Japan World Heritage Adventure

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

Overnight: Tokyo youth hostel – Breakfast and  included

DAY TWO – TOKYO   

Free day in Tokyo to see Modern Japan.  Suggested sightseeing: Harajuku, Odaiba or Skytree Town

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 perform in the streets.  

Odaiba – the futuristic area of Japan is a must to see.  TeamLab digital art museum, Sega World, Panasonic Building, Toyota Mega-Web and one of the largest ferris wheels in the world are all popular with young tourists.  At the Miraikan Museum you can experience the latest developments in science and technology with hands-on exhibits, participating in various events and meet scientists and technicians. 

Skytree Town is a modern commercial center. At its center stands Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower.  Around the base of Skytree lies Tokyo Solamachi; a shopping complex with over 300 shops and restaurants as well as an aquarium, a planetarium and all kinds of entertainment.  There are also character goods shops such as the Pokemon Centre and Ghibli Shop and many more.  Solamachi also features several plazas and green spaces from where you can admire Tokyo Skytree tower. 

Overnight: Tokyo youth hostel – Breakfast included

DAY THREE – NIKKO

Self guided sightseeing to Nikko using Nikko Pass World Heritage Area (plus Limited Express ticket Asakusa-Nikko return).

Local travellers want to visit this beautiful site at least once in their lifetime! On this day trip to Nikko, one of Japan’s most beautiful regions, 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. 

Shinkyo Bridge is the beautiful, red sacred bridge standing at the entrance to the shrines and temples. The bridge is ranked as one of Japan's three finest bridges.  

Nearby is Kinugawa Onsen, hot spring town.  Just outside the station is a free hot bath for your feet under an open-air pavilion.  One great and free way to see all The beauty of Kinugawa’s nature can be enjoyed with a visit to the Kinugawa Tateiwa Otsuribashi suspension bridge, extending 150 meters over the rushing Kinugawa River far below.  A river cruise in wooden boats down the river is also very popular.  There are some interesting theme parks as well.  Nikko Edo Wonderland is a historical theme park recreating Japanese town life during the Edo Period. Tobu World Square exhibits 1/25th scale replicas of famous buildings from around the world including ancient monuments, cultural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  

Prepare to send luggage by takkyubin courier service from Tokyo youth hostel to Shin-Osaka youth hostel.

Overnight: Tokyo youth hostel – Breakfast included

DAY FOUR – FUJI KAWAGUCHIKO

Take a highway bus from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko and discover the World Heritage listed Mt Fuji, Japan’s highest and majestic mountain!

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 around mid April and the autumn colors can be seen around the first half of November.  Among the wide range of other tourist attractions available around Lake Kawaguchiko are hot spring baths, various museums, the Fuji Q amusement park, boat tours and a ropeway leading onto a small mountain next to the lake. 

Overnight: Fuji Kawaguchiko hotel – Dinner and breakfast included

DAY FIVE – TAKAYAMA

Farewell Mt Fuji and take a highway bus directly to Takayama, traditional town in the Hida Mountains of Japan Alps (09:20-14:00).  Spend the afternoon exploring Takayama’s 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).

Overnight: Takayama temple/ youth hostel – Breakfast included

DAY SIX – SHIRAKAWAGO

Continue across the alps by coach for a day trip to this World Heritage listed village, Shirakawago, nestled in the Japan Alps (09:35-10:25). 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 2 metres 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.  After few hours of this amazing experience, take a coach to Kanazawa (12:20-13:35) and transfer to the train bound for Shin-Osaka (14:20-17:00) using your 7-Day JR pass.  Osaka, a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu, is known for its modern architecture, boisterous nightlife and hearty street food.

Overnight: Shin-Osaka youth hostel – Breakfast included

DAY SEVEN – OSAKA USJ 

Today visit one of Japan’s most popular theme parks, Universal Studios Japan.  Jurrasic Park, Back To The Future and ET are some of the best rides not to be missed. World of Harry Potter and Minion Park have newly opened, and Super Nintendo World will be opening soon!

