Country
Japan
Duration
9 Days/8 Nights
Travel Type
Escorted Tour
 

If you would like to visit the highlights of Central Japan with limited time, this tour is your best choice!

Inclusions

8-night accommodation
14 meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Travel by bus with English-speaking guide
Arrival and departure shared transfers
Boat: Kawaguchiko Lake
City tours: Tokyo, Kyoto
Evening transfers: Shinjuku in Tokyo, Traditional quarter of Gion in Kyoto.
Ticket admissions:
– Metro
– Arakurayama Sengen Park in Mont Fuji
– Village Museum in Iyashi No Sato Nenba
– Toyota Museum
– Tenryu-ji Temple
– Arashiyama bamboo forest in Kyoto
– Fushimi Inari
– Imperial Palace
– Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto
– Matsumoto Castle
– Zenko-ji Temple
– Gomakuyo ceremony
– Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano
– Yumomi performance in Kusatsu
– Nikko Toshogu Shrine
– Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum in Nikko

Exclusions

International airfare – Beverages – Gratuities to guides, drivers, and hotel staff – Optional excursions – Personal expenses – City tax and visa fees when applicable – Travel insurances – All other items not mentioned in the inclusions

Additional Information

Note

Minimum 2 pax
Group size between 2 and 40 pax
English-speaking guided group tour
Multilingual : max 2 languages per coach – each language has their own tour guide

1

DAY 1 TOKYO

Welcome to Japan! Transfer by coach (SHUTTLE BUS) to hotel.
18H30 - Meeting with guide. Late in the afternoon, we will pay a visit to this fascinating country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku district and see the crowds of people who use this modern and efficient collective transport system. Shinjuku is one of the most important nightlife districts. Dinner included and return to hotel by metro with our guide.

Meals : Dinner

Accommodation : Tokyo for 2 nights

2

DAY 2 TOKYO

In the morning, we take part in a 5-hour trip with our guide to see this amazing city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with quiet, peaceful areas. Brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to make a beautiful photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Pay attention to the hundred of Jizos, stone traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those who are weak (such children) and those in dangerous places, and who are dressed including hats, robes and windmills. Then we head to the junction of Shibuya, a junction that is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji Temple is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits. We continue on our bus along the elegant street of Omotesando. We will edge the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and the gardens. Stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. We will pass through the district of Akihabara, the “electric town” with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture and then see Kokugikan, the Sumo stadium, home of this Japanese sport. We will also visit the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo, with its 55-metre high pagoda. Then we will have some free time to visit the traditional commercial street of Nakamise in the district of Asakusa. Lunch included in a local restaurant. Return to hotel.
Free time in the afternoon.
NOTE: During the Japanese Olympics, accommodation may be given near Narita airport.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

3

DAY 3 TOKYO - MOUNT FUJI - KAWAGUCHIKO

We travel to the beautiful area of Monte Fuji, through pretty countryside on our way. First of all we see the ARAKURAYAMA SENGEN PARK, with its beautiful pagodas, and from here enjoy the best and most well-known views of Mount Fuji. After this we go on to KAWAGUCHIKO with its tiny houses, flowers and mountains, and its beautiful lake. On our arrival, we will visit the FUJI SENGEN SHRINE set in a magical site surrounded by tall trees, and the starting point of the traditional pilgrimage to the mountain. At the shrine, we will express our thanks for being able to visit this wonderful place. The visit also includes a delightful boat trip on Kawaguchiko Lake. After lunch, we start to ascend Mount Fuji on the road that takes us to the “fifth station”, surrounded by spectacular forests and views, to a height of 2,305 metres.
NOTE: In winter, the route up to Mount Fuji is closed due to snow or other adverse weather conditions; during this season, we will ascend as far as the authorised point.
Return to Kawaguchiko, with time to stroll near the lake. We will stay at a Ryokan (a traditional Japanese hotel), and have the chance to enjoy its ONSEN (public baths). Dinner included.
(NB: In the planned Ryokan, some rooms are in Japanese style, with accommodation on tatamis, and others are in western-style. Accommodation may sometimes be in a western type hotel).

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation : Kawaguchiko for 1 night

4

DAY 4 KAWAGUCHIKO - IYASI NO SATO NENBA - TOYOTA - KYOTO

We are only 130km (81 miles) from KYOTO. In the morning, we continue along the pretty road bordered by lakes to IYASHI NO SATO NENBA, a tiny village destroyed by a typhoon in 1966 and later restored as a traditional open-air mountain village and museum. Its traditional houses have been transformed into arts and crafts shops, restaurants and traditional museums. We then have the opportunity to admire the SHIRAITO FALLS, considered one of the most attractive sites in Japan, with a waterfall height of 150 metres. We will then continue to NAGOYA, the third most important city of Japan, on the shores of the Pacific. Here we will visit the TOYOTA MUSEUM (admission included), a must-see for motor lovers. We continue to KYOTO.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Kyoto for 2 nights

5

DAY 5 KYOTO

We spend all day in the city that was the capital of Japan from the year 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. We head for the outskirts of Kyoto to Arashiyama, where we cross the Togetsukyo Bridge (¨bridge over the moon¨), which has fantastic views. We will visit the Tenryuji temple, one of the ¨five major Zen temples of Kyoto¨ and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a walk through its mystic bamboo forest. The visit includes a trip to one of the most important parts of the city. We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, “the golden pavilion” and its wonderful gardens.
Free time before visiting GION, a busy traditional quarter famous for its Geisha. Free time.

