Japan Alps

DAY ONE – TOKYO   Depart Australia on your international flight to Tokyo, Japan.  Airport Limousine Bus to Tokyo.  

Overnight: Tokyo youth hostel – Breakfast and dinner included

DAY TWO – TOKYO   A full day to explore the popular areas in Tokyo.  The best place to experience a carnival atmosphere any day of the year is Asakusa.  Famous for its covered walkways of souvenir, fashion and toy- shops that extend for several blocks and Tokyo’s oldest temple.  Sensoji Temple was founded in the 7th century and is dedicated to Kannon, Goddess of Mercy, and is therefore popularly called the Asakusa Kannon 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.                                                                        

Akihabara – Tokyo’s famous ‘Akihabara’ Electric City.  Bathed in neon, Akihabara has more than 300 shops specialising in the latest electrical goods such as ipods, watches, computer games and more.

Overnight: Tokyo youth hostel – Breakfast and dinner included

DAY THREE – TOKYO   Ride the latest rides, watch the street parade and meet Mickey Mouse at the world’s famous themepark - Tokyo Disneyland.  There is so much to see and do here including the Teacup ride, Space Mountain ride and Buzz Lightyear ride.  The ‘Disney Electric Light Parade’ in the evening is spectacular.   

Overnight: Tokyo youth hostel – Breakfast and dinner included

DAY FOUR – TOKYO   Ghibli Musium is, a commercial museum featuring the Japanese anime work of Studio Ghibli.  The museum is a fine arts museum, but does not take the concept of a usual fine arts museum. With many features that are child-oriented and a sprawling and occasionally mazelike interior, the museum is a playfully created place. 

Shinjuku is a fast developing shopping and amusement quarter, and is one of Tokyo’s largest commuter terminals. There are three Shinjukus; South, East and West. Bustling South & East Shinjuku is a heaven for shopping, people-watching, movie-going, eating and drinking. West Shinjuku, on the other hand, is exceptional for strolling along wide boulevards and Tokyo-viewing from the tops of the soaring skyscrapers. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings (Tocho Building) has an observatory on the 45th floor (202-m high) which commands a panoramic view of metropolitan Tokyo. A number of sculptures are exhibited outside around the buildings.

Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts, packed with shopping, dining and nightspots serving swarms of visitors that come to the district everyday. A prominent landmark of Shibuya is the large intersection in front of the station's Hachiko Exit. A statue of a loyal dog named Hachiko. According to a famous story, the dog waited for his master every day in front of Shibuya Station, and continued to do so for years even after his master had passed away. It is one of Tokyo's most popular meeting points.

Overnight: Tokyo youth hostel – Breakfast and dinner included

DAY FIVE – KANAZAWA   Farewell Tokyo and travel to Kanazawa on board one of the newest bullet trains, the Hokuriku Shinkansen.  Kanazawa is one of the few typical castletowns still remaining in Japan. Here, one can see many winding paths and blind alleys which form a labyrinth effectively designed to thwart an enemy’s attack. The streets lined on either side with latticed doors and earthen walls remind one of old Japan.  Spend the afternoon at Kenrokuen Garden, is considered one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan. 

Overnight: Kanazawa hotel – Breakfast included

DAY SIX – KANAZAWA   Saizen Tours has organised a fully guided one-day program to cover some of the best sites in Kanazawa.  Includes gold-leaf chopsticks decoration, Geisha district and Samurai district.

Overnight: Kanazawa hotel – Breakfast included

DAY SEVEN – SHIRAKAWAGO   Cross the alps by coach and visit this World Heritage listed village.  Step back in time and visit the World Heritage listed village of Shirakawago, nestled in the Japan Alps. This small village of old thatched farmhouses depicts how life used to be in the region before roads opened it up to the rest of the world. Winter used to mean complete isolation with the entire region often blanketed under 6ft 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 gassho-zukuri inn – Breakfast and dinner included

DAY EIGHT – TAKAYAMA   Continue across the alps by coach to this traditional town in the Hida Mountains.  Spend the afternoon and following day exploring Takayama’s sights.  Compact and easy to explore on foot, visit the quaint shops and tearooms and wander the ancient streets of Takayama

Overnight: Takayama temple/youth hostel – Breakfast included

DAY NINE – TAKAYAMA  A full day to explore Takayama.  Visit the Takayama Jinya (manor house), Takayama Yatai Kaikan Hall (hall of the festival floats) and the Hida Folk Village.          

Overnight: Takayama temple/youth hostel – Breakfast included

DAY TEN – IN TRANSIT   Return to Narita Airport by bullet train and express train.  Perhaps time for some last minute shopping.  Meals and movies on board your overnight flight to Australia.

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

DAY ELEVEN   Arrive Australia early morning.