Your exclusive Japan itinerary
EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE
DAY 1 arriVe iN toKYo
Fly overnight to Tokyo, Japan’s vibrant and cutting-edge capital. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to the Shinagawa Prince Hotel, where you can settle in for the next three nights. You’re guaranteed a room on one of the highest floors, which have fantastic views of the Tokyo skyline.
DAY 2 toKYo aND traDitioNal tea CeremoNY
Today you’ll get to explore Tokyo.
exclusive w&h experience You’ll take part in a Japanese tea ceremony and learn how to serve matcha. In the afternoon, choose to wander among the stunning cherry blossoms in Ueno Park or visit the Imperial Palace and Gardens. Or you could go shopping in the famous Harajuku district or Ginza for its department stores.
DAY 3 moUNt fUji toUr
Today is all about majestic Mount Fuji. Enjoy the scenery of rural Japan as you travel from Tokyo by coach. Your tour includes a stop for lunch at the Hakone Lake Hotel, cable car ride for spectacular aerial views and a boat cruise on Lake Ashi. Keep an eye out for the bright red torii gates that bestride the lakeshore. You’ll then return to Tokyo by high-speed bullet train. >>
boarD DAY 4
Your cruisE shiP
Transfer to Tokyo’s port at Yokohama and board the Diamond Princess – your home for the next 8 nights.
Exclusive w&h offer
Readers who upgrade to an outside cabin or above will receive a $100 credit voucher per cabin to spend on board – why not book an excursion of your choice or dine at one of the speciality restaurants?
GamaGori DAY 5
Today you’ll visit Gamagōri, a city on Mikawa Bay in central Japan. Hot-spring resorts are scattered along the coastline and the tiny, forested Takeshima Island is home to the 12th-century Yaotomi Shrine.
osaka DAY 6
For centuries, Osaka was Japan’s cultural and commercial gateway to Asia and its 16th century capital. It remains Japan’s second largest city and is another fantastic place to see cherry blossom. Plus, Osaka is your gateway to Kyoto, home to 400 shrines and over 1,600 Buddhist temples. You can also see traditional Geisha in their kimonos.
kochi DAY 7
Today your port of call is Kochi in Shikoku, which takes its name from the feudal castle that sits at its heart.
at sEa DAY 8
Enjoy relaxing on board the Diamond Princess – book in for a spa treatment in the Asian-themed Lotus spa with its Izumi Japanese Bath, or simply relax by one of the four pools.
busan, DAY 9
south korEa
Today you’ll port at the second largest city in South Korea. Busan is your gateway to a fascinating land whose culture is a unique amalgam of old and new.
at sEa DAY 10
Another chance to relax on board the ship and enjoy the on-board entertainment, which includes “movie under the stars” nights, Japanese karaoke and the 400-year-old tradition of comic storytelling – “rakugo”.
Yokkaichi DAY 11
Yokkaichi serves as the gateway to the city of Nagoya. Walk across the moat of a cherished castle, pray at a sacred shrine and walk in the footsteps of the samurai. You can also visit the Ninja Museum of Igaryu to find out about the life of a ninja as well as see them in action.
rEturn to tokYo DAY 12
anD thEn homE
Transfer directly from the Diamond Princess to the airport to catch your overnight flight back to London and return home with fabulous memories – and beautiful pictures – of this fascinating country.