Our seven day Highlights of Japan Tour is the perfect way to see the major highlights of Japan in a short visit. Travelling between Kyoto and Tokyo, you will be able to compare the modern sky rise Japan with the historical cultural Japan. You will visit some of the most magnificent Heritage Sites in the world, including Kiyomizu Temple and the Golden Pavilion. In Kyoto we include visits to Nijo Castle and Sanjusangen-do, as well as the chance to experience a traditional tea ceremony. We spend one night at a a traditional Japanese style hotel on the World Heritage Island of Miyajima where you will experience ultimate relaxation in Japanese hot springs and visit the beautiful city of Hiroshima. There is also the option to take a day trip to view the breathaking Mt Fuji from the spectacular Hakone area. Our tour ends in the vibrant capital Tokyo, where not only are the most famous highlights included, but we have many other options for sightseeing and tasting some delicious Japanese cuisine.

Kyoto.  After breakfast we begin our day trip starting in the ancient capital of Kyoto, finishing in Nara.

In the morning we will visit Kyoto’s most famed Nijo-jo, a castle built in 1603 for Kyoto’s first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu. The exquisite architecture and gardens are sure to catch your eye.

Following the Nijo-jo, we will move onto one of Japans best known sights, Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion). 

The Golden Pavilion is a famous structure of Muromachi period (14 - 16 C). It was originally designed as the villa of a court noble. The second owner, Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, the 3rd shogun, greatly improved it and spent the latter part of his life there in retirement from the cares of state. He built the Gold Pavilion and laid out the garden in 1394. His will was followed by his son as successor to change the villa into a Buddhist temple under name of Rokuonji. It was burned down in 1950 and reconstructed in 1955.

After lunch we move south of Kyoto City to Nara. This historically significant city was said to have been Japans first state and also home to various World Heritage sites including Todaiji Temple, a hugely popular sight. Waiting to welcome you on arrival to the temple are the two fierce-looking Nio Guardians, said to be the finest wooden statues in the world. A short stroll away we will visit the largest shrine in Nara City, founded 1200 years ago, Kasuga Taisha.

Nara Park - The Park is popularly called the "Deer Park" by visitors because of its many deer. It is a natural woodland of fine turf and has various kinds of trees including Japanese cedar, Wisteria, Japanese Andromeda and Japanese yew trees. There are about 1100 tame deer roaming about the park. They are regarded as divine messengers of the Kasuga Shrine and are one of the main attractions.

Kasuga Shrine - The shrine was favoured by commoners as well as people in the Imperial Court. The shrine was initially founded in 768 A.D., and completed on the current scale in the early Heian-era (794 A.D.-1192). The main halls and treasures are designated as national treasures, and buildings such as the Wakamiya Shrine or Minami Mon gate are important cultural properties. The buildings are reconstructed every 20 years. Many lanterns are dedicated to the shrine.

We make our way back to Kyoto in the evening.  (B)

Please note that on city tours we often use public transport to get about within the cities, as this is the fastest and most efficient way of doing so, and gives you a chance to experience the Japanese way of life.

Miyajima - Tokyo  Today after breakfast in the Ryokan, we have a few hours free time to wander Miyajima and take in the stunning scenery of the Island,browse the many street stalls and bargain with the local traders. We then return to Hiroshima on the ferry and board the Bullet train to Tokyo, hopefully getting a glimpse of the magnificent Mt Fuji on the way. Fingers crossed it’s not too cloudy!
Upon arrival we make our way to the hotel where we will stay for 3 nights. In the evening your tour buddy will take you on a tour visitng the Roppongi Hills observatory and the Modern Art Museum. Then afterwards we will head for Shibuya, an area famous for having the busiest intersection in the world. Here we have the option of dining in a local Izakaya restaurant, a casual restaurant where salary men and office ladies go after work to unwind and get foolishly drunk! A great place to sample many different types of Japanese food.

Free day for optional excursions - Hakone / Mt Fuji or Tokyo City Tour

Today we have a free day to choose either a full day tour out to Hakone to catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji, a tour of Tokyo or a free day to do whatever you choose.

