The best of Japan Including tours of its stunning gardens
Visit 11 traditional and historic gardens in Tokyo, Hakone, Hiroshima, Okayama and Kyoto (see horticultural highlights above) Specialist Japanese gardener at four gardens See the famous sights of Tokyo See Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi Explore Kyoto on a guided tour Relax in the mountain resort of Hakone Travel on the famous high-speed bullet trains Visit Hiroshima’s Peace Park and museum Tour Nara with a guide and see the famous bronze Buddha
Plus, of course... Return direct scheduled flights Stay in four-star accommodation, with breakfast daily and three included meals The services of an experienced tour manager throughout
Day 1 Departure Take your overnight direct flight to Tokyo. Day 2 Arrival in Tokyo Stay three nights in the heart of Tokyo at the four-star superior New Otani. The day is at leisure after a short orientation walk. Day 3 Tokyo Enjoy a city tour visiting the Meiji shrine, Shunkaen Bonsai Museum and Koishikawa Botanical Gardens. Day 4 Tokyo Morning visit to Asakusa district and transfer by boat down the Arakawa River to
the Ginza shopping district and Hamarikyu Gardens. Day 5 Mount Fuji & Hakone Depart early for Mount Fuji, stopping at Lake Kawaguchi and then Lake Ashi, plus visit Itchiku Kubota Art Museum and Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands. Stay overnight at a four-star Hakone hotel. Day 6 Hiroshima & Miyajima Shrine Take the bullet train to
Hiroshima and a ferry to Miyajima island, to see its floating shrine and torii gate. After a short tour, there’s free time on the island before returning to Hiroshima, and staying two nights at the four-star superior Sheraton Hiroshima. Day 7 Hiroshima Morning visit to Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Museum. This afternoon you visit the Shukkeien Japanese Garden. Day 8 Kyoto Visit Korakuen Garden in Okayama en route to Kyoto. Stay four nights at the four-star Kyoto Century Hotel. Day 9 Kyoto Tour of Kyoto, the Golden Pavilion, Sagano bamboo forest, Ryoanji temple, Myoshinji Temple and Okochi Sanso Villa. Day 10 Nara Visit Nara to see the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Shrine and Tofu Kuji Temple. Day 11 Kyoto garden visits Tour of Kyoto visiting the Japanese garden Hein Jingu Shrine, plus Nijo Caslte, Gion district and enjoy a traditional tea ceremony. Day 12 Bullet train to Tokyo After a leisurely morning, return via bullet train to Tokyo. Stay at the Haneda Excel Hotel for one night. Day 13 return flight Fly direct the UK, arriving the same day.
OPTIONAL EXTRA There is an opportunity to spend a night in a traditional Japanese inn, or ryokan. Enjoy a kaiseki dinner. From £99pp.