Duration:  11 nights
Starts in:   Tokyo
Finishes in:   Osaka / Tokyo

Group size:   Max 8

Cost:   See Date Box Below

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Taking in the towering high-rises of Tokyo, the ancient temples of Kyoto and the traditions, food and culture of a fascinating people, the Heartland Tour is ideal for the first-time visitor or for anyone who wants to capture the essence of Japan.
Starting with a bite of the freshest sashimi from Tokyo's world famous Tsukiji fish market, Heartland follows a rapid trail west on the bullet train to the old capital, Kyoto, with its multitude of UNESCO World Heritage sites. As you wind your way along the coast to Hiroshima and the beautiful island of Miyajima you'll have the chance to visit the best castle in the country, try the traditional costume of a Geisha or Samurai, participate in the tea ceremony, enjoy classic gardens and soak in hot springs when you feel the need to relax.
Before closing the tour in the vibrant city of Osaka, you'll visit the spiritual home of Buddhism, Mount Koya, and stay in temple lodgings. Heartland gives you the best of Japanese culture old and new.

 

2011 Tour Dates

* The prices stated above are per person

2012 Tour Dates

* The prices stated above are per person

* Ryokan- Traditional Japanese inn, sleeping on futons in rooms floored with tatami mats.
* Shukubo- Temple lodgings, sleeping on futons in rooms floored with tatami mats.

Notes

We recommend arriving in Japan a day or two before the tour starts to help with acclimatization and overcome any jetlag. We can arrange any additional nights at the hotel and will be pleased to meet you at the airport, (up to two days before) making your transition as smooth as possible. We'll also run through the maps with you answering all your questions and giving you any extra information, advice and ideas that you might require for your warm-up adventures in one of the world's greatest mega metropolises.

Daily breakdown

Day 1 – Saturday - Tokyo

On arriving at the airport you’ll be met by your Tour Leader and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city.  In the evening, a group meal will be held (courtesy of us) at a local restaurant.  It’ll be a great introduction to Japanese food with a variety of flavours for all tastes.  Afterwards take a walk around Shinjuku.  It’s Saturday night and the area is buzzing with energy and neon and a stream of humanity flows in all directions.

Day 2 – Sunday – Tokyo

This morning you’ll head to Asakusa to get a taste of what Edo (the old name for Tokyo) used to be like.  It’s a great place to explore, browse around the stalls and sample the local specialty, tempura.  But the main attraction is the great Senso-ji temple with its much photographed, enormous red lanterns suspended at the gates. From there we'll take the Sumida River Cruise going under thirteen colourful bridges to Hinode, enjoying Tokyo from a different angle. 

In the afternoon witness the driving force of the Japanese youth sub-culture in Harajuku.  It’s the heart of the exported fashions so often associated with Japan and, today, Sunday is the best day to see it.  The renowned Takeshita Street will be bustling, and in the neighbouring Yoyogi Park you’ll see bands, dance troops, jugglers, kung-fu, karate and capoeira exhibitionists showing off, it all makes for a great day out. Right next door to this, the Meiji shrine housing the deities of the Emperor Meiji and his wife sits sublimely in a defiant, and very Japanese manner of contradiction.

Before finishing up for the day, if you want, we'll take you to the famous pedestrian crossing in Shibuya so often used in documentaries and films about Japan. From the Megabucks Cafe on the corner, you'll have a bird's eye view of the crowds surging forward as the lights turn green.

Day 3 – Monday – Kyoto 京都

Tokyo >  Kyoto, Bullet Train (Shinkansen) -  2 hours, 37 minutes

In the morning, you’ll be able to explore the Tsukiji fish market.  Amble through the stalls as over 400 types of ocean dwelling creatures, some rather prehistoric looking, get haggled over, sold and sent to all corners of the country and world.

After spending a couple of days in the powerhouse of modern Japan, it is now the perfect time to board the bullet train bound for Kyoto. As you shoot westwards at 270km/hr you'll be able to see, on the right, weather permitting, one of the national icons, Mt Fuji, in its full glory.

It’s been said many times before but we'll take this opportunity to say it again- if there is one place you have to visit in Japan then Kyoto is that place.  You’ll be staying here for 4 nights and there is a wealth of things to see and do.  Kyoto has secured its place in the modern psyche thanks to the treaty on carbon emissions but it is jam packed with history and culture, not to mention some brilliant hot springs nearby to soak in.  Relax, gather your thoughts and then venture out with a spring in your step.

On today’s itinerary is a visit to the must see sites of Eastern Kyoto including Kiyomizudera, recent runner up as a wonder of the world.

From there, walk through the winding streets to Kodaiji with its famous moon viewing platform and Zen garden with two iconic conical mounds amidst a sea of racked gravel.

You'll finish up in the evening with a walk around the atmospheric streets of the Gion geisha district where you'll have the opportunity to watch a real maiko (apprentice geisha) perform a traditional dance.

