The tour is for those who love traditional Japan, with an English-speaking assistant on arrival and guided tours in both Tokyo and Kyoto. All the rest is free time that you can take full advantage of thanks to the Japan Rail Pass, with which you can reach Kanazawa, the city of handicrafts, and Takayama, the pearl of the Japanese Alps, where you will stay overnight in a typical ryokan. Travelling is made even easier thanks to the bulky luggage forwarding service.
Arrival at the airport, after passport control and baggage claim, transfer to Tokyo, the current capital. English-speaking assistant available from the airport to the hotel to give information, help validate the Japan Rail Pass and check-in once at the hotel. Airport-hotel transfer by public transport. Telephone assistance in English for the duration of your stay. Assistance on arrival and transfer may be shared with other tour participants.
Meal: No Meal
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day dedicated to visiting Tokyo with an English-speaking guide. We start with a splendid view of the megalopolis from the observatory of the Bunkyo Civic Centre. Then we will visit the Edo Fukagawa Museum where we find a life-size representation of daily life in the area at the time. Finally, we will take you to visit the characteristic Asakusa district, where the 7th-century Senso-ji Temple, the oldest in the city, and the long Nakamisedori boulevard with its traditional shops stand. Finally, a walk to the Ginza district where the visit ends.
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at hotel, day free at leisure
Or
Optional guided tour of Tokyo - Not bookable on site - A "CROSSING" INTO THE PAST A whole day dedicated to visiting some of Tokyo's most historic districts. We will start by visiting the Tsukiji fish market, the outer market. Although a new location for the fish market has recently been created, the original location is still there, alive and full of excellent places selling and cooking excellent fresh fish. We will continue to explore the picturesque Yanaka district and in particular the folkloristic Yanaka Ginza street full of local restaurants, street food, and small shops and where you can breathe in a bygone era. Finally, transfer to the popular Shibuya district, famous for its impressive intersection with what is said to be the world's busiest pedestrian crossing. Meals not included.
Meal: Breakfast
Luggage will be transported separately to Kyoto by courier (Luggage will arrive the next day, please remember to pack an overnight bag). It is recommended not to carry bulky luggage with you in order to be able to continue with the guided tour in the afternoon. Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, departure independently for Kyoto by shinkansen train using the Japan Rail Pass (2nd class), arriving at Kyoto Station in the early afternoon. Meeting with an English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby and departure for the city tour of Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital. The visit will touch on the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, the city's iconic temple made famous by the novel by the writer Yukio Mishima, and will continue with the Ryoan-ji Temple, famous for its rock garden whose elements are arranged in such a way that they can never be seen all at once. On the way back, stroll through the ancient Gion district, known for its tea houses and the maiko, would-be geisha, who are occasionally seen wandering its alleys.
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure.
Or
Optional guided tour - Not bookable onsite - NARA & FUSHIMI
Departure from Kyoto for Nara by fast regional train using the Japan Rail Pass. Full day dedicated to visiting Nara in English. Visit Todai-ji, a temple housing the Great Buddha, one of the world's largest bronze statues, and the large Shinto shrine Kasuga, surrounded by some 10,000 lanterns. Both buildings are located in Nara Park, where numerous deer live in semi-freedom. Return to Kyoto, stopping en route at the Fushimi Inari Taisha to admire its endless
red portals. Meals not included. Return to the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure in Kyoto. A visit to the Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple and the Sanjusangen-do, a building housing 1001 wooden statues of the Bodhisattva Kannon, is recommended. Alternatively, you can choose to use your Japan Rail Pass to visit places not far from Kyoto such as Uji, famous for its green tea and the UNESCO World Heritage Byodo-in temple, or Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake.
