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Tailoring your trip<br />
Sunset over Miyajima Island<br />
The itineraries shown are designed to give you a<br />
flavour of what is possible, and are routes that<br />
work particularly well. We can use these as a<br />
basis to plan your trip or can design a completely<br />
different itinerary to suit your tastes and interests.<br />
Please call one of our Japan specialists to start<br />
planning your itinerary.<br />
Hiroshima<br />
Kyoto<br />
Tsumago<br />
Hakone<br />
Tokyo<br />
Telephone: 01993 838 210<br />
Getting around<br />
View of atomic bomb dome, Hiroshima<br />
Hiroshima & Miyajima<br />
Beneath an arched cenotaph in Hiroshima’s<br />
Memorial Park a flame burns, waiting to be<br />
extinguished once the world is finally rid of<br />
nuclear weapons. Close by, thousands of paper<br />
cranes, a symbol of health and longevity, are<br />
spread in silent protest around the poignant<br />
Children’s Peace Memorial. But the modern<br />
city is fully revitalised after the tragedies of<br />
World War II, and it is easy to explore its<br />
lively and energetic core. A short ferry ride<br />
from Hiroshima is the peaceful island of<br />
Miyajima, renowned for the great red ‘floating’<br />
torii gate set in the picturesque Itsukushima<br />
Bay. Considered by the Japanese to be one<br />
of their ‘three great sights’, Miyajima is a must<br />
for any visitor to this part of the country.<br />
Western Honshu<br />
Sited conveniently along the main bullet train<br />
line between Kyoto and Hiroshima, a wealth<br />
of traditional towns and picturesque fishing<br />
villages make fascinating pauses on your<br />
journey. Himeji boasts the elegant Shirasagi-jo<br />
‘White Egret’ castle, considered Japan’s finest;<br />
Okayama is home to the top-rated Korakuen<br />
Garden, and at Kurashiki the historic canal-side<br />
Bikan district is ideal for an hour or two’s<br />
relaxation, while admiring the golden koi and<br />
watching the world go by. Head for the<br />
northern coast of Western Honshu and you<br />
find yourself in a more traditional and lessvisited<br />
Japan. The old Samurai quarters and<br />
ruined castles of Tsuwano and Hagi, the<br />
superb Museum of Art at Matsue, and the<br />
fishing villages of the Tango Peninsula all fully<br />
justify a visit. With public transport more<br />
infrequent, we recommend that you pick up<br />
a rental car to discover this little-visited<br />
corner of Honshu.<br />
18<br />
Due to airline routings, most trips start and<br />
end at Tokyo’s Narita airport where you are<br />
met and assisted with your onward transfer.<br />
Most itineraries will include travel on the<br />
extensive Japanese public transportation system<br />
and any trains, buses or ferries that feature on<br />
your trip will be covered either by the cost<br />
effective Japan Rail Pass or by separate tickets<br />
purchased for you in advance of travel. Using<br />
public transport in Japan is straight-forward,<br />
with most stations having bilingual signs and<br />
announcements made in both Japanese and<br />
English. More detail on specific journeys and<br />
how to use trains, buses and taxis is detailed in<br />
your pre-departure final itinerary pack. Taxis are<br />
commonplace in cities and are useful for short<br />
journeys or to find your bearings. Being metered,<br />
you won’t find yourself haggling over the price of<br />
your journey. Away from the classic routes, a hire<br />
car may be the most practical option and English<br />
language maps, along with a satellite navigation<br />
system will be provided in your rental car.<br />
When to go<br />
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec<br />
~ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ~<br />
✓✓ The best time to travel.<br />
✓ A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of.<br />
~ <strong>Travel</strong> is possible, but this is not the best time of year.<br />
✕ <strong>Travel</strong> is not recommended.<br />
Japan has four distinct seasons and being in the<br />
northern hemisphere these are roughly the same<br />
as U.K seasons. In central Japan winters are<br />
mostly cool and sunny, with heavy snowfall from<br />
December to April in the Japan Alps. Summer<br />
between June and September is hot and humid,<br />
with showers. Spring and autumn are by far the<br />
best times to visit central Japan.<br />
Time difference: GMT+9 hours<br />
Flight time from UK: 12 hours<br />
Prices<br />
We offer trips to cater for a wide range of<br />
budgets. You can find up-to-date guideline prices<br />
for your trip to Japan on our website, alternatively<br />
please call our specialists to discuss your plans.<br />
Classic Japan<br />
This classic itinerary highlights the very best of<br />
Japan. From the towering skyscrapers of Tokyo to<br />
the peaceful temples and shrines of Kyoto, you’ll<br />
experience all the contrasts of Japan in two busy<br />
yet balanced weeks. Spend time in traditional<br />
accommodation, delve into recent history in<br />
Hiroshima and then finish your trip relaxing in a<br />
hot spring bath in the Hakone National Park,<br />
home to the iconic Mount Fuji.<br />
Day 1<br />
Day 2<br />
Day 3<br />
Day 4<br />
Day 5<br />
Day 6<br />
Day 7<br />
Day 8<br />
Day 9<br />
Day 10<br />
Day 11<br />
Day 12<br />
Day 13<br />
Day 14<br />
Fly overnight from London to Tokyo.<br />
Arrive in Tokyo.<br />
Explore Tokyo at your own pace,<br />
including the Tsukiji fish market and<br />
Senso-ji Temple.<br />
Visit Nikko, a UNESCO World<br />
Heritage Site home to<br />
spectacular shrines.<br />
Take the train to the rural village<br />
of Tsumago and in the afternoon<br />
walk along part of the historic<br />
Nakasendo Highway.<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> by bullet train west to<br />
Hiroshima and visit the Peace Park<br />
and Memorial Museum.<br />
Cross by ferry to the scenic Miyajima<br />
Island for the day.<br />
Take the bullet train to Kyoto and in<br />
the afternoon you’ll be taken to a<br />
local home to participate in a cultural<br />
activity or cookery class.<br />
Explore Kyoto’s many fascinating<br />
shrines, temples and gardens.<br />
Visit nearby Nara, home to the great<br />
Todai-ji Buddha. In the evening take a<br />
stroll around the geisha district with a<br />
local guide.<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> by train to the Hakone<br />
National Park. The afternoon is<br />
at leisure.<br />
Explore Hakone.<br />
Return to Tokyo for a final day<br />
at leisure.<br />
Transfer to the airport and fly back<br />
to the UK, arriving on the same day.