Splendours of Japan with Hiroshima

Day 1  Tokyo              
Upon arrival, take a shuttle bus to your hotel and join your tour director and  fellow travellers for a welcome reception.  

Day 2  Tokyo      
Stroll down Nakamise on a city tour to immerse in the sights and sounds of downtown Tokyo and ascend Tokyo Skytree, the world’s highest free-standing broadcasting tower for expansive views across the city.              

Day 3  Tokyo to Lake Yamanakako              
Visit Imperial Palace Plaza, the residence  of the Emperor of Japan and explore the Palace East Gardens before heading to the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Learn to make sushi with a local specialist before heading to the Five Lakes District.              

Day 4  Lake Yamanakako to Takayama            
Explore Oshino Hakkai, a rural village renowned for its natural springs fed by the melting snow of Mount Fuji. Ascend Mount Fuji by road, before boarding the Kachikachiyama Ropeway for panoramic views. Continue through the Japanese Alps to the beautiful hillside town of Takayama.              

Day 5  Takayama to Kanazawa              
Walk the Edo-style streets of Takayama’s old town and try Hida beef, renowned as one of the finest quality varieties of Wagyu beef, before heading to the UNESCO World Heritage listed village of Gokayama. Admire the ‘Praying Hands’ farmhouses and meet a local family to learn the art of making washi paper.              

Day 6  Kanazawa              
Join a local guide this morning to learn of the art of gold leaf painting. Afterwards, visit one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, Kenroku-en. Stroll through ornate landscapes before visiting the Nagamachi District to gain an insight into Samurai life.    

Day 7  Kanazawa to Kyoto              
Board an express train to Kyoto. Upon arrival, transfer to a traditional ryokan and enjoy lunch whilst learning of traditional Japanese customs from your hosts. After, visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed golden pavilion of Kinkakuji.  

Day 8  Kyoto          
Admire the blazing orange torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine and head to Sanjusangen-do Hall to see the exquisite detail of the Thousand Handed Goddess  of Mercy statue.  

Days 9  Kyoto to Kotohira
Cross the world’s largest suspension bridge to Awaji Island and walk around Yumebutai, a group of 100 square gardens with flowers that bloom during each of the four seasons. Visit the Water Temple, before travelling to the mountain hot springs village of Kotohira.    

Day 10  Kotohira to Hiroshima      
This morning, visit the Zentsuji Temple  and travel to Omishima Island. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch and continue to Hiroshima.        

Day 11  Hiroshima      
Travel to the sacred island of Miyajima to see the famous Itsukushima Shrine. Explore the island’s spiritual sanctuaries at leisure before returning to Hiroshima. Visit the Peace Memorial Museum and Park in memoriam of the world’s first atomic explosion and admire the Peace Memorial, the only structure to withstand the explosion.                

Day 12  Hiroshima to Osaka      
Board the high-speed bullet train to  Osaka and visit Osaka Castle to learn  how it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the 16th Century, before joining your fellow travellers this evening for a farewell dinner.    

Day 13  Osaka          
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward travels.