Uncover Japan – The Land of the Rising Sun
Uncover Japan – The Land of the Rising Sun
Uncover Japan – The Land of the Rising Sun
13 Days Starting in Tokyo, Japan and ending in Osaka, Japan
Visiting: Tokyo, Nikko, Mount Fuji, Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Korakuen Garden Waterside Corridor, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, Himeji Castle, Osaka, Nara
Tour operator:
Tour code:
kjpn
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
0-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover Japan, where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern life creating a truly unforgettable experience. Enjoy the authentic delicate cuisine, the stunning natural scenery and the dynamic cities this fascinating far-eastern country is famous for across the globe. From the bustling city of Tokyo, where neon-lit sky scrapers shadow historic temples, to the breathtaking scenery of the sacred Mount Fuji, join us on an incredible once-in-a-lifetime escorted tour of Japan.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Fly To Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Fly to Tokyo.
Day 2 : Arrive In Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Nikko Daiba Hotel
Upon arrival in Tokyo transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay.
Day 3 : Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Nikko Daiba Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we discover Tokyo, the vibrant capital of Japan. We begin the day with a city sightseeing tour, where we will see the beautiful Meiji-Jingu Shrine, dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and the Empress Shoken, and the Imperial Palace Plaza, before enjoying a walking tour of the upmarket Ginza district.
For lunch, we will join a fascinating sushi masterclass where we will learn how to make traditional sushi.
This afternoon, we will visit Asakusa, with the famous Senso-ji Buddhist temple, the oldest in Japan, before returning to our hotel.
Day 4 : Nikko With Sightseeing
Location: Nikko, Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Nikko Daiba Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we depart Tokyo for Nikko. On arrival in Nikko, we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city before continuing to the UNESCO Toshogu Shrine, Japan’s most lavishly decorated shrine and mausoleum of the famous shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The impressive shrine was reconstructed by Ieyasu's grandson, shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, now consisting of over a dozen buildings, set in a beautiful forest.
After free time in Nikko, we continue to the stunning Kegon Waterfalls. The magnificent falls were formed when the Daiya River was re-routed by lava flows and is among one of the most beautiful falls in Japan.
Later, we return to our hotel in Tokyo.
Day 5 : Mount Fuji & Matsumoto
Location: Mount Fuji, Matsumoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Takayama Green Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our first stop today is Oishi Park* in Kawaguchiko, with its picturesque views of Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. The park is renowned for its exquisite sightseeing opportunities, with the impressive volcano reflecting from the waters of Lake Kawaguchi.
We will enjoy free time at the Daio Wasabi Plantation Farm, one of Japan’s largest wasabi plantations. The farm is meticulously maintained, with each field fed by crystal-clear waters, fed from the Northern Alps. Within the plantations, there are attractive walking trails and the Daio Shrine, enshrining the spirit of local hero, Hachimen Daio, the farm's protector.
We continue on to Matsumoto, where we will visit the beautiful castle, with its distinctive black walls, a designated national treasure. We continue to our hotel in Takayama for an overnight stay.
*Weather permitting
Day 6 : Takayama
Location: Takayama, Kanazawa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We begin the day with a walking tour of Takayama, a traditional city with a beautifully preserved Old Town.
During our tour of Takayama, we will visit to the morning market, packed full with stalls selling everything from vegetables, pickles and spices to Japanese sweets, gifts and souvenirs. We will also take time to enjoy a spot of sake tasting at the local sake brewery.
The tour concludes with a visit to Takayama-Jinya, a former government outpost before you will have free time to explore independently.
This afternoon we transfer to the UNESCO Shirakawago Village which is best known for its traditional gassho-zukuri wooden houses. We continue to our overnight hotel in Kanazawa.
Day 7 : Kanazawa
Location: Kanazawa, Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rihga Royal Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we head to Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. In the morning, we take time to visit the beautiful traditional Japanese garden of Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.
Kenroku-en is home to roughly 8,750 trees and 183 species of plants as well as the oldest water fountain in Japan, powered only by water natural pressure.
We then continue on to the elegant Nomura Samurai mansion, where time has seemingly stood still since the Edo period. The Nomura’s are one of Japan’s famous Samurai families who used their swords to conquer the Maeda clan. The mansion features refined architecture, intricate murals and stunning gardens complete with flowing waterfalls and dancing carp.
Following time at leisure for lunch, we will take the Express Train to Kyoto where we will stay for the next two nights.
Day 8 : Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rihga Royal Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we enjoy an included sightseeing tour of Kyoto, during which we visit the UNESCO listed Kinkakkuji Temple, famous for its Golden Pavillion.
Kinkakkuji is perhaps the most well-known temple in Japan, despite being burned to the ground by a disgruntled monk in 1950. The picturesque building, delicately covered in gold leaf is one of the most visited sites in Kyoto.
We then continue on to the Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama, where we will have a walking tour before free time for lunch.
