Cherry Blossom Festival – 14 days land only

{tab Description}

- Return airport/hotel transfers
- 13 nights 3 - 4 *hotel accommodation (including 2 nights in a traditional Japanese Inn in Takayama and 2 nights at one of Japan's most famous hotels the Fujiya in Hakone)
- Breakfast daily & 4 dinners
- 7 day Japan Rail Pass
- Sumida River boat cruise in Tokyo & entrance to Hamarikyu gardens
- Tickets for Spring Geisha Dance performance
- Tokyo Transport Pass
- Hakone Free Pass
- Geisha district evening walking tour in Kyoto
- Touring by public transport
- Services of an English speaking local tour guide
- Highlights include: Tokyo, Takayama (famed for its narrow streets lined with inns, tea houses, shops & merchant houses), Kyoto, Matsumoto, Kanazawa & Hakone

Maximum group size : 18 people

 ** Excludes entrance fees of approximately USD55 - USD65 per person **

 {tab Day 1} 

Welcome to Japan!

Upon arrival in Tokyo you will be met at Narita International Airport by your tour guide. Here you will be given a Tokyo Transport PASMO Card allowing you to move freely around the city on the subways & train systems. Transfer to hotel in Shinjuku, one of the most modern districts in the city, & later enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. A flight arriving to Tokyo before 16:00 would be ideal as we expect to head off for dinner at 18:30.
Overnight: Tokyo | Dinner

{tab Day 2 }

Tokyo Sightseeing Tour

Today we embark on a full day tour of the city, where we will make very good use of our PASMO cards! A cruise down the Sumida River, will be followed by a relaxing stroll through Hamarikyu tei-en, a tranquil garden that is just a few minutes walk from the lively Ginza shopping district, where we will be able to see cherry blossom trees in full bloom. Later we will explore the precincts of Meiji Shrine & if time allows, check out the amazing view of Tokyo to be had from the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. Spend the remainder of the day & evening at your own leisure, discovering Tokyo’s many restaurants & bars.
Overnight: Tokyo | Breakfast

{tab Day 3 }

Tokyo - your way

How you spend today is up to you! You can opt to go on a day trip to the seaside town of Kamakura or the temples & shrines of the World Heritage Site of Nikko. Alternatively simply choose to continue exploring Tokyo at your own pace.
Overnight: Tokyo | Breakfast

{tab Day 4}

Matsumoto Castle

Tokyo – Matsumoto. This morning we start our journey to Matsumoto, which will take around three & a half hours. Upon arrival we will visit Matsumoto Castle, one of the remaining original castles in Japan & perhaps the most iconic landmark in the city. Enjoy free time in the evening, & why not try the local speciality – soba noodles.
Overnight: Matsumoto | Breakfast

{tab Day 5}

Beautiful Takayama

Matsumoto – Takayama. A two hour bus ride from Matsumoto will take us to Takayama, a charming town in the heart of the Hida Mountains. The town is famous throughout Japan for its old town area of narrow streets filled with well - preserved inns, tea houses, shops & merchants houses with the latticed windows & overhanging roofs characteristic of the Edo period. Tonight we will enjoy a classic Japanese ryokan meal at the traditional inn where we will be staying.
Overnight: Takayama | Breakfast, Dinner

{tab Day 6}

Takayama - Hida Village

In the morning we will explore the town's market stalls, overflowing with fresh produce brought in daily from the surrounding fields. Later we will head to the outskirts of town to visit the Hida folk village, a fantastic outdoor museum constructed out of a collection of old traditional-style buildings from around the region. Tonight head into town on your own & discover some of the town’s best local restaurants for yourself.
Overnight: Takayama | Breakfast

 {tab Day 7}

Cherry Blossoms

Takayama – Kanazawa. Today we will travel by express train to Kanazawa, home to one of Japan’s most impressive gardens, Kenroku-en, where we will see the country's famous cherry blossoms at their very best. April is prime season for these pink flowers which can be seen lining the streets & filling the parks & gardens all over Kanazawa. After exploring the garden grounds we will visit the Ninja temple & Samurai house, which will then be followed by free time.
Overnight: Kanazawa | Breakfast

{tab Day 8 - Day 9}

Geisha District of Kyoto

Kanazawa – Kyoto. A morning express train takes us to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient & cultural capital, where we will spend the next three nights. As one of the most culturally rich cities in Asia, Kyoto is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, over 1,600 Buddhist temples & 400 Shinto shrines.
Here we will embark on a walking tour of our choice, led by our tour guide, taking in sites of interest along the way. In the afternoon we will enjoy a tour of Gion & the Geisha district, led by a local Geisha expert, & will get to witness the famous Spring Geisha Dances, followed by dinner at a Gion restaurant. Spend day 9 at your own leisure, discovering the many sights of Kyoto at your own pace.
Overnight: Kyoto | Breakfast x 2, Dinner x 1

{tab Day 10}

Kyoto - your way

You are free to spend today doing whatever takes your fancy. Why not use your included Japan Rail Pass to make a day trip to Hiroshima, Nara or perhaps Osaka – Japan’s second city. Alternatively, stay in Kyoto & discover all this fascinating city has to offer.
Overnight: Kyoto | Breakfast

{tab Day 11 - Day 12}

Hakone - at the foot of Mt Fuji

Kyoto - Hakone. Today a bullet train takes us to Fuji Hakone National Park, at the foot of the iconic Mount Fuji, where we will spend the next two days exploring the local area. Here you will have access to unlimited travel on nearly all the local modes of transport here, thanks to your Hakone Free Pass card, from mountain bus & railway, to lofty cable cars.
Overnight: Hakone | Breakfast x 2, Dinner x 1

{tab Day 13}

Free time in Tokyo

Hakone - Tokyo. Heading back to Tokyo, rather than staying in modern Shinjuku, this time we will be staying in old-town Akakusa. Today is a great opportunity to do any last minute shopping or sightseeing before our tour comes to an end tomorrow.
Overnight: Tokyo | Breakfast

{tab Day 14}

Goodbye Japan!

Today our tour comes to an end! Transfer to Narita International Airport by shared shuttle bus for onward travel.
Breakfast

{/tabs}