12 Days Japan Highlight Tour

Name: South Rift Galaxy Safaris
Price range: $$$

Overview.

12 Days Japan Highlight Tour – This tour takes you Hakone National Park. Mt. Fuji, at 3776m, is not only Japan’s tallest mountain but it’s the best known symbol as well, is most attractive when its majestic presence is snow-capped. Enjoy a mountain view of the surrounding Owakudani Valley is an active volcano zone where hot spring, hot rivers and sulfurous fume can be experienced. A Lake Ashi cruising and also a visit to the historical Tokugawa Shogun Check Point near an avenue of aged cyptomeria tree.

Top Places

Visit the Tsukiji Fish Market where you will see the lively wholesaler section and its busy booming morning buying and selling of seafood and produce. You can sample the famous ramen noodle soup and the freshest sushi at renowned market restaurants. Tokyo is a dynamically modern metropolis of 12 million people. This is where tradition from centuries past exists side by side with the ever-moving elements of the latest in the urban culture that radiate their own special heat & energy.

You will also tour Yamanaka Town located in beautiful setting Yamanaka Valley and Kakusenkei Creek as well as Inami, Gokayama and Shirakawago. This tour will alos take you to Kyoto – Japan’s capital for over 1000 years, and during that time became the repository of much of the best of Japanese art, culture, religion and thought. We will start with Kiyomizu Temple, is famous for its wide wooden veranda jutting out over an exquisite valley that extend to a panoramic view of the city.

Then thereafter Sanjusangendo, noted for its 1001 gilded wooden statues of the Goddess of Mercy. Nijo Castle and colourful Kimono show followed by lunch. Then, Golden Pavilion and Ryoanji Temple, Japan famous Rock Garden. Other places you will also tour include Seto Inland Sea. Kintaikyo Bridge, Miyajima Island and Hiroshima where you will also visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and Memorial Museum, the Peace Flame burns in front of the Memorial Cenotaph that is never to be extinguished until all nuclear weapons are abolished.

Day 1: Tokyo

Arrive Tokyo Haneda Airport. After immigration & custom formalities, you will be transferred to Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo by airport limousine bus. Light buffet dinner is served. (D)

Day 2: Mt. Fuji & Hakone

Full day tour to Hakone National Park. Mt. Fuji, at 3776m, is not only Japan’s tallest mountain but it’s the best known symbol as well, is most attractive when its majestic presence is snow-capped. Enjoy a mountain view of the surrounding Owakudani Valley is an active volcano zone where hot spring, hot rivers and also sulfurous fume can be experienced. A Lake Ashi cruising and a visit to the historical Tokugawa Shogun Check Point near an avenue of aged cyptomeria tree. After an amazing woodwork show tour therafter returns to Tokyo Izakaya for dinner. After dinner walk through dazzle Ginza streets to catch JR train back to hotel. (B|L|D)

Day 3:Tokyo

Morning tour to exciting Tsukiji Fish Market tour. See the lively wholesaler section and its busy booming morning buying and also selling of seafood and produce. You can also sample the famous ramen noodle soup and the freshest sushi at renowned market restaurants. Tokyo is a dynamically modern metropolis of 12 million people. This is also where tradition from centuries past exists side by side with the ever-moving elements of the latest in the urban culture that radiate their own special heat & energy.

Explore Imperial Palace and East Garden, Diet Building and Tokyo Tower to command a panoramic view of Tokyo, Cruise by ferry through Tokyo’s mother river of Sumidagawa to Asakusa Kannon Temple with its bustling Nakamise Shopping arcade for a glimpse of Tokyo’s past. (B|L|D)

Day 4: Tokyo – Yamanaka Onsen

Morning departure by Shinkansen bullet train to Yamanaka Town located in beautiful setting Yamanaka Valley and Kakusenkei Creek. Overnight is at the small hot spring spa Ryokan to rejuvenate your travel fatigue. (B|L|D)

Day 5: Yamanaka – Kanazawa – Inami

Kanazawa sightseeing starts with Higashi Chaya, an old Geisha quarter and its Gold Leaf Mills, Kanazawa Castle, beautiful landscaped Kenrokuen Garden, is known as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. Its stone lantern and tea house are the epitome of Edo period, we also enjoy beautiful Kutani ceramic and silk painting Kimono fabric at Arts and Craft Exhibition Hall. Visit to a restored samurai residence with a beautiful small garden. Overnight is at a hot spring resort near Inami. (B|L|D)

Day 6: Inami- Gokayama – Shirakawago – Takayama

Morning departure to the small, cozy, old sculpture town of Inami. Walking around town, the soft sounds of wooden hammers from the carving shops can be heard. We will visit serene Zuisenji Temple Gate built in 1607. Visit Gokayama to enjoy its World Heritage Ainokura Gassho farm house village. These 400 years old farm houses will take you back to 16th century of Japan. After washi paper mills visit and a countryside lunch, tour will drive through the beautiful Japanese Alps via Shirakawago Observatory, one can enjoy quiet Japanese country-side setting deep in the mountain.

