Day 4 Kanazawa – Kyoto [B]

Today we travel to Kyoto from Kanazawa by trains. Kyoto is the spiritual heart of Japan and is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was the main centre for the evolution of religious and secular architecture and of garden design for almost a thousand years. We visit the south-west Sagano Arashiyama district, once the domain of the wealthy aristocracy and well known for its Autumn hues and its bamboo groves. The area provides a taste of the Kyoto countryside and we will visit a unique private garden and a bamboo forest walkway. We stroll through local country streets, getting to browse through specialty handcraft shops including pottery, Japanese rice paper, bamboo craft and handmade clay bell shops. Check in at The Thousand Kyoto for 2 nights.

Accommodation: The Thousand Kyoto or similar

Day 5 Kyoto [B, Lunch with Geisha accompaniment]

We begin a day of exploring Kyoto this morning with a sightseeing tour of the famous Kiyomizu temple and surrounds. Kyomizu (“pure water”) Temple is an impressive wooden structure nestled in a mountain on the east of the city and overlooking the town below. Part of the fun of visiting Kiyomizu temple is the approach to the temple along the steep and busy lanes of Kyoto’s old atmospheric Higashiyama district as you share the narrow lanes with pilgrims and local Japanese. We also visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), a beautiful Zen temple whose top two storeys are completely covered in gold leaf. After taking in the stunning pavilion and its landscaped pond and gardens, we head back into the historic Gion Geisha district in downtown Kyoto for a Kaiseki lunch with Maiko or Geisha accompaniment at a traditional Japanese restaurant.  Remainder of the afternoon is free at leisure.

Accommodation: The Thousand Kyoto or similar

Day 6 Kyoto – Naoshima [B, D]

We travel this morning to Naoshima, a small island in The Seto Inland Sea. Naoshima is an island dedicated to art, peppered with sculptures and contemporary innovative displays and art projects. Once selected by sightseeing magazine Conde Naste as one of the “seven places in the world you should see next.” It is home to the inspiring Chichu museum, both a museum and a work of art in its own right. Built into a hill on the southern side of the island, its unique design creates a remarkable sense of space and light. The museum houses a large mural of “Water Lilies” by Claude Monet, and works by James Turrell and Walter De Maria, contemporary artists long involved with Naoshima are displayed in its permanent collections. The museum has a beautiful garden featuring plants that were cherished by Monet, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of his works. Also take in Benesse House, the Art House Project and outdoor art exhibition Check in at Naoshima Ryokan Roka, luxury deluxe
suite. Gourmet Dinner at Roka.

Accommodation: Naoshima Ryokan Roka or similar

Day 7 Naoshima – Teshima – Naoshima [B, D]

Today we visit the Teshima Art Museum which stands on a hill on the nearby island of Teshima, overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. The museum, which resembles a water droplet at the moment of landing, is located in the corner of a rice terrace that was restored in collaboration with local residents. The building has been described as “architectural poetry” and “a wonderfully sublime architectural experience”. With sounds kept to a whisper, time seems to stand still as you stroll inside this 2400m2 work of art. We will also visit some other art installations on Teshima before returning to Naoshima. Dinner at hotel.

Accommodation: Naoshima Ryokan Rokaor similar

Day 8 Naoshimia – Kurashiki – Hagi – Nagato/Yamaguchi [B,D]

After a leisurely breakfast, we travel to Kurashiki a picturesque well preserved Edo period mercantile town. Enjoy a stroll through the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, also referred to as the Bikan area, once the political and commercial centre of Kurashiki. Now preserved as a historic district, it’s no less busy, with many former storehouses converted into specialty stores, museums and cafes. We travel on to another gem, a well-preserved Edo period castle town, Hagi on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Yamaguchi prefecture. The town is known for a type of pottery that bears its name, Hagi ware (Hagi yaki), prized for use in the
Japanese tea ceremony and there are still active potters here who trace their potting families back 14-15 generations. Although Hagi Castle was demolished during the modernisation zeal of the Meiji Restoration in 1874, the village retains its historic feel in the layout of its streets, unchanged since the Edo Period and a district of lovingly preserved samurai residences and white walled streets lined with orange trees. Explore some of the best-preserved traditional samurai  residences remaining, including the extensive Kikuya Residence and its gorgeous rock garden in this World Heritage listed site. The beautiful “summer oranges” that hang over the walls of this castle town area are iconic symbols of Hagi. Stroll through the former Hagi samurai residential area. Pop into the Hagi yaki pottery shops or souvenir stores selling local Hagi summer-orange sweets as you walk. Check in and relax at Michelin Key Onsen Ryokan Otanisanso, Otozure suite for 2 nights. Perhaps take a dip in your personal onsen bath before enjoying the open bar arrangement for Otozure suite guests at Bar Otozure. We top off the day with a formal Kaiseki banquet dinner at Unyu.