Meal: Breakfast
Luggage will be transported separately to Tokyo by courier -(Please remember to prepare hand luggage for the two overnight stays in Kanazawa and Takayama) Breakfast at the hotel. Full day without assistance. Departure for Kanazawa by express train (2nd class) using the Japan Rail Pass (approx. 2.5 hours).In Kanazawa, we recommend a visit to Kenroku-en Park, considered one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan; the Omicho-ichiba market, renowned especially for its fish products; and the Nagamachi Yuzenkan, where splendid kimonos made of Kaga Yuzen silk, the traditional technique of the area, are on display.
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day without assistance. Departure for Takayama by fast shinkansen train (2nd class) to Toyama (approx. 0.5 hours) and then by express train (2nd class) to Takayama (approx. 1.5 hours), using your Japan Rail Pass. In Takayama, we recommend a visit to the Sanmachi-suji district, the heart of the old town, strolling among saké factories and characteristic houses converted into craft shops. Traditional dinner at the ryokan included.
Optional service - NOHI BUS - Scheduled bus service between Kanazawa-Shirakawa go-Takayama. Unassisted departure for Shirakawa go, the village with characteristic thatched-roof houses, twinned with Alberobello and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue on to Takayama unassisted.
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day without assistance. Before leaving for Tokyo, we suggest a walk through the morning market in Takayama. Departure by express train (2nd class) to Nagoya (approx. 2.5 hours). You may stop for lunch in Nagoya, famous for its grilled eel (unagi). You will continue on to Tokyo by HIKARI (2nd class) shinkansen fast train (approx. 2 hrs). You will always use your Japan Rail Pass for trains.
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport unassisted using the Japan Rail Pass if active or by limousine bus depending on public transport availability (separate fee). Departure from Narita / Haneda Airport.
Meal: Breakfast
04 nights accommodation in Tokyo in selected category
03 nights accommodation in Kyoto in selected category
01 night accommodation in Kanazawa in selected category
01 night accommodation in Takayama in selected category
01 night accommodation in Ryokan
Assistant from the airport to the hotel in English language (day 1).
Assistance available for a maximum of 4 hours. After 2 hours from the original scheduled landing time, the assistant may no longer be available.
During peak season, assistance may be available separately at the airport and at the hotel.
In case of arrival during the closure of JR offices at the airport and in Tokyo, customers will not be able to be accompanied to validate their Japan Rail Pass and will therefore have to make voucher changes and reservations independently on the following days. English-speaking guide (day 2 and day 4).
Daily breakfast and 01 dinner.
BAGGAGE -Tokyo - Kyoto (1pc / pp) Kyoto - Tokyo (1pc / pp). Possible additional packages at extra charge.
TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE (emergency number) in English language for the entire duration of your stay.
● Flight and airport taxes
● Optional tours of your choice
● Insurance
● Gratuities, personal extras
● Optional services of your choice
● Optional guided tours of your choice
● Drinks with meals
● Tokyo-Narita/Haneda airport transfer
● Overnight assistance for arrivals in Japan between 8 pm and 7 am. (in the case of arrival during times when public transport is not available, taxis will be used at an additional cost)
Hotels Envisaged Or Similar
Standard Hotels
Tokyo - Sunshine City Prince Hotel or similar
Kyoto - Hotel Elcient Kyoto or similar
Kanazawa - Kanazawa New Grand Hotel Premier or similar
Superior Hotels
Tokyo - Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar
Kyoto - Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto or similar
Kanazawa - Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel or similar
Check in at hotel will be 15:00hrs and check out will be 1100hrs.
Breakfast at the hotel on the last day will not be served or refunded if the return flight from Japan is too early in the morning.
All prices are indicative and starting from prices. Final price will be available based on availability and dates of travel.
N.B.: Overnight accommodation in Takayama is not divided between Standard and Superior categories. During festivals (Apr. 13-14, Oct.09-11) and other religious celebrations (Oct. 26-Nov. 04), a ryokan may be offered at a nearby location (e.g. Gero Onsen or similar).
⁕Transfers from one hotel to another may be provided for guided tours.
Rates are based on minimum 02 paying pax, group and solo Traveller rates available on request.