Meals

8 Breakfast (B) 3 Lunch (L) 3 Dinner (D)

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Trafalgar through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Others

Kyoto: Enjoy a kaiseki lunch at a traditional Japanese ryokan near Kyoto where you will learn about local customs. Ginza: With the guidance of your professional sushi chef, make your own selection of sushi specialities. Afterwards enjoy the fruits of your labour with a delicious lunch. Takayama: Join the locals at the Takayama Festival. Tokyo: Visit Tokyo’s renowned landmarks and gain insight into how this modern city preserves its ancient roots. Tokyo: Visit the Tokyo National Museum to browse collections of Japanese art and archaeological objects. Mt Fuji: Start your day by visiting the small rural village of Oshino Hakkai which is home to eight natural spring water ponds. Next on your travels is a 2,300-meter winding road to Mt. Fuji 5th Station. To end your day, you will ride up to Mt. Tenjo by ropeway and bask in the breath-taking views. Kanazawa: Learn about the delicacy of the 16th-century craft gold leaf painting with your Local Specialist. Gokayama: Take some time to admire the peaceful mountain village of Gokayama. Discover their unique homes that have been built without the use of nails and their sloped thatched roofs. Kanazawa: Enjoy a stroll through Omicho market before making your way to the beautiful Gardens of Kenrokuen which have been shaped over the past one hundred years. Kyoto: Admire the beautiful golden pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple. Kyoto: Your city tour takes you to the orange gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Admire this sacred site before visiting Sanjeusangen-do-Hall, where you can view the 1,001 "thousand-handed" goddesses of mercy statues. Continue your exploration of Kyoto with a walking tour through the Gion district. Gokayama: Help support a local business with a visit to a washi paper workshop. You’ll watch the family at work and test your paper-making skills for yourself. Your experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Explore Tokyo and Kyoto Visit the Sensoji Temple, the Skytree Observation Tower, the Edo Tokyo Museum in Tokyo, Mt. Fuji 5th Station, the Kinkakuji Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine and Sanjusangen-do Hall in Kyoto See the traditional Gassho-zukuri houses in Gokayama and the beautiful gardens of Kenrokuen in Kanazawa An expert Travel Director and professional Driver Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted All porterage and restaurant gratuities All hotel tips, charges and local taxes Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing Optional Experiences and free time On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.

Accommodation

New Otani Garden Tower Fuji Marriott Yamanakako Associa Takayama Resort Kanazawa Tokyu The Hotel Higashiyama

Transport

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Guide

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Not included:

Flights

International flights are not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Others

Other activities and services not included.

Optional

AVAILABLE ON DAY 2 Kimono Dressing Experience From cotton summer yukatas to silk kimonos, these pieces of wearable art are icons of Japanese style. Visit a specialist kimono hiring shop and have fun getting dressed up in traditional Japanese style with the assistance of an expert ‘kimono dresser’ who will show you the tricks to make it easy. Choose your preferred colour of kimono which will come with a matching bag and shoes. A professional stylist will dress you in the kimono and afterwards enjoy some free time to stroll through streets wearing your kimono! Strike a pose for camera carrying visitors or just simply act like a local and take a relaxing stroll through the streets. Great fun for both ladies and gentlemen. The price shown is in Japanese Yen. Adult Price: ¥4,500.00* * The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change. AVAILABLE ON DAY 6 Izakaya Dining Experience Join your Travel Director for a different kind of Japanese dining experience! An ‘izakaya’ is a type of informal Japanese pub where the food is shared by everyone at the table (similar to Spanish tapas). The menu changes according to the season but generally includes a small Japanese appetizer, sashimi, Japanese salad, grilled prawns, yakisoba, tofu yaki and chicken yakitori. The main dish is Japanese style dumplings known as ‘Gyoza’ which are very popular in Japan and featured on the menu at many izakaya establishments. The price also includes vanilla ice cream and two glasses of wine, beer or soft drinks per person. Vegetarian options are available for non-meat eaters. The price shown is in Japanese Yen. Adult Price: ¥4,500.00* * The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change. AVAILABLE ON DAY 7 Gion Corner, Kyoto The Gion corner is a unique experience where you can observe seven of Kyoto’s traditional performing arts, all on one stage. See a Bunraku puppet play; A UNESCO listed traditional Japanese puppet performance. Listen to the wonderful harmonies of Koto Music, as a master plays an ancient six stringed zither using ivory plectrums worn on their fingers. Watch Kyo-Mai, an elegant and dazzling dance performed by Maiko dancers in beautiful and ornate dress. Enjoy a performance of Kyogen Theatre, a comical play portraying humorous stories of daily life. Experience Gagaku (court music), the indigenous Japanese music performed at imperial court shrines and temples. During the evening observe the art of creating flower arrangements and a traditional ‘Ryurei style’ tea ceremony. There is also a Maiko Gallery, displaying costumes, hair decorations and videos of Maiko Dancers. The price shown is in Japanese Yen. Adult Price: ¥3,900.00* * The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change. AVAILABLE ON DAY 8 Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience Experience the ambience of a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with a professional Tea Master who will have spent many years leaning his craft which is often presented in a ceremony influenced by Zen Buddhism. Learn about the history and culture of tea making in Japan and observe how the powdered green tea (matcha) is prepared by adding boiling water and mixing it with a bamboo whisk. There will also be an explanation on the Japanese way of making and drinking tea. Take the opportunity to try some Japanese sweets and afterwards, having observed the skill involved in making the tea, have a go at making your own! The price shown is in Japanese Yen. Adult Price: ¥3,500.00* * The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Konnichiwa Tokyo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Konnichiwa Tokyo

