Total Japan
Tour
for Independent Travellers
Our ‘Total Japan’ itinerary is a classic 8 night itinerary which includes visits to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Miyajima Island in the west of Japan
How Our Independent Traveller’s Tours Work
It’s quite straight forward to travel independently in Japan as so much of the signage is in English. Our independent itineraries are available for any departure date (with a few exclusions which coincide with Japanese National Holidays and some weekends). We’ll do all the work for you and provide you with an information pack to make your trip run as smoothly as possible. You can also add guided tours as indicated and if you do want your own personal guide we can arrange this too.
The itinerary below excludes international flights
TOUR INCLUDES:
- Visits to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Hakone
- Travel on Japan’s famous Bullet Train
- 7 Day Japan Rail Pass
- 8 Nights accommodation
- Stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn) with dinner included
- Breakfast daily
- Meet and Greet service upon arrival at the airport
- Airport transfers from/to Narita International Airport
Total Tour Location Guide
View the Full Itinerary and optional tours
Tokyo
Home to over 12 million people, the vast metropolis of Japan's capital
must be seen to be believed. Tokyo embraces the modern and ancient like no
other city on earth and offers something for everyone who wants to delve
into the Japanese phenomenon: the towering skyscrapers and frenzied neon
of Shinjuku, the pop culture and gadget paradise of Akihabara, the sophisticated
chic of Ginza, the biggest and liveliest fish market in the world, the old
downtown area of Asakusa, and the tranquil, understated beauty of Meiji Shrine.
Not to mention superb restaurants and great bars as well as fabulous shopping
and museums befitting the capital of the world's second-largest economy.
Kyoto
Kyoto is where you will find the Japan of silent temples nestling in bamboo groves, gardens of finely raked sand and bewitching geisha. This city is home to over 2,000 temples and shrines, exquisite crafts and some of the best cuisine in the country. In short, Kyoto is the heartbeat of traditional Japan.
Not to be missed are Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji and Kiyomizu temples, although be aware that these do become crowded. For a more peaceful, intimate temple experience we recommend the temple complex of Daitoku-ji, in particular Daisen-in sub-temple, and the Arashiyama area to the west of the city.
Hiroshima, Miyajima island
Hiroshima
is an attractive, cosmopolitan city which has risen from the ashes of the
world's first atomic bomb attack on 6 August 1945. The hypocentre of the
explosion is now the Peace Memorial Park, a beautiful expanse of greenery
housing monuments to the tragedy. The park is flanked by the A-Bomb Dome,
the former Industrial Promotion Hall which is the only surviving building
from the blast, and the Peace Memorial Museum which tells of the bomb and
the devastation of Hiroshima.
A superb network of trams will transport you around the city to some of Hiroshima's other attractions, namely Hiroshima Castle and Hiroshima Museum of Art. You can also take a ferry across to the scenic Miyajima island.
TheTotal Japan Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Japan/Narita Airport (Tokyo) – Transfer
to Tokyo
Upon arrival at Narita International Airport you will be welcomed by our friendly
Meet & Greet
service who will escort you to the Narita Express bound for Tokyo.
Check in to your clean and comfortable 3* hotel in the fantastic neon-filled
district of Shinjuku for
3 nights.
Day 2: Tokyo
Your options are unlimited in this incredible city. Explore Tokyo’s past
in the bustling, traditional Asakusa district, visit the world’s largest
fish market at Tsukiji, shop in the fashionable districts of Shibuya and Harajuku
and dine on Japan’s finest cuisine. Tokyo is relatively straightforward
to navigate, and our Information Pack will make travelling around the city a
breeze.
Optional guided excursion
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing by coach in Tokyo, with lunch included. Your
guide will show you the highlights of this vast metropolis, from the Imperial
Palace and serene Meiji Shrine to the 'Electric City' of Akihabara.
Day 3: Tokyo
Enjoy a further day of exploring in Tokyo, or use your Japan Rail Pass to venture
further afield to Kamakura, a former capital of Japan, or Nikko, a beautiful
temple town in the mountains north of Tokyo.
