Best of Japan with Koya-san

Kon’nichiwa and welcome to the capital of Japan – Tokyo! Meet your group and tour leader for an informal welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 6.30pm. With a population of above 10 million people, Tokyo offers endless choices when it comes to shopping, green spaces, entertainment, historical sites, culture, and dining!

• Accommodation
  Sunroute Asakusa Hotel – 3 Star or similar
• Included Activities
  Group Welcome Meeting

Rise and shine in the city of Tokyo! After a full breakfast, follow your tour leader to learn about the diverse history and colourful culture of Japan as we visit the Sensoji Temple, Hama Rikyu Garden and Meiji Jingu (Shrine), before making the famous Shibuya/Harajuku walk in the city. Your tour leader will be happy to recommend the best places and activities to your taste during your free time. You can catch some fresh air at the public Ueno Park and visit the Tokyo National Museum within. Or explore one of the many fascinating museums across the city including Edo-Tokyo Museum, Hokusai Museum, or Odaiba Team Labo – home to immersive, futuristic art installations.

• Accommodation
  Sunroute Asakusa Hotel – 3 Star or similar
• Meals
  Breakfast
• Inluded Activities
  Hama Rikyu Garden Sightseeing
  Meiji Jingu Sightseeing
  Shibuya & Harajuku Walk
  Sensoji Temple
• Entrance Fees
  Hama Rikyu Garden – 300 JPY

This morning your luggage will get forwarded to Kyoto. We will farewell Tokyo for the breath-taking Kawaguchiko. Grab a seat for the train & bus journey as we head towards the scenic lakeside town known for its views of Mount Fuji. Enjoy a peaceful boat ride and (weather permitting) and take the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway for a bird’s eye view.

• Accommodation
  Route Inn Kawaguchiko – 3 Star or similar
• Meals
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Boat ride
  Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

Kick-start the day with a scenic mountain train & bus ride as we head to Kyoto via Odawara. Considered the cultural and historic heart of the country, Kyoto is brimming with temples, shrines, peaceful gardens, geisha, restaurants, and shops. This traditional city is the perfect place to get lost in! After arrival you will have a walking tour in the Old Town, including Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka and the famous Gion District.

• Accommodation
  Onyado Nono Scıchıjo Hotel – 3 Star or similar
• Meals Included
  Breakfast
• Included Activities
  Kyoto Old Town Walking Tour

Enjoy a full day to explore the cultural hub of Japan as we roam the city! Immerse yourself in the city’s spiritual side as we visit the famed Fushimi Inari Shrine and temples. We will finish our tour at the buzzing Nishiki Market and then in the afternoon you will have free time to discover the city.

• Accommodation
  Onyado Nono Scıchıjo Hotel – 3 Star or similar
• Meals Included
  Breakfast
• Included Activities
  Nishiki Market
• Entrance Fees
  x2 temples in Fushimi Inari Shrine visit – 600 JPY each

This morning your luggage will get transferred to Osaka ** Travel by express train to Hiroshima. Hiroshima is well known for the 1945 atomic bomb attack which destructed the entire city within a 2km radius. After the war, great efforts were taken to rebuild Hiroshima. The city was tastefully reconstructed in a way that still pays tribute to the suffering, with a large park built in the city centre – Peace Memorial Park. Following your guide through the park, you will visit the Peace Memorial Museum to learn of the historical war events that took place here. This evening, you can explore Hiroshima on your own.

• Accommodation
  Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ekimae – 3 Star or similar
• Meals Included
  Breakfast
• Included Activities
  Peace Museum visit
  Peace Park visit
• Entrance Fees
  Peace Museum – 200 JPY

Known as the ‘romantic shrine Island’ just 1 hour outside of Hiroshima, Miyajima Island makes for the perfect day trip and is home to some of Japan’s best views. Visit the island with your local guide and explore the famous floating Torii Gate and Itsukushima-jinja Shrine. You can hop on the nearby cable car to the top of Mt Misen and embrace the 360-degree views of the inland sea. Enjoy some photo opportunities on the mountain top before returning to Hiroshima with free time in the late afternoon to enjoy the sites of the city. You can also join the optional ropeway. Your guide will be more than happy to offer tips and suggestions on what to see and do during your final night in Hiroshima.

