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DESTINATION
Asia
PROVIDER
Travelmarvel
DURATION
12 days
Valued At Pay Only Save
$7,195 per person $7,051 per person $288 per couple

From the neon-lit metropolis of Tokyo, take the Bullet Train through Japan’s historic and traditional heartland visiting iconic cities and sights including Mt Fuji, Matsumoto, Kyoto and Hiroshima.

Trip Highlights

  •     Travel extensively by Bullet Train
  •     Enjoy a ‘Romance Car’ train journey to Hakone
  •     Visit Mount Fuji and Hakone Park
  •      Explore Matsumoto Castle
  •     Journey to the Japanese Alps aboard the Hida Train
  •     Cruise to idyllic Miyajima Island
  •     Visit the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima
  •     Listen to a talk from a Hiroshima survivor
  •     Experience a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto
  •     Enjoy a traditional evening meal in Kyoto


Included Experiences

  •     11 nights in quality accommodation
  •     The services of a Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager
  •     All sightseeing, excursions and entrance fees as specified
  •     Airport transfers and tipping
  •     Includes 14 meals - Enjoy 11 Breakfasts and 3 Dinners


Trip Notes

  •     Itinerary, hotels and inclusions are subject to change
  •     Prices include transfers and tipping
  •     Porterage is not included unless indicated
  •     Prices are for land/rail only. Flights not included

 

 Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers and Tour Manager.
Stay: Two Nights: Tokyo, Shinagawa Prince Hotel, or similar

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Dinner

Day 2. Tokyo
Your full-day tour of Tokyo includes a visit to the ancient Asakusa Kannon Temple and fascinating Ameyoko Market as well as taking in the Imperial Palace Plaza. Later visit Nakajima no Ochaya, a beautiful tea house in the Hamarikyu Garden that dates back to 1704. Here there is the opportunity to sample authentic Japanese tea and traditional sweets. Afterwards, spend time at the Edo Tokyo Museum, where exhibits depict the fascinating history of Japan’s capital during the peaceful Edo period. The last era of feudal rule in Japan, the Edo period spanned from 1603-1867, and is considered one of the most significant times in Japanese history.

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Breakfast

Day 3. Tokyo, Hakone
Today you will make the journey to the resort town of Hakone by train, travelling in a ‘Romance Car’ (observation car) on the picturesque narrow gauge line. On arrival, you will enjoy a tour of the spectacular Hakone National Park. Lying in the foothills of Mount Fuji, Hakone is a stunning area of lakes, forests and hot springs. Enjoy a short cruise on the tranquil Lake Ashi, a former crater, before continuing to the enchanting hot springs at Owakudani.
Stay: Hakone, Prince Hotel, or similar

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Breakfast

Day 4. Mount Fuji, Matsumoto
This morning, travel to Mount Fuji, arguably Japan’s most distinctive landmark. Driving along the foot of the famous mountain, disembark at the Mount Fuji Visitor Centre to learn more about the snow-capped peak. Later, enjoy a visit to Matsumoto Castle, an impressive fortress completed in 1593. Built on a plain, this five-storey fortification is a celebrated National Treasure of Japan. Tonight, overnight in Matsumoto.
Stay: Matsumoto, Hotel Buena Vista, or similar

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Breakfast

Day 5. Matsumoto, Takayama
Your journey continues today, travelling to Takayama, pausing en-route for an excursion to the nearby Folk Village, an open air museum of rustic farm dwellings depicting the traditional architectural styles found in the mountains. Set on a hillside overlooking the idyllic Takayama Valley, some of the buildings in the picturesque village date back 500 years. After exploring here, you’ll continue to Takayama to spend the night. Set deep in the mountains, Takayama is a fascinating town of narrow streets and wooden houses, which appear almost untouched by time.
Stay: Takayama, Oan Hotel or similar

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Breakfast

Day 6. Takayama, Hiroshima
After a guided tour of Takayama this morning, enjoy a journey on the Hida Train to Nagoya, continuing onwards by Bullet Train to Hiroshima. Having seen devastation in World War II, Hiroshima is now a symbol of peace. Massive rebuilding took place after the war and a memorial Peace Park was established to remember the more than 100,000 people who were killed. After settling in, enjoy time at leisure to explore the city. There remain some historic buildings and temples that were spared the blast that destroyed almost 70 per cent of the city.
Stay: Two Nights: Sheraton Hiroshima or similar

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Breakfast

Day 7. Miyajima Island, Hiroshima
Today, travel by tram and boat to Miyajima Island, where you’ll leave modern life behind in the tranquillity of the wooded sanctuary. During your time here you’ll enjoy a walking tour, which includes a visit to the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine. See the iconic Tori Gate, which protects the shrine, and seems to float on the water at high tide. This afternoon is at leisure in Hiroshima.

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Breakfast

Day 8. Hiroshima, Kyoto
This morning visit the World Peace Memorial Park and the A-Bomb Dome Museum, both poignant reminders of the destruction levied here in 1945. You will also have the opportunity to listen to a talk from a Hiroshima survivor. Later, travel by Bullet Train to Kyoto which was the Japanese capital for more than a thousand years and is a living museum of the country’s artistic heritage.
Stay: Three Nights: Kyoto, Granbach Hotel or similar

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Breakfast

Day 9. Kyoto
A morning sightseeing tour helps you to get your bearings. Famous Kyoto landmarks include: the Nijo Castle, built in 1603, which is notable for the stark contrast between its restrained exterior and gorgeous interiors; the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) which has an exquisite Japanese garden; and Kyoto Imperial Palace, the residence of the Imperial family until the capital was relocated to Tokyo in 1868. In the afternoon enjoy a traditional tea ceremony in a typical Japanese thatched farmhouse set amongst formal gardens.

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Breakfast

Day 10. Kyoto, Nara
Visit Nara today, another former capital, just a short train ride away from Kyoto. Nara is an attractive, compact city of narrow streets set against a backdrop of wooded hills. Here enjoy a walking tour, taking in Nara Park the site of the beautiful Todai-ji Temple, the largest wooden building in the world and its Great Buddha, Kasuga Shrine. Here, the deer roam freely amongst the trees, shrines and statues. Return to Kyoto this afternoon where you will have free time at leisure before a traditional evening meal at a local restaurant.

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner

Day 11. Osaka
Travel by Bullet Train to the futuristic city of Osaka, and enjoy a guided tour which includes a visit to the Floating Garden Observatory in the iconic Umeda Sky building. Here you will enjoy panoramic views over Osaka and its castle, ahead of a Farewell Dinner at the hotel this evening.
Stay: Osaka, Cross Hotel, or similar

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner

Day 12. Depart Osaka
Your tour of Japan concludes this morning after breakfast, when you will be transferred to Osaka airport for your onward flight.

    Daily Meals Included:
    • Breakfast