Japan Tours: Japan by Rail 22 Day Tour

Accommodation: 19 nights 3-4 star accommodation.

Trip Leader: Local leader.

Transport: Return International economy class airfares from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, domestic transportation, bullet train.

Meals: 19 breakfasts, 18 lunches & 19 dinners.

Included activities: Travel on the limited express train to Nagasaki and enjoy a stroll through the Glover Garden; Visit the Oura Catholic Church and Atomic Bomb Museum; Board the bullet train to Hiroshima located on Japan's largest island, take the ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to the holy island of Miyajima and visit the Itsukushima Shrine and enjoy a momiji manju making cooking experience; Spend the day in Hiroshima starting with a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum; Visit the Orizuru Tower; Stroll through the historical Shukkeien Garden; Depart Hiroshima by bullet train, stopping at Himeji to visit the magnificent Himeji Castle, followed by a walk through Kokoen; Limited express to Osaka; Visit to the Umeda Sky Building; Head to Nara and explore Todaiji Temple which houses the impressive Daibutsu, a 15-metre tall bronze statue of Buddha; Journey by road to Kyoto and stroll through the Arashiyama bamboo forest and admire the towering thickets; Visit Ryoanji Temple, home to Japan's most well-known zen garden and the famous 'Golden Pavilion' Kinkakuji Temple; Visit the Kiyomizu Temple temple in Kyoto; Immerse yourself in the culture and enjoy the age-old rituals of a tea ceremony; Explore Gion, Kyoto's famous geisha district; Take the limited express train to Kanazawa through Kenrokuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan; Visit the Nomura Samurai House and Kunani Pottery Factory; Travel by road to Takayama stopping en route at Inami for a sake wooden cup making experience and sake tasting; See the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shirakawago Village; Discover Takayama at Miyagawa market, the Takayama Floats Museum and Takayama Jinya; Travel to Matsumoto and spend time at the Daio Wasabi Farm to see the plantations and learn about its cultivation; Journey through to Yudanaka and head to Jigokudani Yaen-Koen and search for the famous Japanese macaques (snow monkeys); Visit the magnificent 16th-century Matsumoto Castle, also known as 'Crow Castle'; Head to a miso house and learn about the process of making this famous Japanese seasoning, also visit the former post town of Naraijuku; Travel to Hakone and ascend 2,400 metres to the 5th Station (weather permitting) for magnificent views of Mt Fuji; Enjoy a peaceful cruise on Lake Ashi before taking to the skies on the Komagatake Ropeway; Stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens; Soak up the atmosphere at Sensoji Temple, browse the stalls on Nakamise shopping street and take a drive-by of the Imperial Palace Plaza; See the Tokyo Metropolitan Building; Soak up the atmosphere at the peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine and drive-by the world-famous Shibuya crossing; Relaxing dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay; Journey to northern Honshu, board the bullet train to Sendai; Transfer by road to Matsushima and enjoy a cruise on Matsushima Bay; Visit Zuiganji Temple and the famous Nikka Whisky factory in Sendai; Board the bullet train to Hakodate located on Hokkaido and visit the Goryokaku Tower; Journey on the Mt Hakodate Ropeway; Board the bullet train for the very last time to Sapporo and head to the Clock Tower and Odori Park, stop by the Sapporo Beer Museum to enjoy a tasting.