SAVE NOW: Essence of Japan with Hiroshima & Fuji
Immerse yourself in Japan's captivating blend of tradition and technology. Experience the thrill of three bullet train rides as you glide through the country. Delight in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Kyoto, where this exquisite ritual was born.
In Japan, the past harmoniously coexists with the future, and our two-week itinerary offers a gateway to both realms. Explore bustling cities, serene shrines, and timeless temples, gaining insight into geisha and samurai culture. Marvel at Mount Fuji's iconic silhouette and travel effortlessly on the sleek Shinkansen, the epitome of modern transportation.
Our Japan tours span multiple seasons, each offering its unique allure. Witness cherry blossoms and hydrangea in spring, embrace the enchanting Gion Festival in summer, and revel in the fiery hues of autumn maple trees. April and October align with the vibrant Takayama Festival, while May and September offer a thrilling glimpse into Sumo wrestling tournaments. The choice is yours – which captivating season will you choose for your Japanese adventure?
- 13 meals - 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch
- Accommodation - 12 nights in hotels
- Tour Manager with local guide
- 17 Excursions & Visits
Your fare excludes:
- Airfares & Travel Insurance
Day 1 - Tokyo
Join your tour group at the hotel.
Day 2 - Tokyo
A tour guide helps us to embrace this dazzling city. As we walk out amidst skyscrapers and the world’s tallest self-supporting tower (the Tokyo Skytree), we find Tokyo’s traditional side. Learn the stories behind legendary landmarks like the moated Imperial Palace, Tokyo’s oldest temple - Sensō-ji, and Meiji Shrine, a serene Shinto shrine set on a tree-lined avenue.
Excursions & visits: Excursions & visits: Guided city tour of Tokyo (all day)
Day 3 - Mount Fuji - Matsumoto
Standing out from its surroundings at 3,776m high, Japan’s tallest mountain has inspired countless artists and photographers. Clouds often linger around this active volcano, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed for you to catch a sight of the iconic snow-capped peak as you travel from Tokyo to Matsumoto. If the weather is clear, you’ll see the volcano’s image reflected on the placid waters of Lake Jawaguchi.
Excursions & visits: Mount Fuji visitor centre (morning)
Day 4 - Matsumoto - Takayama
Known as one of the most beautiful castles in Japan, Matsumoto is a striking timber and stone structure with a unique moon-viewing turret. In the spring, take your time to stroll among the cherry blossoms in the spacious castle gardens. Stop to sample sake (Japanese rice wine) in a traditional brewery, before we take the breathtaking journey through thick pine forests and snow-tipped peaks of the Japanese Alps to the hill town of Takayama. We’ll call in at the Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum with a collection of antique houses from the region and displays highlighting crafts and ancient traditions.
Excursions & visits: Visit to Matsumoto Castle (morning)
Sake tasting (afternoon)
Day 5 - Takayama
Meiji-era inns, hillside shrines and a pretty riverside setting - the hamlet of Takayama is traditional Japan at its finest. Soak in the local character on our walking tour, when we’ll see highlights such as the open-air flower and fruit market and government house.
Excursions & visits: Walking tour of Takayama (morning)
Day 6 - Kanazawa
Next on our Japan itinerary, we transfer by coach to Kanazawa, visiting the World Heritage Shirakawago Village en route. Kanazawa is a historic castle town, boasting beautifully preserved samurai and geisha districts. Our sightseeing tour includes Omicho market and Higashi Chayagai (the ‘teahouse district’).
Excursions & visits: Visit to Shirakawago Village (morning)
Sightseeing tour of Kanazawa (afternoon)
Day 7 - Kanazawa - Hiroshima
We pack overnight bags whilst our luggage is transferred to Kyoto. We’ll have another sweep of the city, stopping at the gorgeous Kenroku-en Garden and BukeYashiki (Samurai’s house). Located outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle and covering an area of 11.4 hectares, the Kenroku-en Garden was created in the 1620s and opened to the public in 1874. It’s the epitome of a traditional Japanese garden with plum and cherry blossoms, artificial ponds, hills and buildings. From the quaint, quiet streets of Kanazawa, we’ll go full throttle into one of Japan’s other passions. The Shinkansen (bullet train) will hurtle us from Kanazawa to Hiroshima in perfect comfort.