Accommodation: Otanisanso Bettei Otozure or similar

Day 9 Yamaguchi/Nagato [B, D]

After another relaxed start and perhaps another dunk in your onsen bath, we visit a Hagi Master Potter’s workshop for an insight into Hagi ware’s history, how it is made and why its earthy hues, rough texture and delicate glazes are so valued in the Japanese tea ceremony. For our guests who would enjoy a more tactile exploration of Hagi ware, it is possible to make your own pottery. For those less inclined to do so, enjoy a relaxed morning strolling through the narrow streets and soaking up the atmosphere. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Accommodation: Otanisanso Bettei Otozure or similar

Day 10 Kintaikyo – Miyajima – Hiroshima – Nagoya [B, Lounge Access]

This morning, we travel to Miyajima Island in The Inland Sea, to enjoy sightseeing around the Sacred Goddess Miyajima Floating Shrine and the world famous Torii gate. The shrine itself is built over the water on pylons, to give the impression of floating on the water. As with many other structures in Japan it has been rebuilt after storm or fire damage many times and in fact this constant renewal is characteristic of the Japanese psyche. The image of the large bright vermillion Torii gate at high tide against the mountain behind is one of the best known in Japan. Midafternoon, we will be transferred to Hiroshima, visiting the Peace Memorial Park and the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The museum is dedicated to those who lost their lives or loved ones and has displays on life before and after the atomic bomb. We will leave Hiroshima for Nagoya by Bullet train. Check in at Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel for 2 nights. Relax and enjoy Concierge Lounge access.

Accommodation: Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel or similar

Day 11 Nagoya – Tsumago/Magome – Nagoya [B, Lounge Acccess]

Today we head out by train for the enchanting Kiso Valley where we will visit two historic and picturesque post towns, Magome & Tsumago. Magome is a quaint village meandering down the side of a mountain, providing beautiful views as we wander through the town. Tsumago is another small town seldom visited by group tours and where cars are banned and signs of modernity such as power lines are hidden to maintain the old-style ambiance. There were once 69 post towns along the Nakasendo trade route from Tokyo to Kyoto during samurai times and these are two of the best preserved.

 Accommodation: Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel or similar

Day 12 Nagoya – Mt. Fuji/Lake Kawaguchi – Tokyo [B, L, D]

We check out from our hotel and travel from Nagoya to Shiraito Falls. The waterfall is 20 meters high but stretches across 150 meters, and has been likened to a lace-like curtain of water. There are hundreds of these threads, springing from a solid wall of lava, offering up snowmelt from Mt. Fuji in the southwest.

Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano located just 90km South West of Tokyo, with a summit elevation of 3,776.24 m. We will visit Lake Kawaguch, one of the five lakes at the base of Mt. Fuji. On a still, clear day, you can see a perfect mirror image of Mt. Fuji reflected in the lake. Lunch at local restaurant. Travel back to Tokyo and check in at Imperial Hotel Tokyo for 1 night. We gather again in the evening at the Aqua Lounge for farewell drinks and supper.

Accommodation: Imperial Hotel Tokyo or similar

Day 13 Tokyo [B]

Today is our last day in Japan, so you might wish to do some last-minute souvenir hunting or an optional half day activity. Your tour coordinator will help you organise your activities. After a relaxing breakfast (your choice of traditional Japanese a la carte, Viking (Japanese and western buffet) or Western a la carte) enjoy a Tokyo morning sightseeing tour of the city on a chartered coach, through Ginza streets, Imperial Palace and Asakusa Temple where we stroll down the colourful Nakamise shopping street, lined with tiny stalls and thronging with enchanted shoppers and temple visitors. Return to the Imperial Hotel Tokyo.

12:00 Check out of the hotel. Airport transfer to Tokyo Haneda Airport is included. Please check with JANESCO for your options for transfer to Narita airport.

~ Tour Concludes here ~

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