Description
The Tour
9 days/8 nights - a chance to visit this ultra-modern, yet culturally diverse country and enjoy the sights in Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto.
Day 1: London - Tokyo
Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Narita airport, Tokyo with Virgin Atlantic.
Day 2: Tokyo
On arrival at Narita airport, you will be met and transferred by airport bus to the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo for 3 nights, breakfast included. One of the largest hotels in Tokyo, the Keio Plaza has an enviable location in the heart of Shinjuku - where you are surrounded by bars, restaurants and shopping galore! Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (RO)
Day 3: Dynamic Tokyo - Full-day Tour
After an early breakfast, depart your hotel at 8.05am and embark upon a full-day sightseeing tour of Tokyo. Sights include Tokyo Tower, a tea ceremony at Happoen Garden, the Imperial Palace Plaza, Asakusa Kannon Temple, Nakamise Shopping Arcade and a cruise on Sumida River. You will also drive by The National Diet Building and Ginza. A barbecue lunch is included at a local restaurant. (B/L)
Day 4: Tokyo at leisure
Enjoy a full day at leisure today. You may wish to pre-book an optional full-day Nikko World Heritage and Kegon Waterfall excursion, priced at £69 per person. Sights include Toshogu Shrine (World Heritage Site), Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Waterfall, with a drive through Irohazaka up to the mountains and a Japanese-style lunch at a local restaurant. (B)
Day 5: Mount Fuji - Hakone
After an early breakfast, you will be picked up at 8.05am for a full-day excursion to Mount Fuji and Hakone. Visit the Fuji Visitor Centre, with fabulous views of the tallest and holiest mountain in Japan, and the 5th station of Mount Fuji, situated 2,300m above sea level. After lunch, drive to Hakone where you will take a boat excursion on Lake Ashi. Then take the Komagatake Ropeway for views of the Lake and town below. Transfer to your traditional Japanese Inn, the Yunohana Onsen for an overnight stay. For those preferring to stay in western-style accommodation, you will stay overnight at Hakone Kowakien Hotel. Please advise at the time of booking. Tonight, make your own way by taxi to the ryokan for dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 6: Kyoto
After breakfast, transfer by local bus to Odawara station where you will take the JR Super Express train from Odawara to Kyoto. On arrival, you will be met at Kyoto train station and transferred to the Kyoto Hotel Okura for the next 2 nights. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore. This evening, you may wish to pre-book dinner in Kyoto - a shabu-shabu dinner at £34 per person, a Kyoto kaiseki dinner at £39 per person or a tempura supper at £39 per person. (B)
Day 7: Kyoto
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel at 8.25am for a full-day tour of Kyoto. Sights include Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace (or Higashi Hongani Temple), Heian Jingu Shrine, Sanjusangen-do Temple's Hall and Kiyomizu Temple. (B/L)
Day 8: Kyoto - Tokyo
After breakfast, you will be met and transferred to Kyoto train station. Leave Kyoto at 11.00am and travel by JR Super Express train to Tokyo. On arrival at approx 1.30pm, you will be met at Tokyo train station and transferred to the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo for the next 2 nights. The rest of the day is at leisure - there is so much to see in this fantastic city and getting around on the underground is simple and relatively cheap! (B)
Day 9: Tokyo at leisure
Enjoy a final day at leisure. You may wish to pre-book a full-day Kamakura walking tour, priced at £50 per person. After taking a local train to Hase, visit Hase Kannon Temple and the Kotokuin Temple with the Great Buddha. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a short train ride to Kamakura and then visit the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and Komachi shopping street, before returning to Tokyo. (B)
Day 10: Tokyo - London
After an early breakfast, transfer to Narita airport for your Virgin Atlantic flight back to London Heathrow. (B)
Tour Notes
- Tour departs daily from London Heathrow.
- Tour operates with a min of 2 people.
- We reserve the right to substitute accommodation for that of a similar standard where necessary.
- (RO) Room Only, (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.