The spring Japan tour has been timed so your stay in Kyoto, as with most places in this itinerary, should coincide with the flowering of the cherry blossoms.  The streets will be snowing pink and the beauty is unforgettable.  Join the locals as they go crazy in their celebrations.  It’s something that shouldn’t be missed!

The November tour has been timed so you will experience kouyou- the stunning array of autumn reds and yellows which make for some fantastic hiking.

Day 4 - Tuesday - Kyoto 京都

This morning start by visiting Ryoanji, the most famous of all the Zen Gardens with its inspiring 15 rocks, where only are 14 visible from any one point. We'll aim to get there as it opens, before the tour buses pull up.

From there, just up the road we'll visit the photogenic Kinkakuji, the Golden Zen Pavilion said to house sacred relics of The Buddha.

After lunch visit Nijo castle, noted for its nightingale flooring. More of a palace than a castle, it was built by the legendary Ieyasu Tokugawa (the third of the 3 unifiers) as a show of might and domination.

Day 5 - Wednesday - Kyoto 京都

This morning you can start the day with the tea ceremony at an authentic tea house which has been performing the art and supplying the highest quality Uji macha (green tea) to the Nishi Honganji temple for 7 generations.

Later, we'll go on a trip to the charming city of Nara, which like Kyoto, is rich in culture and history.

On the way to Nara we'll stop off at Fushimi Inari (founded in 711), the headquarter of the Inari Shrines. With its paths of torii (shrine gates) winding up the mountain tunnel like, it is well worth checking out. It is said that there are over 10,000 gates here, and you might recognize it from a scene in the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha.

After Fushimi Inari we'll continue on the train to Nara, the highlight for most being Todaiji. This is a designated World Heritage site and its 15 meter tall bronze statue of The Vairocana Buddha, inside the world's largest freestanding wooden structure, is magnificent.

Day 6 - Thursday – Kyoto 京都

Today is a free day to shop, relax and explore; there is so much to do in Kyoto and the surrounding area. We'll be able to offer plenty of suggestions including a few local secrets helping you make the most of the day.

Day 7 - Friday – Hiroshima 広島

Kyoto  >  Hiroshima, Bullet Train (Shinkansen) -  1 hour, 44 minutes

We’ll go to Hiroshima today.  There is little need to state what happened here on the 6th of August 1945, but what can be mentioned is that it’s a much greener and friendlier place than you might expect.  The analogy of Japan being like a phoenix isn’t hard to grasp here.  The Peace Park stirs emotions, and the A-Bomb Museum, well…

Tonight we'll stay on the beautiful island of Miyajima, in a great ryokan with fantastic views and a very relaxed atmosphere.  If you are lucky you might even spot a tanuki - a Japanese raccoon said to enjoy the odd bottle of sake and hold magical powers.

Day 8 - Saturday - Hiroshima 広島

This morning we'll visit Itsukushima Shrine first built in 593 and famous for its 'floating torii' (shrine gate). It's considered one of the 'top three' most beautiful spots in the country, and has to be one of the most photographed too.

From there we'll meander through the trees and tame deer to the Mt.Misen cable car where we'll take the quick and easy route up this sacred mountain above the primeval forest to the summit with fantastic 360 degree views. You'll also have the chance to see the eternal flame lit by the monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai) some 1200 years ago amongst an unusual collection of rock formations. From the top it's an hour or so hike down the mountain, or simply take the cable car back. After a bite to eat in a restaurant in the woods, enjoy browsing through the souvenir shops at your leisure.

During the summer tours a trip to the beach is also a perfect way to wind down the day before enjoying the beautiful kaiseki meal in the evening served at the ryokan (Japanese inn).

Day 9 - Sunday - Okayama 岡山

Hiroshima  >  Okayama, Bullet Train (Shinkansen) -  41 minutes

In the morning we'll make the journey to the not so visited city of Okayama. After dropping off our bags at the hotel close to the station, staying with 'top threes', you can stroll around one of the top three landscaped gardens in the country, Koraku-en, situated beside Okayama castle.

Alternatively, you could visit the Bizen area in the outskirts of Okayama city famed for its historical role in sword making and pottery where there is a sword museum with an impressive display of swords going back to the Kamakura period. If you are lucky you may even see a master sword smith working on katana preserving the age-old techniques.

In the afternoon we'll go to the neighbouring city of Himeji, home to Japan's finest castle, Himeji Castle, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992. It has survived clan wars, world wars, earthquakes, typhoons and the fiercest enemy - fire - for centuries. Perched high above the city, it is simply awesome.

As of April 2010 extensive restoration work began on the castle which is planned to last 5 years. Unfortunately there is currently no entry into to the main castle keep now covered in tarp. However, parts of the castle complex including the intricate defences and the West Bailey are accessible making it still worth visiting. Alternatively you can visit Kurashiki just west of Okayama with its picturesque and atmospheric old Edo quarter and museums. If you have the energy it is possible to visit both!

