Classic Japan Tour

11 days - to see and feel both the scenic and the cultural aspect of Japan. The highlights include the visit to World Cultural Heritage, the past and present capitals of Japan etc...

• Tokyo: city tour (3 nights)
• Mt Fuji - Lake Ashi - Hakone (1 night)
• Takayama (1 night)
• Shirakawago & Gokayama
• Kanazawa (1 nights)
• Nara
• Bullet Train
• Kyoto: city tour (3 nights)

View details below...

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for a scheduled flight to Tokyo. Meals on board.

Day 2 Tokyo
Arrive at Narita Airport in Tokyo, you are met by your tour assistant and transferred to your hotel for a 3 nights stay. The rest day is at your leisure to adjust to the 9 hours time difference.

Day 3 Tokyo
Morning 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 panorama views across the city from the observation tower. We proceed to the peaceful picturesque setting of the Meiji Shrine considered to be one of the finest example of Shinto Architecture set in thick woodland. Next we visit 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 Garden, where we 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 we will visit the Imperial Palace plaza and famous Double bridge instead of the East Garden, including a visit to the inner moat and towering Palace walls surrounded by pine trees). Our tour will continue with a drive and stroll along Ginza high street, the famous shopping area of Tokyo. Our tour will disband at Ginza giving you the opportunity for shopping (we also recommend you visit the Sony Centre building to see the futuristic electronics on display. Ginza is also convenient for the subway to explore further.

Afternoon - free at leisure or take optional afternoon city tour, which includes Asakusa Kannon Temple and Sumida river cruise. (ask for details at time of booking).

Day 4 Tokyo
Free day to explore Tokyo at your leisure. We recommend a visit to the scenic Meiji Shrine, Ginza, Akihabara or Ueno shopping districts.

Alternatively pre-book a day tour to Nikko National park, a designated World Cultural Heritage site (tour includes lunch). Nikko is a gem of Natural scenic beauty and is home to some of the most spectacular example of ancient Architecture in Japan. The tour includes a visit to the magnificent Toshogu shrine, which houses the Mausoleum of the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the spectacular Kegon waterfall.

Day 5 Tokyo - MT Fuji - Lake Ashi - Hakone
You shall be picked up from your hotel and driven by deluxe motorcoach to the the 5th station on Mount Fuji. Along the way you will enjoy 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). Lunch will be provided at a Hotel/Restaurant in Hakone.

Afternoon we proceed to Hakone for a cruise on Lake Ashi, which is set in serene natural beauty, where 'weather permitting' spectacular views of Mount Fuji can be seen silhouetted in the lake. Following the cruise we take the Komagatake cable car which provides the opportunity to see the magnificent volcanic Hakone mountain range below. (dependent upon traffic conditions).

Accommodation at Hotel with hot springs baths for that ultimate relax (includes: Lunch).

Day 6 Hakone - Takayama

Morning drive to Odawara and board the super-fast Bullet train (Shinkansen) for Nagoya. Transfer to a Limited express for Takayama. Takayama is an tranquil old castle town often nickname 'little Kyoto'. The town is best explored by foot and therefore in the afternoon we have a guided tour where we stroll through the street of Kakayama and Kami Sannomachi, with traditional wooden houses. We visit the Yatai Kaikan Hall, where colourful traditional festive floats are on display; Kusakabe folkcraft museum, which was formerly the residence of powerful merchants. Accommodation at Hilda Hotel Plaza or similar.

Day 7 Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa

We start our tour by visiting the famous morning market of Takayama, followed by a scenic drive alongside Lake Miboro and Shokawa River to Shirakawago. Shirakawago has World Heritage designation and is truly a spectacular experience, which many believe is the 'hidden treasure' in Japan. Visiting Shirakawago is like stepping back in time, with uniquely crafted traditional wooden farmhouses (Gassho-Zukuri) set in a beautiful mountainous landscape.

Finally we continue to Kanazawa and our accommodation at Holiday Inn Kanazawa or similar.

Day 8 Kanazawa - Kyoto

Morning site seeing of Kanazawa includes a visit to the Kenroku-en Garden, which is regarded as one of the three most beautiful garden in Japan. The tour includes a fascinating visit to Kutaniyaki Pottery Kiln and a stroll through the Nagamachi Samurai house district.

