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Best of Japan Tour

Duration: 18 days
Multiple Dates: Sep 2023 - Nov 2024
Times Subscriber: From 0
Price: From £7,490
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Call now and book 0808 239 7150 Quote ref: TIMES-ON
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Immerse yourself in Japan’s historical treasures and cultural wonders on this extensive tour that explores the country’s most spectacular landscapes, including the iconic Mount Fuji and the Japanese Alps.

Starting in vibrant Osaka, you’ll explore Japan’s main island, Honshu, ending up amongst the bright lights and sky-scraping towers of capital Tokyo. En route you’ll see and experience the very best of what Japan has to offer: learn about the history of Kyoto, the charms of ancient Nara; and Hiroshima, where you’ll be able to reflect on the tragic events of the past whilst discovering the city’s bright future. Expect plenty of traditional Japanese experiences, from a tea ceremony to washi paper making and, depending on your departure date, a sumo wrestling tournament.

When booking this tour with The Times Travel Offers, you will get an exclusive complimentary pre-tour extension including an extra hotel night with dinner and breakfast included and a sushi-making class - make sure to quote TIMES-ON when booking.

Price Includes

  • International flights and current taxes
  • 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 16 dinners
  • Exclusive free pre-tour extension including a hotel night with dinner and breakfast and sushi-making class - quote TIMES-ON when booking
  • Domestic transportation, including bullet train to Kyoto
  • Tour guides and entrance fees

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - 3
Fly to Osaka and exclusive pre-tour experience

Fly to Osaka and exclusive pre-tour experience

Osaka

Board an overnight flight from the UK to start your trip to Japan in the vibrant city of Osaka.

Transfer to the hotel from the airport. Before the tour starts with other guests, enjoy a free night at the hotel with breakfast and dinner and get stuck in a sushi-making class, exclusively for bookings made through The Times Expert Traveller (make sure to quote TIMES-ON when booking).

Meals included - Dinner

Day 4
Nara

Nara

Nara
Take a day trip to the charming and historical Nara, the city that was Japan’s first capital. Wander through the peaceful Nara Park to visit Todaiji, an important Buddhist temple, and learn about traditional gardens at Isuien. Back in Osaka, explore the magnificent castle and take to the waters of the Yodogawa River.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 5
Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle

Himeji
Travel to Hiroshima, with a stop on the way to admire Himeji, an impressive 17th century castle, and Kokoen, a traditional Japanese garden.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6
Hiroshima

Hiroshima

Hiroshima
Despite its history, Hiroshima is an easy-going city with lots to explore. Stroll through the Peace Memorial Park and visit the Museum, both of which pay homage to those who died following the atomic bomb blast of 1945. Later, take a short cruise over to the holy island of Miyajima where, after a visit to Itsukushima Shrine, there is free time.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7
Bullet Train to Kyoto

Bullet Train to Kyoto

Kyoto
Board one of Japan’s famous bullet trains to the ancient city of Kyoto. Capital for 1,000 years, Kyoto is the very heart of traditional Japan, and home to some of the country’s must-see sights. Visits today include the ‘Golden Pavilion’ of Kinkakuji, and Ryoanji, where you can contemplate Japan’s most famous Zen garden.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8
Tea Ceremony

Tea Ceremony

Kyoto
Enjoy the peaceful 17th century Kiyomizu temple, before gathering in a tatami tea room to experience the timeless rituals of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. This afternoon, wander under some of the 10,000 red torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9
Travel to Kanazawa

Travel to Kanazawa

Kanazawa

Head to the city of Kanazawa by road. Here, you’ll visit one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, the celebrated Kenrokuen, as well as the excellent 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, where you’ll have time to view the fantastic collection.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10
Washi Paper Making

Washi Paper Making

Takayama

Explore the Nomura Samurai House and Garden then depart Kanazawa for Takayama. There will be stops on the way at Gokayama for a workshop on washi paper making and lunch and at Shirakawago to see an old Gassho-style Wada House.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11
Explore Takayama

Explore Takayama

Takayama
Browse the stalls at Miyagawa morning market, where you’ll find local handicrafts and lots of fresh produce for sale, and wander down streets of lovely, traditional architecture. You’ll spend the rest of the day visiting some of the town’s excellent museums, including Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum, Takayama Jinya and the Festival Floats Museum.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12
Travel to Yudanaka

