Journey through Japan

Resort: Journey through Japan
Operator: Wendy Wu Tours
Destination: Japan
Price From: £6790.00

Overview

14 Day Journey through Japan Tour Itinerary

DAYS 1-2: FLY OVERNIGHT TO SAPPORO

 

Fly overnight to the vibrant city of Sapporo,
capital of the northern Japanese island of
Hokkaido. Depending on your time of arrival,
the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up
the local culture.

 

DAY 3: ASCEND OKURAYAMA

 

This morning, ascend to the Okurayama
viewing point, soaring up to the summit of
the Sapporo Winter Olympics ski jump by
chair lift the views over the surrounding
mountains are breathtaking. Continue to
the pretty port town of Otaru and take some
time to walk along the streets of the village
and stroll along the picturesque canal. This
evening visit the Sapporo Beer Museum
where there is an optional beer tasting before
popping next door to the Sapporo Beer Garden
to dine on a Genghis Khan dinner barbeque
lamb, a Sapporo special!

 

DAY 4: TRAVEL TO HAKODATE

 

Depart Sapporo and travel to a lovely lakeside
spot to visit a museum of Ainu culture, an
indigenous people of the area. Continue to
Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and walk
through a volcanic caldera where you can
see steam jets, vents and hot springs. After
lunch, hop on a train to the harbour city of
Hakodate, set on Hokkaidos southern tip,
where youll embark on a night tour with time
to ascend the ropeway up Mount Hakodate,
for magnificent views over the illuminated city.

 

DAY 5: EXPLORE HAKODATE ASAICHI

 

Start the day wandering Hakodates bustling
asaichi (morning market), where hundreds
of stores and stalls sell fresh local produce, seafood and the odd souvenir. Ascend Goryokaku Tower for views over Goryokaku
Fort and Mount Hakodate before boarding the
bullet train to the lovely city of Aomori in the
north of Honshu, Japans largest island. Visit
the Nebuta Warasse, a museum dedicated
to Aomaris famous, 300-year-old Nebuta
Matsuri, a lively summer festival.

 

DAY 6: TSUNAGI ONSEN

 

Depart Aomari for Kakunodate, an old samurai
stronghold still known for its samurai traditions.
Visit the Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum for a
fascinating look at samurai culture and stroll
around Ishiguro House, a traditional samurai
residence. Continue to the hot spring resort of
Tsunagi, where you can make use of the onsen
facilities at the traditional Japanese ryokan you will stay at tonight.

 

DAY 7: CRUISE MATSUSHIMA BAY

 

Travel to Hiraizumi, where youll explore the
peaceful Chusonji with its beautiful old gold
leaf-covered hall. Continue to Matsushima to
enjoy a relaxed cruise on Matsushima Bay,
passing amongst the small pine tree-covered
islands of this picturesque seascape.

 

DAY 8: SENDAI TO NIKKO

 

Walk to Sendai station and take the bullet
train to the culture-filled town of Nikko. Start
your explorations in the beautiful surroundings
of Nikko National Park, where youll visit
Toshogu shrine. Built in the 1600s, this is
Japans most lavish shrine, built as the final
resting place of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Continue to the magnificent Kegon Waterfall,
taking a 100-metre tall elevator up to the
perfect viewing spot. Transfer to Tokyo.

 

DAY 9: EXPLORE TOKYO

 

Tokyo, Japans capital, is the ultimate 24-
hour city, but look behind its frantic, high-tech
frontage and youll find plenty of tranquil
backstreets and old temples to explore. Start
the day in the vibrant district of Asakusa, where
you will visit Sensoji, Tokyos oldest temple,
and wander down Nakamise shopping street
before a visit to Edo Tokyo Museum. After lunch,
stroll through the peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine
complex, before ascending to the observatory
deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
building for exceptional views over the city.

 

DAY 10: ADMIRE MOUNT FUJI

 

Travel by road from Tokyo to Mount Fuji,
where youll ascend 2,400 metres up Japans
most iconic sight to the 5th Station (weather
permitting). Transfer to the Hakone area.
Embark on a cruise on the spectacular Lake
Ashi before flying high above the lake on the
Komagatake Ropeway to the summit of Mount
Komagatake where the views of Mount Fuji
will be breathtaking, if the peak isnt hiding in
cloud of course! Return to Tokyo.

 

DAY 11: TRAVEL TO KYOTO

 

Take a bullet train to Kyoto. Capital for 1,000
years, the city today is full of the legacy of
ancient Japan and home to tranquil temples,
silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens. This
afternoon, visit Togetsukyo Bridge in the heart
of the vibrant Arashiyama district and walk
through the bamboo forest, with its towering
bamboo thickets.

 

DAY 12: EXPLORE KYOTO

 

This morning, visit one of Japans most
famous temples, Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. Set amongst classical Japanese Zen gardens and on the edge of a reflecting pool,
the temples main hall is covered in gold leaf.
Then, stroll through Nishiki Market, dubbed
Kyotos kitchen, where there are many
interesting food and sake stores to explore
before a free afternoon to spend as you wish.

 

DAY 13: SAKE TASTING

 

Try your hand at handkerchief dyeing and
then experience the rituals of a tea ceremony.
After lunch, walk the vermillion, torii gate-lined
pathways of the Fushimi Inari Shrine
and tour a traditional sake brewery, where
you can have a few cheeky tasters. Drive to
the booming city of Osaka.

 

DAY 14: FLY OSAKA TO UK

 

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or
following day.

 

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