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

Group size:  Max 8

Cost:   See Date Boxes Below

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This tour starts and finishes in Tokyo, around 60 minutes from the Narita International Airport (NRT).

 

The Ancient Highway Tour is a relaxing trip taking in four of the most popular places for travellers to Japan.  The tour starts in the neon and glitz of Tokyo which makes a neat contrast with the next stop, the somewhat more traditional old capital Kamakura.  

From there we move west to Hakone, home to the iconic Mount Fuji.  Over a couple of days in the area you can walk along the ancient Tokaido trail, the old main passageway for shogun and merchants alike.  The route takes in the once feared highway checkpoint that monitored the passage of people and goods in and out of Edo (the old name for Tokyo).  These days you'll get a more friendly welcome and the numerous hot springs in the area make it the perfect place to heal and relax.  From there we follow the trail the modern way - by bullet train - to Kyoto, Japan's cultural capital with a national treasure around every corner. You'll have the chance to participate in sado (the Japanese tea ceremony), watch maiko (apprentice geisha) dance, and see some of the best sights in the land. The last leg of the tour is spent in Hiroshima where the poignant peace park and museum stand out in this vibrant, open city before heading to back in Tokyo with lifelong memories of this intriguing country.

 

If you wish to split away from the group at anytime we’ll give you a mobile phone so that if you get too lost, you’ll have a lifeline to your tour leader.

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.

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 – Tokyo

You’ll be met at the airport by a friendly smile and taken to your hotel in central Tokyo.  In the evening you’ll be treated to a meal (on us) at a local restaurant, it’ll be a great opportunity to experience some of the local cuisine and meet the other members of the group.

Day 2 – Tokyo (Kamakura Day Trip) 鎌倉

Tokyo  >  Kamakura, by JR (train) - 1 hour

Early this morning you’ll have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Tsukiji fish market.  In a country famed for its regimented order, you’ll witness a taste of the local chaos as fish are sold to all parts of the country.  There is an astounding variety of sea creatures here and you’ll be able to sample some of the freshest and best sashimi you’re ever likely to taste - straight off the boats – for breakfast.

If the idea of sashimi for breakfast doesn't appeal you'll have time to eat breakfast back at the hotel before we later board the train for Kamakura, an hour away southwest of the capital.

Kamakura was Japan's capital from 1185 to 1333 and many of its sites date back to that time including, the highlight for many, the enormous statue of The Amida Buddha cast in 1252. Originally it was housed within a huge wooden structure but that was washed away in a tsunami in the 15th century leaving The Buddha open to the elements, as it remains today.

If the weather is good we'll take a nice forest walk which ends at a shrine hidden away in a cave famous for washing money also with 800 years of history. If the idea of the walk doesn't appeal it can easily be missed out!

Kamakura is a peaceful town and many of its sites can be reached on foot. If you still have the energy there is a fantastic Zen garden nearby where we'll be able to sit down with a bowl of macha (green tea) and contemplate life.

We'll head back to Tokyo later in the afternoon.

Day 3 – Hakone (Mount Fuji) 箱根

Kamakura  >  Hakone, by JR (train) - 1 hour, 30 minutes

This morning we will make our way to the region of Hakone, 100km west of Tokyo. Hakone-Yumoto is renowned for its hot springs and you'll be staying here for two nights in a hotel near the main town with fantastic views and traditional onsen (hot spring) facilities dating back to the early Edo era. There are a number of world class museums in the region, but staying with the theme of the tour your tour leader will take you to the Samurai Museum where you can even try on real Edo armour. If you prefer you can easily split off from the group and visit any of the other museums in the area, or simply relax and soak in hot springs.

Day 4 – Hakone (Mount Fuji) 箱根

Today is a fun day and best started early … well, not that early!  Leaving at around 8am, we’ll avoid the crowds and take the cable car up the mountain to Owakudani, “Hell’s Valley”.  From this craggy volcano, formed around 2000 years ago, we should see Mount Fuji in its full, cone shaped glory.  Eggs that have been cooked in the volcanic waters are sold here. The process turns them black and, it is said, for every egg you eat your life will be extended by seven years.  They sell like hot cakes; how many can you eat?

