by Rail for the COLOURS of AUTUMN

HIGHLIGHTS of HONSHU 5 - 21 November 2019 with John Medcalf

• TOKYO • SENDAI • NIIGATA • HAKONE • • • • INUYAMA • OVERVIEW It’s not hard to argue the merits of train travel, but to truly HIGHLIGHTS discover how far rail technology has come in the last two centuries you simply have to visit Japan. Its excellent • Extensive rail travel using your JR Green Class (first class) Rail railway system is one of the world’s most extensive and Pass, including several journeys on the iconic bullet trains advanced, and train travel is unarguably the best way • Travel by steam train on the famous heritage railways of to explore this fascinating country. Speed, efficiency, Yamaguchi and the Banetsu lines comfort, convenience and a choice of spectacular destinations are hallmarks of travel by train in Japan. • Ride the Sagano Forest Railway, Tozan Mountain Railway, regional expresses, subways and a vintage tram charter in Tour summary Hiroshima • Cruise around the Matsushima Islands and Hiroshima Bay Join John Medcalf and discover the highlights of Japan’s main island Honshu on this exciting journey. to Miyajima It begins in the modern neon-lit capital of Tokyo, • Pay homage at Hiroshima Peace Park and visit the newly where the famous bullet train will take you north-west renovated museum to Niigata followed by a special steam train across • Explore historic temples, castles and cultural sites in Tokyo, the heart of Honshu. You’ll travel through mountains, Kyoto and Himeji valleys and forests full of deciduous trees ablaze with • Visit the unsurpassed modern railway museums in Tokyo autumn colours to Sendai where the story of Japan’s and Kyoto coast unfolds while exploring the Matsushima Islands. • Take a trip to Japan southern main Island Kyushu and attend a Sumo wrestling tournament The region around Mt Fuji is rich with natural beauty, volcanic drama and an extraordinary open-air art • Immerse yourself in Japan’s unique food culture at fine museum, all accessed by the historic Tozan mountain restaurants, including a traditional full-course Japanese railway. Iconic Kyoto is richly endowed with exquisite Ryokan dinner, and a night with The Singing Chef in Sendai gardens, extraordinary temples and enthralling cultural • Multiple nights in handpicked, centrally-located hotels – treasures. Visit prosperous Hiroshima, a city with a mostly 5-star and most with TripAdvisor™ Certificates of moving history and legacy like no other. Boat cruises, Excellence and ‘travellers choice’ or top ratings steam trains and local expresses will take you into • English speaking local guides and the services of your autumn-coloured hills. experienced Australian host throughout • Connections on major legs by luxury coach, with separate These journeys are designed for you to experience the huge diversity of trains, tracks and railway technology in luggage transport Japan. Along the way, excursions will be made to several amazing museums preserving Japan’s rich railway history and to research centres where the next generations of bullet trains are being developed. These fabulous tours combine exquisite food, fine hotels and spectacular scenery, so you are in for a thrilling immersion in the delights of Japan in trains large and small.

MEET YOUR TOUR LEADER

A true citizen of the World, John Medcalf has a wealth of travel experience. He began at an early age as an international flight attendant with Qantas progressing eventually to cabin crew line manager. After 26 years with Qantas John logged another 25 years as a Tour Manager leading tours in Australia and overseas. His list of countries visited now exceeds 70. The list continues to grow. John says “It’s hard to define a favourite destination, as I still get a buzz out of visiting new destinations. Travel has been my life and shall continue to be. I get great satisfaction being able to share my broad range of experience with my tour clients. Once John visits Taiwan, he can say he say he has been to every country in Asia. He has extensive knowledge of Japan, Vietnam and India. Born and raised in Sydney John settled in the Mudgee area and has resided there for 25 years. He and his wife live on a property near Kandos where for 12 years they ran a B&B located in the old homestead house, established circa 1845. They spent 4 years building their dream home, a stone yurt set on the edge of the escarpment at 820 mts. Here they enjoy the blissful serenity of the wildlife and bushland that surrounds them. WHY TRAVEL WITH US The joy of travelling is no longer confined to the destination—the mode of travel is a large part of the experience. Railway Adventures offers a truly unique perspective TOUR MAP on some of the world’s most spectacular holiday destinations, with the assurance that the journey is just as magical and unforgettable as what is discovered at the end of the line.

