Splendours of Japan

13 days - A holiday that includes visiting a wealth of scenic & cultural sights across Japan...

• Tokyo: city tour (4 nights)
• Nikko (optional)
• Mt Fuji & Hakone tour
• Bullet Train
• Hiroshima (2 nights)
• Miyajima tour
• Kyoto: city tour (3 nights)
• Nara (optional)
• Osaka (2 nights)
• Guaranteed departure minimum 2 people

View details below...

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for a scheduled flight to Tokyo. Meals on board.

Day 2 Tokyo
Arrive at Narita Airport in Tokyo, you are met by your tour assistant and transferred to your hotel for a 3 nights stay. The rest of the day is at your leisure to adjust to the 9 hours time difference.

Day 3 Tokyo
Morning - City tour of Tokyo visiting a number of the main highlights of this magnificent City. The tour includes a visit to the Tokyo Tower where you can enjoy panoramic views across the city from the observation tower. We proceed to the peaceful picturesque setting of the Meiji Shrine, set in thick woodland and considered to be one of the finest example of Shinto Architecture. Next we visit the 'Akasaka Guest House' for a photo opportunity. The Guest House is a magnificent 'Western Style Palace' built in the Baroque Architectural style. We then drive alongside the imposing National Diet Building, which is home to the Japanese House of Parliament. Our tour continues across Tokyo to the Imperial Palace East Garden, where we enjoy a pleasant walk in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, which is full of scenic and historic beauty. (Alternatively for tours on Monday & Friday we will visit the Imperial Palace plaza and famous Double bridge instead of the East Garden, including a visit to the inner moat and towering Palace walls surrounded by pine trees). Our tour will continue with a drive and stroll along Ginza high street, the famous shopping area of Tokyo. Our tour will disband at Ginza giving you the opportunity for shopping (we also recommend you visit the Sony Centre building to see the futuristic electronics on display. Ginza is also convenient for the subway to explore further.

Afternoon - free at leisure or take optional afternoon city tour, which includes Asakusa Kannon Temple and Sumida river cruise. (ask for details at time of booking).

Day 4 Tokyo
Free day to explore the many cultural sites of Tokyo at your leisure or explore the fantastic shopping districts of Ginza, Akihabara & Ueno.

Alternatively, pre-book a day tour to Nikko National park, a designated World Cultural Heritage site (tour includes lunch). Nikko is a gem of Natural scenic beauty and is home to some of the most spectacular examples of ancient architecture in Japan. The tour includes a visit to the magnificent Toshogu shrine, which houses the Mausoleum of the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the spectacular Kegon waterfall.

Day 5 Tokyo - Hakone - Mt Fuji
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven by deluxe motorcoach to the the 5th station on Mount Fuji. Along the way you can enjoy the scenery of rural Japan, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and mountainous peaks. From our vantage point on the 5th station on Mt Fuji, there are spectacular views (weather permitting). Lunch will be provided at a Hotel/Restaurant in Hakone. In the afternoon we proceed to the Hakone National Park where we will take a cable car ride with the opportunity to see the magnificent volcanic Hakone mountain range below. We will then travel to the Owakudani Boiling Valley where you will see ancient volcanic craters where sulfurous fumes and clouds of steam spiral from crevasses across the mountain side giving a truly mystical image. We then proceed with our tour for a boat cruise on Lake Ashi, which is set in serene natural beauty, where weather permitting , spectacular views of Mount Fuji can be seen silhouetted in the lake. Return to hotel in Tokyo (includes: Lunch).

Day 6 Tokyo - Hiroshima
Proceed to Shinagawa station on foot (3 minute walk). Leave Tokyo for Hiroshima by Bullet train (280min). We provide free hotel to hotel luggage transfer service from Tokyo to Kyoto. Upon arrival self transfer to your hotel, which is conveniently located near the station. The rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore this fascinating City.

Day 7 Hiroshima - Miyajima
A full day tour includes visiting Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima with its breathtaking beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Then we explore the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, near the epicenter where the atomic bomb exploded. We also visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, featuring exhibitions of items related to the nuclear bomb.

Day 8 Hiroshima - Kyoto
Self transfer to Hiroshima station and leave Hiroshima by Bullet train to Kyoto (114min approx) and upon arrival self transfer to your hotel, which is conveniently located near the station. Rest of the day free at leisure.

Day 9 Kyoto
Morning - sight-seeing tour of Kyoto including a visit to the Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion) centred around one of the best examples of a Japanese Zen garden in the world. Then Nijo Castle, residence of the Tokugawa Shogun. Built in 1603, Nijo Castle is noted for its Ornate interior and 'nightingale floor' designed to sing when stepped upon to warn of Ninja assassins.(When closed visit Ryoanji temple). We then travel to the Old Kyoto Imperial Palace (on Sat/Sun & national holidays visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Hagashi Honganji temple instead). Finally we explore the Kyoto Handicraft Centre where we enjoy demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts. Tour ends at the handycraft centre who provide an optional free return to your hotel in Kyoto, or extend your tour by taking take an optional afternoon tour. There are two afternoon tour options available. Please enquire at time of booking.

Optional tour 1: Nara is a ancient capital city of Japan (before Kyoto), known as the cradle of Japan's arts & crafts. The restful rural city was were Buddhism first flourished in Japan and is home to many ancient temples and historic relics. Our tour to Nara includes visiting to Todaiji temple housing the Great Buddha, Kasuga Shinto Shrine with 3,000 lanterns and Nara Deer Park.

