Splendors of Japan with Hiroshima

1. ARRIVE TOKYO (3 NIGHTS) Welcome to Tokyo. Upon arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda International Airport, transfer to your centrally located hotel. This evening join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception drink and local appetisers. Meal(s) Welcome Reception Hotel New Otani 2. TOKYO SIGHTSEEING This morning start your city tour with a visit to the Imperial Palace Plaza, a large park area in the centre of Tokyo. View the Imperial Palace, built on the former site of Edo Castle, it is surrounded by its original inner moat. Next visit the Meiji Shrine located in a forest that covers an area of 700,000 square metres and consists of 365 different species of tree. During lunch, enjoy a cooking class and learn how to make sushi with a Local Specialist in the famous Ginza district. Continue to Asakusa and visit the Sensoji Buddhist temple. It is one of Tokyo's most colourful and popular temples and has been rebuilt countless times since it was founded in 628, making it Tokyo's oldest temple site. Visit Nakamise, a shopping street over 200 metres long that stretches from the outer gate to the temple's second interior gate. This evening, enjoy a Japanese-style dinner at a local restaurant. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Lunch Dinner 3. MT. FUJI AND HAKONE SIGHTSEEING After breakfast depart on a full day of sightseeing, beginning at the Five Lakes District dominated by majestic UNESCO listed Mt. Fuji. At 3,776m, it is Japan's highest mountain and most recognisable icon. Ascend to the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji to enjoy some spectacular views at 2,300m (weather permitting). After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant continue to Owakudani via the Hakone Ropeway, a cable car ride over the forest beside Lake Ashi. In Owakudani see the volcanic activity and enjoy black eggs boiled in geysers before continuing to the beautiful town of Hakone. After an enjoyable day of sightseeing return to your hotel for a restful evening. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Lunch 4. TOKYO – MATSUMOTO – TAKAYAMA (2 NIGHTS) Drive north this morning to visit Matsumoto Castle, one of the most beautiful and complete original Japanese castles and a great Cherry Blossom viewing spot in the springtime. Marvel at its unique timber and stone structure. Later continue your journey through the breath-taking Japanese Alps to the beautiful hillside town of Takayama. Located in the Hida Region, the town has retained a traditional touch like few other Japanese cities, especially in its beautifully preserved old town. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Hotel Hida Plaza / Takayama Green / Associa Takayama 5. TAKAYAMA SIGHTSEEING Begin your walking tour of Takayama, known as 'Little Kyoto', and discover its Edo style streets filled with amazing attractions. Explore the Old Town, stopping en route to sample Japanese sake at an authentic Sake brewery, a Cultural Insight. Next wander through a vibrant open-air flower and fruit market (Asaichi) before continuing on to Takayama Jinya. This was a former government outpost and was in official use until 1969. It is now open to the public as a museum. Continue to the Kami-Sannomachi-suji District, home to renowned local artisans. Walk through the narrow streets and admire the ancient Japanese wooden architecture.This afternoon is free to explore this picturesque town or relax. Dinner this evening is a Regional Meal of Japanese Hida beef at a local restaurant. Hida beef (Hida-gyu) is the specific name given to beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, it is known as one of the finest quality varieties of beef. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Regional Meal 6. TAKAYAMA - SHIRAKAWAGO - GOKAYAMA - KANAZAWA Take a step back in time during a visit to the peaceful mountain villages and UNESCO designated sites of Gokayama and Shirakawago. Explore the village of Shirakawago, have lunch in a local restaurant and go up to the Observation Deck for spectacular views looking down on the entire village. In Gokayama observe local artisans making washi paper and try your hand at making your own, a Cultural Insight. See the unique Gassho-zukuri wooden houses; the steeply sloped thatched roofs resemble two hands together in prayer. Visit one of the houses and meet the family before continuing on to the historic castle town of Kanazawa. On arrival visit the Nagamachi District with its old and beautifully preserved samurai houses. Visit the Nomura house, an elegant samurai mansion with beautiful small gardens belonging to a high-ranked samurai family. Next discover the secrets of gold leaf painting during a visit with a Local Specialist. The production of gold leaf started in Kanazawa at the end of the 16th century and now 99% of Japan's high quality gold leaf is produced in the area. Later check in to your centrally located hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Lunch Hotel Kanazawa Tokyu 7. KANAZAWA - KYOTO (2 NIGHTS) Begin the day at the gardens of Kenrokuen, rated as one of the top three most beautiful gardens in Japan and a great place to see Cherry Blossom in the springtime. Explore the ornate landscapes, temples and ponds or enjoy an Optional Experience visit to a Japanese tea house within the gardens. Later take a short walk through the Omicho market to see the local fish catch and enjoy an insiders view of everyday life in a busy coastal town. Enjoy some free time at the market to browse the stalls and to have lunch before taking the high speed bullet train to Kyoto. Later enjoy a traditional Japanese Kaiseki Regional Meal and dance performance featuring Maiko. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Regional Meal Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto 8. KYOTO SIGHTSEEING This morning visit Kinkakuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Golden Pavilion. The Kinkakuji history dates back to 1397, when the villa was purchased by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. When Yoshimitsu died, the building was converted into a Zen temple by his son. Later, enjoy a special Be My Guest Farewell Lunch at a traditional ryokan nestled in the peace and quiet of Mt. Yoshida. The ryokan was built in 1932 by master craftsmen to serve as the second residence of the uncle of the current Japanese Emperor, Akihito. Learn more about local Japanese customs as your hosts welcome you into their beautiful home. Enjoy the pleasures of a truly flavourful and unique dining experience of Kaiseki cuisine, crafted from the very freshest of seasonal delicacies. Later continue on to the Fushimi Inari Shrine and see the tunnel of thousands of bright orange torii gates that snake through the forest up into the mountains. Then head to the Sanjusangendo Hall, a temple famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The evening is free to explore, relax at the hotel or take an Optional Experience. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Be My Guest Dining 9. KYOTO - KOTOHIRA This morning leave Japan's main island Honshu behind as you cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge, over the Seto Inland Sea to Awaji Island. Visit the Water Temple, designed by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando to be a sensory experience. The mountains, sky, rice paddies and bamboo groves are reflected in the stillness of the water, which has a meditative effect as you descend the steps to the Buddhist Temple below the water. Later cross to Shikoku island and after having some free time for lunch visit the Uzu-no-michi observation gallery at Naruto, a walkway beneath the Onaruto Bridge, which provides a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Inland Sea whirlpools. Later continue to the small mountain hot springs village of Kotohira for your dinner and overnight stay in your Authentic Accommodation, a Japanese ryokan. This evening perhaps have a relaxing soak in the hot spring (onsen) bath. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Dinner Hotel Kotohira Grand Sakuranosho (ryokan) Authentic Accommodation 10. KOTOHIRA - HIROSHIMA (2 NIGHTS) This morning climb the steps up to the Kotohira-gu Shrine and be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Continue with a visit to Zentsuji Temple, the birthplace of one of the most revered figures of Japanese Buddhism, the high priest Kobo Daishi. It is the 75th temple on the 88 temple Shikoku Pilgrimage, which covers approximately 1,200 kilometres and was traditionally done on foot taking up to 60 days to complete. It is still done by many people today although modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles or motorcycles. Drive to Hiroshima via the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Expressway, a 60-kilometre highway that links the islands of the Seto Inland Sea with nine individual bridges. Stop at Omishima Island for a fresh seafood lunch, a Regional Meal, before continuing on to Hiroshima. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Regional Meal Hotel Rihga Royal 11. HIROSHIMA SIGHTSEEING This morning take a city tour visiting the Peace Memorial Park with the UNESCO listed Peace Memorial and later the Atomic Bomb Museum. Later visit the Wood Egg Okonomiyaki Museum, a Cultural Insight. Then go for a Regional Meal and experience the famous Hiroshima style okonomiyaki for yourself at a local restaurant. Okonamiyaki is similar to a savoury pancake and is made with egg, cabbage, soba noodles, and meat, seafood or cheese. It is grilled in layers on a hot plate in front of you and slathered liberally with okonomiyaki sauce, with optional extras such as mayonnaise, pickled ginger, and seaweed. This afternoon catch a ferry over to Miyajima Island, otherwise known as Itsukushima, or Divine Island. On arrival, admire the elaborate gate, Itsukushima Shrine, rising majestically out of the sea, and spend time strolling through the park. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Regional Meal 12. HIROSHIMA - OSAKA Take the high speed bullet train to Osaka. On arrival enjoy a brief city orientation tour and then have some free time for lunch and shopping in the Dotonbori Street area. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Farewell Dinner Hotel Sheraton Miyako Osaka 13. DEPART OSAKA Transfer by airport shuttle service to Kansai International Airport, or Osaka Itami Airport for your onward flight home. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast