Japanese Springtime Spectacular (Ground Only)

DAY 1

Tuesday 24th March
After making your own flight arrangements to Japan, you will meet the Tour Leader at Haneda Airport and transfer to the Tokyo Station Hotel, our hotel for the next three nights. After check-in, we will enjoy time at leisure to explore our new surroundings.

DAY 2

Wednesday 25th March
This morning, we enjoy a gentle introduction to Tokyo beginning with a visit to the Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine known for its beautiful wooden architecture and surrounded by a vast evergreen forest. Afterwards, we continue to Harajuku, the home of quirky fashions trends, and we enjoy time to stroll the streets, explore the shops, and visit the quaint cafés ahead of our lunch together. On our return to the hotel, we have time at leisure to relax in the luxury of the hotel or explore the area further before meeting this evening for a special welcome dinner.

DAY 3

Thursday 26th March
After breakfast this morning, we continue our exploration of Tokyo aboard the city's transport network to the Tokyo SkyTree, one of the world's tallest towers at 634m, where we ride to the observation platform for a breathtaking panorama of the city. Afterwards, the remainder of the day is at leisure to spend how you wish, you may like to stroll through the Imperial Palace Gardens, take in some culture at the Hokusai Museum, or visit the Ueno Zoo.

DAY 4

Friday 27th March
Today, we experience Green Car (First Class) travel on Japan's iconic bullet train as we journey to Himeji. Here, we visit the World Heritage Site of Himeji Castle, affectionately known as the 'White Heron' due to the dazzling white façade, this castle is a rarity amongst Japanese castles having retained its original structure and never been rebuilt. This afternoon, we continue by high-speed train to Hiroshima for our two-night stay at the Hotel Granvia where we check in and enjoy our evening meal together - traditional Okonomiyaki!

DAY 5

Saturday 28th March
This morning, we enjoy a vintage tram charter along the extensive tram network to the heart of Hiroshima where our day will be dedicated to learning about Hiroshima and its unique place in global history. We begin our moving journey at the A-Bomb Dome before walking through Peace Park, a name given to reflect the aspirations of the re-born city, to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. After taking time for lunch, we take a ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima for a walk to the stunning Itsukushima Shrine with its iconic 'red gates' and the impressive Daishoin Temple before returning to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

DAY 6

Sunday 29th March
After breakfast, we depart by rail to Kyoto where we board our private coach for a fascinating city tour visiting the highlights. Our first stop is the ostentatious, 400-year-old Nijo Castle to discover the secrets of medieval Japanese architecture and stroll the castle's splendid gardens before taking lunch together. This afternoon, we visit the magnificent Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion adorned in gold leaf before our final stop at the marvellous Kyoto Railway Museum with exhibits, interactive displays, and stories to explore. Afterwards, we check in to the DoubleTree by Hilton for our three-night stay and spend the evening at leisure.

DAY 7

Monday 30th March
This morning, we venture by local train to Arashiyama, designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty and renowned for its temples, imperial villas, and historical sites. We will stroll through the breathtaking Bamboo Groves to the Okochi Sanso Garden where we enjoy panoramic views of the Hozugawa river, the Arashiyama mountains, and Kyoto city. After free time to explore the vibrant streets, we embark on a spectacular train journey aboard the Sagano Romantic Train along the scenic Hozu River Valley surrounded by cherry blossoms. On our return to Kyoto, we enjoy our evening meal together at a local Italian restaurant.

DAY 8

Tuesday 31st March
Today, we journey by rail to Nara, Japan's first capital, where we walk through Nara Park to Todaiji Temple, home to the world's largest bronze statue. We have some time to explore the temple and shrines with their priceless treasures before enjoying lunch together. We continue by train to Osaka for an afternoon in this lively, vibrant city amidst iconic billboards and flashy signage before returning to Kyoto by bullet train for an evening at leisure.

DAY 9

Wednesday 1st April
After breakfast this morning, we take the bullet train to Kanaya for a ride behind steam over the Oigawa Railway along the banks of the Oi River passing green tea fields, farms, villages, and cherry trees. Afterwards, we continue to Hakone and to the luxurious Hotel Indigo Gora, our hotel for the next two nights, where we have time to relax and make use of the private onsen in every room ahead of our evening meal together.

