• 7 breakfasts and 1 Japanese dinner at the
• Lake Kawaguchi ryokan
• 12 nights 3 star accommodation (including 1 night at a traditional ryokan (Japaneseinn)
•  Guided sightseeing and walking tours in Tokyo, Kamakura, Lake Kawaguchi, Kyoto, Himeji, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Takayama
• Lake Kawaguchi & Mt Fuji - Kachikachiyama Ropeway and observatory. For tours staying at Lake Kawaguchi between 15 Apr – 28 May each year we'll visit to the Fuji Shibazakura (Moss Phlox) Festival with Mt Fuji in the distance.
• Ferry to Miyajima Island and cable car to the top of Mt Misen
• Escorted by a licensed English speaking Japanese tour guide
•  Airport arrival transfer - by train from Narita or Haneda International Airport
•  Departure transfer - by train to Narita or Haneda International Airport (unescorted)
• All transportation and transfers - buses, trains and rail passes (including Suica swipe Card and Japan Rail Pass)
• Baggage forwarding service from Tokyo to Kyoto (one bag per person)

Saturday.  Welcome  to  Japan  and  the  startof  your  holiday!  Arrival  at  Haneda  or  Narita Airport,  you  will  be  met  by  your  tour  guide  or a  representative  from  On  The  Go  Tours.  The prominent  sign  depicting  our  company  logo easily identifies our representative. Should  you  not  be  able  to  locate  our  guide/ representative  please  do  not  leave  the  arrivals area.  If  after  waiting  30  minutes  at  the  arrivals area and you are still unable to locate our guide/ representative, please call the 24 hour contact person noted on your tour voucher. If  arriving  on  a  flight  landing  prior  between 06:00 - 06:30 and you've sped through customs to find that our guide is not in the arrivals hall to  meet  you,  please  be  patient  as  our  guide will enroute arriving on the first train of the day  cheduled to arrive at 06:30 without delays.After  meeting  up  with  your  tour  guide/ representative, together you will travel by train into  the  heart  of  the  city  and  check  into  your hotel. Overnight - Tokyo

Today we explore the capital. Taking the subway to  Asakusa  we  visit  the  lively  Sensoji  Temple district,  which  is  home  to  Tokyo’s  first   temple and  scores  of  interesting  souvenir  and  craft stalls.  In  the  afternoon  we  head  to  Harajuku, which  is  a  magnet  for  young  and  fashionable Tokyoites  with  its  hip  shops  and  cafes.  Here we’ll  visit  the  impressive  Meiji  Shrine  where the  emperor  Meiji  and  his  wife  are  enshrined. Yoyogi  Park  beside  the  shrine  is  a  popular hangout  for  locals  on  Sundays  with  bands  playing,  drum  circles,  dancers  and  busking,  if you are interested. The last stop of the day is the Shibuya crossing - regarded as one of the busiest intersection in
the world. The famed junction has no less than 7 pedestrian crossings and when the traffic lights turn  red  a  wave  of  pedestrians,  up  to  a  1000 at  once,  converge  onto  the  intersection  from every direction. Here we’ll grab a coffee or cold drink and rest our weary feet at the  tarbucks, with second floor vantage point, located directly opposite the crossing and look down upon the exciting spectacle, guaranteed to give that 'I'm in Tokyo feeling'. Total walking distance today: Approx 8 - 10km. This evening offers free time though if travelling in  January,  May  and  September  (tonight  or any  other  night  you  are  in  Tokyo)  you  might like  spend  the  evening  watching  a  Sumo tournament.  There are three professional Sumo tournaments held in Tokyo each year with each tournament  lasting  15  days  with  a  number  of matches held throughout the day. If interested, you  should  book  tickets  independently  in advance  as  on  the  day  of  a  match  only  a  few balcony seats are held back for same-day sale. Overnight - Tokyo 

Tokyo  -  Kamakura  -  Tokyo.  This  morning  weboard a train for a day trip to Kamakura, Japan’s first  feudal  capital,  which  is  just  an  hour  from Tokyo.  Kamakura  is  a  popular  seaside  location with a quaint village life feel and some stunning   zen temples. Here we’ll visit the  conic bronze Big  Buddha  and  the  Zen  Temple  of  Hokokuji with its beautiful bamboo   garden. Here you can  drink  tea,  learn  about  the  tea  ceremony  and enjoy  the  laid  back  atmosphere  from  the  tea   house  before  walking  the  cobbled  shopping district  -  for  great  locally  made  items  before returning  to  Japan’s  bustling  capital  for  the night.  Tonight,  we  organise  a  Shabu  Shubu (a  traditional  Japanese  hot  pot  meal)  if  the   majority of the group are interested. Overnight - Tokyo 

