Duration: 6 nights ( 7 days)

Main Areas: Tokyo and Kyoto

Cost: GBP £ 1250.00 Per Person

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Taking in the best of Tokyo and Kyoto the Snapshot Tour is perfect for people who are after a short, intense burst of Japan

We'll book your hotels, make your bullet train bookings, arrange your rail pass, swipe card as well as providing you with an orientation pack to help you bridge those cross cultural gaps.

We'll meet you on the first day as you exit customs at either Haneda or Narita airport in Tokyo and transfer with you to your hotel. We'll run through the itinerary with you and offer invaluable advice and tips for your stay. With your detailed itinerary accompanying your info pack, you'll be free to follow it or make your own plans it's your holiday after all.

 

* Ryokan- Traditional Japanese Inn, sleeping on futons in rooms floored with tatami mats.

Notes

If you would like to stay an extra day or two extra, perhaps to do a daytrip to Hiroshima for example this can easily be arranged.

Daily Breakdown

Day 1 – Tokyo

One of our Dragonfly guides will meet you as you pass through customs at either Narita or Haneda International airport in Tokyo and transfer with you to your hotel in the heart of the city. At the hotel we'll run through the itinerary and give you plenty of additional tips, advice and suggestions. We'll also issue you with your rail pass, travel swipe card, and bullet train reservation tickets. Later, once you've had some time to relax and refresh we'll meet you again and head over to Shinjuku, eat at a local restaurant and show you around this exciting area of neon and noise as the district warms up for the night. The nearby Metropolitan Building with fantastic panoramic views of the city also shouldn't be missed.

Day 2 – Tokyo

This morning your Self-Guided adventure begins with a visit to the Tsukiji Fish market. It's a hive of activity with seafood caught from all around the world gets bought, sold and distributed around the country. Have the opportunity to taste some of the best sashimi in the land at one of the many restaurants. Later, visit the famous "Scramble Crossing" the huge pedestrian crossing so often seen in documentaries and movies on Japan. Floods of people surge across as the lights turn green then scramble to the other side as the lights turn back. Next on the itinerary is Harajuku, the home of many of the pop culture fashions exported overseas. The central point, Takeshita Street is bustling with shops and boutiques selling everything from cosplay outfits to designer t-shirts. Explore Yoyogi Park, the place Tokyoites like to unwind and relax. It's a perfect spot to people watch as extroverts practice their theatricals, karate and musical instruments. In a stark contrast also visit the Meiji Shrine housing the deities of the Emperor Meiji.

Day 3 – Kyoto

Take the bullet train this morning to the heart and soul of Japan, Kyoto. It was the capital city of Japan and home to the emperor for over 1000 years; treasures of its past and present are hidden around every corner. After dropping off your bags at your ryokan (traditional Japanese inn where you sleep on futons in rooms with tatami flooring and sliding doors) visit the most visited of temples in the city, the mighty Kiyomizudera in Higashiyama. With 1200 years of history and spring water said to have magical properties people come from far and wide to pray for more or less anything and everything. The main building is famous for having no nails within its construction and it was a runner up in the recent "Wonders of the World" competition. From here walk along the old winding streets to the Gion Geisha district where you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a show of traditional performing arts.

Day 4 – Kyoto

Start the day with sado, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony at an authentic tea house which has been performing the ritual for many generations. After lunch, walk along the pretty Tetsugakku-no-michi (The Path of Philosophy) leading to Ginkaku-ji (The Silver Pavilion) with its legendary moss Zen Garden. From there, why not hike up the hill behind? Known as Daimonji, the giant Chinese character "dai" (great) was scared onto the hill in the year 808 following a spate of disasters, plague and famine that ravaged the city in the hope of a reprieve. Alternatively, another option (or both can be done) is a walk through the local residential area to the Kyoto Handicraft Centre; the one stop shop for all souvenirs Japan - from the very kitsch to the more refined. Some love it; some hate it; but if you don't like shopping and want to get all your presents in one quick tax-free swoop this is the place for you.

Day 5 – Kyoto

Experience three of the best UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kyoto today. Start with Ryoan-ji, let yourself go at this auspicious Zen garden with 15 stones in a sea of rippling sand and negative space. Not so far away you will see what must be one of the most beautiful spots in the world, Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. The gold leaf coated Zen temple shimmers and almost floats in pond it sits within. After a bite for lunch visit Nijo-jo. Nijo Castle with its famous nightingale flooring which sings as you step on it built by the Tokugawa shogunate as a simple but effective ninja alarm.

Day 6 – Tokyo

Return to Tokyo this morning by bullet train giving you chance to do anything you didn't have time to do when you arrived. Other places of interest in Tokyo could be Akihabara for electronics, Asakusa for souvenirs or Ueno for museums.

Day 7 – Departure

Narita Airport is 1 hour from Tokyo station. If your flight is in the evening you'll still have some time for some last minute shopping.

Accommodation

Tokyo: Yaesu Terminal Hotel

Comfortable and efficient business hotel in a fantastic location.

Breakfast included

Kyoto: Heianbo Ryokan

Authentic Japanese accommodation in central location.

Breakfast included

Please note that the above accommodation is standard for the Snap Shot 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	Heianbo Ryokan

Hotel Upgrade

If you would like to upgrade the accommodation and use the first class carriages on the bullet train this can easily be arranged.

Extensions / Flexibility

If you would like to stay longer in these destinations, please let us know and we'll be happy to arrange this for you.

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.

Single Supplement

If you are travelling alone we have to charge a single supplement of GBP £ 200.00

So, what is Included?

• Your own private guide on Day 1 to meet you at the airport, transfer with you to your hotel in Tokyo; answer all your questions; run through maps and take you out for dinner in the evening.
• Dinner with guide on Day 1.
• All accommodation (6 nights) in mid-level standard with convenience and comfort in mind.
• 7-day Japan Railway Pass covering all transportation from city to city including the bullet train and transfers to and from the airport. We'll also make bullet train seat reservations for you.
• Suica Swipe card with JPY1500 of credit on it.
• Evening Meal on first night.
• Breakfast every morning.
• Tour Info-Pack with clear directions on how to follow the itinerary, timings, tips and advice.
• 100% financial protection through the TTA

What’s not Included?

• Most local transportation (transportation within the cities) will be covered by your JR Rail Pass and Suica Swipe Card, but at times you may have to pay for local transportation such as the city bus in Kyoto, or taxis if you decide to use. This does not add up to much.
• Entrance fees to shrines, temples, shows, tea ceremony and any museums you may visit. (As a rough estimation allow a budget of around JPY 8,300 (GBP 65) in total, per person, if following the itinerary shown.
• Meals except for the ones shown above. (In general, basic meal costs are from around JPY 1,000)
• Baggage Forwarding. If you decide to forward your baggage rather than travelling with it this can easily be arranged. Allow around JPY 1,400 (GBP 11) per bag for each time it is sent.
• Travel Insurance. You must take out travel insurance before your trip.
• Flights to and from Japan!

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