Gardens of Japan

9 - 20 November 2024

Kyoto, Tokyo, Okayama, Nara & Hiroshima

£4,495.00 per person

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

An exquisite tour of Japan in the autumn which coincides with Japan's spectacular maple leaf season.

See Japan burst into colour with a visit to historic Kyoto, with its fabulous temples and shrines and a wealth of beautiful gardens.

Take a day trip to the delightful Nara where you can stroll around the park and feed the deer, in addition to a beautiful garden visit.

Spend a night in peaceful Hiroshima where you will visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, as well as the outstanding Shukkeien Garden. Move on to the idyllic island of Miyajima whose autumn maple leaves are especially renowned throughout Japan.

See the stunning gardens at the Adachi Museum in rural Yonago, and Korakuen in Okayama which is considered to be one of Japan's top three gardens.

The tour ends in the vibrant city of Tokyo where you can experience modern Japan and at the same time enjoy the beautiful autumn colours at the many gardens in the city.

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ON THIS WONDERFUL TOUR YOU WILL:

Witness the splendour of Japan's autumn leaf season, visiting some of the very best gardens, temples and shrines in the land
Discover the serene harmony of Kyoto's zen rock gardens
Experience all types of Japanese gardens, from the open scenery of Okayama's Korakuen to the Adachi Museum's perfectly crafted vistas
Get a taste of the modern in the extraordinary metropolis of Tokyo

DAILY ITINERARY

9 - 10 November: UK-OSAKA

Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Kansai International Airport (Osaka).

Upon arrival (mid-morning) we will head by private coach to Uji, which is famous for the most delicious green tea. We will visit a lovely tea shop that has provided tea to the Shoguns and Imperial family. We will also visit Byodoin Temple. Later, we will head on to your comfortable 4* Kyoto hotel in a superb central location for 4 nights.

11 November: KYOTO
Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Kyoto by private coach. Today you'll visit the wonderful temple and beautiful gardens of Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and the serene temple complex, Daitoku-ji with its sub-temples and associated gardens. After lunch at the Kyoto Handicraft Centre, we go on to visit Kiyomizudera temple which seems to be floating above the autumn leaves.

12 November: KYOTO
After breakfast, we will visit Tofukuji Temple, famous for its valley of stunning maple leaves. In the afternoon we tour the imposing Nijo Castle and its gardens. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure so that you will have free time for visiting other sights or further gardens or temples.

13 November: NARA
Today we take a short train trip to the nearby town of Nara and visit the spectacular Todaiji Temple – Historically one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, this temple contains the Great Buddha. Take a stroll through Nara Park and get to know the many wild but friendly deer. We will visit a stunning strolling garden missed by most tourists, before appreciating ancient national treasures at Kofuku-ji temple.

14 November: HIROSHIMA
After checking out we board Japan's world-famous Bullet Train to Hiroshima. Here we will visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and the moving Peace Memorial Park and Museum which are sights not to be missed. We will also visit another unforgettable historical garden rebuilt after the nuclear blast. We will check in here for one night in a 4* hotel.

15 November: MIYAJIMA-OKAYAMA
After breakfast, we take the train and after a short trip by ferry, we visit the lovely island of Miyajima. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and fantastic views of the o-torii (the red floating shrine gate) of Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan's most beautiful views, and enjoy strolling around traditional back-alleys and quaint temples and shrines peeking out from the maple leaves. Later today we then head on to Okayama and check in to our 4* hotel for 2 nights.

16 November: YONAGO DAY TRIP
Today we will visit one of the highlights of the tour, namely the stunning Adachi Museum famous for its 6 spectacular gardens (and its collection of Japanese art). The Adachi is a hidden treasure of Japan and is rarely visited by international travellers.

17 November: OKAYAMA-TOKYO
In the morning we visit Korakuen garden, historically one of Japan's three most celebrated gardens. Korakuen is at its most spectacular during the autumn season. After lunch, we take the Bullet train to bustling Tokyo where you will stay for 3 nights in a 4* hotel in central Tokyo.

18 November: Tokyo

On our final day in Japan, we start the day by visiting Meiji Shrine, regarded as one of the most beautiful shrines in Japan, and the nearby lively district of Harajuku. Then move on to the bustling district of Shinjuku and the gardens at Shinjuku Gyoen which include a Japanese garden and a botanical greenhouse known for its excellent presentation of plants originating from places from Okinawa to the Amazon. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the evening.

19 November: TOKYO FREE DAY/ OPTIONAL TOUR
Today is your free day! Your Guide will be happy to reccomend you temples or gardens to visit in the city.

Alternatively, you can join one of the following superb optional tours:

NIKKO: Join a fantastic guided excursion to Nikko, a beautiful temple town in the mountains north of Tokyo. You will visit Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogun, and home to 5 National Treasures of Japan. You will also get the chance to see the famous carving of the three wise monkeys. Then drive through the picturesque countryside to visit Tamozawa Imperial Villa and Kirifuri falls before heading back to Tokyo.

MT FUJI: Join a wonderful guided excursion 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 is included. Return to Tokyo on Japan's world-famous Bullet Train.

20 November: DEPART JAPAN
Transfer to Narita Airport (Tokyo) by private coach for your flight back home.

ACCOMMODATION

KYOTO: MIYAKO HOTEL KYOTO

HIROSHIMA: RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL HIROSHIMA

OKAYAMA: HOTEL GRANVIA OKAYAMA

TOKYO: KEIO PLAZA HOTEL TOKYO

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DATES & INCLUSIONS

Tour Dates: 9 - 20 November 2024

TRIP PRICES

Price: £4,495.00 per person ( based on a sharing basis. Inclusive of flights)

Land Only Price: £3,695.00 per person on a sharing basis (not including flights. non-UK passengers only)

Single Room Supplement: £600.00

PRICE INCLUDES:

Scheduled return Economy class flights from London Heathrow (with a change of plane en route)
10 nights' accommodation at centrally located 4* hotels on a bed & breakfast basis
Half-Day tour of Uji by private coach on arrival in Japan (10 November 2024)
Full-Day tour of Kyoto by private coach on 11 November 2024
All Bullet Train and Limited Express train tickets for the trips mentioned in the itinerary
Welcome and Farewell dinners and 2 lunches
All train and subway fares (other than on free days)
Sightseeing and entrance fees to all gardens, parks, temples, shrines, and other attractions mentioned above
Airport Transfers in Japan provided you arrive and depart with the main group (pre and post-extension passengers will need to arrange their own airport transfers).
Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journeys Tour Manager throughout
Full financial protection via Japan Journeys' membership of the Travel Trust Association through which your monies are held in a Trust Account until you return home (under Membership No. U3078), see: http://www.traveltrust.co.uk

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE

Travel Insurance
Optional tours
Other meals not mentioned above

OPTIONAL GUIDED EXCURSIONS

Nikko: £150.00 per person, lunch included
Mt Fuji and Hakone: £170.00 per person, lunch included

BOOKING INFORMATION

To make a booking, a deposit of 10% of the total price is required.

The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to departure.
Full terms and Conditions