Japan in depth (reverse)

Experience the enchanting cherry blossom season as you travel to Japan’s three main islands: Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu.

Destinos

Fukuoka / Saga / Nagasaki / Takachiho / Beppu / Kitsuki / Hiroshima / Miyajima / Takamatsu / Kurashiki / Himeji / Kobe / Nara / Kyoto / Hikone / Hakone / Mt. Fuji / Tokyo

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Fukuoka
Day 2 Saga – Nagasaki
Day 3 Takachiho
Day 4 Beppu – Kitsuki – Bullet Train Ride – Hiroshima
Day 5 Hiroshima – Miyajima Island – Shimanami Kaido
Day 6 Takamatsu
Day 7 Kurashiki – Himeji – Kobe
Day 8 Nara – Kyoto
Day 9 Kyoto
Day 10 Koka – Hikone – Bullet Train Ride
Day 11 Hakone – Mt Fuji
Day 12 Tokyo
Day 13 End of TripTokyo

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Trip description

Cherry blossoms, also known as “sakura” in Japan, are normally in full bloom from late March to the second week of April. They have symbolic importance in the culture of Japan and are famous for their fleeting beauty.

We will explore the three main islands of Japan taking you from Kyushu Island (Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Takachiho, Beppu) to Hiroshima (Honshu Island), then we will drive through Shimanami Kaido to Shikoku Island (Takamatsu), and cross the sea. inside. to Honshu Island to visit Kurashiki, Himeji, Kobe, Nara, Uji, Kyoto, Koka, Hikone, Hakone, Mt Fuji and Tokyo. This comprehensive tour is designed for people who want to see not only the unknown regions of Japan, but also the most popular sites, while concentrating on the best places to see the cherry blossoms.

Our tour begins by visiting the Mifuneyama Rakuen in Saga, a large garden famous for its azaleas and cherry blossoms. Continue to Nagasaki and visit Glover Gardens with its romantic turn-of-the-century houses, Nagasaki Peace Park, Oura Catholic Church, and Dejima, a former district reserved for Dutch merchants. Visit Takachiho, a picturesque city full of myths and legends. In Beppu, see the “hells” of Jigoku, which are hot springs and bubbling geysers scattered throughout the city. Then, head to Mt. Takasaki Monkey Park, where you can interact with some of the 1,500 Japanese monkeys in the park. You will also visit a beautifully preserved samurai district and ride a Shinkansen bullet train for experience.

Travel to Hiroshima for an eye-opening experience at Peace Memorial Park. Take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, where you can see the famous vermilion torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Drive through Shimanami Kaido, a 60-kilometer toll road that connects the main island of Honshu in Japan with the island of Shikoku, passing through six small islands. Take in views of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges and the Seto Inland Sea from the Kirosan Observatory. Stroll through a pleasant air museum, visit Ritsurin Park, and then cross the Seto Ohashi Bridge back to Honshu Island. Finish the day with a relaxing soak in a hot tub and a delicious Japanese kaiseki dinner.

Visit a picturesque canal city and the glittering Himeji Castle. In Nara, appreciate the intricate architecture and towering monuments of the Todaiji Temple, including the Great Buddha statue. Then, spend time in a deer park where more than 1,000 Sika deer roam free. Our group will also spend two days in Kyoto, where we have hand-selected the best temples, shrines, and parks for viewing cherry blossoms. We will also visit the impressive Miho Museum and the original Hikone Castle.

Experience a scenic cable car ride over Hakone and Owakudani, and then see the famous Mount Japan. Fuji. You will also have the opportunity to experience a green tea ceremony, meet a maiko (apprentice geisha), watch a kimono fashion show, enjoy a traditional Yokagura Dance Performance, learn how to make sushi from a professional chef, and try the famous Wagyu beef in Kobe. End your tour in Tokyo, where you will visit modern city attractions, historical monuments, and lively entertainment districts.

Detailed itinerary

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Day 1
Fukuoka airport

Welcome to Fukuoka! An AJT representative will greet you at the arrival gate with a “All Japan Tours” sign.
Hotel Nikko Fukuoka or similar class

NOTE 1: The meet and greet is ONLY available for flights arriving after 11:00 a.m.

NOTE 2: If you want to stay more nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodation.

