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World Heritage
17 Days/16 Nights - Gateway: Tokyo
Standard Tour: from £1759pp
Superior Tour: from £2343pp
Rail & car upgrades also available
Prices valid for 2009. Peak supplements may apply.
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| Japan: The nation of the Gods; a land of mystery and intrigue with a history and culture that stretches back through the millenia. To live and breathe the past is the privilege of any traveller to Japan and the World Heritage Self-Guided Adventure enables you to experience those places that have helped form this unique civilization through visiting many of the sites listed by the UNESCO organisation as being of “outstanding value to humanity”. |
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
Upon arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport you will be greeted at the exit to customs by one of our representatives who will show you to a seat-sharing taxi for the transfer to your hotel. You will be staying in the historic Asakusa district of Tokyo, close to Senso-ji temple which has a history stretching back over a thousand years.
Accommodation:Asakusa Sunroute - Reliable and well located business hotel |
Day 2: Full day Tokyo
Today will be a full day to explore your surroundings in Asakusa and the rest of this exciting neon metropolis. You’ll be fully equipped for seeing the sights with our complimentary Info-Pack and city map. |
Day 3: Half day guiding in Nikko
Your first World Heritage stop will be in the mountain town of Nikko home to the magnifi cent Toshogu Shrine complex with all eight of its exquisite buildings designated National Treasures. You will be met upon arrival in Nikko by your personal guide who will explain to you the history and meaning of Toshogu. Lunch upon arrival is also included.
Accommodation: Green Age Inn - Family run pension with great food located next to Toshogu |
Day 4: Full day in Nikko
You will be provided with a bus pass to explore the Nikko National Park. A dramatic mountain pass will take you down to Lake Chuzenji and the thundering Kegon Falls. |
Day 5: Travel to Kyoto
You will make your way back to Tokyo and then on to the ancient capital and World Heritage site of Kyoto by Shinkansen ‘Bullet Train’. You will be staying in a ryokan close to the main train station.
Accommodation: Izuyasu - Station district ryokan with a 100 year history and truly memorable service |
Day 6: Full day tour of Kyoto
With your own private guide to explain the history and culture of the city, today is yours to explore the myriad of temples, shrines and gardens which make Kyoto perhaps the best loved, and certainly most visited, of all Japanese cities. |
Day 7: Full day in Kyoto / excursion to Nara
Today you can choose to spend another full day in Kyoto to enjoy the magic of this Imperial City or alternatively, take a day trip to Nara to stroll through the peaceful deer-park and visit the World Heritage site of Todaiji, the world’s largest wooden building housing the awe inspiring Daibutsu (big Buddha). |
Day 8: Travel to Mt. Koya
Taking a train and cable car up into the Kii mountains, you will be staying at the World Heritage site of Mt. Koya. Koya-san is one of Japan’s most sacred mountains and home to more than 100 Buddhist monasteries. Accommodation will be at a temple lodging with meals of shoujin ryori, traditional Buddhist cuisine containing no meat, fish, onions or garlic.
Accommodation: Rengejoin - Atmospheric temple lodging with Buddhist cuisine |
Day 9: Full day Mt. Koya
After attending dawn prayer, you can visit one of the other pilgrimage sites such as Yoshino and Omine or Kumano Sanzan. The Okuin cemetery at Koya is a sight not to be missed and as dusk falls a stroll through the cedars along lantern lit paths is a beautiful and haunting experience. |
Day 10: Travel to Himeji
From serene temple life, back to city life with a trip to Himeji. The city is home to the glorious Himeji castle and is one of the few surviving traditional Japanese castles and another World Heritage site.
Accommodation: Clare Higasa - Good standard hotel with views of the castle |
Day 11: Travel to Hiroshima
On by Shinkansen south to the city of Hiroshima. The ‘Genbaku’ Atomic Bomb Dome stands as a World Heritage site, peace memorial and a powerful reminder of the terrible event that brought the city its international fame. Accommodation is Western-style in the heart of the city.
Accommodation: Sunroute - 3 star business hotel opposite the peace park |
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Day 12: Full day in Hiroshima and Miyajima
Close to Hiroshima is another World Heritage site, Itsukushima shrine on Miyajima island. Itsukushima is famous for its red tori gate rising from the sea, one of Japan’s most beautiful scenes. |
Day 13: Travel to Kanazawa
The Shinkansen and express trains will whisk you back east and on to the city of Kanazawa on the Japan sea coast, best known for Kenroku-en, renowned as one of Japan’s top three gardens. The city’s geisha quarter and old samurai district are a fascinating look at Japan’s lost past.
Accommodation: Castle Inn - 4 star hotel locatedclose to the station |
Day 14: Travel to Shirakawago
You will travel by bus to the historic villages and World Heritage site of Shirakawago. Hidden amongst the mountains of the Hakusan National Park lie a few villages with unique thatched Gassho Zukuri (praying hands) style houses giv ing a glimpse into a forgotten traditional way of life. You will stay in a Gassho house with home cooked meals included.
Accommodation: Shimizu - Traditional Gassho House with home cooking |
Day 15: Full day Shirakawago
Today offers an opportunity to explore at your own pace and soak up the atmosphere of these quaint villages which until the last century were cut off from the rest of the country. |
Day 16: Travel to Tokyo
Bus, express train and then the Shinkansen will transport you back into Tokyo for your last night - a dramatic contrast to Shirakawago. Accommodation will be in the buzzing Shinjuku district of the city.
Accommodation - Kadoya: Classy small business hotel in the heart of Shinjuku |
Day 17: Departure
Sadly your Japan adventures are at an end. The transfer back to Tokyo Narita Airport will be by direct limousine bus. |
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16 night tour includes breakfast, 8 evening meals, 1 lunch in Nikko, transport, meet and greet, airport transfers, full day private guiding in Kyoto, half day guiding in Nikko and complimentary info pack. All prices are based on twin share (excluding international flights, entrance fees, local transport & baggage handling). |
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