JAPAN EXPRESS
8 nights (Self-guided)
Tokyo, Kyoto, Miyajima & Hiroshima
From £1,699 pp
JAPAN EXPRESS TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Our Japan Express itinerary is a classic 8-night self-guided itinerary which includes visits to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Miyajima Island.
THIS TOUR INCLUDES:
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Visits to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima
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Travel on Japan's world-famous Bullet Train
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7 Day Japan Rail Pass
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8 Nights' accommodation
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Stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn) with dinner included
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Breakfast daily
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Meet and Greet service upon arrival at the airport
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Airport transfers from/to Narita or Haneda International Airport (Tokyo)
DAILY ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL JAPAN/NARITA OR HANEDA AIRPORT (TOKYO) – TRANSFER TO TOKYO
Upon arrival at Narita or Haneda International Airport, you will be welcomed by our friendly Meet & Greet service who will escort you to the Airport Limousine Bus or Narita Express bound for Tokyo. Check in to your clean and comfortable hotel in central Tokyo for 3 nights.
DAY 2: TOKYO
Your options are unlimited in this incredible city. Explore Tokyo's past in the bustling, traditional Asakusa district, shop in the fashionable districts of Shibuya and Harajuku, and dine on Japan's finest cuisine. Tokyo is relatively straightforward to navigate, and our Information Pack will make travelling around the city a breeze.
OPTIONAL GUIDED EXCURSION:
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing by coach in Tokyo, with lunch included. Your guide will show you the highlights of this vast metropolis, from the Imperial Palace and serene Meiji Shrine to the 'Electric City' of Akihabara.
DAY 3: TOKYO
Enjoy a further day of exploring in Tokyo, or use your Japan Rail Pass to venture further afield to Kamakura, a former capital of Japan, or Nikko, a beautiful temple town in the mountains north of Tokyo.
OPTIONAL GUIDED EXCURSION:
Join a fantastic guided excursion by coach to the beautiful Hakone & Mt Fuji region. Ride in a cable car for a superb view of the surrounding mountains and volcanic craters, and even board a pirate ship to cruise around Lake Ashi! A delicious lunch is included. Return to Tokyo on Japan's world-famous Bullet Train.
DAY 4: TOKYO TO KYOTO
It's time to say goodbye to Tokyo for a few days and speed on the Bullet Train to Kyoto, the soul of Japan. The journey takes less than 3 hours, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the late afternoon in Kyoto, where we recommend a stroll around the lovely side streets. You will stay in a comfortable, spotless hotel in the heart of Kyoto for 3 nights.
DAY 5: KYOTO
A rich history of religion, art, and craft have combined to make this glorious city a spiritual home for the Japanese. For temples, we recommend Kiyomizu-dera and Ginkaku-ji in the hills to the east of the city. Nijo Castle is also well worth a visit, and make sure you allow yourself plenty of time for the wonderful craft shops and delightful streets of Gion, the old geisha quarter.
OPTIONAL GUIDED EXCURSION:
Join a guided coach tour. As well as visits to Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Temple), Sanjusangendo Temple and Kiyomizu Temple, today's tour includes a delicious buffet-style lunch.
DAY 6: KYOTO/NARA/HIMEJI/OSAKA AT LEISURE
Use your Japan Rail Pass to explore further afield. Why not visit Nara, Japan's first permanent capital and home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Or how about magnificent Himeji Castle? You could even check out nearby Osaka, Japan's lively second city.
OPTIONAL GUIDED EXCURSION:
Spend the afternoon on a guided coach tour to Nara. Your guide will take you around Todaiji Temple and Nara Park followed by visits to Kasuga Taisha Shrine before heading back to Kyoto by coach.
DAY 7: MIYAJIMA
Check out of your hotel and board the Bullet Train to Hiroshima. The Atomic Bomb Dome and the moving Peace Memorial Park and Museum are sights not to be missed. Make the short trip by ferry to the lovely island of Miyajima. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and fantastic views of the o-torii of Itsukushima Shrine, one of the most famous sights in Japan. By late afternoon the day-trippers will have left the island, and you will spend a magical evening in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) where a delicious Japanese dinner and breakfast are included.
DAY 8: HIROSHIMA TO TOKYO
Enjoy the morning in the lovely surroundings of your ryokan before heading back to Hiroshima. Board the Bullet Train again and head back to the electrifying city of Tokyo. Enjoy your final evening in the capital of manga, anime, shopping, eating , and people-watching. If your flight is early the next morning, we can also offer a hotel accommodation in Haneda or Narita Airport.
DAY 9: DEPART JAPAN
Transfer from your hotel to Haneda or Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
Extend your trip with our fantastic Okinawa Extension HERE
HOW INDEPENDENT TOURS WORK
ENJOY INDEPENDENT TRAVEL BUT NOT THE HASSLE OF PLANNING?
OUR INDEPENDENT TOURS COULD BE JUST THE TICKET!
Carefully put together by our team of specialists, our excellent collection of sample itineraries isdesigned to inform and inspire your next Japan adventure. Every one of our Independent Tours is fully tailor-made for you, ensuring your trip is everything you want it to be.
It's quite straightforward to travel independently in Japan. We will provide just the right amount of support and logistical planning to make you feel comfortable in a very foreign land. These itineraries are available for any departure date (with a few exclusions coinciding with Japanese National Holidays and some weekends). We'll do all the work for you and provide you with an information pack to make your trip run smoothly. You can also add guided tours as indicated and if you do want your own personal guide we can arrange this too.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS & LOCATION GUIDE
PRICING & INCLUSIONS
3* accommodation: from £1,699.00 per person based on twin/double room occupancy.
4* accommodation: from £2,395.00 per person based on twin/double room occupancy.
5* accommodation: on Request
3* single room occupancy: from £2,175.00
4* single room occupancy: from £2,995.00
PRICE INCLUDES:
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7 nights' accommodation in a Double/Twin room at centrally located hotels on a bed and Japanese breakfast basis
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1 night's accommodation in a traditional Japanese ryokan including a delicious Japanese dinner and breakfast on Miyajima island
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Transfer from and to Haneda or Narita International Airport (Tokyo) by Express Train on Airport Limousine Bus.
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Meet & Greet service on arrival at Haneda or Narita International Airport (Tokyo).
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7-day Japan Rail Pass allowing you unlimited travel on the entire Japan Rail network including Shinkansen (Bullet Train) services and the Hiroshima to Miyajima ferry.
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
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International airfare.
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Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
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Entrance fees to sights not mentioned in the itinerary.
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Taxi, subway, and tramway fees.
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Insurance.
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Optional excursions (see below)
OPTIONAL GUIDED TOURS
Tokyo: £98 per person full day, including lunch
Mt Fuji & Hakone: £170 per person full day, including lunch
Kyoto: £125 per person full day, including lunch
Nara Afternoon: £77 per person
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.
