General

DAY 1: Depart for Japan

Depart from London Heathrow Airport or your preferred Airport on your scheduled flight to Tokyo. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.

DAY 2: Arrive in Tokyo

Welcome to Japan.

Upon arrival at Tokyo International Airport, Japan’s the bustling capital of “The Land of the Rising Sun”, clear immigration, collect your luggage and follow sign for Exit. Watch out for our English speaking guide who will be holding a placard ‘Welcome Cobra Holidays’ on it. He will greet you and transfer you to our hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure to rest, relax and acclimate to the new time zone.

In the evening dinner at an Indian Restaurant.

Meals: Dinner                                                                                                   Overnight: Tokyo

DAY 3: Tokyo City Tour

Today we proceed for city tour of Tokyo visiting a number of the main highlights of this magnificent City. The tour includes a visit to the Tokyo Tower where you can enjoy panoramic views across the city from the observation tower. Next we drive by the ‘Akasaka Guest House’ for a photo opportunity. The Guest House is a magnificent ‘Western Style Palace’ built in the Baroque Architectural style. We then drive alongside the imposing National Diet Building, which is home to the Japanese House of Parliament.

Our tour continues across Tokyo to the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Enjoy a pleasant walk in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, which is filled with scenic and historic beauty. (Alternatively for tours on Monday & Friday & when the garden is closed, we will visit the Imperial Palace plaza and famous Double Bridge instead).

Later we board our Sumida River Cruise boat and visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple & Nakamise shopping street.

In the evening dinner at an Indian Restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                Overnight: Tokyo

DAY 4: Tokyo – Kamakura – Tokyo

After breakfast, proceed for full day tour to Kamakura.

En-route we drive by the famous Shimbuya Crossing the busiest Zebra crossing in Shibuya (Tokyo).

The phenomenon gave rise to its nickname “scramble,” as pedestrians cross from all directions. Shibuya Crossing walks the line between manic chaos and perfect synchronization. It is located in front of the Shibuya Station Hachikō exit and stops vehicles in all directions to allow pedestrians to inundate the entire intersection. The statue of Hachikō, a dog, between the station and the intersection, is a common meeting place and almost always crowded.

Get a taste for the beautiful landscapes and serene religious monuments outside Tokyo as you visit the city of Kamakura and Enoshima on this guided day trip. Visit Kotoku-in Temple featuring the Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 11.4 meters, it has long been the second tallest bronze Buddha in Japan

Enjoy green tea ceremony at Jomyo-ji Temple overlooking a rock garden (subject to availability).

You’ll learn about Japan’s long history before returning to Tokyo.

In the evening transfer for dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                Overnight: Tokyo

DAY 5: Tokyo – Mt. Fuji – Hakone

We board our coach and drive to the 5th station on Mount Fuji. Along the way you will enjoy the scenery of rural Japan, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and mountainous peaks. From our vantage point on the 5th station on MT Fuji, we will enjoy spectacular views (weather permitting).

Afternoon – we proceed to Hakone for a cruise on Lake Ashi, which is set in serene natural beauty. Weather permitting, spectacular views of Mount Fuji can be seen silhouetted in the lake. Following the cruise we take the Hakone Ropeway Cable Car.

The ropeway’s gondolas depart every minute and fit around ten people each. Traveling the full length of the ropeway takes around 30 minutes. Along the journey, passengers can enjoy views of the active, sulfuric hot spring sources of the Owakudani Valley between Sounzan and Owakudani and of Lake Ashinoko and Mount Fuji between Owakudani and Togendai if visibility allows.

Later we visit the recently restored Hakone Sekisho, which was an important check point established by the Tokugawa shogun.

Check in hotel and experience hot springs indoor baths for ultimate relaxation. Please bring suitable swim wear.

In the evening dinner at an Indian Restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                Overnight: Hakone

Note:

1. To make your train journey more comfortable we have arranged to transfer your large luggage (1 piece per person) from Tokyo directly to Osaka.
2. Please pack an overnight bag hand carrier for 2 nights to take with you on the Bullet Train to Hakone & Hiroshima, whilst your main luggage is transferred to Osaka

DAY 6: Hakone – Nagoya – Toyota Car Museum – Hiroshima

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Nagoya.

On arrival at Nagoya, we proceed to the city of Toyota, less than one hour east of central Nagoya to visit Toyota Cars Kaikan Museum, where Toyota displays its new models and technologies to the public and periodically holds robot shows.

After lunch, travel to Hiroshima by Bullet Train (Shinkansen).

