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Package · Wendy Wu Tours · 17 nights

Summer Sale Savings - Japan: All-inclusive 18-day tour with return flights (2023)

From
$12,490 pp twin share
$13,640 pp solo share
17 nights
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Duration17 nights
OperatorWendy Wu Tours
StylePackage
HighlightSave $400 per person
This comprehensive tour of Japan includes all the "must see" sights and key cultural activities — not to mention flights there and back — in an easy, all-inclusive booking! Visit modern cities,…

This itinerary has been thoughtfully designed thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive. This tour is recommended for those who wish to see the iconic sites and magnificent treasures of Japan. Some of the highlights include:

Mt Fuji - Ascend Japan's iconic and inspirational highest mountain.

Kyoto - Explore this authentic Japanese town known as the 'thousand year capital'.

Cross Tokyo's Famous Shibuya Crossing - Arguably the world's most famous pedestrian crossing, seen in many a film and television show, witness the organised chaos and bright lights of Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing for yourself.

Visit Kubota Itchiku's Art Museum - Admire the elaborately dyed silk creations of artist Kubota Itchiku at his eponymous art museum. Itchiku singlehandedly revived the traditional and beautiful technique of 'tsujigahana'.

Visit a Wasabi Farm - One of Japan's most famous condiments, wasabi, is an essential element in Japanese cuisine. Learn about its cultivation on a traditional farm and admire the landscapes.

Are you a Solo Traveller? This tour has dedicated solo departures, exclusively for customers who prefer to share their wonderful holiday experiences with a ready-made group of like-minded solo travellers. You’ll also enjoy these exclusive benefits on Dedicated Solo departures:

  • Enjoy the comfort of your own room on tour
  • Smaller group sizes - Max Group Size of 18
  • FREE return Australian transfers from home to the airport within 50km radius
  • FREE airport lounge pass (available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane airports only)
  • Complimentary cocktail on arrival at your destination
Day by day

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Australia - Osaka, Japan

    Days 1–2

    Fly to the lively, fast-paced city of Osaka. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure, perhaps to sample this city's famous shopping and food.

  2. 3

    Discover Nara

    Spend the morning in Nara, the small, history-filled city that was Japan's first capital. Stroll through Nara Park to Todai-ji Temple and admire the traditional Isui-en Garden. Return to Osaka and visit the impressive Osaka Castle before cruising along the Yodogawa River.

  3. 4

    Himeji Castle

    Depart Osaka for Hiroshima, stopping en route to explore the magnificent 17th Century Himeji Castle and the neighbouring Koko-en, a traditional-style garden.

  4. 5

    Explore Hiroshima

    Hiroshima is a vibrant, forward-thinking city that is a pleasure to explore. Reflect on the city’s tragic past at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum paying homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb. Next, hop on the ferry across to the holy island of Miyajima to visit the Itsukushima Shrine and enjoy some free time.

  5. 6

    Bullet Train to Kyoto

    Catch a bullet train to Kyoto. Capital for a thousand years, this enchanting city is the epitome of traditional Japan. Visit Ryoanji Temple, home to Japan's most famous Zen garden and Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as 'Golden Pavilion'.

  6. 7

    Japanese Tea Ceremony

    Enjoy one of Kyoto’s most delightful spots, Kiyomizu, a 17th Century Buddhist temple, before experiencing the age-old rituals of a traditional tea ceremony. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to further explore this amazing city.

  7. 8

    Travel to Kanazawa

    Depart Kyoto and travel to Kanazawa. Meander through Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, before viewing the excellent art collection of the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.

  8. 9

    Washi Paper Making

    Visit the Nomura Samurai House and Garden before departing Kanazawa. Stop in Gokayama for lunch and a hands-on washi paper making workshop. Continue to Shirakawago, where you will explore the 300-year-old Gassho-style Wada House, before reaching Takayama.

  9. 10

    Explore Takayama

    Browse the local handicrafts and fresh produce at the Miyagawa morning market, wander past some of the lovely traditional houses and visit several of the excellent local museums, including the Festival Floats Museum, Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum and Takayama Jinya followed by a stroll down Kamisannomachi Street.

  10. 11

    Travel to Nagano

    Travel to Matsumoto and explore the formidable 16th-century Matsumoto Castle. Visit a miso house and learn about this famous Japanese seasoning. Also spend some time at a wasabi farm to learn about its cultivation before continuing to Nagano.

  11. 12

    Snow Monkeys

    Travel deeper into the Japanese Alps to see the Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathe and play in their hot spring pool at the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Continue to Zenkoji, one of Japan's most prolific Buddhist temples.

  12. 13

    Mt Fuji

    Travel to the Fuji Five Lakes area. Ascend by road to the 5th station (weather permitting), roughly halfway up Mt Fuji, for fantastic views over the surrounding landscapes. Visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to view the elaborate dyed silk creations of artist Kubota Itchiku.

  13. 14

    Explore Hakone

    Begin the day with a cruise on the peaceful waters of Lake Ashi. You will also enjoy a visit to the Hakone Shrine before taking a ride on the Komagatake ropeway. Later, continue to Tokyo.

