Japan 5 Star Exclusive -Private Tour Includes all flights, Deluxe hotels, transfers, guides and meals where indicated. Discover luxury with the very best service during your time in Japan. Visit the must-see places in Tokyo, Nikko,Takayama, Shirakawago and Kyoto with this Deluxe tour. Stay in some of the very best accommodation in Japan,including a tradition Ryokan (a type of traditional Japanese inn). For more information, or to book please contact your Colletts Travel consultant.
Japan 5 Star Exclusive -Private Tour Includes all flights, Deluxe hotels, transfers, guides and meals where indicated I
Discover luxury with the very best service during your time in Japan. Visit the must-see places in Tokyo, Nikko, Takayama, Shirakawago and Kyoto with this Deluxe tour. Stay in some of the very best accommodation in Japan, including a tradition Ryokan (a type of traditional Japanese inn). ITINERARY IN BRIEF: Day Location Accommodation Meal 1 Fly to Tokyo 2 Arrive Tokyo Conrad Hotel 3 Tokyo Conrad Hotel B 4 Tokyo Conrad Hotel BL 5 Nikko Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa BD 6 Tokyo Conrad Hotel or AMAN B 7 Takayama Hidatei Hanaougi BD 8 Shirakawago & Gokayama Day Tour Hidatei Hanaougi B 9 Kyoto The Screen B 10 Kyoto The Screen BD 11 Kyoto The Screen B 12 Fly to UK FULL ITINERARY: Day 1 Fly to Tokyo You will take a scheduled flight from London Heathrow or regional airport to Tokyo. Day 2 Arrive Tokyo An English-speaking assistant will meet you at the customs exit at Narita or Haneda International Airport and transfer you by private car to your hotel. Tokyo - Introduction Tokyo, Japan s bustling capital, mixes modern with traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers cherry trees, attractive gardens and historic temples. Prior to 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo, a small castle town in the 17th century. In 1703 Edo became Japan s political centre. Today, Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. What is unique to Tokyo is that is made up of smaller cities without one true city centre. One of the most popular attractions in Tokyo is The Imperial Palace, located in the district of Taitō. Other districts of interesting include Asakusa, where the city s history can be appreciated. Further places of interest to visit include Ueno Park, the city s largest green space,and Tokyo Skytree the world s tallest free-standing broadcast tower. Also worth a visit is Japan s premier shopping district, Ginza Tokyo is your starting point for your Japan experiences.
Day 3 Tsukiji Outer Fish Market and Sushi Workshop (BL) After breakfast, you will join the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market and Sushi Workshop Morning Tour today. Make your own way to a meeting point at Hamamatsu-cho Bus Terminal, where the tour starts. You can experience handshaping and rolling sushi from a Tsukiji sushi chef, and tast your own work of art for your lunch. The guide will lead the tour around Tsukiji Outer Fish Market and through the many bustling shops. Tour ends at Tsukiji Station Start: 09:00 Duration: 4hrs. Optional self guided afternoon tour to Ooedo Onsen to experience Rock Salt Sauna, Silk Bath Fish Therapy and Akasuri. Details given in Japan Information Pack. Day 4 Day at leisure. Tokyo (B) 7 Day Japan Rail Pass Ordinary Car Your 7 Day Rail Pass entitles you to unlimited travel on any trains in the extensive Japan Railways (JR) network. With the exception of the Nozomi Shinkansen, this includes all of the famous Shinkansen 'Bullet' Trains. You will receive a voucher which you will exchange for the pass itself after you arrive in Japan. Full details of when and how to do this will be provided with your documents. Once you have exchanged the voucher, you can use your rail pass to make seat reservations for no extra charge. Day 5 Nikko (BD) Leave main suitcase at hotel. Take overnight bag and make your way to Tokyo station and take the Bullet train to Utsunomiya Station. Take a JR train to Nikko. Journey time 2 hrs 10mins. On arrival JR Nikko Station take the courtesy shuttle bus to your hotel (operates from 14:00 19:00, a 5 min ride). Alternatively, if you wish to arrival in Nikko early in the day then take a local taxi to hotel - fare is payable on the day. Rest of the day at leisure. Details of sightseeing buses and schedules to explore the area are included in Japan Information Pack. Nikko - Introduction Nikko is a town in Japan s Tochigi Prefecture, in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is located along Japan s Romantic Road and at the entrance to Nikko National Park. The