Escorted Tours 2023-24 1st Edition

Matsumoto Castle Day 1: UK to Tokyo Depart the UK on your overnight flight. Day 2: Tokyo On arrival in Tokyo, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the day at leisure. Day 3: Tokyo B/L/D A full day of sightseeing will take you to Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest temple and to the traditional Asakusa area for a special sushi making experience. Stroll through the popular area of Ginza and visit the iconic Akihabara Electric Town to experience the city’s passion for all things electronic. Day 4: Tokyo and Hakone B Today, visit Hakone National Park, home to one of Japan’s most instantly recognisable sights - the iconic Mount Fuji, fringed by thick forests and a crescent-shaped ring of shimmering lakes. Discover volcanic activity along the Hakone Ropeway before visiting the Owakudani Valley. Day 5: Tokyo to Takayama B After breakfast, travel to Matsumoto, a small city flanked by the great peaks of the Japanese Alps and home to the exquisite Matsumoto Castle, known locally as ‘Crow Castle’ due to its striking black and white design. Continue your journey to the mountain town of Takayama. Day 6: Takayama B Established as a merchant town, the remote mountain village of Takayama offers a truly unique insight into a bygone Japan. Your tour takes you past canals flowing under the eaves of sake brewing houses which display bundles of cedar leaves, indicating the new season’s rice wine is available. Day 7: Takayama to Kyoto B/D Departing Takayama, journey into the ancient capital of Kyoto and experience an age-old tradition with an evening of geisha performances and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Day 8: Kyoto B/D Once the imperial capital of Japan, the ancient city of Kyoto now boasts 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On this full-day tour, explore the Zen Buddhist temple of Kinkaku-ji, the brightly coloured gates of Fushimi Inari shrine and the maze of food stalls in 400-year-old Nishiki Market. Enjoy a stroll around the Gion area, a geisha district lined with charming buildings, teahouses and restaurants. Day 9: Kyoto to Hiroshima B/D This morning travel to Hiroshima where you will take a boat ride to Miyajima Island, known as the ‘Island of the Gods’ and visit its awe-inspiring Itsukushima Shrine. Later, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Please note: an overnight day pack/bag is required for your train journey from Hiroshima to Osaka and your main luggage will be transferred separately to Osaka) Day 10: Hiroshima to Osaka B/D Start your day with a visit to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Museum where photos and belonging of victims of the Hiroshima bombing are on display, serving as a reminder of the horror of the devastating event. Later, a train carries you to Osaka, arriving in time for tonight’s entertaining farewell meal - a walking dinner that samples Osaka’s best culinary delights. Day 11: Osaka to the UK This morning, transfer for your return flight, or continue on to your chosen extension. Treasures of Japan Tour highlights ✔ Embark on captivating city tours of Tokyo and Kyoto ✔ Visit scenic Hakone, home to Mount Fuji ✔ Discover Takayama’s beautifully preserved buildings ✔ Explore Hiroshima and delve into its infamous history ✔ Marvel at Miyajima Island and its Itsukushima Shrine ✔ Visit the black and white Matsumoto Castle The Land of the Rising Sun boasts one of the world’s most enthralling and unique cultures and civilisations. Japan is a nation of samurai castles, Buddhist temples and bullet trains racing through rural scenes and futuristic cityscapes. Meal plan: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 5 dinners Accommodation: Tokyo, 3 H Shinagawa Tobu Takayama, 4 H Route Inn Grantia Kyoto, 3 H Royal Park Hotel The Kyoto Hiroshima, 3 H Hotel New Hiroden Osaka, 3 H Premier Hotel Cabin Flights: London Heathrow to Japan with Emirates Tour pace: Intermediate Kyoto Hiroshima Osaka Miyajima Island Hakone Mt. Fuji Tokyo Matsumoto Takayama  < <     Coach Air Rail Boat Nights 2 3 2 2 1 1 Extend your tour Kyoto city stay, 3 nights, 3.5 H B&B from £729 No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £469 Departures & from prices 1 May 23 £3,999 15 Apr 24 £4,399 19 Jun 23 £4,399 22 Apr 24 £4,399 18 Sep 23 £4,099 29 Apr 24 £3,999 16 Oct 23 £3,999 17 Jun 24 £4,379 11 Mar 24 £3,799 16 Sep 24 £4,199 18 Mar 24 £3,899 14 Oct 24 £3,999 • Tipping paid locally £20 pp per tour 50 Visit our website or call 0800 954 9329 to book or for further details East Asia