  14. 15

    Discover Tokyo

    A dazzling, high-tech metropolis, Japan's capital has wonderfully traditional roots. Start your explorations at the Imperial Palace East Garden, visit Meiji Shrine and walk the famous Shibuya Crossing.

  15. 16

    More Tokyo

    Stroll the vibrant Asakusa district and soak up the ambience of Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. Ascend to the observation deck of the 634-metre Skytree and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. The afternoon is free until the evening, when you will board a traditional yakata boat for a dinner cruise.

  16. 17

    Fly Tokyo to Australia

    Days 17–18

    Time to say farewell to new friends. Flying home to Australia, arriving home the same or the following day.

    Transfers: In the event that your flight departs outside of the majority group departure time, you will be transferred to the airport by a shared coach (not with other tour passengers). If you are on a shared coach transfer, you may have to walk for a few minutes to get to the coach.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

Your holiday includes:

  • Return international economy flights (prices may vary depending on departure city)
  • Taxes and current fuel surcharges (unless a land only option is selected)
  • 15 nights in 3-4 star accommodation
  • 15 Breakfasts, 14 Lunches, 15 Dinners
  • All sightseeing and entrance fees
  • All transportation and transfers
  • English speaking National Escort
  • Touring with expert local guides
  • Max Group Size of 28

Not Included:

  • Drinks
  • Optional excursions or shows
  • Insurance
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Your accommodation is selected for convenience of location, comfort or character, and can range from a business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. In more remote areas, accommodation may be of a lower standard and may not have all western amenities.

Please note: double bed requests can be made at time of booking but cannot be guaranteed. Hotels are generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note that there is no international classification system for hotels and differences in facilities and quality do exist between Australia and Japan.

Please note that in Japan hotel rooms and bathrooms are renowned for being small. Standard single rooms are usually smaller than a standard double or twin room, contain one small double bed (or one single bed), and are designed for one person to use. All group tour hotels have private western bathroom facilities, air-conditioning, TV and a telephone. Hotels in Japan often do not have porters and you will be required to carry your own luggage. If you experience any difficulty, please speak to your National Escort/Local Guide.

From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

How fit do I need to be to join this tour?
This tour is rated as a physical level 1 tour. It requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights. A reasonable level of fitness is required but it’s more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You’ll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps. On several days, there will be sightseeing on foot for extended periods of time, often involving steps or uneven ground. You will be required to get on and off various sizes of boats without assistance Of course, the National Escort will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
Luggage
All travellers are limited to two items of luggage each; a suitcase with a maximum weight of 20kg and one piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of five kilograms. It is essential that your luggage is lockable. Please note that authorities will only allow bottles onto the aircraft if they have been checked in as main baggage. Bottles in hand luggage may be confiscated.
Do I need to tip on tour?
Although tipping in Japan is not customary, if you feel you have received an excellent service, please feel free to tip your guide at your discretion.
Visas:
Please be advised that your passport must have at least six months validity left on it when you arrive back into Australis. Visas are not required for Australian passport holders for entry into Japan for stays of up to 90 days.
Ready to lock in?

Book this package

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

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The fine print

Terms & conditions

Read the operator’s full booking conditions

Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply

Additional Price Information

  • Prices include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 17 November 2022, subject to change.
  • Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
  • Tipping is generally not part of the culture in Japan; however, you may wish to tip your National Escort at your discretion.
  • Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth
  • Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available upon request
  • Price listed is based on new bookings only
  • Offer not combinable with any other offer or discount excluding loyalty discount, subject to availability at time of booking on selected 2023 tour departures.

Please note: cherry blossoms are weather dependent and it is not guaranteed that they will be in bloom at the time of your arrival.

Wendy Wu Tours reserves the right to correct any errors in rates quoted or calculated, or any omissions made at any time during your booking. Any verbal quote given is an indication only of the final price and is subject to confirmation in writing.

Travel at 60 Social Getaways

Travel further when you're not travelling alone

Our Social Getaways are small-group holidays designed especially for over-60s Australians who want the freedom of a great trip without the work of planning every detail. A Travel at 60 host travels with the group, the operator handles the logistics, and you get to focus on the bit that matters — the people, the places, and the stories you'll bring home.

Open to solo travellers too. Many of our travellers book on their own and find their feet quickly in a friendly group of like-minded Australians. Reduced single-supplement options are available on most departures — ask one of our consultants and we'll talk you through what's offered on this trip.

  • A friendly Travel at 60 host — an Australian face on the ground, looking out for the group from day one.
  • Curated local guides & boutique suppliers — the same operators we'd book for our own families.
  • Real itineraries, not whirlwind tours — comfortable transfers, breathing room, and the “off the beaten track” stops the big bus tours skip.

Want to talk it through? Call 1300 414 198 7 days a week, Queensland time, and one of our consultants will walk you through it.

— The team at Travel at 60

A Travel at 60 host with travellers on a Social Getaway
From (twin) $12,490 pp
From (solo) $13,640 pp
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