Japan Discovered

Your local guide will meet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast. Together, you will explore Takayama on foot, visiting:

• Takayama Morning Market
• Kusakabe Folk Park
• Takayama Yatai Kaikan (Festival Float Hall)
• Takayama Jinya (preserved Government town hall)

You will have free time in the afternoon to walk through the streets by yourself, sampling the street food and visiting local artisans’ shops. During festival tours (April & October) this itinerary will be subject to our guide’s recommendations. The night-lights and entertainment during festival season brings great excitement to the tour. Highly recommended.

Japan Discovered comes to an end after breakfast today and you will be provided with an airport transfer service from your hotel. If you would like to stay longer in Tokyo, discuss some post-tour options with your travel consultant. Don’t forget to send us your flight details as soon as you know them. Transfers need to be booked early!

Shibuya Tokyu Excel Hotel (or similar)

We will base you smack bang in the centre of the worlds busiest crossings in Shibuya for your first two nights. What better way to start your trip to Japan with great shopping, variety of restaurants and entertainment areas, impressive buildings and an atmosphere that says so many things about Tokyo. Vibrant, wacky, non-stop, crowded, busy, but serviced like no other city in the world! Conveniently accessed by many of the JR subway lines, it is one of the best places to be based for the duration of your stay in Tokyo.

Kanbayashi Senjukaku (or similar / Japanese Style)

Founded in 1928, Senjukaku was a famous rural retreat of the Meiji Era and one of the earliest hotels to introduce a mix of Japanese and Western aesthetics. It has been the favorite of many cultural figures historically. During the post-War Occupation, it was also used as a resort by the American army. Rebuilt in 1989, with its wooden beams and family treasures on display, this expansive ryokan resort very much retains the same “modern” mood as the original. Senjukaku’s offerings include garden walks on site, indoor and outdoor hot spring baths and a massage service, as well as superb service from the staff and delicious and generous multi-course meals. In short, Senjukaku continues to uphold its proud tradition as a perfect country getaway.

Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama (or similar)

We choose this hotel for its location and facilities – walking distance to the station and town centre & a variety of onsens to choose from while staying here, including a family onsen which can be rented privately, if you prefer not to share! Rooms are modern and tastefully decorated. You will be within walking distance to restaurants and bars for local night life.

The Square Hotel Kanazawa (or similar)

The 4-star Square Hotel Kanazawa provides quick access to Omicho Market and offers a safe deposit box, a parking and a vending machine. Kanazawa Castle Park is 700 metres from the venue, while Kenrokuen Garden is 1.1 km away.

Kyoto Okura Hotel (or similar)

Okura Hotels are Japan’s finest traditional hotels providing 5* service throughout. Kyoto Okura is centrally located, just a short walk from downtown.

Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto  (or similar / Japanese Style)

A  few minutes stroll from Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto boasts an outdoor hot spring bath, 3 restaurants and karaoke. It offers luxurious Japanese-style and Western rooms, massages and a free shuttle from Miyajima Pier. Spacious rooms feature either traditional futon bedding on a tatami (woven mat) floor, or carpeting and twin beds.

Authentic Japanese cuisine featuring fresh seafood is served at restaurant Shioji in a stylish contemporary setting, and in more traditional surroundings at Kappo Karaku. The Miyajima Ferry Terminal is a 10-minute walk away.

Setsugetsuka (or similar / Japanese style)

Setsugetsuka boasts a public hot spring bath with free flowing natural spring water, drawn from 2 different hot springs. The property operates 2 restaurants and a souvenir shop on site. Guests can try yukata robes offered for rental at the souvenir shop on site, or grab a drink anytime from the drink vending machines in the building. Hakone Open-Air Museum is 600 m from the property, while Pola Museum is 2.5 km away.

Park Hotel (or similar)

Located in the heart of Tokyo’s business and salaryman district of Shimbashi this very stylish & funky hotel is one of our favourite places to stay in Tokyo. Rooms are designed in collaboration with famous artists (let us know if you’re interested in these!). The lobby floor is in the twenty-somethings, which only suggests the kind of views offered from the rooms above it. Buffet breakfast has an impressive selection and the service is top quality. The Park Hotel is just a 7 minute walk from Shimbashi Station, in an energetic neighbourhood of izakayas and other authentic Japanese restaurants.