Optional guided excursion
Join a fantastic guided excursion by coach to the beautiful Hakone & Mt
Fuji region. Ride in a cable car for a superb view of the surrounding mountains
and volcanic craters, and even board a pirate ship to cruise around Lake Ashi!
A delicious lunch of yakitori (grilled chicken) is included. Return to Tokyo
on Japan's world-famous Bullet Train.
Day 4: Tokyo to Kyoto
It's time to say goodbye to Tokyo for a few days and speed on the Bullet
Train to Kyoto, the soul of Japan. The journey takes less than 3 hours, leaving
you plenty of time to enjoy the morning in Tokyo. You will stay in a comfortable,
spotless 3* hotel in the heart of Kyoto for 3 nights.
Day 5: Kyoto
A rich history of religion, art and craft have combined to make this glorious
city a spiritual home for the Japanese. For temples we recommend Kiyomizu-dera
and Ginkaku-ji in the hills to the east of the city. Nijo Castle is also well
worth a visit, and make sure you allow yourself plenty of time for the wonderful
craft shops and delightful streets of Gion, the old geisha quarter.
Optional guided excursion
Join a guided coach tour. As well as visits to Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji (The
Golden Temple), Sanjusangendo Temple and Kiyomizu Temple, today's tour includes
a delicious buffet-style lunch.
Day 6: Kyoto/Nara/Himeji/Osaka at leisure
Use your Japan Rail Pass to explore further afield. Why not visit Nara, Japan's
first permanent capital and home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Or how
about magnificent Himeji Castle? You could even check out nearby Osaka, Japan's
lively second city.
Day 7: Miyajima
Check out of your hotel and board the Bullet Train to Hiroshima. The
Atomic Bomb Dome and the moving Peace Memorial Park and Museum are sights not
to be missed. Make the short trip by ferry to the lovely island of Miyajima.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery and fantastic views of the o-torii of Itsukushima
Shrine, one of the most famous sights in Japan. By late afternoon the day-trippers
will have left the island, and you will spend a magical evening in a ryokan (traditional
Japanese inn) where a delicious Japanese dinner and breakfast are included.
Day 8: Hiroshima to Tokyo
Enjoy the morning in the lovely surroundings of your ryokan before
heading back to Hiroshima. Board the Bullet Train again and head back to the
electrifying city of Tokyo. Enjoy your final evening in the capital of manga,
anime, shopping, eating and people-watching.
Day 9: Depart Japan
Transfer from your hotel to Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
Return to the UK (arrive same day).
Price Includes
- Meet & Greet service on arrival at Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
- Train/bus tickets from and to Narita International Airport/Tokyo.
- 8 nights 3* accommodation in a double/twin room on a bed and Japanese breakfast basis.
- Japanese dinner at your ryokan.
- 7-day Japan Rail Pass allowing you unlimited travel on the entire Japan Rail network including Shinkansen (Bullet Train) services and the Hiroshima to Miyajima ferry.
Not included in Price
- International airfare.
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees to sights not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Taxi, subway and tramway fees.
- Insurance.
- Optional excursions (see below)
PRICE: from £1,199 per
person on a sharing basis
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: £225
OPTIONAL GUIDED EXCURSIONS:
Tokyo city tour: £101
Mt Fuji & Hakone: £155
Kyoto: £100
Upgrade to 4* or 5* accommodation available: contact us for details
To make a booking, a deposit of £200 per
person is required.
The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to
departure.
Full
terms and Conditions
All price estimates are based on current rates of exchange
and are subject to availability.
TO BOOK NOW: CLICK to
download a reservation form
CALL 020 7766 5267
EMAIL info@japanjourneys.co.uk
INSURANCE
Travel can be a great experience, but it can also be fraught with problems, so
when going anywhere it is essential you are properly covered with good travel
insurance. You should be protected against cancellation, curtailment and loss
or damage to your belongings as well as medical emergencies and have peace
of mind if the unexpected happens.
Japan Journeys in association with Holiday Extras, is now able to offer excellent low cost cover to their customers.
Please click on the image below for a quote.
TO BOOK NOW, CALL 020 7766 5267, OR EMAIL info@japanjourneys.co.uk
The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to departure.