SAVE $1000*PP - Japan by Rail 22 Day Tour

Japan
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Japan by Rail tour - 22 day tour. BONUS: SAVE $1000*pp on this Wendy Wu Escorted tour!

Departure dates

Selected travel dates between 05-19 Jun 25.

What's included

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.

Itinerary / more information

  • Day 3 Explore Nagasaki. Begin the day by travelling on the limited express train to Nagasaki. Upon arrival, enjoy a stroll through the Glover Garden, an open-air museum that exhibits mansions attributed to the Scottish merchant who contributed to the modernisation of Japan. Also, visit the Oura Catholic Church and Atomic Bomb Museum before returning to Fukuoka.
  • Day 4 Miyajima Island. Board the bullet train to Hiroshima located on Japan's largest island, Honshu. Upon arrival in Hiroshima, take the ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to the holy island of Miyajima. Here, visit the Itsukushima Shrine and enjoy a momiji manju making cooking experience. Later, return to Hiroshima.
  • Day 5 Hiroshima Highlights. Spend the day in Hiroshima starting with a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum where you will have the opportunity to pay homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb. Enjoy okonomiyaki for lunch before ascending Orizuru Tower to view the city from above, followed by a stroll through the historical Shukkeien Garden.
  • Day 6 Admire Himeji Castle. Depart Hiroshima by bullet train, stopping at Himeji to visit the magnificent Himeji Castle, followed by a walk through Kokoen. Continue by limited express to Osaka.
  • Day 7 Osaka & Nara Day Trip. Begin the day with a visit to the Umeda Sky Building followed by a lunch at the famous Dontonburi district. Later, head to Nara and explore Todaiji Temple which houses the impressive Daibutsu, a 15-metre tall bronze statue of Buddha. Enjoy an ink making and calligraphy class before returning to Osaka.
  • Day 8 Kyoto 's Temples. Journey by road to Kyoto. Capital for 1,000 years, this enchanting city is the epitome of traditional Japan. Upon arrival, stroll through the Arashiyama bamboo forest and admire the towering thickets. Also visit Ryoanji Temple, home to Japan's most well-known zen garden and the famous 'Golden Pavilion' Kinkakuji Temple.
  • Day 9 Tea Ceremony & Fan Painting. The day begins with a visit to Kiyomizu Temple temple in Kyoto. Next, immerse yourself in the culture and enjoy the age-old rituals of a tea ceremony, and try your hand at fan painting. Also, explore Gion - Kyoto's famous geisha district and centre of the city's traditional arts.
  • Day 10 Explore Kanazawa. Take the limited express train to Kanazawa and upon arrival, meander your way through Kenrokuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Also visit the Nomura Samurai House and Kunani Pottery Factory.
  • Day 11 Shirakawago Village. Travel by road to Takayama stopping en route at Inami for a sake wooden cup making experience and sake tasting. Next, continue to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shirakawago Village to get a glimpse of rural Japan. Continue to Takayama.
  • Day 12 Discover Takayama. Spend the morning browsing the local handicrafts and fresh produce at Miyagawa market, the Takayama Floats Museum and Takayama Jinya. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
  • Day 13 Snow Monkeys. Travel to Matsumoto and spend time at the Daio Wasabi Farm to see the plantations and learn about its cultivation. Next, travel to Yudanaka and head to Jigokudani Monkey Park. Walk through a picturesque forested valley to the hot pools where you will see the famous Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathe and play before returning to Matsumoto. Day 14: Matsumoto Castle. Begin the day with a visit to the magnificent 16th-century Matsumoto Castle, also known as 'Crow Castle', due to its intense black exterior. Next, head to a miso house and learn about the process of making this famous Japanese seasoning. Experience zen meditation at Narai-juku before continuing to Suwa.
  • Day 15 Mount Fuji. Travel to Hakone and ascend 2,400 metres to the 5th Station (weather permitting) for magnificent views of Mt Fuji. Also, enjoy a peaceful cruise on Lake Ashi before taking to the skies on the Komagatake Ropeway. Later, continue to Tokyo by road.
  • Day 16 Tour Tokyo. Being the day with a stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens. Next, take part in a sushi making class and enjoy your own creations for lunch! Later, soak up the atmosphere at Sensoji Temple, browse the stalls on Nakamise shopping street and take a drive-by of the Imperial Palace Plaza before returning to your hotel.
  • Day 17 Even More Tokyo. Begin the day at the Tokyo Metropolitan Building and ascend to the observation deck for breathtaking views over the sprawling city. Next, soak up the atmosphere at the peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine and see the world-famous Shibuya crossing. End the day with a relaxing dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay.
  • Day 18 Sip Whiskey In Sendai. As the tour journeys to northern Honshu, board the bullet train to Sendai, the largest city in Tohoku. Upon arrival, transfer by road to Matsushima and enjoy a cruise on Matsushima Bay. Also, visit Zuiganji Temple and the famous Nikka Whisky factory in Sendai.
  • Day 19 Explore Hakodate. Say goodbye to Honshu Island as you board the bullet train to Hakodate located on Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. Visit the Goryokaku Tower, a star shaped fortress followed by some time at leisure. This evening, journey on the Mt Hakodate Ropeway and enjoy the fabulous views of the city below.
  • Day 20 Sapporo Sightseeing. Board the bullet train for the very last time to Sapporo. Head to the Clock Tower and Odori Park and in the evening, stop by the Sapporo Beer Museum and enjoy a tasting or two, followed by a farewell dinner. Day 21 - 22 Fly Sapporo To New Zealand. Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the same or following day.
  • Tour on sale until 31 Aug 2024, unless sold out prior.
  • You must book in store and have paid a deposit, or in full where deal requires payment in full, prior to close of business on sales end date.
  • Prices are per person, and are based on twinshare occupancy unless otherwise specified.
  • Prices are correct at time of publication to the web, but are subject to change without notice, and can be withdrawn or varied without notice.
  • All pricing is subject to availability.
  • Prices do not include local gratuities unless stated otherwise.
  • We reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions.
  • Stopovers and alternative routes may incur additional costs.
  • All prices are based on payment by cash or eftpos only.
  • Any bonus inclusions, additional nights or special offers are already included in the advertised price.
  • Blackout dates and seasonal surcharges may apply depending on date of travel.
  • All components included in your holiday are provided by carriers, hoteliers, and other providers with their own terms & conditions.
  • Travel Insurance maybe compulsory for some tours please check with your consultant.
  • All other meals, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurances and items of a personal nature.
  • are not included.
  • Special savings offer is valid for sale until 31 Aug on a selected departures. Tours are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Applicable to new bookings only. An early flight payment may be required at time of booking to issue tickets depending on airline. A valid passport copy must be provided at time of booking to ensure passenger names match with passports. Any spelling corrections made after a deposit is paid must be sent in writing and will incur additional fees, including any ticket reissue fees. Mobile phone number, email address and postcode of residence are mandatory at time of ticketing as required by the New Zealand Government. A non-refundable deposit of $400pp is to arrive at Wendy Wu Tours or your travel agent within three days of receiving confirmation that space has been held for you. Final Balance due day which is 75 days prior to departure (charges may apply if airline tickets already issued). For cancellations made within 75 days, please refer to our standard cancellation policy within our terms and conditions for further information. A valid passport copy must be provided at time of booking to ensure passenger names match with passports. Any spelling corrections made after a deposit is paid must be sent in writing and will incur additional fees, including any ticket reissue fees..

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