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Suggested itineraries Tailoring your trip The itineraries shown are designed to give you a flavour of what is possible, and are routes that work particularly well. We can use these as a basis to plan your trip or can design a completely different itinerary to suit your tastes and interests. Please call one of our Japan specialists to start planning your itinerary. Nagasaki Kumamoto Kurokawa Tokyo Matsuyama Iya Valley Takamatsu Tokushima Osaka Telephone: 01993 838 210 Getting around Kagoshima Kirishima National Park Kyushu is accessed from Honshu by air or rail. Flights operate from Tokyo or Osaka and other regional airports to several destinations on the island, and are about an hour’s duration. The bullet train runs as far south as Kagoshima, so it makes sense to pick up a hire car here to explore the national parks and hot springs. The island of Shikoku is best accessed by bus from Osaka, train from Okayama or ferry from Hiroshima. There are also flights from Tokyo and Osaka and other regional airports. Once in Shikoku a hire car is most useful, although not always necessary, particularly in eastern Shikoku as trains and buses run efficiently between locations. Flights to Okinawa’s Naha airport on the main island depart from Tokyo and Osaka. There are also direct flights from Tokyo to Miyako and Ishigaki islands, but you may need to connect to a flight from Naha, depending on the schedules. Ferries run from Naha to the islands of Tokashiki, Kume and Zamami and can be visited as a day trip from the main island. Once on your designated Okinawan island a hire car may be beneficial if you are planning to explore beyond the beaches. When to go Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ~ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ~ ✓✓ The best time to travel. ✓ A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of. ~ Travel is possible, but this is not the best time of year. ✕ Travel is not recommended. The weather in southern Japan tends to be warmer than that of central and northern Japan, particularly in Okinawa. Temperatures here vary from 18-30C with showers and typhoons common throughout August, September and October. In Kyushu and Shikoku spring and autumn are typically the best times of year to visit. Time difference: GMT+9 hours Flight time from UK: 12 hours Prices We offer trips to cater for a wide range of budgets. You can find up-to-date guideline prices for your trip to Japan on our website, alternatively please call our specialists to discuss your plans. Kyushu Explorer This rail and self-drive trip discovers the variety of Japan showcased in this little-visited island, from the cosmopolitan cities of Nagasaki and Kumamoto, the splendid walking routes and abundant nature of the Kirishima National Park, the vast caldera of Mount Aso and the volcanic hot spring waters of Kurokawa. An itinerary perfect for those looking to strike out into nature and finish off with a relaxing dip in pure onsen waters. Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Fly overnight from London to Tokyo. Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to your city centre hotel. Explore Tokyo at your own pace. Transfer to the airport and fly south to Nagasaki. Explore the city, including the moving Peace Park. Travel to Kumamoto via the religiously historic town of Unzen. Pick up your hire car and drive out to the spectacular Aso Caldera. Drive south to Kagoshima and explore the town’s gardens and other sights in the afternoon. Visit the active Sakurajima volcano in the morning and then drive on to the Kirishima National Park. Walk, hike or simply relax in the Kirishima area. Drive from Kirishima to Kurokawa Onsen, via the scenic Takachiho Gorge. Relax in any of the many hot springs of Kurokawa. Drive to Fukuoka and then return to Tokyo by bullet train. Return to the airport and fly back to the UK, arriving back the same day. Stay longer To extend your trip we recommend that from Kagoshima you drive and take the ferry across to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yakushima to see beautiful coastlines and magnificent, towering cedar trees. Japan’s Hidden Island Shikoku may be a small island but offers a wealth of sightseeing opportunities. Combine vibrant city life with rural, off the beaten track wilderness and adventure. Starting in the east, Shikoku is accessed by road over the world’s longest suspension bridge and you take in the towns of Takamatsu and Tokushima before visiting the quiet Iya Valley and finishing in the hot spring town of Matsuyama. Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Fly overnight from London to Tokyo. Arrive in Tokyo and connect to a domestic flight to Osaka. Transfer to your central hotel. Take a public bus to Tokushima, across the world’s longest suspension bridge. Explore Tokushima, including the Bunraku puppet theatre. Take the train from Tokushima to Takamatsu and explore the town, including the pleasant Ritsurin gardens. Take the ferry across to Naoshima Island to visit the Benesse House museum and art site. Pick up your hire car and drive to the secluded Iya Valley in the heart of Shikoku. Explore the area and perhaps try some white water rafting in the afternoon. Take the train to Matsuyama, on the west of the island. Explore Matsuyama, including the castle and the Dogo Onsen hot spring. Take the train to Okayama, back on Honshu Island and explore the excellent Kourakuen garden. Continue on to Tokyo in the afternoon. Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK, arriving back the same day. 34
