This semi-escorted tour starts in Tokyo where you will visit Kagurazaka, home to castle ruins, historical districts and many shrines, including Dajingu Shrine; home to deities including the ancestral deity of the Imperial Family, Amaterasu. Visit the scenic area of Hakone and then on to Nagoya. Despite being a country of modernity, Japan maintains its strong history, permeating into every-day culture. See the contrast with a visit to the Toyota Commemorative Museum and the historic Nagoya Castle, which was built at the beginning of the Edo-period and reconstructed in 1959. Travel to Mikomoto Pearl Island, known as the birthplace of pearl culture before travelling to Kyoto; the traditional heart of Japan. Finally, take a trip to the Atomic Bomb Dome and accompanying Peace Memorial Park and Museum in Hiroshima.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | London – Tokyo Depart London on a direct flight to Tokyo. |
| Day 2 | Tokyo Transfer by airport bus to your hotel. Stay for 3 nights. |
| Day 3 | Tokyo Join an afternoon walking tour of Tokyo; Edo Kagurazaka. |
| Day 4 | Tokyo Free to explore Tokyo, or you may take an optional tour. |
| Day 5 | Tokyo - Mt. Fuji & Hakone (L) Depart Tokyo on a coach with a guide for Hakone, visiting the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji and Fuji Visitor Centre. Enjoy lunch and afternoon sightseeing in Hakone National Park, including Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani Valley and a cruise on Lake Ashi. Stay overnight. |
| Day 6 | Hakone - Nagoya (L) Transfer with an assistant by bus to Odawara, and then travel to Nagoya by bullet train. After lunch, tour Nagoya, visiting Nagoya Castle and Toyota Commemorative Museum. Stay overnight. |
| Day 7 | Nagoya - Ise - Toba - Kyoto (L) Travel with a guide by train to Toba. Visit Ise Jingu Shrine, Okage Yokocho and Mikimoto Pearl Island to see the process of making cultured pearls. In the afternoon, travel on to Kyoto and stay for 4 nights. |
| Day 8 | Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto (B, L) Join a Full-day guided sightseeing tour of Kyoto & Nara including Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace / Nishi Honganji Temple and the Golden Pavilion. After lunch, travel to Nara visiting Todaiji Temple, famous for it’s Great Buddha and Kasuga Shrine. |
| Day 9 | Kyoto Free to explore Kyoto or you may take an optional tour |
| Day 10 | Kyoto Free to explore Kyoto or you may take an optional tour |
| Day 11 | Kyoto - Hiroshima Travel independently by bullet train to Hiroshima using the Japan Rail Pass. Stay for 2 nights. |
| Day 12 | Hiroshima/Miyajima Free to explore Hiroshima or use your Japan Rail Pass to visit Miyajima Island |
| Day 13 | Hiroshima - Tokyo Travel independently to Tokyo by bullet train using your Japan Rail Pass. Stay overnight. |
| Day 14 | Tokyo - London Transfer independently by express train to Tokyo Narita Airport using your Japan Rail Pass. Depart on a direct flight to London, arriving the same day. |
Note: Upgrade to a ryokan stay is available in both Kyoto and on Miyajima Island
Tour Prices for 2012
| Departure Date | Standard |
| 04 Jan - 18 Mar | £2,960 |
| 19 Mar - 31 Mar | £3,189 |
| 01 Apr - 08 Apr | £3,510 |
| 09 Apr - 21 Jul | £3,189 |
| 22 Jul - 21 Aug | £3,510 |
| 22 Aug - 08 Dec | £3,189 |
| 09 Dec - 23 Dec | £3,205 |
| Single Supplement from | £650 |
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.
Departure Dates
| Jan - Feb & Dec | Thu |
| Mar - Nov | Thu & Sat |
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.
