Japan 2023
Japan ~ 2023
Full Itinerary
Day 1 - Sunday, May 21
Australia – Tokyo, Japan
Today fly from Sydney to Manilla on Philippines Airlines then onto one of the most captivating cities in the world - Tokyo, Japan. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Tokyo.
Day 2 - Monday May 22
Tokyo Free Day
Today enjoy a free day to explore the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo at leisure or take part in an optional sightseeing tour of the city.
Optional Tokyo Sightseeing Tour: 9,500 JPY
First you will visit Tsukiji Outer Market, where you can encounter many kinds of traditional Japanese cuisine. Next, visit the stunning Meiji Shrine - a Shinto religious site that was dedicated to the Imperial Family in 1926. Walk among the serene gardens that surround the shrine as you listen to more details about its importance from your guide. Last enjoy the sweeping views of this vast city at the Observations deck at the famous Tokyo Tower, the landmark of Tokyo (entry included).
Day 3 - Tuesday May 23
Tokyo – Mt Fuji – Nagano Region (approx. 220km day)
After breakfast, drive to Mt Fuji’s 5th Station. Located 2300m above sea level, Mt Fuji’s 5th Station offers a commanding view of the Fuji Five Lakes area below, making it a popular spot even for those who do not intend on climbing the mountain, and it features shrines, torii gates and souvenir shops. Afterwards continue onwards to Lake Kawaguchiko, nearby in Hakone National Park, to admire the scenery as you enjoy a short cruise across the lake. The waters are overlooked by surrounding mountains, including Mt Fuji and Mt Komagatake. Arrive in Nagano Region this afternoon, check into the hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 4 - Wednesday May 24
Nagano Region – Shirakawa go – Gifu Region (approx. 240km day)
Today is a fun day to visit the countryside of Japan and see how local people live. Drive to a Wasabi Farm where Japan’s most famous and flavourful crop is grown in pristine and mineral-rich waters flowing down from the North Alps. Then proceed to Shirakawa-go - declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, it’s famous for their traditional gassho- zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Last visit Takayama Old Town and walk along Sannomachi Street, which survives in a particularly pretty state with many old homes, shops, and restaurants. Finish the day in Gifu where you will check into your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Day 5 - Thursday May 25
Gifu Region – Kyoto - Osaka (approx. 180km day)
This morning, depart the Gifu region for Kyoto. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time to explore the ancient capital, or take the opportunity to join an optional tour of Kyoto (not included). We will leave Kyoto at around 5:00pm to travel onwards to Osaka.
Optional Kyoto Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: 5,500 JPY
The tour includes a stop at Fushimi Inari Shrine, an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It’s famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The tour continues with a visit to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), a Zen temple in northern Kyoto which has gold leaf covered floors on the top two floors. The last stop of the tour is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Kyoto's top sights and for good reason: standing amid these soaring stalks of bamboo is like being in another world.
Day 6 - Friday May 26
Osaka Free Day
Today you can relax at the hotel or take part in an optional tour to Hiroshima.
Optional Hiroshima Day Trip: 50,000 JPY
This morning transfer to Shin-Osaka train station, where your bullet train awaits. Climb aboard and marvel at the train’s incredible velocity during a 2-hour ride to Hiroshima. On arrival, continue the journey to Miyajimaguchi by coach or train then board a boat travelling to the majestic Miyajima Island, otherwise known as Itsukushima, or Divine Island. A landmass hailed as one of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes. Disembark and discover the natural and cultural treasures of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Island for 45-minutes with your guide. See the shimmering Itsukushima Shrine then revitalise with a delicious lunch in a local eatery (not included).
Re-board the boat and cruise back to Hiroshima to reflect on the history of the region. Take a moment of contemplation at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a historical site near to where the atomic bomb exploded. See exhibitions that articulate the destruction the bomb caused and marvel at the city’s regenerative recovery. Finally, board a bus to the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome), a skeletal structure that miraculously survived the 1945 attack. Return to the train station for the exhilarating return journey to Osaka on the bullet train, where the tour concludes.
Day 7 - Saturday May 27
Osaka – Nara – Tokai Region (approx. 265km day)
After breakfast, visit the famous landmark Osaka Castle Garden. Surrounded by greenery, the garden commands a beautiful view of the castle tower and the stone wall of a moat. Then enjoy some free time in Shinsaibashi-suji, the premier shopping area in Osaka. Next, drive to the nearby city of Nara and enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour. Visit Nara Park, home to hundreds of free-roaming deer - you can feed them deer senbei (crackers), which can be purchased at stalls throughout the park for 150 JPY a pack. Afterwards continue to the Tokai Region and check in at the hotel for an evening at leisure.
Day 8 - Sunday May 28
Tokai Region – Kamakura – Yokohama (approx. 330km day)
This morning visit Greenpia Makinohara and immerse yourself in the world of Japanese tea. Then drive to Kamakura and visit The Kamakura temple which is renowned for The Great Buddha of Kamakura, a monumental outdoor bronze statue of Amitābha, which is one of the most famous icons of Japan. Proceed to Yokohama in the afternoon.
Day 9 - Monday May 29
Depart from Tokyo, Japan - Manilla
Today, at the appropriate time you will be transferred to airport for your return flight to Australia, after one unforgettable trip exploring the beauty of Japan.
Dumped off the flight to Sydney - spent 11 hours 20 minutes in Manilla.
Day 10 - Tuesday May 30
Continued flight to Australia - 12 hours late!