Afternoon we take the Limited Express train to Kyoto. Accommodation at the New Miyako hotel or similar.

Day 9 Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto
Full day site seeing tour of Kyoto & Nara including a visit to the Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion) centred around one of the best examples of a Japanese Zen gardens in the world, Nijo Castle 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.(When closed visit Ryoanji temple). We then travel to the Old Kyoto Imperial Palace (on Sat/Sun & national holidays visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Hagashi Honganji temple instead). Finally we explore the Kyoto Handicraft Center where we enjoy demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts. Buffet lunch is provided at the Kyoto handicraft centre. After lunch we travel to the ancient capital of Japan, Nara. Our tour includes a visit Todaiji Temple one of the world's largest wooden buildings housing the Great Buddha. We proceed to the Kasuga Shinto Shrine the most famous and beautiful Shinto shrine in Nara with 3,000 antique stone and bronze lanterns. Finally we explore Nara Deer Park with more than 1,000 deer roaming freely around the 1,250 acres park. Return to your hotel in Kyoto. (includes: Lunch)

Day 10 Kyoto
Day free at Leisure to explore the fascinating city of Kyoto or purchase an optional afternoon tour to the colourful Heian Shrine and inner garden and ponds, Sanjusangendo Hall, a renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues that date back to the 13th century and magnificent Kiyomizu Temple with spectacular views across the entire city. (This highly recommended afternoon tour can be prearranged at time of booking).

Day 11 Osaka to UK
Transfer to the futuristic Kansai International Airport in Osaka for departure to UK. Arriving UK later the same day.

Group Departure Dates & Price 2007 (£)

Group Departure Dates & Price 2008 (£)

* Your stay in Kyoto falls in "Aoi Festival ", one of the biggest festivals in Japan. Early booking is recommended in order to experience the festival atmosphere!

The 2008 price may be different around the bank holidays in the UK, and the festivals period in Japan. Please contact us for confirmation. The single supplement is based on 3 people in 1 group. The hotel upgrade price is based on twin share for the whole trip, for single room upgrade please contact us.

We also arrange private tour or tailor made departure according to this itinerary, please contact us to discuss your requirement.

Price Includes (The prices shown above are 'per person')

• All flights including airport tax. We can also arrange your local airport departure from £65. Please enquire at the time of your booking.
• Airport/hotel transfers.
• Sightseeing tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Selections of quality accommodation in well furnished hotel rooms with private facilities.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.
• Free luggage transfer from hotel to hotel between Tokyo & Kyoto.

Price Does Not Include

• Optional tours.
• Travel Insurance.

Why choose to travel with Magical Japan?

We take away all the hassles on your holiday from the moment you talk to our travel consultant who have all travelled extensively to Japan. Our service include meet & greet service at airport, free luggage transfer from hotel to hotel etc. There is no additional entrance fee or transportation cost on any sightseeing places that already listed in our programme. Your tours are with officially qualified professional English tour guide, transferred by air-conditioned deluxe coach, and you will have time to enjoy each sightseeing places on foot. The tour itineraries are regularly checked and provides an ideal length of time to show you the sights, with free time to explore according to own interests.

Other fact of this tour arrangement In Takayama and Kanazawa till Kyoto, you are provided with a small group private guided tour. You will be met and transfered from hotel in Kyoto to Osaka Airport by private transportation.

Your Accommodation Carefully selected medium level quality accommodations in ideal locations, with upgrade to deluxe level available.

Your Meals Breakfast at hotel can be booked in advance at £13 per person per day. Alternatively, there are many places around the hotels that you can buy meals from.

Flights As agent of many airline consolidators, we can obtain flights in various class, with reputable airlines such as BA, Virgin, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair etc. We will book airline ticket according to availability unless you specify at the booking stage. We can also provide land-only tours if you prefer to organise your own flights and save airmiles.

Suitable for all age travellers. Add on tours and city extension available, for details visit optional tours page.

Nijo Castle (Kyoto) is closed (Tue in Jul & Aug), therefore if your tour falls on these dates, we will visit Ryoanji Temple instead. Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed on weekends and national holidays, we will visit Kitano Tenmangu, or Ryoanji Temple instead.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information of flights schedules available, although occasionally the sequence in which cities are visited and duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. MT Fuji - Hakone - We reserve the right to change or amend our tour itinerary due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather.We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.