X
    Array

Journey through Japan

Resort:Journey through Japan
Operator: Wendy Wu Tours
Destination: Asia, Far East Asia, Japan
Price From: £6490.00

Overview

Along with the must-see sites on the island of Honshu and a day trip to Nikko, this is a tour of varying landscapes as it journeys south from Hokkaido uncovering the charming cities of Sapporo, Otaru and Hakodate.

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.