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Explore Japan - a country with an ancient culture of emperors, samurais and martial arts yet also a place of gentleness, elegant geishas, colourful kimonos, exquisite garden design and Zen Buddhism.
- 11 nights in four-star hotels
- Return flights from London including transfers
- 14 meals: 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
- ABTA & ATOL protected
- 7th November 2024
- From £4399.00 per person
Price correct at time of publication 25.06.2024
Price as displayed with Riviera Travel. No additional fees.
13 day Tokyo round-trip.
Itineraries
Days 1-4
Tokyo
At first glance, Tokyo might seem similar to other great Asian cities like Singapore or Shanghai, with its gleaming glass skyscrapers and busy, fashionable shops. But you’ll soon begin to notice some of the many fascinating differences – like the spotlessly clean and surprisingly quiet streets. There’s no beeping of horns here, that would be far too impolite!
Day 5
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji, probably Japan’s most instantly recognisable sight. Fringed by thick forests and a crescent-shaped ring of shimmering lakes, you are presented with one of the world’s greatest and most spectacular views.
Day 6
Hiroshima
Travel to Hiroshima on Japan’s iconic gleaming white bullet train. With reclining seats, plenty of legroom, air-conditioned comfort and speeds up to 189 mph, this is an incomparable way to travel. There’s a sobering reminder of the horrors of war this morning as we visit Hiroshima’s Peace Park and museum, displaying the remains of the only building to survive the atomic bomb blast of August 1945. The city has been completely rebuilt and there are no signs left of the devastation of that fateful day. Yet you may notice a small digital counter indicating the number of days since the last atomic test – it’s surprisingly recent.
Day 7
Miyajima
Make your way to one of the country’s most distinctive views on the nearby small island of Miyajima. A huge red ‘Torii’ gate sits just offshore; widely celebrated, at high tide it appears to float between the sea and sky. This popular little island is easy to explore by foot. It has a relaxed holiday atmosphere, lots of interesting shops and a covered market.
Days 8 & 9
Kyoto
Leaving Hiroshima by coach, we head towards the old imperial capital of Kyoto. En route we’ll visit the superb Korakuen garden at Okayama – built in 1700 and renowned as one of Japan’s most exquisite gardens, with lawns, lakes, wooden bridges and shrines and teahouses! Allowing plenty of time to explore, our stay for the next four nights in Kyoto is at the Century Hotel with breakfast.
Day 10
Nara
Capital city before Kyoto, Nara is just a few miles south. Firstly, we see one of the country’s most iconic shrines, made from thousands of red Torii gates forming two extraordinary vermilion-coloured wooden tunnels up a hillside. Arriving at Nara you’ll be greeted by the dozens of tame deer considered for centuries to be messengers of the gods.
The main sight though is the amazing Todai-ji temple, astonishingly the world’s largest wooden structure. Housing a huge bronze Buddha, this is a truly inspiring sight and just one of Nara’s several UNESCO World Heritage sites. We also get an insight to the traditional Japanese Sake drink, visiting a museum with tasting.
Day 11
Kyoto
You’re free today to explore and discover the many delights and attractions of Kyoto. There are still more enchanting temples to see - like the 15th century Silver Pavilion and the even older Eikando temple, marvels of architectural and garden design within an easy walk of each other along the charming Philosopher’s Path.
Tonight, you also have the option of staying in a ryokan, a typical Japanese inn. You’ll sleep on a rolled-out futon with tatami matting on the floor. You’ll also enjoy a traditional ‘kaiseki’ multi-course dinner. Beautifully prepared and served, it’s just as stunning to look at as it is to eat. See Personalise Your Holiday for more information and how to book.
Day 12
Tokyo
After a last free morning at leisure, we take our bullet train to Tokyo staying overnight at the four-star Excel Tokyu near the airport.
Day 13
Return home
It's time to say goodbye and start your journey home, with memories of an incomparable tour full of the most extraordinary insights and experiences that Japan has to offer.
- 11 nights in four-star hotels
- Return flights from London & transfers
- Programme of daily tours & visits
- Travel on the famous high-speed bullet train
- 14 meals: 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner
- Expert Tour Manager
- Checked luggage
- ABTA & ATOL protection
- Airport departure taxes & transfers
- All local taxes & transfers
Gibraltar - London Flights.
From £4399.00 per person
