Secrets of Japan

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. Check-into your hotel, your home for the next two 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. This evening meet for your welcome reception and dinner. (D)

Begin the day with a visit to the Asakusa district, paying your respects at Sensoji, 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. 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)

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 defence 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. Venture into the countryside on your drive to Hakone and study the art works and sculptures at the Hakone Open Air Museum. Check-in to your hotel for the night and relax in your private open air onsen bath on your balcony. (B/L/D)

Walk around the hot springs at the summit of the Owakudani geothermal area and admire the stunning scenery during your cable car ride down to your Lake Ashinoko cruise with Mt Fuji as a backdrop. Later, transfer to the Odawara train station to relax in your Green (Business) Class seats on the Shinkansen to the culturally rich city of Kyoto, home to many World Heritage-listed sites. Settle in at your for your four night Special Stay. Tonight enjoy Italian cuisine at the hotel's FoRni Restaurant. (B/L/D)

Begin the day at the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion. Afterwards, glide through the surreal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by traditional rickshaw before exploring and enjoying a vegetarian meal at the World Heritage listed Tenryu-ji Temple. This evening stroll through the Gion area before dinner. Freechoice Dining: Enjoy the option of dining at Fortune Garden or traditional Kaiseki at Gion Sekiya located in the famous Gion District. (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. Enrich: Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, a great photo opportunity. This afternoon enjoy some free time in Nishiki Market for shopping or relaxation. Enrich: Tonight’s dinner will allow you to interact with a Geiko and Maiko who’ll host your meal presentation in a nearby traditional Japanese restaurant. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about what is involved in becoming a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality. (B/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. Later, stop for a sake tasting at a sake museum. Ryokan Upgrade - Choose to stay in a Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This is a traditional Japanese Inn with futon beds and private facilities, and includes dinner and breakfast. (B/L)

Travel by Green Class seats on the Shinkansen to marvel at Himeji Castle, an original and Japan’s most spectacular castle, before continuing to Osaka. Enjoy a two night Special Stay in an Executive Room with full club lounge access. 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 this evening from one of the many traditional food stalls. (B/L)

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. Later stop at the timeless village of Tondabayashi to visit a traditional Edo period house and wander around this splendid historical time capsule. Enjoy your Club Floor benefits before reliving your experiences at your farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

After a leisurely morning, check out and drive to Kobi to board the luxurious Scenic Eclipse for your cruise to Otaru. 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)