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DAY 1 - DEPARTURE Take your overnight direct flight to Tokyo.


DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN TOKYO You transfer to the excellent four-star New Otani, for four nights with breakfast. The hotel has a wide variety of restaurants and a charming Japanese garden. The rest of the day is free to relax after your flight.


DAY 3 - TOKYO Tokyo may seem similar to other Asian cities, with its gleaming skyscrapers and fashionable shops, but you'll soon begin to notice some of the fascinating differences – like the spotlessly clean and surprisingly quiet streets. There's no beeping of horns here, that would be far too impolite! First stop is the famous Shinto Meiji shrine – set in lush parkland, this is a religious site where you may see a typical Japanese marriage underway. Next, it’s on to some of Tokyo's most renowned neighbourhoods, including Omotesando Street, the 'Rodeo Drive' of the city, the Akihabara ‘electronic town’ and the Harajuku area, with the latest outrageous fashions. We sample some Japanese yakitori (grilled) cuisine on our included lunch.


DAY 4 - NIKKO NATIONAL PARK We drive north through delightful farmland and towns, towards the mountains that run down the middle of Honshu and arrive at Nikko National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the best Shogun-era architecture in the country. The unique Toshogu shrine is made up of a complex of wonderful shrines, gates and pagodas, full of intricate woodcarvings and rich paintings. We return to Tokyo in the late afternoon.


DAY 5 - TOKYO Today we visit the Asakusa district, full of traditional small houses and shops, a unique insight into the Tokyo of the last century. A boat trip takes us down the Arakawa River to Ginza - one of the most luxurious shopping destinations in the world, brimming with ultra-modern department stores, boutiques and restaurants. Your afternoon is free to explore or enjoy some people-watching!


DAY 6 - MOUNT FUJI & HAKONE Today we drive west towards Mt. Fuji. Fringed by thick forests and a ring of lakes, it is one of the world’s most spectacular views. We visit two of these beautiful lakes to enjoy the stunning panoramas from different angles and then continue to explore the fascinating mountain resort of Hakone. Descending to the dark blue waters of Lake Ashi, we take a cruise on an unusual Japanese version of a pirate ship. On a clear day, the views of Mt. Fuji are outstanding! We stay one night at the four-star Hakone Hotel, including dinner and breakfast. This is the perfect time to experience one of Japan's unmissable experiences – bathing in an 'onsen', a hot spring at the hotel!


DAY 7 - BULLET TRAIN Today we head towards Hiroshima on a gleaming white bullet train. With reclining seats, plenty of legroom and speeds up to 189 mph, this is an incomparable way to travel. We arrive at lunchtime to visit one of the most distinctive views in Japan, on the small island


of Miyajima; where a huge red 'Torii' gate sits just offshore, appearing to float between the sea and sky. The island has a relaxed, holiday atmosphere, with a covered market, and is easy to explore on foot. Our hotel is the four-star ANA Crowne Plaza, with breakfast.


DAY 8 - HIROSHIMA Today is a stark reminder of the horrors of war as we visit Hiroshima's Peace Park and museum and see the remains of the only building to survive the atomic bomb blast of August 1945.


The city has been completely rebuilt with no signs left of the devastation of that fateful day. Leaving Hiroshima by coach we head towards the old imperial capital of Kyoto, en route visiting the superb Korakuen garden at Okayama. Our hotel for the next four nights is the centrally- located four-star Royal Hotel and Spa, with breakfast.


DAY 9 - KYOTO This morning we explore Kyoto’s many treasures. First, the beautiful Golden Pavilion, overlooking its extraordinary lake and gardens. Its upper floor,


covered in gold leaf, glows in the morning


light with an incredible intensity. Nearby is the Ryoan-ji temple, home to Japan's most famous Zen garden, with fifteen rocks surrounded by carefully raked white gravel. Another iconic 17th century monument is Nijo Castle, famous for its wooden floors – designed to creak like the sound of a nightingale, they warned its occupants of any impending stealthy attack! In the afternoon we take a walk through Kyoto's


Gion district, renowned for its traditional wooden houses. You may spot a geisha or an apprentice maiko!


DAY 10 - NARA Capital city before Kyoto, Nara is a few miles south. En-route we stop at one of the country's most iconic shrines, made up of thousands of red Torii gates creating two extraordinary wooden tunnels up the hillside. On arrival in Nara you'll be greeted by dozens of tame deer seeking out the food that the locals have ready to sell to you! The main sight is the amazing Todai-ji temple, the largest wooden structure in the world.


DAY 11 - FREE DAY A free day to explore more of the attractions of Kyoto: the 15th century Silver Pavilion and the older Eikando temple, marvels of architectural and garden design, are within an easy walk along the charming Philosopher's Path. Other options include booking a lesson in origami, flower arranging, dressing as a geisha or learning to cook a typical Japanese meal. Tonight you have the option of staying in a


Ryokan, a typical Japanese inn. You’ll sleep on a futon with tatami matting after enjoying a traditional 'kaiseki' multi-course dinner. This


is subject to availability and needs to be reserved at time of booking.


DAY 12 - BULLET TRAIN After a free morning we catch our


bullet train towards Tokyo, continuing to the four-star Excel Tokyu near the airport for our last night.


DAY 13 - RETURN FLIGHT We fly directly back to the UK, with memories of an incomparable tour.


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