Our most extensive tour of Japan includes all the classic sights and key cultural activities. Featuring modern cities, historical sights and beautiful landscapes, you get the most from this fascinating land.
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.
Osaka (2N) - Nara - Himeji - Hiroshima (2N) - Kyoto (2N) - Kanazawa (1N) - Takayama (2N) - Nagano (2N) - Mishima (1N) - Mt Fuji - Tokyo (3N)
Days 1-2: Fly Australia To Osaka
Fly overnight 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.
Includes: Dinner
Day 3: Discover Nara
Spend the morning in Nara, the small, history-filled city that was Japan's first capital. Stroll through Nara Park to Todaiji Temple and admire the traditional Isui-en Garden. Return to Osaka and visit the impressive Osaka Castle before cruising along the Yodogawa River.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 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.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 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.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 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 Kinkakuji Temple, also known as 'Golden Pavilion'.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 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 with a tea master. After lunch, visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its 10,000 vermilion torii gates.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 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.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 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.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 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.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 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.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 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.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 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. Overnight accommodation will be in Mishima or the wider Fuji area.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Explore Hakone
Begin the day with a cruise on the peaceful waters of Lake Ashi. Next, soar high on the Hakone Ropeway over the hilltops to the volcanic Owakudani Valley and discover the dramatic natural hot springs of Mount Hakone. Later, proceed to Tokyo.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 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.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16: More Tokyo
Stroll the vibrant Asakusa district and soak up the ambience of Sensoji, 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.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 17-18: Fly Tokyo To Australia
Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.
Includes: Breakfast
* The above itinerary is subject to change.
Advertised pricing subject to departure date and availability. Please call 1300 414 198 to confirm up-to-the-moment availability and pricing.
Grand Prince Hotel - Hiroshima
Overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, Grand Prince Hotel offers 5 dining options, a seasonal outdoor pool and hot spring baths. Air-conditioned rooms with a large picture window and a flat-screen TV await guests of the Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima.
Rihga Gran Kyoto - Kyoto
Located near the hub of transportation Kyoto station and many of Kyoto's top attractions, the Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto is in a great location for exploring this beautiful city. It's contemporary guest rooms are complete with Japanese touches and ensuite bathrooms. The hotel features many facilities, including six restaurants, a luxurious bar, a heated indoor pool, and a fitness gym.
Hotel Vista Kanazawa - Kanazawa
Situated in Kanazawa, the Hotel Vista Kanazawa is perfectly located just a short distance from many of the cities main attractions including Kenroku-en. The interior of the hotel is decorated with traditional local crafts and contemporary art.
Mercure Hida Takayama - Takayama
Conveniently located within the heart of the city, the Mercure Hida Takayama hotel offers beautifully designed rooms finished with traditional yet modern touches. Guests staying here will be able to enjoy delicious delights from the on site restaurant and bar, serving a range of locally-inspired dishes throughout the day. Staying at this hotel will also mean you are in close proximity to a number of attractions, including the Hida Kokubun-ji Temple, Takayama Zenko-ji Temple plus much more!
Royal Hotel - Nagano
Set in a historical castle town, the 4-star Royal Hotel Nagano offers spacious guest rooms with ensuite bathrooms, free WiFi and a flat screen TV. The hotel features relaxing hot spring baths, a sauna and tennis courts. Dine on a variety of cuisines including French, Japanese and Chinese in the in house restaurant, Shononoji.
Sunshine City Prince Hotel - Tokyo
The Sunshine Prince is located in Sunshine City, a shopping and entertainment hub of Tokyo and close to Ikebukuro Station, providing convenient transport links to the rest of the city. The hotel's en-suite rooms are simple, comfortable and traditionally furnished with a television, electric kettle, a mini fridge and a safety deposit box. Facilities in the hotel include onsite restaurants serving Japanese, Cantonese and Western cuisines, a café and bar and a 24 hour convenience store.
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.
The tour is 18 days in duration including international flights. Please note, due to flight schedules passengers may arrive/depart on Day 2.
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.
What type of food can I expect during this tour? Japanese cuisine is delicious, colourful and healthy. Food is an important element of Japanese culture. Meals are usually served with a bowl of rice and a bowl of miso soup and consist usually of fish, pickled vegetables and meat. Japan’s other main staple is noodles, most famous being Udon and Soba. Meals on this tour are designed so that you can experience the local dishes, their individual flavours as well as the different ways they are prepared and cooked throughout Japan. 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.
What type of Cultural Differences can I expect during this tour? Japanese society and culture is built on intricate social etiquette and customs. As foreigners, we are not expected to be knowledgeable about all etiquette, but it will make your time in Japan more enjoyable if you are respectful of local customs. Some examples of scenarios you may encounter include removing your shoes and hats when entering a temple or house (some restaurants as well). You may be supplied with slippers at some places, but please come prepared with plenty of spare socks, and shoes that are easy to take off for the fairly regular occasions when they must be removed. Your National Escort will advise you of some of these other customs at the beginning of your tour.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.