12-day Japan Golden Route Tour
Price on request
Region: Japan
Activities: Tour
Dates: Year Round
Duration: 12 Days
For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)
12-day Japan Tour
Overview:
Join us on a journey along the Tokaido Trail, the primary route of the Edo Period linking Tokyo and Kyoto. Our Golden Route of Japan tour will take you to Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and all the must-visit stops between Tokyo and Kyoto. This tour highlights the top destinations in Japan that are worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable adventure!
Bookings
Day 1: Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo
Spend the Day exploring vibrant Tokyo—one of the world’s most populous cities—by public transit. Experience the traditional side of the Japanese capital on a visit to the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. We then get a glimpse of the city’s quirky, modern side on a walk through Harajuku, a centre of Japanese pop culture and a great place to sit back and people watch. In Harajuka we catch a glimpse of the pop culture phenomenon of Kawaii. Directly translated as “cute,” this Japanese cultural movement is reflected through various avenues of entertainment, toys, personal style, attitude, and cuisine.
Day 3: Tokyo
This morning, set out to visit the Tsukiji fish and seafood outer market. Learn about Japan’s massive fishing industry, and round off the experience with a sushi-making class. Learn how to identify the freshest fish, prepare, fillet, and present; then enjoy a taste of your tasty creations. After your sushi lunch, take a stroll in Asakusa, the historic heart of Tokyo.
Opt to visit Ueno park and the museums, Akihabara for cutting edge electronics, Harajuku for funky fashions, Ginza for the highest of the high end, walk the grounds of the Imperial Palace East Garden, or just stroll the streets, looking for the traditional life that still lies just under the modern surface.
Day 4: TOKYO TO HAKONE
Before we leg it out of Japan’s capital we have some very serious business to tend to – a guided tour of famous Tsukiji – the world’s largest and busiest fish market. Here, why not opt to learn the art of sushi making, or just kick back in one of the markets sushi bars and soak in the atmosphere.Our first overland journey takes us south to Hakone, completely removing us from Tokyo’s fast city pace. We will take in Japanese mountain vistas from the Hakone Ropeway & spend the night in a traditional guesthouse where we’ll be treated to some local Japanese hospitality.
Day 5: HAKONE TO TAKAYAMA
Waving our supremely hospitable hosts goodbye, well hit the road in search of a long valley amidst the Japanese mountains. Romantic, right?Mountainside city escape. Welcome to Matsumoto, nestled beside Japan’s highest mountain range, the Hida Mountains. Famous for its samurai history and thriving foodie scene, this one will have you taking snaps at every turn. Relaxation stations.
After a full day of exploring and ogling at the Japanese countryside, its perfectly acceptable to crash out in Takayama. Don’t worry about missing anything we have all day tomorrow here to explore.
Day 6: TAKAYAMA
Dark wooden buildings, Kanji signs & surrounding hillsides will see us totally taken by Takayama. Grab a bike and take a cycle, then unwind from it all with a Japanese footbath. There’s not many places where relaxation feels quite like this. Tonight is yours to explore as you wish, but we have an inkling you won’t want to miss the mouthwatering hida beef for dinner.
Day 7: TAKAYAMA TO HIROSHIMA
In usual circumstances, we’d be quite sad to be leaving the soul-stirring town of Takayama, but with the bullet train experience whipping us to Hiroshima, it’s hard not to get excited. We did it! We travelled on land at a casual 320 kilometres per hour on the Shinkansen – the world’s fastest train. That’s a big old tick off the Japan bucket list. Hiroshima is yours this afternoon to explore your way.
Day 8: HIROSHIMA
A morning of reflection. The site of the world’s first nuclear bombing, Hiroshima, has now been declared a City of Peace. Our day here will be one of learning as we take in the tragic recounts of World War II at the Peace Memorial Museum. A gateway island. Well, take a detour to the tranquil isle of Miyajima, where you’ll get a spellbinding view of the giant orange Great Torii Gate (you know the one, even if you don’t). Expect forests, temples, roaming deer and much more … and dinner! Well, that’s the end our day in Hiroshima with more excitement to follow tomorrow.
Day 9: HIROSHIMA TO KYOTO
With 3 more destinations left to uncover on the Japanese map, we hit the road this morning and leave the historical metropolis of Hiroshima behind. Welcome to the culture hub of Japan. Geisha girls, artfully manicured gardens, shrines & temples aplenty – it looks like we’re in Kyoto! We won’t waste a minute peeling back this city’s layers, taking you to Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle & the Gion Area with our guide. You’ll also have plenty of free time to check the place out any old way you please, and go on the lookout for glamorous geishas. If that means wearing a kimono and platforms, we’re right here to applaud you.
Day 10: KYOTO
Venture to the breathtaking Fushimi Inari shrine just outside of Kyoto, dedicated to the Shinto god of rice. Walk under the temple’s iconic red gates, where a scene from Memoirs of a Geisha was filmed. Spend the rest of the Day discovering ancient Nara, the site of Japan’s earliest capital. Visit the impressive Todaiji temple—home to the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world—and wander the walkways of Kasuga Taisha, one of Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrines.
Day 11: KYOTO
This morning, we visit a local temple to learn about the history and practice of Zen Buddhism in Japan. Meet with a local monk for a lesson in Zen meditation and calligraphy, then head to the shimmering Kinkakuji, or “temple of the golden pavilion,” one of Kyoto’s most magnificent sites. Later, we’ll learn the basics of samurai etiquette and the practice of kembu, or traditional Japanese swordplay. Try your hand at this delicate art form, and witness a memorable performance by kembu masters.
Day 12: OSAKA
Daparture from Osaka. Hope you’ve enjoyed Japan.
Price: ON REQUEST
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