Tour Along The Golden Route: Kyoto, Hiroshima, Mt. Fuji And Tokyo

Transport

all train journeys with Japan-Railpass on reserved seats in 2nd class according to the program

Guide

German speaking tour guide (3rd, 8th and 9th day)

Flights

Scheduled flight from/to Germany to Osaka and back from Tokyo with Emirates or another renowned airline in Economy Class (subject to availability; flight surcharge possible)

Meals

Meals: 11×F, 1×A

Others

Sightseeing by bus (3rd, 8th and 9th day) incl. entrance fees Exit tax

Accommodation

separate overnight luggage transfer Kyoto - Hiroshima (5th day of travel) and Hiroshima - Tokyo (8th day) Hotel in Fuji-Hakone National Park with onsen 10 nights: hotel in double room

Not included:

Others

PCR or rapid antigen tests required, if any meals and drinks not mentioned tour guide on the travel days not explicitly mentioned Transportation costs for the mentioned program ideas cab costs to/from the train station on the 6th and 8th travel days Entrance fees (except 3rd, 8th and 9th travel day) Tips Personal

Insurance

Optional

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Arrival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrival

Flight with Lufthansa or Emirates to Osaka.
Day 2 Arrival In Osaka - Kyoto 1×F
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrival In Osaka - Kyoto 1×F

Today it’s Yokoso - "Welcome" to Osaka. Here your tour guide will welcome you and transfer you by bus (approx. 90 min) to the hotel in Kyoto. You can use the afternoon for a walk to the architecturally highly interesting main station or for a stroll in the city center through the market street Nishiki-dori. Nowhere else can you explore the diversity of Japanese cuisine in such a close and impressive way. Be brave and try the culinary delights. Meanwhile, the tour guide will take care of issuing your Japan Rail Pass and making seat reservations for your trips on the Shinkansen super express trains. Overnight at hotel.

Hearton Hotel Kyoto
Day 3 Kyoto: Temple, Golden Pavilion And Nijo Castle 1×(B/A)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kyoto: Temple, Golden Pavilion And Nijo Castle 1×(B/A)

You will receive a detailed briefing from your tour guide for the following days and also all necessary travel documents. For the morning program a coach will be at your disposal. In the afternoon, your tour guide will show you how easy it is to discover Kyoto by public transportation. Kyoto is the historical, cultural and tourist heart of Japan. The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides, was an imperial city for over 1100 years and boasts an incredible 2000 temples, pagodas and shrines, 17 of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kyoto is particularly magnificent during the cherry blossom season in March/April or in November, when the maple unfolds its bright play of colors. In the morning, you will visit some of the most beautiful temples and Zen gardens: starting with the Ryoan-ji temple amidst its ornate Zen garden, you will visit the Kinkakuji complex and the Nijo Castle of the Tokugawa shogunate, where you will be transported back to the palace life of old. In the afternoon, the colorful streets of Shijo and Kawaramachi entice you to go shopping. In the evening, your tour guide will provide you with important information for your onward journey to Hiroshima and the Fuji Hakone National Park. During dinner you will get to know your fellow travelers in a relaxed atmosphere and your tour guide will introduce you to the advantages and specialties of Japanese cuisine. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Hearton Hotel Kyoto
Day 4 Discover Kyoto Individually 1×F
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Discover Kyoto Individually 1×F

From today you are on your own, but do not worry! Japan is a safe country, the public transport system is perfectly organized, very comfortable and absolutely reliable. In addition, Japanese are not only polite, but also always ready to help. And especially in Kyoto with millions of visitors from all over the world, the signs are almost always in English as well. Use the day according to your preferences or get inspired by the suggestions below.

Program idea 1: In the Kyoto area there are beautiful forests that invite you to go hiking in spring and autumn. The following excursion is easy to do by public transportation: In the morning, bus ride to the Takao mountain region west of Kyoto, which is especially praised by Japanese for its fall foliage color. Ancient stone steps lead up to the Jingoji temple, which nestles picturesquely against the mountain. You will follow the course of the Kiyotaka River to Arashiyama, one of the most popular destinations in the Kyoto area. Along old houses and bamboo forests you walk on narrow paths to the culturally and historically significant landscape garden of the Zen temple Tenryuji, one of the oldest and most beautiful gardens in Japan. After an eventful day, the train will take you back to Kyoto in the late afternoon (walking time about 4-5 hours).

Program idea 2: In the morning, first visit the Fushimi-Inari Shrine, whose seemingly endless shrine gate galleries invite you to take an extended walk. The neighboring Zen temple Tofuku-ji, with its famous entrance gate and charming gardens, is worth a visit, especially in autumn. After a lunch break at Kyoto Central Station, be fascinated by the 1001 wooden statues of the Buddhist deity of grace Kannon in the imposing temple hall of Sanjusangendo. You should also not miss the famous Heian Shrine with its particularly beautiful gardens during the cherry blossom season and in May. In April and November, the temple gardens in the Yasaka district, the Eikando Temple and the famous Kiyomizu Temple with its imposing terrace are artfully illuminated in the evening.

