Description

Your Fly & Tour Package Includes:

·         Return economy class flights from Sydney to Tokyo, returning from Osaka

·         12 day Journey through Japan Tour with Cosmos

·         Includes 11 nights accommodation, 11 breakfasts, included excursions & much more

·         Hotel taxes, porterage, tips & service charges

Extend your flights and stay longer - talk to our travel experts about more options

Package price is based on 1 April 2019 departure

Itinerary:

Day 1: Tokyo, Japan.

Welcome to Japan's capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2: Tokyo.

Today's sightseeing tour takes you to the MEIJI SHRINE, a magnificent 20th century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. Afterward, pass by the Imperial Palace Plaza, the State Guest House, the Akihabara district, and the famous Ginza shopping street. Your tour concludes with a visit to the ASAKUSA KANNON TEMPLE and the NAKAMISE SHOPPING ARCADE. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening in this cosmopolitan city.

Day 3: Tokyo.

Enjoy your day at your leisure. Perhaps join a full day optional excursion to Mount Fuji.

Day 4: Tokyo-Nikko-Utsunomiya.

Journey north to Nikko for a visit to TOSHOGU SHRINE and its famous YOMEIMON GATE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, continue on to the scenic Iroha-zaka Driveway, which reaches elevations of 3,940 feet(1200 metres), to visit LAKE CHUZENJI and the KEGON WATERFALL. Continue to Utsunomiya, home of Japan's famous gyoza dumplings.

Day 5: Utsunomiya-Matsumoto.

This morning, travel to Matsumoto where you will see MATSUMOTO CASTLE and the MATSUMOTO CITY MUSEUM.

Day 6: Matsumoto-Takayama.

Continue through Japan's beautiful mountain scenery to one of the country's most remote regions, SHIRAKAWA. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the unique Gassho-Zukuri (joined hands) thatched houses can only be found here. This afternoon, journey through the Japanese Alps to the secluded town of Takayama, where old traditions are untouched by the passage of time.

Day 7: Takayama-Kyoto.

Journey to Kyoto, one of the most fascinating cities in Japan. The remainder of your day is free to explore. This evening, you may choose to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan (additional expense).

Day 8: Kyoto.

Enjoy a tour of Kyoto, visiting many of the city's temples, shrines, palaces, and pagodas. A highlight of the day is a visit to the extraordinary NIJO CASTLE, built in 1603 as the official residence of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. You will also visit the TEMPLE OF THE GOLD PAVILION and the HEIAN SHRINE AND GARDEN. During the day, there will also be a chance to participate in a traditional JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY.

Day 9: Kyoto-Matsue.

Journey to the city of Yonago on the coast of the Sea of Japan. After a brief visit, continue to ADACHI MUSEUM OF ART to view Japanese-style gardens and view paintings by one of the greatest Japanese painters, Yokoyama Taikan. Later, visit Matsue to see MATSUE CASTLE and BUKE YASHIKI, a former samurai residence.

Day 10: Matsue-Hiroshima.

En route to Hiroshima, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of ITSUKUSHIMA SHRINE and its famous FLOATING TORII GATE. From here, continue to Hiroshima. This city bears significant historic importance, for it was here that the world's first atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. Your tour features the PEACE MEMORIAL PARK to see the PEACE MEMORIAL. Commonly referred to as the Atomic Bomb Dome, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been preserved just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the bombing. Also, visit the SHUKKEI-EN GARDEN, which dates back to 1620.

Day 11: Hiroshima-Osaka.

Your fascinating journey to Osaka, aboard one of Japan's famous BULLET TRAINS, is sure to be a highlight of your tour. The rest of the day is yours to explore Japan's second largest city.

Day 12: Osaka.

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.