With us, you can confidently expect: • Small group sizes — a small number of passengers per trip guarantees an intimate experience, with less time spent queuing, more time with your guide, and better access to sightseeing destinations. • Unique itineraries — every itinerary has been meticulously developed by a team of expert travellers with many years’ experience, an intimate knowledge of the destination, and with great cultural awareness. You are guaranteed to experience the best that each destination has to offer. • Authentic local experiences — whether it’s a little-known yet impressive steam railway, a small boutique hotel or an authentic restaurant, know that you will experience something special on our tours. • Expert local guides and operators — we employ local guides to share their passion and knowledge of the place they call home, while our partners on the ground provide the best possible support and backup all the way. • Customer satisfaction — our testimonials speak for themselves. Thousands have travelled with us over the years and many come back year after year, often bringing friends along. On our customer satisfaction ratings, over 97% would recommend us to others and/or travel with us again. • Fully escorted — our team of tour leaders is experienced and capable, entertaining and considerate, and together with our local guides, has your needs well covered. They will help with everything along the way, providing peace of mind, and allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey. And you’ll Niigata find them jolly good company to boot! 2 1 Sendai

4 Tokyo Train Himeji Kyoto 1 Coach Tsuwano 3 Hakone Boat 4 Fukuoka Hiroshima

HOW YOU WILL TRAVEL Being rail enthusiasts we know that the journey itself is often more important than the destination. Wherever possible we have sourced interesting and nostalgic rail journeys and other noteworthy modes of transport. Here is an example of what you will experience:

Sagano Forest Railway Banetsu Monogatari steam train ‘Bullet’ Train Day 1: Tue 05 November • ARRIVE TOKYO Most flights arrive in the early morning so we are catering for this with the option of a hearty breakfast at the hotel and a morning tour of a few of the iconic sites of Tokyo before your early afternoon check-in to the hotel for the next three nights. Your hotel is located three minutes from the station and makes an easy first port of call from your early morning flight. You can drop your bag off for later check-in, freshen up and enjoy a hearty breakfast in the hotel’s signature restaurant. Our morning coach tour will take us to Tokyo’s most significant Shinto monument. The Meiji Shrine displays the dignified grandeur of Japanese history, dedicated to the memory of the Emperor Meiji who ruled during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Right next door, and in stark contrast to the majestic Meiji Shrine, lies Harajuku, Tokyo’s fashion crucible and the home to some of the world’s wackiest fashion trends. Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani are among those who find fashion inspiration here. In addition to the back-street boutiques, venture onto the wide avenue where many of the world’s most famous brands are at hand. Relax over a lovely tempura lunch just a short walk from the hotel where you can relax for the afternoon. We will re-group in the evening for a Wagyu Steak celebratory welcome dinner just a short walk from the hotel. Overnight: Strings Intercontinental Hotel, Shinagawa (B, L, D)

Day 2: Wed 06 November • TOKYO Our exploration of Tokyo today will contrast the old and new city, and to see it all we will be using the city’s incomparable rail network. We’ll start by visiting the 634m Tokyo Sky Tree, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s tallest tower. After a high-speed elevator ride to the observation platform, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panorama and a clear view of the sheer scale of the city of Tokyo. We will then jump straight into this city’s roots by visiting Asakusa, the original village of Edo from which modern-day Tokyo has grown over the past 400-plus years. Then, a visit to Sensoji, the city’s oldest Buddhist Temple, followed by a stroll along Nakamise Arcade, the market street connecting the temple to its famed Kaminari Gate. After a Sumo wrestler’s-style lunch, we continue the immersion in Japan’s unique culture with an afternoon visit to the illuminating Edo Museum, returning to the hotel on the subway for an evening at leisure. Overnight: Strings Intercontinental Hotel, Shinagawa (B, L)

