“Experience modern & traditional Japan with 10 days of unforgettable experiences such as wrestling a sumo wrestler and viewing Mt. Fuji from a cable car ride up an active volcano. Visits many of Japan’s must-see UNESCO World Heritage Sites.”
Explore the futuristic neon wonderland of Tokyo City and the scenic national park centered around the majestic Mt. Fuji. Savour a fabulous traditional kaiseki dinner and relax in a volcanic hot spring onsen before riding the bullet train to ancient Kyoto. Explore UNESCO world heritage temples, shrines, and stunning gardens, and take part in a traditional tea ceremony. Visit the ultra-modern city of Osaka, the incredible Himeji Castle, and the historic city of Hiroshima before heading back to Tokyo to get up close and personal with a sumo wrestler over a traditional sumo lunch and much more.
Walk to Shinjuku station together with your tour assistant. Board the local express train from Shinjuku to Hakone, an area inside Fuji National Park famous for magnificent views of the mountain.
After checking into your ryokan, you will explore the Mt. Fuji National Park area around Hakone with your local guide.
Enjoy the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Japan’s first outdoor, open-air museum of art. Located in a lushly green 70,000-square-meter garden with a view of the Hakone Mountains, the museum has on permanent display some 120 masterpieces by famous modern and contemporary sculptors. Visit the museum’s five indoor exhibitions, including the Picasso Pavilion with its rotational displays of more than 300 Picasso pieces in this world-class collection, as well as the natural hot spring bath and the art in the outdoor plazas.
Highlight: Dinner and Hot Springs (onsen) at your ryokan
Get dressed up in traditional Japanese yukata evening wear before dinner (provided in your room)!
In the evening, enjoy a tea ceremony at local machiya teahouse.
♥Highlight: Afternoon Tea with Geisha Experience♥
You can enjoy having afternoon tea in the company of an authentic Geisha in a small Japanese-style teahouse in the Gion area of Kyoto. You will get a chance to hear about the training and life of the Geisha and an opportunity for an informal Q&A translated through your tour leader and a chance for some photos after. This will be followed by a picturesque walk through the quintessential Kyoto back streets! Dinner at teppan yaki style restaurant (pay locally).
Meet our Kyoto guide in the lobby of your hotel after breakfast.
Highlight: Full-Day Private Guided Tour of Kyoto
Our local guide will design this day based on the weather, traffic, and number of people in your group. You will travel around Kyoto using public transportation and/or taxis as appropriate. Typical Kyoto sights on tour include:
Lunch and transport will be included today as well as your tour guide for the full day.
Free time for optional day trips in the Kansai region
Optional day trip to Osaka or Nara (Self-Guided / details will be provided in your travel pack & App)
Accommodation: JR Blossom Hotel (or similar)
Witness the grim tales from the Atomic Bomb Museum and ponder tragic history in the Peace Park in Hiroshima. Discover how this humble city has rebuilt itself after the devastation.
The bullet train stops at the historic city of Hiroshima. Pay a visit to the UNESCO world heritage A-bomb museum and Peace Park for an evocative, emotional and informative touring. Later take a short ferry ride off the coast for the spiritual island of Miyajima, made famous by the red floating tori gate in the sea.
May & Sep Tour Dates include tickets to see Grand Sumo Tournament (Subject to availability). In the event we cannot secure these tickets, we will offer an alternative experience.
All other months will include a Sumo Wrestling Challenge With Special Chanko Lunch Experience
You will enjoy a dining experience like never before. Eat, train, and fight like a real Japanese sumo wrestler during this sumo demonstration and authentic ‘Chanko Nabe’ (hotpot) lunch. Discover the history, training, and rules behind the typical sumo match as you watch three real clashes. You can even try it yourself during a skirmish with a retired wrestler. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, dig into a tasty
Chanko Nabe lunch, a filling meal of hotpot, rice, miso, salad, French fries, and more, is used by these hulking fighters to gain weight. You’ll get a chance to take some photos with the sumo giants and learn about the behind-the-scenes stories and daily life of a real sumo wrestler while enjoying an authentic chanko lunch. This is one lunch in Japan that will never be forgotten.
| Triple Room | €3,300 | £2,790 | US$3,700 | AU$5,420 |
| Twin/Double | €3,500 | £2,950 | US$4,000 | AU$5,700 |
| Single Room | €4,600 | £3,900 | US$5,200 | AU$7,600 |
Shiba Park Hotel, Tokyo (or similar)
Shiba Park Hotel is an excellent 3-star boutique style hotel located in the heart of Tokyo, just minutes’ walk from Tokyo Tower. It has recently undergone a complete restoration in 2021, transforming a so-so hotel into a very cool, modern bright well serviced hotel. Its location is the perfect place to be based for peace and tranquillity amid the busy bustling city of Tokyo. Accessed by numerous subway stations, it is close to Tokyo’s major sightseeing spots as well as the business districts. Shiba, a quiet district in the residential Minato-ku area, surrounded by lush greenery of Shiba park, Zojoji Temple and a 10 minute walk to Tokyo Tower. Get cosy with a book in the library in a hotel that strives to maintain high standard of comfort with a focus on culture. Browse over 1,500 books from the Ginza Tsutaya Bookstore collection in the hotel and in your guest room. You can opt to have a book concierge. Choose your theme and receive a book selected by the Omotenashi concierge upon your arrival.
