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Japan Discovered (Small Group Tour)

When & Where?

• Route: Osaka (1) – Mt Koya (1) – Kyoto (3) (day trip: Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island) - Kanazawa (1) – Takayama (2) (via Gokayama (day trip)) – Kamiyamada Onsen Nagano (1) (via Matsumoto (day trip)) – Tokyo (3)
• Tour Duration: 12 Nights / 13 days
• 2012 Departure Dates: 
• Apr 8 [Cherry Blossom Viewing & Takayama Spring Festival] [GUARANTEED]
• May 12 [Aoi Festival Kyoto] [GUARANTEED - SPECIAL OFFER BELOW]
  
• Jun 18
• Jul 25 [Tennjin & Gion Festival]
• Sep 02 [Tokyo Sumo Tournament]
• Oct 3 [Takayama Autumn Festival]
• Nov 25 [Kouyou (leaf changing) season]
• Start: Osaka | Finish: Tokyo
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Pricing

Price: JPY426,800 [ EUR4,065 |GBP3,300 | AUD4,889 | USD5,175 ]

*Prices are per person sharing * Currencies are subject to change at time of booking and based on the JPY (Japanese Yen) value (currency conversion as of 09/03/2012) Once you pay your security deposit, a fixed value will be set against the JPY value that will be due eight weeks prior to travel * No single room supplement applies if you are willing to share a room with a passenger of same gender in Japanese style hotels only * If you prefer your own room throughout, a small supplement will apply of approx. 10,000JPY per night (approx.3 nights in Japanese style hotels). To get an exact quote, contact us with your details.

What’s included?

• Met on arrival at Kansai Airport by an English speaking representative on Day 1
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure dates
• 12 nights stay in western hotels (8 nights), temple lodge (1 night), ryokan (3 nights)
• Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
• All transfers between destinations using local trains, shinkansen, subways, private vehicles, cable car, and ferry
• All activities and entrance fees as per itinerary
• English-speaking tour leader throughout with local guides in places
• Taxes including service charges
• Unique Japan Tours travel pack

Introduction

Japan Discovered is an exciting journey through the glittering cities, the mountainous terrains, the paddy field plains, the spiritual temples, and the deep culture of this ancient nation. If you are a first timer or indeed a return visitor you will see parts of Japan that most would find difficult to do on their own. You will take part in various cultural activities such as, an authentic tea ceremony, soba noodle making and washi paper making, an evening of Geisha entertainment at a remote ryokan, relaxation in the infamous onsens (hot springs), and an overnight stay in a Buddhist.

Highlights

Osaka, World Heritage Koyasan, Overnight at temple lodge, Nara, Todaiji Temple, Giant Buddha, Nara Park, Kasuga Shrine, Kyoto, Gion Geisha District, Tea Ceremony, Kiyomizu Temple, Nijo castle, Kanazawa Kenrokuen Garden, Walking tour old streets, Gokayama, Japanese Soba Noodles Making, Washi Paper Making, Gassho Zukkuri folkpark, Toyama style local dance, Takayama morning market, Matsumoto Caslte, Nagano Snow Monkeys, Tsukuji Fish Market, Hamarakyu garden, Ginza/Tokyo shopping, National Science & Innovation Museum & Metropolitan building shinjuku, Meiji Jingu Shrine, rural ryokans, local restaurants, meeting locals, izakaya nights out!!!

Brief Itinerary

Osaka (1 night)

Begin your journey in Japan’s second largest city, Osaka. You will have free time to explore the city on your own before meeting your group in the evening on day one. Your tour leader will take you downtown to Dotombori to a local Okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) restaurant, an Osaka special that should not be missed!

Koyasan (1 night) 

Located just over 2 hours south of Osaka, deep in the mountainous Wakayama region, hides the spiritual centre of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, Koyasan. Established 1200 years ago by the famous religious scholor Kobo Daishi, this sacred site is considered one of the most rewarding places to visit in Kansai. When we reach the summit (1000m above sea level) we are welcomed by our local guide, Noriko, who will take us on a spiritual walk around this mysterious mountain before settling in to an evening of temple life at a local lodge, known as shokubo. Tonight you will be presented with shojin-ryori, the traditional cuisine of shokubo, consisting of vegetarian dishes (no meat, fish, onions or garlic).

Kyoto (3 nights) & Nara, Hiroshima & Miyajima Island (day trips)

Three nights are given to the culturally rich and not to miss city of Kyoto taking in the breathtaking temples, gardens, and shrines with a local guide as well as performing an authentic tea ceremony at a local machiya (tea house).  Nara, Japan’s first capital, is home to eight world heritage sites, of which we will visit three. If you prefer to opt out of our day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima, you will have one free day to do this. You may have had enough of temples at this stage which is why we recommend Miyajima – a picture perfect island surrounded by wild deer, mountain walks, and quintessential Japanese architecture.

Kanazawa (1 night)

Almost half way into your tour, your tour leader will take you on the train two hours north to Kanazawa, also known as Little Kyoto. Stroll along Higashi Chaya, the former geisha and samurai district before entering one of Japan’s top three gardens – Kenrokuen.

Gokayama (day trip) & Takayama (2 nights)

Between Kanazawa and Takayama lies the remote, less visited world heritage area known as Gokayama. Famous for their rustic farmhouses (gassho zukkuri) found in very few places in Japan, it is here you will learn how to make soba (buck wheat) noodles, washi paper, and enjoy a local farmer perform the traditional Toyama dance. Two nights will be spent in Takayama where you can enjoy free time strolling the old merchant streets, visit Takayama Jinya, and if you join our April tour, take part in their annual Spring Festival. Your tour leader will take you out to a local Hida Beef restaurant on one evening, very famous in this region.

Matsumoto (day trip) & Kamiyamada Onsen (1 night)

Drive through one of Japan’s most spectacular routes taking in views of colourful mountain passes and flushing dams and rivers, before arriving at the castle town of Matsumoto. We will spend a few hours at Matsumoto castle before continuing on to a small onsen village in Kamiyamada, a short distance from Nagano city. Your last night before heading to the capital will be a relaxing one where you will be entertained by Geisha, over dinner and drinks at a local ryokan.

Tokyo (3 nights) & Hakone/Mt Fuji (day trip/optional)

Before heading back to Tokyo you will get up close and personal with the wild snow monkeys at Jikokudani hot spring. Arriving to Tokyo in the early evening, your tour leader will show you the night-sights. One full day exploring with a local guide added with an optional day trip to Mt Fuji/Hakone or more of Tokyo before your tour sadly comes to an end.

Note: We have timed certain departures to coincide with some Japanese festivals. See departure dates for more information.

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