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Day 2
Saga (Mifuneyama Rakuen), Nagasaki (Nagasaki Peace Park / Dejima / Glover Garden / Oura Church)

The day begins with a visit to Saga, where we will visit the Mifuneyama Rakuen. This 500,000 square meter park heralds the arrival of spring with thousands of cherry blossoms and azaleas blooming against the backdrop of the rugged cliff of Mt. Mifune. From there, we head to Nagasaki to visit the Nagasaki Peace Park which houses the memorial to the victims of the second bomb that hit the ground. A statue of a man pointing and holding his other arm is a symbol of Nagasaki Peace Park. Our next place is Dejima, an area with more than 400 years of history in Dutch trade. It features historic warehouses and residences, providing insight into the former Trade Trade Dutch and how they lived during Japan’s two centuries of isolation. Next, visit Glover Gardens, an open-air museum where we can see an excellent collection of historic mansions of former western Nagasaki residents. Continue to Oura Catholic Church, the oldest Christian church in Japan. It was also the first western building in Japan designated as a national treasure.

Breakfast lunch
ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Nagasaki Gloverhill or similar class

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Day 3
Ferry from Shimabara to Kumamoto, Takachiho (Takachiho Gorge / Amano Iwato and Amano Yasukawara Shrine / Yokagura Yield)

Today, we will take a 30 minute ferry from Shimabara and cross the Ariake Sea to Kumamoto. From Kumamoto, we drive east to Takachiho, a city in northern Miyazaki prefecture that is steeped in Japanese mythology. It is the supposed site of legend where Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun Goddess, was disturbed by the cruel jokes of her brother and hid in a cave. This caused the other gods and goddesses to try to attract her. Another legend suggests that this is where Amaterasu’s grandson, Niniginia-Mikoto, descended to earth to establish the Imperial Family of Japan. Takachiho is also known as a “place of power”, a place of deep religious importance and natural beauty, radiating spiritual energy. We will visit the Takachiho Gorge, a narrow chasm cut through the rock next to the Gokase River. The nearly transparent cliffs that line the gorge are made up of slowly forming basalt volcanic columns, resembling the scales of a dragon where the stone twisted and flowed as it formed. Along the gorge is the 17 meter high Minainotaki waterfall, set against a background of dense green foliage and surrounding gray cliffs. Then, visit Amano Iwato and Amano Yasukawara Shrine. The Amano Iwato Shrine was built near the cave where Amaterasu is said to have hidden. A short walk down the road from Amano Iwato Shrine is a path that leads down to the river. Finally, the path leads to a simple shrine within a cave known as Amano Yasukawara. This is said to be the cave where the gods and goddesses met to discuss their strategy of bringing Amaterasu out of hiding. After dinner, we will have the opportunity to see a special Yokagura dance performance. This dance supposedly caused Amaterasu to leave the cave to see what all the fun was about, and in doing so brought light back to the world.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Hotel Takachiho or similar class

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Day 4
Beppu (Beppu Hells / Mt. Takasaki Monkey Park), Kitsuki (Kitsuki Samurai Districts – Ohara Residence), from Kitsuki, take the “Sonic” express train to Kokura, then board the Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima

After Japanese breakfast at the hotel, we will go on an excursion to a swimmers’ paradise: the famous Beppu spa. Marvel at one of Beppu’s most famous attractions, the Jigoku Meguri, or the “Boiling Hells” hot springs. See two of the nine hot springs, or “hells,” of Beppu. Ideal for viewing rather than bathing, the springs earned their name because these mysterious, steamy attractions were said to resemble a scene from hell (“jigoku” means “hell”). Then enjoy a scenic drive up Mt. Takasaki Monkey Park, where we will take a monorail to the observation area. Mount Takasaki is a forested mountain outside Beppu and home to more than 1,500 wild Japanese monkeys. Within this natural habitat, the monkeys have been fed regularly in order to keep them alive in the mountains and avoid conflicts with local fruit farmers. Monkeys are quite used to human visitors, and it is possible to get up close to take their photos! From here, visit the Samurai districts of Kitsuki on the way to Kokura before taking a high-speed Shinkansen bullet train ride to Hiroshima.