Tip: Kyoto is particularly well suited for exploration by bicycle. These can be rented, for example, at the main train station for a daily fee of about 1000-1500 yen. Overnight stay at hotel.

Hearton Hotel Kyoto
Day 5 Kyoto: Excursion To Osaka Or Nara 1×F
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kyoto: Excursion To Osaka Or Nara 1×F

Today is the first day of validity of your Japan Rail Pass. You are free to travel as you please on the entire Japan Railways network. Take the opportunity for an excursion to the dynamic metropolis of Osaka. For example, you can immerse yourself in Japan’s history with a visit to the imposing castle, visit Japan’s most beautiful marine aquarium, or stroll through the glittering world of Osaka’s shopping and entertainment centers in the Umeda, Namba, and Shinsaibashi districts.

Program idea - day trip to Nara: A visit to Nara should be a matter of course during a trip to Japan, especially since there is a convenient rail connection between Kyoto and Nara. The city was the first capital of Japan in the 8th century, from which was ruled permanently. During this period, the arts, literature and theater flourished, which is why Nara is also known as the cradle of Japanese culture. Drive to Horyu Temple, located outside of present-day Nara, one of the earliest testaments to Buddhist culture in Japan. The magnificent temple was founded in 607 and houses the oldest wooden buildings in the world. In the afternoon, you can observe tame red deer during an extended walk through Nara Park. Impressive here is the Daibutsu, the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world. It is venerated in Todaiji Temple - another superlative - one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. And finally, you can be enchanted by the atmosphere of thousands of stone and bronze lanterns along the way to Kasuga Shrine. Return to Kyoto by train and take a cab to your hotel. Only light hand luggage is available for the last overnight stay in Kyoto. Main luggage will be taken separately to Hiroshima and will not be available to you again until the 6th day at the hotel in Hiroshima. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Hearton Hotel Kyoto
Day 6 Kyoto - Himeji - Hiroshima 1×F
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kyoto - Himeji - Hiroshima 1×F

Today you will embark on a great journey without a tour guide. Look forward to your first experience with Japan’s ultra-modern super express train Shinkansen. The seat reservations have already been made for you. Take advantage of a stopover in Himeji to visit the imposing White Heron Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Japan’s largest and most beautiful castle was expanded in the 17th century to its current form and shines again in all its glory after extensive restoration (approx. 20-minute walk from Himeji Station to the castle). Continue with the Shinkansen to Hiroshima - for the transfer to your centrally located hotel we recommend a cab or the streetcar. In the evening you should go on a culinary discovery tour. In the numerous okonomiyaki restaurants, the popular "Japanese pizza", is a particularly delicious local specialty. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Oriental Hotel Hiroshima
Day 7 Hiroshima: Optional Excursion Miyajima 1×F
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hiroshima: Optional Excursion Miyajima 1×F

In Hiroshima you will be confronted with Japan’s recent history. The city was the target of the dropping of the first atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. Visit the memorials with the Peace Museum and walk through the Peace Park to the Atomic Bomb Dome. You can spend the day in the city and/or use your Japan Rail Pass for an interesting excursion. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Program Idea - Excursion to Miyajima: In the Inland Sea lies the sacred island of Miyajima, which you will reach from Hiroshima after a short ride on the regional train and by ferry. At high tide, the famous gate of Itsukushima Shrine, perhaps Japan’s most beautiful Shinto place of worship, is reflected in the water, shining red. (Currently scaffolded due to renovation work until the end of 2022).

Oriental Hotel Hiroshima
Day 8 Hiroshima - Shin-Fuji - Fuji Hakone National Park 1×F
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hiroshima - Shin-Fuji - Fuji Hakone National Park 1×F

In the morning, you will once again travel at breakneck speed and in a climate-friendly manner: on the Shinkansen Super Express from Hiroshima via Osaka to Shin-Fuji. Here, your tour guide will be waiting to take you on a bus tour through the idyllic five-lake area around the 3776 m high Fuji-san. Because of its significance as a sacred place and source of artistic inspiration, the volcano was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013. From your picturesquely located hotel in the Fuji-Hakone National Park, fantastic impressions of the mountain, revered by the Japanese as a sanctuary, are offered on a clear day. For the overnight stay, you will have only light hand luggage at your disposal. The main luggage will be taken directly to Tokyo and will not be available to you again until the 9th day at the hotel in Tokyo. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Hotel Regina Kawaguchiko
Day 9 Fuji Hakone National Park - Kamakura - Tokyo 1×F
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Fuji Hakone National Park - Kamakura - Tokyo 1×F

Your tour guide will accompany you today until Tokyo. In the morning, the coach will take you to the Arakura Sengen Shrine in Shimo-Yoshida. If the weather is good, you will have a magnificent view of Mount Fuji-san at the Chureito Pagoda during the cherry blossom season. Then continue to Kamakura, the seat of the first shogunate in the late 12th century. The important past of today’s tranquil small town is expressed in a multitude of preserved cultural monuments. Visit to the famous Great Buddha and Hasedera Temple with its thousands of Jizo patron saints of unborn children. In the afternoon you will drive to the mega-city Tokyo to your hotel. Already on the way there you will receive a briefing for your remaining days in Japan. Overnight stay in a centrally located hotel.

