Magical Japan
 

Essential Japan

9 days - a fantastic holiday package to the land of the Samurai ...

  • Tokyo: city tour (3 nights)
  • Nikko tour
  • Mt Fuji tour
  • Hakone - Lake Ashi tour
  • Bullet Train
  • Kyoto: city tour (4 nights)
  • Nara tour
  • Japanese Tea Ceremony
  • Fushimi and Uji tour
  • Depart Tokyo or Osaka
  • Ryokan experience - Optional
  • Geisha experience - Optional
  • Hiroshima & Osaka Extension:(2 Nights)
  • Guaranteed departure

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Magical Japan Tours enquiry@magicaljapan.com
  Tel from UK 0161 440 7332
  Tel from USA 1-213-325-2627

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itinerary below Price & Departure dates

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kyoto

 

tokyo fashion

 

kyoto

 

tokyo gibli museum

 

tokyo fashion

 

Fushimi Inari

 

UJI Byodoin temple

 

hakone lake ashi

 

nikko

 

kyoto

 

geisha

 

nara

Day 1
Depart from your preferred airport for a scheduled flight to Tokyo. Meals on board.

Day 2 Tokyo
Arrive at Narita Airport in Tokyo, you are met by your tour assistant and transferred to your hotel for a 3 night stay. The rest of the day is at your leisure to adjust to the 9 hours time difference.

Day 3 Tokyo
Morning city tour of Tokyo visiting a number of the main highlights of this magnificent City. The tour includes a visit to the Tokyo Tower where you can enjoy panoramic views across the city from the observation tower. We proceed to the peaceful picturesque setting of the Meiji Shrine, set in thick woodland and considered to be one of the finest examples of Shinto Architecture. Next we drive by the 'Akasaka Guest House' for a photo opportunity. The Guest House is a magnificent 'Western Style Palace' built in the Baroque Architectural style. We then drive alongside the imposing National Diet Building, which is home to the Japanese House of Parliament.

Our tour continues across Tokyo to the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Enjoy a pleasant walk in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, which is filled with scenic and historic beauty. (Alternatively for tours on Monday & Friday & when the garden is closed, we will visit the Imperial Palace plaza and famous Double bridge instead). Our tour will continue with a drive and stroll along Ginza high street, the famous shopping area of Tokyo. The tour disbands in Ginza, giving you a great opportunity for shopping. We highly recommend you visit the Sony Centre building to see the futuristic electronics on display. Ginza is also convenient for the subway to explore further areas of Tokyo.

Afternoon is free at leisure, or take an optional afternoon Tokyo city tour. The optional tour includes visiting the beautiful Hama-Rikyu garden, enjoying our Sumida River Cruise and visiting the Asakusa Kannon Temple & Nakamise shopping street. We then drive through Kappabashi, Ueno and Akihabara districts of Tokyo before finishing the tour. Ask for details at time of booking.

Day 4 Tokyo - Nikko - Tokyo (includes lunch)

Full day tour by deluxe motorcoach to Nikko National park, a designated World Cultural Heritage site. Nikko is a gem of Natural scenic beauty and home to some of the most spectacular examples of ancient 17th-century Architecture in Japan. The tour includes a visit to the magnificent Toshogu shrine, which houses the Mausoleum of the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. We will see the Five-Story Pagoda, Niomon Gate, Three Monkeys, Yomeimon Gate and Main Sacred Hall.

After enjoying a Japanese style lunch at a local restaurant, we travel to see the architectually stunning Tamozawa Imperial Villa, constructed in 1899 and which served as the Tokyo residence of the Tokugawa family and later a summer retreat for the Imperial Family. Later we visit the spectacular Kirifuri waterfall before continue our drive back to Tokyo.

The tour disbands on arrival in Ginza & Shinjuku at around 7-8pm, where you will have ample restaurants and bars to choose from for your evening meal and entertainment. If you prefer, you can return to your hotel and our tour guide will be happy to provide you with information on return transportation/directions. Overnight in Tokyo.

Day 5 Tokyo - MT Fuji - Hakone - Kyoto (Includes Lunch)
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven by deluxe motorcoach to Mount Fuji. Along the way you will enjoy the scenery of rural Japan, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and mountainous peaks. From our vantage point on the 5th station on MT Fuji, we will enjoy spectacular views (weather permitting).

Lunch will be provided at a Hotel/Restaurant in Hakone. In the afternoon we proceed to the Hakone National Park where we will take a cable car ride with the opportunity to see the magnificent volcanic Hakone mountain range below. We will then travel to the Owakudani Boiling Valley where you will see ancient volcanic craters with sulphurous fumes and clouds of steam spiralling from crevasses across the mountain side giving a truly mystical image. We then proceed with our tour for a boat cruise on Lake Ashi, which is set in serene natural beauty, where weather permitting spectacular views of Mount Fuji can be seen silhouetted in the lake. Proceed to Odawara and take the Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Kyoto. Our Standard accommodation is the New Miyako hotel or similar (includes: Lunch).

For your convenience and due to luggage restriction on the bullet train, we have arrange free luggage transfer to take your large luggage directly to Kyoto (1 bag per person).

