Tokaido Group Tours Japan

Duration (2010):  10 nights
Duration (2011):  11 nights
Starts in:   Tokyo
Finishes in:   Tokyo

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 and the iconic Mount Fuji. Over a couple of days in the area you can walk along the ancient Tokaido trail, once the main passageway for Emperors 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 Hiroshima where the poignant peace park and museum stand out in this vibrant, open city. The last leg of the tour is spent in Kyoto, Japan's cultural capital with a national treasure around every corner. You'll have the chance to try sado (the Japanese tea ceremony), and watch maiko (apprentice geisha) dance, before headingback to 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 guide.

The Ancient Highway Itinerary has been altered slightly for 2011. In the 2011 Ancient Highway Tours there will be one extra night in Kyoto (making the tour a total of 11 nights, four of them being in Kyoto).
The itinerary shown below is for the current 2010 Ancient Highway Tour (10 nights). We hope you this doesn't cause any confusion, but please feel free to contact us if you would like any clarification.
In summery:
2010 Ancient Highway Tour - 10 nights (with 3 nights in Kyoto)
2011 Ancient Highway Tour - 11 nights (with 4 nights in Kyoto)

* Ryokan- traditional lodgings, sleeping on futons in rooms floored with tatami mats.

We’d recommend arriving in Japan a day or two before the tour starts to help get yourself acclimatized and overcome any jetlag. We can arrange your hotel for any extra nights and meet you at the airport making your transition run as smooth as possible, giving you any extra information you might require for your warm-up adventures.

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.

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.

After checkout we’ll board the train for Kamakura only an hour 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 in 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.

During the week this is a peaceful town and many of its sites can be reached on foot with opportunities for the willing to do some hiking. In the October tour, the stunning autumn leaves (kouyou) make for outstanding views in the outlying areas.

You’ll have time to explore more of Kamakura by yourself in the morning before we 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 in a beautiful ryokan (Japanese style inn), with fantastic onsen (hot springs) facilities. These are open 24 hours a day with an array of baths both inside and outside. If you don’t fancy the idea of using the communal baths (male and female are separate), it’s not a problem as a private bath can be arranged.

Today is a long day and best started early … well, not that early! Leaving at 8am, we’ll avoid the crowds and take the cable car up the mountain to Owakudani, “Hell’s Valley”. From this craggy volcano, formed over 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). Here we will regroup and get a bite to eat. After that we’ll be ready to catch the slightly cheesy pirate ship across the lake to the reproduction of the Hakone checkpoint, a place of great historical relevance and bloodshed. After much research, and built using traditional methods and tools, it was opened to the public in the spring of 2007. It was here during the Edo era (1600-1868) that the Tokugawa shogunate, which had brought an end to centuries of civil war, imposed strict regulations, 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). Emperors, shogun, armies of samurai, noblemen, writers, peasants, courtesans and ninja in disguise all took this route.

After check out and perhaps one final soak in the onsen 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. The Peace Park and the museum are ‘must sees’ and the Hiroshima-yaki, one of the local dishes, must be tried. 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. As we’ll be staying on the island there will be no rush and a stroll around here at dusk can be rather romantic.

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.

This morning, after breakfast we'll board 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.

Continue eastwards at almost 300km/h as you sit back enjoying your bento on the bullet train to Kyoto, the cultural heart of the country. This ancient and enchanting city was lucky enough to have been saved from the bombings of WW2 and more recently it is known for the treaty on carbon emissions. Today visit the must see sites of Kiyomizudera, the famous stilted temple on 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 has altars to pray for almost anything, from finding Mr. or Mrs. Right, to relieving the corns on your feet. If the idea of crowds doesn't appeal, (although they do make for some interesting people watching), the group can split taking you to a more 'off the beaten track' sight. But of course, you are free to break away from the group on your own adventure at any time.

In the evening we’ll visit the Gion geisha district where we’ll watch, among other things, a koto (Japanese harp) performance and watch maiko (apprentice geisha) dance. Perhaps you have dreamt of being a samurai 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 ancient streets in full costume.

Today we’ll set off down the picturesque Path of Philosophy stopping off in a beautiful tea house where, amid tranquil settings and a traditional garden, you’ll be able to join the tea ceremony. Who knows, you might just find that illusive inner peace so sought after for so many centuries. Afterwards we’ll continue along the Path of Philosophy to Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Zen Pavillion) with its impressive gardens inspired by the oceans. From there we’ll carry on up the mountain where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Kyoto and, depending on the time of year, an amazing sunset.

The first thing on today’s itinerary is a trip to the stunning gold covered Kinkakuji Zen temple. After lunch we’ll go to Nijo castle, built by, and former residence of, the legendary shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. (He’s the one who had had the Hakone checkpoint built to quell any uprisings.) Always expectant of assassins, Ieyasu had special 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.

Today we’ll hop back on the bullet train, arriving in central Tokyo just a bit over two and a half hours later. In the afternoon you’ll get a hint of what Edo (the former name for Tokyo) was like when we visit Senso-ji, in the atmospheric area of Asakusa with its much photographed giant red lanterns. As you browse around the stalls sampling the local specialty, tempura, it’ll be a great opportunity to buy any last minute souvenirs.

Today is sadly the last day of this tour and Narita International Airport is only 90 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.

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.

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.

The minimum number of customers on the Ancient Highway Tour is 2 as we believe it’s unfair to cancel tours when larger numbers are not met.

Because the group size is kept to a maximum of 8, unfortunately we'll have to charge a single supplement of £ 280 if you are travelling alone. For this you'll be ensured to have a room to yourself for the entirity of the tour.

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