JAPAN BONSAI TOUR 2025
5 - 16 February 2025
Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Kinashi & Okayama
From £4,395.00
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Our Japan Bonsai Tour is our signature tour which has been running annually since 2005. You will visit some of Japan’s most prestigious bonsai nurseries at Kinashi and Omiya bonsai villages, and visit the 95th Kokufu Bonsai Ten – a fantastic chance to see some of the finest bonsai in the world. Join us and explore the serene temples of Kyoto, take a train ride across the shimmering Seto Inland Sea, and marvel at the astounding Tokyo metropolis – all the while discovering the very best bonsai and gardens that Japan has to offer. Experience the best of Japan and the best of bonsai with Japan Journeys.
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Attend the Kokufu Bonsai Ten, Japan's most important bonsai convention
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Shop at Ueno Green Club, home to a fantastic array of pots, tools, and of course, trees
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Explore two delightful bonsai villages in Kinashi and Omiya
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Travel in style on the world-famous Bullet Train
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Enjoy excellent Guided tours of Tokyo, Kyoto & Nara
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Take a stroll around Korakuen (Okayama), one of the top 3 gardens in Japan
DAILY ITINERARY
5 & 6 Feb: DEPART UK/ARRIVE IN JAPAN
Depart from London Heathrow Airport (with a change of plane en route) and arrive at Narita International Airport (Tokyo) the following day. (Non-UK passengers should make a flight booking to arrive before the main group so that we can meet you at the airport). Transfer to your hotel in central Tokyo by private coach and check-in for 4 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
7 Feb: (TOKYO) SHUNKA-EN AND ASAKUSA
Today we visit the Shunka-en Bonsai Museum which is owned by the Bonsai Master Kunio Kobayashi who has worked on numerous Kokufu prizewinning trees. We then take the subway to the bustling Sensoji Temple in Asakusa before returning to our hotel. Enjoy a delicious included Welcome Dinner tonight.
8 Feb: TOKYO – KOKUFU BONSAI TEN
Today is the day we visit the wonderful Kokufu Bonsai-ten, the largest and most prestigious bonsai event held in Japan.
9 Feb: OMIYA BONSAI VILLAGE
We travel a little further north today by train to visit a selection of beautiful nurseries at Omiya Bonsai Village in Saitama prefecture, followed by the wonderful Omiya Bonsai Museum.
(Tonight, you'll need to pack your main luggage as this will be sent ahead to your hotel in Kyoto for your arrival. You will therefore need to carry a small overnight bag for tomorrow night).
10 Feb: TOKYO TO KYOTO
Today we will spend a leisurely morning in Tokyo before speeding off on the Bullet Train to the old capital of Kyoto. This afternoon we will go for a walk around Gion, the traditional center of Kyoto. Enjoy free time in the evening and maybe spot a couple of Geisha going between appointments if you stay in this charming part of the city.
11 Feb: KYOTO
After breakfast, depart on a full-day tour of Kyoto by private coach. Visit the beautiful Temple and gardens of the Golden Pavilion and then enjoy a series of Zen Buddhist rock gardens at Daitoku-ji Temple. Then on to the Kyoto Handicraft Centre where you have time to have an included lunch and browse a multitude of craft shops. Visit the stunning Sanjusangendo temple complete with 1001 human-sized Buddhist statues.
12 Feb: NARA
We take a short train trip to the town of Nara. There we walk to Todaiji Temple – which used to be the largest wooden building in the world for centuries and contains the Great Buddha – Japan's largest. Take a stroll in Nara Park and feed the deer. You can either remain in Nara or return to Kyoto as the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.
(Tonight, you'll need to pack your main luggage as this will be sent ahead to your hotel in Tokyo for your arrival. You will therefore need to carry a small overnight bag for the next 2 days)
13 Feb: KINASHI BONSAI VILLAGE/OKAYAMA
After checking out of the hotel in the morning, we travel westward on the Bullet Train to Shikoku – the smallest and least explored of Japan's 4 main islands. Here you have all day to explore the wonderful Kinashi Bonsai Village – the largest Bonsai village in Japan where, amongst other sights, you can view field upon field of miniature black pines. Later in the afternoon, we travel to our hotel in Okayama for 1 night.
14 Feb: KORAKUEN GARDEN/TOKYO
Today visit Korakuen, a traditional stroll garden in Okayama and one of Japan’s three most celebrated gardens. In the afternoon, we will speed off to Tokyo and check into our hotel for 2 nights.
15 Feb: KOKUFU BONSAI TEN PART II
Today you have a chance to revisit the Kokufu Bonsai-ten as there will be a new display of bonsai on show for the second exhibit. We will have a Farewell Dinner this evening.
16 Feb: DEPART JAPAN
Sadly it is time to say sayonara. Transfer to Narita Airport (Tokyo) from where you depart home.
ACCOMMODATION
TOKYO: CANDEO HOTEL UENO PARK
KYOTO: SOTETSU FRESA INN KYOTO SHIJOKARASUMA
OKAYAMA: TOYOKO INN OKAYAMA-EKI
DATES & INCLUSIONS
TOUR DATES:
5 - 16 February 2025
TRIP PRICES
Price: £4,395.00 per person (based on Twin/Double Room occupancy)
PRICE INCLUDES:
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International airfare
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10 nights' hotel accommodation at centrally located 3- 3½* hotels with breakfast daily
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Delicious Welcome dinner, Farewell Dinner, and lunch in Kyoto
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Airport Transfers in Japan for those passengers arriving and departing with the main group (pre- and post- extension passengers will need to arrange their own airport transfers)
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Private air-conditioned coach tour of Kyoto on 11 February
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Bullet Train tickets
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All long-distance, local, and subway train fares for visited sights
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Sightseeing and entrance fees to all named attractions on tour
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Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journeys Guide throughout
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Separate baggage transfer for one piece of luggage per person from Tokyo to Kyoto & from Kyoto to Tokyo
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
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Travel insurance
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Meals (other than those mentioned above)
BOOKING INFORMATION
To make a booking, a deposit of 10% of the total price is required.
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The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to departure.
INSURANCE
Travel can be a great experience, but it can also be fraught with problems, so when going anywhere it is essential you are properly covered with good travel insurance. You should be protected against cancellation, curtailment, and loss or damage to your belongings as well as medical emergencies and have peace of mind if the unexpected happens.
Japan Journeys in association with Holiday Extras, is now able to offer excellent low-cost cover to their customers.