Japan's Golden Route

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9Days Japan's Golden Route 
 
Tokyo - Kamakura & Enoshima  Mt. Fuji – Hakone  Nara – Kyoto  Hiroshima  Kyoto
 
Price from: $8786 per person on Twin sharing basis
 
Day 1: Arrive Tokyo
An English-speaking assistant will meet you at the customs exit at Narita or Haneda and escort you to a reserved taxi that will take you to your hotel.
 
Day 2: Tokyo (B)
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to join Tokyo Morning Tour. 9am - The tour departs Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal to begin sightseeing around Tokyo. Visit Tokyo Tower and witness a spectacular view of Metropolitan Tokyo from the observation deck. Spend time at Imperial Palace Plaza and admire the view of Nijubashi Bridge and the surrounding scenery at this National Garden that was formerly a private garden of the Royal Family. Visit Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street. Enjoy a pleasant drive through Ueno to Akihabara which is home to the famous Electric Town. The tour will finish at approximately 12:20pm at Akihabara or Tokyo Station (Marunouchi South Exit). The guide can advise about shopping in Akihabara or returning to the hotel by public transport. Afternoon is free at leisure.
 
Day 3: Kamakura & Enoshima (B/L)
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to join a one day tour to Kamakura by coach. 9am depart from Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal and head to Kamakura and Enoshima. Enjoy a Matcha Green Tea Experience at Jomyo-ji Temple. Jomyo-ji is another old temple of the Rinzai sect's Kencho-ji school. Enjoy some of Japan's famous powdered matcha green tea in the highly refined and tranquil atmosphere of a tearoom constructed over 400 years ago, and enjoy the view of the temple's Japanese rock garden. Continue to Visit Hokoku-ji Temple. Featuring a beautiful bamboo grove, Hokoku-ji is an ancient and renowned temple of the Rinzai sect's Kencho-ji school. Enjoy lunch before continuing to Kotoku-in Temple and the Great Buddha. View the 13.35 m (44 ft) tall, 121 ton symbol of Kamakura. Visit Enoshima before returning to Tokyo via Yokohama Bay Bridge. You will be dropped off at Sukiyabashi Intersection in Ginza or near Shinjuku station West exit. Please head to your next destination on your own after the tour.
 
Day 4: Tokyo  Mt. Fuji – Hakone (B/L)
You will leave Tokyo for Mt. Fuji and Hakone today. Your main suitcase will be transferred directly from Tokyo to Kyoto. You will need to keep an overnight luggage for your night in Hakone. After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel. 09:00: Depart Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal and head to Mt. Fuji 5th Station by coach. Start the ascent up Mt. Fuji via the Fuji Subaru Line. Climb 2,300 meters (7,546 ft) above sea level for breathtaking views from above the clouds. Enjoy a Japanese-style lunch. After lunch enjoy a sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashi, 30km southeast of Mt. Fuji. The crater lake was born from a powerful volcanic eruption nearly 3,000 years ago and provides postcard views of Mt. Fuji from various angles. Travel onwards to Mt. Komagatake Ropeway. Spend a total of 50 minutes including a 7-minute cableway ride up to the peak from Hakone-en. Discover the spiritual Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya (original shrine) that nestles at the mountaintop. Arrive at Hotel in Hakone.
 
Day 5: Hakone  Nara  Kyoto (B/L)
After breakfast, transfer to Odawara Station from the hotel. 9am depart from Odawara Station to Shin-Yokohama Station. Take a non-reserved Kodama or Hikari bullet train, Shinkansen (Travel time 15 to 20 minutes). From Shin-Yokohama, take bullet train Nozomi to Kyoto (Travel time 2hr). Lunch: Western-style menu at the hotel. After lunch head to Nara via the Nara Keinawa Expressway. Spend time at Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha). This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the symbol of the Nara Period and one of the world's largest wooden structures. Its huge main hall and bronze Great Buddha are impressive to behold. Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine. This Nara Period shrine is designated as a World Heritage Site. The deer of Nara Park are thought to be the shrine messengers. Visit Nara Nagomikan, the largest souvenir shop in Nara. Enjoy yourself in this spacious shop and look for the perfect souvenir. Drop-off Service to your hotel in Kyoto.
 
Day 6: Kyoto (B/L)
After breakfast, you will be picked up from Hotel in Kyoto to join a full day tour of Kyoto by coach. Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Nijo Castle. Tour the historical castle completed in 1726, which was built to provide lodging for Tokugawa Shogun and as a palladium for Kyoto Imperial Palace. Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site, also known as the Golden Pavilion. The wooden architecture is covered in thin layers of pure gold and is surrounded by a beautiful pond. Spend time at Kyoto Imperial Palace (Monday, Wednesday-Friday), which used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868, or Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and National Holidays). This shrine's main hall is a designated national treasure and is famous for housing the God of scholarship. The shrine is especially great to see during the plum blossom and autumn leaf seasons. Enjoy a Japanese style lunch. Don't miss the characteristic red architecture of the beautiful Heian Jingu Shrine built to celebrate the 1100 year anniversary of the founding of the city of Kyoto. Sanjusangen-do Temple is the world's longest wooden structure, housing 1,001 life-size statues of Buddhist Kannon deities dating back to the 13th century. Enjoy the superb view of Kyoto from the World Heritage Site of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The historic shopping lane that leads to the temple adds to a wonderful experience. Drop-off Service from Kiyomizu-dera Temple to hotels.
 
Day 7: Hiroshima (B)
After breakfast, you will be picked up from hotel to join a full day tour to Hiroshima. From Kyoto Station, go to Hiroshima Station by the bullet train Nozomi or Hikari (reserved seat). Upon arrival at Hiroshima Station, walk to Hotel Granvia Hiroshima, directly connected from the station. Transfer to Miyajimaguchi by coach. From Miyajimaguchi go to Miyajima Port, where you will take the ferry to Miyajima (10mins). Spend time at Miyajima and visit Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage Site. Established in the 6th century it is famous for its beautiful Shinden-zukuri style structure (architecture representative of a nobles' residence in the Heian period). See the vermillion shrine sitting in a lush environment facing the deep blue sea and enjoy the picturesque beauty. After lunch (own expense) return to Hiroshima city; from Miyajima Port go to Miyajimaguchi by ferry. Transfer to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum by coach. This large-scale park was established in 1949 after the Pacific War ended, and is visited by countless visitors as a symbol of peace. The museum within the park is an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and was built to remind future generations of the terror wrought by atomic bombs. The Atomic Bomb Dome is a symbol of the disastrous atomic bombing during WWII, the first atomic bombs used in human history, and has been preserved as it was to promote peace and elimination of atomic weapons around the world. From Hiroshima Station, take the bullet train Nozomi or Hikari (reserved seat) to Kyoto Station. 20:20 – 21:00: Arrive at Kyoto Station. Transfer to your hotel by taxi.
 
Day 8: Kyoto (B)
Day free at leisure to explore Kyoto
 
Day 9: Departure (B)
Free time until your transfer to Kansai International Airport, Osaka for your onward flight
 
Private program - can start any day of the week and can be modified or operated in reverse
 
Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotels, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing using air-conditioned private car, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes, 24-hours local contact number for emergencies.
 
Note: Please contact us if you require more information on different Hotel categories.
 
Prices quoted are valid from 01 March - 30 September 2022. Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exoticholidays.co.nz for more information.