Discover Japan 2023

Fly overnight to Tokyo, Japan's capital, for a two-night stay. Tokyo was once known as Edo and was a small fishing town. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Head to the top of Tokyo Skytree for sweeping views of the city. Next, visit sakusa and wander through Nakamise shopping street and Senso-ji Temple, one of Tokyo's most colourful and popular temples. Enjoy lunch and stop at the Imperial Palace to view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. This afternoon, stroll through the Hamarikyu Gardens and in the evening, enjoy a dinner cruise around Tokyo Bay.

This morning, transfer to the station and take a 30-minute bullet train to Odawara. On arrival, transfer to tranquil Lake Ashi. Take a cruise across the lake before taking the Komagatake cable car for spectacular views of Mount Fuji and the lake below. Continue by coach to Japan's most iconic landmark - Mount Fuji. Start at the 5th Station for breath-taking views of Fuji. Please note, travelling to the 5th station at Mount Fuji is only possible if weather conditions permit it. Drive to Suwa to check in to your hotel for an overnight stay, your hotel this evening will have onsen facilities for you to enjoy.

Please note that you will need to pack a small overnight bag for tonight as your main luggage will be transferred separately this morning and arrive at your hotel in Takayama the next day.

This morning, drive two hours to Nagano to explore the formidable 16th century Matsumoto Castle. There are steep ladder-style steps in the Matsumoto Castle that you must climb up and back down again. If you choose not to look inside the castle, you can enjoy the surrounding gardens, moat and architecture of Matsumoto Castle. After lunch, stop at a Miso House to learn about the process of making this Japanese seasoning. Try Miso soup before travelling a further 2.5 hours to Takayama, nestled high in the mountainous Hida region.



Check into your hotel and enjoy the relaxing onsen facilities. In Takayama we use a selection of hotels, some of which are more traditional in style, but you will be accommodated in Western-style rooms.

Head to the Miyagawa Morning Market, where you can sample some of the delicious local fruits and vegetables (at your own expense). Later, take a leisurely stroll around the traditional houses of the area and visit the museums stopping at Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, Kusakabe Folk Museum, Takayama Jinya and Kamisannomachi Street. You’ll spend approximately 5 hours on foot today sightseeing around the town of Takayama.

Travel 1.5 hours to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Shirakawago, famous for its traditional Gassho-Zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. You’ll spend 1.5 hours on foot exploring the area. There are some stairs in the house to climb if you want to explore the higher levels. Drive around 1 hour to try your hand at making was hi paper this afternoon, before continuing another 1.5 hours to Kanazawa. On arrival, wander through the beautiful Kenrokuen, one of the ‘Three Great Gardens of Japan’, before checking in to your hotel.

This morning, learn the process of how gold leaf is made and applied to everyday objects. Try it for yourself by decorating a pair of chopsticks and take your newly created artwork home!



Later, stroll down the traditional Higashi Chaya (Eastern Teahouse District), visiting Ochaya Shima – a historical geisha house. After lunch, drive 4 hours to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner at a local

restaurant.

Start the day with a visit to Ryoanji, the ‘temple of the sleeping dragon’ and Kinkakuji; also known as the Golden Pavilion due to its gold-like exterior. You’ll spend approximately two hours exploring the temples and their gardens. In the afternoon, head to a restored Japanese wooden townhouse to try your hand at

origami and to enjoy the age-old ritual of a traditional tea ceremony with a Tea Master.

Travel one hour to Nara, stopping en route at the mesmerising Fushimi Inari Shrine. The Fushimi Inari Shrine stretches from the bottom to the top of Mount Inari (233 metres high). You’ll walk up part of the mountain; there are some steep steps and the incline allows a steady-paced walk. On arrival in Nara, visit

Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden structure and home to Japan’s largest Buddha. Also visit Isuien Gardens, known for its natural ponds, sightseeing here will be about three hours on foot

This morning, drive 2.5 hours to Koyasan, the centre of Shingon Buddhism. See Okunoin, Japan’s largest cemetery and home to the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism. Next, visit the Kongobuji Temple and Garan temple complex. The walk through Okunoin Cemetery to the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi is roughly 2km and sometimes you will be walking over uneven surfaces. Continue to Osaka, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours to check in to your hotel.

This morning, visit the famous Osaka Castle before taking a stroll around the Dotonbori district, a restaurant mecca, where you can sample delicious local delicacies. Next, enjoy a 20- minute cruise along the Yodogawa River. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure before a farewell dinner this evening

This morning is free at leisure before transferring to the airport for your return flight home.



Please note: Only breakfast is included today. Late check-out is not included in our Discover Japan tour. If you wish to book a late check-out for your final day in Osaka, please contact our Reservations Department who can confirm the additional price and make this arrangement for you, subject to availability at the hotel.



Transfers: In the event that your flight departs outside of the majority group departure time, you will be transferred to the airport by a shared coach (not with other Wendy Wu Tours passengers). If you are on a shared coach transfer, you may have to walk for a few minutes to get to the coach.

Please inform our reservations team of any allergies and/or special dietary requirements at time of booking.