HIGHLIGHTS OF JAPAN Blue-Roads | Asia From the futuristic cityscape of Tokyo to the temples of Kyoto and the gastronomic wonderland of Osaka, this all-encompassing tour takes in Japan’s most historic and thought-provoking sights. Along the way we’ll see perfectly manicured gardens, ancient shrines and dramatic mountain gorges – and pause to taste some of each region’s finest delicacies. TOUR CODE: BAHHJTK-0 Thank You for Choosing Blue-Roads Thank you for choosing to travel with Back-Roads Touring. We can’t wait for you to join us on the mini-coach! About Your Tour Notes THE BLUE-ROADS DIFFERENCE Travel Japan on the world-famous Shinkansen (‘bullet train’) These tour notes contain everything you need to know Explore the natural beauty of before your tour departs – including where to meet, Miyajima Island, a World Cultural what to bring with you and what you can expect to do Heritage Site on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this Visit Matsumoto Castle, one of the document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you most complete medieval castles in on tour. Japan Please Note: We recommend that you refresh TOUR CURRENCIES this document one week before your tour departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date + Japan - accommodation list and itinerary information available. Your Itinerary DAY 1 | TOKYO A city where the traditions of old meet with ultra-modern architecture and cutting-edge technology in scintillating style, Tokyo is where our exploration of Japan will begin. After checking into our centrally located hotel, we’ll get to know each other a little better over a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Here’s to a fantastic tour! MEALS: Dinner DAY 2 | TOKYO On today’s agenda: a half-day guided tour of Tokyo’s must-sees, by way of the city’s famously user-friendly public transport system. Our first stop will be the fascinating Edo-Tokyo Museum, which documents the Japanese capital’s transformation from a small fishing village to one of the largest metropolises in the world. And then? We’ll move on to the Kokyo Gaien National Garden – the beautifully maintained outer gardens of the Imperial Palace (the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan). This afternoon, we’ll return to our hotel for some relaxation time – or, if you’d prefer, some time to explore the city at your own pace. MEALS: Breakfast DAY 3 | TOKYO - MATSUMOTO - TSUMAGO Grand, breathtaking and utterly iconic, Matsumoto Castle is the first historic destination on today’s itinerary. This towering black-and-white structure holds 400 years’ worth of history – and rewards those who scale its steep, narrow stairs with magnificent views over the Japanese Alps, Matsumoto City and the swans circling the moat below. After pausing for a photo opportunity or two, we’ll move on to Tsumago: one of the best preserved ‘post towns’ in the country, which still retains its traditional Edo Period appearance and ambience. To round off a busy day, we’ll come together for a delicious included dinner at our hotel. MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 4 | TSUMAGO - KYOTO Today it’s all aboard the world-famous Shinkansen (or ‘bullet train’, as it’s more widely known) for the journey to Kyoto – Japan’s spiritual heart. After transferring to the hotel for check-in, you’ll be free to embark on your own exploration of the city’s traditional teahouses, food markets and Zen gardens – or to spend some time enjoying the hotel facilities. MEALS: Breakfast DAY 5 | KYOTO After breakfast, it’s out of the hotel and onwards to the western outskirts of the city – where a tour of the famed Arashiyama area awaits. We’ll begin our day at the tranquil Gio-Ji Temple, a monument known for its luxuriant moss garden and dense tangle of maple trees, before moving on to Okochi-Sanso Villa: one of the finest examples of traditional Japanese residential architecture in the country. While we’re here, we’ll take the chance to savour a complimentary matcha green tea and Japanese sweets in the charming gardens. Appetites satisfied, we’ll set our sights on the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where we’ll have time to enjoy a stroll amidst the high- reaching stalks. MEALS: Breakfast DAY 6 | KYOTO - KURASHIKI - TAKAMATSU This morning we’ll meet with the Shinkansen for a second time as we make the short train journey to the historic city of Kurashiki: a former rice distribution centre that remains remarkably unspoiled by the passage of time. After exploring the romantic canal-side laneways, we’ll stop off at the Ohashi House, a one-of-a-kind property complete with beautiful tatami floors and paper sliding doors. Our final stop of the day will be the port city of Takamatsu, where the afternoon will