Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for a scheduled flight to Tokyo. Meals on board.

Day 2

Day 2 Tokyo
Arrive at Narita Airport in Tokyo, you are met by your tour assistant and transferred to your hotel for a 3 nights stay. The rest day is at your leisure to adjust to the 9 hours time difference.

Day 3

Day 3 Tokyo
Morning City tour of Tokyo visiting a number of the main highlights of this magnificent City. The tour includes a visit to the Tokyo Tower where you can enjoy panorama views across the city from the observation tower. We proceed to the peaceful picturesque setting of the Meiji Shrine considered to be one of the finest example of Shinto Architecture set in thick woodland. Next we visit the 'Akasaka Guest House' for a photo opportunity. The Guest House is a magnificent 'Western Style Palace' built in the Baroque Architectural style. We then drive alongside the imposing National Diet Building, which is home to the Japanese House of Parliament. Our tour continues across Tokyo to the Imperial Palace East Garden, where we enjoy a pleasant walk in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, which is filled with scenic and historic beauty. (Alternatively for tours on Monday & Friday we will visit the Imperial Palace plaza and famous Double bridge instead of the East Garden, including a visit to the inner moat and towering Palace walls surrounded by pine trees). Our tour will continue with a drive and stroll along Ginza high street, the famous shopping area of Tokyo. Our tour will disband at Ginza giving you the opportunity for shopping (we also recommend you visit the Sony Centre building to see the futuristic electronics on display. Ginza is also convenient for the subway to explore further.

Afternoon - free at leisure or take optional afternoon city tour, which includes Asakusa Kannon Temple and Sumida river cruise. (ask for details at time of booking).

Day 4

Day 4 Tokyo - (Nikko optional tour)
Free day to explore Tokyo at your leisure or purchase an optional full day tour excursion to Nikko (ask for details at time of booking). The optional tour involves taking a Deluxe motorcoach to Nikko National park, a designated World Cultural Heritage site and home to some of the most spectacular examples of ancient 17th-century Architecture in Japan. The tour includes a visit to the magnificent Toshogu shrine, which houses the Mausoleum of the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. We will see the Five-Story Pagoda, Niomon Gate, Three Monkeys, Yomeimon Gate and Main Sacred Hall. We then travel along the scenic Irohazaka hairpin driveway for Japanese style lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we travel to the spectacular Kegon waterfall which is 100 meters in height. We continue our tour with a scenic drive alongside Lake Chuzenji (reported to be 161.5 meters deep) and MT Nantai.

Day 5

Day 5 Tokyo - MT Fuji - Hakone - Kyoto
You shall be picked up from your hotel and driven by deluxe motorcoach to the the 5th station on Mount Fuji. Along the way you will enjoy scenery of rural Japan, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and mountainous peaks. From our vantage point on the 5th station on MT Fuji, we will enjoy spectacular views (weather permitting). Lunch will be provided at a Hotel/Restaurant in Hakone. In the afternoon we proceed to the Hakone National Park where we will take a cable car ride with the opportunity to see the magnificent volcanic Hakone mountain range below. We will then travel to the Owakudani Boiling Valley where you will see ancient volcanic craters with sulfurous fumes and clouds of steam spiraling from crevasses across the mountain side giving a truly mystical image. We then proceed with our tour for a boat cruise on Lake Ashi, which is set in serene natural beauty, where weather permitting spectacular views of Mount Fuji can be seen silhouetted in the lake. Proceed to Odawara and take the Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Kyoto. Accommodation at the New Miyako hotel or similar (includes: Lunch).

Day 6

Day 6 Kyoto
Morning site seeing tour of Kyoto including a visit to the Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion) centred around one of the best examples of a Japanese Zen gardens in the world, Nijo Castle residence of the Tokugawa Shogun built in 1603, Nijo Castle is noted for its Ornate interior and 'nightingale floor' designed to sing when stepped upon to warn of Ninja assassins.(When closed visit Ryoanji temple). We then travel to the Old Kyoto Imperial Palace (on Sat/Sun & national holidays visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Hagashi Honganji temple instead). Finally we explore the Kyoto Handicraft Center where we enjoy demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts. Tour ends at the handycraft centre who provide an optional free return to your hotel in Kyoto or take optional tour to Nara (enquire at time of booking to include this tour in your itinerary). The optional afternoon tour included lunch at the Kyoto handicraft centre, visit to the Todaiji temple housing the Great Buddha, Kasuga Shinto Shrine with 3,000 lanterns and Nara Deer Park.