Breakfast lunch
Sheraton Hiroshima Hotel or similar class

 

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Day 5
Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park – Atomic Bomb Museum / Miyajima – Itsukushima Shrine), Shimanami Kaido (Scenic Observatory / Kirosan)

Today, we will visit the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum, a solemn reminder of the importance of world peace. After lunch, we will take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island; one of the most picturesque places in Japan. At high tide, Itsukushima Shrine’s famous vermilion torii gate seems to float in the middle of the sea. The sanctuary complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, experience driving through the Shimanami Kaido to Shikoku Island. The Shimanami Kaido is a 60-kilometer toll road that connects the main island of Honshu in Japan with the island of Shikoku, passing through six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. It is also known as the Nishiseto Highway. Pass by the Kirosan Observatory, from where you can see the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges, which are among hundreds of beautifully scattered islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The modern observation deck was cleverly designed and built midway into the slope of the hillside to avoid spoiling the natural environment.

Breakfast dinner
Imabari Kokusai Hotel or similar class

 

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Day 6
Takamatsu (Shikoku Mura Village / Ritsurin Park), Seto Ohashi Bridge

This morning, we will continue our tour to Takamatsu to visit Shikoku Mura Village. Shikoku Mura (Shikoku Village) is an open-air museum located at the base of Yashima. This pleasant hillside park preserves and displays traditional buildings and structures that have been moved here from all over the island of Shikoku. Then visit Ritsurin Park, a Japanese landscape masterpiece 100 years in the making. This extensive park has beautiful ponds and pavilions, with Mt. Shiun as the perfect backdrop. In the evening, we will drive across the Seto Ohashi Bridge back to Honshu Island. The Seto Ohashi Bridge, or the Great Seto Bridge, is a collective term for the six bridges that connect the main island of Shikoku, Japan, with the island of Honshu, passing through six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Tonight, we will stay at a spa hotel in Kurashiki Yuga Onsen, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a hot tub and enjoy a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Kurashiki Yuga Onsen Hotel Santoka or similar class

 

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Day 7
Kurashiki (Canal Area / Ohara Art Museum), Himeji (Himeji Castle), Kobe (Wagyu meat)

Today, we will visit Kurashiki. In merchandise days, this picturesque town prospered as a port for rice shipments. Several old rice barns and examples of historic architecture still remain, in addition to the stone-lined canal. We will also visit the Ohara Museum of Art, considered the first Western art museum in Japan. It is a private museum consisting of three adjacent buildings next to the canal. Then, we will proceed to Himeji to visit Himeji Castle. It is known as the “Castillo de la Garza Blanca” due to its bright white exterior, which resembles a flying bird. Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and is one of the few original castles left in Japan. This splendid example of traditional architecture was declared one of the first UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan. In the evening, we will continue to Kobe, where we will savor the world famous Wagyu beef.

Breakfast dinner
Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class

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Day 8
Nara (Todai-ji Temple / Nara Deer Park), Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Ceremony / Green Tea with Maiko interaction)

This morning you will travel to Nara, the oldest capital of Japan, by private bus. We will first visit the Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in Japan. The temple also houses one of the largest bronze statues of the Buddha at 16.3 meters tall. Just outside the temple is the Nara Deer Park, filled with over 1,000 Sika deer, where you can greet them and feed them deer crackers. We continue our journey to Kyoto, where we will visit the impressive vermilion-colored Fushimi Inari Shrine, whose 4 km tunnel of scarlet torii gates was featured in the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha”. This resort surrounds a bamboo wilderness that includes mountains, streams, and ponds, the perfect backdrop for a scenic hike. Finally, you will participate in a traditional green tea ceremony, where you will also have the opportunity to meet a maiko. A maiko is simply an apprentice geisha. There will be photo opportunities and time to interact with the maiko.

Breakfast lunch
Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

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Day 9
Kyoto (Arashiyama – Tenryuji Temple Zen Garden – Sagano Bamboo Forest / Golden Pavilion / Nishijin Kimono Show / Kiyomizu Temple / Maruyama Park / Gion Geisha District)

Today, we will continue our tour of Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan and possibly its largest cultural center. First, you will go to Arashiyama, known for its natural landscapes and popular during the spring and fall season. Visit the Zen garden of Tenryuji Temple, which ranks first among the five great Zen temples in the city. Then enjoy a pleasant walk through the Sagano Bamboo Forest. Then we will go to the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), a two-story temple completely covered with 18-karat gold leaves. Next, you will have a chance to see an elegant kimono fashion show at the Nishijin Textile Center and learn how kimonos are made. Our next attraction is the famous Kiyomizu Temple, best known for its wooden stage that extends from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. The stage offers visitors a beautiful view of numerous cherry and maple trees below, as well as a beautiful scene of Kyoto in the distance. From Kiyomizu Temple, we will head to Maruyama Park, which is one of the most popular places to observe cherry blossoms (hanami) in Kyoto. Finally, we will visit Gion, the most famous geisha district in Kyoto. Here you will find many restaurants and ochaya (tea houses), where maiko and geisha entertain.

