9-Day Japan Combination Package B

Itinerary - 9 Days

1. Day 1

   Location

   Tokyo

   Tokyo Airport
   Representative will meet participants at the airport and assist in boarding a pre-reserved taxi.
   
   After arrival at the hotel, enjoy free time in Tokyo

2. Day 2

   Location

   Kamakura > Tokyo

   Meal

   Lunch

   07:50 - 08:30 Pick-up Service
   This tour can be joined from locations including major hotels in Tokyo.
   
   09:00 - Depart Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal (90 min)
   Depart from Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal and head to Kamakura by bus.
   
   Hase-dera Temple (30 min)
   Visit a 1,200 year old temple reflecting the beauty of the seasons with seasonal flowers, especially hydrangea.
   
   Lunch (50 min)
   A Japanese-style lunch will be served at a hotel facing the ocean.
   
   Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine & Komachi-dori (50 min)
   One of the foremost sightseeing spots of Kamakura. The god enshrined here is the protector of the warrior class. It is also known as Kamakura Hachimangu.
   Komachi-dori is a street lined with long-running shops, restaurants and souvenir vendors.
   
   Hokoku-ji Temple (30 min)
   Featuring a beautiful bamboo grove, Hokoku-ji is an ancient and renowned temple of the Rinzai sect's Kencho-ji school.
   
   Matcha Green Tea Experience at Jomyo-ji Temple (30 min)
   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.
   
   Yokohama Bay Bridge
   View from the window
   
   17:00 - 18:00 Drop off at Ginza
   Participants will be dropped of at Sukiyabashi Intersection in Ginza. Please head to your next destination on your own after the tour.
   
   17:40 - 18:40 Drop off at Shinjuku
   Participants will be dropped off near Shinjuku Station West Exit.
   *Please head to your next destination on your own from Shinjuku.
   Remarks: There is no shuttle service to hotels after the tour. The guide can explain how to return to your hotel from either of the drop-off locations.

3. Day 3

   Location

   Tokyo

   07:50 - 08:30 Pick-up Service
   Gather at designated locations and board bus to Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal.
   
   09:00 - Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal
   The tour departs Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal to begin sightseeing around Tokyo.
   
   Tokyo Tower (30 min)
   Get a spectacular view of Metropolitan Tokyo from the observation deck
   
   Imperial Palace Plaza (10 min)
   Admire the view of Nijubashi Bridge and the surrounding scenery at this National Garden that was formerly a private garden of the Royal Family
   
   Asakusa Kannon & Shopping at Nakamise (45 min)
   Of the 33 temples in Eastern Japan dedicated to the Goddess Kannon, this is the only one in the capital (No. 13 on the pilgrimage to all 33 temples). Visit this historic area which includes Nakamise-dori, the street leading to the temple.
   
   Ueno & Akihabara (drive-by)
   Enjoy a pleasant drive through Ueno, where Tokyo's first coffee shop once stood, to Akihabara which is home to the famous Electric Town.
   
   12:30 Tokyo Station (Marunouchi South Exit)
   Participants may get off the bus at Akihabara. All other participants will get a view of Akihabara from the windows and continue to Tokyo Station by bus.
   
   12:50 Drop off at Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal
   Participants will be dropped off at Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal. There is no shuttle service to hotels after the tour.

4. Day 4

   Location

   Mt. Fuji > Hakone

   Meal

   Lunch

   07:50 - 08:30 Pick-up Service
   Gather at designated locations and board bus to Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal.
   
   09:00 - Depart Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal (150 min)
   Depart Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal and head to Mt. Fuji by bus.
   (Chuo Expressway or Tomei Expressway)
   
   Mt. Fuji 5th Station (30 min)
   Start the ascent up Mt. Fuji via the Fuji Subaru Line. Climb 2,300 meters (7,546 ft) above sea level for breath-taking views from above the clouds.
   Remarks: The tour will not be cancelled or refunded even if Mt. Fuji is not fully visible due to weather conditions.
   
   Lunch
   Enjoy a Japanese-style lunch.
   
   Lake Ashi Cruise (15 min)
   Go for 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.
   
   Mt. Komagatake Ropeway (50 min)
   Spend a total of 50 minutes including a 7-minute ropeway ride up to the spiritual Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya (original shrine) that nestles at the mountaintop.
   
   Remarks: Hakone Komagatake Ropeway may be omitted due to heavy traffic. The tour will not be cancelled or refunded in case of itinerary alteration.
   
   17:00 - 18:00 Arrive at Hotel in Hakone

5. Day 5

   Location

   Takayama

   08:00 - 09:30 Depart from Hotel in Hakone
   Go to Odawara Station by taxi or bus
   
   From Odawara Station to Nagoya Station (140 min)
   Head to Nagoya via the Kodama Shinkansen
   
   Remarks: Tour representative will take you to your designated train, but will not board the train with you.
   
   From Nagoya Station to Takayama Station (150 min)
   A guide will meet participants at Nagoya Station. Board the JR Limited Express train to Takayama.
   
