16 days Japan or 26 days Japan & Korea

We Visit:

Japan, North Korea, South Korea

Costs:

from £8,495 (details below)

Departure Dates

11 April 10*; 

28 March 10*; 

10 April 11

* denotes departed trips

Trip Summary:

• Bustling Tokyo
• Mt Fuji
• Bullet train travel
• Hakone National Park
• Samurai town of Kanazawa
• Takayama
• Bathe in traditional hot springs
• Imperial capital of Kyoto
• Hiroshima
• Nagasaki
• Kumamoto and Mt Aso
• PLUS North & South Korea
  Seoul
  Pyongyang
  Demilitarised Zone
  Scenic Mt Myohyang
• Limited to 32 guests

Japan, just a nine hour flight from Australia, is frequented by business travellers but unseen by most Australians. The country  offers enormous variety – bustling Tokyo, with the bright lights of the Ginza District, contrasting with the timeless walls and moats of the Imperial Palace; ascend Mt Fuji and see the splendours of Hakone National Park; visit the Samurai town of Kanazawa;  step back in time at the historic town of Takayama, surrounded by the Japan Alps; savour the old Imperial capital of Kyoto and the even older capital of Nara; and ride the bullet train to Hiroshima and visit Peace Park and Miyajima Island. Japan’s southern island, Kyushu, has Nagasaki (home of the Tokugawa Shogunate), Kumamoto and Mt Aso (the world’s largest volcanic caldera) plus incredible Mt Unzen, with its three volcanic peaks and hot springs. Age old traditions contrast with the latest technological developments and serene ceremonies and polite people contrast with packed streets. There is nowhere else like Japan.  Select options give you flexibility in sightseeing activities and choices in evening cuisine. Combine this tour with a visit to the divided Korea. North Korea is like no other country and it is an amazing travel experience but it is not for everyone – ask us for details.

 

Day 1

Depart the UK

Sunday 11 April

Join our afternoon flight to Tokyo today.

Day 2

Tokyo (Japan)

Monday 12 April

We arrive into Tokyo early morning and transfer to the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Chinzan-so for a three night stay. An early check in is arranged, enabling you to relax after your flight and enjoy the facilities of our fabulous hotel.

This afternoon choose from a selection of activities – partake in a Japanese Tea Ceremony; a Japanese cooking class; or relax amidst the beautiful grounds of our hotel.

We come together for a Welcome Reception and Dinner this evening.

Day 3

Tokyo

Tuesday 13 April

This morning we visit the Tsukiji Fish Market, which provides a wonderful introduction to Japan, with its huge array of fish and seafood. We will drive past the National Diet Building (Parliament) to visit the Tokyo Tower Observatory for a great view of Tokyo. We then visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple. Lunch is served in a fine Japanese restaurant in the Ginza District.

This afternoon choose from a selection of activities – visit a Buddhist temple and learn the art of meditation; take a shopping tour; or enjoy a walk through the Palace Gardens.

Day 4

Mt Fuji & Hakone National Park

Wednesday 14 April

We take a scenic drive to the highest point accessible by road on Mt Fuji and then visit Hakone National Park. We will take a boat trip on Lake Ashi and a cable car ride up Mt Komagatake for a magnificent view over the mountains and lakes. Return to Tokyo for dinner this evening.

Day 5

Tokyo - Takayama

Thursday 15 April

Join the ‘Super Azusa’ train for the spectacular three hour trip to Matsumoto in the Japan Alps. Visit stunning Matsumoto Castle. Built in 1504 it is one of Japan’s finest castles. Continue by road through the Japan Alps to Takayama. Takayama retains the atmosphere of old Japan. This afternoon we walk the narrow San-Machi Street to see old houses and craftsmen exhibiting their traditional skills. Enjoy bathing in traditional Japanese onsen (hot springs) at the Takayama Resort this evening.

Day 6

Takayama - Kanazawa

Friday 16 April

This morning we visit the morning markets along the Miyagawa River before a tour of the city including the Festival Floats Exhibition Hall. After lunch we travel to Shirakawago, a secluded snowy mountain village on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The village features 150 traditional farmhouses known as Gassho-zukuris – four storey buildings where large families live together beneath steep thatched roofs. We continue to Kanazawa, a historic Samurai town that retains much of the charm of old Japan.