be yours to spend as you please. MEALS: Breakfast DAY 7 | TAKAMATSU - IYA VALLEY Built by feudal lords during the Edo Period, the Ritsurin Garden is one of the most famous gardens in Japan – and it’s here that we’ll begin the seventh day of our journey. With plenty of masterfully kept ponds, bridges, and footpaths to explore, there’s no better place to relax and feel at one with nature. Refreshed, we’ll move on to the mountain slopes and deep gorges of the remote Iya Valley, where we’ll settle into our traditional Japanese-style hotel accommodation. Why not take a dip in the open-air onsen (hot spring baths) and soak up the beauty of your stunning surroundings before we reconvene for dinner? MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 8 | IYA VALLEY - OKAYAMA - HIROSHIMA After leaving the mountains behind us, we’ll stop off to purchase authentic Japanese bento boxes to eat during our bullet train journey from Okayama to Hiroshima: the infamous site of the 1945 atomic bombing. When we get there, we’ll pay a moving visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, ticking off the UNESCO World Heritage-listed A-Bomb Dome: the tragic remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall (one of the few buildings to remain standing after the catastrophic explosion). MEALS: Breakfast DAY 9 | HIROSHIMA - MIYAJIMA ISLAND - HIROSHIMA Today’s scenic destination? Miyajima Island, where a combination of mountains, sea and a world- famous ‘floating’ Torii gate* make for mystical views (and excellent photo opportunities). First on the agenda: we’ll visit the World Heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine, an attractive example of 12th-century Shinto architecture. Afterwards, we’ll move on to Momijidani Park, a delightful public garden filled with maple trees, where we’ll have the opportunity to climb Mt Misen via ropeway. Although the surrounding area is renowned for its colourful autumn foliage, the vistas from the mountaintop are undeniably beautiful at any time of year! *Please note: Renovation works on Miyajima’s famous Torii gate have been underway since June 2019. During the renovation works, the gate will be covered in scaffolding. It is not known exactly how long the renovations will take, but they are expected to last at least one year. MEALS: Breakfast DAY 10 | HIROSHIMA - OSAKA Time to move on to our final stop: the gastronomic haven of Osaka. This morning, we’ll take some time to explore the city’s famous 16th-century castle and its surrounding park. Five storeys high and decorated with lavish gold motifs, the castle is filled with fascinating artefacts detailing Osaka’s history. After paying an afternoon visit to the striking Umeda Sky Building’s observatory, you’ll be free to hunt down some delicious cuisine on Takimi-Koji Street (a renowned foodie haunt). MEALS: Breakfast DAY 11 | OSAKA That’s a wrap! Our Highlights of Japan tour will come to a close after breakfast. MEALS: Breakfast Tour Information Meals Blue-Roads Travel App INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast (B) is included daily. Why not check in for your tour using the Back- Some of your lunches and dinners are also Roads app? included, either in hotels or local restaurants. This handy tool allows you to view your These are indicated by (L) and (D) in the bookings, check your itinerary, see tour maps itinerary. and more – making it the perfect travel Please note that drinks will not always be companion for your Back-Roads trip. included. How to Download the Back-Roads app We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary requirements you may have. 1. Launch the App Store or Google Play on Please ensure to make these clear to us your device before your tour begins so we can 2. Search ‘Back-Roads’ and click ‘OK’ communicate them to our hotels, restaurants 3. Select the Back-Roads app in the search and suppliers. results 4. Click the download/install button 5. The app should be installed in your device’s applications page Other Information Finances CHANGING MONEY SPENDING MONEY CASH: Foreign money can be changed at Naturally, everyone’s spending varies. Many of banks, airports, railway and tube stations, and your meals are included in the price of your at major hotels (though at a less favourable tour, so this just leaves a few meals and your rate) personal spending to budget for. CREDIT CARDS: Visa and MasterCard are widely Tips for the Tour Leader and Driver are not accepted. American Express is only accepted in included. Tipping is entirely at your some larger establishments discretion; however, if you feel you have CASH MACHINES: ATMS are widely available received exceptional service, it is recommended that you tip £1-2/€ per day for Drivers and £4-5/€ per day for Tour Leaders.