Embark on a 13-night trip to Japan, starting in Tokyo. Begin with a half-day tour that includes the Imperial Palace and the Tokyo Tower. The next day take an excursion to Nikko that includes Kanmangafuchi Abyss, where you see the mystical Jizo statues. After a day exploring Tokyo on your own, 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. Return to Tokyo for a day at leisure. Next, 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 $7,475, including air, with weekly guaranteed departures.
Day 1, Saturday/Sunday - Los Angeles/Tokyo
Depart the USA via Singapore Airlines trans-Pacific flight for Tokyo. Cross the International Date Line en route.
Day 2, Sunday/Monday - Tokyo
Arrive at Narita Airport and transfer to your hotel. (Keio Plaza)
Day 3, Monday/Tuesday - Tokyo
Half-day excursion includes a walk at the Imperial Palace Plaza, a drive-by through National Diet Building, a panoramic view of the city from atop Tokyo Tower, 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, Tuesday/Wednesday - Nikko
Full-day excursion to Nikko via motorcoach. Visit the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, a small gorge created by an eruption from Mt. Nantai. From the riverside path, you can see several small 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 lunch, visit the spectacular Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage Site where the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate is enshrined. Return to the Tokyo station where the tour disbands. Overnight in Tokyo. (B/L)
Day 5, Wednesday/Thursday – Tokyo
Full day free to explore the city on your own. (B)
Day 6, Thursday/Friday – 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 boat ride, if available. Then take a ropeway ride up to Mt. Komagatake, the highest peak in Hakone, for a bird’s-eye view. Return to Tokyo via motorcoach. Overnight in Tokyo. (B/L)
Day 7, Friday/Saturday - Tokyo
Full day free to explore the city on your own. (B)
Day 8, Saturday/Sunday – Tokyo/Kanazawa
This morning after breakfast at the hotel, transfer to train station and board a high-speed bullet train to Kanazawa. On arrival, tour Nagamachi district, known for its historic samurai-class. Stroll through Kenrokuen Garden, one of the top three Japanese gardens, and a stone-paved street lined by wooden-latticed exteriors of teahouses. (Hotel Kanazawa) (B)
Day 9, Sunday/Monday – 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 (charges not included in this tour), continue to Takayama. Visit Yatai Kaikan, which displays some of the colorfully decorated floats used in the famous Takayama Festival. Also, visit a historical Japanese-style townhouse with a range of exquisite folk art. Continue sightseeing at castle town, where the old streets retain traces from the 17th to 19th centuries. Return to your hotel in Kanazawa for overnight. (B)
Day 10, Monday/Tuesday – Kanazawa/Kyoto
Take a mid-morning train and travel to Kyoto. (Rihga Royal) (B)
Day 11, Tuesday/Wednesday - Kyoto
Full-day tour includes the historic castle of Nijo, completed in 1626, which was built to provide lodging for the Tokugawa Shogun and as a palladium for Kyoto Imperial Palace. 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, continue to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine; 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, Wednesday/Thursday - Nara
Morning free on your own. In the afternoon visit the ancient capital of Nara, a World Heritage site, which includes Todaiji Temple and its Great Buddha statue, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Nara Park. Overnight in Kyoto. (B)
Day 13, Thursday/Friday - Hiroshima
Board a bullet train to Hiroshima. Visit the colorful Itsukushima Shrine with its red torii gate in Miyajima. After lunch (not included), visit Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Travel back to Kyoto by bullet train and overnight at your hotel. (B)
Day 14, Friday/Saturday – Kyoto/Tokyo
Transfer to train station and board a bullet train to Tokyo. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. (Keio Plaza) (B)
Day 15, Saturday/Sunday - Tokyo/Los Angeles
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Los Angeles. Arrive home the same day. (B)
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