RAILWAY ADVENTURES IN 2021 Japan by Rail A CHERRY BLOSSOM SPECTACULAR With Scott McGregor 30 March - 14 April 2021 • TOKYO • HIROSHIMA • KYOTO • HAKONE • NIIGATA • AOMORI • SENDAI • INTRODUCTION Travelling by train in the rail loving country of Japan is definitely the HIGHLIGHTS best way to explore this fascinating country, and in Springtime, • Extensive rail travel using your JR Green Class (first when the landscape is alive with blossoms, it’s an absolute joy. class) Rail Pass, including numerous journeys on the Beginning in the modern, neon-lit capital of Tokyo, the famous iconic bullet trains bullet train takes us south to Hiroshima and Kyoto – richly • Travel by steam train on the famous heritage railways endowed with exquisite gardens, extraordinary temples and of Yamaguchi, Oigawa, and the Paleo Express lines enthralling cultural treasures. The mountains around Mt Fuji are • Ride the Sagano Forest Railway, Tozan Mountain captivating as are the island-hopping boat journeys and special Railway, the coastal ‘Resort’ train and a vintage tram charter in Hiroshima steam train trips through verdant mountains, valleys and forests. • Enjoy a sumo wrestling demonstration in Tokyo and This immersive journey is designed to showcase the huge wacky fashions in Harajuku variety Japan has to offer. It also combines legendary food, fine • Cruise around the Matsushima Islands and hotels, stunning scenery and unusual events all with a backdrop Hiroshima Bay to Miyajima of springtime beauty. This is a rare chance to experience the very • Explore historic temples, castles and cultural sites in best of Japan as we coast around the country in all trains great Tokyo, Kyoto and Himeji and small. • Stay at stunning new rice paddy hotel and a luxury mountain spa Discover the highlights of Japan’s main island, Honshu, on this • Marvel at the latest ultra-high-speed rail technology at the Mag-Lev test track dynamic journey. Beginning in the modern, neon-lit capital of • Capture and climb the grand castles at Himeji, Tokyo, the famous bullet train takes us south to the prosperous Hirosaki and Kyoto city of Hiroshima, with a moving history and legacy like no other. • Explore five world heritage sites and many more We then continue on to the iconic city of Kyoto – richly endowed natural wonders with exquisite gardens, extraordinary temples and enthralling • Visit the unsurpassed modern railway museums in cultural treasures. We also explore the region around Mount Fuji, Tokyo and Kyoto rich with natural beauty, volcanic drama and an extraordinary • Experience Japan’s unique food culture at fine open-air art museum, accessed by the historic Tozan mountain restaurants, including a traditional full-course Japanese Ryokan feast, and a night with The railway. Heading north takes us out of the mainstream and into Singing Chef in Sendai some lesser visited areas of Japan which are no less scenic and interesting. Returning south to Sendai completes the adventure with an island cruise and fitting farewell feast. This immersive journey is designed to showcase the huge variety of trains, tracks and railway technology in Japan and, of course, by travelling the very length of Honshu there’ll be many opportunities to see the exquisite and iconic cherry blossoms. Combining legendary food, fine hotels, spectacular scenery, unusual events and the beauty of springtime, it’s a rare chance to experience the very best of Japan as we coast around the country in all trains, great and small. MEET YOUR TOUR LEADER SCOTT MCGREGOR Scott McGregor has been involved in the media for over 30 years as an actor, presenter, writer and producer and over the last decade has extended his many interests into the world of travel. Inspired by his experiences hosting tours for the Powerhouse Museum and others he decided to establish Railway Adventures in 2012. Since then he has led more than 40 tours to almost 40 countries. Graduating from NIDA in 1979, he appeared in a wide range of stage, film and TV roles including the lead role in the ABC’s epic mini-series 1915 and the Coral Island. He has presented and hosted numerous prime-time ratings winners including many years as the handyman on Better Homes and Gardens and the host of Room For Improvement. He presented two series of his own Railway Adventures for Channels 10 and 7 and a number of programs for The History Channel. He also owns and operates RUWENZORI which he built in the 1980’s from vintage railway carriages on top of the Great Dividing Range near Mudgee in central NSW. Restored in an opulent Orient Express style it is now a popular tourist retreat for up to 13 people. Check it out at www.stayinatrain.com TOUR MAP SOME WAYS YOU’LL TRAVEL The best train trips possible, private luxury coach for off-train travel, guided walking where suitable, and other appropriate and appealing options to make exploration easy. 1 Aomori Tsuruoka 1 Niigata 2 1 Sendai Shinkansen 3 Tokyo 2 Hiroshima 3 2 Hakone Kyoto Himeji n Nights at Hotel Sagano Forest Railway Train Heritage, Steam or Tourist Railway Coach Boat Yamagutchi steam train WHY TRAVEL WITH US The joy of travel is not confined to the destination. How you travel is a large and rich part of the experience. Railway Adventures offers a truly unique perspective on some of the world’s most spectacular holiday destinations, with the confidence that the journey will be just as magical and memorable as what you find 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 — each 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, we know that you will experience something special on our tours. • Expert local guides and local 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. Our customer satisfaction ratings show that over 97% would recommend us to others and/or travel with us again. • Fully-escorted — our tour leaders are experienced and capable, entertaining and considerate and, together with our local guides have your needs well covered. They help with everything along the way, providing peace of mind, and enabling you to relax and enjoy the journey. And you’ll find them jolly good company, to boot! Day 1 • Tuesday 30 March: ARRIVE TOKYO Most flights arrive early in the morning. As we can’t formally check-in to our hotel until early afternoon, we’ve instead arranged the option of breakfast at the hotel and a morning tour of a few of Tokyo’s iconic sites. The hotel is only five minutes walk from Shinagawa Station with a direct connection to the airport, so it’s an easy introduction to getting around Tokyo. Drop your bags, freshen up and enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel’s signature restaurant before we head out. Our morning tour kicks off with a visit to Tokyo’s most significant Shinto monument – the Meiji Shrine. This monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Meiji who ruled Japan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, oozes the dignified grandeur of history. Adjacent to the Meiji Shrine is one of the fascinating microcosms of modern Tokyo – the Harajuku neighbourhood – Tokyo’s fashion crucible and the home of some of the world’s wackiest fashion trends. Afterwards, we’ll have our first get-together and briefing of the journey, in a private area over a re-energising pasta lunch, before checking in to the hotel and an afternoon of relaxation. We’ll re-group in the evening to take a short subway ride to the setting of our celebratory welcome dinner, a Japanese barbecue with views across the Tokyo evening skyline. Overnight: The Strings Intercontinental Hotel, Shinagawa (B, L, D) Day 2 • Wednesday 31 March: TOKYO Our exploration today will contrast the old and new city of Tokyo. To see it all, we’ll of course use the city’s incomparable rail network. We’ll start by visiting the 634 m tall Tokyo Sky Tree, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest tower. Taking the high-speed elevator to the observation platform, we’ll enjoy a panorama that shows the sheer scale of Tokyo. We’ll then get straight to the city’s roots by visiting Asakusa, the original village of Edo from which modern-day Tokyo has grown over the past 400-plus years. Next up is 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-style lunch, we continue our introduction to Japan’s unique culture with an afternoon visit to the Edo Museum. In the evening, you may wish to join Scott and other fellow travellers for an informal social dinner close by in the heart of Shinagawa. Overnight: The Strings Intercontinental Hotel, Shinagawa (B, L) Day 3 • Thursday 1 April: TOKYO We have arranged separate luggage transport so today please pack an overnight bag as your main luggage will be sent by overnight secure transport to Hiroshima.