8D Essential Japan


 

Enjoy spending time in the vibrant capital, Tokyo. Take a journey to the 5th station at Mt. Fuji, marvel at Japan’s highest mountain with its single, volcanic snowy peak. The cultural city of Kyoto is where you will discover beautiful gardens, ancient temples and traditional townhouses. Learn about Hiroshima and its past and present. Visit Itsukushima Shrine, said to be one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Tokyo

Arrive at Haneda International Airport or Narita International Airport and make your way through immigration, baggage reclaim and customs to the arrivals area.  Here you will be welcomed by our representative who will be waiting for you holding a sign bearing your name.  You will be directed to your transfer vehicle and transferred to your accommodation by shared shuttle. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 2

Tokyo Tour (B)

Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation this morning (all pick up times will be advised locally). Start the day with a visit to Hamarikyu Garden, located at the mouth of the Sumida River and good for seeing Cherry Blossom trees in spring. Enjoy a cruise on the Sumida River to enjoy a unique view of the city from the water. Afterwards you will experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. See Sensoji Temple and the popular Nakamise shopping Street, said to be one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan. Take a walk in the lively shopping and entertainment area of Shinjuku. End the day with a visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and enjoy views over the city from the observation deck.

Day 3

Mt. Fuji and Hakone (BLD)

Your main luggage will be transferred from Tokyo to Kyoto. Pack a small bag for your stay at Mount Fuji. Enjoy scenery of rural Japan driving towards Mt. Fuji and Hakone. Take a pleasure boat cruise across peaceful Lake Ashi, enjoying the picturesque and serene natural beauty of the crater lake.  Take the Owakudani Ropeway which is a Japanese aerial lift that offers spectacular views of the surrounding areas including Mount Fiji and Ashinoko Lake. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.  Enjoy a panoramic view from its 5th station about 2300 metres above sea level.  (Subject to weather conditions). Transfer to your accommodation where dinner will be served tonight. 

Day 4

Mount Fuji to Kyoto and Nara (B)

After breakfast you will be transferred to Atami or Odawara Station to take a bullet train to Kyoto (journey time approx 2 hours). Upon arrival in Kyoto you will be met and taken to Nara and will visit the Todaji Temple (Great Buddha), the picturesque Nara Park, home to hundreds of freely roaming deer, and the Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

Day 5

Kyoto (B)

Today you will have a day tour of Kyoto. Places of interest that you will visit include Nijo Castle, which was built in 1603. Continue to the beautiful Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), a zen temple where the top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. In the afternoon, enjoy spending time at the Sanjusangendo Temple, a Buddhist temple filled with 1001 statues of Kannon, the Goddess of mercy. Enjoy a visit to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which has a main hall on a steep slope with a wooden platform supported by pillars, from which a panoramic view of Kyoto can be enjoyed. Continue to the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, home to thousands of torii gates.  Your tour ends in the delightful Gion district where you may wish to explore and may perhaps glimpse a Geisha on her way to her evening appointments.

Day 6

Kyoto to Hiroshima (BD)

Your main luggage will be transferred from Kyoto to Osaka. Pack a small bag for your stay in Hiroshima. After breakfast, depart Kyoto by bullet train and arrive at Hiroshima in 2 hours. On arrival you will be met and transferred to take the ferry to Miyajima. You will visit the Itsukushima Shrine, which is situated on Itsukushima Island, popularly known as Miyajima, south-western Hiroshima. It is a scenic sight in which the mountains, sea and red shrine buildings blend in harmony, and the entire island is designated as a historic site.  Back in Hiroshima you will visit the Peace Memorial Park. Continue to the Genbaku-dome (The Atomic Bomb Dome) which is the symbol of Hiroshima, the city that advocates peace in the world. It is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. While all structures vanished in the atomic bomb explosion, only this building miraculously remained standing.

Day 7

Hiroshima to Osaka (B)

Transfer with your guide to Hiroshima Station on foot to take a bullet train to Osaka. On Arrival, you will be met and taken to visit Osaka Castle.  Your tour ends in the Dotonbori District, one of the most famous areas of Osaka, known for its entertainment, restaurants and tasty street food.

Day 8

Fly to The New Zealand (B)

Time at leisure before being transferred to Kansai International Airport for your flight to The New Zealand.

Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotels, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing using air-conditioned vehicle vehicle, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes, 24-hours local contact number for emergencies.

Note: Please contact us if you require more information on different Hotel categories.

Prices quoted are valid only for the group departure dates. Cost above is indicative and is per person on twin sharing basis in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exoticholidays.co.nz for more information.