Japan All Over
Japan All Over Tour
22 Days
Departs May & September
Price to be advised
A true top-to-bottom experience, including an exploration of the elusive northern island, Hokkaido, and the colourful island paradise of Okinawa in Japan’s far south, once a separate kingdom. A fully escorted tour over 21 days in Japan provides a wonderful opportunity to see it up close, from its famous destinations to delightful villages off the beaten track. Revel in the bustle and excitement of vibrant Tokyo and bask in the cultural charm of the traditional capital Kyoto for a kaleidoscope of experiences.
Experience the beauty and tranquility of Hokkaido and its fascinating Ainu (Indigenous Japanese) culture, the rustic charm of Tohoku in Northern Honshu and the chance to stay in a traditional Japanese inn. Visit hidden places which other package tours do not offer, including the old Nakasendo, Tsumago/Magome villages, poignant Hiroshima and nearby beautiful floating shrine of Miyajima Island and historic pottery villages in the mountains of Kyushu. Wander through ancient streets, little changed over hundreds of years and zoom past rural Japan.
Tour Highlights
Tokyo
It is difficult to believe that the thronging city of Tokyo, grew from what had been a small, little-known fishing village in 1457 into the largest metropolis in the world with an estimated population of 1,000,000 by 1721. It was the centre of the Shogun regime from the 17th century until Japan was opened up to the west in the late 19th century.
No other place in Japan shows the contrast between the historical culture of the samurai period and the modern technical miracle better than bustling Tokyo, with everything from high tech shopping and outrageous fashion districts to the traditional Imperial Palace.
Kanazawa
The samurai town of Kanazawa or ‘little Kyoto’ is known for its well-preserved streets and buildings that evoke the ambiance of the Edo Period centuries ago. It has a long history of traditional arts and culture and historical city streets lined with preserved geisha houses that once formed the entertainment district coexist with modernistic buildings.
It is home to the beautiful gardens of Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenroku-en Garden, museums, gold leaf workshop and the Nagamachi Samurai District located at the foot of the former Kanazawa Castle.
Kyoto
Kyoto is the spiritual heart of Japan and is home some 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the stunning Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) and Nijo Castle. It was the main centre for the evolution of religious and secular architecture and of garden design for almost a thousand years. Famous for its classical Buddhist temples, imperial palaces, Zen gardens and traditional wooden houses, it the cultural centre of Japan and with its 2,000 religious places – 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, as well as palaces, gardens and architecture intact – it is also one of the best preserved cities in Japan.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima’s 1500 year history as a trading port and centre of shogunate power has largely been usurped by the devastating atomic bomb dropped on the city during the final months of the 2nd World War. The city, once a centre of Imperial power is now dedicated to teaching humanity about the folly of nuclear war. The poignant Hiroshima Peace museum showing the impact of the bomb on the victims is not to be missed. Not far from Hiroshima city lies Miyajima Island in The Inland Sea, where you can find the Sacred Goddess Miyajima Floating Shrine and the world famous Torii gate.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido is Japan’s second largest and the most northern and least developed of the Japanese islands. It was settled by the Ainu, Nivkh and Orok peoples 20,000 years ago. The population remained small (around 60,000) and largely secluded from the rest of Japan until the mid 1800s. Hokkaido has therefore, for much of the last 20,000 years, remained a wilderness area – a frontier territory famous for its natural beauty and as the last refuge of the indigenous Ainu people. Its unspoiled nature and temperate summer climate attracts outdoor adventurers and high snowfall in winter attracts ski enthusiasts.
Sample Itinerary
Your tour begins with check in at your hotel in Sapporo. Official check-in time is 3:00 pm. Evening is free at leisure. Airport transfer is not included, however instructions will be provided.
Accommodation: Sapporo Prince Hotel
This morning we gather at the hotel and visit Otaru port town. The town’s nostalgic, old fashioned atmosphere is enhanced by its architecture and layout and its picturesque canal. This afternoon we visit an Ainu (Japanese aborigine) outdoor museum to learn about Ainu culture. After an interesting afternoon we return to Sapporo.
