Essence of Japan

SAMURAI CASTLES AND THE BULLET TRAIN

14 days from £3,399 per person

Famous for its thrilling ultra-modern cities, Japan is also home to some of the world’s most stunning areas of natural beauty, where cherry blossoms and hydrangea bloom in spring and maple trees blaze fiery red hues across the land in autumn. Having selected these two splendid seasons as the most magical times to visit, our fully-escorted Japanese tour highlights the vitality of Tokyo and Hiroshima, the tranquillity and charm of temples, shrines, museums and gardens and the march of technology with an included journey on the lightning-fast Shinkansen (Bullet Train), all enhanced with the most gracious hospitality of the Japanese.

Recent clients on the trip

INCLUDING...

• 12 nights in hotel and 1 in flight(accommodation as specified or similar)
• 12 meals: 12 breakfasts (days 3-14)
• Portable audio headset system on excursions

For more information please call a member of our team on 020 8882 0141.

Day 1 London - In flight

Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport and a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Tokyo.

Day 2 Tokyo

On arrival, we transfer by coach to the Hilton Tokyo (4T) or Keio Plaza Hotel (4T), located in Shinjuku, in the very heart of the Tokyo metropolis, for a two-night stay.

Day 3 Tokyo

We embrace this dazzling city with a full day tour, taking in legendary landmarks - the moated Imperial Palace, the Ginza (Silver Mint) district, the five-storey Asakusa Kannon Temple and the 333m Tokyo Tower. One of the star attractions is Meiji Shrine, the picturesque Shinto shrine set in a delightful tree-lined avenue.

Day 4 Tokyo - Mt Fuji - Matsumoto

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The Five Lakes District is dominated by majestic Mt Fuji, an icon of world travel towering over this region of exceptional natural beauty - on a clear day, the snow-capped, conical volcano is mirrored on the placid waters of Lake Kawaguchi. From here we continue to Matsumoto and our accommodation, the Buena Vista Hotel (3T+) or Matsumoto Tokyu REI Hotel (3T+).

Day 5 Matsumoto - Takayama

This morning we visit Matsumoto Castle, a striking timber and stone structure with a unique moon-viewing turret. We also take time to sample sake at a traditional brewery. Our journey proceeds through the breathtaking Japanese Alps to the hill town of Takayama. Here we stop at the Hida Folk Village, a large open-air museum with a collection of antique houses from the region and a fabulous showcase of crafts and ancient traditions. We spend the next two nights at the Best Western Hotel Takayama (3T) or Takayama Associa (3T).

Day 6 Takayama

Our walking tour of Takayama, known as ‘little Kyoto’, is filled with fabulous attractions from the open-air flower and fruit market to the imposing government house.

Day 7 Takayama - Kanazawa

We transfer by coach to Kanazawa visiting the World Heritage Shirakawago Village en route. Kanazawa is an historic castle town, which boasts beautifully preserved samurai and geisha districts and our sightseeing tour includes Omicho market and Higashi Chayagai before heading to the Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel (4T), where we spend the night.

Day 8 Kanazawa - Hiroshima

We pack overnight bags whilst our main luggage is transferred to Kyoto for our arrival on day 10. A sightseeing tour of Kanazawa this morning includes the gorgeous Kenroku-en Garden and Buke-Yashiki (Samurai's house). We then transfer to Kanazawa Station to depart for Hiroshima via Shin Osaka by JR Limited Express Train and JR Bullet Train. On arrival, we head to the Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima (4T) or Hotel Granvia Hiroshima (4T) to spend the next two nights.

Day 9 Hiroshima

Our journey begins at Miyajima Port to catch a ferry over to Miyajima Island, otherwise known as Itsukushima or Divine Island. On arrival we admire the elaborate gate, Itsukushima Shrine, rising majestically out of the sea, and spend time strolling through the park, which dazzles with beautiful maple in autumn. On our return to Hiroshima, we take a walking tour around Peace Memorial Park to see the Flame of Peace, continually burning to symbolise the hope for worldwide peace. Our tour concludes with a visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum, just a short walk from our hotel.

Day 10 Hiroshima - Nara - Kyoto

We transfer to Hiroshima Station for our JR Bullet Train journey to Shin Osaka, where we board our coach for Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan. Attractions here include the famous Todaiji temple, which was built in 794 and became the guardian temple for the city. The building is claimed to be the oldest wooden structure in the world and houses a huge bronze Buddha. We also visit Nara Park, also known as Deer Park, to see hundreds of freely roaming deer. Our adventure proceeds to culturally-rich Kyoto, known historically as ‘Hana No Miyako’, the flowering capital with its wealth of fine architecture in its shrines and temples, gardens with their profusion of colour and variety of art and craft shops. We spend time in the Gion area, the country’s most famous geisha district, before heading to the Kyoto Hotel Okura (4T), Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (4T) or Nikko Princess Kyoto (4T), to enjoy a two night stay.

Day 11 Kyoto

Highlights of this morning’s tour include the wonderful Ryoanji Temple, a Zen temple with a famous rock garden, and also the beautiful Kinkakuji Temple, or the ‘Golden Pavilion’, whose top two floors are completely bedecked in gold leaf. We also enjoy a traditional tea ceremony.

Day 12 Kyoto - Hakone

After further exploration of Kyoto, with stops at the Kiyomizu Temple and Nijo, a fortified castle with ornate audience halls and unique ‘nightingale’ floors designed to replicate the sound of the nightingale song when stepped on. We later take the JR Bullet Train from Kyoto to Mishima and continue to Hakone, for a one-night stay at the Palace Hotel Hakone (3T+).

Day 13 Hakone - Tokyo

This morning we embark on a cruise on Lake Ashi, from where stunning views of the snow-capped mountains can be seen. We continue by cable car over the Owakudani Hot Springs, lying in the crater of Mt Kamiyama. We later enjoy marvellous views of Tokyo Bay before continuing to the ANA Crowne Plaza (3T).

Day 14 Tokyo - London

Today we leave Tokyo for Narita Airport and a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London Heathrow Airport. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.