Japan is a place of ancient gods and customs, but is also the cutting edge of cool modernity. High-speed trains whisk you from one end of the country to another with awe-inspiring punctuality. In the suburbs of a sprawling metropolis, you can catch sight of a farmer tending his paddy field, then turn the corner and find yourself next to a neon-festooned electronic games parlour. One day you could be picking through fashion in the biggest department store on earth, the next relaxing in an outdoor hot-spring pool, watching cherry blossom or snowflakes fall, depending on the season.
Northern Honshū sees surprisingly few visitors, but its sleepy villages and nicely laid-back cities deserve to be better known. The Golden Hall of Hiraizumi more than justifies the journey, and can be easily combined with the islet-sprinkled Matsushima Bay or rural Tōno. The region is also known for its vibrant summer festivals, notably those at Sendai, Aomori, Hirosaki and Akita, and for its sacred mountains including Dewa-sanzan, home to a sect of ascetic mountain priests, and the eerie, remote wastelands of Osore-zan. For obvious reasons Hiroshima is the most visited location inWestern Honshū. On the way there, pause at Okayama to stroll around one of Japan's top three gardens, Kōraku-en, and the appealingly preserved Edo-era town of Kurashiki. The beauty of the Inland Sea, dotted with thousands of islands, is best appreciated from the idyllic fishing village of Tomonoura, the port of Onomichiand the relaxed islands of Nao-shima, Ikuchi-jima and Miya-jima.
Tokyo, Mt.Fuji, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara
Arrive at Narita Airport. You will be welcomed by a representative of Tonichi Travel Service and transferred by Airport Limousine bus (SIC) to Hotel New Otani Tokyo for check-in.(No escort on the bus)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Tokyo by SIC bus with an English-speaking guide. Visit Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, Akasaka Guest House and Imperial Palace Plaza. Afternoon free at leisure for your own activities. You may walk around this bustling town of Tokyo, such as Ginza, Odaiba, Akihabara and Roppongi.
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day excursion to Nikko National Park by SIC bus with an English-speaking guide along scenic Tohoku Expressway. In Nikko your visit will be made to Toshogu Grand Shrine (World Heritage) with its gorgeous Yomeimon Gate. Continue your drive to Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Waterfall via Irohazaka zigzag driveway. Lunch will be served at a restaurant en-route. After sightseeing of Nikko you will be transferred back to your hotel along same Expressway.
Breakfast at the hotel. Separate big baggage transfer to hotel in Kyoto. Please get down your big baggage at the bell desk until 08:00a.m. Full day sightseeing transfer to Mt. Fuji and Hakone. Drive to Mt.Fuji along scenic Chuo Driveway by SIC bus with an English-speaking guide, en route enjoying a breathtaking view of sacred Mt.Fuji, Japan's highest mountain. Continue your drive to Hakone, where you will enjoy aerial cableway ride on Hakone Mountains for a splendid view of Mt.Fuji, if weather permits and relaxing cruise on Lake Ashi. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant en-route. After sightseeing Hakone you will be transferred to Odawara station, from where you will take bullet train to Kyoto. Leave Odawara for Kyoto by bullet train "Hikari" on tourist class on reserved seats. Arrive at Kyoto station and proceed for check-in.
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning is free. Afternoon city tour visiting Kiyomizu Temple, Kodaiji Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Gion District..
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Nara on foot. Visiting Todaiji Temple, Nara Park(Deer Park), Kofukuji Temple. Afternoon is free.
Departure transfer by MK skygate Shuttle (SIC) with Driver. Leave Kansai Airport for your hometown.
Tokyo, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka
Arrive at Narita Airport.You will be welcomed by a representative of Tonichi Travel Service and transferred by Airport Limousine bus (SIC) to Hotel New Otani Tokyo for check-in.(No escort on the bus)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Tokyo by SIC bus with an English-speaking guide. Visit Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, Akasaka Guest House and Imperial Palace Plaza. Afternoon free at leisure for your own activities. You may walk around this bustling town of Tokyo, such as Ginza, Odaiba, Akihabara and Roppongi.
Breakfast at the hotel. Separate big baggage transfer to hotel in Kyoto. Please get your big baggage down at the bell desk until 08:00a.m. Full day excursion to Takayama with an English-speaking guide. Tour start at 9a.m Hamamatsucho bus terminal and transfer JR Tokyo station by SIC with an English speaking guide. Around 9:30a.m-10a.m leave Tokyo by bullet train on tourist class to JR Nagoya station without guide. Continue to JR Takayama station by limited express train Hida with an English speaking guide. Around 3p.m proceed to Takayama city walking tour. Visit Yatai kaikan Hall, Kusakabe Folkcraft Museum, Kami Sannomachi street.