From here we’ll descend the other side of the mountain.  The hike down to Lake Ashi takes about an hour but, if you’re not up for that, the cable car is a somewhat easier option.  At the bottom, the lakeside is a beautiful place for a stroll, (especially if you didn’t walk down the mountain) regroup and get a bite to eat. After that  we’ll be ready to catch the fun but slightly cheesy pirate ship across the lake to the reproduction of the Hakone checkpoint, a place of great historical relevance.  After much research, and built using traditional methods and tools it was opened to the public in the spring of 2007. During the Edo era (1603-1868) the Tokugawa shogunate imposed strict regulations to maintain the newly attained but fragile peace, monitoring and controlling travellers and merchandise. During the Edo era there had been 52 such checkpoints, but this one is thought to have been the largest and most important.

From here, we’ll walk along a stretch of the ancient highway with huge cedar trees on either side, planted in 1618 to shade the travellers from the winter snows and the intense summer sun.  After this stretch you can take a bus back to Hakone-Yumoto or you can continue walking along the ancient highway, which still has sections of the original paving.  There is something very special about walking on these cobbles, under the very same trees, that some of the greatest people in Japanese history have walked (or been carried along in palanquins).  Shogun, armies of samurai, noblemen, writers, artists, peasants, courtesans and ninja in disguise all took this route.  

Day 5 – Kyoto 京都

Hakone  >  Kyoto, by Bullet Train (Shinkansen) - 2 hours, 6 minutes

After breakfast and perhaps one final soak in the onsen we'll board the bullet train bound for Kyoto. Sit back and enjoy your bento as you head westward to the cultural heart of the country at almost 300km/h. This ancient and enchanting city was lucky enough to have been saved from the bombings of WW2 and more recently known for the treaty on carbon emissions.

Today visit the "must see" site of Kiyomizudera, the famous stilted temple on Higashiyama, the Eastern Mountains. It's the most visited temple in Kyoto and was a runner up in the recent wonders of the world competition. It and the neighbouring Jishu Shrine have altars to pray for almost anything, from finding Mr. or Mrs. Right, to relieving the corns on your feet.

From there we'll stroll through the ancient cobbled streets to the Gion geisha district where, in the evening you'll have the opportunity to watch, among other things, a koto (Japanese harp) performance and maiko (apprentice geisha) dance. Perhaps you have dreamt of being a maiko or geisha... Well today you’ll have the opportunity to dress up as one, have some pictures taken and, if you’re feeling confident, even go for a walk around the old streets in full costume. If this is something you are interested in doing please let your tour leader know and we'll get an appointment made for you.

Day 6 – Kyoto 京都

In the morning have the opportunity to participate in the tea ceremony at an authentic tea house which has been supplying tea and performing the ceremony for 7 generation.

Later, after a bite to eat we'll set off down the picturesque Tetsugakku-no-michi (the Path of Philosophy) finishing up at Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Zen Pavillion) with its impressive gardens inspired by the mountains and oceans.

From there you'll be able to either hop on a bus back downtown or if you'd prefer your Tour Leader will take a walk with you through a residential area to the Kyoto Craft Centre, a one stop shop for all your souvenir shopping - they even accept credit cards! To some it's a little tacky, to others it's heaven - you can make up your own mind, but if you are after souvenirs and don't want to spend hours looking for them here has all your answers!

Day 7 – 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.

If you'd like to do flower arrangement, play taiko, dress up in a kimono or another traditional art please let us know in advance and we'll try to set it up for you.

Day 8 – Kyoto 京都

Today we'll see three of the best UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kyoto starting with Ryoanji with its renowned rock garden. There are 15 rocks but only 14 are visible from any one point.. or are there? By getting here early we'll be able to enjoy the garden before the tour buses pull up.