Accommodation: Sapporo Prince Hotel
We leave Sapporo this morning and travel along the coastline of Southern Hokkaido to the seaside town of Hakodate. We visit the star shaped fort of Goryokaku and Mt. Hakodate for a spectacular view of Hakodate Bay.
Accommodation: La Vista Hakodate Bay Hotel
This morning we leave the island of Hokkaido and travel by express train to Aomori on the northern shore of Honshu, Japan’s largest island. After a bus ride though beautiful Hakkoda-san National Park we arrive at the scenic Lake Towada. This volcanic lake has been a popular summer destination for local Japanese for centuries. This evening we will enjoy a sumptuous dinner at a hot spring (Onsen) resort hotel by the lake.
Accommodation: Towada Prince Hotel
After a leisurely breakfast, we will travel to Oirase Gorge and enjoy a beautiful walk along the riverside through this spectacular gorge. We return to the hotel for a well earned rest and relax with the evening free at leisure.
Accommodation: Towada Prince Hotel
We leave tranquil Lake Towado and head for bustling Tokyo. Mid afternoon, after arriving in Tokyo we enjoy a sightseeing tour to Sensoji Temple and the colourful Nakamise shopping lanes lanes, before transferring to our hotel and checking in for 2 nights.
Accommodation: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
Today we visit one of Japan’s most popular destinations! A full day tour to Mt. Fuji & Hakone. Enjoy a view of the famous Mt. Fuji and picturesque Hakone, including a Lake Ashi cruise and ropeway (gondola) ride up to a scenic lookout. (Does not include visit to Mt Fuji 5th station).
Accommodation: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
This morning we travel to the Kiso Valley with its quaint historical post towns, Tsumago & Magome, where cars are banned and signs of modernity such as power lines are hidden to maintain the old style ambience. Enjoy a traditional home style Japanese dinner and relax in an old style inn for the night. Finish a wonderful day with a traditional Japanese bath and sleeping Japanese style on a futon.
Accommodation: Accommodation: Shirokiya Ryokan or similar
Today we travel to the Samurai Town of Kanazawa. On arrival enjoy a sightseeing tour of Kenrokuen Garden (one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan), visit a Gold Leaf work shop and the Geisha district of Higashi Chayagai. We check into our hotel for 2 nights with afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Kanazawa
Today we are travelling to another old town, Takayama, whose isolation has allowed Edo period streets, lined with tiny shops and eating places to survive to this day.
Shirakawago is a small world heritage listed village, nestled in the mountains beside a pristine mountain river. Enjoy a walk through this village and soak up the atmosphere. Imagine village life centuries ago. Travel back to Kanazawa.
We leave Kanazawa this morning for an even older city, travelling to Kyoto. This afternoon we visit Kiyomizu temple overlooking the city. Part of the fun of visiting Kiyomizu temple is the approach to the temple along the steep and busy lanes of the enchanting Higashiyama district as you mingle with local visitors and pilgrims on their way up to the temple. After exploring the historical Higashiyama district we check in to our hotel for 3 nights.
Accommodation: Karasuma Kyoto Hotel
Today we visit two of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage listed sites, the Golden Pavilion and Nijo Castle. The Golden Pavilion is a spectacular gold clad Zen Temple surrounded by a beautiful lake. Nijo Castle completed in 1626, was built to provide lodging for Tokugawa Shogun and as a palladium for the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Afternoon at leisure.
Optional Geisha dinner: Traditional Japanese Kaiseki dinner with Geisha accompaniment & traditional dance performances. The opportunity of a lifetime. $160 per person.
Accommodation: Karasuma Kyoto Hotel
After breakfast this morning we meet in the lobby for a walking tour of Nishiki food arcade, the provedores to Kyoto’s leading restaurants. The afternoon is free at leisure to explore Kyoto, or take an optional tour.
