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Japan Land of the Rising Sun
9 days from £1899
Kyoto Caption
Bullet Train and Mount Fiji
· Ride on the Japanese bullet train · Cruise Lake Ashi · Experience the bustling cities of Tokyo and Kyoto
A unique country steeped in ancient culture and tradition... experience old and new in amazing Tokyo, ride the Bullet Train past the imposing Mount Fuji, catch a glimpse of a geisha in traditional Kyoto, witness solemn ceremonies enacted in a Shinto shrine and contemplate the beauty of a perfect stone garden.
ITINERARY DAYS 1 & 2 UK/Tokyo We fly overnight to Tokyo, then transfer to our conveniently-located hotel in the Shinagawa area of the city, where we stay for two nights. DAY 3 Tokyo One of the world's great cities, Tokyo is an amazing kaleidoscope of colour and movement, where ultra-modern skyscrapers rise from bustling streets. A facade of busy department stores and gaudy shops conceals maze-like warrens of narrow alleys, lined with traditional noodle bars and sushi restaurants where office workers grab hurried meals before returning to their busy lives. But amid the 21st-century frenzy hide pockets of tradition and serenity shrines and temples provide a haven from everyday life, a place where time-honoured traditions still hold sway. We include a tour of the city, which will show us the gableroofed Imperial Palace, home to the Emperor of Japan; the Meiji Shrine, set in a wooded garden; and Asakusa Kannon Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. The afternoon is free for you to explore, go shopping in the smart department stores of Ginza or visit the outstanding museums in Ueno Park. DAY 4 Bullet Train to Kyoto No visit to Japan is complete without a ride on the world-famous Shinkansen, better known in the West as the Bullet Train. We board the train in Tokyo for the superexpress journey to Kyoto, the spiritual capital of Japan, where the past is lovingly preserved. A thousand years of civilisation lives on in its gardens, temples and traditions. This afternoon a local guide introduces us to the key sites, including the Imperial Palace and the gold-leafed Kinkakuji Temple, whose graceful form is perfectly reflected in the still waters of its lake. We spend three nights in this remarkable city. DAY 5 Kyoto Spend the day experiencing the sights, sounds and fragrances of Kyoto. Take a peaceful stroll to the resonant echo of a temple bell; savour the uniquely Japanese aromas of soy and sake; visit Ryoan-ji to contemplate the serenity of its famous Zen rock garden; admire the city's Buddhist and Shinto shrines, which number in the hundreds. You should also take the chance to seek out the ancient streets of Gion, immortalised in Memoirs of a Geisha, or for a change of pace, visit Nishiki Market, with its colourful stalls of artfully presented Japanese delicacies. DAY 6 Nara Today we travel to Nara, Japan's first imperial capital. Here we find some remarkable architecture, including the Todaiji Temple, the world's largest wooden building, which houses the monumental Great Buddha. We also visit Kasuga Taisha, Japan's holiest Shinto shrine. Set in a beautiful park, its dazzling lacquered pavilions create a quintessential Japanese landscape. DAY 7 Mount Fuji & Hakone Leaving Kyoto we journey to Hakone. En route we will see the slopes
JA PA N
Takayama Matsumoto Shirakawago TOKYO Hakone Kyoto Hiroshima Nara
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