Afterwards we'll go to the nearby golden Zen Pavilion of Kinkakuji, the iconic gold covered building reflected in a lake of great beauty.

After lunch we'll go to Nijo castle built by the legendary shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. (He's the one who had had the Hakone checkpoint built to quell any uprisings.) Always expectant of assassins, Tokugawa had special "nightingale flooring" fitted throughout the building that sings out as it's stepped upon giving away even the stealthiest of ninja. As you make your way around this beautiful building it'll call out your presence too.

Alternatively perhaps you’d prefer to take the opportunity today to take a trip to Osaka, Nara or even the fashionable city of Kobe.  During the summer an excursion to the beach, an hour or so away, is also very popular.

Day 9 – Hiroshima (Miyajima) 広島

Kyoto  >  Hiroshima, by Bullet Train (Shinkansen) - 2 hours, 5 minutes

After check out we’ll take the shinkansen (bullet train) to Hiroshima, a place that stirs emotions.  It’s a thriving city and greener than you might imagine, the locals are friendly and it has a convenient tram system that makes it easy to get around. Here we'll visit the atomic bomb Peace Park and museum

In the afternoon we’ll take the short trip to the Island of Miyajima with its much photographed “floating torii” (gate), considered one of the three most beautiful spots in the country.  The shrine is magnificent, perched on stilts with the tide lapping gently beneath gives it a wonderful atmosphere.

Day 10 – Hiroshima (Miyajima) 広島

You’ll have this morning free to relax.  In the afternoon, if you are up for it, we’ll take a rewarding hike up Mount Misen which has fabulous views from the top.  Alternatively, you can take the cable car up most of the way.  The aquarium, known for its “panda dolphins” is well also worth a visit.  In the evening enjoy a traditional meal at the ryokan to the sound of waves gently lapping the shore outside.

Day 11 – Tokyo

Today we’ll hop back on the bullet train, first stopping off for a few hours in Himeji to see Himeji Castle, the elegant White Egret. It's the best castle in the country, standing over the city as it has done for centuries, it shouldn't be missed from your trip.

In the afternoon we'll continue our journey back to Tokyo.

Day 12 – The journey's end

Today is sadly the last day of the tour. Narita International Airport is only 60 minutes away.  As with all our tours if you’d like to extend your stay, just ask!  We’ll gladly arrange your accommodation and help with any travel ideas.

Accommodation

Tokyo: Yaesu Terminal Hotel

Comfortable and efficient business hotel in a fantastic location.

Breakfast included

Hakone: Ichinoyu Tounosawa Quatre Saisons.

Great food, fantastic views and traditional onsen.

Breakfast and dinner included

Hiroshima: Miyajima Seaside Hotel.

Relaxed ryokan (Japanese style accommodation) with a beautiful sunrise and great views.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Kyoto: Heianbo Ryokan

Authentic Japanese accommodation in central location.

Breakfast included

Please note that the above accommodation is standard for the Ancient Highway 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.

Yaesu Terminal Hotel, Tokyo	View from Quatre Saison	Quatre Saison
Heianbo Ryokan	Miyajima Seaside Hotel	View from Seaside Hotel

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 guide 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 Ancient Highway Tour is 2 as we believe it’s unfair to cancel tours when larger numbers are not met.

Single Supplement

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

What is Included?

• All accommodation (11 nights) - All chosen with comfort and convenience in mind.
• Help and support of your Tour Leader for the entirety of the tour.
• All transportation from city to city and transfer from the airport to the hotel.  Because of the flexibility of the tours not all local transport (buses and subway etc within the cities) are not included.
• Breakfast every morning.
• Group meal on Day 1.
• Traditional kaiseki dinner on Days 9 and 10 on Miyajima Island.
• Japanese Dinner on Days 3 and 4 at Hakone.
• Tour Info-Pack.
• 100% Payment Protection through the TTA.

What’s not Included?

• Meals, except for the ones stated above.
• Some local transport (subways and buses within the cities) - this would usually work to be around Y500 per day.
• Entrance fees into shrines, temples and museums.
• 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.