Secrets of Japan

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Fully Guided Coach Small Group Rail Scenic Bullet Train (Shinkansen)
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 Trip Length
10 Days
 Trip Starts
Osaka
 Trip Finishes
Tokyo
10 Day Secrets of Japan Itinerary (Scenic)
Countries Explored: Japan
Trip Operator
Trip Style
Land Journey
Accommodation
4.5 - 5 Star
Max. Group Size
24
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
OAKT-1

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Scenic's 10 Day Secrets of Japan. Rich in natural beauty, enchanting culture and unique experiences, Japan is a land of contrasts. Discover the captivating neon-lit streets of Tokyo and explore carefully preserved old-world villages. Be welcomed by the gracious local Japanese hospitality and immerse yourself in this fascinating country.

Behind Tokyo’s futuristic façade lies a culture steeped in time. Explore neighbourhoods with manga-inspired street fashion or visit a traditional shrine. Tranquil Hakone offers a slice of old-world Japan. Its...read more charming streets and inns are backed by stunning views of the iconic Mt Fuji where you will stay in a hotel complete with a private onsen bath, a unique and traditional experience of Japan. Explore Japan’s cultural centre, Kyoto. Discover teahouses, the captivating Geisha culture and take a rickshaw ride through bamboo forests. Stroll through aromatic local markets, find the perfect Japanese restaurant, spot a Geisha and walk through centuries-old shrines and gardens. Japan, a cultural delight and timeless gem. Prepare to fall in love with tatami mats, sliding paper doors, kimonos and hot spring spas.

Itinerary

Some guests will be disembarking from Scenic Eclipse. Drive to Himeji Castle and marvel at Japan’s most spectacular and one of the few remaining original feudal castles. This evening, admire the 360 degree view of Osaka at night from the Floating Garden Observatory, 170m off the ground. Then settle in for a two night Special Stay in an Executive Room with full club access. (L/D)

Drive to the birthplace of the Japanese state and cradle of Japanese culture in Asuka, in Nara Prefecture. Wander through the Inabuchi terraced rice paddy fields, the ancient Tobiishi stone bridge, famous in Japanese folklore and visit Ishibutai tumulus, the largest known megalithic structure in Japan. Enrich: Learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during a private visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, where Sumo originated. After the welcome ceremony, see a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo. This evening catch the Osaka Metro to wander around the lively entertainment area of Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley, where you can have the opportunity to choose your own meal from one of the many traditional food stalls. (B/L)

Begin the day with a walking tour of Osaka's Kitchen, the Kuromon Food Market. Drive to the culturally rich city of Kyoto, home to many World Heritage-listed sites. Freechoice: Glide through the surreal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by traditional rickshaw, or walk through the impressive Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867). Alternatively walk around the garden of the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion. Settle in at your hotel for your two night Special Stay.

Tonight enjoy Italian cuisine at the hotel's FoRni Restaurant. (B/L/D)

Begin your day with an early visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and its appearance in the film ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. Then continue to Nara, where you’ll visit Todaiji Temple, one of the most historically influential temples in Japan and see deer in Nara Park. Enrich: Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, a great photo opportunity. Freechoice Dining: Enjoy the option of dining at Fortune Garden or traditional Kaiseki at Shinsenen Heihachi located walking distance from your hotel. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: Revel in the atmosphere of the ancient preservation districts or visit the Silver Pavilion before strolling along part of the famous Philosopher's Walk, an approximately two kilometre long, beautiful stone path walk along a canal through the northern part of Kyoto's Higashiyama district. Relax in your Green (Business) Class seats on the Shinkansen train to the picturesque Hakone. Check-in to your hotel for the next two nights and relax in your private open air onsen bath on your balcony. (B/L/D)

Walk around the art works and sculptures at the Hakone Open Air Museum and then admire the stunning scenery during your Lake Ashinoko cruise with Mt Fuji as a backdrop. After lunch, trace Edo-era travelers’ footsteps along the cedar lined passage of the old Tokaido and a reconstruction of the Hakone Checkpoint on the Hakone Hachiri Trail. (B/L/D)

Drive to Tokyo. Upon arrival visit the Asakusa district, known as the centre of Tokyo’s shitamachi or ‘low city’ capsulizing the atmosphere of Tokyo’s past, paying your respects at Sensoji temple, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple. After lunch gather your bearings of Tokyo from above as you take in the view from Tokyo Sky Tree. Check into your hotel, your Special Stay for the next three nights. With direct access to four subway lines, the hotel was recently rated in the Forbes Travel Guide as Tokyo’s exclusive Japanese decor 5 star luxury hotel. Rooms overlook the most picturesque sites in Tokyo, such as the Imperial Palace, the 500-year old Hie Jinja Shrine and beautiful landscaped Japanese gardens. Freechoice Dining: Choose from dining at a ninja themed restaurant or culturally immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese evening Izakaya bar scene serving Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki with your Tour Director as they show you their favourite places to go. (B/L/D)

Begin your day with a peaceful walk through the beautiful Imperial Palace’s East Gardens, part of the inner palace area and the former site of Edo Castle’s innermost circles of defense when the Tokugawa shogun ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867. Then in Ginza, dress up in your chefs clothes to make your own sushi lunch with the help of a local chef. Freechoice: Visit the Imperial Shinto Meiji Shrine, before walking across the often-referred to as ‘the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing’ and seeing the famous Hachiko dog statue in Shibuya. Alternatively, wander through picturesque Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens before witnessing the Shinjuku entertainment district come alive at dusk where you can choose to stay into the night. (B/L)

Enrich: Given by Taiko Masters, partake in an interactive, private group demonstration and lesson in playing the Taiko drums. Afterwards visit the epicentre of Tokyo’s teenage youth as you wander along Takeshita Street Harajuku, known for its colourful street art, youth fashion, quirky vintage clothing and cosplay stores and dessert shops and carts that specialise in sweet crêpes, donuts, and bubble tea. Afterwards the afternoon is yours at leisure. Tonight, relive your experiences at your farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

Sadly, it is time to bid farewell and take many wonderful memories with you. The itinerary on this page is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. (B)

Trip Inclusions

Five Star Luxury
Five Star Luxury

With Scenic, perks and privileges come included. Enjoy a full range of luxurious benefits that will enhance your experience throughout your journey. Read more

Scenic Freechoice
Scenic Freechoice

These are hand-selected activities for you to choose from and enjoy at a pace that suits you. Read more

Scenic Enrich
Scenic Enrich

These are experiences that offer once-in-a-lifetime multi-sensory moments that are completely inaccessible to the ordinary traveller. Read more

The nth Degree
The nth Degree

Whether you’re travelling by road, ship or rail, you can look forward to first class or luxury standard transport with comfort and enjoyment in mind. Read more

Special Stays
Special Stays

Every carefully selected hotel on our tours has been handpicked by our expert Journey Designer to ensure it offers outstanding location and luxury. Read more

Rail Journeys
Rail Journeys

Both China and Japan have state-of-the-art high-speed rail systems, and Scenic's itineraries allow you to enjoy both. Read more

Brochure

Japan & South Korea

Scenic Japan & South Korea (2023-24)

The Far East has always conjured an image of mystical and exotic faraway lands shrouded in mystery and allure. Embark on a memorable journey of enlightenment and discover the different cultures, natural wonders and innovative spirit of the people of Japan and South Korea.

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Scenic. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Scenic. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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