Useful information Tohoku autumn colours Musicians at Gion festival, Kyoto Little girl at 7-5-3 festival, Kyoto Group tours We offer a comprehensive programme of guided small group tours, typically no more than 16 travellers. Not only does this make for a much more sociable group but it also enables us to use smaller and more characterful accommodation and venture away from the large tour groups. We offer regular tours to Japan which have become very popular and are an alternative to a tailor-made itinerary. www.audleytravel.com/groups We can also arrange private tours, whether this is for a group of friends, those with a special interest or a fundraising trip for charity. For larger groups we may be able to offer discounts or a free place to the organiser. See our website or call us to discuss your plans. Honeymoons Honeymoons to Japan are increasingly popular, especially for couples looking to combine culture and relaxation. Although quite an active destination to visit, Japan’s wealth of luxury and traditional accommodation, private hot spring bathing, quiet beach resorts, wonderful cuisine and privately guided excursions all make for the perfect honeymoon destination. Responsible travel We’re passionate about travel but also deeply aware of the responsibility we have to the people and places we visit. We believe that a visit from an Audley traveller should have a positive impact on the destination and, wherever possible, bring real benefits. We always endeavour to use locally owned hotels, work with local guides and operators, and promote community and wildlife projects. Our Traveller’s Code offers tips and advice you can use to ensure your trip does not threaten the sustainability of the places you visit. We carbon offset all our staff flights and you can choose to do the same, please speak to your specialist about this or follow the link on our website www.audleytravel.com/offset. Our commitment to responsible travel has been audited by AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) and we have been awarded five stars, the maximum achievable. We also support a variety of social and environmental charities and projects around the world. For more information about travelling responsibly and the charities and projects we support please visit www.audleytravel.com/rt Flights A number of airlines fly directly to Japan from London Heathrow. We choose from these airlines based on current airfares and taxes, your preference for travel and your itinerary. Connecting flights from regional UK airports can also be arranged. There are also several airlines which fly indirectly to both Tokyo Narita and Kansai (near to Osaka) international airports and one of these may be the more convenient option for your travels. Terms & Conditions and Travel Insurance Your booking is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Audley Travel, which we will include with your personalised itinerary and can also be found on our website. It is vital that you have adequate travel insurance and we are able to suggest a number of policies either for the duration of your trip or on an annual basis. AITO Membership Audley is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. Audley abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito.com. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280. Photography in this brochure We would like to thank the following photographers for the images used in this brochure: Jamie Marshall, Bill Hobdell, Steve Allen, Japan National Tourism Organisation, Women’s Association of Kyoto, Travel Picture Gallery, The Peninsula Hotel, Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lonely Planet Images, AWL Images, Tips Images, iStockphoto, Alamy, and members of the Audley Japan team. Front cover photo: Kenneth Hamm / Photo Japan. All images used in this brochure were obtained in good faith by Audley Travel Group Limited and in the belief that all necessary consents and clearances were obtained for their use. However, if you believe that unauthorised use has been made of an image belonging to you please contact us on 01993 838 040. Visit our offices If you would like to discuss your travel arrangements in person we welcome personal visits, please call in advance to arrange an appointment with one or more of our country specialists. Our offices are at the New Mill, a 17th-century converted wool mill on the outskirts of Witney, ten miles west of Oxford, on the edge of the Cotswolds. www.audleytravel.com/visit-us www.audleytravel.com Our website is packed with information, features and advice covering all our destinations across the globe. On the site you can browse by theme, special interest or region as well as viewing additional accommodation options and itineraries that are not featured in this brochure. You can download all our brochures online or contact us via the website where there is the option to tell us about your plans so that we can start tailoring your itinerary. www.audleytravel.com/japan ● 01993 838 210 ● Useful information 35
Page 1 and 2: J APAN TAILOR- MADE J OURNEYS FOR T
Page 3 and 4: Introducing Audley After developing
Page 5 and 6: Nebuta festival float, Aomori Rail
Page 7 and 8: Audley in Central Japan 3 2 7 9 4 5
Page 9 and 10: Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Sake casks,
Page 11 and 12: Hida Folk Village, near Takayama Ch
Page 13 and 14: Onsen bathing Traditional onsen, Ak
Page 15 and 16: Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, Kyoto S
Page 17 and 18: Owner of Yoshikawa traditional inn,
Page 19 and 20: Suggested itineraries Kanazawa Taka
Page 21 and 22: Food display outside izakaya restau
Page 23 and 24: Audley in Northern Japan 2 3 2 1 4
Page 25 and 26: Wintersports Some of the world’s
Page 27 and 28: Suggested itineraries Tailoring you
Page 29 and 30: Autumn foliage at Daikozenji temple
Page 31 and 32: Audley in Southern Japan Awa Odori
Page 33: Suizenji Gardens, Kumamoto Harvesti

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