Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples

Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples 14 Days

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Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples
Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples
Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples
Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples
Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples
Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples
Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples
Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples
Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples
Experience Japan from the Neon Lights of Tokyo to Kyoto's Temples

Overview
Itinerary
Nuts & Bolts
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 14 Days
Comfort: Moderate%
Language: English
Rating: 0%
Trip ID: 128475
Start Location: Tokyo, Japan
End Location: Shijodori, Japan

Guaranteed:
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Primary Activities: Walking Tour
Other Activities: Road Cycling, Museums & Expositions, Local Culture & Cuisine, Temples & Shrines, castle, Local Markets, cooking
Activity Level: Basic

Steeped in centuries of culinary tradition, Japan is nothing less than a treasure trove of exotic cuisine, potent sake and sweet delights. From Tokyo to Kyoto, our trip takes us into the heart of Japan enjoying a smorgasbord of treats in a variety of settings. To complete the recipe, we mix in plenty of culture and top it off with some of Japan’s best attractions. Be tempted by tempura, savor your sushi and tickle your taste-buds as we discover the endless variety of Japan and its cuisine.

Trip Information:

Start: Tokyo, Japan

Finish: Kyoto, Japan

Group size: Min 1 , Max 12

Ages: Min 12

Included activities:

Cooking class, Entry to two temples or shrines, Hida Folk Village, Himeji Castle, Kongobu-ji, Morning market excursion, Sake brewery tasting, Soba noodle class, Tsukiji Fish Market

Notes:

All travellers must arrive with a 14-day Japan Rail (JR) pass.

Itinerary

Days 1-2: Arrive in Japan and travel beneath the neon lights of Tokyo city: Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan.

You can arrive at our joining-point ryokan at any time today as there are no planned activities. Please note that check-in time is not until 1:00pm. Your leader will contact you to arrange a group meeting for the evening of day 1, to be followed by dinner.

We start early on day 2 for breakfast (included). During our time in Tokyo, we get to work making soba noodles as well as enjoy a chance to explore the famous Tsukiji fish market.

Included Activities
Tsukiji Fish Market
Soba noodle class

Optional Activities
Edo Museum, Tokyo - JPY300.00
Hamarikyu Garden, Tokyo - JPY300.00
Shinjuku Garden, Tokyo - JPY200.00

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nts)
Days 3-4: Check out Takayama's 600-year-old morning market: Takayama (approx 5 hrs by train) is famous for its traditional inns and sake breweries. We visit the outdoor museum of the Hida Folk Village which aims to preserve the traditional architecture of the area and has a collection of farmhouses we can explore.

There is free time here to explore the many folk art galleries, local markets, museums or just wander the streets of this delightful little town nestled amongst the Japanese Alps as well as pop in to one of the many sake breweries to taste their products.

We also discover the secrets of san sai ryori (cooking with local mountain vegetables), Hoba miso (soybeans fermented with magnolia leaves) Hida beef during our included breakfasts and dinners. We visit the 600-year-old morning market as well, to try out some of the unusual local specialities that farm women put out on sale from 6:00am every morning.

Our stunning ryokan in Takayama has an irori hearth, included meals and is located within walking distance of the old town.

Included Activities
Hida Folk Village
Morning market excursion
Sake brewery tasting

Optional Activities
Merchant House, Takayama - JPY700.00
Festival Float Museum, Takayama - JPY820.00

Accommodation
Ryokan (2 nts)
Days 5-6: Visit the temple of Kongobu and the delightful rock garden of the Shingon complex: We have an opportunity to stay in a Buddhist monastery for 2 nights at Koya-san (approx 7 hrs by Shinkansen, local train and cable car). Founded in the 8th century by the Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi, Koya-san has been a centre for religious activities for over 1,200 years. We stay in one of the hundreds of temples still operating and learn more about the lives of the monks as we follow their routine of morning meditation and evening prayers. For our meals (included), we enjoy strict vegetarian fare, lovingly prepared and presented by the novice monks.

We visit the temple complex of Kongobu-ji, with its complex history and religious significance. Now the head temple of all Shingon sect temples in Japan it features the largest rock garden in Japan, a sublime creation of white raked pebbles and seemingly randomly placed dark stones. Another must see sight is the graveyard of Okuno-in, a massive area containing over half a million graves. The path leading from the entrance of the graveyard to the resting place of Kobo Daishi is 2km long and on either side are the tombstones of people wanting to rest close to the founder of the Shingon sect.

