Discover Japan

Modern day Japan is an interesting and eclectic place - it's a country of ancient traditions and technologies from the future, the country of anime and Shinto, where you can practice kuidaore ("to eat yourself to bankruptcy.”) in Osaka or zazen meditation in Ryoan-ji Temple. This 9-day tour will show you all those sides of Japan. Starting with the cosmopolitan and busy capital Tokyo, then you will board one of the famous Japanese bullet trains that can reach speed of up to 300 km/h to the cultural capital Kyoto - where more than 2,000 shrines and temples can be seen, 17 of them being on UNESCO's cultural heritage list and then for dessert the city of Osaka - the culinary capital of Japan.

Highlights:
♦ Meiji Jingu - Tokyo’s most famous Shinto shrine
♦ Akihabara - the centre for Tokyo’s anime, manga, video game, maid cafés, and figurine culture
♦ Kyoto - Japan's cultural capital with more than 2000 temples and shrines
♦ Osaka - the culinary capital of Japan

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival
Upon arrival at the airport, a representative will be waiting to assist with transportation into the city (either boarding the right train or finding the appropriate shuttle bus). After reaching the hotel and checking in, the rest of the day is free at leisure.

Day 2.Tokyo

After breakfast at the hotel, you will spend half a day taking in some of the many highlights Tokyo has to offer in company of a local guide, using the city’s efficient public transportation system. You will visit Meiji Jingu- Tokyo’s most famous Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit of the late Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken and one of the most popular sites in Japan for a traditional Japanese wedding. The park that surrounds the shrine is tranquil, and contains around 170,000 trees, making one forget that just outside the shrine grounds are two of the city’s most popular, bustling shopping districts — Harajuku and Omotesando. After that you will take the subway to Asakusa - a part of Tokyo’s shitamachi, or old town, which still exudes an Edo Period atmosphere. Tourists flock to this charming area, which is also the city’s oldest geisha district, and which is also home to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. The streets around Senso-ji feature many traditional shops and are a delight to wander through.The tour ends with a visit to Akihabara, an area in Tokyo made famous by its hundreds of electronics shops, and more recently as the centre for Tokyo’s anime, manga, video game, maid cafés, and figurine culture. 'Electric Town' in particular is the go-to place for anime and manga fans, electronics and gadget aficionados, and those seeking out the vibrant Japanese pop culture scene. B/-/-

Day 3. Tree time in Tokyo
Today is free at leisure. Feel free to use Self Guide and spend the day exploring the city. B/-/-

Day 4. Tokyo - Kyoto
After breakfast at the hotel, using the Self Guide application, you will head to Tokyo Station to board the shinkansen bullet train for Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital and home to around 2,000 shrines and temples, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Take the Nozomi super express train – reserved seat tickets can be found in the infopack.
Upon arrival at Kyoto Station, with the assistance of the Self Guide application, head to the hotel for check-in. B/-/-

Day 5. Kyoto
Meet the English-speaking guide at the hotel reception after breakfast and start a half day tour of the city by public transportation. The first stop of the day is Kinkaku-ji Temple, which is also known as the “Golden Pavilion.” The temple grounds are relatively smaller than those of most temples and shrines in Kyoto, but what is undoubtedly impressive is the main temple building, whose top two floors are completely covered in handmade gold leaf. Visitors circle the temple, passing the temple garden with its Anmintaku Pond that is said to never dry up, statues that people throw coins at for good luck, and Sekkatei Teahouse. Outside the temple are souvenir shops and a small tea garden where green tea and traditional Japanese sweets can be enjoyed. Just a short distance from Kinkaku-ji is the serene Ryoan-ji Temple, which is famous for its well-maintained rock garden. Originally serving as an aristocrat's villa during the Heian Period, the site was later converted into a Zen Buddhist temple in the year 1450. Now, it belongs to the Myoshinji School of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and serves as a perfect spot for a bit of zazen meditation. Today’s tour will end in the center of the city, after which there will be free time to do some souvenir shopping around the Nishiki, Kawaramachi, and Shijo-dori areas. B/-/-

Day 6. Kyoto
Today is free at leisure. Feel free to use Self Guide and spend the day exploring the city. B/-/-

Day 7. Kyoto - Osaka
Using the Self Guide application, head to Kyoto Station to board the shinkansen bullet train for Osaka, Japan’s culinary capital. Indeed, the motto that the city’s flamboyant inhabitants live by is kuiadore – “to eat oneself bankrupt.” Take the Nozomi super express train – reserved seat tickets can be found in the infopack. Upon arrival at Shin-Osaka Station, with the assistance of the Self Guide application, head to the hotel for check-in. B/-/-

Day 8. Osaka
Today you have free time for exploring the city. You can use the help of the Self Guide application. B/-/-

Day 9. Departure
At the desired time, transfer to Kansai International Airport by public transportation. B/-/-

Self-guide Application: The Self Guide application can be downloaded to any device running Android or iOS operating systems and is designed for travelers to use to aid their sightseeing whilst travelling in Japan. The application can work 100% offline, avoiding the need for a data connection.

Amongst its many features are:
♦ GPS navigation to key tourist sights
♦ Information on restaurants, bars, and attractions
♦ The ability to create personal itineraries
♦An extensive reference library (contact information, embassies, information emergency procedures, customs, etc.)
♦A communication feature for non-emergency enquiries.

Data connection required:
♦ A link to train timetables
♦ A feature to receive push notifications about important announcements.
♦ ‘Talk to Us’ feature – to communicate with our staff whilst on the ground.

NB: Application valid for the duration of the stay in Japan

Note: there is additional supplement for departures on the following dates (high season and sporting event): March 26th , April 2nd, 30th, August 20th, 27th, September 17th, October 1st, November 19th, 26th, December 3rd, July 16th, 23rd, 30th and August 6th, 13th

Price Includes:
8 nights in standard 3* hotels
food mentioned in the program
self-guide application
meeting at the airport and public transportation to hotel on day 1
english-speaking guide – half day (4 hours) on day 2 and 5
transfer to Osaka - Kyoto by bullet train (reserved seat) on day 4 and Kyoto -Osaka on day 7
entrance to the attractions mentioned above (Kinkakuji and Ryoan-ji) on day 5,

Not Included:
international flights
food and drinks not mentioned in the program
personal insurance
tips and personal expenses
entrance fees not mentioned in the porgram

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