Wendy Wu Japan Uncovered

• Explore Kyoto’s outstanding temples
• Venture into the beautiful Japanese Alps
• Ascend the slopes of Japan’s iconic Mt Fuji
• Watch an exhilarating Sumo Wrestling Tournament

Days 1-2: Fly to Osaka
Fly overnight to the lively, fast-paced city of Osaka. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure to start soaking up the local culture.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 3: Discover Nara
Spend the morning in Nara, the small, history-filled city that was Japan’s first capital. Stroll through Nara Park, meeting the resident Sika deer en route, to Todaiji Temple. Admire the traditional Isui-en Garden. Return to Osaka to visit the castle and cruise along the Yodogawa river.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 4: Himeji Castle
Depart Osaka for Hiroshima, stopping en route to explore the magnificent 17th Century Himeji Castle and the neighbouring Koko-en, a traditional-style garden.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 5: Explore Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a vibrant, forward-thinking city that is a pleasure to explore. Reflect on the city’s tragic past at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum paying homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb. Hop on a ferry to Miyajima to visit the Itsukushima Shrine.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 6: Bullet train to Kyoto
Catch a bullet train to Kyoto. Capital for a thousand years, this enchanting city is the epitome of traditional Japan. Visit Ryoanji Temple, home to Japan’s most famous zen garden and Kinkakuji Temple, also known as ‘Golden Pavilion’.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 7: Japanese Tea Ceremony
Enjoy one of Kyoto’s most delightful spots, Kiyomizu, a 17th Century Buddhist temple, before experiencing the age-old rituals of a traditional tea ceremony. After lunch, visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its 10,000 torii gates.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 8: Travel to Kanazawa
Depart Kyoto and travel to Kanazawa. Meander through Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, before viewing the excellent art collection of the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 9: Washi Paper Making
Visit the Nomura Samurai House and Garden before departing Kanazawa. Stop in Gokayama for lunch and a hands-on washi paper making workshop. Continue to Shirakawago, where you will explore the 300-year-old Gassho style Wada House, before reaching Takayama.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 10: Explore Takayama
Browse the local handicrafts and fresh produce at the Miyagawa morning market, wander past some of the lovely traditional houses and visit several of the excellent local museums, including the Festival Floats Museum, Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum and Takayama Jinya, followed by a stroll down Kamisannomachi Street.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 11: Travel to Nagano
Travel to Matsumoto. Here you will have time to admire its formidable 16th Century castle and visit a miso house to learn about the process of making this Japanese seasoning. You’ll then visit a wasabi farm before continuing to Nagano.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 12: Snow Monkeys
Travel deeper into the Japanese Alps to see the Japanese Macaques, or Snow Monkeys, at the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Continue to Zenkoji, one of Japan’s most prolific Buddhist temples.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 13: Majestic Mount Fuji
Travel to the Fuji Five Lakes area and ascend by road to the 5th station (weather permitting), roughly halfway up Mt Fuji, for fantastic views over the surrounding landscapes. Visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to view the elaborate dyed silk creations of artist Kubota Itchiku.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 14: Explore Hakone
Transfer to Hakone and enjoy a cruise on the peaceful waters of Lake Ashi. Next, soar high on the Hakone ropeway over the hilltops to the volcanic Owakudani Valley and discover the dramatic natural hot springs of Mt Hakone.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 15: Discover Tokyo
A dazzling, high-tech metropolis, Tokyo has wonderfully traditional roots. Start your explorations at the Imperial Palace East Garden, visit Meiji Shrine and walk the famous Shibuya Crossing.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 16: Tokyo
Start the day with a stroll in the vibrant Asakusa district and soak up the ambiance of Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. Ascend to the observation deck of the 634-metre Skytree and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. The afternoon is at leisure before a dinner cruise aboard a traditional yakata boat.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 17: Fly from Tokyo to UK
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
(Breakfast)

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.

Cross Tokyo’s famous Shibuya Crossing
Arguably the world’s most famous pedestrian crossing, seen in many a film and television show, witness the organised chaos and bright lights of Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing for yourself.

Visit Kubota Itchiku’s Art Musuem
Admire the elaborately dyed silk creations of artist Kubota Itchiku at his eponymous art museum. Itchiku singlehandedly revived the traditional and beautiful technique of ‘tsujigahana’

Visit a Wasabi farm
One of Japan’s most famous condiments, wasabi, is an essential element in Japanese cuisine. Learn about its cultivation on a traditional farm and admire the landscapes.

• Return international flights
• All Accommodation
• All meals
• All transportation & transfers
• All sightseeing & entrance fees
• English speaking National Escort & local guides
• Visa fees for UK & EU passport holders

Classic

See the classic sights in the company of expert guides so you can really understand the history and culture of the destination. On our classic tours we take care of everything, leaving you to sit back and enjoy the experience to the full. The tours are fully inclusive with all meals and a comprehensive touring programme.

Most of our groups consist of 10 travellers or more and will be accompanied by a national escort. There will usually be no more than 28 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