Gora Kansuirou (or similar Japanese-style Ryokan)
Hakone is one of Japan’s best-known hot spring areas. Since the Meiji period (1868–1922), Gora has enjoyed an unsurpassed reputation as a holiday retreat in Hakone, and it is here that you will find Gora-Kansuiro, a traditional Japanese hotel (or ryokan). In addition to 14 undeniably atmospheric guest rooms and hot springs with water that flows directly from the source, the hotel is also home to a beautiful Japanese garden. Gora-Kansuiro is in a convenient location, a three-minute walk from Gora Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway. The hotel offers a traditional Japanese ryokan atmosphere for your enjoyment. This includes authentic kaiseki ryori (Japanese multi-course cuisine), in-room baths, and our open-air bath with a view of a garden overflowing with natural splendour, one that will allow you to experience the beauty of Japan’s four seasons.
JR Blossom Hotel (or similar)
Experience Tranquil Luxury at JR Blossom Hotel in Kyoto
Nestled in the heart of Kyoto, JR Blossom Hotel offers travelers a haven of tranquility amidst the bustling city streets. From the moment you step into the elegant lobby, you’ll be enveloped in an atmosphere of refined luxury and Japanese hospitality.
Each guest room at JR Blossom Hotel is meticulously designed to provide a serene retreat from the excitement of the city. With modern amenities, plush furnishings, and tasteful decor inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics, every detail has been carefully curated to ensure your comfort and relaxation.
Awake each morning to panoramic views of Kyoto’s iconic skyline, as the soft rays of sunlight filter through your window. After a restful night’s sleep, indulge in a delicious breakfast served in the hotel’s stylish dining area, featuring a selection of both Japanese and Western dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
Throughout your stay, the attentive staff at JR Blossom Hotel are dedicated to making your experience truly unforgettable. Whether you’re seeking recommendations for exploring Kyoto’s rich cultural heritage, arranging transportation to nearby attractions, or simply in need of assistance with any aspect of your stay, they are always on hand to ensure your needs are met with the utmost care and attention to detail.
In the evenings, unwind with a leisurely stroll through the hotel’s tranquil gardens, or enjoy a refreshing drink at the cozy bar lounge. With its serene ambiance and impeccable service, JR Blossom Hotel provides the perfect retreat for travelers seeking a peaceful and rejuvenating stay in the heart of Kyoto.
Sheraton Hotel Hiroshima (or similar)
Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel is conveniently located next to JR Hiroshima Station with direct access to the bullet train and bus terminals. Stay in luxury as you explore Hiroshima’s historic sites and architecture.
Modern décor blends Western and Japanese elements to create a harmonious atmosphere. All guest rooms feature the Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience and Premium Club Rooms are welcome at the Club Lounge, offering breakfast, soft drinks and cocktails. Restaurants feature the finest and freshest cuisine and the bar is a great place to gather with friends, both old and new. Relax and recharge your mind and body at Shine Spa. A pool and fitness centre are located in the hotel.
Tokyo Remm Ginza (or similar)
Time spent in the Remm plus Ginza have been designed around the concept of “better sleep” that can be felt through the five senses. Comfort and style combine in classic rooms. Breakfast is served as a buffet of spice-infused Japanese and Western dishes. Enjoy a wholesome breakfast prepared with plenty of healthy vegetables and herbs.
Croissants and Danish pastries are baked on-site with plenty of high-quality flour and butter produced in France, so you can enjoy freshly baked goods for breakfast. We have a full range of small Japanese side dishes that are not only thoughtfully prepared, but are also colorful and visually pleasing.
Nha Viet Nam Premier Ginza is the hotel signature Vietnamese restaurant. Enjoy pho soup prepared in the open kitchen with a variety of flavors to choose from, such as classic chicken and chili pork mince. Make it your own with your favorite topping. You can also enjoy genuine Vietnamese cuisine, including chicken curry and bee hoon rice vermicelli made by a Vietnamese chef.
| Date | Service |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 3&4* Western (8 nights) plus Superior Ryokan (1 night) including hot springs and kaiseki dinner (total 9 nights/ 10 days) |
| English-speaking tour leader |
*If your tour has less than 6 people on it, we will arrange the tour on a semi-escorted basis. You will be met in each area by our local assistants and guides on days you don’t have private guides. |
| Private Tour Guides | Local English-speaking tour guides in Tokyo and Kyoto |
| Transfers | All transfers included from arrival to departure airports & 7-Day Japan Rail Pass |
| Entrance Fees | Included into all sights listed in itinerary |
| Cultural Experiences |
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| Meals | Breakfast daily, 2 lunches, and 2 evening meals (including one traditional kaiseki dinner) |
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