park is famous for World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Japan s most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Other areas of interest include the beautiful Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji. Nikko is recognised for its beautiful autumn colours and makes an ideal excursion for one or two days. Day 6 Tokyo (B) Take the courtesy shuttle to Tobu Nikko Station (09:20 10:50 and again from 14:00 19:00). Alternatively take a local taxi to the station - fare is payable on the day. Take a JR train from JR Nikko Station to Utsunomiya and the bullet train to Tokyo. Journey time 2 hrs. Make you way to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 7 Takayama (BD) Today, you will leave Tokyo for Takayama. Your main suitcase will be transferred directly from Tokyo to Kyoto. Please leave your main suitcase with porter/bell desk by 7:30 am. You will need to keep an overnight luggage for your nights in Takayama. Make your own way to Tokyo Station. Take the bullet train to Takayama via Nagoya. Journey time 5 hrs. You will stay in Ryokan, traditional Japanese accommodation, with Onsen, or Hot spring, today. Japanese dinner will be served at your ryokan tonight. This Ryokan has communal indoor/outdoor baths, also outside baths that can be booked only for yourselves with an extra charge. This ryokan provides courtesy bus to/from Takayama Station (a 10 min ride). Rest of the day is at leisure. Takayama and Shirakawago - Introduction With its riverside setting, Takayama, commonly referred to as Hida-Takayama, is surrounded by nature with the Northern Alps (Hida mountain range) providing a scenic backdrop. The beautifully preserved old town is a popular attraction with its Edo-style streets, wooden merchants houses, historical buildings, coffee houses, sake breweries and craft shops. A World Heritage Site, the village of Shirakawago, is located near Takayama. Additionally, the World Heritage Site Shirakawago is just a 50 minute coach journey away. Shirakawago is famous for preserving the traditional Gassho-zukuri style houses with the iconic thatched roofs, some of which are more than 300 years old. Takayama and Shirakawago rank highly on most travellers wish list when touring Japan. Day 8 Shiragowa & Gokayama Bus tour (B) Today, after breakfast, you will join Shirakawago & Gokayama Bus Tour. The remote mountain villages of Gasshostyle houses in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama on the Hida Highlands were registered as cultural heritage sites in 1995. Make your own way to Takayama Bus Terminal; located next to Takayama Station (08:30). English guided tour and some free time in Gokayama. Depart Gokayama for Shirakawago. English guided tour and some free time in Shirakawago after lunch time in Shiroyama Observatory. Return to Takayama. Tour ends at Takayama Bus Terminal (15:10). The rest of the day is free at leisure. Dinner at Ryokan for tonight can be added with an extra charge. Day 9 Kyoto - Evening dinner with Maiko (BD) Make your way to Takayama station and take the Bullet train to Kyoto via Nagoya. Journey Time 3hrs 20mins. Upon arrival at Kyoto Station, you will be met and transferred to your hotel using local taxi - fare is payable on the day. Rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening enjoy a dinner at a traditional restaurant Ohara Gyozanen with a Maiko (apprentice Geisha). Located in a quiet location away from downtown Kyoto and near Ohara-Sanzenin-Temple. After dinner, a Maiko will perform two traditional dances, enjoy free conversation and photo taking. Start at Kokusaikaikan Station; a 30mins subway ride from Kyoto Station. Start: 17:15 Duration: 4 hrs Kyoto - Introduction A holiday to Japan is not complete without spending time in the former capital of Japan, Kyoto. Home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Kyoto was the centre of politics for 1,100 years. This culturally rich city offers many interesting places to visit including museums, art galleries, shrines and temples. Popular historic sites include the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Nijo Castle. You will also discover an exciting food culture with a variety of amazing food on offer including Sushi, Kaiseki-ryori, tempura and noodles. During you time in Kyoto you may come across a Geisha and Maiko (apprentice Geisha) wearing traditional kimono. Gino, one of the main downtown districts in Kyoto, is where you may catch a sight of them. There is so much to discover and experience in Kyoto so choose the season, take your time and enjoy this historic and charming city.