Day 3: Thu 07 November • TOKYO Today there is a choice of activities. Stay in Tokyo for a mix of culture and technology, starting with a morning in Ueno, Tokyo’s cultural cradle, where most of the city’s major museums can be found around the boundaries of the famous Ueno Park. Then in the afternoon there is a chance to ride the popular monorail that runs across the Rainbow Bridge to the new vibrant area of Odaiba. It is renowned for its museums and cultural hubs including the iconic Fuji Television Building, the Science and Technology museum, Toyota’s Megaweb Showcase and the Panasonic Centre. Alternatively, venture south from Tokyo on a local express to the Pacific Coast, where the old political capital, , sits proudly on the waterfront. After visiting the city’s famous Hachiman Shrine, and strolling along charming Komachi Street, we’ll start a journey on the enchanting local Enoden Railway, stopping to visit the famous Great Buddha statue, before continuing along the Pacific Waterfront to the island promontory of . Here we change to the wonderfully anachronistic for a 20 minute mid-air glide north to Ofuna Station, and then it’s a 40-minute express ride back to the hotel. The evening is free to enjoy the many delights of the city from your handy location. You may wish to join John and some fellow travelers for an informal social dinner close by in the heart of Shinagawa. Overnight: Strings Intercontinental Hotel, Shinagawa (B)

Day 4: Fri 08 November • TOKYO - NIIGATA Today, we embark on the touring stage of our journey, leaving Tokyo and heading north. Before leaving the hotel our suitcases will be forwarded directly to the hotel in Sendai, while we travel to Niigata with overnight bags. In the morning, we’ll stop an hour north of Tokyo to visit Japan’s located in City. It presents visitors with the fascinating history of railways in Japan, an impressively diverse collection of old locomotives from the steam, diesel and bullet train eras. The museum is also home to a number of train-driving simulators, and the Rooftop Garden and Café gives guests a chance to enjoy refreshments while watching the bullet trains and local trains speed by below. Those who would like to complement their museum visit with something a little more organic have the option of visiting a famous Bonsai Garden in the vicinity. In the afternoon, we’ll continue north on the Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train. Northern Japan is one of the lesser-visited areas of the country, but that’s not to say there isn’t an abundance of natural beauty or cultural heritage to enjoy. Today we venture to the rice and sake capital of Japan, Niigata, a port city on the Japan Sea coast. We check in and later enjoy dinner which includes Sado Beef, one of Niigata’s famous regional delicacies. Overnight: Hotel Okura (B, D)

Day 5: Sat 09 November • NIIGATA - SENDAI Today is a fun-filled and educational day crossing the mountainous island of Honshu from one side to the other. We will start by journeying east by steam train to the historic Samurai city of Aizu-Wakamatsu. After enjoying some time in Aizu and its surroundings, we continue on by local express and finally bullet train to Sendai, the largest city in the northern part of Honshu, Japan’s main island. In the morning we’ll board our first Japanese steam train, C-57 Engine no. 180, called Banetsu Monogatari, known affectionately as ‘Kifujin’ (the Noble Lady). Our journey follows the river valley, slicing through the mountainous rice and sake-producing stronghold of Niigata prefecture, then crosses the plain to Aizu Wakamatsu. Arriving in Aizu in early afternoon we’ll continue our exploration of Japan’s heartland with a tour of the city and its history. Aizu has a unique Samurai past which we will explore and after lunch enjoy clambering over the majestic castle and surrounding gardens. In late afternoon we’ll take an express and Shinkansen combination to reach our next port of call, the city of Sendai. It was the city most directly affected by the tsunami of 2011, yet it is still a vibrant commercial hub surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery to be found anywhere in Japan. After checking-in at the splendid Westin Hotel, we’ll top off a balanced day of railways and natural beauty with a dash of food culture provided by Sendai’s most famous singing chef at his Italian Restaurant, Palinka. Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Overnight: Westin Sendai (B, L, D) Day 6: Sun 10 November • SENDAI We have a leisurely start this morning as we head for the Pacific Coast to enjoy a cruise through the more than 200 pine-covered islands, which have secured Matsushima Bay’s place among the three best scenic views in Japan. The afternoon is free to enjoy some down time in the city, one of Japan’s lesser-known jewels. Overnight: Westin Sendai (B)