We begin the afternoon with a visit to Nijo Castle. Built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founding shogun of the Edo shogunate which ruled Japan from the beginning of the 17th century and has been registered as a Japanese National Treasure.
We will then take part in an authentic tea ceremony. Our instructor will show us how to make a Japanese Matcha Green Tea, and how to enjoy it in the traditional Japanese manner.
We will spend time at leisure in the Kyoto district of Gion before returning to the hotel.
Day 9 : Korakuen Garden & Kurashiki
Location: Korakuen Garden Waterside Corridor, Kurashiki, Hiroshima
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rihga Royal hotel, Hiroshima
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our first stop today is the beautiful Korakuen Garden, where we will have time at leisure to enjoy the uplifting and relaxing spaces. The garden is arranged to take in water from the river that runs through a zig-zag brook to a pond and down into a waterfall.
We then move on to the city of Kurashiki. We will have free time in the historical ‘Bikan Chiku’ area, famous for its beautiful streetscape of storehouses and merchant homes, with their grey and white trellis-patterned walls and flamboyant ceramic roofs.
Take a stroll along the canal, lined with drooping willow trees, as boats gently punt down the calm waters, or veer off down the narrow streets where you will find museums, galleries and workshops.
This afternoon we continue to our hotel in Hiroshima for a two-night stay.
Day 10 : Hiroshima
Location: Hiroshima
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rihga Royal hotel, Hiroshima
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we spend the day in the city of Hiroshima. We take a ferry across Hiroshima bay to Miyajima Island, known for its forests and ancient temples. We see the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, giving you time to admire the elaborate Torii gate, which rises majestically out of the sea.
Included, we enjoy a lunch of Okonomiyaki, similar to a savoury pancake Okonomiyaki, made with egg, cabbage, soba noodles and meat.
Following lunch we visit the Peace Memorial Park and museum. Hiroshima is known worldwide as the first place that the atomic bomb was used. Before the bomb, the Peace Park was the commercial and political heart of the city, and for this reason, it was chosen as the pilot’s target. The area is now a registered UNESCO World Heritage Landmark, redeveloped and devoted to promoting peace.
Please note: The famous 'floating' tori gate of Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima will be undergoing refurbishment commencing in June 2019. Guests will be able to visit the shrine itself, though the tori gate may be scaffolded and covered which may affect the overall view of the shrine. The work is expected to be ongoing until approximately August 2020.
Day 11 : Himeji Castle
Location: Himeji Castle
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sharaton Miyako Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We depart Hiroshima via Nozomi train for Himeji where we visit its beautiful castle. Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle, due to its elegant appearance, is the finest surviving castle that remains in Japan today.
The largest of Japan's castles never destroyed by war, earthquake or fire, the imposing size and beauty of the Himeji makes it not only a national treasure, but also a World Heritage Site.
This afternoon we take the world-famous high-speed bullet train to Osaka, where we arrive at our hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 12 : Osaka & Nara
Location: Osaka, Nara, Osaka
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sharaton Miyako Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we travel to Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan, established in the year 710. Here, we will visit the Todaiji Temple, which houses one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan.
After free time for lunch we continue our day with a visit to the birth place of Sumo, the Kehaya Sumo Museum. The modern museum features a full-size ring, and an interesting collection of Sumo materials relating to the sport. The museum also doubles as a research centre, continuously studying the Sumo sport and its history as an integral part of Japanese culture.
We then continue on to Dotonbori Street, where we enjoy free time taking in the principal tourist destination in Osaka. Lit by neon signs, the street runs along the south bank of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal, and is packed full of incredible restaurants and amusement facilities, a perfect end to your tour of Japan.
We transfer to Kansai/Osaka airport for our overnight flight home.
Day 13 : Return Home
Location: Osaka
Arrival in the UK.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
-
Additional Services
Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.
-
Airport Transfers at Destination
Yes, airport transfers are included
-
Fully Guided
-
International Travel
-
Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
-
Transport
Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach
What's Not Included
Accommodation
Throughout your holiday, you will stay at the hotels detailed below, or similar.
You will stay for three nights at the Grand Nikko Daiba Hotel, Tokyo, one night at the Takayama Green Hotel, Takayama and the Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel, Kanazawa, before moving on to two nights at the Rihga Royal Hotel, Kyoto and two nights at the Rihga Royal hotel, Hiroshima and one night at the Sharaton Miyako Hotel, Osaka.
Check out our Q&As
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport transfers are included on any Leger Air Holidays
-
What type of coach will be used?
You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach
-
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown
-
Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
-
Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.
-
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
-
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
-
Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.
-
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low
-
Are flights included in this tour?
Return flights are included on any Leger Air Holidays
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?
Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Wednesday - Monday
Apr 09, 2025 - Apr 21, 2025Wednesday - Monday
Apr 08, 2026 - Apr 20, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.