Today  offers  a  guided  tour  of  the  Tokyo  Edo Museum  which  focuses  on  the  lifestyle  and culture experienced by Tokyoites over the  ity’s 400-year history. The museum houses some of he city’s best original artefacts and replicas of Edo-era  buildings  and  landmarks,  along   with several large-scale models. The remainder of the day offers free time.  For tours departing after 01 Oct 2017 a visit to he National  useum replaces our visit to the Tokyo Edo Museum as it is closed for renovation. Overnight - Tokyo

Tokyo - Lake Kawaguchi. This morning we travel by  highway  bus  (with  luggage  forwarding)  to Lake Kawaguchi, located at the foot of Mt  Fuji in the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. The scenery is  stunning  with  panoramic  views  of  a  snowcapped Fuji most of the year. Upon arrival we’ll travel along the Kachikachi-yama Ropeway and visit the observatory. For tours staying at Lake Kawaguchi between 15 Apr – 28 May each yeawe’ll visit the Springtime Fuji Shibazakura (Phlox Moss) Festival, held at Motosu Lake, where the landscape is covered in a vibrant, hot pink moss ith  Fuji  as  the  backdrop.  Tonight  you'll  bed  down  in  a  traditional  Japanese  Inn  (ryokan)  At  the  ryokan,  we'll be  served  a  traditiona Japanese dinner and you can take a relaxing dip in the natural hot spring baths. Note:  If  you  have  booked  a single room  it is  not  guaranteed  that  a  single  room  will  be provided  at  our  ryokan  in  Lake  Kawaguchi Ryokans by their very nature don't offer single rooms so instead accommodate a single person  n  a  double  room  (a  room  large  enough  for  2 persons). We are only able to confirm whethe a  single  room  is  available  or  not  approx  2 weeks  prior  to  departure.  If  a  single  (sole  use room  is  not  available  you will  be  matched  up with  a  fellow  traveller  of  the  same  sex  for  this night  and  the  proportionate  amount  of  single supplement cost refunded to you.  Overnight  Lake Kawaguchi (D) 

Lake  Kawaguchi  –  Kyoto.  The  area  has  somegreat  hiking  trails  and  early  this  morning  you might like to opt for a hike along the  foreshores of the lake. Travel by bus to Mishima, then bullet train  to  Kyoto  -  Japan’s  ancient  and cultural capital. As  one  of  the  most  culturally  rich  cities  in Asia,  Kyoto  is  home  to  an  abundance  of UNESCO World Heritage sites, Buddhist temples and  Shinto  shrines.  Upon  arrival  we'll  discover  anjusagen-do Temple famous for its statues of Kannon.  The  one  thousand  life-size  statues  of Kannon, made of Japanese cypress and covered in  gold  leaf are  impressive.  Standing  in  rows of  10  each  hand  carved  so  that  no  two  are alike.  Late  afternoon  we  head  to Gion,  for  a walking tour of this famous Geisha district. After you may wish to watch a cultural performanceat  Gion  Corner Theatre  where  you'll  have the  opportunity  to  watch  a  Maiko  (apprentice Geisha) performing. Overnight - Kyoto (B)

Golden Pavilion & free timeThis  morning  we  offer  a  guided  tour  of  Nijo  Castle,  one  of  the  city’s  most  impressive UNESCO  sites.  Built  by  the  first  Tokugawa shogun  in  1603,  the  exquisite  Nijo  Castle  is  a wonderful example of Momoyama architecture.After  we  visit  Kinkakuji  (Golden  Pavilion)  a stunning  Zen  Buddhist  temple,  part  of  the Historic  Monuments  of  Ancient  Kyoto  World Heritage  Site.  The  top  two  floors  of  the monument are completely covered in gold leaf. Set upon a small lake with landscaped gardens the large completely gilt structure is impressive as  it  is  beautiful  Temple.  Kinkakuji  Temple continues  to  be  one  of  Japan's  most  visited temples. This afternoon offers free time for you to relax or to further discover the many sights  of  Kyoto  at  your  own  pace.  Consider  visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its winding path  lined by thousands of bright red torii gates. Justa  short  train  ride  away  from  the  main  Kyoto station, this must-see sight is free to visit and is open 24 hours a day. You might also wish to hire a Kimono and walk the streets as many Japanese do or take part in a cooking lesson. Overnight -Kyoto (B)

