Splendours of Japan – 9 days land only

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- Return airport/hotel transfers at selected times
- 8 nights hotel accommodation
- Breakfast daily, 3 lunches & 3 dinners (including Be My Guest)
- Touring by by luxury air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi
- Assistance of a Travel Director & Local Specialist
- All porterage & restaurant gratuities
- Sightseeing in all major cities
- All hotel tips, charges & local taxes
- VISITS: Tokyo, Nagano, Kanazawa & Kyoto

** A high season supplement starting from an additional R2100 per person applies for set departures between 23 APR - 21 MAY 2017 & 03 SEP - 08 OCT 2017 **

THE TRAFALGAR DIFFERENCE

BE MY GUEST
Lunch at a traditional Japanese ryokan

CULTURAL INSIGHTS
Sample Japanese Sake, learn about the production of Japanese washi paper

HIDDEN TREASURES
Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure

LOCAL SPECIALISTS
in Tokyo & Kanazawa

#JOINTRAFALGAR
Washi paper making visit, Gokayama You'll support a local business with a visit to a washi paper workshop. You'll watch the family at work, & test your paper-making skills for yourself

Are you travelling in a group? Book a group of 5-8 travellers & get 5% off per person. Frequent traveller & young traveller discounts also available.

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Arrive Tokyo (3 nights)

Welcome to Tokyo. Upon arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda International Airport, transfer to your centrally located hotel. This evening join your Travel Director &  fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception drink & local appetisers.

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Tokyo sightseeing

This morning your City Tour begins with an orientation drive. See the Tokyo Skytree, the world's highest free-standing broadcasting tower. Continue to Asakusa & visit the Sensoji Buddhist temple. It is one of Tokyo's most colourful & popular temples & has been rebuilt countless times since it was founded in 628, making it Tokyo's oldest temple site. Visit Nakamise, a shopping street over 200 metres long that stretches from the outer gate to the temple's second interior gate. Next head to the famous Ginza district for a hands-on cooking class. Learn how to make sushi with a Local Specialist & then enjoy your sushi creations for lunch. Later choose to either return to the hotel, remain in Ginza at leisure or take part in an Optional Experience.

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Tokyo sightseeing

Today continue your City Tour with a visit to the Edo-Tokyo Museum. This fascinating museum displays artifacts & architecture that tell a tale of Tokyo's history & culture during the Edo period. Next drive to Akihabara which began its evolution into 'Electric Town' post WWII when the area became a black market for radio parts. It now houses numerous electronics shops selling a wide range of computer goods & video games. Enjoy some free time here before heading to the Imperial Palace Plaza, a large park area in the centre of Tokyo from where the two bridges that form the entrance to the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace can be viewed. It is the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan & built on the former site of Edo Castle. Take a stroll around the Imperial Palace East Gardens before returning to your hotel.

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Tokyo - Mt. Fuji - Matsumoto - Nagano

After breakfast depart Tokyo for the Five Lakes District, dominated by majestic UNESCO listed Mt. Fuji. At 3,776 metres it is Japan's highest mountain & most recognisable icon. Ascend by road to 2,300 metres at the 5th Station before taking a ride on the Kachikachiyama Ropeway, (both weather permitting) a cable car ride offering spectacular views on a clear day of Mt. Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi. Later drive north to visit Matsumoto Castle, one of the most beautiful & complete original Japanese castles with its unique timber & stone structure. It is also a great Cherry Blossom viewing spot in the springtime. Continue to Nagano for your overnight stay with dinner at the hotel.

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Nangano - Takayama - Gokayama - Kanazawa (2 nights)

This morning travel through the breath-taking Japanese Alps to the beautiful hillside town of Takayama. Located in the Hida Region, the town has retained a traditional touch like few other Japanese cities, especially in its beautifully preserved old town. Begin your walking tour of Takayama, known as 'Little Kyoto', & discover its Edo style streets filled with amazing attractions. Explore the Old Town, stopping en route to sample Japanese sake, a Cultural Insight. Lunch today is a Regional Meal of Japanese Hida beef at a local restaurant. Hida beef (Hida-gyu) is the specific name given to beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, it is known as one of the finest quality varieties of beef. This afternoon take a step back in time during a visit to the peaceful mountain village & UNESCO designated site of Gokayama. See the unique Gassho-zukuri wooden houses; the steeply sloped thatched roofs resemble two hands together in prayer. Visit one of the houses & meet the family. Later observe local artisans making washi paper & try your hand at making your own, a Cultural Insight before continuing on to the historic castle town of Kanazawa.

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Kanazawa sighseeing

This morning discover the secrets of gold leaf painting during a visit with a Local Specialist. The production of gold leaf started in Kanazawa at the end of the 16th century & now 99% of Japan's high quality gold leaf is produced in the area. Next visit the gardens of Kenrokuen, rated as one of the top three most beautiful gardens in Japan & a great place to see Cherry Blossom in the springtime. Take your time to relax & explore the ornate landscapes, temples & ponds. Afterwards take a short walk through the Omicho market to see the local fish catch & enjoy an insiders view of everyday life in a busy coastal town. Later visit the Nagamachi District with its old & beautifully preserved samurai houses. Visit the Nomura house, an elegant samurai mansion with beautiful small gardens belonging to a high-ranked samurai family.

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Kanazawa - Kyoto (2 nights)

This morning leave Kanazawa for Kyoto by Express train. On arrival enjoy a special Be My Guest lunch at a traditional ryokan nestled in the peace & quiet of Mt. Yoshida. The ryokan was built in 1932 by master craftsmen to serve as the second residence of the uncle of the current Japanese Emperor, Akihito. Learn more about local Japanese customs as your hosts welcome you into their beautiful home. Enjoy the pleasures of a truly flavourful & unique dining experience of Kaiseki cuisine, crafted from the very freshest of seasonal delicacies. After lunch visit Kinkakuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Golden Pavilion. The Kinkakuji history dates back to 1397, when the villa was purchased by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. When Yoshimitsu died, the building was converted into a Zen temple by his son. Later check in to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

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Kyoto sightseeing

This morning visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine & see the tunnel of thousands of bright orange torii gates that snake through the forest up into the mountains. Then head to the Sanjusangen-do Hall, a temple famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy & afterwards enjoy a walking tour of the Gion area. Choose to remain in Gion to explore further or return to the hotel. This evening join your Travel Director & fellow guests for a Farewell Dinner at the Ninja Kyoto restaurant. Venture into the mysterious labyrinth & secret fortress of the Ninjas, the traditional Japanese heroes & enjoy the creative Ninja-style food, a perfect ending to your holiday in Japan.

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Depart Kyoto - Osaka

Transfer by airport shuttle service to Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport for your onward flight. Alternatively, continue to Hiroshima by choosing the 13 day itinerary, Splendours of Japan with Hiroshima.

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