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Vasu Bhardwaj

Senior Travel Consultant

020 7808 6786

020 7808 6786

Lead Price
From £6295pp
Duration
12 days & 10 nights
Itinerary Type
Group Tour
Holiday Type
General Interest
Tour Highlights

Japan's Cultural Treasures

Discover the cultural heritage of Japan on this exciting journey through the country’s main island of Honshu. Begin with an exploration of Tokyo and the nearby Hakone National Park, visit the tranquil Kenroku-en garden and the castle of Kanazawa before exploring the imperial city of Kyoto, with its many temples and shrines. Experience the sombre modern history of Hiroshima, then visit the picturesque island of Miyajima with its celebrated torii gate. Finish with a visit to Himeji, famed for its castle and Japanese gardens, before flying home from Tokyo.
Dates and prices

Itinerary

YEAR:
DAY 1: Fly to Tokyo via Dubai
- +

Fly to Tokyo via Dubai

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Tokyo Haneda airport with British Airways. (N) Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 2: Tokyo
- +

Tokyo

Arrive and transfer to the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa (or similar) for 3 nights. (N)

Accommodation: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
DAY 3: Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
- +

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

Full-day excursion to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for views of Mount Fuji, a cruise on Lake Ashi and a ride on the Mount Komagatake Ropeway (cable car). Enjoy a welcome lunch. (B, L)

Accommodation: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
DAY 4: Tokyo
- +

Tokyo

Full-day tour visiting Asakusa Kannon temple, Tokyo National Museum, the Imperial East Garden and the peaceful Meiji shrine. Visit the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum to try your hand shaping a bonsai tree. (B, L)

Accommodation: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
DAY 5: Kanazawa
- +

Kanazawa

Morning departure by shinkansen (bullet train) to Kanazawa. Visit Kanazawa castle park, Kenroku-en garden and the Nomura Samurai House. Stay 2 nights at the Crowne Plaza ANA Kanazawa (or similar). (B, L)

DAY 6: Kanazawa - Shirakawago
- +

Kanazawa - Shirakawago

Morning visit to the Higashichaya District, full of teahouses and craft shops, and Omicho market. Attend a Hakuichi gold leaf workshop. Afternoon excursion to Shirakawago to see the UNESCO-listed gassho-zukuri houses, notable for their unique architectural style. (B)

DAY 7: Kyoto
- +

Kyoto

Travel by express train to Kyoto. Visits include Nijo Castle, a walking tour of Nishiki market to browse the numerous food stalls, and the WAK cultural centre, housed in a wooden townhouse known as a machiya, for a cooking class and a traditional tea ceremony experience. The following day is at leisure to explore Kyoto at your own pace. Stay 2 nights at the Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo (or similar). (B)

DAY 8: Kyoto
- +

Kyoto

At leisure. (B)

DAY 9: Kyoto - Hiroshima
- +

Kyoto - Hiroshima

Morning visit to Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion), then Ryoanji temple, famous for its Zen rock garden. Afternoon tour of the historic city of Nara, then continue to Osaka to catch the bullet train south to Hiroshima. Stay 2 nights at the Granvia Hiroshima / Sheraton Hiroshima (or similar). (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima
DAY 10: Miyajima island - Hiroshima
- +

Miyajima island - Hiroshima

Take the ferry to Miyajima island to visit the Itsukushima shrine and see the torii gate. Return to the mainland and take the train back to the city to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Memorial Museum. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima
DAY 11: Himeji - Tokyo
- +

Himeji - Tokyo

Board a bullet train for the journey north to Himeji city. Take a tour of Himeji Castle, which, unlike most castles in Japan, is still in its original form and is arguably the finest example of medieval castle architecture in the country. Afterwards, take a stroll in the Koko-en gardens, which consist of nine separate, walled gardens with ponds, waterfalls and a tea ceremony house. Enjoy a farewell lunch. Travel by train on to Tokyo, and stay at the Royal Park Haneda (or similar) for 1 night. (B, L)

DAY 12: Fly to London
- +

Fly to London

Transfer to the airport and board a flight back to London, arriving later the same day. (B)

DAY 1: Fly to Tokyo via Dubai
- +

Fly to Tokyo via Dubai

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Tokyo Haneda airport with British Airways. (N) Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 2: Tokyo
- +

Tokyo

Arrive and transfer to the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa (or similar) for 3 nights. (N)

Accommodation: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
DAY 3: Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
- +

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

Full-day excursion to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for views of Mount Fuji, a cruise on Lake Ashi and a ride on the Mount Komagatake Ropeway (cable car). Enjoy a welcome lunch. (B, L)

Accommodation: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
DAY 4: Tokyo
- +

