Land of the Rising Sun

Day 1 Tokyo  
Arrive in Tokyo and make your way to your hotel where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and Tour Leader. It’s well worth checking out Tokyo’s nightlife tonight.  

Day 2 Tokyo to Nikko  
Enjoy a relaxed start to today and perhaps explore the Asakusa area. Next, catch an express train to Nikko, an attractive pilgrim town surrounded by mountains.  

Day 3 Nikko  
Nikko has been a sacred city since the 8th Century and is packed with beautiful shrines and temples. Visit the popular Toshugu Shrine, the resting place of a once powerful shogun. The rest of the day is free to discover Nikko’s long history at your own pace.  

Day 4 Nikko to Hakone  
Travel by bullet and local train to Hakone, a hot springs resort in the foothills of Mount Fuji.  

Day 5 Hakone  
Take a boat ride across Lake Ashinoko and ride the cable car into the mountains. Enjoy the views and you may catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the distance. Perhaps visit the boiling sulphur springs or take a hike through the national park. Alternatively, visit the Hakone Open Air Museum, home to over 1,000 sculptures.  

Day 6 Hakone to Takayama  
Reach speeds of up to 200mph on board the bullet train to charming Takayama, located in the Japanese Alps. On arrival, visit the Hida Folk Village and learn about traditional Japanese mountain life. The rest of the day is at leisure before a typical local dinner that is included at your peaceful ryokan this evening.  

Day 7 Takayama  
This area is renowned for its local produce; visit a morning market and browse the stalls for local pickles, spices and owara tamaten, a delicious treat. The afternoon is free for you to explore, perhaps visit a local sake brewery for a tasting.  

Day 8 Takayama to Hiroshima  
Now a thoroughly modern city, Hiroshima suffered the first ever atomic bomb attack in 1945. Visit the Peace Memorial Museum and Park and learn of the devastating attack but also the city’s efforts to promote a lasting peace. Hiroshima is a wonderful city for food, perhaps try the ever popular okonomiyaki this evening.  

Day 9 Miyajima Island  
Just off the mainland, Miyajima is most famous for its Itsukushima Shrine. Take a train and ferry to the island and explore the walking trails through the forest.  If you’re feeling energetic, climb Mount Misen for lovely views over the Inland Sea.

Day 10 Hiroshima to Kyoto  
En route to Kyoto, stop by the impressive Samurai castle at Himeji. Enjoy free time in Kyoto on arrival and in the evening, perhaps head to Gion, the famous geisha district.  

Days 11-12 Kyoto  
Two full days in Kyoto gives you the opportunity to explore this amazing city in depth. Previously Japan’s capital city, Kyoto is packed full of temples and shrines and the city is designed for strolling at your own pace. Your tour leader will give you plenty of suggestions of areas to explore.  

Day 13 Kyoto  
Your tour ends this morning.