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day sightseeing transfer to Shirakawago and Kanazawa. Around 8:30 drive to Morning market of Takayama by SIC with an English-speaking guide. Continue to visit Lake Miboro (drive through), Former Toyama Family Residence, Shirakawago / Gassho-Zukuri, Experience of making Japanese paper in Gokayama.
Breakfast at the hotel. Around 9:00a.m full day sightseeing tour of kanazawa by SIC with an English-speaking guide, visiting Kenrokuen garden, Kutaniyaki Pottery kiln, Higashi-chaya Street and Former Guest House "Shima". Transfer to JR Kanazawa station and leave to JR Kyoto station by limited express "Raichou". Arrive at JR Kyoto station, and transfer to your hotel.
Morning city tour of Nara on foot. Visiting Todaiji Temple, Nara Park (Deer Park), Kofukuji Temple. Return to Kyoto and visiting Kiyomizu Temple, Kodaiji Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Gion district on foot.
Breakfast at hotel. Separate big baggage transfer to hotel in Osaka. Please get your big baggage down at the bell desk until 08:00a.m. Leave to JR Himeji station by bullet train on tourist class with an English speaking guide. Arrive at JR Himeji station visiting Himeji castle, Koukoen on foot. Lunch at local restaurant. Transfer to JR Himeji station with an English speaking guide. Leave to JR Hiroshima station by bullet train without guide. Please make your own way to your hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour to Hiroshima & Miyajima with an English speaking guide. Visit Peace Memorial Park, A-Bomb Dome. Transfer to Miyajima by ferry and visit Miyajima island / Itsukushima Shrine. Return to JR Hiroshima station by ferry and public transportation. Leave to JR Shin - Osaka station by bullet train without guide. Please make your own way to JR Osaka station.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Kansai International Airport by Limousine bus by own. (Ticket only)
Image Credit: 663highland / Wikipedia / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Kyoto, Nara, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Tokyo, Mt.Fuji, Hakone
Arrive at Kansai Airport. You will be welcomed by a representative of Tonichi Travel Service and Transferred by shuttle bus to The Westin Miyako Kyoto(no escort on the bus).
Morning city tour of Nara on foot. Visiting Todaiji Temple, Nara Park (Deer Park), Kofukuji Temple. Afternoon is free.
Morning is free. Afternoon city tour of Kyoto visiting Kiyomizu Temple, Kodaiji Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Gion District.
Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Kyoto station on foot with our escort staff. Leave Kyoto for Takayama by JR limited express train on tourist class reserved seats. Arrive at Takayama station, start to Takayama walking tour, visiting Yatai Kaikan Hall, Kusakabe Folkcraft Museum, Kami Sannomachi street with an English speaking local guide.
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day in Takayama & Shirakawago tour with an English speaking guide by seat in coach bus, visiting Takayama Morning Market, Lake Miboro (Drive through ) Former Toyama family Residence, Shirakawago/Gassho-Zukuri, Experience of making Japanese paper in Gokayama.
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you will enjoy Kenrokuen Garden, Kutaniyaki Pottery Kiln, Higashi-Chaya Street and Former Guest House "Shima" with an English speaking guide. Leave to Kanazawa Station to Tokyo station via Nagoya by (Limited-express Shirasagi) JR limited train and (Hikari / Nozomi) bullet train on tourist class reserved seats (Drop off service is available).
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour of Hakone by seat in coach bus with an English-speaking guide Tomei Expressway - fuji sky line - 5th station, Lunch, Owakudani boiling Valley, Hakone Ropeway-National Park and boat cruise on lake Ashi.
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in Hakone until departure. Please relax at Hakone hot-spring. Leave Odawara for Tokyo by Bullet Train. The tour disbands upon arrival at Tokyo Station.
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Tokyo by seat in coach with an English-speaking guide, visiting Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, Akasaka guest house, National diet Building (Drive by) Imperial Palace east Garden Ginza shopping district (drive through) Afternoon free at leisure for your own activities.
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day free at leisure for your own activities. You can enjoy walking around this bustling city of Tokyo by subway or other public transportation, visiting Ginza, Odaiba, Akihabara, Roppongi Hills and so on..
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Narita Airport by Airport limousine bus (no escort service, ticket only). Leave Narita for your hometown.