Classic Japan Tour - 11 days
Experience both the scenic and cultural aspects of Japan, including World Cultural Heritage sights...

• Tokyo: city tour (3 nights)
• Nikko (optional tour)
• Mt Fuji - Lake Ashi - Hakone tour
• Hakone (1 night onsen spa hotel)
• Takayama (1 night)
• Shirakawago -Gokayama
• Kanazawa (1 nights)
• Bullet Train
• Kyoto: city tour (3 nights)
• Nara: deer park & temples tour
• Guaranteed departure minimum 2 people

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or 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 free to adjust to the 9 hour time difference.

Day 3 Tokyo
Coach tour of Tokyo with professional English speaking guide, visiting a number of the main highlights of this magnificent City. The tour includes a visit to Tokyo Tower for an aerial view of the city. We then visit the Imperial Palace Plaza and famous Double bridge. Our tour continues with a visit to the famous Asakusa Kannon Temple & Nakamise Shopping Arcade. We disband at Akihabara giving you the opportunity to explore the hustle and bustle of the main shopping areas in Tokyo. We also recommend you visit the Sony Centre building to see the futuristic electronics on display. Ginza is also convenient for the subway to explore further.

Afternoon - free at leisure. We recommend a visit to Ropponghi hill observatory or the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building observatory (free) for great evening views across Tokyo. You may even see Mt Fuji on a clear day.

Day 4 Tokyo
Free day to explore Tokyo at your leisure. We recommend a visit to the scenic Meiji Shrine, Ginza, Akihabara or Ueno shopping districts.

Alternatively, pre-book a day tour to Nikko National park, a designated World Cultural Heritage site (tour includes lunch). Nikko is a gem of Natural scenic beauty and is home to some of the most spectacular examples of ancient architecture in Japan. The tour includes a visit to the magnificent Toshogu shrine, which houses the Mausoleum of the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the spectacular Kegon waterfall.

Day 5 Tokyo - MT Fuji - Lake Ashi - Hakone (includes: Lunch)
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven by deluxe motorcoach to the the 5th station on 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). Western style Lunch will be provided before we drive into Hakone for sight seeing.

Afternoon - we proceed to Hakone for a 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. Following the cruise we take the Komagatake cable car which provides the opportunity to see the magnificent volcanic Hakone mountain range below. (again, dependent upon weather conditions).

Accommodation at the Hakone Kowakien Hotel includes hot springs baths for ultimate relaxation.

Day 6 Hakone - Takayama
Morning drive to Odawara and board the super-fast Bullet train (Shinkansen) for Nagoya. Upon arrival in Nagoya we transfer to a Limited express train for Takayama. Takayama is a tranquil old castle town often nickname 'little Kyoto. Uppon arrival at Takayama we begin sightseeing by coach and visit Yatai Kaikan Hall, where colourful traditional festive floats are on display, Kami Sannomachi, with traditional wooden houses and Kusakabe folkcraft museum, which was formerly the residence of powerful merchants. We then transfer to our hotel accommodation in Takayama.

'Due to luggage restrictions on the bullet train, we have arranged for your baggage to be collected and transported by truck from Hakone to Kyoto. Therefore we recommend you prepare an overnight bag for your 2 nights stay in Takayama & Kanazawa'.We have allowed for transporting one item per person, Extra luggage will be charged accordingly.

Day 7 Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa
We start our tour by visiting the famous morning market of Takayama, followed by a scenic drive alongside Lake Miboro and the Shokawa River to the powerful former residence of the Toyama family. Later we travel to Shirakawago which has World Heritage designation status and is truly a spectacular experience, which many believe is the 'hidden treasure' in Japan. Visiting Shirakawago is like stepping back in time, with uniquely crafted traditional wooden farmhouses (Gassho-Zukuri) set in a beautiful mountainous landscape. We also have a fascinating experience of Japanese paper making in Gokayama another World Heritage village. Finally we continue to Kanazawa and our hotel accommodation.

Day 8 Kanazawa - Kyoto

Half day sight-seeing of Kanazawa by coach includes a visit to the Kenroku-en Garden, which is regarded as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. The tour includes a fascinating visit to Kutaniyaki Pottery Kiln and a stroll through Higashi Chaya street and Shima farmers house in the Samurai house district.

In the afternoon we take the Limited Express train to Kyoto. Accommodation at the New Miyako hotel or similar.