Hakone and Mt Fuji Views optional day excursion. We begin our day trip by catching the train out to the beautiful region of Hakone, famous for it’s great view of Mt Fuji (weather permitting!). Arriving at Hakone Yuumoto station, we ride on a mountain climbing train (tozan train) as far as Gora. From Gora we change to another quirky train to Sounzan, the starting point for the Hakone Ropeway. While trekking across the mountain (in a Gondola) for 30 minutes (4km), we will hopefully catch that perfect shot of Fuji-san (weather permitting). At the top of this mountain lies a volcanic cauldron of steam, bubbling mud and a strange unpleasant smell (sulpher). Here at Owakudani we climb uphill through a short nature trail to see some of the boiling pits. If feeling peckish, you can buy a black boiled egg (boiled in the sulpherous water) at the top. From Owakudani we continue along the trail to Lake Ashi, one of the highlights of this area. Here we take a pirate cruise across the lake. Fuji-san should be sitting nicely in the background, again another photographic opportunity!! At the end of the day, we make out way back to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo by train

Tokyo City Tour
Our other option for sightseeing today is a tour of a number of alternative Tokyo sights, including the Asakusa Kannon Temple, the largest and one of the most impressive Bhuddist temples in Tokyo,  and the surrounding Nakamise shopping district loaded with traditional Japanese goods and souvenirs, this place is hugely popular with locals as they come here on religious holidays and weekend in their thousands! The next stop is the Ueno market which is a throw back in time and a vast contrast to the modern city sprawled out around it. The Ueno market site was a black market after world war II and still maintains a similar feel selling cheap American products, dried food and spies, and fresh fish amongst other things.  Finally we make our way to the Akihabara district which is well known for its cheap electronic stores – if you want the latest technology for a bargain price, this is the place to go!

Finally, that night your tour buddy will bring you to a local Ginza restaurant for a Sayonara (farewell) Dinner!  After dinner you can return to the hotel, or maybe head out to a Japanese Karaoke Bar (at own expense) (B,D)

Shiba Park Hotel

1-5-10 Shiba Park

Minatoku

Tokyo 105-0011

Japan

Tel: 03 3433 4141

During July each year, the Gion Matsuri, familiarly known as 'Gion-san,' is a festival held at Yasaka-jinja Shrine, and the highlight is the splendid pageant of some 30 floats called yamaboko proceeding along the main streets of Kyoto. Each float, two-storied and about 6 meters tall, is topped with a long pole shaped like a spear. Adorned with exquisite craftwork such as woven fabric, dyed textiles and sculptures, these floats are so gorgeous that they are sometimes even described as 'mobile art museums.'

During the parade, children wearing make-up and musicians playing the flute, drums and bells are seated on the second level of the floats. Some floats have dolls propped up on the second level. This festival is believed to have started 1,100 years ago when floats were made and paraded in the town to appease the deity of plague and illnesses.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Asia trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides you with visa information. Please consult the relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Certain visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com

Rainy Season - Falls around June time. Sudden downpours of heavy rain fall throughout the day, so always carry an umbrella and rain jacket. Temperatures are warm so dress lightly.

Four distinct seasons calls for careful planning before you pack!

Summer: July, August and September are Japan’s hottest months, with high humidity and temperatures up to 40° C in the south. Luckily, most places have air conditioning, so be prepared for the cold indoors!

Autumn: From the end of September to late November, it’s like a UK Summer, with warm days and cool nights. The Southern islands are always warmer but during autumn have your not-quite-winter clothing on hand. To the north warmer clothing is required.

Spring: As winter fades out from March, flowers begin to blossom everywhere, including the famous “Sakura” or cherry blossoms, Japan’s national flower. This is a spectacularly beautiful period. You’ll still need a jacket until late March/early April.

Winter: The severity of weather during December, January and February depends on the latitude. Winter is generally crisp and fresh with frosty mornings that clear with the rising sun. Warm clothing is recommended though remember, as soon as you enter buildings or public transport, you’ll be too hot. Temperatures indoors are set between 22 and 26°C. You’ll want sweaters, warm jackets and gloves, especially if you’re going to a snowy area.

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs.  Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

Care should be taken to respect the conventions of other religious and ethnic groups, particularly in respect of clothing and footwear.

We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where laundry facilities are available.

Personal Effects:
Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Torch, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music cassettes /CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen.

NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

Japanese is the official language of Japan.

English will be spoken in the larger cities. You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

Japanese people are passionate about food - with good reason! Presentation is outstanding, with a huge range of meat and fish dishes to choose from - most of them quite healthy. A lot of restaurants specialise in specific dishes - like ramen shops and sushi shops - so don’t get caught out. Most moderately priced restaurants display plastic replicas of their menu which is a help - so if in doubt, look for restaurants with picture displays. You’ll find Izakayas - Japanese style pub/restaurants - all over Japan, serving a choice of affordable dishes. If possible, get someone local to recommend places to eat.

