Holiday Itinerary

Our tour starts in Tokyo, the modern day capital of Japan.

It is said that over one quarter of Japanese live within a 50 km radius of the centre of Tokyo. The result is a bustling and exciting city, the economic powerhouse of Asia. Our first introduction to this unique culture is when we take a morning stroll to the Asakusa Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple. We then board a boat for a short journey along the Sumida-gawa river. This journey offers a totally different perspective of Tokyo, as we sail past high rise apartments, secluded gardens and busy warehouses. Arriving into the heart of the city near Hamarikyu Gardens you may wish to visit the Meiji shrine and Shinjuku area, where the latest electronic gadgets can be seen in neon-fronted shops.

Today you have the option of either spending more time in the city or we have also included the option of an excursion to the historic town of Kamakura. The former capital is home to over 60 Buddhist temples and many Shinto shrines. Here we take a woodland walk along ancient footpaths leading to some of the most mysterious, yet uniquely Japanese temples and shrines in this historic town. Our 90 min hike ends with a visit to the famous giant Buddah statue. The wooden temple that surrounded this 10m bronze figure was was washed away by a huge tidal wave that swept inland in the 13th century, whilst the Buddha remained intact.

We spend a full day exploring the Hakone National Park. Although distances are short, we utilise a variety of forms of transport including bus, funicular rail and cable car as we make our way initially to the hot, bubbling sulphur springs at Owakudani. From here, on a clear day, there are magnificent views of Mt Fuji, the snow capped mountain, synonymous with Japan. Whilst at the springs you may wish to join the locals, in trying an egg, boiled in the sulphur pools; eating just one is reputed to increase life expectancy by 7 years! Our next stop is Lake Ashi, a magnificent lake, created from the eruption of the Hakone volcano over 3000 years ago. A short boat ride takes us across the lake, to Moto Hakone. Here you may choose to relax in the lakeside restaurants, or alternatively, follow in the footsteps of the shogun warriors, as we join the ‘footpath’ section of the old Tokaido highway for a descent of the Hakone pass. Walking through the stately avenue of ancient Japanese cedar trees (sugi) which line the old route we walk on some of the the original paving stones (ishidatami) of this ancient trail. These were laid down only in steeper parts or rough patches of road to prevent erosion in the rainy season and to assist porters at the trickiest parts. The roads were mainly for the use of the nobility and shoguns. They travelled each year with huge retinues along the trail between the feudal court in Edo (Tokyo), where they resided as hostages for six months, and their own regional castle. Military personnel, government officials and messengers were also permitted to travel and over time the trail became frequented by pilgrims and traders. In Hakone we are accommodated at a Japanese style inn, where we sleep on Japanese futons – comfortable, thick folding mattresses. During our stay at the inn we learn about local etiquette such as when to take off our shoes and the pleasures of taking a Japanese bath, all of which helps enhance our stay in this traditional establishment.

Leaving behind the mountains we take the world famous ‘Bullet Train’ or Shinkansen to Kyoto, the old Imperial capital. Kyoto is the cradle of all things uniquely Japanese and the only large city to escape bombing in WWII. It was the Imperial capital for more than 1000 years and was at the heart of the events that shaped Japan’s destiny. Signs of the past are visible throughout the city in its grand temples and palaces and also the many traditional shops selling wares that have been produced for centuries. This afternoon we visit the Kiyomizudera Temple and the Gion Geisha district. Tonight we dine at a local restaurant.

Kyoto is regarded as Japan’s loveliest city, with more than 2000 temples and shrines, many set in manicured landscaped gardens. But it is also a modern city. These 2 days are left free to explore the city centre’s streets at your own pace. On one of these days we intend to provide a local Kyoto guide whose programme of sightseeing will vary with the season. Recommended destinations include the Kimkakuji Temple, temple of the Golden Pavillion, and the nearby Ryonji temple with its beautiful zen gardens. You may also like to visit the Nijo castle (optional). Built in 1603 as the Shogun palace, Nijo displays the kind of sumptuous setting in which the Shogun would have held audience with his samurai warriors. Another option would be to take a boat trip along the Hozugawa, or take a train trip to Nara, Himeji Castle, or perhaps even to Osaka.

An early morning train takes us to Hiroshima. We spend the morning in this thought – provoking city. Completely destroyed on 6th August 1945 when it was the target of the first atomic bomb to be used in wartime, Hiroshima has literally risen from the ashes, and is now a thriving, friendly city. The morning is free, so why not take one of the colourful street trams that were brought in from all over Japan after the war making travel around this city easy. The Peace Memorial Park and museum at the site of the 1945 A-bomb hypocentre are poignant reminders of the nuclear holocaust, whilst offering hope that such horrors never reoccur. In the afternoon we take the train to Nagasaki a city with a colourful and rich history, and which for long periods served as Japan’s main contact with the outside world.

This morning we have a tour of Nagasaki. In the 16th century the city became established as the main trade point with the Portuguese within Japan. As well as wealth from trade, the Portuguese brought Christianity with them. After almost a century of turmoil, Christianity was banned, foreign traders were expelled, and Japan closed its doors to the West. The one exception was the artificial island in Nagasaki harbour, Dejima. This small, closely guarded enclave was site of the Dutch Trading Mission, which for almost 200 years remained Japan’s only contact with the outside world. During our visit here we can see that some of the original features remain as well as some excellent reconstructions of the 18th century buildings. Continuing our tour, a visit to the Meiji period Foreign Residences and Glover gardens offers fine views over Nagasaki Harbour, perhaps the most scenic harbour view in Japan. The afternoon is left free for exploration in this wonderful city.

This morning we travel light, sending our main luggage on to our final destination and packing our daysacs for our stay on the island of Hirado. A local train takes us to the modern naval base at Sasebo. Here we board our ferry to the charming harbour quayside in Hirado. Our accommodation is a classic ryokan, furnished in the traditional Japanese style with futon mattresses on the tatami mat floors.

The island of Hirado maintains a pristine and unspoiled natural environment with towering cliffs of basalt columns on the coast. We have an all-day tour by mini-bus of Hirado and Ikitsuki Islands. Here we discover rural Japan, taking in the remote countryside of the ‘Hidden Christians’. Near-shore fishing remains one of the main occupations for the people of Hirado today; We also have the opportunity to learn about the traditional industries along the way, whilst there is also a museum dedicated to the whaling industry which played a vital role in the history of this region. Our day finishes with a relaxing cruise through the fabled ‘Ninety Nine Islands’. In fact there are 170 islands, mostly uninhabited, which lie alongside the indented saw-toothed coastline, offering breath-taking views.

The morning is spent exploring and soaking up the charms of Hirado. The city has prospered as a castle town for almost 500 years. An excellent port enabled the town to become the central stage for trade with China, Holland and Portugal from the 17th century. Our walking tour will offer fascinating insights into the way things were here in the early 1600s. We include visits to the church commemorating Saint Francis Xavier (who preached here in the 16th century), the sites of the old trading houses along the waterfront and the foreigners’ cemetery. In the afternoon we transfer to Fukuoka.

Breakfast this morning is only included for Land Only passengers, as the group flight departs before breakfast.