Upon arrival at Kansai or Itami International Airport you will be met by our representative and take a shared taxi transfer to your hotel in Kyoto. Your tour leader will be waiting to greet you in the lobby, and this evening you’ll convene with your group at a welcome meeting before you all head out for a delicious included meal at one of the area’s fantastic restaurants.
Your tour leader will take the group on an extensive tour of Kyoto using public transport. Aptly known as the “City of Ten Thousand Temples” – Kyoto is bursting with history, culture and incredible sights. Your tour leader will introduce you to their favourite locations and a number of entrance fees will be included today. Whether you stroll the Philosophers’ Path, gaze on Ginkakuji’s resplendent Silver Pavilion or take in the hustle & bustle of Nishiki Food Market you are sure to have a fascinating day. In the afternoon you will enjoy afternoon tea with a maiko (trainee geisha) in the traditional Gion district.
Discover sacred Koya, an atmospheric, mountaintop temple community where you’ll visit the largest cemetery in Japan.
Attend morning prayers at a traditional Buddhist temple lodging and catch a ferry to Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands.
This morning you will take a half-day trip to the Awa Jurobe Yashiki puppet theatre, where you’ll have the rare opportunity to see traditional bunraku puppet theatre in an authentic setting. Afterwards you’ll make your way to Takamatsu, where you’ll have plenty of time left to explore Ritsurin Gardens, some of the best landscape gardens in Japan.
Visit the nearby island of Naoshima, internationally known for world-class art set in beautiful natural scenery. You’ll have the benefit of a local guide for your visit, who will explain the history of the island’s art projects and introduce you to some of its most impressive sights. You will also visit both Benesse House and Chichu Art museums, home to works by famous artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Claude Monet.
Take the scenic train ride from Takamatsu to Kotohira, a town best known as the location of Shikoku’s largest shrine complex – Konpira-san. This afternoon you’ll have the chance to scale the 1,368 steps to Konpira-san’s inner shrine, a climb that’s well worth the effort as you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views across the area! There will also be time to visit the local sake brewery with its excellent little museum, as well as the chance to sample some rice wine. Tonight you’ll be staying at a beautiful ryokan inn with its own hot spring baths and fabulous Japanese-style evening meals included on both nights of your stay.
On day eight you will board a private bus bound for the Iya Valley, a lush and undeveloped area of natural beauty, particularly famous for its vine bridges. Today you’ll cross one of these bridges yourself, have a delicious included lunch and enjoy a boat ride through one of the area’s gorges. We will also have time to visit a charming rural samurai residence before making our way back to Kotohira, where a second night of hot spring baths and feasting awaits.
Take a train ride west across Shikoku Island brings you to Matsuyama, home to the oldest hot spring baths in Japan and one of the country’s best original samurai castles. Later we will visit the castle and its grounds, then you’ll have a free afternoon to explore the city at your leisure.
Make your way by ferry from Matsuyama to Hiroshima, back on Japan’s main island. Hiroshima will always be remembered for the tragic events of 1945, and today you will visit the inspiring Peace Park and sobering Museum for an insight into the dropping of the world’s first atomic bomb. Informative and even-handed, this museum is a must-see on any visit to Hiroshima.
On day eleven you will make the short ferry ride across the bay from Hiroshima to Miyajima, a tiny island known for its friendly resident population of deer and for Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan’s most iconic views. We recommend hiking (or catching the cable car!) to the top of Mount Misen for fabulous views across the Seto Inland Sea.
Return to the “City of Ten Thousand Temples” for some last-minute shopping, sightseeing and your final night in Japan.
Today you will take a side trip to Joge, a small historic town which has proved a perfect match for our ‘Hidden Japan’ concept. Little known to foreign tourists, Joge is renowned for its wonderful examples of original Meiji & Taisho era architecture and taking a walk down Joge’s main street really does feel like you’ve stepped back in time. We’ve arranged a full day of cultural activities with local guides and you will have plenty of opportunities to meet and interact with members of the local community.
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Advertised prices are per person twin share, correct at time of publication and are subject to availability and change and can be withdrawn or amended at any time without notification due to fluctuations in charges, taxes and currency. Valid for new bookings only made during the campaign period. Not combinable with any other offer. Bonus Offer is non-transferable or redeemable for cash. Prices are in AUD and based on per person, twin share in a Classic 3-star category. All prices and offers are subject to change availability. Standard Inside Japan Tours terms and conditions apply. https://www.insidejapantours.com/au/terms-and-conditions/. Your personal travel manager may charge additional service fees. Other conditions apply. Please view the TravelManagers general terms and conditions here and contact your personal travel manager for more details.
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