Optional tour: Sagano Arashiyama Forest, $60 per person -The Kyoto countryside area of Sagano is famous for its iconic bamboo groves and specialty handcraft shops including pottery, Japanese rice paper, bamboo craft and handmade clay bell shops.
Accommodation: Karasuma Kyoto Hotel
We move on from Kyoto to Shikoku Island where we visit Ritsurin Park, a beautiful scenic garden comprised of six ponds and thirteen hills artfully arranged against pine tree-clad surrounds. Together with the iconic stone arrangements of the early Edo period (C17th – C19th), they evoke the characteristic style of that era. We then head for our hotel and check in for 1 night.
Accommodation: JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu
After a morning at leisure, we travel to Hiroshima and visit the poignant Hiroshima Peace Park and the atomic bomb museum. This evening for dinner we will enjoy Okonomiyaki, a Japanese savory pancake containing a variety of ingredients for which Hiroshima is famous. The name is derived from the words okonomi, meaning “how you like” or “what you like”, and yaki meaning “cooked”.
Accommodation: Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima
Today we visit Miyajima Island for sightseeing around the Sacred Goddess Miyajima Floating Shrine which protects the waterway of the Inland Sea. Famous for the Itsukushima Shrine & floating torii gate, it is officially one of Japan’s Top 3 Views and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Accommodation: Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima
This morning we visit Shukkeien, a famous garden that has a long history dating back to 1620, just after the completion of Hiroshima Castle. Around the garden’s main pond there are a number of tea houses which offer visitors ideal views of the surrounding scenery. We will enjoy traditional green tea at one of these tea houses.
In the afternoon we travel to the southern island of Kyushu. Upon arrival at Fukuoka, the capital city of Fukuoka province in northern Kyushu, we transfer to our hotel and check in for 2 nights.
Accommodation: Grand Hyatt Fukuoka
Today we travel to the old porcelain town of Arita and the isolated mountain village of Okawachiyama. Okawachiyama saw the beginning of Japanese porcelain making about 400 years ago, after kaolin – the mineral essential to making porcelain – had been found at a local mountain. We will visit a famous master potter’s workshop to see some fine examples of pottery from the area.
Accommodation: Grand Hyatt Fukuoka
This morning we travel to Naha, the capital of Okinawa Island. Upon arrival we will enjoy a tour of Shuri Castle, which once served as the residence of the Ryukyu kings and is now a UNESCO World Heirtage site. Enjoy a walk through Kokusai Dori street, and Kosetsu ichiba market, filled with shops specializing less in trinkets and more in tasty treats. After some window shopping and perhaps a little of the real thing, we check into our hotel.
Accommodation: ANA Crowne Plaza Okinawa Harbourview Hotel
Enjoy a full day tour visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. This is the most popular aquarium in Okinawa and features one of the largest aquarium tanks in the world. We also visit Ryukyu Mura, a re-creation of a traditional Okinawan village that allows visitors to experience the local culture, performing arts, and local nature first-hand.
Accommodation: ANA Crowne Plaza Okinawa Harbourview Hotel
Today we transfer back to Tokyo. Your tour terminates upon arrival into Tokyo Haneda Airport.
Tour Inclusions
Your Japan All Over Tour package includes:
- Fully Escorted tour by experienced, licensed guide
- All transfers and admissions as specified
- Baggage porterage service – 1 piece/person
- Deluxe quality accommodation with private facilities
- Total of 30 meals included (to be confirmed) – Breakfast (20), Lunch (3), Dinner (7)
Package tour price: to be advised.
Single room price: to be advised
Exclusions: International Airfares, airport transfers, your travel insurance, beverages with included meals (except where specified).
*Please select One World member carriers for your international flights. This land-only arrangement tour price is designed to combine with One World member airlines for the international flights. Flying with non-One World member airlines may incur extra fees for domestic flights in Japan.
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