On arrival transfer to your hotel for check-in.

In the evening transfer for dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                        Overnight: Hiroshima

DAY 7: Hiroshima – Miyajima – Hiroshima

After breakfast, we proceed to visit the Peace Memorial Park to see the Flame of Peace, continually burning 24 hours a day  to symbolize the hope for worldwide peace, and surrounding area, including the A-Bomb Dome and Museum.

In the afternoon after lunch, we transfer to Miyajimaguchi, where we board a ferry to Miyajima Island otherwise known as Itsukushima or Divine Island.

Visit the famous Itsukushima Shrine, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known worldwide for its floating Red Torii Gate rising majestically out of the sea. The stunning Shinto Shrine and Torii Gate are unique as they are constructed over the sea with each building in the complex connected by a series of walkways.

In the evening dinner at an Indian Restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                    Overnight: Hiroshima

DAY 8: Hiroshima – Kobe – Jain Temple – Osaka

Today after breakfast, we meet our English speaking guide, board our coach and transfer to Kobe. On arrival in Kobe, see the Himeji Castle (photo stop), and proceed to visit the Bhagwan Mahavirswami temple (in Kitano-Cho).  Followed by visit to most famous sights in the city like the Ikuta Shrine .

Later check in to your hotel in Osaka for overnight. (Receive luggage)

In the evening transfer for dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                Overnight: Osaka

DAY 09: Osaka – Kyoto – Osaka

Today after breakfast, we proceed for full day sightseeing tour of Kyoto city.

Thereafter, we  visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine (photo stop), famous for its 1000 Torii gates which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings.

Later, proceed to Kiyomizu-dera, otherwise known as the ‘Temple of the Pure Water Spring’, is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan

We visit to the celebrated gold-gilded Kinkakuji Temple, known as the “Golden Pavilion’ surrounded by trees and nestled on a reflective pond.

Then visit to Nijo Castle, former residence of the Tokugawa Shogun built in 1603. Nijo Castle is noted for its Ornate interior and ‘nightingale floor’ designed to sing when stepped upon to warn of Ninja assassins.

We visit the Bamboo Forest, or Arashiyama Bamboo Grove or Sagano Bamboo Forest (photo stop – if time permits), a natural forest of bamboo in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan.

In the evening transfer for dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                Overnight: Osaka

DAY 10: Osaka – Nara – Osaka

Today after breakfast, we meet our English speaking guide, board our coach and transfer to Nara. On arrival In Nara we enjoy a sight-seeing tour which includes visiting the home of the impressive Todaiji temple Daibutsu (Great Buddha) bronze statue in the world’s largest wooden building, rising over 50 feet high.

Continue to Nara Park to see over 1,000 tame deer roaming freely in the peaceful park. Encounter wild deer up close while walking through Nara Park, a rarity in Japan and worldwide.

Next we visit the famous and beautiful Kasuga Taisha Shinto Shrine which features hanging 3,000 bronze and stone lanterns.

Enjoy shopping at Nara Nagomikan the largest souvenir shop in Nara.

In the evening transfer for dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                Overnight: Osaka

DAY 11: Osaka – City Tour

After breakfast, we board our coach and proceed for sightseeing tour of Osaka city, which begins with a visit to the dramatic Osaka Castle(from outside)  built as a display of power in the 16th century, strategically looming over the surrounding park and moat.

We visit the Umeda sky building(twin tower), to enjoy panoramic views of Osaka at the Floating Garden Observatory at the top of the Umeda Sky Building, which is also popular among international travellers for its unique architecture.

Then we board the Osaka Aqua Liner (60 minutes cruise), and enjoy seeing the seasonal scenery with a cruise along the Ogawa River aboard the Aqua Liner water bus. See a view of the famous places and historic spots of Osaka from the river.

Then, free time to wander along the Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori shopping streets with an array of fabulous selection of fashionable boutiques.

In the evening transfer for dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                Overnight: Osaka

DAY 12: Osaka – Flight to London

After breakfast free time at leisure, later we say Sa-yo-na-ra and depart for Osaka Kansai International Airport to board your flight for London Heathrow Airport.

Meals: Breakfast                      

Upon arrival at London Heathrow Airport, follow signs for arrival/baggage claim, clear immigration, collect baggage and follow sign for EXIT.

Note:

• Return flight – If your flight departs in the morning, you will arrive in U.K. on the same day.
• Return flight – If your flight departs in the afternoon / evening, you will arrive in U.K. on the next day.

** Your tour ends, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful holiday. **