Wonders of Japan

Welcome to Japan and the vibrant city of Osaka. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for your three-night included stay in Japan’s third largest metropolis, renowned as the ‘nation’s kitchen.’ This evening, meet your Tour Director for your briefing for the days ahead and Welcome Dinner. (D)

We begin our morning tour of Osaka by wandering through Shinsaibashi-suji shopping avenue, followed by Kuromon Ichiba Market, known as ‘Osaka’s Kitchen.’ Afterwards visit the Museum of History and the rebuilt Osaka Castle, displaying exteriors restored to their 16th century, Edo-era glory. The afternoon is free at leisure before transferring to the Umeda Sky Building for 360-degree night-time views of the dazzling skyline of Osaka from the Floating Garden Observatory. Then savour a delicious dinner and admire the spectacular views, elevated 170-metres off the ground. (B/D)

Today, you’ll drive to Tondabayashi to visit a restored Edo era Merchant House before continuing onto Kehaya-za. For your EmeraldPLUS experience, learn about the history, life and training routine of a Sumo wrestler during a private visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehaya-za, where Sumo originated. After your welcome ceremony, observe a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo. Later in the evening, take a ride on the Osaka Metro to wander around the lively entertainment area of Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley. (B/L)

• EmeraldPLUS Exclusive visit to a Sumo Musuem and Sumo wrestler demonstration

Enjoy a ride on Japan’s iconic Shinkansen (bullet train) to Hiroshima. Here, take time to reflect at the sobering Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. Later, check in to your hotel for your included two-night hotel stay. Tonight, enjoy sampling Okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style savoury pancake and delicious regional specialty. (B/L/D)

Today, you’ll take the ferry to Miyajima Island, a small and picturesque island set in Hiroshima Bay. Here, you’ll visit Daisho-in Temple and its famous floating Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine, also built over the water. Later, enjoy time at leisure to explore more of fascinating Hiroshima. (B/L)

This morning, travel by Shinkansen to marvel at Himeji Castle, regarded as Japan’s most spectacular castle and one of the few remaining original feudal castles. Continue to the culturally-rich city of Kyoto, Japan’s imperial capital for over a millennia and home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. Afterwards, check in to your hotel in Kyoto for your included stay. (B/L)

• Ryokan Upgrade For a unique insight into Japanese culture, choose to stay tonight in a Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This traditional Japanese Inn features tatami mat flooring with futon beds, sliding shoji paper doors, baths and private facilities. Your Ryokan stay includes dinner and breakfast.

Continue to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital established in the year?710?A.D., originally known as Heijo. Here you’ll visit Todaiji Temple, founded in the eighth century the head temple of all provincial?Buddhist?temples?in Japan. The Temple grew so powerful that the capital was moved from?Nara?to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs. Today, you can also spot free-roaming deer in Nara Park before returning to Kyoto and stopping at a sake brewery and museum to taste and learn about Japan’s world-famous brew. (B/L)

Pay an early morning visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, iconic for its thousands of vermilion?torii gates and appearance in the film, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. Afterwards, glide through the ethereal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by traditional rickshaw before exploring the World Heritage-listed Tenryu-ji Temple. After lunch, visit the famous Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, because it is completely covered in gold leaf. For today’s EmeraldPLUS experience, savour a private group dinner hosted by a Geisha or Maiko — a rare opportunity to learn about the life of a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality.? (B/L/D)

• EmeraldPLUS Exclusive group dinner hosted by a Geiko or Maiko

Board the shinkansen to Shizuoka. Upon arrival, head to the Nihondaira Yume Terrance to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the sacred mountain, Mt. Fuji. Then, ride the ropeway from Nihondaira Plateau to Toshogu Shrine, located on Mt. Kuno. Surrounded by lush forest, this ornate shrine honours Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. With its vivid carvings, gold leaf details, and serene atmosphere, this is a must-see for culture lovers seeking a glimpse into Japan’s samurai legacy. Tonight, create your own Sushi dinner with a hands-on cooking experience. Enjoy and overnight stay at your hotel, overlooking Mt. Fuji and Shizuoka. (B/D)

Begin your day with a visit to a charming tea farm and factory. After enjoying a street food lunch at Omiya Yokocho, drive to the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre before continuing to Hakone. Stroll through the Hakone Chokokuno Mori Open-Air Museum, admiring the striking art works and sculptures in a natural setting. Established in 1969, the Hakone Open Air Museum presents Japan’s first outdoor museum. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel for your included stay. (B/L/D)

Admire the stunning views of Mt. Fuji as you enjoy a boat cruise on the serene waters of Lake Ashinoko. You’ll then drive to Tokyo, the Japanese capital and on arrival, explore the quaint Asakusa district, Tokyo’s oldest Geisha district and home to Senso-ji, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple. Surrounding the temple, the Nakamise shopping area, features many traditional shops that sell Japanese crafts and souvenirs. Check in at your hotel, your home for the next three nights. This evening, enjoy time at leisure, or join an Emerald DiscoverMORE excursion. (B/L)

• DiscoverMORE Dine at a Gonpachi Nishiazabu, made famous in the hit film, ‘Kill Bill’ (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE Culturally immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese evening Izakaya bar scene, serving Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki, accompanied by your Tour Director (extra expense)

Begin your day with sensory wonder at teamLab Borderless, an immersive digital art museum in Tokyo where artworks move, change, and interact without boundaries. You’ll also make a brief stop at the Imperial Palace East National Gardens. Afterwards, wander through picturesque Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens, before experiencing the Shinjuku entertainment district come alive at dusk. Tonight, enjoy time at leisure, immersed in Shinjuku’s buzzing sights and sounds. (B/L)

Visit Tokyo’s most famous Shinto shrine, the Imperial Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirit of the late Emperor Meiji, before walking across the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, in Shibuya. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Shibuya, with giving ample time to visit two of the city’s popular shopping districts, Harajuku and Omotesando. For your EmeraldPLUS experience, take in the bright lights of Tokyo during your evening farewell dinner cruise with free-flow drinks on Tokyo Bay and a yakatabune, a traditional Japanese houseboat. (B/D)

• EmeraldPLUS Enjoy a farewell dinner cruise on a traditional yakatabune

Say goodbye to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

While every effort is made to adhere to the planned itinerary, changes in local conditions, ad hoc local government regulations or local festivities may require journey modifications. These will be made based on the advice of local authorities or for safety reasons. Hotels are indicative and are subject to change. (B)