15 Days | Japan & Hiroshima Discovery | 2024

Osaka Himeji Hiroshima

After breakfast we make the trip to the moving city of Hiroshima. Largely destroyed when the first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the city became known worldwide for this unenviable distinction. Enroute, we stop in Himeji to visit the castle. It was registered in 1993 as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. Enjoy your time here before heading to Hiroshima.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: THE KNOT Hiroshima or similar

Hiroshima  Osaka

Today, we begin with the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. The shrine and its torii gate are unique for being built over water, seemingly floating in the sea during high tide. Then visit the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Museum, which commemorates the victims of the atomic bomb used in WWII. After we make our way back to Osaka.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Welina Hotel Dotombori or similar

Osaka Nara Osaka

Today we will take a day trip to Nara.

Once you arrive in Nara it is a short walk to the main attractions. We will visit Todaiji Temple and its Great Hall as it houses one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world. On your return to the station, wander back through Nara Deer Park where you can see hundreds of deer roaming around. Nara's 1,200 deer have become the symbol of the city as it comes from the Shinto idea that every creature, nature or object is a messenger of god. After enjoying your morning in Nara we will head back to Osaka.

As we arrive back in Osaka city, we will make a stop at Osaka Castle. After that, we will finish off our day with a tour of one of Osaka's central food and entertainment centres Dotonbori. Enjoy wandering around trying the local foods, shopping districts and posing with one of Osaka's famous icons, Gurico! We will eat our welcome dinner here together.

Enjoy a good rest in your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Welina Hotel Dotombori or similar

Osaka

Today is a free day to explore Osaka at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Welina Hotel Dotombori or similar

Osaka Kyoto

Today we will take the Bullet Train from Osaka to the historical capital Kyoto reaching within 15 minutes. In Kyoto we visit Nijo Castle, the Kyoto former residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate and is designated a UNESCO world heritage site. After that we will head to Fushimi Inari.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Karasuma Kyoto Hotel or similar

Kyoto Kanazawa

This morning we will visit the Kinkakuji Temple otherwise known as the Golden Pavilion. Kinkakuji Temple is a Zen temple and World Heritage site with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold and detailed architecture incorporating three distinct architectural styles of Shinden, Samurai and Zen. Board the bus towards Togetsu Bridge and the Bamboo Grove, landmarks of Western Kyoto's Arashiyama District for over four hundred years. Standing amongst the Bamboo Grove is like being in another world and is nothing like any other forest you have seen before. It is mesmerizing and peaceful.

We then continue to the city of Kanazawa.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Smile Hotel Kanazawanishiguchiekimae or similar

Kanazawa

Today we will explore the castle town of Kanazawa. First up we will visit Buke Yashiki (a samurai house) and learn about how the high ranked samurais lived during the Edo period. Later we will make our way through the streets of Higashi Chaya, a district lined with quaint old buildings that were once teahouses used by the local geisha (traditionalJapanese female entertainers) and their guests. Next, we will visit Kenrokuen Garden one of Japan's three best

landscape gardens. Then we will go to Omicho Market to try the local foods and see the local crafts.

Enjoy your stay in Kanazawa.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Smile Hotel Kanazawanishiguchiekimae or similar

Kanazawa Shirakawa Go Takayama

Today we will go on a half day tour of Shirakawago to explore the small village and the gassho style houses. On this tour you will stop at the observation point so you can view the whole of Shirakawago and while you are there your English speaking tour guide will teach you about the history of this unique village.

Enjoy your day in Shirakawago! After our tour in Shirakawago we will head towards Takayama for the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: WAT HOTEL& SPA HIDA TAKAYAMA or similar

Takayama Nagano

Today we will spend the day exploring Takayama city. Takayama is a city located in Japan's mountainous Gifu Prefecture. While you are in Takayama visit the preserved Old Town, the former local government office, Takayama Jinya, an impressive museum called Matsuri no Mori.

Upon finishing your tour in Takayama board the bus to Nagano for the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano Higashiguchi or similar

Nagano Matsumoto

Ohayou-gozaimasu! (Good morning!) After breakfast, we will gather together and head off to Hokusai Museum to discover the great artworks of Katsuhika Hokusai (1760-1849) one of Japan's leading Edo period ukiyo-e painters. After that we will continue on to Zenkoji Temple which was founded over 1,400 years ago and houses one of the first ever Buddhist statues to be brought into Japan. Continue on to Matsumoto city where we will view one of Japan's most complete and original castles, Matsumoto Castle.

Enjoy your night in Matsumoto!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Premier Hotel Cabin Matsumoto or similar

Matsumoto Mt Fuji

Ohayou-gozaimasu! (Good morning) Today we will visit one of Mount Fuji's springs, Oshino Hakkai. Oshino Hakkai is one of the eight ponds fed by melting snow filtering down from the slopes of Mount Fuji through porous layers of lava, resulting in very clear spring water that is well-regarded by the locals. Afterwards we will visit Mount Fuji's 5th station, which is above the clouds and allows you to view its enormous summit (if the weather permits).

Stay the night in Mt Fuji area and enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow tour members.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Sun Plaza Hotel Fuji Lake Yamanakako or similar

Mt Fuji Tokyo

Today we will visit Gotemba Peace Park to capture another breathtaking view of Mt Fuji. Then we will take a cruise down Lake Ashi where you will be able to see the beautiful nature around you.

Enjoy your stay in Tokyo tonight.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodaiton: HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Omori or similar

Tokyo

Enjoy your free day in Japan's mega city, Tokyo!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodaiton: HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Omori or similar

Tokyo  Australia

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your homeward flight.

Meals: Breakfast and inflight menu