Tokyo

Full-day tour visiting Asakusa Kannon temple, Tokyo National Museum, the Imperial East Garden and the peaceful Meiji shrine. Visit the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum to try your hand shaping a bonsai tree. (B, L)

Accommodation: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
DAY 5: Kanazawa
- +

Kanazawa

Morning departure by shinkansen (bullet train) to Kanazawa. Visit Kanazawa castle park, Kenroku-en garden and the Nomura Samurai House. Stay 2 nights at the Crowne Plaza ANA Kanazawa (or similar). (B, L)

DAY 6: Kanazawa - Shirakawago
- +

Kanazawa - Shirakawago

Morning visit to the Higashichaya District, full of teahouses and craft shops, and Omicho market. Attend a Hakuichi gold leaf workshop. Afternoon excursion to Shirakawago to see the UNESCO-listed gassho-zukuri houses, notable for their unique architectural style. (B)

DAY 7: Kyoto
- +

Kyoto

Travel by express train to Kyoto. Visits include Nijo Castle, a walking tour of Nishiki market to browse the numerous food stalls, and the WAK cultural centre, housed in a wooden townhouse known as a machiya, for a cooking class and a traditional tea ceremony experience. The following day is at leisure to explore Kyoto at your own pace. Stay 2 nights at the Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo (or similar). (B)

DAY 8: Kyoto
- +

Kyoto

At leisure. (B)

DAY 9: Kyoto - Hiroshima
- +

Kyoto - Hiroshima

Morning visit to Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion), then Ryoanji temple, famous for its Zen rock garden. Afternoon tour of the historic city of Nara, then continue to Osaka to catch the bullet train south to Hiroshima. Stay 2 nights at the Granvia Hiroshima / Sheraton Hiroshima (or similar). (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima
DAY 10: Miyajima island - Hiroshima
- +

Miyajima island - Hiroshima

Take the ferry to Miyajima island to visit the Itsukushima shrine and see the torii gate. Return to the mainland and take the train back to the city to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Memorial Museum. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima
DAY 11: Himeji - Tokyo
- +

Himeji - Tokyo

Board a bullet train for the journey north to Himeji city. Take a tour of Himeji Castle, which, unlike most castles in Japan, is still in its original form and is arguably the finest example of medieval castle architecture in the country. Afterwards, take a stroll in the Koko-en gardens, which consist of nine separate, walled gardens with ponds, waterfalls and a tea ceremony house. Enjoy a farewell lunch. Travel by train on to Tokyo, and stay at the Royal Park Haneda (or similar) for 1 night. (B, L)

DAY 12: Fly to London
- +

Fly to London

Transfer to the airport and board a flight back to London, arriving later the same day. (B)

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The Cox & Kings signature experiences

  • Traditional tea ceremony experience & cooking class in Kyoto
  • Visit Shirakawago to see the Unesco-listed gassho-zukuri houses
  • Tour the Nomura Samurai House historic home & garden
  • Try your hand at Bonsai tree shaping in Tokyo

Important information

Accommodation
Please note that in Japan room sizes can be significantly smaller than in Europe.
Itinerary
Excursions on days 3 and 4 may be switched, subject to local conditions. Please note that travellers will need to pack an overnight bag for days 5–6 and 9–10, as main luggage will be transferred separately between hotels.
Private & tailor-made travel
This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. So, should you want to spend longer in a particular location, or add another experience or destination, we can make all the arrangements for you. Please contact our travel specialists for guideline prices.
Guaranteed departures
Where a tour date shows ‘Guaranteed departure’, this tour is guaranteed to run. For all other departure dates, once the minimum number of people booked has been reached, this tour is also guaranteed to run. Our sales consultants will be able to advise how many people are booked for your chosen date at the time of enquiry, giving you the confidence to book safe in the knowledge your tour will go ahead.
Dates and prices
Unless otherwise stated, the tour prices and upgrade supplements are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin/double room. The online price is a guideline price; your final quote may differ due to flight availability, and you may be asked to pay a flight supplement.

What's included

  • Small group size - average 15 people (max 24)
  • 4-star accommodation
  • Flexible - extensions & flight upgrades available
  • International flights
  • Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
  • Experienced local tour manager
  • 10 breakfasts & 4 lunches
  • Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
  • Bullet train travel
  • Cherry blossom season departures
  • Porterage at hotels & train stations

Is your preferred tour date fully booked?

Please call or submit an enquiry about late availability.

Looking for a holiday that’s tailored to you?

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Why not extend your tour?

Most Cox & Kings group tours include pre- or post-travel options for those wishing to explore further, for longer.
Genuinely small groups

Small groups promise a more personal touring experience. That’s why Cox & Kings maintains a maximum group size of 18 guests on most tours, and an average of just 14.

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Inspired to visit the Far East? Enquire online or contact one of our experienced Far East specialists.

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