DAY ONE – TOKYO AIRPORT   

Depart Australia on your international flight to Tokyo, Japan.  

Hotel shuttle bus from Narita Airport to Narita airport hotel

Overnight: Narita airport hotel – Breakfast included

 

 

DAY TWO – NIKKO

In the early morning, have breakfast at the hotel and take the express train from Narita Airport to Asakusa.

Commence Nikko Pass World Heritage Area (plus Limited Express ticket Asakusa-Nikko return) and travel to Nikko.

Lunch is at a Japanese vegetarian restaurant in Nikko. You will have traditional Shojin-Ryori or Kaiseki-Ryori vegetarian cuisine - Washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine), which is also registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Self-guided sightseeing in Nikko, one of Japan’s most beautiful regions, where local travellers want to visit at least once in their lifetime!  First of all, you will see Shinkyo Bridge.  This beautiful, red sacred bridge stands at the entrance to the shrines and temples. The bridge is ranked as one of Japan's three finest bridges.  

Then visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to the first shogun of the Tokugawa era and famous for its carving of the “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” monkeys.  Rinnoji Temple and Futarasan Shrine, nearby Toshogu Shrine, are also included in Nikko’s World Heritage Temples and Shrines.

Dinner at local restaurant in Nikko.  You will love Hamburg Steak (Japanese Rissole) one of the most popular dishes in Japan.

Overnight: Nikko inn/hotel – Breakfast included

 

 

DAY THREE – NIKKO 

Suggested sightseeing in the morning:  Bake Jizo / Narabi Jizo (70 stone statues of Jizo – guardian deity of children) lined up in Kanmangafuchi Abyss.

Enjoy a morning walk at the pleasant riverside walking trail where these statues look out and keep watch over the river.

Lunch is at a soba noodle making class.  Made from locally produced buckwheat flour, Nikko’s handmade soba is known throughout Japan for its taste and aroma. During this one-hour workshop learn to make soba noodles and enjoy them with seasonal vegetable tempura.

After lunch, you will visit Tobu World Square which exhibits 1/25th scale replicas of famous buildings from around the world, including ancient monuments, cultural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  You will be amazed by, not only the tiny replicas reproduced with great detail all the way down to cars and miniature people populating the sites, but also bonsai trees making up a natural backdrop to the miniature buildings. You could take a world tour in 2 hours (or little longer if you want to linger and spend more time)!

In the afternoon take the limited express train from Nikko to Asakusa, Tokyo.  Dinner is at a local restaurant in Tokyo.  What Japanese food would you like to try?  Saizen Tours can arrange for your group to experience popular Japanese food and to feel Japan through its flavours.

Overnight: Tokyo youth hostel – Breakfast included

 

 

DAY FOUR – TOKYO   

A full day to explore the most popular areas in Tokyo. Today you will also visit Kappabashi Kitchenware Street, Asakusa and Harajuku. 

Participate in the Plastic Food making Experience at Kappabashi Kitchenware Street near Asakusa, Japan’s largest shopping street devoted to kitchen implements and cookware.

Lunch is at a sushi cooking school in nearby Asakusa.  Enjoy this professional sushi making experience and taste your own handmade sushi!

Asakusa – the best place to experience a carnival atmosphere any day of the year.  Famous for its covered walkways of souvenir, fashion and toy- shops that extend for several blocks and Tokyo’s oldest and most famous temple, Sensoji Temple.

Harajuku – the teenage area of Tokyo where you will find the latest trends in teenage fashion, food and music.  Every Sunday, young Japanese flock to this area to see the latest bands and dancers that perform in the streets.  The Meiji Shrine is located nearby so have your camera ready, as there are usually many traditional weddings and christenings taking place on a Sunday.  This famous shrine and garden is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his Empress.  

Dinner is at Kawaii Monster Cafe, a unique experience that blends cute Japanese culture and funky monsters visualizing the craziness of Harajuku. You will enjoy the surrounding art and colourful menus.  Also the iconic “Monster Girls” will welcome you and take you to your table.

Overnight: Tokyo youth hostel – Breakfast included

 

 

DAY FIVE – SHIRAKAWAGO

Farewell Tokyo and board the bullet train to Toyama in the Japan Alps.  Cross the alps by coach and visit this World Heritage listed village of Shirakawago, nestled in the Japan Alps.  This small village of traditional thatched farmhouses depicts how life used to be in this region before roads opened it up to the rest of the world. Winter meant complete isolation with the entire region often blanketed under six feet of snow. Open-hearth fireplaces are still used for cooking and warmth and the steep angled roofs look like hands in prayer, hence these farmhouses are known as gassho-zukuri.  

