71 Tour Reviews

Private Journey | Deluxe

Tour Code: GTW5538666

Shikoku, Wakayama & Ise Shima Private Tour
71 Reviews
8 days 7 nights

fromUSD $6990.00

currency

More Details
Room Type Explained

Single Room

Single room types are rooms for single room occupants.
One person will be occupying the hotel room throughout the tour.

Twin Room

Twin room types are rooms set for two people who will occupy one room, but will have two separate beds.

Double Room

A double room is a room that has one bed for two people to share.

Triple Room

A triple room is one room where three people may share the same room. It has three separate beds.

Japanese Style Room

A Japanese-style room traditionally does not have a western-style bed, it is a tatami floor room with futon bedding. However, if you prefer a western-style bed, you may request one though we cannot guarantee it.

Please note: If you would like to request neighboring rooms next to your traveling companions, you and your traveling companions must have the same room types in order to be next to each other. For example, if you have requested a double room, but your traveling companions have requested a twin, or triple room, then neighboring rooms cannot be accommodated. However, if both you and your traveling companions match in room type, then neighboring rooms will likely be arranged for your convenience.

Experience spiritual enlightenment and the history of Japan on an 8 day trek through Shikoku and Wakayama

Japan's island of Shikoku is home to the 88 Temple Pilgrimage and stunning scenery, but is also a short ferry ride away from Wakayama. It is here where guests can find Koyasan, a temple settlement considered to be the center of Shingon Buddhism. All Japan Tours takes you through the island of Shikoku, Wakayama, and Ise Shima while providing insight into Japanese culture and spirituality.

From Osaka, journey to Himeji, where guests will visit Himeji Castle, one of Japan's twelve original castles that have never been destroyed by fire, war, or natural disasters. After seeing the castle, visit Kurashiki to see the Ohara Museum of Art, Japan's first museum of Western Art. Travelers can find works of art by Picasso, Pollock, and more on display here. Set out to Takamatsu, crossing the 8.1 mile (13.1 km) long Seto Ohashi Bridge. Head to the Shikoku Mura Village, an open-air museum exhibiting Shikoku architecture from the Edo and Meiji Periods, before heading to Ritsurin Park, a landscape garden built by local feudal lords during the Edo Period. In Tokushima, visit the Awa Odori Kaikan, a museum with several exhibits relating to Awa Odori, the largest dance festival in Japan. Guests will also be able to watch a traditional Awa Odori Folk Dance Performance. Enjoy taking a ferry to Wakayama, also known as the spiritual heart of Japan, where guests will head to Mt. Koya. Stay overnight at a Buddhist Temple and enjoy participating in early morning meditation with the monks, visiting the sacred Okunoin Temple, and seeing Danjo Garan, Mt. Koya's central temple complex.

Guests on this tour will also have the chance to trek part of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail from Daimonzaka to Nachi Falls. The short walk is about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) and is lined with Japanese Cedars and bamboo groves. Take in the sight of Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine near the grand Nachi Falls. Visit Ise Grand Shrine, considered the most sacred Shinto Shrine, before exploring Mikimoto Pearl Island. It is here where guests can watch pearl divers harvest oysters or spend time admiring the beautiful pearl jewlery at the shops before heading back to Osaka in the evening.

This itinerary can be customized based on your budget and interests. Please feel free to CONTACT US to plan your dream trip to Japan.

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Tour Information

Please Note:

● The price is per person with minimum 2 people, based on twin/double or triple room occupancy.
● The itinerary can be customized based on your interests and budget, please contact us to plan your perfect vacation to Japan.

Deposit

We require US$200 deposit per person to hold the space at time of booking and the final payment is due 2 month prior to departure

What's included

• 1 night temple lodging, 3 nights Western style and 3 nights Japanese style accommodation
• Meet and greet upon arrival at Osaka Kansai Airport or Itami Airport
• Private airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Private transfers between destinations in Japan
• Comprehensive escorted with AJT professional English speaking tour guide

Meals
• Breakfast everyday
• 4 dinners

Admission fees and activities
• All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary

What's NOT included

• International Airfares
• Meals that are not included in the itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills

Additional Information

Transport
Travel by private van between destinations, baggage handling free.
Arrival Departure Airports
This tour starts and finishes in Osaka for arrivals and departures at Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) or Itami Airport (ITM).
Meal Requests
Vegetarian or special meals can be arranged.
Meet and Greet
Meet and greet and private airport transfers on arrival and departure included

Itinerary In Brief

Day1 Arrive in Osaka
Day2 Osaka - Himeji - Kurashiki
Day3 Kurashiki - Seto Ohashi Bridge - Takamatsu
Day4 Takamatsu - Tokushima - Koyasan
Day5 Koyasan - Katsuura Onsen
Day6 Katsuura Onsen - Kumano - Ise Shima
Day7 Ise Shima - Osaka
Day8 Tour Ends

Click here for detailed itinerary

Tour schedule and prices subject to change without notice

Day1

Welcome to Osaka!

Meet your private driver in the airport's arrival hall and travel to the hotel by private car.

Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class

Day2

Osaka - Himeji - Kurashiki

On our first morning together, we will leave our hotel in Osaka and travel to Himeji, where we will visit Himeji Castle. The castle is both a national treasure and a world heritage site, which is why it is considered by many to be Japan's greatest castle. Himeji Castle is also one of twelve original castles that have never been destroyed by fire, war, or natural disasters. After exploring the spectacular castle grounds, we will make our way to Kurashiki, where we will visit the Kurashiki Canal. Surrounded by willow trees and old storehouses, there are many things to do near the canal, including Ohara Museum of Art, Japan's first museum of Western Art. Here, we can find works of art by Picasso, Pollock, and more on display before heading to our hotel for dinner.

Breakfast / Dinner

Washu Highland Hotel or similar class

Day3

Kurashiki - Seto Ohashi Bridge - Takamatsu

This morning, we set out across the Seto Ohashi Bridge towards Takamatsu. This two- tiered bridge system is the world's longest at 8.1 miles (13.1 km) and is also visible from space. Once we arrive in Takamatsu, we will head to the Shikoku Mura Village, an open-air museum exhibiting Shikoku architecture from the Edo and Meiji Periods. Enjoy a pleasant walk through the museum before heading to Ritsurin Park, a landscape garden built by local feudal lords during the Edo Period.

Breakfast

JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu or similar class

Day4

Takamatsu - Tokushima - Koyasan

Today we will travel to Tokushima, where we will visit the Awa Odori Kaikan. This museum has several exhibits relating to Awa Odori, the largest dance festival in Japan held every August. Explore the exhibits showcasing instruments and clothing used during the festival. At the museum, we will also be able to watch a traditional Awa Odori Folk Dance Performance. We will then take a ferry to Wakayama, also known as the spiritual heart of Japan. In the evening, we will head to Mt. Koya, where we will stay overnight at a Buddhist Temple. Enjoy shojin ryori, vegetarian cuisine enjoyed by monks, for dinner.

Breakfast / Dinner

Koyasan Sekishoin or similar class

Day5

Koyasan - Katsuura Onsen

We will wake up early today to participate in early morning meditation with the monks. Meditation is used for enlightenment and helps calm and open the mind for the new day. After, we will enjoy breakfast and head to Okunoin Temple. This temple also contains the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism and Mt. Koya. Instead of having died, Kobo Daishi is believed to rest in eternal meditation here. After exploring the temple, we will visit Kongobuji Temple. After entering the building and removing our shoes, we will explore the rooms of the temple, some of which are decorated with beautiful paintings and decorations. We will then travel to Danjo Garan, Mt. Koya's central temple complex and one of the first complexes built on Mt. Koya.

Breakfast / Dinner

Katsuura Onsen Hotel Nakanoshima or similar class

Day6

Katsuura Onsen - Kumano - Ise Shima

After enjoying our breakfast, we will experience part of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail from Daimonzaka to Nachi Falls. The pilgrimage routes were created as a way for people to move between the sacred areas on the Kii Peninsula. Enjoy our short walk (about 1.3 miles) along the road lined with Japanese Cedars and bamboo groves. Once we reach Nachi Falls, we will visit Seigantoji Temple and Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine. The sight of the three-story pagoda near the falls also provides for a stunning view. We then travel to Ise Shima, where we will stay for the night.

Breakfast / Dinner

Toba Grand Hotel or similar class

Day7

Ise Shima - Osaka

This morning, we will depart our hotel and head to Ise Grand Shrine, considered the most sacred Shinto Shrine. The inner shrine is believed to date back to the 3rd Century and is dedicated to Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. This shrine is also home to one of three sacred treasaures, the sacred mirror. We will also have time to explore the Okage Yokocho District, where regional speciality foods, such as Ise Udon, can be found. We will then travel to Mikimoto Pearl Island, where we can watch pearl divers harvest oysters or spend time admiring the beautiful pearl jewlery. In the evening, we will head back to Osaka, where our tour will come to an end.

Breakfast

Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class

Day8

Tour Ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends! The rest of your day is free for leisure until your transfer to Kansai Airport or Itami Airport for your flight.

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

PLEASE NOTE: These are the hotels All Japan Tours generally uses on the touring styles and regions shown. There is no guarantee that you will stay in the lodgings listed on the website. We encourage you to check your travel documentation for confirmation of the exact accommodation you will be staying in.