Day 7: Mon 11 November • SENDAI - TOKYO - HAKONE Today is predominantly a travel day, but one nevertheless offering more unique insights into the culture and society of Japan. Before leaving the hotel our suitcases will be forwarded directly to the hotel in Kyoto, while we travel to our ryokan in the Fuji-Hakone area with overnight bags. In the morning, we’ll take the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train to , considered the second-busiest railway station in the world. Changing to a local train, we’ll cross Tokyo to access the only station in the world busier than Tokyo, Shinjuku, which averages over three million passenger movements daily. After lunch and a short discovery walk of Shinjuku with our guide, we’ll board the charmingly-named Romance Car Train for a unique rail experience, snaking through the residential areas of suburban Tokyo to reach the Fuji-Hakone National Park. In the late afternoon, we’ll arrive at our ryokan/hotel, in good time to enjoy the facilities in full, with the chance to enjoy the superb outdoor ‘Onsen’ hot mineral baths, and a full-course Japanese dinner in the blissful peace of the Fuji-Hakone National Park. Overnight: Hakone Tenyu Ryokan (B, L, D)

Day 8: Tue 12 November • HAKONE - KYOTO This morning we’ll take taxis to the famous Great Boiling Valley in the Owakudani area, 1,000m above sea level, where volcanic geysers fill the air with pungent sulfur. After a walk along the mountainside we’ll take the Hakone Ropeway still higher, over the very peak of Mount Kamiyama, part of the large Hakone Volcano whose massive eruption created the amazing physical beauty of this area. Connecting directly onto the Hakone Cable Car and Mountain Railway, we’ll continue around to the Hakone Open Air Museum, a breathtaking combination of the area’s natural beauty as backdrop for an expansive and high-quality collection of sculpture and art, highlighted by the remarkable Picasso Pavilion, which houses more than 100 pieces by the 20th Century’s most iconic artist. After lunch, we continue our journey down to the Pacific Coast and westward by Shinkansen to Japan’s own most treasured jewel, Kyoto. On arrival we’ll walk to the hotel and, after freshening-up, head out to dinner at a nearby restaurant. Overnight: Granvia Kyoto (B, L, D)

Day 9: Wed 13 November • KYOTO The first stop on our tour of central Kyoto is the city’s centerpiece, the 400 year-old Nijo Castle, built as the Tokyo Shogun’s home in the Imperial Capital of Kyoto, and suitably ostentatious and eye-catching, in comparison to the much more discreet, almost subdued, Imperial Palace and Gardens just to its north. Discover some of the secrets of medieval Japanese architecture and enjoy the castle’s splendid gardens. From there we switch focus back to railways to visit the newly-opened , opened in April 2016 on the site of the city’s famous Umekoji Railway Park. The museum’s core theme is ‘railways revitalizing local communities’ and it has been created to balance historical rail exhibits with a variety of interactive areas aimed not only to demonstrate, but educate visitors on advances in technology and safety. After lunch in a restaurant converted from traditional Kyoto ‘machiya’ houses, we continue to the historical part of the city for an afternoon walking through its charming old-world streets and enjoying its stunning temple architecture and we finish our tour of Kyoto’s highlights with the ultimate must-see attraction, visiting Rokuonji Temple in the north of the city to see the famed Kinkakuji Golden pavilion, beautifully embodying many of the principles of traditional Japanese architecture. Overnight: Granvia Kyoto (B, L)

