Day 1, Thursday 27 March Australia – Narita- Tokyo

Depart Sydney for Narita on Japan Airlines, upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel. Dinner served at hotel. Recommended Hotel :Shinagawa Prince Hotel.

Day 2, Friday 28 March Tokyo

After breakfast, you will take a full day sightseeing tour of Tokyo, which includes: Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, Akasaka Guest House, National Diet Building (drive by), Imperial Palace East Garden, Ginza Shopping District, (drive through), Imperial Palace (drive by), Tasaka Pearl Gallery, Sumida River Cruise, Asakus Kannon Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, Ueno and Akihabara (drive through). Recommended Hotel :Shinagawa Prince Hotel.

Day 3, Saturday 29 March Tokyo – Nikko – Tokyo

Today is a full day tour to Nikko and the Kegon Waterfall. First a visit to the Toshogu Shrine. Lunch is at a Japanese style restaurant, followed by the IROHAXAKA Zigzag Driveway, Kegon Waterfall, Lake Chuzenji and Mt Narita. Recommended Hotel :Shinagawa Prince Hotel.

Day 4 Sunday 30 March Tokyo – Hakone.

Full-day tour to Mt. Fuji, visiting Mt. Fuji at 5^th Station, lunch at Hakone Lake Hotel. Halone

Ropeway-National Park, Owakudani Boiling Valley, take Boat Cruise on Lake Ashinoko and enjoy great view of Mt. Fuji. Then transfer to Hakone. Accommodation in Hakone is Ryokan (Japanese style inn) with hot spring. Recommended Hotel : Ryuguden

Day 5, Monday 31 March Hakone – Takayama

Depart Hakone for Takayama by train (takes 4 hours to Kakayama, your luggage will go direct to your hotel in Takayama separately by luggage truck). Explore Old town of Takayama, Takayama retains atraditional touch like few other Japanese cities, especially in its beautifully preserved old town. It now ranks as one of the prime candidates among travelers wishing to add a rural element to their itinararies. Visit Old Sake Brewery. Recommended Hotel : Hida Hotel Plaza.

Day 6, Tuesday 1 April Takayama

Visit Shirakawago (World Heritage Site). The Shirakawa-go and neighboring Gokayama regions line the Shogawa River Valley in the remote mountains that span from Gifu to Toyama Perfectures. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, they are famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Enjoy great view of traditional Japanese houses. Visit some former houses such as Takenake ke house and Iwase ke house. Recommended Hotel: Hida Hotel Plaza.

Day 7, Wednesday 2 April Takayama – Kanazawa

Morning sightseeing in Takazawa by bus. Individually visit the lively morning market or walk along the streets of the quaint old town known as "Little Kyota" until the tour departs. Visit Hida Folk Village in the afternoon, depart Takayama for Kanazawa by bus (it takes around 2 hours). Lunch is not included. Recommended Hotel : ANA Crown Plaza Hotel.

Day 8, Thursday 3 April. Kanazawa

Visit Chaya (One of Japan’s best gardens) Explore Chaya district including Higashi chaya, and Nishichaya, Visit Nigya dera, Lunch is not included. Recommended Hotel : ANA Crown Plaza Hotel.

Day 9, Thursday 4 April. Kanazawa – Kyota

After breakfast, depart Kanazawa for Kyota by train (it takes 2 hours by train, luggage will be sent to your hotel separately). In the afternoon visit Arashiyama district, located 10 km west from the Kyoto city centre and long been a scenic leisure spot with mountains and a river. Ancient aristocrats had their villas here a thousand years ago and enjoyed making literature and poetry: Recommended Hotel : New Miyako Hotel

Day 10, Friday 5 April. Kyota

After breakfast, you will visit Akinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Golden Pavilion is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Then followed by Ryoanji Temple. The temple garden is considered to be one of the finest examples of kare-sansui, a Japanese rock garden, or zen garden. In the afternoon, visit Philosopher’s path and Nishiki Market. Recommended Hotel : New Miyako Hotel

Day 11, Saturday 6 April. Kyoto – Hilkone – Kyota

Full day tour to Hilkone and visit to Hilkone Castle. Hilkone Castle is an original castle, that is it survived the post feudal era without undergoing destruction and reconstruction. Besides the castle’s main keepk most the inner moats, walls, guard houses and gates also remain intact. Futhermore, parts of the castle’s palace buildings have been reconstructed, giving visitors a good impression of a relatively complete feudal castle. Like many castles in Japan, the grounds of Hilkone Castle turn into a popular cherry blossom spot in spring, Hilkome’s cherry trees reach full bloom usually a week later than in nearby Kyota around early to mid
April.

Day 12, Sunday 7 April. Kyota – Nara

In the morning you will go to Nijo Castle. The castle consists of two concentric rings of fortifications, the Ninomaru palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace with varous support buildings and several gardens. After lunch, depart Kyoto for Nara (1 hour trip by bus), and visit Nara Park and Todaiji Temple. Recommended Hotel: Hotel Fujita Nara

Day 13, Monday 8 April. Nara –Mt Koya – Nara

Today you will have a full day visit of Mt Koya. Mount Koya is the name of mountainsi in Wakayama Prefecture to the south of Osaka. First settled in 819 by the monk Kulai, Mr Koya is primarily known as the world headquarters of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Located in 800 metre high valley amid the eight peaks of the mountain (which was the reason this location was selected, in that the terrain is supposed to resemble a lotus plant), the original monastery has grown into the town of Koya, featuring a university dedicated to religious and 120 temples, many of which offer lodging to pilgrims. Return back to Nara in the late afternoon. Recommended Hotel: Hotel Fujita Nara

Day 14, Tuesday 9 April. Nara – Tokyo – Sydney.

This morning is at leisure, in time transferred by bus from Nara to Shin Osaka Station, then take the train direct to Narita Airport. (Your luggage will be collected in the evening of the 8 April and sent separately to the airport) You will take the overnight flight back to Sydney.

Day 15,Wednesday 10. Sydeny

Arrive into Sydney in the morning.

Group Price: $6,680.00 per person, Single supplement $850.00