This independent tour includes a private guided garden tour of Kyoto and a trip to Okayama, home to one of Japan’s top-three gardens; Korakuen. Travel to Matsue where you can see Matsue Castle; one of Japan’s only original feudal castles. Visit nearby Izumo, including the World Heritage-listed Izumo Taisha Shrine; Japan’s oldest shrine, and the Adachi Museum where you can see some beautiful gardens.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | London – Osaka Depart London on an indirect flight to Osaka. |
| Day 2 | Osaka - Kyoto Arrive at an Osaka Airport. Transfer by shared shuttle taxi to your hotel in Kyoto. Stay for 4 nights. |
| Day 3 | Kyoto Full-day private guided sightseeing tour around the gardens of Kyoto. Visit Tofuku-ji Temple one of the largest Zen Buddhist sects and see the famous moss gardens. Tour the sub temples of Tofukuji to see the dry landscape gardens. In the afternoon, explore Chisakuin Temple, one of where you can see some stunning gardens and painted panels and screens. Tour the Zen garden with maple trees at Kenniji Temple, and then pay a visit to Shisen-do; famous for its Japanese Azaleas. |
| Day 4-5 | Kyoto Free to explore Kyoto, or you may take an optional tour. |
| Day 6 | Kyoto - Okayama Using your JR Pass; travel by train to Okayama. Stay for 3 nights. |
| Day 7-8 | Okayama Free to explore Korakuen Garden and Kurashiki area, or use your JR Pass to visit nearby Hiroshima and Miyajima. |
| Days 9 | Okayama - Matsue Using your JR Pass; travel to Matsue. Stay for 3 nights. |
| Day 10-11 | Matsue Free to explore Matsue and Izumo. |
| Day 12 | Matsue - Tokyo Transfer by bus to Izumo Airport (pay locally). Depart on a domestic flight to Tokyo. Using your JR Pass, transfer to your hotel. Stay for 2 nights. |
| Day 13 | Tokyo Free to explore Tokyo and its gardens. |
| Day 14 | Tokyo - London Transfer by airport bus to Tokyo Narita Airport. Depart on a direct flight to London, arriving the same day. |
Tour Prices for 2012
| Departure Date | Standard |
| 04 Jan - 18 Mar | £2,495 |
| 19 Mar - 31 Mar | £2,770 |
| 01 Apr - 08 Apr | £3,055 |
| 09 Apr - 21 Jul | £2,770 |
| 22 Jul - 21 Aug | £3,055 |
| 22 Aug - 08 Dec | £2,770 |
| 09 Dec - 23 Dec | £2,699 |
| Single Supplement from | £400 |
Departures :Daily
Note: Prices subject to change without notice due to exchange rate fluctuation and/or airline tax changes. Please contact Jaltour for alternative arrangements and tailormade tours.
The air holidays and flights shown are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 3227. ATOL Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom.
