GARDENS OF JAPAN

Blue-Roads | Asia

From buzzing fish and seafood markets and ornate, centuries-old palaces to dense bamboo groves and meticulously kept gardens, Japan is home to an array of experiences that will capture your heart. Join us as we explore the country's most awe-inspiring gardens - taking in local culture and mouth-watering flavours as we go.

TOUR CODE:

BAHGJKT-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 Stroll the tranquil bamboo groves of Kyoto's famed Arashiyama district These tour notes contain everything you need to know Visit Kenrokuen Garden: one of the before your tour departs – including where to meet, Three Great Gardens of Japan what to bring with you and what you can expect to do on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this Learn how to decorate a unique souvenir with traditional Kanazawa document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you gold leaf on tour.

TOUR CURRENCIES Please Note: We recommend that you refresh this document one week before your tour + Japan - departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date accommodation list and itinerary information available. Your Itinerary

DAY 1 | OSAKA

Konnichiwa! Our sensory journey of Japan will begin in the spirited city of Osaka. Tonight, we’ll meet the group and get to know each other better over an included welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

MEALS: Dinner

DAY 2 | OSAKA - HIMEJI - KURASHIKI

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll take a private vehicle to the beautiful Himeji Castle – Japan’s biggest and best-preserved feudal-era castle – where we’ll take some time to stroll the 400-year- old complex and learn more about the building’s fascinating history. Then: we’ll make the short journey to Koraku-en Garden, one of Japan’s most famous landscape gardens. Here, we’ll wander expansive lawns broken up by large, glinting ponds and groves of plum, cherry and maple trees before moving on to Kurashiki – where we’ll have the evening to stroll the historic laneways and lamp-lit canals at our leisure.

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch

DAY 3 | KURASHIKI - MATSUE

Once a buzzing centre for rice distribution, Kurashiki’s former merchant history is most evident in the town’s well-preserved canal area. We’ll spend the morning exploring the wooden storehouses- turned-museums and old willow-edged canals before being escorted to the opulent Ohashi House – where we’ll stroll through the house’s tatami floored rooms and elegant sliding doors, and admire the samurai-style architecture reflecting the Ohashi family’s wealth and importance. Later, we’ll move on to the ‘Water City’ of Matsue – and enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant.

MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 4 | MATSUE - IZUMO - MATSUE

After breakfast, our guide will take us to picturesque Matsue Castle – one of only 12 original castles left in Japan. Perched atop a network of pine-lined waterways and charming bridges, the 16th century keep is something to behold! After, we’ll spend the afternoon wandering the beautifully landscaped gardens and carefully curated art collection at the Adachi Museum of Art where we’ll enjoy lunch overlooking the lush pond garden. Later, we’ll make our way to mythological Izumo to pay a visit to the country’s oldest and most sacred Shinto shrine: Izumo Taisha. Back in Matsue, the evening will be yours to spend at your leisure.

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch

DAY 5 | MATSUE - KYOTO

Today we’ll take the bullet train to Japan’s spiritual heart: Kyoto. Our first stop? Nishiki Market, where we’ll spend some time browsing the lively market stalls and sampling delicious sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi. Later, we’ll discover Kyoto’s atmospheric dining district of Pontocho. Best explored at night, this narrow pedestrian-only walkway is lined with old wooden façades, glowing lanterns and buzzing restaurants serving up tantalising dishes – from inexpensive yakitori to modern Kyoto cuisine. Take some time to explore at your leisure, keeping your eyes peeled for the occasional geisha making their way between appointments.

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY 6 | KYOTO - ARASHIYAMA - KYOTO

Nestled at the base of Kyoto's western mountains, the tranquil district of Arashiyama is best known for its scenic temples and peaceful bamboo grove. We'll begin our day with a visit to Gio-Ji Temple, which is known for its mossy gardens, simple thatched hall and tall maple trees. Next, we'll wander the awe-inspiring gardens of Okochi Mountain Villa - the former estate of famed film actor Okochi Denjiro. Here, we'll take some time to admire the grand residential architecture and impressive viewpoints before enjoying a complimentary matcha green tea and traditional sweets in this charming setting. We'll have time to take a serene stroll through Arashiyama's dense bamboo grove before heading to today's highlight - the Tenryuji Temple. And later, we'll make tracks to Higashiyama to partake in a traditional chanoyu tea ceremony. Back in Kyoto, you'll have some free time to explore the gently sloping lanes and traditional shophouses of the Ninenzaka district.

MEALS: Breakfast DAY 7 | KYOTO - KANAZAWA

This morning we’ll travel by express train to the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture: Kanazawa. Here, we’ll meet our guide for a tour of the historic Omicho market – a network of buzzing restaurants and market stalls filled with fresh local seafood and colourful produce. We’ll have some free time to immerse ourselves in the market’s hustle and bustle before moving on to the tranquil Kenrokuen Garden. Drawing inspiration from the six attributes of perfection (seclusion, spaciousness, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad views), it’s easy to see why this Edo period garden is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. We’ll round off our day in the Higashi Chaya District, where we’ll stop in at a local store to learn the art of gold leaf decorating.

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY 8 | KANAZAWA - TOKYO

After breakfast, we’ll ride the bullet train to Tokyo. Upon arrival, we’ll be escorted to Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, the largest fish and seafood market in the world. We’ll have time to browse over 400 shops selling fresh ingredients and cooking utensils before we make tracks to the famous Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace – the official residence of Japan’s Imperial Family. We’ll take some time to wander the large grounds, moats and imposing stone walls before returning to our hotel – where we’ll clink glasses over a farewell dinner later tonight.

MEALS: Breakfast Dinner

DAY 9 | TOKYO

After one last breakfast with the group, our tour will come to a close.

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.

Insurance Passports and Visas

You will need to take out full travel insurance We advise you either to carry a photocopy of before travelling with Back-Roads Touring. your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you Please ensure that you have adequate medical, while abroad, or to ensure that you leave a personal effects and cancellation cover. copy with relatives back at home. We recommend that you carry your insurance This will enable the local embassy or high details with you at all times. You may be asked commission to arrange a replacement if the to provide details of your medical insurance or original should be lost or stolen. a payment guarantee in some countries before If you do take copies with you on your trip, medical assistance can be provided. please ensure that you keep these separate Your insurance company may not assist you from your original documents. with your claim if the instructions given in the It is your responsibility to obtain any visas policy have not been followed. necessary to enable you to travel in Europe or Asia. Contact your local consular office for more information. Transport

We travel in premium mini-coaches equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With far more flexibility than a standard-size coach, we’re able to take the scenic route – winding through beautiful countryside to the heart of tiny villages and coastal towns. What to Bring

Suggested Packing List Wondering what to take with you on tour? Our packing list can be used as a guide. Please Note: What you pack will depend on the countries you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience:

Sun hat Sunglasses Shorts/skirts Long-sleeved tops Short-sleeved tops Trousers Light jacket Waterproof jacket and Warm jacket umbrella Walking shoes/comfortable shoes Smart casual evening Sleepwear Swimwear and towel wear

Other things to pack:

Multi-use travel adapter Camera Batteries Phone Personal medication Sunscreen Paracetamol or aspirin

OPTIONALS TO CONSIDER:

Motion sickness tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Sewing kit Lip balm

That's it!

We look forward to seeing you on tour.