Your in-depth exploration of Japan begins in Tokyo. On arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport, take a shuttle bus transfer to your centrally located hotel, where you’ll join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Welcome drink and local appetisers.
Day 2 Day 2: Explore Vibrant Tokyo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Explore Vibrant Tokyo

We launch our city tour in the old-time entertainment centre of Asakusa, where we’ll encounter the Sensoji Buddhist Temple. One of Tokyo’s most colourful and popular temples, Sensoji has been rebuilt countless times since it was founded in 628, making it Tokyo’s oldest temple site. Strolling down Nakamise next, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of shitamachi (downtown Tokyo), admiring the wooden dolls, colourful chiyogami (origami paper) and traditional Japanese sweets. Ascend Tokyo Skytree, the world’s highest free-standing broadcasting tower for panoramic views of the city.
Day 3 Day 3: Off To The Five Lakes District
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Off To The Five Lakes District

Our first stop today is the Imperial Palace Plaza from where the two bridges that form the entrance to the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace can be viewed. We’ll have the opportunity to explore the leafy Imperial Palace East Gardens before continuing our city tour. At the Tokyo National Museum browse collections of Japanese art, then continue to the Ginza district where you’ll learn how to make sushi with a professional sushi chef. Venture to the Five Lakes District next, keeping a keen eye out for the UNESCO-listed Mt. Fuji which dominates the landscape.
Day 4 Day 4: Majestic Mt. Fuji And Timeless Takayama
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Majestic Mt. Fuji And Timeless Takayama

Admire the reflections of the sky and landscapes in the clear waters, then ascend Mt. Fuji by road to 2,300 metres at the 5th station. Ride up Mt. Tenjo on the Kachikachiyama Ropeway next, for jaw-dropping views (weather permitting) of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko. Then, journey through the Japanese Alps to the beautiful hillside town of Takayama, before enjoying dinner at the hotel. Visit the Takayama Evening festival where you will see the spectacular sight of the floats decorated with lanterns.
Day 5 Day 5: Join The Locals At The Takayama Festival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Join The Locals At The Takayama Festival

Immerse yourself in tradition as you walk through the Edo-style streets of Takayama’s Old Town. Indulge in a lunch of Japanese Hida-gyu – beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, renowned as one of the finest quality varieties of beef. After lunch, immerse yourself in the town’s festive atmosphere. Admire the intricately carved yatai (floats) that date back to the 17th century and feature karakuri ningyo (marionettes) which move and dance as their strings are managed by the tsunakata (puppeteers). Later, return to the hotel by coach.
Day 6 Day 6: Experience Gokayama And On To Kanazawa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Experience Gokayama And On To Kanazawa

Journey back in time this morning during a visit to the peaceful UNESCO-listed Gokayama, a mountain village set amidst five valleys. Admire the unique construction of the local Gassho-zukuri wooden houses that have been built without the use of nails with steeply sloped thatched roofs to prevent snow from building up on them. Later observe local artisans making washi paper and trying your hand at making your own. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience contributes to the sustainability of this small business. Then, continue to Kanazawa and take a short walk through the Omicho market and enjoy an insider’s view of everyday life in a busy coastal town. Next, visit the gardens of Kenroku-en, shaped over a hundred years before continuing with a visit to a Local Specialist to learn the secrets of painting gold leaf. Stay overnight in Kanazawa.
Day 7 Day 7: Onwards To Kyoto Connect With Locals
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Onwards To Kyoto Connect With Locals

Board an Express train this morning to Kyoto. Connect With Locals at a traditional ryokan and enjoy a Be My Guest lunch, learning about local Japanese customs from your hosts. After lunch, visit the UNESCO-listed Kinkakuji Temple with its famous Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion), the proud symbol of Kyoto and a Zen temple, which has its origins as a 14th-century villa.
Day 8 Day 8: Discover Enchanting Kyoto
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Discover Enchanting Kyoto

The blazing orange torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine guide your path through the forest, up into the mountains and to a sacred site that has heard prayers for prosperity and happiness since the 8th century. Continue to Sanjusangen-do Hall and admire the minute detail of each of its 1,001 “thousand-handed” goddesses of mercy statues, then enjoy a walking tour of the Gion area. This evening, indulge in dinner with your Travel Director and fellow guests.
Day 9 Day 9: Sayonara Japan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Sayonara Japan

Our encounter with Japan’s age-old traditions and modern cityscapes at its end, we take a transfer by airport shuttle service to Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport for our onward flight. Alternatively, continue to Hiroshima by choosing the 13-day Splendours of Japan with Hiroshima itinerary.

9 days tour

Splendours Of Japan (Takayama Festival, 9 Days)

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Splendours Of Japan (Takayama Festival, 9 Days)

Day 1: Konnichiwa Tokyo

Day 2: Explore Vibrant Tokyo

Day 3: Off To The Five Lakes District

Day 4: Majestic Mt. Fuji And Timeless Takayama

Day 5: Join The Locals At The Takayama Festival

Day 6: Experience Gokayama And On To Kanazawa

Day 7: Onwards To Kyoto Connect With Locals

Day 8: Discover Enchanting Kyoto

Day 9: Sayonara Japan

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