12-Day Central Japan with Hiroshima

38 Reviews

12 days 11 nights

Price On Request

You will be met at the arrival gate by an AJT representative holding an "All Japan Tours" sign.

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class

Today, we will visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, where visitors can stroll through detailed landscaped gardens, including a traditional Japanese garden with ponds, bridges, and teahouses, an expansive English garden featuring wide lawns and blossoming flowers, and a French-inspired garden with symmetrical designs and ornate elements. Next, enjoy a fun and simple Sushi-Making Experience, where you can enjoy creating your own sushi, and eating it afterwards! Then we will visit Meiji Shrine, nestled in the heart of Tokyo, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. We explore the eccentric district of Harajuku. Harajuku's Takeshita Street is well- known for fashion, showcasing an interesting mix of styles, trends, and unique shops. From there, we will spend time in Shibuya, where you will get to see the famed Shibuya Crossing in action and cross the street with the crowd.

Breakfast / Lunch

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class

NOTE: For Sushi Making Experience, if you are vegetarian, on gluten-free diets, have seafood allergy, or don't eat raw fish, please contact us for other ingredient options.

Today, we will ascend Tokyo Skytree to the observation deck, which offers a panoramic 360-degree view of the Tokyo cityscape. Then, we head to Asakusa district for a visit to Sensoji Temple. It is Tokyo's oldest temple and features the Kaminarimon Gate hung with a massive paper lantern. Beside the temple is the colorful Nakamise street, filled with rows of shops that sell all manner of traditional souvenirs. From there, we drive by the Imperial Palace, which offers splendid views of the meticulously maintained front lawn and garden areas, the moat, and the old stone walls. Then we will explore Tsukiji Outer Market – a lively outdoor street market known for its fresh and delicious seafood, produce, and kitchenware. We end our day wandering Ginza, known for its high- end shopping, luxury boutiques, sophisticated dining, and vibrant entertainment.

Breakfast

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class

Today we travel from Tokyo to Mt Fuji by private coach. We will stop at Mt. Fuji 5th station (depending on weather) to admire the world famous peak. Next, we will travel to Hakone, which is among Japan's most popular hot- spring resorts, and view the forested slopes of Hakone National Park. We will take a 20 minute ropeway ride from Togendai to Owakundani. Most of the area around Owakundani is considered an active volcanic zone since its creation from the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. Now, you can experience hot springs and hot rivers there, where sulfurous fumes still linger. Owakundani also has splendid views of Mount Fuji in good weather. We will stay at the Onsen Hotel at Hamanako Kanzaiji Onsen, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a spa bath and feast on a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

The Hamanako (Japanese Style Room) or similar

After breakfast at the hotel, our group will visit the Miho Museum, a stunning architecture that accentuates the surrounding nature while exhibiting a variety of items from different ancient civilizations. It was designed by the renowned architect, I. M. Pei, and is named after Koyama Mihoko, one of the richest women in Japan and the founder of the museum. Moreover, the museum has been listed as one of the "1000 Places To See Before You Die". We will then continue to Kyoto, a historical city that was spared from air raids and saved from the atomic bomb during World War II for its cultural and historical value. We will visit the famous Kiyomizu Temple, best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. The stage affords visitors a nice view of the numerous cherry and maple trees below that erupt in a sea of color in spring and fall, as well as of the city of Kyoto in the distance. We will explore Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, charming historic streets located in the Higashiyama District of Kyoto, Japan. Lined with traditional machiya houses, these pedestrian-only lanes offer a step back in time, evoking the atmosphere of ancient Japan. Experience a traditional Green Tea Ceremony – an elegant ritual of hospitality once accorded only to the social elite and try on Japan’s authentic clothing, Kimono, and gain a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and the beauty of this iconic attire.

