Essence of Japan

Day 1 London – In flight
Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® transports you from your front door to London Heathrow Airport and your direct scheduled Virgin Atlantic flight to Tokyo.

Day 2 Tokyo
On arrival, we transfer by coach to the Keio Plaza, located in Shinjuku, in the very heart of the Tokyo metropolis, for a two-night stay.

Day 3 Tokyo
We embrace this dazzling city with a full day tour, taking in legendary landmarks – the moated Imperial Palace, the Ginza (Silver Mint) district, the five-storey Asakusa Kannon Temple and the 333m Tokyo Tower. One of the star attractions is Meiji Shrine, the picturesque Shinto shrine set in a delightful tree-lined avenue where cherry blossoms enchant in springtime.

Day 4 Tokyo – Mt Fuji – Matsumoto
The Five Lakes District is dominated by majestic Mt Fuji, an icon of world travel towering over this region of exceptional natural beauty – on a clear day, the snow-capped, conical volcano is mirrored on the placid waters of Lake Kawaguchi. From here we continue to Matsumoto and our hotel, the Buena Vista.

Day 5 Matsumoto – Takayama
This morning we visit Matsumoto Castle, a striking timber and stone structure with a unique moon-viewing turret. We also take time to sample sake at a traditional brewery. Our journey proceeds through the breathtaking Japanese Alps to the hill town of Takayama. Here we stop at the Hida Folk Village, a large open-air museum with a collection of antique houses from the region and a fabulous showcase of crafts and ancient traditions. We spend the next two nights at the Best Western, located in the heart of Takayama.

Day 6 Takayama
Our walking tour of Takayama, known as ‘little Kyoto’, is filled with fabulous attractions from the open-air flower and fruit market to the imposing government house.

Day 7 Takayama – Kanazawa
We pack overnight bags and transfer by coach to Kanazawa, whilst our main luggage is transferred to Hiroshima for our arrival. En-route we visit the World Heritage-listed Shirakawago Village, then continue to Kanazawa, a historic castle town which boasts beautifully preserved samurai and geisha districts. Our sightseeing tour includes Omicho market and Higashi Chayagai before heading to the Crowne Plaza ANA Hotel or Excel Tokyu Hotel, where we spend the night.

Day 8 Kanazawa – Hiroshima
A sightseeing tour of Kanazawa this morning includes the gorgeous Kenroku-en Garden and Buke-Yashiki (Samurai’s house). We then transfer to Kanazawa Station to depart for Hiroshima via Shin Osaka by JR Limited Express Train and JR Bullet Train. On arrival, we head to the Crowne Plaza ANA Hotel or Rihga Royal Hotel to spend the next two nights.

Day 9 Hiroshima
Our journey begins at Miyajima Port to catch a ferry over to Miyajima Island, otherwise known as Itsukushima or Divine Island. On arrival we admire the elaborate gate, Itsukushima Shrine, rising majestically out of the sea, and spend time strolling through the park, which dazzles with beautiful maple in autumn. On our return to Hiroshima, we take a walking tour around Peace Memorial Park to see the Flame of Peace, continually burning to symbolise the hope for worldwide peace. Our tour concludes with a visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum, just a short walk from our hotel.

Day 10 Hiroshima – Nara – Kyoto
We transfer to Hiroshima Station for our JR Bullet Train journey Shin Osaka, where we board our coach for Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan. Attractions here include the famous Todaiji temple, which was built in 794 and became the guardian temple for the city. The building is claimed to be the oldest wooden structure in the world and houses a huge bronze Buddha. We also visit Nara Park, also known as Deer Park, to see hundreds of freely roaming deer. Our adventure proceeds to culturally-rich Kyoto, known historically as ‘Hana No Miyako’, the flowering capital with its wealth of fine architecture in its shrines and temples, gardens with their profusion of colour and variety of art and craft shops. We spend time in the Gion area, the country’s most famous geisha district, before heading to our hotel, the Hotel Okura or Westin Miyako, to enjoy a two-night stay.

Day 11 Kyoto
Highlights of this morning’s tour include the wonderful Ryoanji Temple, a Zen temple with a famous rock garden, and also the beautiful Kinkakuji Temple, or the ‘Golden Pavilion’, whose top two floors are completely bedecked in gold leaf. We also enjoy a traditional tea ceremony and an afternoon at leisure.

Day 12 Kyoto – Hakone
After further exploration of Kyoto, with stops at the Kiyomizu Temple and Nijo, a fortifi ed castle with ornate audience halls and unique ‘nightingale’ floors designed to replicate the sound of the nightingale song when stepped on. We later take the JR Bullet Train from Kyoto to Mishima and continue to Hakone, for a one-night stay at the Palace Hotel.

Day 13 Hakone – Tokyo
This morning we embark on a cruise on Lake Ashi, from where stunning views of the snow-capped mountains can be seen. We continue by cable car over the Owakudani Hot Springs, lying in the crater of Mt. Kamiyama. We later enjoy marvellous views of Tokyo Bay before continuing to our hotel for our last night in Japan. 2012 groups return to the Keio Plaza. 2013 groups stay at the International Garden hotel in Narita.

Day 14 Tokyo – London
Today we leave Tokyo for Narita Airport and our direct scheduled Virgin Atlantic flight to London. Arrival at London Heathrow Airport, where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for the return journey home to your own front door.
IMPORTANT TOUR INFORMATION
PLEASE NOTE:
There is a significant amount of walking involved which includes areas of steep gradient and steps.

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Titan Travel strive to ensure that aspect of their holidays whispers quality, before you fly, you get to appreciate a comfortable, chauffeur-driven transfer from your front door to the airport with our peerless VIP Home Departure Service, check-in assistance and complimentary porterage. All international flights are with world-renowned scheduled airlines and cruises with acclaimed operators. Touring holidays are expertly designed by the product team to present a comprehensive, imaginative introduction to the destination of choice yet still offer plenty of time for relaxation. The services of a tour manager or cruise manager are included throughout. When you return to the UK, you are met in the arrivals hall of the airport and shown to your VIP Home Departure Service vehicle, waiting to return you to your front door.

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