Be enchanted by your first encounter with Japan! In this proposal we have combined the most classic stops for an unforgettable trip. Modern and ancient cities, mountain resorts, museums, parks and historical buildings that will amaze you with their beauty unparalleled in the world. We offer, included in the tour, guided visits in English to the three capitals that have made the country's history: Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara, three unique and fascinating cities.
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 and help with check-in once at the hotel. Airport-hotel transfer by public transport. Telephone assistance in English for the duration of the 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 visit the Edo Fukagawa museum where we find life-size representations 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 Nakamise-dori avenue with its traditional shops stand. Finally, a walk to the Ginza district where the visit ends.
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure. Or Optional guided tour of Tokyo (Not bookable on site) - A CROSSROAD INTO THE PAST Full day dedicated to visiting some of Tokyo's most historic districts. We will start by visiting 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 that sell and cook 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
Your luggage will be transported separately to Takayama by courier. Remember to prepare hand luggage for one night in Kanazawa. Breakfast at the hotel. Full day without assistance. Departure for Kanazawa by fast shinkansen train using the Japan Rail Pass (in 2nd class) approx. 2.5 hrs. 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 Yuzen-kan, 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. Scheduled coach between Kanazawa/Shirakawa-go/Takayama. Departure for Shirakawa-go, the village with characteristic thatched-roof houses, twinned with Alberobello and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then on to Takayama, where 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.
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
Your luggage will be transported separately to Kyoto by courier. Please remember to pack hand luggage for two nights in Hiroshima. Breakfast at the hotel. Full day without assistance. Before departure, a visit to the morning markets and the Takayama Jin'ya, former residence of the lord of the Kanamori clan and later seat of the governor of the ancient province of Hida, is recommended. Travel to Hiroshima via Nagoya with your Japan Rail Pass. Takayama - Nagoya (JR express 2.5 hours) -Hiroshima (JR shinkansen 2.5 hours).
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure in Hiroshima OR we recommend a trip to the island of Miyajima by boat (covered by the Japan Rail Pass), to discover the splendid Itsukushima Shrine, consisting of a series of stilted structures dating back to the 6th century, known mainly for its majestic torii, a sacred gateway that rises in the shoreline. In Hiroshima, on the other hand, it is possible to visit the Peace Memorial Museum and Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day without assistance. Departure from Hiroshima for Kyoto with the Japan Rail Pass. If you wish, you can stop at Himeji (Hiroshima - Himeji approx. 1 hour by shinkansen), where the castle of the same name stands. Nicknamed 'White Heron Castle', it underwent restoration work that was completed in 2015. This castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site not only for its beauty, but also because it is a rare example of an original structure that has remained intact to this day. Continue to Kyoto (Himeji - Kyoto approx. 1 hour by shinkansen).
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day dedicated to visiting Kyoto with an English-speaking guide. The visit includes the Kiyomizu-dera temple, founded in 798 (the current buildings are reconstructions from 1633) and its surroundings (Ninen-zaka and Sannenzaka), the Ryoan-ji temple with its Zen garden of rocks, the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, the symbol of the city, and the Sanjusangen-do temple, a building housing 1,001 wooden Kannon statues.
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Kyoto for Nara by fast regional train. Full day dedicated to visiting Nara with guide 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 enroute at the Fushimi Inari Taisha to admire its endless red portals. Return to the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Independent transfer without assistance to the airport by public transport subject to availability (separate fee). Departure from Kansai Airport.
Meal: Breakfast
03 nights accommodation in Tokyo in selected category of hotel
01 night accommodation in Kanazawa in selected category of hotel
01 night accommodation in Takayama in Ryokan
02 nights accommodation in Hiroshima in selected category of hotel
03 nights accommodation in Kyoto in selected category of hotel
Assistant from the airport to the hotel in English language (day 1).
Assistance service 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 the 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 changes and reservations independently on the following days.
Guide in English (days 2, 9 and 10).
Telephone support (emergency number)for the duration of the stay.
Regular bus ticket between Kanazawa - Shirakawa-go - Takayama.
10 breakfasts, 1 dinner.(Breakfast at the hotel on the last day will not be served or reimbursed in case the return flight from Japan is too early in the morning.)
BAGGAGE: Tokyo - Takayama, Takayama - Kyoto (1pc / pp)
TRANSFER: Transfer from Tokyo Airport to the hotel in Tokyo by public transport.
● 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
Kanazawa - Kanazawa New Grand Hotel Premier or similar
Kyoto - Hotel Elcient Kyoto or similar
Takayama - Hoshokaku (ryokan) or similar
Hiroshima - Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima or similar
Superior Hotels
Tokyo - Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar
Kanazawa - Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel or similar
Kyoto - Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto or similar
Takayama - Hoshokaku (ryokan) or similar
Hiroshima - Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima 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. 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, maximum 10 paying pax*.
⁕Only guided tours are collective.
OPTIONAL GUIDED TOURS *Not bookable on site
It is possible to book a guided tour in English in Tokyo on the pre-arranged day of the itinerary together with other travellers (from a minimum of 2 persons to a maximum of 10 persons). This visit can only be sold in combination with our tours and must be requested before departure.