Bōken-sha - Japan Explorer

Bōken-sha - Japan Explorer

7 Days - 6 Nights

Tokyo, Hakone, Mt Fuji, Kyoto

Discovery, Culture, History

This program may be operated for individuals or for groups

This is a suggested itinerary – Please call us to customize

Day 1: Tokyo

Your driver will meet you in the arrival hall at Narita Airport, to assist you with the transfer to your hotel (60 – 90 minutes). The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

One of the world’s most cutting-edge capitals, Tokyo is a city of contrasts. Famous for its cutting-edge modernity, neon-lit landscape and towering skyscrapers, it is also home to sprawling parklands, peaceful shrines and temples, and lovingly tended gardens. Despite its love affair with manga pop culture, fashion, high-tech trends and conspicuous consumption, below the surface is a city embedded in ancient heritage. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples stand close to skyscrapers as a reminder of a more contemplative time and at the heart of the hyperactive center lies the serene Imperial Palace – home of the ruling emperor – providing a tangible link to the city’s ancient past. Behind the shopping, entertainment and commercial emporia are the quaint wooden houses, private gardens with meticulously clipped bonsai trees, and the calming Hamarikyu Gardens. The city’s reputation as a costly metropolis is ill conceived and visitors can take advantage of the inexpensive izakaya bars and neighborhood cafes that serve delicious noodles and rice dishes.

Day 2: Tokyo

Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Tokyo Tower before participating in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Then, take a stroll along the moat surrounding the Imperial Palace Plaza and breathe in the noble ambience. Board a boat for a 40-minute cruise up the Sumida River to Asakusa. There, you can browse the many colorful stores lining the Nakamise walkway leading up to Sensoji Temple – Tokyo's oldest and most famous Buddhist temple – before passing through Ginza, Japan's world-renowned shopping and entertainment district. [B/L]

Day 3: Tokyo (Hakone, Mt Fuji)

A full-day motor-coach tour, leaving from Tokyo, will bring you to the Fuji Visitor Center and on trip up to Mt. Fuji's 5th station at an elevation of 7,546 ft., a cruise on the pristine Lake Ashi and a ride on the Komagatake Ropeway, which boasts great views of the surrounding Hakone National Park. Return to Tokyo for overnight. [B/L]

Hakone is a natural wonderland and is famous for its hot springs, outdoor pursuits and the view of the nearby Mount Fuji. It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is less than 100-km from Tokyo, providing a popular weekend destination for city residents keen to escape the frenzy of the capital. Besides the towering mountains, lakes and views of Mount Fuji, it is also blessed with charming historical sites. Beautiful Hakone has just about everything a vacationer could wish for.

Day 4: Tokyo, Kyoto

Today you will ride Japan’s world-famous Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto. Capable of speeds of up to 185 mph, the Shinkansen takes 2 hours to reach Kyoto. Your afternoon is free. [B]

Day 5: Kyoto

Experience Kyoto, Japan's capital from 794 to1868. Visit Nijo Castle, the residence of the Tokugawa era shoguns, and the gold leaf covered Golden Pavilion, housing sacred relics of Buddha and surrounded by exquisite gardens renowned for their beauty. Walk through the Kyoto Imperial Palace and watch traditional Japanese artisans work their craft at the Kyoto Handicraft Center. Visit Heian Jingu Shrine – a partial replica of the Imperial Palace. Walk through Sanjusangendo Temple, Japan's longest wooden structure, famous for its 1,001 human-sized Kannon statues, and browse through the specialty shops leading up to Kiyomizudera Temple for a sweeping view of the city. [B/L]

This is a must-see destination in Japan. Kyoto is the nation’s former capital and was the residence of the emperor from 794 until 1868. It is Japan’s seventh largest metropolis with a population of 1.4 million and a city of culture that offers a plethora of temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures that still survive today. With 2,000 religious buildings, including 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, as well as palaces, gardens and associated architecture, it is one of the best-preserved cities in Japan and has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Kyoto represents the “Japan of old” and beyond the high-rise skyscrapers built as a monument to progress, the real monument to Japan’s historical and cultural past can be found in the city’s narrow alleyways where tea houses thrive and kimono-clad geisha hurry from elegant function to function. Go back in time to Japan’s mysterious past where echoes of the court nobility resonate at the Imperial Palace and the search for contemplation can be found in Ryoanji’s Zen rock gardens.

Day 6: Kyoto, Nara

Morning free to explore Kyoto on your own. In the afternoon, head to Nara with an English-speaking guide and visit two World Heritage Sites, Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Get to see wild deer up close – a rarity in Japan and elsewhere in the world – while walking through Nara Park before returning to Kyoto. [B]

Day 7: Kyoto, USA

Your day is free until your transfer to Kansai Airport (60 minutes) to board your flight back to the USA. [B]

[B] = Breakfast | [B/L] = Breakfast and Dinner

Tour includes

Arrival and departure transfers
6 nights’ accommodation
- Tokyo – 3 nights
- Kyoto – 3 nights
Meals
- Breakfast daily
- Lunches: 3
Full-day tour of Tokyo
- Sumida River cruise
- Sensoji Temple
- Ginza District
Full-day tour of Hakone/Mt. Fuji
- Lake Ashi
- Komagatake Ropeway
Full-day tour of Kyoto
- Nijo Castle
- Gold Pavilion
- Imperial Palace
- Heian Jingu Shrine
- Sanjusangendo Temple
- Kiyomizudera Temple
Excursion to Nara
- Todai-ji Temple
- Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Train ticket Tokyo – Kyoto in 2nd class with reserved seat
Entrance fees

Not included in tour

International airfare, taxes and fees
Meals or drinks other than specified as included
Japan Visa processing and issuing visa fee
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature (minibar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
Tips to guides/drivers/porters, etc.
Entrance fees for any extra sightseeing
Optional activities

Hotels

Category	Hotel Name	Room Type	Tripadvisor
First Class
Tokyo	Shiba Park	Standard	4
Kyoto	Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto	Standard	4.5
Deluxetd>
Tokyo	Grand Hyatt	Standard	4.5
Kyoto	Ritz-Carlton	Standard	4.5

Hotels will be confirmed at time of booking

Prices

These programs can be customized for individuals and groups.

Changes to this program may be requested by phone (1855-55-TOURS) or using the web FIT Quote Request

Airfare

We also be glad to add the necessary airfare from your gateway so you take advantage of our special discounted leisure fares

Program

You may add or remove;

- Trip days
- Cities and sites
- Meals
Other options
- The program was designed with private services, however, we may substitute shared sightseeing where available
- If you prefer deluxe services we may operate this program including private driver, private guide and concierge service.

Quotation

Once we have designed the program the way you want we'll give you a quote within 2 business days.

Tour Code: JP04TYO20TE

Options

Lunches and dinners can be arranged for individuals, families and groups at top restaurants or any restaurant requested by you.
We can revise the itinerary to spend more time and provide more depth in those areas that you are interested on.
Any other changes to the itinerary will be accommodated depending on the facilities available in the area.

Group Quotations

If you wish to use these programs for your group or as the basis for a customized journey please either call us (1-855-55-TOURS or use the web Group Quote Request.
In either case our specialists will work with to refine all the details and they will get you a quote with 2 business days. Quotes may be obtained for the air and land portions of just for the lad journey.
Booking both air an land with us will represent savings for you because of our buying power and longtime relationship with the airlines.
We will also may have the choice between regular fares and special leisure fares not available to the public.

Bōken-sha - Japan Explorer

Bōken-sha - Japan Explorer

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