Our temple lodging in Koya San has shared facilities and we join the monks for prayers before eating shojin-ryori meals.

Included Activities
Kongobu-ji

Optional Activities
Audio guide, Koya-san - JPY500.00

Accommodation
Monastery (2 nts)
Days 7-8: Indulge in the smorgasbord of delights on Dotombori: Osaka (approx. 3 hrs by train) provides the adventurous with a chance to visit a fugu (poisonous pufferfish) restaurant - at your own risk! We also have the opportunity to taste buckwheat noodles (soba) and okonomiyaki, the region's signature dish, in tiny backstreet shops around this feudal hub. Don't miss the local takoyaki (octopus balls), said to be the best in Japan.

Optional Activities
Takoyaki (octopus ball) class, Osaka - JPY400.00
Bunraku Puppet performance, Osaka - JPY2500.00
Osaka Castle, Osaka - JPY600.00

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nts)
Days 9-10: Be inspired by the beauty of Itsukushima-jinja on the island of Miyajima: Hiroshima (approx 2 hrs by train from Osaka) is a bustling metropolis with a tragic history. We have free time to visit the ruins of the A-Dome building, one of 11 structures left partially standing after the nuclear bomb blast on 6 August 1945, as a horrifying reminder of the destruction of nuclear war. Around its perimeter is the peace park, with monuments and a museum dedicated to Hiroshima and international peace. For dinner we enjoy the local speciality, 'Hiroshima okonomiyaki,' at one of the most famous places for watching this great dish cooked in front of you.

In our time here, we'll spend an afternoon at the nearby island of Miyajima with its famous 'floating' Torii Gate, smoked oysters and the grand Itsukushima-jinja Shrine. Watch out though, for the inquisitive and eternally hungry deer that roam the streets of Miyajima!

Our beautiful hotel in Hiroshima is located close to the peace park and has private facilities.

Optional Activities
Peace Park and Museum, Hiroshima - JPY40.00
Itsukushima-jinja Shrine, Miyajima - JPY300.00

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nts)
Days 11-14: Revel in the opulence of Himeji-jo en route to Kyoto: We travel on to Kyoto via Himeji-jo Castle, a sight to behold. Built in 1580, this 5-storey castle is not only a fantastic example of amazing architecture, but a great insight into ancient life in Japan. From Hiroshima to Himeji-jo the journey takes approximately 1 hr, and then it's a further 1 hr on to Kyoto.

Once in Kyoto there is just so much to do! While here, we visit a Japanese cooking class featuring the seasonal specialities of the ancient capital. Afterwards, feel free to lose yourself in the streets, soaking up the wonderful atmosphere. The city's lively nightlife provides plenty of options for our final evening.

With so much to do in and around Kyoto, you might choose to extend your stay here. You can spend a day at Nara, home of Todai-ji Temple, the largest wooden building in the world and home to a 16 m-high Buddha. Or you could visit Kiyomizu-dera, one of the city's most famous landmarks - an ancient temple renowned for its architecture as well as a crystal-clear waterfall beneath it, whose waters are believed to have therapeutic properties.

There are no activities planned for day 14 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. We recommend you use your JR rail pass to get back to Tokyo (approx. 3.5 hrs), Osaka (approx. 1.5 hrs) or Nagoya (approx. 1.5 hrs) airports for departure.

Please note that due to passenger feedback, from November 2010 we will be substituting Nijo Castle for Himeji-jo Castle. This is due to restoration that is being undertaken at Himeji-jo, resulting in parts of it being closed, and a large proportion under scaffolding. Nijo Castle was the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shoguns and is famous for its 'nightingale' floors which are designed to squeak to warn residents of intruders.

Included Activities
Himeji Castle
Entry to two temples or shrines
Cooking class

Optional Activities
Bike hire (per day), Kyoto - JPY800.00
Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto - JPY400.00
Sanjusangendo Temple, Kyoto - JPY600.00
Todai-ji, Nara - JPY500.00

Accommodation
Hotel (3 nts)

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

13 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners

Trip Excludes

Extras: Japan Rail Pass - Pre Purchased

Trip ID#: 128475

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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