Kyoto - Himeji - Hiroshima. We travel by bullet train  to  Hiroshima  today,  stopping  en  route at  Himeji  to  visit  the  UNESCO  Listed  Himeji Castle,  nicknamed  the  White  Egret  due  to  its colour and elegant shape. Himeji is Japan’s best preserved and largest castle, known for its mazelike  defences.  After  taking  in  the  panoramic views  from  the  top  of  its  6  story  watch  tower there is time to stroll the local Saturday market which  often  takes  place  here,  before  take  the bullet train to Hiroshima. If you are a baseball fan consider booking tickets to  watch  the  Carp  play.  The  Carp,  Hiroshima beloved  professional  baseball  play  games  at home  between  May  -  Oct  at Mazda  Stadium. We suggest you jump online and book seats in advance. Luggage:  Today  we  will  travel  with  all  our luggage  from  Kyoto to Hiroshima  via  Himeji, rather  than  forwarding  our  luggage  and  not having  it  arrive  till  tomorrow  afternoon.  Upon arrival  at  Himeji luggage  will  be  stored  at  the lockers at the train station or at the bus station should all lockers at the station be full. Although  the rate of crime in Japan is extremely low please keep all your valuable with you and do not store them  in  the  locker.  After  touring  Himeji  we'll re-unite  with  our  luggage  and  carry  it  with  us aboard  the  bullet  train  to  Hiroshima.  We have allowed plenty of time at each transfer point to so that you will not be hurrying along with heavy (hopefully  not  to  heavy)  luggage.  Overnight  -Hiroshima (B) 

Located off the coast of Hiroshima is MiyajimaIsland,  one  of  Japan's  most  picturesque destinations. Today we take the ferry out to the island  and  see  the  dramatic  red  'floating'  Tori Gate  at  the  revered  Itsukushima-jinja  Shrine a  UNESCO  World  Heritage  Listed  site. The  iconic  gate  seems  to  float  on  the  water  bu at  low  tide  can  reached  by  foot.  It  stands 16  metres  high  and  is  made  from campho wood. As we explore the island we'll see furthe Shinto shrines, towering pagodas and pavilions before  soaking  up  the  incredible views  of  the Seto  Inland  Sea,  dozens  of  nearby  islands  and Hiroshima  city  from  our  cable  car  ride  to  the top  of  Mount  Misen,  the highest  point  of  the island. Free time is offered before we return to Hiroshima  for  the  night.  Tonight,  we'll  make  a reservation for  konomiyaki - a mix between a savoury pancake and omelette a local speciality of Hiroshima. Okonomiyaki is always a fun night its  inexpensive  and  is  washed  down  perfectly with a Asahi beer. Overnight - Hiroshima (B)

Hiroshima - Takayama. Hiroshima is a city that needs little introduction, it is of course infamous for being the first site where one of two atomic bombs  were  dropped  on  Japan  at  the  end of  World  War  II.  This  morning  we  visit  Peace Park and  Peace  Park  Museum  which  are  a moving  reminder  of  Hiroshima’s  tragic  past.We’ll  see  the  iconic  A- omb Dome  one  of  the very few buildings left standing after the blast and visit the and Children's Peace Monument a memorial to the children killed, where schools from  around  the  world  donate  paper  origami cranes, signifying hope and peace. This  afternoon  we  take  the  bullet  train  to Nagoya,  followed  by  another  scenic  train journey  up  the  mountains  to Takayama.Overnight - Takayama (B)

Takayama is delightful town in the heart of the Hida Mountains. Established in the 16th century as  the  castle  town  of  the Kanamori  family, Takayama is now famous throughout Japan for its beautifully preserved old-quarter, which has a series of  streets lined with Edo style wooden buildings.  The  town  also  has  many  shrines and  temples,  giving  rise  to  the title of Little Kyoto’.  This  morning  we  explore  Takayama’s old quarter, where you can wander around the shops and  market  talls where you can wander around  the  shops  and  market  stalls  which sell everything from vegetables and pickles to  raft, ceramics  and  tools.  After  there's  a  visit  a  sake   distillery  to  sample  the  town’s famous  and potent sake. This afternoon you can opt to see the fascinating Hida  folk  village  (entrance  fee  &  transport payable  on  the  spot  should you  wish  to  go) where  more  than  30  houses  from  across  the Hida  region  have  been  rebuilt  on  a  hillside erlooking the town. Alternatively, enjoy free time  in  Takayama  independently  exploring. or  dinner  tonight  we  recommend ampling Takayama’s  delicious  Hida  beef  at  one  of the  many  restaurants  or  Beef  Burger  cafes. Overnight - Takayama (B) 

Takayama  –  Tokyo.  This  morning  we  embark on  the  scenic  Higashiyama  walk  (the  Eastern Mountain  Walk)  which  takes  in  a  number of  temples  set  into  the  hillside  and  offers wonderful  views  over  the  city.  Later  we  take the train back down the mountains to Nagoya to catch the bullet train to Tokyo.  Overnight -Tokyo (B)

Thursday.  Our  tour  comes  to  an  end  today. Travel (unescorted) back to Narita International Airport on board the Narita Express train.

Exclusions

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