Day 7

Kanazawa - Kyoto

Saturday 17 April

This morning our sightseeing includes Kenrokuen Gardens (founded in 1822 and regarded as the finest in Japan), the traditional art and crafts museum and Nagamachi Samurai houses. After lunch we will visit Omicho Market before joining the ‘Thunderbird Express’ for the two hour trip to Kyoto. We have three nights in the former capital of Imperial Japan at the Kyoto Okura Hotel.

Tonight enjoy a dine-around evening, where you choose from a selection of local restaurants.

Day 8

Kyoto

Sunday 18 April

Ancient Kyoto is home to some of the finest art, crafts, culture and architecture in Japan. During this morning’s tour we will visit the Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle and the old Imperial Palace.

After lunch at a Japanese restaurant this afternoon is free. Alternatively, join your choice of complimentary optional tours – take the fascinating ‘Philosopher’s Walk’; visit the Zen Gardens; or take a guided tour of the city’s markets.

This evening choose from western cuisine or a traditional Japanese restaurant for dinner.

Day 9

Nara

Monday 19 April

This morning we tour Japan’s original capital, Nara. We visit Todaiji Temple, with its giant Buddha, the Deer Park and Kasuga Shrine, with its thousands of stone lanterns. Lunch will be served before we return to Kyoto for shopping and independent sightseeing. This evening gain an insight into Japanese culture as we view the life of the geisha girl and a tea ceremony.

Enjoy another dine-around evening.

Day 10

Kyoto - Hiroshima

Tuesday 20 April

The bullet train takes us to Hiroshima. On arrival we will visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, depicting the atom bomb attack on Hiroshima. After lunch we go to Miyajima Island, one of Japan’s great scenic places, to see Itsukushima Grand Shrine and the huge Torii Gate rising out of the sea. Tonight’s dinner features the famous ‘Okonomiyaki’ cuisine.

Day 11

Hiroshima - Nagasaki

Wednesday 21 April

We rejoin the bullet train for a 70 minute high speed trip to Fukuoka. A coach will then take us to the porcelain shops of Imari and the ceramics museum in Arita as we drive to Okawachiyama. Our destination is Nagasaki, famous for its beautiful harbour and treaty port. We have two nights at the Hotel New Nagasaki.

Day 12

Nagasaki

Thursday 22 April

Nagasaki opened to foreign trade in 1571, long before the rest of the country. Our morning tour includes the 100 year old Glover Mansion (home of a British merchant) on a hilltop overlooking the port, the Gothic style Oura Catholic church, Sofukuji Temple (built in 1629) and Peace Park, commemorating the atomic bomb explosion. This afternoon is free to explore independently.

This evening enjoy a dine-around dinner at a selection of restaurants.

Day 13

Nagasaki - Mt Unzen - Kumamoto

Friday 23 April

Drive into the highlands to visit the hot springs resort and Mt Unzen, an active volcano with three steaming peaks. We take a ferry from Shimabara to Kumamoto, where we stay at the Hotel Nikko for our final three nights.

Dine-around dinner this evening.

Day 14

Kagoshima

Saturday 24 April

We take a morning trip by bullet train to the southern city of Kagoshima, where we see Sakurajima Volcano across the bay. We visit the beautiful bayside garden of Iso-Teien and Shoko Shuseikan, a museum that housed Japan’s first factory, built in the 1850s after 17 young men were smuggled out of the country to learn western technology in the UK. We will also visit Amamino-Sato to see the process of silk dyeing.

We return to Kumamoto for a dine-around dinner.

Day 15

Kumamoto & Mt Aso

Sunday 25 April

Take a city tour of Kumamoto including its castle and Suizenji Park. After lunch we enjoy a scenic trip to Mt Aso, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. We visit Kusa Senri, a pretty meadow in the crater of Mt Aso, and Naka-Dake, on the brink of the 100m deep caldera. A Farewell Dinner is arranged this evening as our group disperses tomorrow morning.

Day 16

Depart Japan

Monday 26 April

We have an early start and join our flight home via Narita. We arrive in the UK later on the same day. 

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