   14:00 - 14:30 Takayama Station
   
   Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall (30 min)
   The Takayama Festival is very popular all throughout Japan. At this hall, visitors can see on display the floats used during the festival and the detailed craftsmanship that goes into making them.
   
   Kusakabe Heritage House (20 min)
   Enjoy a visit to this historical Japanese-style townhouse and view a range of exquisite folk art and traditional handicrafts.
   
   Kami-Sannomachi (30 min)
   Located in Takayama's old quarter, this street is lined with Edo period buildings, and provides visitors a glimpse into the past.
   
   Note: On specific dates in January when the Shirakawa-go Winter Illumination is held, the tour will proceed directly to Shirakawa-go upon arrival at Takayama station. And the scheduled tours on Day 4 and 5 will be interchanged.
   
   17:30 - 18:30 Arrive at Hida Hotel Plaza

6. Day 6

   Location

   Shirakawa-go > Kanazawa

   Meal

   Lunch

   08:00 - Depart from Hida Hotel Plaza
   Sightseeing will be conducted via regular sightseeing bus operated by Nohi Bus. Note that the bus will be shared with other customers. Also, depending on the number of participants, a chartered bus may be used.
   *During the Shirakawa-go illumination period, the tour will go directly from Takayama to Kanazawa via expressway bus.
   
   World Heritage Gokayama Ainokura Village (50 min)
   Many of the structures at this traditional thatched roof village were built over 100 years ago, creating an idyllic atmosphere of Japan of days gone by. Enjoy this mountain village that preserves the ways of life of the past.
   
   Note: This destination will not be visited during the Shirakawa-go illumination period.
   
   World Heritage Shirakawa-go (120 min)
   
   Lunch on your own. Savour the taste of home-style cooking that can only be experienced in regions such as this.
   After lunch, enjoy a tour and spend time to walk around the thatched roof village.
   *This destination will be visited on the previous day during the Shirakawa-go illumination period.
   
   From Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa (75 min)
   From Shirakawa-go, go to Kanazawa by expressway bus
   
   15:15 - 18:30 Arrive at Kanazawa City hotel

7. Day 7

   Location

   Kanazawa > Kyoto

   08:00 - 08:15 Depart from Kanazawa City hotel
   Remarks: Sightseeing is conducted via regular sightseeing bus operated by Hokutetsu Railroad. Also, depending on the number of participants, public transportation may be used.
   
   Higashi Chaya district (30 min)
   Wooden-latticed exteriors of teahouses line both sides of the stone-paved street here where something from the Edo period still lingers in the air. This area is an Important Traditional Building Preservation District.
   
   Tentokuin Temple (40 min)
   Karakuri Puppet Show Viewing
   
   Nagamachi Samurai District *Free time to walk around (30 min)
   Feel the atmosphere of the days of the samurai in this area, where the earthen walls, waterways, and stone paths remain as they were when samurai of the Kaga domain resided here.
   
   Kenroku-en Garden (60 min)
   This beautiful garden is considered one of the top three Japanese gardens and offers amazing seasonal views all year round.
   
   12:50 - 14:00 Arrival at Kanazawa Station
   Have lunch on your own after arrival at Kanazawa Station.
   
   Kanazawa Station to Kyoto Station (145 min)
   Take the JR limited express train to Kyoto
   
   16:30 - 18:00 Arrive at Hotel in Kyoto City
   Participants will be taken by taxi from Kyoto Station to their hotels. An English-speaking assistant will guide participants to the taxi, but will not ride along in the taxi.

8. Day 8

   Location

   Kyoto

   Meal

   Lunch

   08:00 - 08:40 Depart from Hotel in Kyoto City
   All transportation on the tour will be by bus.
   Remarks: In some cases participants will be picked up by taxi and taken to the bus terminal to transfer to the tour bus.
   
   Nijo Castle (50 min)
   A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the historical castle completed in 1626, which was built to provide lodging for Tokugawa Shogun and as a palladium for Kyoto Imperial Palace.
   
   Kinkaku-ji Temple (45 min)
   Visit this 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.
   
   Kyoto Imperial Palace (Mondays to Fridays) (40 min)
   The Kyoto Imperial Palace is the former ruling palace of the Emperor of Japan and served as residence since 1869.
   
   Note: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is visited as a substitute when Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed.
   
   Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and specific days) (40 min)
   The 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.
   
   Lunch (Japanese/Western style buffet lunch) (50 min)
   
   Heian Jingu Shrine (25 min)
   Don't miss the characteristic red architecture of this beautiful shrine built to celebrate the 1100 year anniversary of the founding of the city of Kyoto.
   
   Sanjusangen-do Temple (30 min)
   Visit the world's longest wooden structure, housing 1,001 life-size statues of Buddhist Kannon deities dating back to the 13th century.
   
   Kiyomizu-dera Temple (70 min)
   The view of Kyoto from the World Heritage Site of Kiyomizu-dera is superb. The historic shopping lane that leads to the temple adds to a wonderful experience.
   
   17:30 - 18:30 Drop-off Service
   From Kiyomizu-dera Temple to hotels

9. Day 9

   After hotel checkout, free time until departure