Hidden Treasures of Japan
“A tour created to capture the essence of Japan’s soul, beauty, and heritage”
Immerse yourself in Japan’s ancient past and contrasting present. Visit some of its oldest and most magnificent temples and shrines. Enjoy the contrasting Naoshima Island, home to some of Japan’s most innovative and artistic architecture and design. Experience its religious roots first hand as you become acquainted with the monks of Koyasan. Glide through the stunning Iya Valley and Ritsurin Garden. The perfect tour for those in search of a richer travel experience.
Itinerary
Kobe (2 nights)
Embrace the chic vibrance of Kobe, a city made famous for the sumptuous, marbled Kobe Beef and Sake Distilleries. Join a private viewing of a renowned distillery with a chance to sample and buy the best of Japan’s sake produce. An inviting port city with an international heartbeat, Kobe blends cosmopolitan elegance with its vibrant streets and the maritime charm of its scenic harbour. Visit the colourful Nunobiki Herb Gardens, reached by ropeway on Mt. Rokka. As twilight descends, the illuminated Kobe Port Tower and Harborland’s vibrant nightlife beckon. Kobe beef dinner is a must!
Accommodation: Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel (Superior Western Style)
Tokushima, Shikoku (1 night)
Tokushima presents the enthralling Naruto whirlpools, where the forces of nature create a spectacular aquatic ballet. Dive into traditional craftsmanship with an Aizome indigo dyeing session, taking a piece of Japan’s artisanal culture home. Should your visit coincide with the Awa Odori Festival, held in August each year, prepare for a captivating spectacle of dance and revelry that epitomises Tokushima’s lively cultural scene.
Accommodation: Tokushima Clement Hotel (Standard Western Style)
Iya Valley, Shikoku (1 night)
Iya Onsen
Nestled in the hidden Iya Valley in Shikoku Island, after a long day traveling, relax and unwind in a unique onsen resort. The onsen water in this region is very famous for being soft quality with the characteristic of alkaline hot spring water. Descend to the onsen open-air baths by cable car. Baths are not mixed so females/males bath separately. This is considered one of the best onsen experiences in the whole of Japan – overlooking the river with gushing water streaming by while you bath outside.
The Iya Valley’s steep mountain surroundings, holy atmosphere, and significance in Japanese history have caused the area to be known as ‘Tibet of Japan’.
During Awa Odori Festival Season (August tour), you will be given accommodation at the time of booking.
Accommodation: Hotel Iyaonsen (Superior Ryokan, Japanese Style)
Naoshima Island (2 nights)
Art and architecture converge on Naoshima Island, an enclave of creativity where contemporary public art displays stand in dialogue with the landscape. Galleries with exquisite art collections and public art installations resonate with the island’s scenic natural backdrop. Traverse the island’s unique art spaces, including the iconic Benesse House. Explore visionary spaces like the Chichu Art Museum and contemplate modernity at Yayoi Kusama’s iconic pumpkins.
Accommodation: Benesse Art-Site Naoshima (Boutique Western Style)
Kyoto (3 nights)
Kyoto, Japan’s sanctuary of culture, is where the past is ever-present. Experience Kintsugi, a traditional Japanese art form that transforms broken pottery into stunning works of art. Meet with Geisha over tea at a traditional tea house in Gion. Immerse yourself in the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and appreciate the tranquillity of Zen gardens and the spirituality of ancient shrines. The city’s UNESCO-listed sites, such as the Silver Pavilion, reveal layers of Kyoto’s imperial legacy, inviting you to lose yourself in a cultural labyrinth that has charmed travellers for centuries.
Mt Koya & Nara (1 night)
Venture to the revered peaks of Mount Koya for a soulful retreat into spiritual solace, with its temple lodgings and monastic rituals set amidst forested serenity. Engage in monastic practices with zazen meditation and/or calligraphy. In Nara, history breathes through the grandeur of Todai-ji and the gentle deer of Nara Park, ambassadors of a time when the city was the ancient capital.
Ise & Mikimoto Island (2 nights)
In Ise, the sacred shrines of Ise stand as bastions of spiritual heritage, enveloped by ancient forests and traditions. The Grand Shrine is considered a symbol of Shinto purity and Japan’s spiritual foundation. On Mikimoto Pearl Island, discover the fascinating history of pearl cultivation and meet the remarkable Ama divers, whose age-old tradition captures the essence of Japan’s connection with the sea. A fascinating insight into Mikimoto Pearl’s history.
