Page 63 - Insider Journeys 2019

JAPAN

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
• 8 nights hotel accommodation
• 1 night ryokan accommodation
• 7 day rail pass
• All high-speed train travel as specified
in the itinerary
• Transport in air-conditioned vehicles
• Entrance fees
• Luggage transport
• English-speaking Tour Leader
• All tips on tour
• One way group transfer from Tokyo
Airport to Tokyo accommodation
• One way group transfer from Kyoto
accommodation to Kyoto Train Station
• Meals as indicated (B = breakfast,
L = lunch, D = dinner)
Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Kyoto
DAY 1 Tokyo choose to visit Shirakawago, a World Heritage PRICE PER PERSON*
On arrival in Tokyo, transfer to your hotel and Listed protected village famous for its stunning 2019 TWIN SINGLE
enjoy free time until your tour briefing. Stay the natural beauty and steeply pitched thatched FEB 17 $5699 $6289
next two nights at Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu roofs designed to withstand the heavy winter MAR 17 G $6789 $8159
(or similar). snowfall. Discover the shrines and temples of MAY 12 G $5949 $6859
$5829
02
JUN
$6729
DAY 2 Tokyo the Teramachi district or travel a short distance AUG 25 $5829 $6729
Today, explore Tokyo on foot and on the to Hida-Furukawa to admire the preserved SEP 29 G $6229 $6809
20
$6809
OCT
$6229
underground rail network. Visit serene Meiji buildings. (B) NOV 17 G $6579 $7869
Jingu, Tokyo’s most famous Shinto shrine with DAY 6 Takayama to Kyoto 2020 TWIN SINGLE
a 12 metre high torii gate at the entrance. This morning, travel by train to Kyoto, Japan’s FEB 09 $5829 $6729
Continue to the Imperial Palace to see Nijubashi, cultural capital. Enjoy free time before taking a MAR 22 G $6789 $8159
a metal bridge built in 1888. Travel by train to late afternoon walking tour along Ponto-cho and 29 $6859 $8119
Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s liveliest districts, and APR 05 G $6729 $7989
home to some of the city’s best street food, Hanami-koji Lane in the Gion district where you 12 $6629 $7609
and old izakaya and yakitori restaurants. Learn may see a Geisha. Stay the next four nights at G = Guaranteed departure with minimum 2 guests.
about the world of sumo as you enjoy a ‘chanko’ Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo (or similar). (B) Code: HOJC
lunch with sumo wrestlers. After lunch, try DAY 7 Kyoto TRIP GRADING: MODERATE
on a sumo suit and test your skills against a Today, travel on public transport and explore (See page 87 for details)
professional. Spend time exploring Asakusa Kyoto’s highlights on foot with your guide. Take
before returning to your hotel. (BL)
the train to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and
DAY 3 Tokyo to Hakone marvel at the towering stalks of bamboo before
Take the train to Hakone. Ride the ropeway continuing to Tenryuji Temple. See Katsura
(cable car) for views of Lake Ashi and, if the River from Togetsukyo Bridge and take the
day is clear, catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji. Sail iconic purple Randen Train to Ryoanji Temple,
across the waters of Lake Ashi on a pirate ship the site of the most famous rock garden in
before transferring to your accommodation, a Japan. Visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), an
traditional Japanese ryokan. Soak in the onsen, elegant, gilded 14th century building which is
enjoy a delicious dinner and sleep on a futon one of Japan’s most cherished sites. (B)
mattress in a tatami-floored room. Overnight
at Hakone Pax Yoshino (or similar). (BD) DAY 8 Kyoto
DAY 4 Hakone to Takayama Today is yours to further explore Kyoto. Perhaps
From Hakone, travel by train to ancient take the train to the historic city of Hiroshima, Kaiseki
Takayama, famous for its well-preserved old venture to Osaka to see Osaka Castle, meet
town district and traditional atmosphere. On the Nara’s deer population or visit Himeji Castle
way, enjoy a bento box for lunch. Visit Takayama (extra charge). (B)
Jinya, a former government building which offers DAY 9 Kyoto
insights into Japan’s history. Stroll along Kami Spend a free day exploring Kyoto at your own
Sannomachi Street to see the immaculately-
preserved traditional wooden houses. View the pace. Perhaps explore Teramachi which is
elaborate festival floats at the Takayama Matsuri the perfect place to find traditional Japanese
Yatai Kaikan and enjoy free time before walking souvenirs including a kimono. This evening,
back to the hotel. Stay the next two nights at enjoy a special kaiseki farewell dinner while
Best Western Hotel Takayama (or similar). (BL) being entertained by a Maiko. (BD)
DAY 5 Takayama DAY 10 Kyoto
Spend the day at leisure exploring Takayama Enjoy breakfast before transferring by private
and its surrounds at your own pace. You may taxi to Kyoto Station for your onward journey. (B) Mt Fuji

*Prices are per person twin share based on low season and will vary depending on date of travel, unless otherwise stated. Pricing does not include the airfare from New Zealand. Please contact us for an air-inclusive quote. 63
Refer to our booking conditions for full pricing and payment information. For more information visit insiderjourneys.co.nz or see your travel agent.