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Tokyo Ariake
Day 10 Tokyo: Experience Architecture And Culture 1×F
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tokyo: Experience Architecture And Culture 1×F

Huge and lively: That’s Tokyo. The metropolis is probably one of the safest cities on earth. Thanks to the almost perfect public transportation system, you will quickly realize how unproblematic it is to orientate and move around Tokyo.

Program idea - Architecture and Culture in Tokyo: Get to know the different faces of Tokyo, one of the megacities of the earth, comfortably by metro. First, we will go to Roppongi. The ultra-modern Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, from whose observation deck at a height of 238 m you can enjoy a magnificent 360° panoramic view of the city, sets a vertical accent here. From here, you can appreciate the vast expanses of Metropolitan Tokyo. Afterwards, you can visit the Meiji Shrine, nestled in a sprawling park. The memorial commemorates Emperor Meiji and symbolizes the imperial family’s strong connection with Shinto, Japan’s ancient natural religion. Take a boat ride to the artificial island of Odaiba with Tokyo’s city beach and then on to Asakusa. From the water, you’ll discover ever-changing and interesting views of the city. Visit another crowd-puller, the Tokyo Sky Tree, at 634 meters the tallest television tower and currently the third tallest building in the world. In Asakusa, mingle with the faithful at Kannon Temple. The shrine is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. The way there takes you along the busy Nakamise-dori shopping street and through the Thunder Gate with its 750 kg lantern. To end the day, stroll through the genteel Ginza district and enjoy the fashionable flair of the elegant boutiques and stores. Overnight stay at hotel.

Tip: Digital museum teamLab Borderless: In summer 2018, teamLab, a Japanese collective of some 400 artists, engineers, designers, mathematicians and other creatives, opened the world’s first digital museum on Odaiba, Aomi Station, in Tokyo. The museum features sensational lighting effects and is growing in popularity.

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Tokyo Ariake
Day 11 Tokyo: Excursion To Nikko 1×F
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tokyo: Excursion To Nikko 1×F

Today is the last day of validity of your Japan Railpass. Take advantage of the comfortable Japanese rail system once again for an excursion or continue to discover Tokyo on your own today.

Program Idea - Day Trip to Nikko: Take a rail excursion to Nikko, of which a popular Japanese saying goes, "Never say kekko (magnificent) until you’ve seen Nikko." Framed by the scenic beauty of Nikko National Park, a sprawling shrine and temple district (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) spreads across the hilly surroundings of the town, 120 km north of Tokyo. Don’t miss Taiyuin Temple as well as the impressive creations of wood carving at Toshogu. Nikko’s most important shrine was created in the 17th century at the time of the flowering of architecture and art. In the late afternoon return to Tokyo by train and Shinkansen. Overnight at hotel.

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Tokyo Ariake
Day 12 Tokyo: Discover Quiet Corners 1×F
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tokyo: Discover Quiet Corners 1×F

Your last travel day is once again dedicated to the mega-city of Tokyo. Program idea: Tokyo’s quiet corners In the morning, visit Rikugien, one of the capital’s most beautiful landscaped gardens and a place of tranquility that will make you forget the hustle and bustle of the surrounding streets. A walk through Ueno Park will take you to one of the most popular spots for the hanami beloved by the Japanese. The "contemplation of the cherry blossom" has a folk festival-like character and is sometimes celebrated in a humid and cheerful manner with singing and rice wine. In the middle of Ueno Park is the Tokyo National Museum, one of the most important museums in the country, which once again shows you the most diverse aspects of Japanese cultural history. In the evening, you can finish off by enjoying the city’s bustling nightlife. Roppongi and Shibuya are young districts where night owls get their money’s worth. If flying with Emirates, your return flight will be late this evening. Overnight hotel.

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Tokyo Ariake
Day 13 Departing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Departing

Transfer to Tokyo-Haneda Airport and return flight to Germany. With Emirates arrival in Germany.

+10

13 days tour

Along The Golden Route: Kyoto, Hiroshima, Mt. Fuji And Tokyo

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Along The Golden Route: Kyoto, Hiroshima, Mt. Fuji And Tokyo

Arrival

Arrival In Osaka - Kyoto 1×F

Kyoto: Temple, Golden Pavilion And Nijo Castle 1×(B/A)

Discover Kyoto Individually 1×F

Kyoto: Excursion To Osaka Or Nara 1×F

Kyoto - Himeji - Hiroshima 1×F

Hiroshima: Optional Excursion Miyajima 1×F

Hiroshima - Shin-Fuji - Fuji Hakone National Park 1×F

Fuji Hakone National Park - Kamakura - Tokyo 1×F

Tokyo: Experience Architecture And Culture 1×F

Tokyo: Excursion To Nikko 1×F

Tokyo: Discover Quiet Corners 1×F

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