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13-Nights Discover Japan - Classic from $4,419
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1532825
Discover Japan
From the towers and gadgets of Tokyo to the serenity of sacred shrines and the soaring beauty of Mt Fuji, this tour provides the perfect blend of guided excursions and free time to explore this fascinating region at your own pace. Linger in the gardens of Kyoto, shoot through the mountain air on a Shinkansen bullet train, and stay in a traditional Japanese Inn.
Highlights
Experience the past in Takayama's folk village and Kyoto's historic centre, explore Nijo Castle, lose yourself in the picturesque Kenroku-en Garden, marvel at iconic Mt Fuji and Miyajima's floating torii gate
Accommodation
Hotels (10 nts), traditional inns (1 nt), traditional inns with shared facilities (2 nts).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Group Size Notes
Max 15, avg 12
Meals Included
1 breakfast, 1 dinner
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Wellness Moment: Onsen Spa Visit, Kawaguchiko
Your Discover Moment: Tokyo. Higashi Geisha District visit. Kenroku-en garden visit. Nagamachi Samurai District walk. Hida No Sato folk village visit. Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum visit. Miyajima Island excursion. Nijo Castle and gardens visit. Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion visit. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine visit. Lake Kawaguchiko (Five Lakes Region) walk. Kaiseki dinner. Japan Rail (JR) pass (14 days). All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
13 nights from $4,419 per person
G Adventures: Discover Japan
Day 1: Tokyo
Arrive at any time.
We highly recommend booking pre- or post-accommodation in Tokyo to take full advantage of this spectacular city.
Day 2: Tokyo/Kanazawa
In the morning collect your JR Pass. Board a bullet train for Kanazawa in the afternoon. The evening is yours to explore, or opt to attend a dinner with the group.
Take a short train ride to Kanazawa. In the 17th century, this beautifully preserved castle town was Japan's wealthiest, and it became a thriving center for culture and arts.
Day 3: Kanazawa
Explore the city's well-preserved geisha district. Then, stroll through Keroku-en, ranked one of the nation's top three gardens before exploring the historic Nagamachi samurai district.
After strolling through the expansive gardens of Kenrokuen, opt to stop at the massive Kanazawa castle next door. Kanazawa is also home to many interesting museums, opt to visit one or learn more about local crafts. Loving the food in the city? Take a trip to the local seafood market to see where some of the fresh, tasty ingredients come from.
Day 4: Kanazawa/Takayama
Arrive in picturesque Takayama and relax in the traditional Japanese inn.
Arrive in Takayama in the afternoon and begin taking in the beautiful scenery of this traditional city.
Day 5: Takayama
Explore the Hida No Sato traditional folk village, and walk the quaint streets of the old town – lined with sake breweries and craft shops. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the area.
Enjoy free time to explore this beautiful landscape. Discover traces of a feudal past in the thatched houses and rice fields. Opt to visit one of the markets or rent a bike and cycle out of the town centre and into the countryside.
Day 6: Takayama/Hiroshima
Arrive in Hiroshima and visit the Peace Park and Museum to learn more about the tragic history of this city.
The large Peace Park in the centre of the city is an extremely moving place dotted with memorials of those killed by the atomic bomb and others who subsequently died. The burning flame in the park will only be extinguished when all nuclear weapons in the world have been destroyed. Take a tram ride through the city to reach Peace Park.
Day 7: Hiroshima
Take a ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima to see the famous floating Torii Gate and meet the friendly local deer.
Take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, not far from the coast. Here, view one of the most photographed sights in Japan— the floating Torii Gate. The shrine itself dates back to the 6th century and is designed in a pier-like structure. Enjoy time to explore the island and its many shrines and temples. Sample local treats like maple leaf shaped cakes, and opt to hike up to the peak of the island, Mt Misen, to see spectacular views of the surrounding islands.
Day 8: Hiroshima/Kyoto
Travel to historic Kyoto. Explore the marvellous Fushimi Inari shrine and walk under thousands of torii gates.
Continue on to Kyoto, the former imperial capital and home of the country's most treasured remnants of Japanese imperial life. Walk around Gion and perhaps catch a glimpse of a geisha going from teahouse to teahouse.
Day 9: Kyoto
Wander the impressive Nijo Castle and gardens before visiting Kyoto's iconic Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion.
Day 10: Kyoto
Spend a full free day discovering the Zen gardens, huge wooden temples, pagodas and shrines of Kyoto. Opt to enjoy the Zen gardens of Ryoan-ji and the Silver Pavilion, and take a leisurely stroll down the lovely Philosopher’s path to Nanzen-ji.
Day 11: Kyoto/Fujikawaguchiko
Travel to the Mt Fuji region and enjoy optional walks around Lake Kawaguchi. Savour an amazing multi-course Japanese kaiseki dinner.
Leave Kyoto and travel to Kawaguchiko arriving mid afternoon. Take the rest of the afternoon to visit the Onsen Spa at tonight's accommodation before dinner.
Day 12: Fujikawaguchiko/Tokyo
Enjoy a morning in Kawaguchiko exploring the Five Lakes region on foot. Later, travel to Tokyo by train.
Day 13: Tokyo
Explore buzzing Tokyo with a free day.
Opt take in some more sights, visit the museums and gardens, or do some shopping. Meet with the group later tonight for our final dinner together.
Day 14: Tokyo
Depart at any time. We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this vibrant city.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Local Flights
There are no internal flights on this trip itinerary.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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Seven Lands & Seas Travel
(703) 980-2144
(866) 368-7327