A tour with many contrasts from the bright lights of Tokyo to the tropical & southern Amami Ooshima...

Traditional & Tropical Japan (Small Group Tour)

When & Where?

Route: Tokyo (2) – Matsumoto (1) - Takayama (2) –Kyoto (3) (includes Miyajima & Hiroshima Day trip) – Amami Ooshima (3)– Tokyo (2)
Tour Duration: 13 Nights / 14 days
2012 Departure Dates: Oct 06**
**Takayama Autumn Festival

Start: Tokyo | Finish: Tokyo
Optional: Kyoto Geisha Experience, Scuba Diving/Snorkelling day trip in Amami Ooshima

Pricing

Price: JPY402,600 | EUR4,000 |GBP3,340 | AUD4,935 | USD5,290

Prices are per person sharing Currencies are subject to change at time of booking and based on the JPY (Japanese Yen) value
* 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. 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.

What’s included?

Met on arrival at Narita Airport by an English speaking representative on day 1
Airport transfers on arrival and departure dates
13 nights stay in western hotels (8 nights), ryokan (2 nights), beach resort (3 nights)
Breakfast daily & 4 dinners
All transfers between destinations using local trains, shinkansen, subways, private vehicles, cable car, internal flight 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

A tour with many contrasts, Traditional & Tropical Japan includes the bright lights and busy streets of Tokyo, the ancient paths and hidden tea houses of Kyoto, the old streets and atmospheric walks in Takayama, the world heritage and not to be missed Miyajima Island & Hiroshima, ending up all the way down in the tropical Amami Island. Amami is home to subtropical forests, rare and distinct plants and flowers and a way of life that is seen nowhere else throughout any other tour.

Tour Highlights

Tokyo (4 nights)

The tour begins and ends in Tokyo. We will base ourselves in the cosmopolitan area of Shinjuku. This city (within Tokyo city) is divided into two sides, east and west. To the east you will find the shops, bars, restaurants and typical Tokyo atmosphere – neon lights, host/hostess bars, café’s, department stores etc. To the west is the more conservative, business district where you will feel you have landed in the true concrete jungle with giant skyscrapers towering over you no matter which way you walk.

Matsumoto (1 night) & Takayama (2 nights)

After a busy two-day start in the capital we will move north to the castle and valley town of Matsumoto. This quiet city is a quaint contrast to the very populated and busy Tokyo. The journey from Matsumoto to Takayama by highway bus is one not to miss. Stunning views make this journey a highlight in itself. We will spend two nights in the old merchant town of Takayama where you will visit the early morning market, Takayama old government building, and the storehouse where the annual festival floats are put on display. If you join the Autumn tour, you’re in luck!! We will be situated right in the heart of this famous festival, watching the magnificently carved floats and colourful costumes parade the streets.

Kyoto (3 nights) & Nara (day trip)

Kyoto and Nara will certainly bring out the ‘Traditional’ aspect of this tour. It is here we will learn about Japans historical journey from pre-Edo times to current day Japan by our local guide. She will walk you through the old streets of Gion explaining all about the mysterious Geisha world. If you fancy it, you can join the optional Meet-a-Geisha tour that includes a dinner and chat with a real working Geisha from Kyoto. This once in a lifetime experience is well worth paying that little bit extra. We have included a tea ceremony at a local tea-house, to add a bit of tradition and culture to your tour.

Miyajima Island & Hiroshima (day trip)

Included on most of our tours is a trip to the world heritage Miyajima Island and Hiroshima city where we will spend the day touring both areas. With thanks to the super speedy shinkansen (bullet trains) we can do this as a day trip from Kyoto using the Japan rail pass. If you prefer to stay in Kyoto to do your own thing, inform your tour leader beforehand.

Amami Ooshima (3 nights)

Before ending our tour in Tokyo we want to show you one of our absolute favourite places in Japan – the tropical Amami Ooshima, located approx. 170 miles south of the mainland and accessed by air. We will base ourselves at the beach resort of Bashyayama with rooms overlooking the crystal clear waters. You will find it difficult to get English information on this island due to the fact that it is still not on any tourist trail. So, expect to be the only foreigner here creating interesting conversations for the locals!! The people, scenery, the way of life, and sub tropical climate make a trip to this island one you will never forget!!