Day 9 Kyoto (B) Day at leisure Day 10 Day at leisure Kyoto (B) Day 11 Fly to London Heathrow or regional airport (B) Transfer from hotel by a private car to Kansai International Airport, Osaka. Fly to London Heathrow or regional airport. End of Services HOTEL INFORMATION: Tokyo Conrad Deluxe City View room - 3 or 4 nights Located among the skyscrapers of Shiodome, Conrad Tokyo boasts 2 Michelinstarred restaurants and a 29th-floor spa with beautiful city views. The Ginza shopping area and Tsukiji Fish Market are a 5-minute drive away. The spacious rooms include a bathroom with rain shower. Shiodome Subway Station is right next to the hotel, while Hamarikyu Garden and JR Shinbashi Train Station are both a 5-minute walk away. Tokyo Conrad is a 25-minute monorail ride from Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Centre and a 15-minute drive from the Imperial Palace. Conrad Tokyo houses 5 dining options with city skyline views, including China Blue.
Tokyo Aman Deluxe Deluxe Palace Garden View Double - 1 night Occupying the top six floors of the stunning Otemachi Tower, Aman Tokyo is centrally located in Tokyo. Here, guests can enjoy Mediterranean-based dishes while drinking in the ample wine list and views over The Imperial Palace Gardens and Mount Fuji in the distance. Guests can expect a multi-faceted approach to relaxation that combines spa treatments, movement, aesthetics and relaxation as well as stunning views. A large indoor pool and fitness center round off the experience. Nikko Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa Deluxe Ryokan Japanese Style room with Open-Air Bath - 1 night Located in Nikko, Hotel Tokugawa is a traditional Japanese-style ryokan featuring a hot spring bath. It offers Japanese-style and Western rooms with free WiFi access, and provides free pick up service from Nikko Train Station. Guests at Tokugawa Hotel can unwind in the public hot spring bath, savour a massage treatment or go hiking in the area. Guests can also take full advantage of the hotel s shuttle service from Toshogu Shrine. The on-site dining area is open from 08:00 to 09:00 for breakfast. An authentic Japanese dinner will be prepared for guests with meal plans. Takayama Hidatei Hanaougi Deluxe Ryokan Standard room - 2 nights Features Japanese-style rooms, some with an outdoor hot-spring bath. It offers 3 dining options, free use of bicycles and free transport from JR Takayama Station, an 8-minute drive away. Rooms have tatami-mat flooring and Japanese futon bedding. They are fitted with a TV, a fridge and an air purifier. A DVD player and a laptop are available. The hotel s restaurant serves Japanese multicourse meals, while restaurant Hidatei Soba specialises in noodle soup. Tea and coffee are available at the coffee lounge. Note: private bathing available. Kyoto The Screen Deluxe Semi Suite - 3 nights Located in Central Kyoto, this romantic boutique hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Shimogoryo Shrine and Kyoto Imperial Palace. Nijo Castle and Heian Shrine are also within 1 mi (2 km). This hotel features a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a coffee shop/café. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a rooftop terrace. Luxurious guest rooms are all individually decorated, fitted with sophisticate and unique furnishings.
PRICE INCLUDES: Return international flights Transfers and Transport in Japan Baggage transfer from Tokyo to Kyoto (Day 6) Hotel accommodation based on twin share English Speaking Guides and assistants Meals as Specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D= Dinner) Entrance Fees to the sites listed Japan Rail Pass Japan Information Pack PRICE EXCLUDES: Tips Personal Spending Travel Insurance FROM PRICE PER PERSON: 4,983 REGIONAL AIRPORT DEPARTURES AVAILABLE OPTIONAL TOURS IN KYOTO Real Kyoto Back Street Guided Cycling Tour - Friday from 70 per person Cycle through the back streets of Kyoto with an English speaking guide, discover the real Kyoto which you will miss when travelling by car. Please note this is a 15km round trip cycling tour. Start 09:15: Duration: 3:45 hrs. Sagano Bamboo Grove and Arashiyama Walking Tour Saturday from 106 per person lunch included Visit Arashiyam, located in the western part of Kyoto, famous for its bamboo grove. Tenryu-ji Temple, one of Kyoto s best Zen temples. Enjoy the beautiful landscaped garden. Take a walk through the scenic Sagano Bamboo Grove. Visit Jojakko-ji Temple and Togetsu Bridge over Katsura River. Enjoy Japanese style lunch on a Yakatabune Boat through Arashiyama. Train tickets back to Kyoto will be distributed before lunch time; when the tour ends. Return to Kyoto by yourself. Start: 08:40 from New Miyako Hotel near Kyoto Station Duration: 4 ½ hrs includes 5km walking