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Japan's Cultural Treasures
10 Days / 8 Nights from £2,395 Escorted Groups Only · Himeji Castle · Bullet Train · Stay in a Japanese Ryokan · Festival Departures This journey offers a taste of the fascinating culture of historic and modern Japan, and its enchanting scenery of mountains and gardens. Some departures include Japan's colourful festivals or sumo wrestling in Tokyo, plus a calligraphy demonstration and a tea ceremony. Visit in spring for a chance to see the celebrated cherry blossom, or autumn for warm clear days and the changing colours of the Maple trees.
Day 3 Tokyo: Morning visit to the Asakusa Kannon Temple and the National Museum, which houses the world's largest collection of Japanese art. After a kushiage lunch and a look around the futuristic Ginza district, visit the Imperial East Garden before an introduction to the art of calligraphy. (B, L) Day 4 Nikko: Full day tour to Nikko, home to Japan's loveliest shrines in a picturesque forest setting. Visit the Toshogu Shrine and Rinoji Temple, and enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Chuzenji and the Kegon waterfall. For the 12 May departure, an evening trip to the Sumo Grand Championships is organised. (B, L) Day 5 To Hakone National Park: Morning departure to Mount Fuji. Visit Mount Fuji 5th Station before heading to Hakone National Park, with its lakes and peaks. Travel through the Owakudani Boiling Valley, take a cable car for a birds-eye view and finish with a cruise on Lake Ashi. Stay 1 night at the Hotel Kowakien. (B) Day 6 To Himeji Castle & Hiroshima: This morning,
the bulk of your luggage will be delivered to the hotel in Kyoto - an overnight bag is required. Travel by bullet train to Himeji and visit the castle. Known as `White Heron Castle', it is the largest and regarded as the most beautiful in all Japan. Evening journey to Hiroshima by bullet train and stay overnight at the Iwaso Ryokan on Miyajima Island. (B, D) Day 7 To Kyoto: Morning visit to Miyajima Island and the Itsukushima Shrine, with its red torii gate rising from the harbour. Afternoon visit to the A-bomb Museum and the Peace Memorial Park. This evening, take the bullet train to Kyoto and stay 3 nights at the Granvia Hotel. (B, L) Day 8 Kyoto: Full day tour of Kyoto, the heart of ancient Japan. Visit Kinkakuji Temple, known as the Golden Pavilion; the Ryoanji Temple and its Zen Garden; and Kiyomizu Temple, with its panoramic view of the city. After a traditional lunch, visit a Maiko (apprentice Geisha) house to experience a Japanese tea ceremony and Maiko dance. (B, L) Day 9 Kyoto & Nara: Morning visit to Nara, home to Japan's original emperors. Visit the Toda-ji Temple, with its fine wooden sculptures and huge bronze Buddha, the Kasuga Shrine and Nara Park. On return to Kyoto, visit the hillside Fushimi-Inari Shrine and Sake Museum to learn more about Japan's national drink. (B) Day 10 To London: Transfer to Osaka airport and fly to London with Japan Airlines. (B) * Festivals: The 9 Apr tour includes Takayama's Matsuri, one of Japan's best festivals. On this departure date the duration in Tokyo is one night less, and the visit to Nikko is not included. The 12 May tour includes the Aoi Festival in Kyoto, dating back to the 6th century, and the Toshogu Festival in Nikko, with a procession of over 1,000 people dressed as Samurai. The 9 Jul tour includes the Gion Festival in Kyoto, the city's largest, and the 14 Oct tour includes Kyoto's Jidai Festival to commemorate the founding of the city and Nikko's Toshogu Festival. The festival tour on 12 May starts in Kyoto and ends in Tokyo, please ask for more details. On festival departures some elements of the sightseeing programme may be shortened or not included to allow time for the events. Please
Day 1 To Tokyo: Overnight flight from London to Tokyo with Japan Airlines. (N) Day 2 Tokyo: Arrive and transfer to the Park Hotel for 3 nights. (N)
Himeji Castle
For tour reservations and tailor made quotations 020 7873 5000
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