Overnight: Shirakawago traditional inn – Breakfast & dinner included

 

 

DAY SIX – TAKAYAMA

Continue across the alps by coach to this traditional town in the Hida Mountains.  Spend the afternoon exploring Takayama’s famous sights. Compact and easy to explore on foot, visit the quaint shops and tearooms and wander the ancient streets of Takayama.  Suggested sightseeing: Old Town (historical houses preserved area), Takayama Jinya (manor house), Matsuri no Mori (museum of the festival floats) or Yatai Kaikan (hall of the festival floats).

Next enjoy a Senbei Rice cracker making Experience in Takayama.  Skilled staff will support you and give you tips on how to make shaped senbei rice crackers with various flavors. Make your own rice crackers and pack them as a souvenir, or of course you can eat them whilst they are freshly grilled.  

Dinner is at a sukiyaki restaurant in Takayama.  Hida Beef is famous is in this area being one of the highest quality Wagyu beef in all of Japan.

Overnight: Takayama temple/ youth hostel – Breakfast included

 

​

DAY SEVEN – FUJI KAWAGUCHIKO

Farewell Hida Takayama and take the highway bus directly to Kawaguchiko and discover the World Heritage listed Mt Fuji, Japan’s highest and majestic mountain!  We recommend having lunch on board since this coach transfer takes about five hours (but the easiest, fastest and cheapest transfer between two famous Japan World Heritage Sites).  We recommend getting Ekiben from Takayama Station before boarding the coach.  Ekiben is the train traveller's comfort food. Literally meaning "station bento," ekiben are special bento sold at train stations that are designed to be enjoyed on long train rides while showcasing the cuisine of the region they're from.  Often, the most famous ekiben feature dishes that can only be found in that particular area.  Plus, one of the fun parts of travelling by highway bus in Japan is taking a break at the excellent service areas selling gourmet food and souvenirs full of regional delights.

Lake Kawaguchiko is a hot spring resort town and is the most easily accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes with train and direct bus connections to Tokyo.  The best views of Mt. Fuji can be enjoyed from the lake's northern shores and are particularly breathtaking during the cherry blossom season from around mid April and the autumn colors from around the first half of November. 

Luggage storage and delivery service near Kawaguchiko Station would make it easier to travel around Kawaguchiko on your arrival and departure dates.

Overnight: Fuji Kawaguchiko hotel – Breakfast and dinner included

 

 

DAY EIGHT – FUJI KAWAGUCHIKO

Today you will enjoy the world-class thrilling rides at the Fuji-Q Highland, an amusement park at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The park is popular for having many intense thrilling rides including the three major roller coasters; “Fujiyama," “Dodonpa" and “Eejanaika."  As the name suggests; “Fujiyama" is a magnificent towering white roller coaster that impresses visitors with its appearance. It is the symbolic attraction of Fuji-Q with the world-class records such as the maximum speed of 130 km/h, the maximum drop of 70 meters and the height of 79 meters. It is enormously popular since its opening in 1996.

Overnight: Fuji Kawaguchiko hotel – Breakfast and dinner included

 

 

DAY NINE – FUJI KAWAGUCHIKO / IN TRANSIT

In the morning, you will experience mochi pounding, one of Japanese traditional ceremonies that normally takes place around the New Year.  Eating freshly made mochi with your friends while looking at Mt. Fuji is a special experience giving a real Japanese vibe! 

We have included your last gourmet lunchbox bento in Japan whilst on the coach to Narita Airport; not only because you can enjoy beautiful regional cuisine but you can also spend more time sightseeing just before you board the coach.  Among the wide range of other tourist attractions available around Lake Kawaguchiko are hot spring baths, various museums, boat tours and a ropeway leading onto a small mountain next to the lake.  

Take the direct highway bus from Kawaguchiko to Narita Airport early afternoon for your return flight to Australia.  Perhaps time for some last minute shopping at the airport. Meals and movies on board your overnight flight to Australia. 

Overnight: In transit - late dinner and light breakfast included on board

 

 

DAY TEN 

Arrive Australia early morning.

 

 

Note: Tour Itinerary is based on self-escorted sightseeing suggestions.