Depart London on Asiana Airlines flight to Tokyo.
Day 1
On arrival at Narita Airport, our representative will assist you in boarding the airport bus to Tokyo Central with clear instructions to the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa. (Travel time into central Tokyo is approximately 85 minutes).
The Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa is ideally located close to Shinagawa Station, servicing the Shinkansen, JR and Keihin Kyuko Lines, just a three-minute walk to the Toei subway station gives you easy access to all parts of Tokyo. Akihabara, a sprawling shopping district specialising in PCs, electrical appliances and electronic components, cheaper than you will find in most cities. Shibuya, a trendy shopping area and entertainment district or the Shinjuku, a vibrant shopping district with the famous Isetan department store and the Kabukicho area of Shinjuku once of Tokyo’s most popular entertainment districts. For a real treat, head out to Ginza, the exclusive shopping district with upmarket department stores, exclusive boutiques and gourmet restaurants.
If you would like to stay closer to ‘home’, the hotel Skypool is a wonderfully relaxing area, converting to an alfresco spot for dinner. There is an eclectic mixture of dining options, Japanese, Chinese and international favourites in the hotel restaurants, the area around the hotel has fantastic restaurants and cafes for you to explore. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Tokyo independently.
Day 2
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be met with an English Speaking guide for a tour of Tokyo, visiting Meiji Shrine, constructed in 1915 built in traditional nagare-nukuri style, the famous Tokyo Tower, the Eiffel Tower inspired tower the second tallest structure in Japan. On to the Imperial Palace East Gardens, the former site of Edo Castle’s inner circles of defence, none of the main buildings remain today. Your final stop is Ginza where your tour will end, for you to continue exploring Tokyo independently. Ginza is within easy access to The Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa by subway. Tomorrow there is an early start; therefore, pack an overnight bag separately from your main suitcase which should be left with the porter or bell desk by 0730 tomorrow morning. Do remember to pack a warm jacket in your overnight bag, as you will be travelling to a much higher elevation.
Day 3
This morning, leave your main suitcase with the porter by 0730 and after an early breakfast, travel with your overnight bag to Hakone. Your coach will collect you at your hotel and you will travel to Mount Fuji approximately 60 miles (100 km) to 5th Station, a fabulous views station on the slopes of Mount Fuji. From the observation points around this area, you will have spectacular views of the revered Mount Fuji. From here your tour continues on to the Hakone Ropeway, giving you access to Owakudani Boiling Valley with active sulphur vents and hot springs, a popular tourist location and famous for Kuro-tamago or ‘Black egg’ a local speciality of hard boiling eggs in the hot springs, the eggs turn black but consuming these eggs is said to increase longevity. This afternoon, enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi, a crater lake lying along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mount Hakone, a dormant volcano, last known to erupt in 1170, the lake is also famous for its stunning views of Mount Fuji. At the end of your tour, there is a private taxi ride to Palace Hotel Hakone for one night and the rest of the evening is at leisure to explore Hakone independently.
The Palace Hotel Hakone sits on top of a hill in the Sengoku-hara Highlands, surrounded by volcanic crater walls and spectacular views of Mt Fuji and Lake Ashi. For a real treat, relax in the open air hot spring bath with panoramic views of Hakone.
The Palace Hotel Hakone has a wonderful selection of restaurants, experience the finest Japanese cuisine, with a collection of excellent Sake at the Sengoku Restaurant. For authentic French Cuisine the French, Teppan-yaki and bar lounge Asuka offers eclectic cuisine with spectacular views. For western or international cuisine, head over to the Humming Café Restaurant. No journey to the orient is complete with at least one evening of Karaoke, so after your delicious dinner and a relaxing soak in the hot springs, there is nothing left but to go to Piccolo Karaoke Bar and enjoy an evening of song.
Day 4
This morning after breakfast, you will have a local taxi service to the Atami Station for your bullet train journey to Kyoto. (Approximate travel time 150 minutes). On arrival, make your way to the New Miyako Hotel for one night, this afternoon there is a walking tour of Kyoto with English Speaking Guide. Your first port of call is the Kiyomizu Temple; it’s beautiful classic design has influenced temple architecture for centuries. This hill top temple a famous Kyoto landmark providing spectacular views over the city, with lovely gardens, shrines and tumbling waterfalls. Continue on to Kodaiji Temple, established in 1606 belonging to the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, its richly decorated interiors are surrounded by stunning Zen Gardens. The Yasaka Shrine, originally named the Gion Shrine, initially construction in 656 your tour is complete once your reach the Gion District of Kyoto, the most famous geisha district, filled with restaurants, shops and ochaya (teahouses). Gion is also famous for its traditional wooden machiya merchant houses; enjoy walking through this lovely district. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Kyoto.