Day 10: Thu 14 November • KYOTO This morning we venture out to the west of Kyoto to see the part of the city most beloved by Kyoto’s residents, Arashiyama. The visit will start with a local train ride followed by a scenic train journey on the Sagano Forest Railway back and forth along the Hozu River Valley. Walking up from the station, after a brief stop at a Shrine dedicated to hairdressers, we’ll drop into the Okochi Sanso Villa, the one-time home of one of Japan’s most famous film stars of the early 20th Century, a veritable Japanese Charlie Chaplin. Here we’ll enjoy green tea and Japanese cake in the tea house of the superb gardens. Then we’ll continue to stroll through an enchanting bamboo grove, whose scale is genuinely breathtaking, afterwards returning to our hotel by train. The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at leisure. Overnight: Granvia Kyoto (B)

Banetsu Steam Train To Aizu Day 11: Fri 15 November • KYOTO - HIMEJI - HIROSHIMA Today starts with a walk from our hotel in Kyoto through the station complex to the bullet train platforms for a one-hour ride to Himeji, a small city west of Kobe, famous as the home of Japan’s finest castle. Our luggage will be transported separately. At Himeji Station we board a coach for the day’s visits, starting at the aforementioned castle, affectionately known as ‘the White Heron’ for its elegance and dazzling white facades. Both a national treasure and World Heritage Site, it is a rarity among Japanese castles in remaining in its original form. It took 200 years to erect in the middle ages but has not been rebuilt since, but it has undergone extensive renovations in the past five years. In the afternoon, we’ll continue by Shinkansen to Hiroshima and check into our centrally-located hotel for the next three nights. Dinner this evening has a particular local theme: the regional delicacy, Okonomiyaki! Overnight: Sheraton Hiroshima (B, D)

Day 12: Sat 16 November • HIROSHIMA Today we’ll take the train to Iwakuni, disembarking to a private coach to visit the city’s landmark (and another of Japan’s glorious undiscovered highlights), the Kintaikyo Bridge, a unique five-span edifice across the Nishiki River – a truly amazing piece of timber architecture. We’ll follow this with a local lunch of giant grilled chicken and enormous rice-balls at another uniquely Japanese eatery, Irori Sanzoku Restaurant. After lunch, we’ll drive to the charming town of Tsuwano, another of Japan`s “off-the-beaten-track” gems, with its white walls and red-tiled roofs adding splashes of vibrant colour to the peaceful and unspoiled townscape. Keep an eye out for carp swimming in the aqueducts flowing alongside the main street! At Tsuwano Station we board SL Yamaguchi, a C – 571 model steam engine that originally entered service in 1937 and has been lovingly restored to operate on the two-hour journey between Tsuwano and the coastal city of Yamaguchi, passing through stunning country vistas en route. We take the short return trip to Hiroshima in the early evening by bullet train and the rest of the night is at leisure. Overnight: Sheraton Hiroshima (B, L)

Day 13: Sun 17 November • HIROSHIMA Today, we switch the focus from railways to a totally different element of Japanese Culture, its original national sport of Sumo. After a leisurely free morning, we will head to the westernmost point of our visit, taking the Shinkansen to Hakata, the local name used for Fukuoka Central Station. Here we’ll attend the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, a unique opportunity to enjoy and participate in the centuries-old ceremony of official Sumo Tournaments. We’ll enjoy the pageant of the Ring-circling Ceremony, the carefully defined pre-fight protocol, and the sudden explosive action of the actual bouts, some of which last only for the blink of an eye. After seeing the top wrestlers fight in the final bouts, we’ll head back to the station and return to Hiroshima by bullet train, enjoying a Bento-box dinner on board. Overnight: Sheraton Hiroshima (B, D)

