Splendours of Japan (Takayama Festival)

9 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Group Tour
Celebrate the changing seasons as the jangle of bells and boom-boom-bang of drums accompany a captivating parade of festival floats on the streets of hillside Takayama. The Activity Level of this tour is Dynamic, meaning this journey features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills.
-7%
$4,804
From$5,125
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
    • 8 Breakfast (B)
    • 2 Lunch (L)
    • 2 Dinner (D)
    • 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
    • 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
    • Kyoto: Enjoy a kaiseki lunch at a traditional Japanese ryokan home near Kyoto where you will learn about local customs.
    • Takayama: Join the locals at the Takayama Festival.
    • Gokayama: Learn how local artisans make Japanese washi paper in the UNESCO village of Gokayama.
    • Tokyo: Visit Tokyo's renowned landmarks and gain insight into how this modern city preserves its ancient roots.

What's this trip about?

    Celebrate the changing seasons as the jangle of bells and boom-boom-bang of drums accompany a captivating parade of festival floats on the streets of hillside Takayama. The Activity Level of this tour is Dynamic, meaning this journey features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityTokyo
End CityOsaka

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 40

Trip includes

    • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
    • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
    • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
    • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
    • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
    • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
    • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
    • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
    • Optional Experiences and free time
    • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Konnichiwa Tokyo

Your in-depth exploration of Japan begins in Tokyo. On arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport, take a shuttle bus transfer to your centrally located hotel, where you’ll join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a welcome drink and local appetizers.

New Otani Garden Tower

Day 2: Explore Vibrant Tokyo

We launch our city tour in the old-time entertainment center of Asakusa, where we’ll encounter the Sensoji Buddhist Temple. One of Tokyo's most colorful and popular temples, Sensoji has been rebuilt countless times since it was founded in 628, making it Tokyo's oldest...

Day 3: Off to the Five Lakes District

Our first stop today is the Imperial Palace Plaza from where the two bridges that form the entrance to the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace can be viewed. We'll have the opportunity to explore the leafy Imperial Palace East Gardens before continuing our city tour....

Day 4: Majestic Mt. Fuji and Timeless Takayama

Admire the reflections of the sky and landscapes in the clear waters, then ascend Mt. Fuji by road to 2,300 meters at the 5th station. Ride up Mt. Tenjo on the Kachikachiyama Ropeway next, for jaw-dropping views (weather permitting) of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko. T...

Day 5: Join the Locals at the Takayama Festival

Immerse yourself in tradition as you walk through the Edo-style streets of Takayama's Old Town. Indulge in a lunch of Japanese Hida-gyu – beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, renowned as one of the finest quality varieties of beef. After lunch, immerse your...

Day 6: Experience Gokayama and on to Kanazawa

Journey back in time this morning during a visit to the peaceful UNESCO-listed Gokayama, a mountain village set amidst five valleys. Admire the unique construction of the local Gassho-zukuri wooden houses that have been built without the use of nails with steeply slop...

Day 7: Onwards to Kyoto Connect with Locals

Board an Express train this morning to Kyoto, where you'll connect with locals at a traditional restaurant on your Be My Guest experience. You'll learn about local Japanese customs from your hosts. After lunch, visit the UNESCO-listed Kinkakuji Temple with its famous ...

Day 8: Discover Enchanting Kyoto

The blazing orange torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine guide your path through the forest, up into the mountains and to a sacred site that has heard prayers for prosperity and happiness since the 8th century. Continue to Sanjusangen-do Hall and admire the minute detai...

Day 9: Sayonara Japan

Our encounter with Japan’s age-old traditions and modern cityscapes at its end, we take a transfer by airport shuttle service to Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport for our onward flight. Alternatively, continue to Hiroshima by choosing the 13-day Splendors of Japan with Hiroshima itinerary.

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,125
Price per day$569
Last Updated: 11/21/2024

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Trafalgar Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
34,479
Great
9,190
Average
2,748
Disappointing
838
Terrible
544
T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2024

Written on

Splendors of Japan Celebrate Takayama Festival

The guide was a poor communicator.

C

Carolyn

Oct 2024

Written on

Splendors of Japan Celebrate Takayama Festival

It was educational in reference to the history and culture of Japan. Seeing and participating in the various side excursions (Golden leaf, sake tasting, making Washi...

T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2024

Written on

Splendors of Japan Celebrate Takayama Festival

Too fast. Too much in many days. It could have been one or two more da...

C

Cas

Oct 2024

Written on

Splendors of Japan Celebrate Takayama Festival

The itinerary was greatly enhanced by the festivals in Takayam...

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Tour Operator

Trafalgar

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At Trafalgar, we passionately believe in the power of travel to broaden the mind and build bridges between people. By sharing with you the hidden places not mentioned in guidebooks, the local people you wouldn’t otherwise meet, and the traditions you may not have experienced by yourself, we ensure that you get the ‘insider’ view, an authentic and enhanced experience you simply could not have had on your own.

It is this dedication to taking our guests beyond the obvious sights that has helped us grow over the past 65 years into one of the most trusted and successful international guided vacation/holiday companies in the world. From Europe to the United States, South America to South Africa, and with the recent addition of Asia, we pride ourselves on uncovering the hidden gems, cultural highlights and not-to-be-missed attractions of the places you visit. We’ll help you delve deep into the heart of each city and capture the true essence of each new destination.

We are committed to establishing lasting relationships with our guests by exceeding their expectations the first time and every time, through consistently outstanding quality of service, experience and value.

We're proud to be the most globally awarded guided travel company. Every year, we win some of the most prestigious travel accolades around the world – from the Travel Globes to the Agents' Choice Awards. We've collected 46 major travel awards over the last five years alone, as well as the Gold Trusted Merchant Award from independent reviews provider Feefo.

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About the company:

As the world’s most awarded and loved travel company, Trafalgar unlocks the best of the world for every traveller. From the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals at private Be My Guest experiences, guests can be assured of a dream holiday without the stress of 'what ifs'. Committed to Make Travel Matter, Trafalgar aims to make a positive impact on locals, communities and wildlife visited, and the planet we call home. With tried and tested tours, created by local travel experts in destination and enjoyed by more than 5million happy guests, Trafalgar’s proud to be recognised by its Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award.

Trafalgar is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.

 

Why we love this operator
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What they’re known for
Tours and experiences that include everything from the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals, guided by expert travel directors.

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Logistics

Accommodation

  • New Otani Garden Tower
  • Fuji Marriott Yamanakako
  • Associa Takayama Resort
  • Kanazawa Tokyu
  • The Hotel Higashiyama
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 8 Breakfast (B)
  • 3 Lunch (L)
  • 3 Dinner (D)
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
trafalgar-JPNFZN19

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