DAY 10

Thursday 2nd April
This morning, we travel by coach to the famous Great Boiling Valley of Owakudani, a volcanic valley formed over 3,000 years ago where hot springs and hot rivers can be seen and, after some exploring, we continue by Hakone Ropeway to Togendai. Here, we board a stunning, ornate replica pirate ship to cruise the beautiful Lake Ashinoko set in superb mountain scenery ahead of our lunch together. This afternoon, we visit the Hakone Open Air Museum to explore the priceless collection of sculpture and art including world's largest private collection of Picasso before returning to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

DAY 11

Friday 3rd April
Today, we travel by coach to Oshino Hakkai Village for a nostalgic stroll over bridges and pathways passing thatched cottages, water wheels, and beautiful ponds with amazing views of Mount Fuji continuing to the spectacular Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine with its 300 cherry blossom trees. Our next stop is a visit to Japan's best-kept railway secret, the Maglev Exhibition Centre in Yamanashi where we can witness the next generation of bullet trains, operating at twice the speed of the current fleet and due to be in operation by 2027! We continue to Niigata and, on arrival, make our way to the Hotel Nikko for our overnight stay where we check in and enjoy our evening meal together at a local restaurant.

DAY 12

Saturday 4th April
After breakfast this morning, we journey behind steam on the Banetsu Monogatari Railway aboard the "Noble Lady", one of the largest steam locomotives in Japan. The interior decoration creates a nostalgic atmosphere, and our access to the panoramic Observation Car provides fantastic views as we steam through the countryside. After disembarking, we continue to Sendai by local train and make our way to The Westin, our hotel for the next two nights, where we check in and enjoy time to explore our new surroundings before our evening meal together.

DAY 13

Sunday 5th April
Today, we explore Sendai, the city of trees, and the gateway to one of Japan's little-known gems - the magnificent Matsushima Bay - and there is no better way to discover it than from the water. We will cruise around the bay among the small, pine-covered islands enjoying celebrated views, visiting the incredible Zuiganji Buddhist Temple, and taking lunch together at a local restaurant. This afternoon, we return to Sendai with the rest of the day free to relax at the hotel, explore further, and enjoy an evening at leisure.

DAY 14

Monday 6th April
This morning, we ride the express train to the port city of Aomori and, on arrival, we enjoy our lunch together at a traditional Japanese restaurant. After lunch, we continue by rail to Hirosaki where we begin our coach tour of the highlights of the city including the Tsugaru Nebuta Village for an insight into the Nebuta culture unique to the north of Japan and the majestic Hirosaki Castle with its stunning cherry blossoms. We return to Aomori later in the day for our two-night stay at the Daiwa Roynet Hotel spending the evening at leisure.

DAY 15

Tuesday 7th April
Today, we ride the bullet train through the world's longest undersea tunnel to Hakodate, best known for its spectacular views, deliciously fresh seafood, and magnificent public gardens. We enjoy some seafood delights for our lunch before visiting the huge, star-shaped Fort Goryokaku with over 1,000 cherry blossoms planted along its moats. Our day continues with a thrilling ropeway journey up to Mount Hakodate for truly breathtaking views of the city before we retrace our steps to Aomori for an evening at leisure.

DAY 16

Wednesday 8th April
After breakfast this morning, we board the Resort Shirakami Train, the "Joyful Train", for a picturesque journey south following the rocky coastline, passing beautiful fields of wildflowers with spectacular mountain scenery, and enjoying a traditional bento box lunch on board. At our destination of Akita, we make our way to the ANA Crowne Plaza to check in for our overnight stay before strolling through Senshu Park for our evening meal at a Japanese restaurant.

DAY 17

Thursday 9th April
This morning, we board the bullet train south to Tokyo returning to the Station Hotel for our overnight stay. We enjoy the afternoon at leisure to take lunch, relax at the luxury hotel, explore this magnificent city, or complete some last-minute shopping before we meet again for a special farewell evening meal together.

DAY 18

Friday 10th April
After our fantastic Japanese adventure, you will make your way to Haneda Airport for your chosen flight home.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner