Great Japan Tour

Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Tokyo

On your arrival at the Tokyo International Airport, transfer to your hotel and check-in. On the first day of your Great Japan tour, to see some of the most famous and historic sights of this beautiful country, you will have some time to relax in Tokyo, the Japanese capital city. Overnight at hotel in Tokyo.

Day 02: Tokyo

After breakfast, you will be meeting your Tour Director and traveling companions prior to a morning sightseeing of Tokyo. You will be visiting the Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th century Shinto monument set in a forested area, before driving down to see from outside the Imperial Palace, its park and moats, from Kokyo Gaien – the large plaza in front of the Palace. This will be followed by a visit to an Artist’s studio where a master calligrapher will give a demonstration of his skills, and you can try it out for yourself. You will also be going to a factory making Kimonos, where you can wear a kimono and get yourself photographed in the costume. Later, you will be escorted to the Sensoji or Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most colourful temple, before going to the adjoining Nakamise, an ancient shopping street selling souvenirs and traditional snacks. After this, you may continue with shopping or sightseeing (at your own cost). The Ginza district has several boutiques, shops, art galleries, cafes, and nightclubs. Please remember that you will be given a Welcome Dinner by your Tour Director, and afterwards be taken for a Walking Tour in the city to see the dazzlingly illuminated city. Overnight at hotel in Tokyo.

Day 03: Tokyo

Following breakfast, you will have the day to yourself. If you wish, you can join a full-day (optional) tour to Kamakura, with a temple containing the second-largest statue of the Great Buddha in Japan, cast in 1252 AD. Then you will go for a scenic drive to Hakone, followed by a ride in the cable car for panoramic views of Mt Fuji (weather permitting). The tour will conclude with a ride on the bullet train back to Tokyo. During the evening, you will be free to continue sightseeing or shopping (on your own). There are several restaurants, bars, pubs, and cafes serving a variety of cuisine to suit all tastes. There are innumerable shops and boutiques selling a variety of merchandise, from designer brands to traditional handicrafts. Overnight at hotel in Tokyo.

Day 04: Tokyo–Matsumoto–Takayama

Post-breakfast, you will be leaving Tokyo for Matsumoto, the picturesque city nestling amidst the Japanese Alps. You will be visiting the remarkable Matsumoto Castle with a black roof, built more than 4 centuries ago, and the Japan Folklore Museum. Lunch will be served en route, after which, you will be driving through the ruggedly splendid Japanese Alps to Takayama, a beautiful town in the lap of the Japanese Alps, seemingly untouched by time. You will have the rest of the time for your leisure activities, when you can explore the narrow streets crowded with antique shops, and, sake breweries and cellars. Overnight at hotel in Takayama.

Day 05: Takayama

Following breakfast, you will be taken to see the morning market where local farmers sell flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Following this, you will be visiting the historic region of Sanmachi Suji, abounding with sake breweries and shops plying with their centuries-old trade of selling traditional handicrafts, pottery, porcelain, and lacquer-ware. The Kusakabe Heritage House, a folklore museum with antique furniture. In the afternoon, you will be visiting the Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village, an “open air museum” with traditional farmhouses where artisans now work and you can watch them practise their crafts – silk dyeing, tie-dyeing, lacquer work, and weaving. You will be able to partake of a Japanese dinner. Overnight at hotel in Takayama.

Day 06: Takayama–Shirakawa–Kanazawa

After breakfast, you will be leaving Takayama and driving through the charming Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa-go, both being UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The uniqueness of these valleys is the presence of thatched-roof houses with their roofs resembling “gassho zukuri” (hands folded in prayer). You will be travelling further to the scenic Kanazawa, situated on the Sea of Japan, and bordered by beautiful parks and the Japanese Alps. The rest of the day will be for you to roam where you like. Dinner will be served to you at one of the three restaurants of your choice in your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Kanazawa.

Day 07: Kanazawa–Kyoto

Post-breakfast, you will be visiting one of the three most beautiful Japanese gardens, Kenroku-en. It is also known as the ‘Six Attributes Garden’, developed in the 17th century. The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art is located in the Kenroku-en Gardens, which showcases antique art objects, Japanese paintings, oil paintings, lacquer and porcelain work, besides several other crafts, including the famous Kanazawa-Haku – gold that is beaten paper-thin, a tradition believed to date back to 800 AD. In the afternoon, you will be traversing along the coast of the Sea of Japan to pretty Kyoto in the Yamoshiro Basin, surrounded by mountains. Here, you will be visiting the Fushimi Inari-taisha (Shrine), a historic Shinto shrine, famed for having thousands of vermilion-coloured torii gates. Following this, you will be treated to a Miko dance performed by girls. Overnight at hotel in Kyoto.

Day 08: Kyoto

Following breakfast, you will be taken for a visit to the magnificent Nijo Castle, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and one of the many historic monuments built by Tokugawa shoguns in Kyoto. Following this, you will be visiting the Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), and Hiean Jingu (a Shinto shrine) constructed in 1895. You will be served lunch while you participate in a special Japanese cooking class and will learn to make a popular Japanese dish. After lunch, you will have an option to visit Nara, united Japan’s first capital, and see the Todaiji Temple with a large statue of the Buddha; Heian Shrine and Garden; the Kasuga-Taisha (Kasuga Great Shrine) at the foot of two revered mountains, and also famous for having 3,000 lanterns of stone and bronze; and, the Kofukuji Temple, an enchanting 5-storey pagoda structure. Overnight at hotel in Kyoto.

Day 09: Kyoto

After breakfast, you will have the day free to do shopping or sightseeing (at your own cost). There are several significant temples, shrines, palaces, and museums to be seen in Kyoto. There are shops and malls, while the most popular shopping and amusement district lies in Shijo Kawaramachi. There are many restaurants, and Kyoto excels in the variety of Japanese food it has on offer. Please remember to return in time for a special Farewell Dinner that will be hosted by your Tour Director. Overnight at hotel in Kyoto.

Day 10: Kyoto–Osaka-Departure for Onward Destination

Transfer to Kansai Airport with a short orientation tour of Osaka. Your homebound flight leaves later this afternoon and arrives the same day.

Day 11: Osaka – Departure

Today after breakfast, transfer from Osaka Hotel/Resort to Osaka Airport. We hope you have enjoyed your Osaka journey with us.

Tour Ends!!