Overnight: Shin-Osaka youth hostel – Breakfast included

DAY EIGHT – KYOTO / NARA 

A full day to explore some of Kyoto and Nara’s famous temples and shrines with a coach tour including an English-speaking guide, departing from Osaka.  Kinkakuji is one of the most beautiful temples in all Japan.  A trip to Japan would not be complete without a photo in front of this Golden Pavilion.  The first floor is palace style, the second floor is the style of the samurai house and third floor is a Zen style temple.  Both the second and third floors are covered with gold leaf on Japanese lacquer.  Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the official Kyoto residence of the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu.  To safeguard against treachery the Shogun had the interior fitted with ‘nightingale’ floors (intruders were detected by the squeaking boards) and concealed chambers where bodyguards could keep watch.  You can visit Kyoto Imperial Palace (except Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and specific days) or Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and specific days).  After lunch see the great sights Nara has to offer!  Travel from Kyoto to Nara, by coach, where you can visit Todaiji, the largest wooden structure in the world and home of the Great Buddha, the largest Buddha statue in Japan. Mingle with the many deer at Nara Park, then proceed to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara’s most famous shrine. Finally visit Nara Nagomikan, a famous souvenir shop.

The coach tour finishes at Namba Station, close to Dotonbori, one of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations.  This street runs parallel to the Dotonbori Canal.  At night it is lit by hundreds of neon lights and shop and restaurant signs, including the famous Glico Running Man sign and Kani Doraku crab sign.  Dotonbori is perfect for having dinner.  Osaka’s obsession with food is often summed up with the expression “kuidaore” which is often interpreted to mean “eat till you drop” but actually means to spend so much on food that you fall into financial ruin!  Dotonbori is said to be the best place in Osaka to experience this kuidaore style extreme love of food.

Overnight: Shin-Osaka youth hostel – Lunch on tour and breakfast included

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DAY NINE – HIROSHIMA

Board the bullet train to the City of Peace, Hiroshima.  Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Atom Bomb Dome /Museum is located nearby.  The Industrial Promotion Hall is the only ruined building still allowed to stand after the devastation in 1945; its dome the symbol of the destruction.  The Hiroshima Peace Park is built around this building.  In the Peace Park you will see the statue of ‘Sadako’ above thousands of paper cranes from all around the world. 

Overnight: Hiroshima youth hostel – Breakfast included

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DAY TEN – MIYAJIMA

A short ferry ride will take you to Miyajima Island known as one of Japan’s ‘Three Most Beautiful Places’.  The island is famous for its shrines, tame deer and monkeys.  You certainly won’t miss the large red torii gate that marks the entrance to the floating ‘Itsukushima Shrine’.  This is Japan’s largest torii gate and dates from 1875. 

Your luggage will be forwarded by takkyubin courier service from Hiroshima youth hostel to Kansai Airport.

Overnight: Hiroshima youth hostel – Breakfast included

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DAY ELEVEN – HIMEJI / KOYASAN

Board the bullet train to Himeji to visit Himeji Castle.  It is widely considered Japan's most spectacular castle. Unlike many other Japanese castles, Himeji Castle was never destroyed in wars, earthquakes or fires and survives in its original form. It is both a national treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Commence your 2-Day Kansai Thru Pass and make your way to Koyasan, the spiritual centre of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. The temple lanterns have continued to burn since its founding in the year 816.  Stay in a temple and be attended by young, trainee Buddhist Priests, enjoy traditional *Shojin-Ryori vegetarian cuisine, have the opportunity to participate in evening meditation and attend the morning service.  

*Traditional Japanese cuisine is listed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as well! 

Overnight: Koyasan temple – Dinner and breakfast included

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DAY TWELVE – KOYASAN

Half-day fully escorted walking tour of Koyasan with an English-speaking guide in the morning. You will visit Okunoin Temple, Garan and Kongobu-ji Temple.

Okunoin - Considered the holiest location in Koyasan, along the 2 km path to monk Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum are more than 200,000 tombstones and commemorative monuments. Walking down this cedar-lined path is like flipping through the history pages of Japan.

The Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex marks the center of Koyasan, and was the first site built on, as a venue for secluded ascetic training. Here stands the 48.5 meter tall vermillion-colored Konpon Daito (Great Tower), believed to be Japan’s first square two-storied pagoda.

As the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, Kongobu-ji Head Temple is one of the most prominent sites at Koyasan and features elegantly painted sliding doors (fusuma) and the Banryutei, Japan’s largest rock garden. Architectural buffs will enjoy the traditional fire prevention system, consisting of barrels collecting rainwater to dampen the cypress bark roofing.

Travel to Kansai Airport, Osaka late afternoon for your return flight to Australia.  Meals and movies on board your overnight flight to Australia. 

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

DAY THIRTEEN 

Arrive Australia early morning.

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