• Accommodation
  Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ekimae – 3 Star or similar
• Meals Included
  Breakfast
• Included Activities
  Itsukushima-jinja Shrine
  Miyajima Island Ferry & Sightseeing
  Daisho-In Temple Visit
  Shopping Street
• Entrance Fees
  Itsukushima-jinja Shrine – 300 JPY
  Cable Car to Mt. Misen – 1,000 JPY (one way)
• Optional Activities
  Ropeway – 2,000 JPY

Wake up early to hop on a train as we make our way to the city of Osaka. On arrival, make your way to Osaka Castle and explore the surrounding citadels, gates, and impressive stone moats. Continue with a stroll through Osaka’s unmissable Dotonbori district to check out the neon-lit canals and try some Japanese-style street food. Spend your afternoon freely to shape your experience to your taste, there is no shortage of things to do in Osaka.

• Accommodation
  Shin Osaka Esaka Tokyu Rei Hotel- 3 Star or similar
• Meals Included
  Breakfast
• Included Activities
  Osaka Castle Visit
  Dotonbori Walking Tour
• Entrance Fees
  Osaka Castle – 1,200 JPY

Fill up on breakfast because you have a free day to discover Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area at your own pace! This vibrant and eclectic city is the heart and soul of the Kansai region. Explore old backstreets, markets, and retail areas away from tourists; discover the New York-inspired neighbourhood of Shinsekai and sample famous Osaka treats like kushi-katsu and takoyaki octopus balls.

• Accommodation
  Shin Osaka Esaka Tokyu Rei Hotel- 3 Star or similar
• Meals Included
  Breakfast

Today we will leave Osaka and travel by train and local bus before arriving at Mount Koya. Home to a small mountaintop Buddhist community, Mount Koya (Koyasan) is one of Japan’s most magical destinations. Tonight, we will experience a stay like no other at a traditional Shukubo, a Buddhist Temple lodging. Mount Koya is home to more than 100 temples and monasteries, some of which you will visit with your local guide. The most famous and sacred landmark here is the otherworldly Okunoin Cemetery. Follow your guide as they share stories of the cemetery and explore the location of Kobo Daishi’s (the founder of Shingon Buddhism) mausoleum. Visit the headquarters of Shingon at Kongobuji Temple and marvel at the beautiful Japanese rock gardens while you are here. After a day exploring Mount Koya, we will enjoy an included Shojin Ryori dinner, Buddhist vegeterian cuisine!

• Accommodation
  Temple Stay/ Ryokan
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Mount Koya Monastery Sightseeing
  Garan Sacred Area
  Okunoin Cemetery and Kobo Daishi Mausoleum
  Kongobuji Visit
• Entrance Fees
  Garan Sacred Area – 1,000 JPY
  Kongobuji – 1,000 JPY

Wake up early to catch the morning prayer service at your Shukubo lodge. Here you will witness the sacred Goma Ritual where a priest will burn wooden sticks in a fire to destroy negative energies and thoughts while beating the taiko drums and chanting. The ceremony is said to create a trance-like state and have a profound effect on those who witness it – so keep an open mind! Then, hop on a local bus, cable car, and train (approximately 2 hours) as we make our way to the city of Osaka. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area. Explore old backstreets, markets, and retail areas away from tourists; discover the New York-inspired neighbourhood of Shinsekai; wander through the flashy, glittering, famed district of Dotonbori; and sample famous Osaka treats like kushi-katsu and takoyaki octopus balls.

• Accommodation
  Shin Osaka Esaka Tokyu Rei Hotel- 3 Star or similar

• Meals Included
  Breakfast
• Included Activities
  Morning Prayer Ceremony (upon availability)
  Goma Fire Ceremony (upon availability)

Today we say our goodbyes! Enjoy a final breakfast together before hotel check-out at 10:00. Roam through the backstreets of Osaka one last time before farewelling your new travel mates – until next time!

• Meals Included
  Breakfast