10 Day Spectacular Including Return Singapore Airlines Airfares

Osaka Mt Fuji Tokyo

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Departure Dates

2018

11 September 16 October 6 November

2019

19 March * 26 March * 2 April * 16 April 7 May 4 June Day 1 18 June Australia Osaka 9 July 23 July 6 August Today, board your international flight for Japan! On arrival, 20 August you will be able to board a shuttle to your overnight hotel. 27 August 3 September 5 November Hotel: 4★ Kansai Airport Washington Hotel or similar 12 November

* $300 pp peak season surcharge Day 2 Osaka Hiroshima

This morning make your own way to the JR station in Osaka to travel to Hiroshima on the incredible Shinkansen bullet train. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel for check-in. Hiroshima, a modern city on Japan’s Island, was largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. Today, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park commemorates the 1945 event. In the park are the ruins of Genbaku Dome, one of the few buildings that was left standing near ground zero. Day 2 (cont.)

The rest of the day is at leisure to begin exploring this peaceful city.

Hotel: 4★ Grand Prince Hiroshima Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast

Please note: Arrangements to and from the train stations are self-guided (no guide or transfers are included).

Day 3 Hiroshima Miyajima Hiroshima Osaka

After breakfast your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby. Board a ferry for the short trip to Miyajima. Miyajima is known for its forests and ancient temples. Just offshore, the giant, orange Great Torii Gate is partially submerged at high tide. It marks the entrance to the , Day 3 (cont.) which was first built in the 12th century. Nearby, the Museum of History and Afterwards, journey back to Osaka by Folklore has cultural artifacts in a 19th- bullet train. On arrival, make your own way century merchant's home. Return to to your hotel. Hiroshima to visit the Atomic Bomb Dome. The shell of the Atomic Bomb Dome Hotel: 3★ Hotel Alexander Namba or (Genbaku) was one of very few structures similar left standing after the Allies bombed Meals: Breakfast Hiroshima. In modern Hiroshima, locals have mixed feelings when they see a Please note: Arrangements to and from the reminder of war dominating the river bank train stations are self-guided (no guide or or a tribute to the lost and urges us not to transfers are included). You will have a forget the tragic events. After, visit the local English speaking guide for Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The sightseeing on this day. flame in the cenotaph is intended to burn until the last has been destroyed. “Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” Seneca Day 4 Osaka Kyoto Nara Osaka

This morning your guide will meet you in the lobby to begin a spectacular day as we delve into the history of ancient Japan. We travel to Kyoto which served as Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. Here we visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. Visit Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple), with its Great Buddha Hall – the world’s largest wooden building. This impressive building houses the world’s largest (15m) bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. Wander through Nara Park, where over 1,200 wild sika deer roam free, before travelling back to Osaka.

Hotel: 3★ Hotel Alexander Namba or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 5 Osaka

Today is a free day at leisure to enjoy the many sights and activities Osaka as to offer.

Optional Tour: Osaka City Sights - This optional tour will take you to Osaka Castle which was built in 1583 as the intended capital of Japan, before the capital was moved to Edo (now known as Tokyo). Walk through the majestic castle while learning from the exhibit detailing life in old Osaka. From there, walk to the nearby river boat dock to board the Osaka River Cruise for a cruise around Nakanoshima. Explore Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori, the vast restaurant districts, with eateries offering a variety of Japan’s most famous street foods. Then travel down to Umeda Skybuilding, where you will get a sweeping view of Osaka. (Transfers to and from hotel not included).

Hotel: 3★ Hotel Alexander Namba or similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Osaka Nagoya

This morning, head to Nagoya and visit Inuyama Castle. The castle was built in the beginning of the Edo Period as the seat of one of the three branches of the ruling Tokugawa family, the Owari branch. As such, it was one of the largest castles in the country, and the castle town around it ultimately grew to become Japan's fourth largest city. Then, head to Atsuta Shinto Shrine (covering 200,000 square meters and established almost 2000 years ago) before enjoying some time for shopping at the Osu Kannon Shopping Quarter. Transfer to your hotel in the evening.

Hotel: 3★ Loisir hotel Toyohashi or similar Meals: Breakfast

“Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life.” Michael Palin Day 7 Nagoya Mt Fuji Tokyo

Today, visit Oshino Hakkai. Known as the springs of , the eight ponds are fed by melting snow filtering down from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji, through porous layers of lava, resulting in very clear spring water that is revered by locals. Afterwards, visit Gotemba Peace Park to capture a breathtaking view of Mount Fuji, and Hakone Shinto Shrine. Standing at the foot of Mount Hakone along the shores of Lake Ashi, the shrine buildings are hidden in dense forest. Finally, visit Owakudani – ‘Great Boiling Valley’ is a valley formed by the explosion of Hakone volcano more than 300 years ago, and contains hot springs and steaming sulphur vents – visitors usually eat eggs cooked in the boiling, sulphurous waters. At the end of the day we head to Tokyo.

Hotel: 3★ Hotel Rose Garden Shinjuku or similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Tokyo

Today is a free day in one of the world's great cities. The city offers an almost unlimited amount of activities for all tastes.

Optional tour: Tokyo Samurai Museum - A museum that offers a great Samurai experience. This museum not only displays real armour, helmets, swords, and battle gear from 400 years ago, but you can also interact with replicated armour, touching and examining the weight and materials to experience the Samurai era. (Transfers to and from hotel not included)

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Optional tour: Tokyo Day Tour - First stop on this tour is Asakusa Kannon Temple, one of Tokyo’s most colourful and popular temples. Afterwards visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the deified sprits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Day 8 (cont.)

Proceed to the fashion district Harajuku and Shibuya, an affluent and trendy shopping hotspot. Later proceed to Tokyo Tower, where you will observe the amazing city of Tokyo from up above. Then, relax on a Tokyo bay cruise en route to the beautiful and serene landscaped Hamarikyu Garden beside Tokyo Bay.

Hotel: 3★ Hotel Rose Garden Shinjuku or similar Meals: Breakfast

“There is a kind of magicness about going far away and then coming back all changed.” Kate Douglas Wiggin

Day 9 Tokyo Australia

Today marks the end of your incredible tour through Japan. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Australia

Arrive home in Australia today.

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