Tokyo (3 Nights)
Conclude your odyssey in Tokyo, where the pulse of modern Japan beats the loudest. Dive into the city’s eclectic neighbourhoods, from the fashion-for- ward streets of Harajuku and Shibuya to the tech mecca of Akihabara. Experience the contrast between the serene calm of the Imperial Palace Gardens or Hamarikyu Gardens and the electric neon buzz of Shinjuku or Ginza after dark. Tokyo, with its dynamic rhythm and boundless energy, offers a memorable finale to a journey that has traversed the breadth of Japan’s timeless allure and hidden treasures.
Dates and Prices
Triple Room | €6,240 | £5,650 | US$7,220 | AU$10,990 |
Twin/Double | €6,680 | £6,050 | US$7,725 | AU$11,760 |
Single Room | €8,885 | £8,050 | US$10,275 | AU$15,640 |
Accommodation
Kobe City (2 nights)
Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel
(Superior Western Style)
Tokushima (1)
Tokushima Clement Hotel
(Standard Western Style)
Iya Valley, Shikoku (1 night)
Hotel Iyaonsen
(Superior Ryokan, Japanese Style)
Naoshima (2 nights)
Benesse Art-Site Naoshima
(Boutique Western Style)
Kyoto (3 nights)
The Chapter Hotel / Kanra Hotel
(Boutique Western Style)
Mt Koya (Koyasan) - Temple Stay (1 night)
Your overnight in Koyasan will be your first real introduction to Japanese Buddhism and spirituality. You will live like a monk for one night: sleeping on futon tatami mats, staying in traditional accommodation in a real temple, and enjoying the vegetarian masterpieces presented to you for breakfast and dinner. Embrace this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Ise (2 nights)
Toba International Hotel – Two nights stay in a luxurious 4 star hotel located right on the water with harbour and island views from your room.
Tokyo (3 nights)
Hotel Allamanda Aoyama
(Boutique Deluxe Western Style)
Tour Testimonial
Whats Included
TOUR PRICES from:
Twin/Double Sharing: €6,680 | £6,050 | US$7,725 | AU$11,760
*If you are willing to be paired up with another solo traveller, enquire with your travel consultant. While we cannot guarantee this option, we will do our best to find you a suitable roommate.
All prices are per person and are subject to change at the discretion of the company.
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Accommodation 15 Nights Total |
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English Speaking tour leader | Fully Escorted (Groups of 6 – 12): You will be escorted by our friendly English- speaking tour leader who will travel with you from Day 1 to 12. Semi-Escorted (Groups of 1 – 5): The same tour leader will not travel with you from place to place. Instead, you will have local guides and assistants meeting you along the way. |
Airport Transfers | Transfer from Kansai International Airport to Kobe hotel. Transfer from your Tokyo hotel to Haneda or Narita Airport. |
Private Tour Guides | Local English-speaking tour guides in Kobe, Tokushima & Iya Valley, Naoshima, Kyoto, Koyasan, Ise, & Tokyo |
Entrance Fees | Included in all sights listed on the itinerary |
Cultural Experiences | Kobe Beef Welcome Dinner, Kobe Sightseeing (Herb Rose Garden & Sake Distillery), Indigo Dying Workshop Participation, View Naruto Whirlpools Natural Phenomena, Iya Valley Boat Ride, Ritsurin Japanese Garden visit, Naoshima Art Island Museums, Stay in Benesse Art-Site Naoshima, Himeiji Castle Visit, Kyoto World Heritage Temples & Shrines on Guided Tour, Afternoon Tea with Kyoto Geisha/Maiko, Kintsugi Master Workshop Kyoto, Koyasan Temple Stay, Calligraphy and/or Meditation with Buddhist Monks, Mikimoto Pearl Island Visit & Ama Divers Demonstration, Visit Grand Ise Shinto Shrine, Overnight Stays in a Luxurious Traditional Ryokan with Kaiseki Dinner and Onsen, Tokyo Sightseeing (by day and night).
Seasonal Events / Festivals: Cherry Blossom Viewing (March), Koyasan Festival (June), Awa Odori Dance Festival (August)*, Koyasan Candle Festival (August), Live Sumo Wrestling Tournament (September), Autumn Leaf Colours (November)
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Meals | Breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 7 evening meals |
Other Inclusions: |
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This package dose not include: |
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