Wendy Wu Journey Through Japan

– Discover Hokkaido’s beautiful nature
– Explore vibrant Sapporo
– Spend time in Hakodate
– See Tokyo’s bright lights
– Gaze at Mount Fuji
– Uncover Kyoto’s past

Day 1-2: Fly overnight to Sapporo
Fly overnight to the vibrant city of Sapporo, capital of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 3: Ascend Okurayama
This morning, ascend to the Okurayama viewing point, soaring up to the summit of the Sapporo Winter Olympics ski jump by chair lift. Continue to the pretty port town of Otaru and take some time to walk along the streets of the village and stroll along the picturesque canal. In the evening, head to a local restaurant for a barbeque lamb dinner.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 4: Travel to Hakodate
Depart Sapporo and travel to a lovely lakeside spot to visit a museum of Ainu culture, an indigenous people of the area. Continue to Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and walk through a volcanic caldera where you can see steam jets, vents and hot springs. After lunch, hop on a train to the harbour city of Hakodate, set on Hokkaido’s southern tip, where you’ll embark on a night tour with time to ascend the ropeway up Mount Hakodate.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 5: Explore Hakodate Asaichi
Start the day wandering Hakodate’s bustling asaichi (morning market), where hundreds of stores and stalls sell fresh local produce, seafood and the odd souvenir. Ascend Goryokaku Tower for views over Goryokaku Fort and Mount Hakodate before boarding the bullet train to the lovely city of Aomori in the north of Honshu, Japan’s largest island. On arrival, visit the Nebuta Warasse museum, dedicated to the city’s lively summer festival.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 6: Tsunagi Onsen
Depart Aomari for Kakunodate, an old samurai stronghold still known for its samurai traditions. Visit the Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum for a fascinating look at samurai culture and stroll around Ishiguro House, a traditional samurai residence. Continue to the hot spring resort of Tsunagi, where you can make use of the onsen facilities at the traditional Japanese ryokan where you’ll stay overnight.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 7: Cruise Matsushima Bay
Travel to Hiraizumi, where you’ll explore the peaceful Chusonji with its beautiful old gold leaf-covered hall. Continue to Matsushima to enjoy a relaxed cruise on Matsushima Bay, passing amongst the small pine tree-covered islands of this picturesque seascape.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 8: Sendai to Nikko
Walk to Sendai station and take the bullet train to the culture-filled town of Nikko. Start your explorations in the beautiful surroundings of Nikko National Park, where you’ll visit Toshogu shrine, built as the final resting place of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Continue to the Kegon Waterfall, taking a 100-metre tall elevator to the best viewing spot. Transfer to Tokyo.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 9: Explore Tokyo
Start your exploration of Tokyo in the Asakusa district, where you’ll visit Sensoji, the city’s oldest temple. Then visit the Tokyo National Museum. After lunch, stroll through the Meiji Jing Shine Complex.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 10: Admire Mount Fuji
Travel by road from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, where you’ll ascend 2,400 metres up Japan’s most iconic sight to the 5th Station (weather permitting). Transfer to the Hakone area. Embark on a cruise on the spectacular Lake Ashi before flying high above the lake on the Komagatake Ropeway before returning to Tokyo.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 11: Travel to Kyoto
Take a bullet train to Kyoto. Capital for 1,000 years, the city today is full of the legacy of ancient Japan and home to tranquil temples, silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens. This afternoon, visit Togetsukyo Bridge in the heart of the vibrant Arashiyama district and walk through the bamboo forest, with its towering bamboo thickets.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 12: Explore Kyoto
This morning, visit one of Japan’s most famous temples, Kinkakuji, the ‘Golden Pavilion’. Set amongst classical Japanese Zen gardens and on the edge of a reflecting pool, the temple’s main hall is covered in gold leaf. Then, stroll through Nishiki Market, dubbed ‘Kyoto’s kitchen’, where there are many interesting food and sake stores to explore before a free afternoon to spend as you wish.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 13: Sake Tasting
Try your hand at handkerchief dyeing and then experience the rituals of a tea ceremony. After lunch, walk the vermillion, torii gate-lined pathways of the Fushimi Inari Shrine and tour a traditional sake brewery, where you can have a few cheeky tasters. Drive to the booming city of Osaka.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 14: Fly Osako 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.

Handkerchief Dyeing
Try your hand at the traditional art of handkerchief dyeing in a workshop of a handicraft village

Spend the night in a Ryokan
Sleep on futons and tatami mats, dine on traditional food and bathe in the relaxing waters of an onsen in a centuries-old style of guesthouse.

Sake Testing
Take a tour of a sake brewery, where you’ll see the process used to create the rice wine that is the country’s national beverage.

– International flights and taxes
– Domestic transport
– Accommodation
– All meals: 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 12 dinners
– Touring with guides and entrance fees
– Visa fees for UK and EU passport holders

Classic

These tours are designed for those who wish to see the iconic sites and magnificent treasures of South East Asia 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.

The maximum people per group for this tour is 28.

This tour has a physical rating of 1. It requires some walking and there will be steps at some locations.

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