due to the large volume of visitors, there may be cases where some visitors are not allowed to enter the Main Keep. Enjoy lunch before continuing onto Hiroshima, around 3 and half hours by coach.
Day 5 – Hiroshima – Miyajima
Today we take a coach to the famous Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Please be aware that the museum may be confronting and upsetting for some group members and it is at your discretion if you wish to visit or enjoy time at leisure exploring the Peace Memorial Park. Enjoying lunch before taking a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, where sightseeing will be at a leisurely pace on foot. Visit Itsukushima Shrine and wander around the traditional market town at your own pace. In the afternoon return by ferry and coach to your Hiroshima hotel before dinner.
Day 6 – Hiroshima – Kyoto
After breakfast transfer to Hiroshima train station and for the 1 hour and 40minute bullet train to the traditional and enchanting city of Kyoto.
This afternoon, explore the Ryoanji Temple, renowned for its Zen garden, and Kinkakuji Temple, known as the “Golden Pavillion” due to the golden hue colour of this structure.
Pack a small overnight bag for tonight as your main luggage will be transferred separately to your Kyoto hotel and arrive the next day.
Day 7 – Kyoto
Today explore a full-day tour of Kyoto, starting with a visit to the spectacular Kiyomizu Temple, a 16th-century Buddhist temple, spending around one and half hours. One of the highlights is the Hondo’s veranda which is perched over the hillside, offering spectacular woodland vistas. Later, experience the art of a tea ceremony. After lunch, visit Fushimi Inari Shrine. With its thousands of vermillion torii gates, the Shrine stretches up Mount Inari (233m high), enjoy walking up part of the mountain, incline allows a steady-paced walk.
Day 8 – Kyoto – Kanazawa
Leaving Kyoto, traveling around 4 hours by coach onto Kanazawa, the capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture, known for its beautiful samurai and geisha districts.
Enjoying lunch in a local restaurant before strolling through Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan’s “Three Great Gardens” stunning in all seasons. Next onto the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, home to some of the most fascinating modern art of Japan.
Day 9 – Kanazawa – Takayama
Today visit the Nomura Samurai House and garden, a restored Samurai residence with a beautiful garden. After lunch try your hand at making washi paper. The Japanese paper made from fibers of bark that is often used in the art of origami.
Next onto Shirakawago, the journey of around 1 hour, explore the 300-year old Gassho style Wada House before continuing onto Takayama, which will take around one and a half hours. Boasting one of Japan’s most atmospheric townscapes, dating back to the 17th Century and home to much Meiji architecture.
Day 10 – Takayama
This morning, explore the morning Market Miyagawa, why not sample some of the delicious local fruits and vegetables on offer. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll around the traditional houses of the area and visit some of the museums. Enjoy some free time in Kamisannomachi Street, you will feel like you have stepped back into the Edo period, this well-preserved part of the historic city featuring traditional houses, sake breweries, shops, and cafes.
Day 11 – Takayama – Nagano
Departing from Takayama this morning, travelling around two and a half hours to Matsumoto. Visit the formidable 16th Century Matsumoto Castle, known as the crow castle due to its dark exterior. After lunch, learn about the process of making Japanese seasoning and try Miso Soup at a Miso House. Then visit a wasabi farm and learn about how it is cultivated before continuing onto Nagano, around one and a half hours of journey. This city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and is the main access point to the Japanese Alps.
Day 12 – Snow Monkeys
This morning travelling deeper into the Japanese Alps to visit the Snow Monkeys at the Jigokudani Yaon-Koen Monkey Park. Jigokudani literally meaning ‘hell’s valley’. It is named this because of the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the ground. It is in the baths of this hot water that the resident Japanese Macaques like to soak. The monkeys live in large social groups and it can be quite entertaining to watch their interactions. Accustomed to humans you can observe them up close, they almost completely ignore their human guests. After lunch, continue onto Zenkoji, one of Japan’s most prolific Buddhist temples. In the basement tunnel, visitors try to find and touch the “key to paradise” in complete darkness. The key is attached to the wall and grants enlightenment to anyone who touches it.
Day 13 – Mount Fuji
A journey of around three and a half hours, arriving in the Fuji Five Lakes area, the foothills of the iconic Mount Fuji to its base. The region is spectacular with the calm waters of the five lakes, formed by past volcanic eruptions, reflecting Fuji’s picture-perfect cone. Ascent by road to Fuji’s 5th station (weather permitting) for fantastic views over the sea. Visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to view the elaborate dyed silk creations of artist Kubota Itchiku before continuing to your hotel.
For May departures only: Instead of visiting Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, a visit to Fuji Shibazakura Festival has been included. This is the best time of the year and one of the most scenic places in Japan to see the pink moss phlox in full bloom. Please note that the flowers’ bloom is weather dependent
Day 14 – Hakone – Tokyo
This morning, transfer around 2 hours to Hakone, where you will enjoy a boat cruise on the peaceful waters of Lake Ashi before boarding the Hakone ropeway (aerial lift) to soar over the hilltops to the volcanic Owakudani Valley. After lunch, travel back to Tokyo, around two hours.
Please note, if Hakone Ropeway and Owakudani Valley is closed due to volcanic activity, you will visit Hakone Shrine and take the Komagatake Ropeway instead.
Day 15 – Discover Tokyo
The ultimate 24-hour city - Tokyo. Take a look behind it’s frantic, high-tech frontage and you’ll find plenty of tranquil backstreets and old temples to explore. This morning head to the Imperial Palace East Gardens, the Meiji Jingu Shrine located in an evergreen forest within the busy city, consisting of 120,000 trees that were donated by people all over Japan when the shrine was established. Walk the famous Shibuya Crossing, one of Tokyo’s landmarks where 7 crossroads come together and the lights all turn red at the same time. Thousands of pedestrians then all cross at the same time, just amazing! The rest of the day is at leisure to spend how you wish.
Day 16 – Tokyo
Start your last full day of the tour strolling around the vibrant Asakusa district (Old Town) and soak up the ambiance of Senso-Ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. Then continue onto Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan, ascend to the observation deck taking in the magnificent views.
Enjoy time in the afternoon to spend at your leisure before you board a traditional yakata boat for a dinner cruise in the evening, seeing the bay lit up.
Day 17 – Depart Tokyo – International Return Flight back to the UK
After breakfast, today, enjoy the remaining free time before transferring to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
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