Destinations

Osaka / Himeji / Kurashiki / Seto Ohashi Bridge / Takamatsu / Tokushima / Koyasan / Katsuura Onsen / Kumano / Ise Shima

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Group Tour Style	Budget	Deluxe	Deluxe-Plus	Signature	Active
Group Tour Style	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours
Feature	Our Budget Tours are designed for our guests who are on a limited budget. Explore the must-see sights and enjoy a hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price.	Sample all Japan has to offer, from unique locales to must see tourist attractions. Our Deluxe Tours are fully guided, and use our luxury coaches for your convenience and comfort.	Experience Japanese culture at a slower pace, and with a smaller group size than our deluxe tours. Stay in each city longer so you can soak in the culture and fully appreciate the destinations.	Enjoy upgraded hotels, a slower pace, and a smaller group size for a more intimate experience. Access to a wide range of unique activities that immerse you in authentic Japanese culture.	Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape.
Advantage	Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a set of quick stops to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or if you plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys, these are the tours for you.	Our most popular tours for everyone. Fully-escorted - the most hassle-free way to visit Japan for the best value. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, the duration of our Deluxe Tours range from 5 to 27 days. Whether you want to see the best of Japan in a shorter time, or take your time in each city, you will find a tour package that suits your preferences.	Smaller group sizes enable our guests to access more of Japanese culture and traditions. Our Deluxe-Plus Tours are carefully balanced for you to discover the unique Japanese culture, history, arts, food and spectacular scenery Japan has. If you love Japan and want to appreciate the best of everything Japan can offer, these are the tours for you.	Dive into the cultural aspects of Japan at a more leisurely pace. Enjoy more than just sightseeing. All of our Signature Small Group Tours feature a wide range of cultural experiences through interaction with the people and places that represent all that is authentic about the destination. Get an alternative, more in-depth understanding of Japanese culture and art.	Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best cultural locations with off-the-beaten-path destinations via Japanese public transportation. Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.
Group Size	20 to 45 people	10 to 35 people	6 to 24 people	4 to 16 people	4 to 13 people
Fully-escorted	Comprehensively escorted by AJT's professional English speaking tour guide				Your guides are local experts and residents of the city you are visiting, they do not always escort the group when traveling between cities
Pace	Fast pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	Perfect pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	More leisurely pace to soak in and fully appreciate the destinations, plus free time to explore on your own
Airport Transfers	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified	Airport transfers are included* (If no options are taken: hotels are not requested to be changed and passengers use the correct airports)	Airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Private airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified
Transfer between cities	Transfer between cities via private coach and Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary			Transfer between cities via private coach and first class Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary	Transfer between cities via Shinkansen (bullet train) or express train. Private minivans are also used occasionally where public transport is not available or practical
Sightseeing	Sightseeing by private coach with an escorted guide		Sightseeing by private coach and public transportation with an escorted guide		Sightseeing via public transportation (local train, subway & local bus) with local guides
Admission fees and activities	All entry fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary are included
Luggage Transfers	Luggage transfers by private coach from hotel to hotel, plus separate luggage transfers are included on select tours				Separate luggage transfers are included
Meals	Breakfast every morning, plus meals as indicated (vegetarian or special meals can be arranged)
Accommodation	Carefully-selected budget hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected superior/deluxe hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/boutique hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/luxury hotels and ryokans	Accommodations range from local Japanese inns (minshuku) to budget hotels, to superior/deluxe hotels depending on the tour and destination
Ages	4 years old and above			6 years old and above
Health & Activity	In order to enjoy our tour, you should be able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing activities can only be accomplished on foot. Wheelchairs can be arranged upon request. However, we regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.				These tours are tailored to the energetic traveler; guests should feel comfortable walking from 4 to 10 miles a day depending on the tour and destination.

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Shikoku, Wakayama & Ise Shima Private Tour 71 Reviews 8 days 7 nights fromUSD $6990.00 currency

Experience spiritual enlightenment and the history of Japan on an 8 day trek through Shikoku and Wakayama

Tour Information

Deposit

What's included

What's NOT included

Additional Information

Itinerary In Brief

Day1

Welcome to Osaka!

Day2

Osaka - Himeji - Kurashiki

Breakfast / Dinner

Day3

Kurashiki - Seto Ohashi Bridge - Takamatsu

Breakfast

Day4

Takamatsu - Tokushima - Koyasan

Breakfast / Dinner

Day5

Koyasan - Katsuura Onsen

Breakfast / Dinner

Day6

Katsuura Onsen - Kumano - Ise Shima

Breakfast / Dinner

Day7

Ise Shima - Osaka

Breakfast

Day8

Tour Ends

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

Charms of Southern Japan Tour Autumn (Reverse) with Koyasan

Charms of Southern Japan: Autumn Leaves Tour

Charms of Northern Japan (Reverse): Autumn Leaves Tour

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Shikoku, Wakayama & Ise Shima Private Tour
71 Reviews
8 days 7 nights

fromUSD $6990.00

currency

Why Travel on Our
Group Tours