Arrive at the rustic charm Takayama town, also the whole town is museum like, dotted with attraction after attraction. We will also shop and do sake tasting at the Old Street of San-Machi Suji with its preserved historic building and quaint atmosphere. Overnight thereafter is at Takayama Green Hotel with renowned mineral hot spring. We will also sample famous local Hida beef for dinner. (B|L|D)

Day 7: Takayama – Tsumago – Magome- Osaka

Morning walking tour to Miyagawa River Morning Market where many handicrafts and small gift are displayed. Then Takayama Yatai Kaikan where the festival floats and puppets used for the farmer’s thanksgiving festival are displayed. These colourful floats are decorated with complicated artistic carving gilded work with wood and metal. We will then explore two Nakasendo post towns of Magome and Tsumago . The setting and atmosphere remain preserved since the old samurai days. We will try the famous local soba noodle lunch.. Then drive through Nagoya into Osaka. Overnight is at ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Osaka. (B|L|D)

Day 8: Nara-Osaka

Nara is an ancient capital built in 6th Century. We first visit to Kofukuji. Incense smoke wafts into the cool morning air at the main gate. Five Story Pagoda, Todaiji Temple houses a colossal image of Big Buddha castled in 734, is a landmark of Japan. Like an unseen planet pulling you into the orbit. At first sight the main Buddha Hall appears modest, set in immense open space. But then you realize its scale, how tiny visitor appears in the nine meter high doorway.

The peaceful Deer Park and Kasuga Grand Shrine built in 768, is famous for the 3000 stone and bronze lanterns that stand in rank and hang in battalions around the brilliant vermillion shrine. A visit to Osaka Castle, a symbol of Western Japan situated in the beautiful Osaka Castle Park. We will stroll 3km Dotombori and Shinsaibashi Arcade before dinner. (B|L|D)

Day 9: Kyoto

Kyoto was Japan’s capital for over 1000 years, and during that time became the repository of much of the best of Japanese art, culture, religion and also thought. We will start with Kiyomizu Temple, is famous for its wide wooden veranda jutting out over an exquisite valley that extend to a panoramic view of the city, and Sanjusangendo, also noted for its 1001 gilded wooden statues of the Goddess of Mercy. Nijo Castle and colourful Kimono show followed by lunch. Then, thereafter Golden Pavilion and Ryoanji Temple, Japan famous Rock Garden. All these are the world class cultural and heritage sites. (B|L|D)

Day 10: Kyoto – Seto Inland Sea – Hiroshima

Morning departure to Seto Inland Sea, we also will enjoy a boat cruise around the Seto Bridge, also the world most impressive 9.1 km suspension bridge connecting Main Island and Shikoku Island. After boat cruise and lunch, tour will thereafter also head to Hiroshima Peace Park to visit also the Atomic Bomb Dome and Memorial Museum. The Peace Flame burns in front of the Memorial Cenotaph, never to be extinguished until all nuclear weapons are abolished. Thereafter Overnight is at Hiroshima Century 21 Hotel. (B|L|D)

Day 11: Hiroshima – Kintaikyo Bridge – Miyajima Island

Morning, a short drive to Iwakuni city to see the limpid Nishiki River, and also the undulating Kintaikyo. Bridge and the historical ambience of a former small castle town. Followed by a grilled oyster lunch and also tour to Miyajima Island, and also visit the colourful Itsukushima Shrine. Its red Torii gate built in 6th century, stand in the sea during high tide and also is famous for its grand and unique contraction. We will enjoy our farewell dinner with Hiroshima local dish called okono-mi-yaki (cabbage pizza). (B|L|D)

Day 12: Hiroshima – Hiroshima Airport

Your 12 days of travel will conclude after breakfast, the tour disbands after breakfast. check out at noon, catch an Airport Limousine Bus to Hiroshima Airport to continue your journey.