Optional Kyoto tour 2: Visit the colourful Heian Shrine and its inner garden and ponds, Sanjusangendo Hall, a renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues that date back to the 13th century and finally the magnificent Kiyomizu Temple with spectacular views across the entire city and which is a must see sight in Kyoto.

Day 10 Kyoto
Day free at Leisure to explore the fascinating city of Kyoto or purchase an optional afternoon tour (detailed above).

Day 11 Kyoto - Osaka
Check out of your hotel in the morning and leave your luggage with the bellboy. You are then free to further explore Kyoto before you take you train to Osaka in the afternoon / evening.

Travel by yourself to Osaka with the JR Local train tickets that we have provide. The JR train from Kyoto to Osaka, is a local train and does not require reserved seats. Therefore you can take the train whenever you like. Upon arrival at Osaka check in to your hotel which is conveniently located just minutes on foot from the JR Osaka station.

Day 12 Osaka
Today you are free to explore Osaka city, which is easily navigated using the underground subways. A must-see sight in Osaka is the magnificent Osaka Castle located in the city centre. Then explore Dotonbori which is one of the most popular streets in Osaka and runs adjacent to a canal of the same name. Nearby Domi domi shopping and eating areas are one of most exciting districts in Japan. Shinsaibashi is probably the best shopping area and certainly the most frenetic. If you want to explore more historic culture then visit the beautiful and peaceful Shitennoji Buddhist temple. Shitennoji is the oldest officially administered temple in Japan built by Prince Shotoku (574-622 A.D)

Day 13 Osaka to UK
Transfer to the futuristic Kansai International Airport in Osaka for departure to UK. Arriving UK later the same day.

Group Departure Dates & Prices 2010 (£)

Ref	Weekly Thursday departure from UK	Twin Share (inc Flights)	Land Only (twin share)	Single supp
SPJ	March	2560	1865	570
SPJ	April	2645	1865	600
SPJ	May	2645	1865	600
SPJ	June	2515	1865	570
SPJ	July	2615	1865	570
SPJ	August	2615	1865	570
SPJ	September	2565	1865	570
SPJ	October	2595	1865	600
SPJ	November	2595	1865	600

* Your stay in Kyoto falls in "Aoi Festival ", one of the biggest festivals in Japan. Early booking is recommended in order to experience the festival atmosphere!

The 2010 price may be different around the bank holidays in the UK, and the festivals period in Japan. Please contact us for confirmation. The single supplement is based on 3 people in 1 group. Hotel upgrade to Superior/deluxe is available, please contact us if you require room upgrade.

We also arrange private tours or tailor made departures according to this itinerary, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Price Includes (The prices shown above are 'per person')

• All flights including airport tax. We can also arrange departures from your local airport from £50. Please enquire at the time of booking.
• Airport/hotel transfers.
• Sightseeing tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Selection of quality accommodation in well furnished hotel rooms with private facilities.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.
• Train tickets as specified in the itinerary.
• Free luggage transfer from hotel to hotel between Tokyo & Kyoto & Kyoto to Osaka.

Price Does Not Include

• Optional tours.
• Travel Insurance.

Why choose to travel with Magical Japan?
From the moment you talk to our travel consultants, who have all traveled extensively in Japan, our experience ensures you will have a magical holiday.Our service includes meet & greet at airport and free luggage transfer from hotel to hotel etc. There are no additional entrance fees or transportation costs on any sightseeing tours that are already listed in our programme. Your tours are with officially qualified professional English speaking tour guides. Transfers are by air-conditioned deluxe coach and you will have time to enjoy each sightseeing place on foot. The tour itineraries are regularly checked and provide an ideal length of time to show you the sights, with free time to explore according to your own interests. Most importantly we Guarantee departure with minimum 2 people.

Flights As agents of many airline consolidators, we can obtain flights in various classes with reputable airlines such as BA, Virgin, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair etc. We will book airline tickets according to availability unless you specify at the booking stage. We can also provide land-only tours if you prefer to organise your own flights and save airmiles. For the cheapest deal we recommend you book your international flights at time of booking, as this can save you £££s off your final holiday price.

Your Accommodation for this tour Carefully selected quality accommodation in ideal locations, with upgrade to deluxe level available.

Your Meals Breakfast at hotels can be booked in advance. Alternatively, there are many places around the hotels where you can buy meals.

Other details of our tour arrangements Upon arrival at Tokyo Airport, you will be met by one of our assistants and directed to the limousine bus terminal. For each day of your itinerary (excluding free time), you will be met by English speaking guides at your hotel for escorted tours. You will be met and transferred from hotel in Kyoto to Osaka Airport by private transportation.

To ensure our travellers have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday, a hotel to hotel luggage transfer service (1 piece of luggage per person) is provided Tokyo - Kyoto & Kyoto to Osaka.

The tour itineraries are regularly checked and provide an ideal length of time to show some of the main sights in Japan, with free time to explore and enjoy according to your own interests.

Magical Japan operates with a top quality tour guide service. We also recommend Ryokan experience (Japanese guest house) on the last day in Kyoto. The supplement starts from £160 per person for 1 night with Japanese Dinner included.

Nijo Castle (Kyoto) is closed (Tue in Jul & Aug), therefore if your tour falls on these dates, we will visit Ryoanji Temple instead. Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed at weekends and on national holidays, we will visit Kitano Tenmangu, or Ryoanji Temple instead.

Suitable for travelers of all ages. Add on tours and city extension available, for details visit optional tours page.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information of flights schedules available, although occasionally the sequence in which cities are visited and duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. MT Fuji - Hakone - We reserve the right to change or amend our tour itinerary due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather.We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.