Day 9 Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto (includes Lunch)
Full day sight-seeing tour of Kyoto & Nara including a visit to the Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion) centred around one of the best examples of a Japanese Zen garden in the world, Nijo Castle 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.(When closed visit Ryoanji temple). We then travel to the Old Kyoto Imperial Palace (on Sat/Sun & national holidays visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Hagashi Honganji temple instead). Finally we explore the Kyoto Handicraft Center where we enjoy demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts. Buffet lunch is provided at the Kyoto handicraft centre. After lunch we travel to the ancient capital of Japan, Nara. Our tour includes a visit to Todaiji Temple one of the world's largest wooden buildings housing the Great Buddha. We proceed to the Kasuga Shinto Shrine the most famous and beautiful Shinto shrine in Nara with 3,000 antique stone and bronze lanterns. Finally we explore Nara Deer Park with more than 1,000 deer roaming freely around the 1,250 acre park. Return to your hotel in Kyoto.

Day 10 Kyoto
Day free at Leisure to explore the fascinating city of Kyoto or purchase an optional afternoon tour to the colourful Heian Shrine and inner garden and ponds, Sanjusangendo Hall, a renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues that date back to the 13th century and magnificent Kiyomizu Temple with spectacular views across the entire city. (This highly recommended afternoon tour can be prearranged at time of booking).

Day 11 Osaka to UK
Transfer to the futuristic Kansai International Airport in Osaka for departure to UK. Arriving UK later the same day.

Group Departure Dates & Prices (£)

Ref	Every Monday Wednesday & Saturday	Land Only (twin share)	Upgrade to Sup/Deluxe
CLJ	Feb & Mar	2240	360
CLJ	Mid Mar & April	2240	360
CLJ	May	2240	360
CLJ	June	2240	360
CLJ	July	2240	360
CLJ	August	2240	360
CLJ	September	2240	360
CLJ	October	2240	360
CLJ	November	2240	360

We are happy to provide your flight tickets with the airline and departure airport of your choice - Flights from £550pp with full ATOL Protection...

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 price may be different around the bank holidays in the UK, and the festivals period in Japan. Please contact us for confirmation. The hotel upgrade price is based on twin share, for single room upgrade please contact us.

Price Includes (The prices shown above are 'per person')

• Airport/hotel transfers.
• Sightseeing tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• 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.
• Free luggage transfer from hotel to hotel between Hakone & Kyoto. 1 item per person.

Price Does Not Include

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

Why choose to travel with Magical Japan?
From the moment you talk to our travel consultants, who have all travelled extensively in Japan, our experience ensures you will have a magical holiday.Our service includes meet & greet at airport and free luggage transfer from hotel to hotel etc. There are no additional entrance fees or transportation costs on any sightseeing tours that are already listed in our programme. Your tours are with officially qualified professional English speaking tour guides. Transfers are by air-conditioned deluxe coach and you will have time to enjoy each sightseeing place on foot. The tour itineraries are regularly checked and provide an ideal length of time to show you the sights, with free time to explore according to your own interests. Most importantly we Guarantee departure with minimum 2 people.

Flights If you require international flights, as an agent for many airline consolidators, we can obtain flights in various classes with reputable airlines such as ANA, BA, Virgin, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair etc. For the cheapest deal we recommend you book your international flights at time of booking, as this can save you pounds off your final holiday price. Full ATOL Protection Available.

Your Accommodation for this tour Carefully selected quality accommodation in ideal locations, with upgrade to deluxe level available.

Your Meals Meals are as specified in the itinerary. Breakfast at hotels can be booked in advance or purchased in Japan on a daily basis. Alternatively, there are many places around the hotels where you can buy meals.

Other details of our tour arrangements Upon arrival at Tokyo Airport, you will be met by one of our assistants and directed to the limousine bus terminal. For each day of your itinerary (excluding free time), you will be met by English speaking guides at your hotel for escorted tours. You will be met and transfered from hotel in Kyoto to Osaka Airport by private transportation.

To ensure our travellers have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday, a hotel to hotel luggage transfer service (1 piece of luggage per person) is provided Hakone - Kyoto.

We also recommend taking a Ryokan experience (Japanese guest house) on the last day in Kyoto. The supplement starts from £160 per person for 1 night with Japanese breakfast & Dinner included.

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.

Nijo Castle (Kyoto) is closed (Tue in Jul & Aug), 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, or Ryoanji Temple instead.

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.