The New Miyako Hotel ideally located in the centre of Kyoto with access to many of the wonderful attractions and has a wonderful array of dining options and bars.
Day 5
After breakfast at the New Miyako Hotel, after a short train journey to Deer Park (Nara Park) there is a walking tour starting at the Todaiji Temple, one of Japans most historically significant Buddhist temples. Originally construction in 752 the existing temple dates back to 1709, in the main hall, the world’s largest wooden building sits the Great Buddha an enormous bronze statue (Japan’s largest). Explore Nara Park home to over 1,000 tame deer roaming freely in the 1,250 acres of tranquil verdant parkland. Your tour continues on to Kofukuji Temple once the family temple of the Fujiwara, the most powerful Japanese clan during the Nara and Heian Periods, established in Nara around 710. A stunning five storey pagoda, Japan’s second tallest.
Return to Kyoto this afternoon and the rest of the day is at leisure to explore Kyoto independently.
Day 6
This morning after breakfast and checkout of the New Miyako Hotel, there is a transfer to the airport for your flight to Seoul. On arrival, there is a transfer to IP Boutique Hotel for two nights, including daily breakfast. The colourful and cutting edge IP Boutique Hotel is conveniently located in the popular Iteawon District, a three minute walk from itaewon Station. Café Amiga specialises in all day Western buffet meals, coffee and freshly baked pastries are available at Deli Amador. Your guest room is ultra-modern in design with glass bathrooms, flat screen TV’s and artistic murals on pure white walls. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Seoul; the friendly Itaewon District is near to the main US Army base, and filled with bars, restaurants, shops and nightclubs. In the basement of the Crown Hotel, Club Volume is reputedly recruits some of the world’s best DJ’s, or try one of the wonderful fusion restaurants serving an eclectic mix of Korean specialties.
From the Itaewon District explore the rest of the city, wander down wide tree lined boulevards, through verdant parks in the nation’s capital, and experience delicious chrysanthemum and plum tea at charming traditional Korean Tea Houses, whilst sitting cross-legged on cushions. Explore the lively markets of Gwangjang bursting to the seams with all manner of everyday minutiae and Dongdaemun famous for its fantastic cafes, in the evening morphing into Seoul’s largest street food market specialising in nokdu bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) topped with bibimbap or boribap (mixed barley and rice topped with vegetables). Rummage through enchanting antique shops in the Insadong area, enjoy a delicious assortment of sweet and savoury morsels prepared and cooked at tiny food outlets as you shop for souvenirs, lacquer work, enamelled trinkets and beautiful silks. Encounter fascinating UNESCO World Heritage listed sites, winding alleys between elegant hanok (traditional wooden homes), in contrast Korea is a powerhouse in design and technology The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) futuristic landmark a contributing factor for Seoul‘s designation as a UNESCO World Design Capital. Immerse yourself in this captivating capital city, eclectic cuisine and warm friendly people
Day 7
After breakfast at the IP Boutique Hotel, you will be collected for your tour with English Speaking Guide. Your tour starts at the Blue House Cheongwadae, meaning ‘pavilion of blue tiles’ the official residence of the South Korean head of state and built on the site of the royal garden of the Joeseon Dynasty (1392-1897). Learn more about the fascinating Korean culture and history at Cheongwadae Sarangchae and gain an insight into the rich history of Seoul. From here, your tour continues to the Gyeongbok Palace, a wonderful reminder of the Joseon Dynasty now a UNESCO World Heritage listed building. Onwards to the National Folk Museum, explore 5000 years of history, culture and life in Korea, your last stop is the tranquil Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul and centre of Zen Buddhism in Korea. The main temple building is around 500 years old and surrounded by locust and baeksong trees, walk under a sea of colourful flags in this lovely Temple. On the way back to your hotel, there will be a chance to visit the Ginseng shopping centre for some duty free shopping. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Seoul, if possible do try a traditional Korean BBQ restaurant, delicious pieces of succulent meat cooked at your table in tiny BBQ’s.
Day 8
This morning after breakfast and check out of the IP Boutique Hotel, there is a transfer to the airport for your Asiana flight back to the United Kingdom.
If you would like to extend your stay in either Japan or Korea, travel on to the beach resort of Busan, add more tours to your itinerary or travel in a premium cabin, please speak with our highly trained Specialist Team for more information.
