Wendy Wu Discover Japan

• Ascend Japan’s iconic and inspirational highest mountain
• Stop in amazement at the dramatic flair of the Matsumoto Castle
• Explore this authentic Japanese town known as the ‘thousand-year capital’
• Meander through the 10,000 red torri arches of this stunning shrine

Days 1-2: Fly to Tokyo
Fly overnight to the neon-lit metropolis of Tokyo, Japan’s capital city.

Day 3: Sensoji Temple
Take a city tour of Tokyo, starting with the Tokyo Sky Tree, the tallest structure in Japan. Afterwards visit the Sensoki Temple and the Hamarikyu Gardens. This evening, enjoy a cruise on the Sumida River for city vistas.

Day 4: Mt Fuji
Travel to Hakone, the gateway to Mt Fuji and head up to the 5th Station to enjoy the amazing views. Cruise on Lake Ashi and take the world’s second longest cable car up to Mt Owakudani where we can sample a hardboiled egg from the sulphuric hot springs for which Hakone is famous.

Day 5: Matsumoto Castle
Visit the magnificent Matsumoto Castle and then travel to Takayama, which is nestled high in the mountainous Hida region of Japan.

Day 6: Explore Takayama
Head to the Miyagawa morning market where we can purchase local crafts and sample the regions delicious fruit and vegetables. We then visit some of Takayama’s traditional houses and local museums including the Takayama Festival Floats Museum, Kusakabe Folk Museum and Takayama Jinya.

Day 7: Travel to Kanazawa
Journey to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shirakawago, famous for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are over 250 years old. Continue to Kanazawa and visit the Nomura Samurai House, followed by a stroll through the Old District.

Day 8: Gold Leaf Making
Begin the day learning the process of making gold leaf. Later stroll through traditional Higashi Chaya, visiting Ochaya Shima – a historical geisha house. Afterwards, journey to Kyoto.

Day 9: Explore Kyoto
Visit Nijo Castle and one of Kyoto’s Zen temples, where we have the opportunity to take part in a meditation class with a Buddhist priest. Next, visit the famous Kinkakuji Temple, known as the Golden Pavilion. Head to a restored Japanese wooden townhouse where we learn about origami and calligraphy, witness the Japanese art of Ikebana and enjoy a tea ceremony. End the day with a visit to Kiyomizu Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stroll through Higashiyama District.

Day 10: Discover Nara
Travel to Nara, the ancient capital of Japan. Visit Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden structure which is home to Japan’s largest Buddha. Later, visit the Isuein Gardens and stroll through Nara Park. Return to Kyoto stopping en-route at Fushimi Inari Shine, also known as 10,000 Torii Gates, which features in the film Memoirs of a Geisha.

Day 11: Koya-San
Journey to Koya-San, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, visit Kongobunji Temple and the Garan Temple complex. Okunoin is Japan’s largest cemetery and holds the mausoleum of the founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kobo Daishi. Walk to the mausoleum, passing 200,000 tombstones belonging to feudal lords and prominent monks on the way. Tonight we stay in a Buddhist Shukubo Temple Lodge and enjoy a traditional Shojin Ryori vegetarian dinner.

Day 12: Travel to Osaka
Rise early to witness the monks chant their morning prayers, followed by a traditional breakfast. Travel to Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city, where we visit Osaka Castle and cruise along the Yodogawa River. This evening stroll down the restaurant mecca, Dotonbori, before our farewell dinner.

Day 13: Fly Osaka to UK
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

Your  accommodation  is  selected  for  convenience  of  location,  comfort  or  character,  and  can  range  from  a business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. In more remote areas, accommodation may be of a lower standard and may not have all western amenities.

Learn about Washi Paper Making
Discover the traditional process of paper making before getting your hands dirty making ‘washi’ (Japanese paper) the age-old way.

The Art of Gold Leaf Making
Join a dedicated craftsperson in a small workshop to learn all about the lovely and intricate art of gold leaf making, discover what the gold lead is then used for and have a go at doing it yourself!

Learn about Miso Seasoning
Learn all about the traditional production of an essential element of Japanese cooking, the fermented soybean paste ‘miso’, at an old wooden miso house.

• Return international flights
• All Accommodation
• All meals: Breakfasts: 11 , Lunches: 10 , Dinners: 11
• All transportation & transfers
• All sightseeing & entrance fees
• English speaking National Escort & local guides
• Visa fees for UK & EU passport holders

Classic

These tours are designed for those who wish to see the iconic sites and magnificent treasures of Japan on an excellent value group tour whilst travelling with like-minded people. The tours are on a fully-inclusive basis so you’ll travel with the assurance that all your arrangements are taken care of. You will be accompanied by our dedicated  and  professional  National  Escorts  and  local  guides,  whose  unparalleled  knowledge  will  turn  your holiday into an unforgettable experience.

Most Wendy Wu groups consist of 10 travellers or more and will be accompanied by a national escort.  There will usually be no more than 29 travellers in each group although you may encounter other Wendy Wu tour groups while you are travelling.

This tour has a Level 1 fitness rating. This means that a reasonable level of fitness is required but it’s more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You’ll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps.

If you want to explore more of Japan or simply want more time in your destination, then you can add an extension or stop over.*

Choose from the following Extensions and stopovers
Tokyo Extension (Tokyo)
Kyoto Extension (Kyoto)
Nara Extension (Osaka)
Hiroshima & Miyajima Short stay (Osaka)
Naoshima Extension (Osaka)
Nikko & Kamakura Extension (Tokyo)
Sapporo & Otaru Extension (Sapporo)
Tokyo, Mount Fuji & Bullet Train (Tokyo)
Snow Monkeys Extension (Tokyo)
Koya-san Extension (Osaka)

*Available extensions and stopovers depend on your chosen airline