Day 7

Day 7 Kyoto
Day free at Leisure to explore the fascinating city of Kyoto or purchase an optional afternoon tour to the colourful Heian Shrine and inner garden and ponds, Sanjusangendo Hall, a renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues that date back to the 13th century and magnificent Kiyomizu Temple with spectacular views across the entire city. (This highly recommended afternoon tour can be prearranged at time of booking).

Day 8

Day 8 Kyoto/Osaka to Kagoshima
Transfer to Osaka for flight to Kagoshima. Upon arrival, you are met by our guide. We visit Chiran Samurai Residence, an area specified as the traditional significant preservation district in Japan. It has splendid garden with beautiful views. For tea lovers, the residence produce it's own exquisite tea from their own garden, which is a must buy from people all over Japan for the visit - make sure you bring some home! Then we drive to Ibusuki city, the popular hot spring resort. Stay at one of the best traditional Ryokan (Japanese style Inn) for the ultimate indulgence. This is the place for Japanese people to enjoy Sunamushiburo (Sand bath) (optional). For hot springs aficionados, Ibusuki's sand baths are a must! The Ryokan also has open air hot spring facilities to unwind. Japanese full course dinner is served in the evening (includes: Dinner).

Day 9

Day 9 Kagoshima to Kumamoto
Drive to Kumamoto. Visit Suizenji-jojuen Garden, a typical Momoyama style hill garden which was laid out in 1632. Kumamoto Castle, once one of the great castles of Japan built in the beginning of 1600 by the general Kato Kiyomasa, now a modern reproduction. Then to Hosokawa-gyobu tei, residence of hosokawa okitaka, who was appointed to be the feudal-era ministry of justice in 1604. The whole construction covers over 990 square meter, constructed with the straight and curving lines characteristics “karahafa” style. This mansion is so significant to be one of the unique Cultural Property of Kumamoto prefecture today not only that it can reflect the hosokawa family’s historical position but also that it completely displayed the outstanding constructive technology. It is said the mansion is the only a few buildings with the samurai characteristics remaining in Japan today. (includes: Breakfast).

Day 10

Day 10 Kumamoto to Beppu
Drive to MT Aso, the 'Land of Fire' still the largest active volcanic caldera in the world is the highlight of our visit today. We will also climb up the very cute volcanic mountain Komezuka (20 minutes, 100m way up). Drive to Beppu, the famous hot spring resort. We will stay in one of the best Ryokan (Japanese style Inn) tonight. Enjoy the full traditional Japanese dinner (includes: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 11

Day 11 Beppu / Fukuoka
Beppu city is well known for it's hot springs. The blast of boiling hot water and steam from geothermal heat make you realise that the earth is alive. Visit steaming and boiling 'Jigoku' hot springs. For travellers who enjoy their bath at home, it is highly advisable to purchase some condensed 'hot spring water powder' to bring home!

Our chartered bus will take you to Hakata(Fukuoka), the biggest city in Kyushu. We visit Dazaifu Shrine, then your guide and driver will leave you to explore the city which is renowned for its vibrant nightlife. (includes: Breakfast)

Day 12

Day 12 Fukuoka to home
Flight back to home. (includes: Breakfast).

General Information

Duration:

12 Days

Location Start:

Tokyo

Location Finish:

Fukuoka

Payment Types:

Cash, Paypal, Travellers Cheque

We Speak:

English

Extra Information

Extras -

After visiting the major highlights in central Japan, we fly to the southern sub-tropical island of Kyushu, famous for its mountainous landscape, volcanoes, gardens, hot springs and ancient myths. We will stay in the best Japanese Ryokans with traditional open air spa facilities for the ultimate in relaxation, where you can indulge yourself in Japanese culture... Magical Japan operates with top quality tour guide service. We are one of the very few operators have been Kyushu Island and enjoy the insight knowledge of the Profecture.{italic}{-italic}