The table below is a useful guide to the drinka and dishes you’ll find most commonly.

Drinks

Sake: Made from rice, water, and koji yeast, it is served warm or cold almost everywhere you go to in Japan. Similar in strength to wine, yet stronger in taste and effect. Price varies according to brand and vintage.

Shouchuu: Often described as a mild vodka, it is also made from rice and mogi (a type of yeast) and usually served with water or a fruit juice.

Nama biru: Equivalent to a pint of lager in UK. Asahi, Sapporo and Yebisu are the three most popular brands. Usually served in small, medium or large jugs.

Non-alcoholic drinks

Green Tea: Enjoyed hot or cold, it has a strong bitter taste - best accompanied with traditional Japanese sweets & food. Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies are common in old style towns today. Worth the try to feel the culture.

Oolong Tea: A Chinese black tea drunk with ice or hot sometimes with lemon.

Fruit Juices: You’ll find a variety of juices, including plum, orange, lemon, apple and grape.

Water: Most restaurants serve filtered water as soon as you sit down - which should be safe to drink.

Food

Gyouza - Chinese dumplings wrapped in thin rice paper filled with a mixture of meat and vegetables. Served with a bowl of rice and miso soup.

Gyu-don - Large bowl of rice served with thinly sliced pork in a sweet soy sauce on top and accompanied with pickled ginger. Miso Soup and pickles on the side

Katsu Don - Deep fried pork fillet cooked in an egg sweet sauce, served in a large bowl on a bed of rice.

Miso Soup - Miso, made from soy beans, is used as a flavouring in a lot of dishes. Miso Soup is part of Japan’s staple diet and typically includes seaweed, tofu or spring onions.

Sashimi - Finely sliced raw fish served on a bed of shredded raddish (daikon) and Japanese herb (shiso).

Shabu Shabu - beef and vegetable slices cooked in a light broth

Soba Noodles - Thin, slightly hard buckwheat noodles, served hot or cold with a choice of toppings.

Sushi - Cooked and/or raw fish, and vegetables served on a bed of slightly vinegar flavoured rice, with a hint of Japanese mustard - wasabi. Best tried in kaiten zushi bars (revolving counter bar sushi shops).

Tempura - Vegetables, shrimp or fish delicately deep fried in light, fluffy batter and served with rice, miso soup & pickles.

Tendon - rice topped with deep-fried prawns 

Terriyaki - Teriyaki is a sweet flavoured sauce. Terriyako chicken, beef & salmon are popular

Ton Katsu - Deep fried Pork fillet, shredded raw cabbage on the side, with miso soup, rice, and pickles.

Yaki-tori/ Yaki-niku/ Yaki-yasai - Skewered pieces of chicken (tori), meat (niku) or vegetables (yasai) cooked over a BBQ grill. Choice of salt or soy flavour. 'Yaki' means grilled.

IMPORTANT - Please Note: It is vital that you advise Kumuka of any DIETARY REQUIREMENTS prior to travel. Ryokans ALWAYS include fish and meat as part of the course. Unless Kumuka is advised in advance, the ryokan will NOT be able to change the meal on the spot. It is essential that we are advised if you do not eat meat or fish, or have any other dietary needs so that we can try to provide suitable meals where included, and arrange this in advance.

Arriving:

Making Your Own Way - The Meeting Point for your tour is advised at the beginning of this dossier. The journey time from Kansai Airport to Kyoto is approximately 90 minutes by train.  

Kansai Airport to KYOTO (NEW MIYAKO HOTEL)

Journey Time: 76 minutes

One Way Fare: 2,980JPY approx

1. After Customs & Immigration clearance, exit into Arrivals Hall.

2. Proceed to Level 2 (upstairs), following signs for TRAINS.

3. Purchase ticket from vending Machine in JR entrance area (if unsure, ask train staff member).

4. JR Line “HARUKA EXPRESS” bound for Kyoto.

5. Exit Kyoto Station via SHINKANSEN OR HACHIJO-GUCHI (Hachijo-exit).

6. Watch out for Righa Royal Hotel Shuttle Bus (see attached) (there is no actual bus stop so keep your eyes open for the bus – it should pull directly outside the station. If in doubt, ask a station staff member nearby.

7. 5 mins to Hotel by Shuttle bus

Travel tip when using public transport in Japan: Find a train master or a random person to help you. Confirm that the train you are getting on is for your destination (just mention the name of the city – don’t say too many words or they’ll get confused). Don’t be afraid to ask. They are very helpful and understand that foreigners find it difficult to use their system in the beginning.

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com