Day 10 – Monday – Mount Koya 高野

Okayama  >  Osaka, Bullet Train (Shinkansen) - 1 hour, 6 minutes

Osaka  >  Koya-san, Nankai train and cable car 1 hour, 30 minutes

Today we'll go up into the mystical and misty mountains of Mount Koya, the Buddhist Heartland and a proud National Heritage treasure. You'll be treated to a peek at the spiritual goings on and stay the night in beautiful temple lodgings known as shukubo with the opportunity to watch the early morning chanting.  Don’t worry, you don’t need to be Buddhist, or even religious, to enjoy this experience.  You’ll also have chance to participate in shodo, calligraphy.  In the evening you’ll dine on the local vegetarian culinary delight, shojin ryori, the revered food of the monks, served in your room, Japanese style.

Another of the highlights here is Okunoin, the graveyard.  At over 1000 years old, with ancient paths winding around huge cedar trees, it’s perfect for a romantic evening stroll through the mist.

Day 11 – Tuesday - Osaka 大阪

After the morning free to explore more of Koya, you’ll reluctantly board the train and wind your way down the mountains to Osaka. After dropping off your bags at the hotel conveniently close to the station we'll go for a walk through the energetic streets of the Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi areas. Browse through the fantastic shopping malls packed with boutiques and electronics stores selling everything from kimonos to tools.  How about buying a traditional Japanese lantern to hang outside your house?  You name it, Osaka has it for sale!  Alternatively, visit the Osaka aquarium housing the biggest fish tank in the world and home to, amongst others, a gigantic whale shark.

Day 12 - Wednesday - The Journey's End

Unfortunately today is the last day of the tour and there is no itinerary planned. If you wish to extend your stay, we can easily help arrange your accommodation for the extra nights - there is so much more to see and do in the area.  Just drop us a line, we’ll be glad to help.

Accommodation

Tokyo: Yaesu Terminal Hotel (81) 03 3281 3771

Comfortable and efficient business hotel in a fantastic location.

Breakfast included

Kyoto: Towa.  (81) 075 371 5421

New traditionally styled ryokan.

Breakfast included.

Hiroshima: Miyajima Seaside Hotel. (81) 0829 44 0118

Relaxed ryokan with a beautiful sunrise.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Okayama: Mitsui Garden Hotel. (81) 086 235 1131

Refurbished business hotel in an ideal location near the station.

Breakfast included.

Koya-san: Jofukuin. (81) 0736 56 2109

A beautiful shukubo (temple lodgings) with traditional garden.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Osaka: Hotel Ichiei, Namba (81) 06 6641 3135

Recently renovated hotel in a central location.

Breakfast included.

Jofukuin, Koya-san	Ryokan Towa, Kyoto	Hotel Ichiei, Namba, Osaka
Miyajima Seaside Hotel, Hiroshima	Mitsui Garden Hotel, Okayama	Yaesu Terminal Hotel

Please note that the accommodation above is standard for the Heartland Tour but is at times subject to change to a similar or better hotel.

All hotels have been selected with location and comfort in mind.

Flexibility

The itineraries in our tours are flexible, and do vary occasionally, sometimes due to weather or ongoing events such as festivals which guests may want to see.

In addition if there is something else you’d like to do or see on your trip please mention this to your tour leader and we’ll try our best to ensure you can do it.

Transportation

As with all our tours we use the extremely efficient, clean, safe and reliable public transportation network. - It's the most efficient way to get around, and by far it's the best way to experience the country and its people.

Baggage Forwarding

If you bring too much luggage with you, or buy too many souvenirs during the tour; we can easily arrange to forward your belongings from hotel to hotel. The service is cheap and reliable.

Minimum Numbers

The minimum number of passengers on the Heartland Tour is two as we believe it’s unfair to cancel tours when larger numbers are not met.

Single Supplement

Because we keep the group size to an absolute maximum of 8, unfortunately we have to charge a single supplement of £ 250 if travelling alone.  For this you'll be ensured to have a room to yourself for the entirety of the tour.

What's included?

• All accommodation. (11 nights)
• All transportation from city to city, transfer to the hotel used in the tour from the airport (within 2 days of the start of the tour) but local transport is not included (taxis, buses and subway etc within the cities).
• The support of your Tour Leader for the entirety of the tour.
• Breakfast every morning.
• Group meal on Day 1
• Dinner on Days 7 and 8 (Kaiseki Ryori on Miyajima Island)
• Dinner on Day 10 (Shojin Ryori at Mount Koya).
• Tour Info-Pack.
• 100% payment protection through the TTA.

What's not included?

• Meals, except for the ones mentioned above.
• Local transport (subways and buses within the cities) - on average around Y600 per day.
• Entrance fees into temples, museums and castles etc - on average around Y500 per day.
• Travel Insurance. You must take out travel insurance before travelling to Japan.
• Flights to and from Japan!

Feel free to drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help with any queries or advice.