Japan in Focus

Japan in Focus Itinerary

• Day 1: Depart UK

  Fly to Tokyo from a choice of UK airports with selected airlines.

• Day 2: Tokyo

  Welcome to Tokyo. This evening, enjoy your Japanese welcome reception and dinner at your hotel in Tokyo, your home for the next three nights.. Dinner Included

• Day 3: Tokyo

  Begin the day in the beautiful Imperial Palace’s East Gardens then dress up in your chefs clothes to make your own sushi lunch with the help of a local chef. Afterwards wander through Harajuku, the epicentre of Tokyo’s teenage youth. 

• Enrich

  Given by Taiko Masters, partake in an interactive, private group demonstration and lesson in playing the Taiko drums. Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, a great photo opportunity.Settle into your four night stay at Kyoto. Breakfast Included. Lunch Included. Dinner IncludedAfter a short stroll through the Gion area, be entertained at dinner with a Samurai Kembu show. After the show you can choose to learn the way of the Samurai yourself in a lesson in swordsmanship. Breakfast Included. Lunch Included. Dinner IncludedTonight’s dinner will allow you to interact with a Maiko who’ll host your meal presentation. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about what is involved in becoming a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality. Breakfast Included. Dinner IncludedExperience an emotional visit to the Peace Park and Museum before visiting Orizuru Tower to create your own special origami crane offering.Tonight, sample Okonomiyaki, a delicious Japanese-style pancake, a specialty of the region.  Breakfast Included. Lunch Included. Dinner IncludedLearn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during a private visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, where Sumo originated. After the welcome ceremony, see a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo. Breakfast Included. Lunch Included

• Freechoice Dining:

  Choose from dining at a ninja themed restaurant or culturally immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese evening Izakaya bar scene serving Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki.  Breakfast Included. Lunch Included. Dinner Included

• Day 4: Tokyo

  Visit the Asakusa district, paying your respects at Sensoji temple. 

• Freechoice:

  Visit the Imperial Shinto Meiji Shrine, before walking across the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world in Shibuya. Alternatively, wander through picturesque Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens before witnessing the Shinjuku entertainment district come alive at dusk.  Breakfast Included. Lunch IncludedRevel in the atmosphere of the ancient preservation districts or visit the Silver Pavilion before strolling along the famous Philosopher’s Walk.This afternoon enjoy some free time for shopping or relaxation.Wander through Shinsaibashi-suji shopping avenue, followed by Kuromon Ichiba Market, known as Osaka’s kitchen or visit the Museum of History and the rebuilt Osaka Castle.This afternoon is free for some final shopping before tonight’s farewell dinner. Breakfast Included. Dinner Included

• Day 5: Tokyo - Five Lakes - Hakone

  Venture deep into the stunning scenery of Kawaguchiko Area. Discover the incredible workmanship involved in creating kimonos at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. Near Hakone, cruise on Lake Ashinoko then take a cable car ride up the hot springs of the Owakudani geothermal area. Enjoy a Special Stay at your hotel overlooking Lake Ashinoko. Breakfast Included. Lunch Included. Dinner Included

• Day 6: Hakone - Kyoto

  Relax in your Green (Business) Class seats on the Shinkansen train to the culturally rich city of Kyoto. 

• Day 7: Kyoto

  Explore the World Heritage listed Tenryu-ji Temple before gliding through the surreal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by traditional rickshaw. Move to the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion before having free time this afternoon.

• Day 8: Kyoto

• Day 9: Kyoto

  Begin your day with an early visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine then continue to Nara, where you’ll visit Todaiji Temple and see deer in Nara Park. Later, stop for a sake tasting at a sake museum.Ryokan Upgrade - For a unique insight into Japanese culture, choose to stay tonight in a Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This traditional Japanese Inn has tatami mat flooring with futon beds, sliding shoji paper doors, onsen hot spring baths and private facilities, and includes dinner and breakfast. Breakfast Included. Lunch Included

• Day 10: Kyoto - Hiroshima

  Relax on the Shinkansen to Hiroshima and check into hotel for two nights enjoying the views from your Deluxe Corner View rooms.

• Day 11: Hiroshima - Miyajima Island

  Sail by ferry to Miyajima Island to visit Daisho-in Temple and the floating Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine. This afternoon see industrial robots perform around the Mazda car factory on your guided visit.  Breakfast Included. Lunch Included

• Day 12: Hiroshima - Osaka

  En-route to Osaka on the Shinkansen train, stop at Himeji Castle and marvel at Japan’s most spectacular and one of the few remaining original feudal castles. This evening, admire the view of Osaka at night from the Floating Garden Observatory. Then settle in for three memorable Special Stay nights in an Executive Room. Breakfast Included. Lunch Included. Dinner Included

• Day 13: Osaka - Asuka

  Drive to the cradle of Japanese culture in Asuka.  Wander through the Inabuchi terraced rice paddy fields, the ancient Tobiishi stone bridge and visit Ishibutai tumulus, the largest known megalithic structure in Japan. 

• Day 14: Osaka

  Spend time in Osaka.

• Day 15: Osaka - UK

  Depart today with treasured memories of your time in Japan. Breakfast Included

• Day 16: Arrive UK

  Welcome home.