Wonders of Japan

Takayama lies in the mountainous Hida region and has retained a traditional touch like few other Japanese cities, especially in its beautifully preserved old town. This historic city gained importance as a source of high quality timber and highly skilled carpenters during the feudal ages. This morning will be spent on a comprehensive walking tour exploring this delightful small city. Visits include the Miyagawa Morning Market, the traditional wooden houses and shops of Kami Sannomachi Street, Kusakabe Folkcraft Museum. The latter was formerly the residence of the Kusakabe family and has been designated an important cultural property. We’ll also visit Takayama Jinya, the former regional headquarters of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Note: An overnight bag will be required for Day 8 as luggage will be transported separately to Hiroshima.

Our scenic drive continues this morning along mountainous roads , as you enter the mountain village of Shirakawago, with its unique thatched roof houses and picturesque river side setting, you can feel the historic atmosphere of this UNESCO site. Visit the residence of the Iwase family or Wade family, with its magnificent thatched roof home. Later visit Gokayama to observe the intricate and involved process of creating traditional Japanese paper (Washi). Before arriving at your hotel, visit the Higash Chaya-gai, a district with teahouses where geisha perform song and dance.

This morning we walk through one of Japan’s most famous gardens, Kenroku-en, the Garden of Six Qualities. It features magnificent landscaping, flowering trees, and lakes. Visit the Hakuichi Gold Leaf Museum with a demonstration explaining the art of gold leaf application before travelling by bullet train to Hiroshima, an important southern city. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Hiroshima is best remembered for the event of August 6, 1945 when the A Bomb decimated the city and area. The Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum are both sobering testaments to the event and aftermath. Time permitting we shall visit Shukkei-en Garden, for a quiet walk with time to reflect. This afternoon cross the Inland Sea by ferry to Miyajima Island, felt by many to be one of the three top scenic experiences in Japan.

Note: Luggage will be transported separately from Hiroshima to Kyoto.

Transfer to JR Hiroshima Station for bullet train to Himeji. See the exterior of Himeji Castle, the 400-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site and national treasure. Continue by coach to historic Kyoto, capital of Japan for almost 1,000 years (until 1868). This delightful city conjures up classic images: streets of little wooden houses, the sound of geta (wooden sandals) clicking on the cobblestones, geisha in brightly coloured silk, tea ceremonies, traditional gardens and more. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Our day begins with a walk through the unique Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, one of Kyoto’s most popular attractions, followed by the Kinkaku-ji Temple, or Golden Pavilion. This threestorey pagoda, covered in gold foil, is set next to a tranquil reflecting pool and surrounded by gardens and pine forests. Nearby are the gardens and palace of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO Site noted for the great Ninomaru Wing and Audience Hall with its Nightingale Floors. In Fushimi we will explore the gardens of the Inari Shinto Shrine with its series of vermillion Torii gates and delightful cherry trees leading up to the slopes of Mt Inari. With good fortune, this will be a most enchanting day with lots of colours to enjoy.

Leave hotel in early morning for a visit to Nara. Nara is one of the most gracious and sacred centres in all of Japan. At Todaiji Temple we visit Daibutsuden Hall, once the largest wooden building in the world, enshrining a great bronze sitting image of Buddha. Enjoy a stroll through the Deer Park (Nara Park). Following an ancient tradition, the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, founded in the 8th century to protect the capital, is rebuilt every 20 years. In the temple grounds you will find some 3,000 stone lanterns which are lit twice a year, during two special festivals. After lunch, transfer back to Kyoto to experience a tea ceremony. Return to hotel.

Note: Luggage will be transported separately from Kyoto to Tokyo, an overnight bag will be required for last night in Kyoto.

Enjoy your morning at leisure before a short walk takes us to the Shinkansen platform at Kyoto Station where we board the Bullet train to Tokyo Station. On arrival we transfer to our hotel. Join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.

This morning is yours to relax, do some last minute souvenir shopping before we bid Japan ’ Sayōnara’, and make our way to the airport for our flights home. Enjoy our private car to your home.