Embark on a 13-night trip to Japan, starting in Tokyo. Begin with a half-day tour that includes the Imperial Palace Plaza and the Tokyo Tower. The next day, take a scenic drive up the slope of Mt. Fuji, en route to Lake Ashi, followed by a ropeway ride up to the highest peak in Hakone. After a day exploring Tokyo on your own, take an excursion to Nikko that includes Kanmangafuchi Abyss, where you see the mystical Jizo statues. After another day at leisure to explore Tokyo on your own, travel to picturesque Kanazawa and to Takayama, which is rich in cultural heritage, for tours and a two-night Kanazawa stay. The next day, travel by train to Kyoto, where a full-day tour includes the Golden Pavilion and the historic castle of Nijo. Visit the ancient capital of Nara, including Todaiji Temple and Nara Park. Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Return to Tokyo for a night before flying back to the US. Hotels are deluxe. Starting from $7,495, including air, with weekly guaranteed departures.
Day 1 - Los Angeles/Tokyo
Depart the USA via Singapore Airlines trans-Pacific flight for Tokyo. Cross the International Date Line en route.
Day 2 - Tokyo
Arrive at Narita Airport and transfer to your hotel. (Keio Plaza)
Day 3 - Tokyo
Half-day excursion includes a walk at the Imperial Palace Plaza, National Diet Building drive-by, a panoramic view of the city from Tokyo Tower's main observatory, and visits to Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise shopping street. Remainder of the day at leisure to explore the city on your own. (B)
Day 4 – Mt. Fuji and Hakone
Depart via motorcoach for a scenic drive up the slope of Mt. Fuji to the Fifth Station and enjoy a spectacular view above the clouds at 7,546 feet high. After lunch, drive to Lake Ashi for a short boat ride, if available. Then take a ropeway ride up to Mt. Komagatake, the highest peak in Hakone, for a bird’s-eye view of Lake Ashi in the Hakone National Park. Return to Tokyo via motorcoach. Overnight in Tokyo. (B/L)
Day 5 – Tokyo
Full day free to explore the city on your own. (B)
Day 6 - Nikko
Depart from Shinjuku Station for Nikko by express train for a full-day excursion. (For walking tour in Nikko, shoes with good traction, clothing that is easy to walk in, and a backpack are recommended.) Continue via motorcoach to visit the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, a small gorge created by an eruption from Mt. Nantai. From the riverside path, you can see small stone statues of Jizo, a bodhisattva said to protect children, women and travelers. A botanical garden lies on the opposite side of the statues, where visitors can enjoy the scenery of the season. After a Japanese-style lunch, visit the spectacular Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage Site where the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate is enshrined. Return to the Tokyo's Shinjuku station where the tour disbands. Overnight in Tokyo. (B/L)
Day 7 - Tokyo
Full day free to explore the city on your own. (B)
Day 8 – Tokyo/Kanazawa
This morning after breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Tokyo train station and board a high-speed bullet train to Kanazawa and to your hotel. Afternoon, tour Nagamachi district, known for its historic samurai-class. Visit a former residence of a samurai family. Continue to Kenrokuen Garden, one of the top three Japanese gardens. Visit Kanazawa's well-preserved teahouse district, with its stone-paved street lined by wooden-latticed exteriors of chaya (teahouses). Tour ends at Kanazawa Station, a short walk from your hotel. (Hotel Kanazawa) (B)
Day 9 – Shirakawago/Takayama
This morning, depart from the hotel along a scenic route. From the Shirakawago Observatory, enjoy an elevated view of the World Heritage site -- thatch-roofed villages of Shirakawago – and visit a traditional thatch-roofed farmhouse. After lunch (not included in tour cost), continue to Takayama, an historic castle town. Visit Yatai Kaikan, which displays some of the colorfully decorated floats used in the famous Takayama Festival. Continue sightseeing in Kami-Sannomachi in the heart of the town, where the old streets retain traces from the Edo period (17th-19th centuries). Return to your hotel in Kanazawa for overnight. (B)
Day 10 – Kanazawa/Kyoto
Take a mid-morning train and travel to Kyoto, famous for its incredibly preserved traditional Japanese culture. From Kyoto Station, continue to your hotel. (Rihga Royal) (B)
Day 11 - Kyoto
Full-day tour includes the historic castle of Nijo, completed in 1626, which was built to provide lodging for the powerful Tokugawa Shogun. The elaborate carvings and decors in the Ninomaru Palace are a must-see. Also, see Kinkaku-Ji Temple (known as the Golden Pavilion) and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. After lunch (a Western-style set menu), continue to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, an important Shnto shrine with thousands of vermilion torii gates; Sanjusangen-do Temple, which houses 1,001 life-size statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy; and a historic shopping lane leading to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. (B/L)
Day 12 - Nara
Morning free on your own. In the afternoon visit the ancient capital of Nara. In Nara Park visit the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a Nara period shrine designated as a Workd Heritage Site. The deer of Nara Park are thought to be the shrine messengers. Transfer to Todaiji Temple, one of the world's lagest wooden structures, famous for its huge main hall, which houses an impressive bronze Great Buddha. After tour ends across from Kyoto Station, return to your hotel. Overnight in Kyoto. (B)
Day 13 - Hiroshima
Today, board a bullet train to Hiroshima. By ferry, head to scenic Myajima, a mountainous island in Japan's Seto Inland Sea. The ride offers an up-close view of Itsukushima Shrine's giant red torii gate. On foot, head to Itsukushima Shrine, established in the 6th century and one of Japan's finest. After lunch (not included in tour cost), continue by ferry to visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Travel back to Kyoto by bullet train and overnight at your hotel. (B)
Day 14 – Kyoto/Tokyo
Transfer to train station and board a bullet train to Tokyo. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. (Keio Plaza) (B)
Day 15 - Tokyo/Los Angeles
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Los Angeles. Arrive home the same day. (B)