Meals : Breakfast

6

DAY 6 KYOTO - TSUMAGO - MATSUMOTO - NAGANO

We set out for TSUMAGO, passing attractive country scenery on our way. This small village with its wooden houses is one of the prettiest places in Japan. Free time to explore and lunch included. Then we continue to MATSUMOTO, a tourist city, where we will visit the impressive 16th century castle, known as the “Crow Castle”. Free time to explore this bustling tourist city. We continue to NAGANO.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation : Nagano for 1 night

7

DAY 7 NAGANO - MONKEY PARK - KUSATSU - IKAHO ONSEN

In NAGANO we will see the Zenko-ji, a place of pilgrimage with the first Buddhist image in Japan. Our travellers will be included the Gomakuyo ceremony to bring luck. After this, we will travel to the beautiful Japanese Alps and in the mountains we will go to the JIGOKUDANI Monkey Park, where we will include lunch and stroll amidst its forests with its rivers and spa waters where colonies of Japanese macaques live and bathe. After this, very beautiful high mountain scenery (we go up to 2,172 metres), passing semi-active volcanoes. KUSATSU, an attractive spa town, its main square full of life. We will include attendance at a Yumomi show, with its actresses and singing telling us about the traditional method used to cool the spa waters. We follow this with a walk in the city park which has the open air Onsen. Then on to IKAHO, a picturesque spa town where we will stroll in its ancient centre with its staircase streets. We will stay at a RYOKAN, a Japanese style hotel where we will continue to enjoy its baths. Traditional Japanese dinner included.
NB: In the autumn, depending on the amount of fruit in the mountains, the movement of the monkeys is unpredictable. If the macaques do not come down to the park, it may be closed. The visit to Kusatsu and the Yumoni show are cancelled due to the weather from November to April.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Ikaho for 1 night

8

DAY 8 IKAHO - NIKKO - TOKYO

We continue on our way to NIKKO, and in this fantastic town we will visit the impressive Nikko-Toshogu Temple with its room with the sound of a dragon. We will also see the Taiyuinbyo mausoleum, an impressive place full of peace. After this a stroll by the river in Kanmangafuchi, Hundreds of Jizos watch us! We will have free time in the centre before leaving for TOKYO once more. Arrival in Tokyo at around 18.30 in the evening.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Tokyo for 1 night

9

DAY 9 TOKYO - DEPARTURE

Breakfast at hotel.

Meals : Breakfast

HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR

Price based on one of the following accommodation or similar. Hotels will be confirmed 3 weeks prior departure.

Tokyo

Tokio Prince Hotel 4*
The Prince Park Tower Tokyo 5*

Kawaguchiko

Kofu Kinenbi 4*
Fuji View Hotel Kawaguchiko 4*
Fruits Park Fujiya 4*
Yamagishi Ryokan 4*
Route Inn Court Yamagashi 3*
Hotel Mifujien 4*
Highland Resort Spa 4*
Fuji Kawaguchiko Resort 4*

Kyoto

Miyako Kioto Hachijyo 4*

Nagano

Metropolitan Nagano 4*
Tokio Rei Nagano 4*
Royal Nagano 4*
Jal City Nagano 3*
Chisun Grand Nagano 4*

Ikaho

Hotel Moriaki Ryokan 4*
Kishigon Ryokan 4
Metropolitan Takasaki 4*

Rates in CA$, per person, starting from

Land Package
Departures until March 2025 Single
Occupancy
Double
Occupancy

Tour starts in Tokyo every Saturday until March 29th, 2025

LOW SEASON

2024
January 06, 13, 20, 27
February 03, 10, 17, 24
March 02, 09, 16
November 16, 23, 30
December 07, 14, 21

2025
January 04, 11, 18, 25
February 01, 08, 15, 22
March 01, 08, 15

5335 4139

REGULAR SEASON
2024
March 23, 30
April 06, 13, 20, 27
May 04, 11, 18, 25
June 01, 08, 15, 22, 29
July 06, 13, 20, 27
August 03, 10, 17, 24, 31
September 07, 17, 21, 28
October 05, 12, 19, 26
November 02, 09

2025
March 22, 29

5375 4175
ID : 26974

Minimum 2 pax
Group size between 2 and 40 pax
Multilingual : max 2 languages per coach – each language has their own tour guide

**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.

Central Japan – Detailed itinerary
Central Japan – Detailed itinerary