Day 14: Mon 18 November • HIROSHIMA Before leaving the hotel this morning, pack your suitcase to send to Tokyo, as we embark on the last leg of our journey. This morning we travel on a special private vintage tram charter along some of Hiroshima’s extensive tram network and learn more about this important city with our guide. Arriving at the heart of the city, the rest of the morning will be dedicated to learning about Hiroshima’s unique place in global history as the first in the world to experience an atomic explosion. You’ll learn all about that tragic event and its aftermath and the city’s resurrection back to life into the vibrant modern city it is today. We will then continue on foot through the Peace Park to see other monuments including the Peace Bell, the Children’s Peace Monument, and the A-Bomb Memorial Mound. Each is individually moving, but all together they represent one of the most emotionally-challenging testimonials to human tragedy and resilience one can experience. After a buffet lunch we take the ferry from central Hiroshima to the sacred island of Miyajima, for a deer-dodging walk through the island’s central streets to see the stunning Itsukushima Shrine. It is a truly unique structure perched on the waterfront, whose famous red ‘torii’ gates sit in the sea just off the island. We’ll also enjoy a walk through the lesser-known but equally impressive Daishoin Temple, perched on the side of Mount Misen, the steep peak which dominates Miyajima, where the current Dalai Lama resided for almost a week during his visit to Japan to celebrate the temple’s 1,200th anniversary in autumn 2006. We return in the afternoon and the evening is free to enjoy the many delights of the city and surrounds. Overnight: Sheraton Hiroshima (B, L)

Day 15: Tue 19 November • HIROSHIMA - TOKYO This morning we check out and return to Tokyo. To make this final long journey as individual as possible, there are a number of routing options to choose from: 1. A stop en route to visit Meiji Mura, a fascinating window onto Japan’s history at perhaps its most intriguing period, the start of the reign of Emperor Meiji in 1868, when Japan opened to western culture after 250 years of isolation. The ‘village’ comprises over 60 buildings collected from throughout Japan to present a unique record of the sudden meeting of traditional Japanese culture and post-industrial revolution Western architecture and engineering. This includes a painstaking recreation of the lobby of Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel, modern Japan’s first meaningful experience of Western Architecture, designed by Frank Lloyd-Wright, and famously opened on 1st September, 1923. This was also the date of the Great Kanto Earthquake which flattened almost all of Tokyo, though not, of course, Lloyd Wright’s new creation. To cap your visit off, you’ll enjoy a unique ride on Japan’s oldest operating steam-train. 2. Enjoy a stop in for the unique experience of a journey on the Marine-Liner express across the architectural wonder that is the Great -bridge, a series of double-decker bridges spanning five islands dotted in the Seto Inland Sea. The bridge also connects the main island of Honshu to the smallest of Japan’s four major islands, . At 13.1km, this is the longest double-tiered bridge in the world, and took over 10 years to complete. 3. Enjoy a visit to Japan’s newest rail-related museum, the SC Maglev & Railway Park in , which adds an extra dimension to the history covered at the other museums we visited, by putting a major focus on the next generation of super-trains, the Maglev Linear Motor cars due to come into operation between Shinagawa (Tokyo) and Nagoya in 2027. 4. Take a straight transfer to Tokyo, arriving just in mid-afternoon, to allow some free time after check-in

All of the differing routes will reach Tokyo by early evening, and after everyone has checked in back at our Tokyo base, the Strings, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner in a very special location in the hotel. Overnight: Strings Intercontinental Hotel, Shinagawa (B, D)

Day 16: • Wed 20 November • TOKYO Our final day in Japan is also the final day of validity of our rail passes, and presents an opportunity for individual adventures in and around Tokyo, or even, if the fancy takes you, a final Shinkansen escapade. In the evening we’ll take local express trains to the airport for flights home. Overnight: in flight (B)

Day 17: Thu 21 November • AUSTRALIA Arrive home.