Travel to Yudanaka

Matsumoto

Discover the formidable Matsumoto Castle before visiting a miso house to learn all about how this essential Japanese condiment is made. Also stop at a wasabi farm for a tour before reaching Yudanaka.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13
Snow Monkeys

Snow Monkeys

Nagano
Head into the beautiful landscapes of the Japanese Alps to pay a visit to the adorable Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, who come down from the mountains to bathe and play in the hot springs of Jigokudani Monkey Park. You’ll also visit one of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples, Zenkoji.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14
Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji
Travel to the foot of the iconic Mt Fuji, and the spectacular Fuji Five Lakes area. Weather permitting, you’ll ascend by road to roughly halfway up Fuji, to the 5th station, where the views over the surrounding landscapes will be spectacular. Stop at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to view the eponymous artist’s works of dyed silk.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15
Explore Hakone

Explore Hakone

Hakone

Take a cruise of Lake Ashi before soaring over the volcanic terrain of the Owakudani Valley on the Hakone Ropeway to discover the natural hot springs of Mount Hakone, for which the area is famous. Arrive in Tokyo, Japan’s dazzling, cutting-edge capital city.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16
Tokyo

Tokyo

Tokyo

Today you will explore a bit of both sides of Tokyo, a city that comfortably marries old and new. Start at the Imperial Palace East Garden before enjoying the peaceful surrounding of the Meiji Shrine. You’ll also see the bright lights of the Shibuya district and walk the famous Shibuya crossing.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17
Tokyo

Tokyo

Tokyo

Soak up the ambience of the vibrant Asakusa district and visit Sensoji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples. Close by is the 634-metre tall Skytree, which you’ll ascend for sensational views before a delicious local lunch. The rest of the day is free, until the group reconvenes in the evening for a dinner cruise on a traditional yakata boat, with excellent views of the city – the perfect farewell to Japan.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18
Fly to the UK

Fly to the UK

Tokyo

Fly home to the UK, arriving the same or the following day.

Meals included - Breakfast

Useful Information

Useful Information
  • Group size: maximum 28 passengers
  • Accommodation standard: Three star plus / four star
  • Activity level: A reasonable level of fitness is required for this trip to Japan but it’s more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You’ll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps.
  Special Activities:
  • Sumo Wrestling: On most May and September departures, there is an extra special addition to day 15: a sumo tournament. Many of Japan’s most ancient traditions are preserved in the sport, and the rituals involved in its performance are as fascinating to watch as the wrestling itself.
  • Shibazakura Festival: On the May departures, instead of visiting the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum on day 13, a visit to the Fuji Shibazakura Festival has been included. This is the best time of the year and one of the most scenic places in Japan to see the cherry blossom in full bloom.

Reasons To Book

Times Travel exclusive

When booking this tour with Times Travel you will get an exclusive free pre-tour extension including an extra hotel night with dinner and breakfast included and a sushi-making class. Make sure to quote TIMES-ON when booking.

Kyoto

No trip to Japan is complete without exploring this timeless city. Birthplace of many of Japan’s most important traditions, cultural icons and beautiful temples, Kyoto is Japan’s old soul and an absolute pleasure to explore.

Culinary explorations

Two of Japan’s most famous condiments, wasabi and miso, are essential elements in Japanese cuisine. Visit a miso house, learn about the cultivation of wasabi on a traditional farm and admire the landscapes along the way.

Tea Ceremony

Experience the perfect display of Japanese culture as you witness the preparation and performance involved in the ‘Way of Tea’, a traditional tea ceremony.

Mount Fuji

As well as gazing on the perfect symmetry of Fuji’s iconic cone and ascending part way to the peak (weather permitting) you’ll also explore the landscapes surrounding its foot – the spectacular Fuji Five Lakes.

Dates & Prices

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Departing from on Sep 04 2023:
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Wendy Wu Tours This tour is operated solely by Wendy Wu Tours

Ever since its first tour departed over 20 years ago, Wendy Wu Tours has been perfecting the art of touring, creating a range of holidays to Asia and beyond that are designed to capture the very essence of your destination. That’s why it calls itself the escorted tour specialist.

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