Day 6 Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto (Includes Lunch)
Full day sight-seeing tour of Kyoto & Nara, including a visit Nijo Castle, former residence of the Tokugawa Shogun built in 1603. Nijo Castle is noted for its Ornate interior and 'nightingale floor' designed to sing when stepped upon to warn of Ninja assassins. Next we visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) centred around one of the best examples of a Japanese Zen gardens in the world. We then travel to Kyoto Imperial Palace, the impressive former residence of the Imperial family.

After lunch we travel to the ancient capital of Japan, Nara. Our tour includes visiting Nara Deer Park and the Todaiji temple housing the Great Buddha in the worlds largest wooden building. Next we visit the Kasuga Taisha Shinto Shrine which features 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. Finally enjoy Nara Nagomikan before returning to your hotel in Kyoto (includes: Lunch).

Day 7 Kyoto - Fushima & Uji tour including Tea Ceremony
In the morning join our guide. We then take the train to see Fushima Inari, the oldest Shinto Shrine in Japan. The shrine is famous for one thousand red Toriii gates.

We travel by train to Uji and walk around the 11th century Byodoin Temple, a UNESCO site. Afterwards we enjoy a traditional Japanese Tea ceremony and learn about Japanese customs and spirituality. The tour finishes upon return to Kyoto.

Afternoon free at leisure.

Day 8 Kyoto
Day free at Leisure, or purchase our optional Kyoto afternoon tour, or evening Geishia or Maiko Performance with Dinner.

The option tour includes visiting the colourful Heian Jingu Shrine and inner garden and ponds. Next we explore Sanjusangendo Hall, a renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues that date back to the 13th century. Finally we visit the magnificent Kiyomizu Temple with spectacular views across the entire city. (This highly recommended afternoon tour can be included at time of booking).

In the evening you can enjoy an optional Kyoto style Dinner at a restaurant, whilst experiencing a fascinating Geisha or Maiko performance.

Optional overnight stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan is also available (inc Breakfast & Evening Dinner) - Contact us for details.

Day 9 Kyoto - Osaka - Departure
You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the futuristic Kansai International Airport in Osaka for your departure flight homeward.

**Optional - Bullet train transfers back to Tokyo & Narita Airport can also be provided -Contact us for details.**

Optional Hiroshima & Osaka Tour Extension (2 nights):
Special Offer - £395pp based upon twin share
Includes train transfers, Hiroshima (1 night), Osaka (1 night). Enjoy free time in Hiroshima to explore the facinating city, or take an optional full day guided tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima. The next day transfer to Osaka in the early afternoon to have free time to explore Osaka and see the famous Osaka Castle etc. Airport transfer is provided for your departure from Kansai airport.

**Optional - Bullet train transfers back to Tokyo & Narita Airport can also be provided -Contact us for details.**

2018 & 2019 Departure Dates & Prices from
Ref
Weekly Wednesday Saturday

Standard Hotels

Land Only (twin share)

EJ

June - September

£1775
EJ

Oct - November

£2020
EJ

January - Feb

£1860
EJ

1st March - 19th March

£2120
EJ

20th March to 9th April

£2140

** The peak season to Japan is cherry blossoms viewing (late March & early April), and autumn leave changing (October & early November). The first day of blooming (Kaika) in Tokyo usually comes at the end of March, with the trees reaching full bloom about one week later.

The prices shown above are 'per person' based upon twin share. Single rooms occupancy and hotel upgrades can be provide, please contact us for details. The price may be different around festivals period in Japan.

Price Includes

  • Airport/hotel transfers.
  • Sightseeing tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
  • Optional overland Luggage transfer Tokyo-Kyoto
  • All entrance fees whilst on guided tours.
  • All Train tickets as specified in itinerary.
  • Selections of quality accommodation in well furnished hotel rooms with private facilities.
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary.
  • Guaranteed departure.

Price Does Not Include

  • International Flights: We are happy to provide flights with full ATOL Protection.
  • Optional tours.
  • Travel Insurance.

Optional Tours & Ryokan Experience
A stay at a traditional Ryokan (Japanese style Inn) is a highly recommended experience, with excellent standards of service. We can arrange a 1 night Ryokan stay on your last day in Kyoto. The supplement starts from £160 per person for 1 night with Japanese breakfast & Dinner included.

FAQ and further Tour information
Please see our FAQ page for further essential tour information.

This tour is suitable for travellers of all ages, who are reasonably fit and healthy. Add on tours and city extensions are available, for details visit optional tours page.

Additional Tour Notes:

Nijo Castle (Kyoto) is closed (every Tuesday in Jan, July, Aug & Dec), therefore if your tour falls on these dates, we will visit Ryoanji Temple instead. Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed at weekends and on national holidays, we will visit Kitano Tenmangu instead. Hiroshima & Miyajima optional tour usually operates Mon - Wed, Frid -Sunday.

Our itinerary is designed according to the most up to date information available at the time. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day.In regards to expected transfer times and train times these may vary as they are subject to schedules and availability controlled by the various railway companies. It is extremely rare that itineraries ever need changes and we will always act in your best interest to handle any amendments if this did occur. However we reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary if required, for example occasionally the tour sequence and duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control or due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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