Excursions & visits: Visits to Kenroku-en Garden and BukeYashiki (morning)
Bullet train journey (afternoon)
Day 8 - Hiroshima
Leafy Hiroshima, with its wide boulevards and friendly locals, might not be what you expected. It’s a vibrant and cosmopolitan city of peace with a devastating history. Today we’ll catch a ferry over to Miyajima Island to admire the ancient Itsukushima Shrine and its torii gate. We'll spend some time strolling through the park. In autumn, the maples here are ablaze with rich reds and oranges. Back in Hiroshima, we’ll take a walking tour around the Peace Memorial Park and take some time for reflection at the Atomic Bomb Museum.
Excursions & visits: Boat to Miyajima Island (morning)
Peace Memorial Park walking tour and Atomic Bomb Museum (afternoon)
Day 9 - Nara - Kyoto
Another bullet train takes us to Osaka, where we’ll board our coach for the onward journey to Nara, a former capital of Japan. The 8th-century Todaiji temple - supposedly the oldest wooden structure in the world - is wondrous, but the real highlight here are the adorable deer roaming through Nara Park. You can buy a packet of crackers to feed them - they’ll even bow to you before you feed them. We arrive in Kyoto this afternoon. With its wealth of shrines and temples, colourful gardens and variety of arts and crafts shops, it's a real highlight of our Japan tour package. We’ll uncover geisha culture with some time in the Gion area - Japan’s most famous geisha district.
Excursions & visits: Bullet train journey (morning)
Todaji Temple and Nara Park (afternoon)
Day 10 - Kyoto
Highlights of this morning’s tour include the wonderful Ryoanji Temple (a Zen temple with a famous rock garden), and the beautiful Kinkakuji Temple, or ‘Golden Pavilion’, whose top two floors are completely bedecked in gold leaf. We also visit Nijo, a fortified castle with unique ‘nightingale’ floors designed to replicate the sound of the nightingale song when stepped on.
Excursions & visits: Guided city tour of Kyoto (morning)
Day 11 - Kyoto - Mishima
We’ll sit down for a cuppa before leaving Kyoto this morning - it is the birthplace of the traditional tea ceremony, after all. Learn the intricacies of this graceful discipline, considering simple details like holding the bowl so your friends can enjoy the beauty of its decoration. You can read about these rituals in any Japan travel guide, but there's nothing quite like experiencing it first hand. You’ll never drink tea at home the same again! Another bullet train whisks us from Kyoto to Mishima. We’ll check into our hotel and if the weather is kind you’ll have views of Mount Fuji from your room.
Excursions & visits: Traditional tea ceremony (morning)
Bullet train journey (afternoon)
Day 12 - Hakone - Tokyo
We drive to Hakone and embark on a cruise on Lake Ashi for stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. We’ll jump in a cable car all the way up to the Owakudani Valley and Hot Springs, in the crater of Mount Hakone. Later, we’ll arrive in Tokyo.
Excursions & visits: Lake Ashi cruise (morning)
Cable car to Owakudani Valley and hot springs (afternoon)
Day 13 - Tokyo
Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.
Exact itineraries may vary slightly depending on departure date - your full itinerary will be shown on your confirmation invoice.
Book by 31 July 2024 and save $1,250 per person*
Pricing for 24 October 2024 departure from Tokyo:
- from $
7,932$6,682per person twin share* - from $
9,950$8,700per person solo traveller*
Don't want to wait travel 11 May 2024 from Tokyo
- from $
7,661$6,411 per person twin share* - from $
9,729$8,479 per person solo traveller*
Additional departure dates are available for this tour between April 2024 and November 2025, call our team today to find out more - 1300 414 198.
Our team can also assist with booking International flights and accommodation as part of your overall travel plans.
Note: that prices are subject to change without notice.
- Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo (4-star)
- Matsumoto Buena Vista (3.5-star)
- Takayama Green Hotel (3-star) or Associa Takayama (3-star)
- Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel (4-star)
- Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima (4-star)
- Kyoto Hotel Okura (4-star)
- Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel (3.5-star)
- Kawasaki King Skyfront Tokyu Rei Hotel, Tokyo (3-star)
Each of our tours has been given a rating from 1 to 3, with 3 being the most strenuous. It’s really important that you discuss with us your suitability for this tour prior to booking.
The above tour has been classified as:
- Level 2 - A moderately paced holiday with more long days. Excursions may require moderate walking at a steady pace, and you might be required to walk further distances, including over mixed terrain and up and down stairs.
Please note: This is a guide only. Please be aware that for each level you should also be comfortably able to manage the requirements set out in the lower levels.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.
A non-refundable deposit of $550 per person is required within 7 days.