Kiyomizu Temple jnto

WHAT’S INCLUDED • 15-night accommodation in comfortable, centrally- located 4 and 5-star hotels • Daily breakfast, eight lunches and eight dinners • Drinks included with welcome and farewell dinners • Luxury chartered coach, with luggage transport throughout the tour • Comprehensive sightseeing with expert local guides • All excursions and entrance fees to attractions, as listed in the itinerary • 14 Day, Green Class (first), JR Rail Pass * see details • Tipping, gratuities and transfers (if arriving on the suggested QF flight)

WHAT WE DON’T INCLUDE

• International flights • Airport transfers on arrival and departure if travelling independently • Meals and services not mentioned in itinerary • All other personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, laundry services • Excursions listed in the brochure as optional and extra

Arashiyama, Kyoto Harajuku PRICE Per person twin share...... $10,785 Single supplement...... $2,975

Deposit (per person)...... $1000 at time of booking Final payment due by...... 5 September 2019 HOW TO BOOK Download a booking form from our website and follow the easy steps to getting on board. Alternatively, contact Railway Adventures on 1300 800 977 or at [email protected] if you’d prefer a form be sent to you. Complete the form and submit it, along with your $1000 pp deposit to secure your place on the tour.

SUGGESTED FLIGHTS We have suggested flights for this itinerary depending on your departure point from Australia, any preferred stopovers en-route and/or your planned pre- and post-tour activities. We can also investigate your preferred airline and offer you a solution based on connection times and prices.

DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE We endeavour to have all the details of our tours correct at the time of printing. However, sometimes factors beyond our control may affect the final inclusions and prices. These factors may include, but not be limited to; significant fluctuations in currency exchange rates, individual hotel/restaurant decisions that may affect bookings, weather events forcing a change of itinerary, unexpected trackwork on rail lines, unexpected closure of site attractions and so forth. Therefore, items mentioned in the brochure such as quoted prices, hotels and inclusions are subject to change. If a change is imposed on us, we will endeavour to ensure the substitute is of the same quality.

TOUR PACE / LEVEL OF FITNESS: Our itineraries are designed to make the most of each destination, so a reasonable amount of activity is built into most days, which is why we call them adventures. Our philosophy is to offer you the best experience possible, while leaving you, our guest, the flexibility to pace yourself and choose how much or how little you want to do. Each Railway Adventures tour incorporates periods of free time for your own exploration and relaxation. While you don’t need to be a ‘gym junkie’, a reasonable level of fitness is required for most of our tours. The ability to manage your own luggage, get on and off all manner of trains and coaches, walk for extended periods, stand comfortably, and climb steps and stairs will ensure you get the maximum enjoyment from your adventure.

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS In addition to assisting with flight suggestions and bookings, we can also give you some ideas of what you could do before and after your Railway Adventure. We can also organise your all-important Travel Insurance for you.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS For more information on factors such as travel insurance requirements, fitness levels, fees and charges, tour cancellations, payment schedules and so on, please refer to our Terms and Conditions, which accompany the booking form. They can also be found on our website

Contact Details: [email protected] 1300 800 977

WHERE YOU WILL STAY The properties we have selected have been hand-picked based on their location, customer feedback, value and atmosphere. Here’s some of what you can expect on this tour:

Hotel Granvia, Kyoto Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu, Hakone

Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel Strings Intercontinental Hotel, Shinagawa Shinjuku YOUR TRAVEL AGENT

Tokyo Syline At Dusk

THE RAILWAY ADVENTURES STORY TRAVEL ACCREDITED LIC #A14416

Railway Adventures, launched in 2012 by well-known Australian TV personality and self-confessed rail fan, Scott McGregor, has entertained and enlightened more than 1200 travellers on over 100 tours from Sweden to Sri Lanka, Tasmania to Transylvania, Britain to Burma, Venice to Vietnam and all manner of adventures in our own wonderful country. New tours are launched regularly, inspired by new trains, new routes and what our travellers are telling us they want— travelling by train in a small group of like-minded people to some of the world’s most fascinating destinations. A lifelong passion for travel has taken Scott to scores of countries and his preference for rail has seen him exploring many of the world’s great train journeys, confirming his belief that the most relaxing, romantic and engaging way to see a country is by rail.