Breakfast dinner
Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

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Day 10
Koka (Miho Museum), Hikone (Hikone Castle – Genkyuen Garden), Shinkansen Bullet Train Ride

This morning, we will visit the famous Miho Museum. The Miho Museum is known for its impressive architecture that allows visitors to appreciate the surrounding nature and natural light. It exhibits many works from different ancient civilizations. There is also a tunnel that leads from the museum to a road lined with hundreds of cherry blossoms. It was designed by the famous architect, I. M. Pei, and is named after Koyama Mihoko, one of the richest women in Japan and founder of the museum. The group will continue to Hikone to visit Hikone Castle, an attractive hanami spot during cherry blossom season. Hikone Castle is an original castle, which means that it has survived the post-feudal era without suffering destruction and reconstruction. It is considered a national treasure along with four other castles, the highest designation a cultural property can receive. Next, visit the tranquil Genkyuen Garden, located on the grounds of Hikone Castle. Next, our group will experience a Shinkansen bullet train ride, which can reach speeds of up to 300 km / h. Tonight, you will stay at the Onsen Hotel at Hamanako Kanzaiji Onsen, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a hot tub (onsen) and enjoy a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Hamanako Royal Hotel or similar class

 

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Day 11
Hakone (Hakone Ropeway / Owakudani), Mt Fuji, Tokyo (Shibuya – Shibuya Crossing – Hachiko Statue)

After enjoying a Japanese breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Hakone and take a 20-minute cable car from Togendai to Owakudani. Much of the area here is considered an active volcanic zone since its creation since the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. There, you can experience hot springs and bubbling pools, where sulfurous fumes and steam vents still linger. Owakudani also has splendid views of Mount Fuji during pleasant weather conditions. From Hakone, we will proceed to Mt. Fuji in our private coach. Along the way, enjoy the changing landscapes, from thick vegetation to lowlands and rolling clouds. We will stop at Mt. Fuji 5th station (depending on the weather) to admire the world famous peak. In the afternoon, we will travel to Tokyo. Our last stop of the day will be in Shibuya. There, you can see the famous Shibuya Crossing in action and cross the street with the crowd. You can also take photos with the Hachiko statue, a monument dedicated to Japan’s most loyal dog, which continued for nine years after the death of its owner.

Breakfast lunch
Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo or similar class

 

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Day 12
Tokyo (Asakusa Sensoji Temple / Ueno Park / Sushi Making Experience / Tsukiji Outer Market / Imperial Palace / Tokyo Tower)

Today, you will be taken to the Asakusa Kannon Temple, an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. You can also explore the Nakamise Market, which is located just past the outer gates of the temple. It is a traditional style shopping street with centuries of history. Continue to Ueno Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot with over 1,000 cherry trees. Then you can participate in a sushi experience with a professional sushi chef. Whatever you do, you can enjoy lunch! Our group will continue to the Tsukiji Outer Market, which is packed with shops selling fresh produce and other food-related products. We will then head to the Imperial Palace, the former site of Edo Castle and the current residence of the Imperial Family of Japan. It is surrounded by moats and stone fortifications, located in the heart of Tokyo. In the afternoon, we will visit the Tokyo Tower, the tallest self-supporting steel tower in the world, standing 333 meters high. You can travel 150 meters to the main observatory and enjoy a panoramic view of Tokyo.

Note: For Sushi Making Experience, if you are vegetarian, have gluten-free diets, have a shellfish allergy, or don’t eat raw fish, contact us for other ingredient options.

Breakfast lunch
Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu or similar class
Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo or similar class (NOTE 3 and 4)

NOTE 3: If you want to stay in central Tokyo last night instead of Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu, we can arrange for you to stay at Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo (or similar class). In this case, the airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you with full instructions so that you can get to the airport in advance.

NOTE 4: If you are flying from Haneda Airport (HND) instead of Narita Airport (NRT), we can arrange for you to stay at Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo (or similar class) instead of Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu. In this case, the airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you with full instructions so that you can get to the airport in advance.

 

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Day 13
Tour ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Check out time is at 11am. And you can get to Narita Airport by hotel shuttle service.

Breakfast

NOTE 5: If you want to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to reserve hotel accommodation.