Land of the Samurai

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enquire now 12 Days From NZD $7,745 pp twinshare
 Small group
 Terms & Conditions apply

On this wonderful 12 day group tour of Japan you’ll not only take in the highlights of Tokyo and Kyoto, but you’ll also have the opportunity to visit historic Hiroshima, Miyajima Island with its iconic Torii Gate and the towering Himeji Castle. What’s more, you’ll sample Japanese hospitality at a ryokan where you can bathe in natural hot springs.

Tour Highlights

  • Tokyo – Sensoji Temple district and temple, Harajuku, Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing
  • Kamakura – Big Buddha Statue, Hokokuji Zen Temple and the Bamboo Forest with its delightful village atmosphere. Opt to take part in a traditional tea ceremony
  • Lake Kawaguchi located within Fuji Hakone Izu National Park – Spectacular mountain scenery and views of famed Mt Fuji
  • Staying in a ryokan – Sampling Japanese hospitality, bathing in natural hot springs, wearing a Samue (casual Kimono) and sleeping on a futon
  • Kyoto – UNESCO Listed Nijo Castle, Sanjusagen-do Temple with its 1000 life-like statues and Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Temple)
  • Kyoto – Walking tour of the renowned Geisha district (Gion), with its ancient cobbled streets, streams, bridges and quaint tea houses and the opportunity to see Geisha and Maiko en route to their next engagement
  • UNESCO Listed Himeji Castle – The towering 6 story structure is the best preserved and largest of all the castles in Japan
  • Hiroshima – Peace Park, Peace Memorial Museum, UNESCO Listed A-Bomb Dome and Children’s Peace Monument (with thousands of paper cranes from children around the world)
  • Miyajima Island with its UNESCO Listed iconic Red Torii Gate (Itsukushima shrine) standing in the sea. Cable to the top of Mt Misen – The highest peak on Miyajima for spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea, some 150 islands and Hiroshima

Itinerary

Day 1 – Tokyo
Day 2 – Toyko – Senjoji Temple District, Harajuki & Shibuya
Day 3 – Kamakura – Big Buddha
Day 4 – Tokyo National Museum & time to explore
Day 5 – Mt Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi
Day 6 – Kyoto – 1000 statues of Kannon & the Geisha District
Day 7 – Kyoto – Nijo Castle, Golden Pavilion & free time
Day 8 – Himeji Castle & Hiroshima
Day 9 – Miyajima Island & Red Torii Gate
Day 10 – Hiroshima Peace Park, Museum & Memorials
Day 11 – Free time in Kyoto
Day 12 – Kyoto to Osaka

Included

7 breakfasts and 1 Japanese dinner at the Lake Kawaguchi ryokan
11 nights 3 star accommodation (including 1 night at a traditional ryokan (Japanese Inn)
Guided sightseeing and walking tours in Tokyo, Kamakura, Lake Kawaguchi, Kyoto, Himeji, Hiroshima and Miyajima Island
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 in the distance
Ferry to Miyajima Island and cable car to the top of Mt Misen
Escorted by a licensed English speaking Japanese tour guide until day 10
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 (by train) from Narita or Haneda International Airport
Departure transfer on day 12 (unescorted) – by train or bus from Kyoto Station to Osaka Airports (ITM and KIX)
All transportation – buses, trains and rail passes (including Suica Swipe Card and Japan Rail Pass)
Baggage forwarding service from Tokyo to Kyoto (one bag per person)
Maximum Group size: 18 persons

Not Included

International flights and visa
If you are opting to pay the single supplement, allowing you the privacy of your own room on this tour, a single room will be provided for all nights with the exception of day 5 (at Lake Kawaguchi), where single rooms are not available. For this night you will be matched up with a fellow tour member of the same gender
Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$3-5 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture
Entrance Fees:
Tipping Kitty: USD$40-50pp, paid locally in local currency
OTG – 2023
Images courtesy of On The Go Tours. 

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