Tour Name: THE GOLDEN ROUTE

A popular route for first time visitors, The Golden Route will give you a well balanced understanding of Japanese history, culture and everyday lifestyle.

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When & Where?

Route: Tokyo – Hakone – Kyoto – Hiroshima & Miyajima Island - Tokyo
Tour Type: Self Guided
Travel Dates: All Year Round - you choose!!
Starts: Tokyo | Ends: Tokyo
Duration: 9 nights/10 days
Price: from EUR1,869 / GBP1,650 per person

What’s included?

Narita Airport meet & greet on arrival
Airport transfer ticket (arrival)
9 Nights accommodation at selected hotels
Meals: Breakfast daily & 2 dinners
Tokyo subway card
7 Day Japan Rail Pass
Tokyo & Kyoto full day private guide
Kyoto Authentic Tea Ceremony
Hakone Free Pass (no charge into most sights in Hakone National Park Area)
Unique Japan Tours Essential Travel Pack

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Met by English speaking assistant on arrival; Transfer to your hotel by bus on your own (ticket provided)
Free time in Tokyo
Day 2: Breakfast at your hotel
Meet your local guide at your hotel lobby
Exchange your Japan Rail Pass with guide
Full day sightseeing with guide using public transport (Lunch & entrance fees paid on the spot) - you can chose where you go today or, if you prefer, we can recommend a route that includes the highlights and/or hidden secrets Tokyo has to offer
Day 3: Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Hakone on your own (ticket provided)
Full day sightseeing in Hakone (Mt Fuji Viewing area) using Hakone Free Pass
Traditional Japanese Kaiseki Dinner & Onsen (hot spring bath) at your ryokan
Day 4: Breakfast at your ryokan
Transfer to Kyoto by Shinkansen (Bullet Train)
Evening free time in Kyoto
Day 5: Breakfast at your hotel
Meet your guide at your hotel lobby
Full day sightseeing in Kyoto with guide by public transport, including tea ceremony & Gion (Geisha/Maiko) district walking tour
Day 6: Breakfast at your hotel
Free day in Kyoto (Optional day trip to Nara, Arashiyama & Bamboo forest on your own - details will be provided)
Day 7: Breakfast at your hotel
Transfer to Hiroshima by Shinkansen
Free time in Hiroshima
Transfer to Miyajima Island by local train & ferry
Traditional Japanese Kaiseki Dinner & Onsen (hot spring bath) at your ryokan
Day 8: Breakfast at your ryokan
Morning free time in Miyajima
In your own time, transfer to Tokyo by ferry, local train & Shinkansen
Day 9: Breakfast at your hotel
Free day in Tokyo (Optional day trip to Kamakura & Yokohama on your own)
Day 10: Breakfast at your hotel
Transfer to Tokyo Narita Airport by Express Train
Depart Japan on your scheduled flight

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Tour Highlights

Tokyo - Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Odaiba, Rainbow Bridge, Meiji Jingu, Asakusa Kannnon Temple, Tsukiji Fish Market, Museums, contemporary art and infrastructure etc.
Mt Fuji / Hakone - Spectacular views of Mt Fuji, Owakudani, Sounzan, Hakone Yumoto Town, Hot Springs at your ryokan.
Kyoto - World heritage temples & shrines, geisha walking tour, tea ceremony, zen gardens, quaint streets, tea houses and traditional atmosphere.
Miyajima Island - World heritage Itsukushima Shrine (floating shrine), Hiroshima A-bomb dome & peace park.

Recommended Add-on

Takayama & Matsumoto (2 or 3 nights)
Before arriving back to Tokyo at the end of this trip, you can de-tour up to Takayama, most famous for its old merchant houses and picturesque streets and ambience. The drive from Takayama to Matsumoto is spectacular, all year round. Matsumoto is home to a feudal castle that has been restored to its former glory yet has maintained its original structure inside and out. If you choose not to visit Matsumoto you can go straight from Takayama back to Tokyo using your Japan Rail Pass.