Sat 25 Mar 2017 – Arrive Osaka – Kyoto
You will be met on arrival at Osaka’s Kansai Airport this morning (subject to flight arrival time – suggested flight SQ618 eta 0845) and taken straight to Maruyama Park in Kyoto for your first views of the weeping cherry blossom trees. Lunch is Kaiseki at a local restaurant before proceeding to your hotel for an afternoon and evening at leisure.
Stay four nights at the centrally located Hyatt Regency Kyoto. (L)
Sun 26 Mar – Kyoto
A full day sightseeing tour includes visits to Nijo Castle and Kiyomiza Temple Witness a Tea Ceremony and Furoshiki wrapping demonstration. Enjoy a welcome dinner in your hotel restaurant this evening. (B,L,D)
Mon 27 Mar – Kyoto
On a full day tour visit Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, Kyoto’s most iconic sight, rising above its reflecting pond. Also visit impressive Fushimi Inari Shrine. Nouvo Italian cuisine is on the menu tonight along with a Maiko traditional dance performance. (B,D)
Tue 28 Mar – Nara excursion
Travel to Nara and immerse yourself in Japanese culture in the first permanent capital and birthplace of much of the Japan’s traditional arts and literature. Visit Todaiji Temple to see the Great Buddha statue, the Deer Park, Kasuga Shrine and Kofukuji Temple. Lunch is at a local restaurant serving western food. Return to Kyoto with time to stroll through the Gion area, the city’s most famous entertainment district and the centre of its traditional arts. Dine at your hotel this evening. (B,L,D)
Wed 29 Mar – Kyoto – Himeji – Hiroshima
Travel on to Himeji by coach. Visit Himeji Castle and Kouko-en Garden, a traditional round-the-pond style garden, featuring heritage garden styles from throughout Japan. Cherry blossoms should be in abundance here! Lunch is at a restaurant overlooking the castle. Drive on to Hiroshima and your hotel.
Stay two nights at the centrally located Sheraton Hiroshima. (B,L)
Thu 30 Mar – Hiroshima
Hiroshima was the first city in the world to experience an atomic explosion. The city and its name will forever be synonymous with that event. Your city tour includes visits to the Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Travel to Miyajima by ferry for a guided walking tour to see the Itsukushima Shrine (the “shrine in the sea”), the pagoda and cherry blossoms. Return to Hiroshima by ferry. Okonomiyaki, or Japanese omelettes, are on the menu tonight. (B,L,D)
Fri 31 Mar – Hiroshima – Matsumoto
Bring an overnight bag for the journey to Matsumoto – your suitcase will be transferred separately to Kawaguchiko. Walk to the rail station to catch the bullet train to Nagoya. Change to a local train to Matsumoto for an afternoon of sightseeing by coach. Visit Matsumoto Castle for an insight into the traditions of Samurai warriors. The castle moat is surrounded by hundreds of cherry trees. See old merchant houses along Nakamachi Street. Dinner in your hotel tonight is French inspired cuisine.
Stay one night at the Buena Vista Matsumoto. (B,D)
Sat 01 Apr – Mt Fuji
Proceed to the Mt Fuji area today. Lunch is a local speciality in Saiko Iyashino Sato Nemba, then, visit Kubota Icchiku Museum, a beautifully constructed museum and gallery set beside Lake Kawaguchi with views of Mt Fuji.
Stay one night at the Prince Hakone Lake Hotel, Ashinoko. (B,L,D)
Sun 02 Apr – Tokyo
Visit the Hakone open-air museum this morning then take a cruise on Lake Ashi. Travel to bustling Tokyo this afternoon.
Stay three nights at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo. (B,L)
Mon 03 Apr – Tokyo
Stroll in the lovely Rikugien Gardens, well known for cherry blossoms, and work up a hearty appetite for a lunch of chanko – sumo wrestlers’ stew! Visit Sensoji Temple in old-town Asakusa and Nakamise shopping street. There is also free time for shopping in the Ginza this afternoon and evening. (B,L)
Tue 04 Apr – Kamakura excursion
Take an excursion to Kamakura to see the Daibutsu, or great Buddha statue, visit Hase Temple and walk along the Dankazura, a raised stone walkway through an avenue of cherry blossom trees and azaleas leading to the Hachimangu Shrine. Return to Tokyo with time to refresh before enjoying a final dinner in Tokyo. (B,L,D)
Wed 05 Apr – Depart Tokyo
Transfer to the airport this morning for the flights home. (B)
