Discover Japan

China tour information


Beautiful Scenery	Temples & Palaces	UNESCO World Heritage	Cultural Show	Shopping

The ultimate tour of Japan

14 days from £5990

Immerse yourself in the remarkable country of Japan, a land steeped in mythical traditions and modern wonders. Start in the neon-lit metropolis of Tokyo. Gather a sense of peace whilst exploring Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple and the Meiji Shrine, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. Visit the iconic Mt. Fuji and take the world’s second longest cable car up to glorious Mt. Owakudani. Travel to Kyoto onboard the fast moving ‘Thunderbird Express’. Kyoto is full of delightful gems from the 17th-century Nijo Castle to the Kiyomizu Temple, one of the most famous sites in the nation. Learn the art of origami, the unique flower arrangement known as Ikebana and join in a Zen meditation class. Experience an overnight stay in a shukubo; a serene Buddhist temple lodging. Explore Osaka Castle and cruise the calm waters of the Osaka’s Yodogawa River. This is a most fitting conclusion to your discovery of Japan.

Included in the price

all international airfares
all domestic transportation, departure taxes and current fuel surcharges
all accommodation
all meals
entrance fees, guides and daily tours
visa fees for UK passport holders

Days 1-2 : UK – Tokyo

Fly overnight to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city.

Day 3 : Tokyo

Sightseeing today incudes a city tour of Tokyo, starting with a stroll through Hama-Rikyu Teien; a former private garden of an Edo Period Lord. We enjoy a relaxing cruise along Sumida River to Asakusa where we visit Sensoji Temple before wandering through the famous Nakamise shopping street. After lunch, we drive past the Imperial Palace and visit Meiji Shrine before heading to the top of Tokyo Tower to marvel at the sweeping views of this vast city.

Day 4 : Tokyo – Mt Fuji – Tokyo

We travel to Hakone, the gateway to Mt Fuji. Upon arrival, we visit the Fuji Visitor Centre to learn more about this iconic mountain before heading up to the 5th station to enjoy the amazing views. After lunch, we enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashinoko and take the world’s second longest cable car up to Mt Owakudani where we can sample a hardboiled egg from the sulphuric hot springs for which Hakone is famous for.

Day 5 : Tokyo – Matsumoto – Takayama

We travel to Takayama, stopping en-route in Matsumoto, where we visit Matsumoto Castle and walk through some of the old traditional streets surrounding the castle. We then make our way to a wasabi farm where we can have a go at making wasabi vegetables. After lunch, we continue to Takayama, which is nestled high in the mountainous Hilda alpine region of Japan.

Day 6 : Takayama

We head to the Miyagawa morning market where we can purchase local crafts and sample the region’s delicious fruit and vegetables. We then visit some of Takayama’s traditional houses and local museums including the Takayama Festival Floats Museum, Kusakabe Folk Museum and Takayama Jinya. We also visit one of the many sake breweries located in the Old Town.

Day 7 : Takayama – Kanazawa

We travel to the UNESCO world heritage listed Shirakawago, famous for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are over 250 years old. We walk through the village and have the opportunity to try our hand at making Japanese washi paper. After lunch, we continue to Kanazawa and visit the Nomura Samurai House, followed by a stroll through the Old District.

Day 8 : Kanazawa – Kyoto

We stroll through Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan’s top three gardens followed by a visit to the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. After lunch, we board the Thunderbird Express train to Kyoto, the former capital of Japan.

Day 9 : Kyoto

We visit Nijo Castle and one of Kyoto’s Zen temples, where we will have the opportunity to take part in a meditation class with a Buddhist priest. Next, we visit the famous Kinkakuji Temple, known as the Golden Pavilion. We then head to a restored Japanese wooden townhouse where we learn about origami, calligraphy, witness the Japanese art of Ikebana and enjoy a tea ceremony. We end the day with a visit to Kiyomizu Temple, a UNESCO world heritage listed site and stroll through Higashiyama District.

Day 10 : Kyoto – Nara – Kyoto

We travel to Nara, the ancient capital of Japan during the 8th century. We visit Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden structure which is home to Japan’s largest Buddha. We then visit Kasuga Taisha and stroll through Nara Park. We return to Kyoto stopping en-route at Fushimi Inari Shine, also known as “10,000 Torii Gates”, which features in the file ‘Memories of Geisha’.

Day 11 : Kyoto – Koya-San

We travel to Koya-San, a UNESCO world heritage listed site. Here, we visit Kongobunji Temple and the Garan Temple complex. Okunoin is Japan’s largest cemetery and holds the mausoleum of the founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kobo Daishi. We walk to the mausoleum, passing 200,000 tombstones belonging to feudal lords and prominent monks along the way. Accommodation tonight will be in a Buddhist temple lodge, known as ‘shukubo’ and enjoy a traditional vegetarian dinner known as shojin ryori.

Day 12 : Koya-San – Osaka

We rise early to witness the monks chant their morning prayers, followed by a traditional shojin ryori breakfast. We then travel to Osaka, Japan’s third largest city where we visit Osaka Castle and enjoy a cruise along the Yodogawa River. This evening, we stroll down Dotonbori, a restaurant mecca before our farewell dinner.

Days 13-14 : Osaka – UK

Fly overnight to the UK, arriving home the following day (breakfast only included).

Dates and Prices

Depart UK	Arrive UK	Price pp from
17 Oct 2012	30 Oct 2012	£5,990
27 Mar 2013	9 Apr 2013	£6,490

Tour departs Wednesday and returns Tuesday

Prices are fully inclusive from the UK and based on London Heathrow departures
Regional connections to London Heathrow are available on request
Flight upgrades available on request
Land only from £5,490pp (Tokyo - Osaka)
Single supplement to be confirmed (no supplement if you are willing to share)

No extensions are recommended.

This document is designed to be read in conjunction with the other pre-departure information provided by Wendy Wu Tours including the tour itinerary as described in our brochure and/or website. It aims to provide a straightforward description of the physical activities involved in sightseeing or travelling during the tour.

If there are any particular challenges, from the length of time spent on your feet, the length of drives and flights, to the standard of remote accommodation for our more adventurous tours; they will be explained here.

All passengers must read this document to ensure the itinerary is suitable for their interests and physical capabilities. This is not your final itinerary and therefore does not mention all the sites visited. The order of sightseeing is subject to change.

Discover Japan Feburary 2012