Breakfast / Lunch

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel or similar class

In the morning, we travel to the Arashiyama district to see Tenryuji Temple and Zen Garden. We continue from there to the Sagano Bamboo Forest, where towering stalks of bamboo packed close together create an otherworldly feeling of mystery and awe as you walk the path through the center. Next, we explore Kinkakuji Temple (also called the Golden Pavilion), which is one of Kyoto’s most coveted sights. Shimmering walls wrapped in gold leaf are reflected in the Mirror Pond below; look carefully to see the dainty phoenix sitting on the roof. We will stroll through the Gion Geisha District, a heritage district where stone-paved streets are lined with exclusive ochaya (teahouses). Lastly, we will enjoy dinner with a Geisha.

Breakfast / Geisha Dinner

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel or similar class

Today, we visit Fushimi Inari Shrine – the chief shrine of the thousands throughout the country dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of economic prosperity, rice, and foxes. What sets this shrine apart is the sight of thousands of bright vermillion “torii” gates that form long pathways through the forest covering sacred Mount Inari. We will explore Fushimi Sake District, nestled along the banks of the Horikawa and Kamo rivers. This district is home to numerous sake breweries that have been crafting Japan's famous rice wine for centuries. Next, we will travel to the ancient city of Nara, where we will visit one of Japan’s most famous temples and an icon of the city: Todaiji Temple, which is home to the Great Buddha of Nara – a massive, seated image of Rushana-butsu, known as the “Cosmic Buddha”. Outside the temple, spend some time with the friendly wild deer of Nara Deer Park. These adorable creatures are largely accustomed to interacting with people, and some have even learned to bow when asking for the special deer crackers, which can be bought around the park. We will ride a high speed bullet train from Osaka to Hiroshima.

Breakfast / Lunch

Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel or similar class

Today we will visit the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. After lunch, we will take a short ferry ride to the island of Miyajima. At high tide, the famed vermilion torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine looks like it's floating in the middle of the sea. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Miyajima has been selected as one of Japan's three most scenic places (nihon sankei).

Breakfast / Lunch

Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel or similar class

Today, we will drive through the Shimanami Kaido. The Shimanami Kaido is a 60 kilometer long toll road that connects Japan's main island of Honshu to the island of Shikoku, passing over six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. It is also known as the Nishiseto Expressway. Proceed to Takamatsu with a visit to the Shikoku Mura Village. Shikoku Mura (Shikoku Village) is an open air museum situated at the base of Yashima. This pleasant hillside park preserves and exhibits traditional buildings and structures that have been relocated here from all over Shikoku Island. Then visit Ritsurin Park, a masterpiece of Japanese landscape 100 years in the making. This sprawling park features beautiful ponds and pavilions with Mt. Shiun as the perfect backdrop.

Breakfast / Lunch

JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu or similar class

In the morning, we venture towards Kurashiki. In merchant days, this scenic town thrived as a port for rice shipments. Several old rice granaries and examples of historic architecture still remain, in addition to the stone lined canal. Then, we travel to Himeji to see Himeji Castle. Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and is one of the few remaining original castles in Japan. It is known as "White Egret Castle" and "White Heron Castle" because of its brilliant white exterior, resembling a bird taking flight. This splendid example of traditional architecture was declared one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan.

Breakfast / Lunch

Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class

After breakfast, we will explore the lively city of Osaka. Kuromon Market in Osaka is a bustling food market known for its fresh produce and local delicacies. Next, we will wander through the Osaka Museum of History, where we can explore different eras, such as the ancient Naniwa period, the bustling Edo period, and the city's growth during the industrial age. We will then explore the colorful, neon-lit entertainment district of Dotonbori. This area is popularly known for being the heart of Osaka’s food culture. Osaka is known as the city of “Kuidaore” or “to eat until you drop”, and you will find Dotonbori to be filled with numerous eateries underneath large, eye-catching billboards, including the famed Glico “Running Man”. Lastly, indulge in a food tour of Shinsekai and Dotonbori. Savor Osaka's famous street foods like takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and Kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) from local vendors.

Breakfast

Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am and you are free for leisure until it is time to transfer to the airport for departure.

Breakfast