Arrive at the airport for your overnight indirect flight to Osaka, Japan.
We’ll arrive in Osaka and transfer to the neighbouring city of Kyoto, where we’ll stay for two nights. Our four-star hotel is situated in the Higashiyama district, famous for its traditional wooden buildings and merchant shops. Take a short walk-through picturesque streets and alleyways during free time before a delicious welcome dinner to get to know your fellow explorers (may change to day 3, time depending).
After a leisurely morning acclimatising and exploring the hotel's facilities, including a private spa, we’ll spend the afternoon in the company of a local expert for a tour of the city.
The former capital city of Japan and its cultural heart, Kyoto attracts millions of visitors every year looking for a taste of traditional Japanese culture. Our tour starts with Kinkakuji, an incredible golden temple that glistens in the sun from its picturesque lakeside perch, before heading to Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, this impressive complex takes us back to the dominance of the Shogun, showcasing some of the famed architectural styles. We also enjoy the nearby Honmaru Gardens, created for the visit of Emperor Meiji in 1896. The zen garden was designed, in part, by the emperor, who had a full view of the garden from the top floor of Honmaru-Goten Palace. While we're there, walk along the garden's winding pathways and vast lawns and go up to the foundations of the castle-keep to enjoy the view.
We’ll continue to the famous rock garden at Ryōan-ji, a piece of Japanese cultural heritage. During the Heian Period, the temple was an aristocrat's villa but was converted into a zen temple in 1450 by a top-ranking warlord in the Ashikaga Shogunate. The temple's deceptively simple garden consists of fifteen rocks spread out on white sand in 248 square metres. These rocks are arranged so that at least one cannot be seen from any angle. However, who designed it and why remains a mystery.
In the early evening, we’ll join a local guide for a fascinating walk around the Gion district of Kyoto. Gion is regarded as Kyoto's entertainment neighbourhood with modern and traditional theatres, atmospheric tea houses, and so much more. Lanterns bathe the area in soft light, adding to the magical ambience. You may even spot traditional Geisha as they head to their engagements.
This morning we’ll head to southeast Kyoto to the incredible Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. Dedicated to the Inari, the deity of a good harvest and success in business, the shrine features thousands of bright vermillion and black shrine gates, known as tori. The shrine sits at the base of Mount Inari, and it's designed to draw guests through forest, pagodas and koi ponds.
In the afternoon, we’ll continue our journey west to Mount Fuji on another Japanese icon: the Bullet Train. The two-hour train ride is an interesting experience; watch the Japanese countryside fly by as you cruise at up 200 mph.
We’ll spend the day around Mount Fuji. We start our day with a visit to Lake Yamanaka, the largest of the five lakes surrounding Fuji. Encompassed by pretty parkland, the views of the mountain are incredible if you wish to take photos. We continue to Lake Kawaguchi. Smaller but equally beautiful, you may even be lucky enough to see a perfect reflection of the mountain on a calm day.
Nearby, at the Ichiku Kubota Museum, we’ll discover more about the national dress of Japan, the Kimono. The vibrant colours and patterns are synonymous with Japanese culture, and you may even decide to treat yourself to a keepsake to take home.
Finally, we’ll ascend the Kachi Kachi Ropeway in a cable car to the summit of Mount Tenjo, 400 metres over the lake shore. The observation deck at the top of Mount Tenjo offers unparalleled views of the lake and mountain.
In the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the hotel, including the open top-floor bathing pools.
We’ll arrive in Kamakura along the coast of Sagai Bay. The charming small town has a selection of shops specialising in local arts and crafts as well as delicious traditional foods. Enjoy free time to visit the Great Buddha, or Kotoku-in, that dominates the town's Buddhist temple or explore the gardens of Hasedera, known as the Hydrangea Temple. Wander through this stunning garden passing pools and shrines on the ascent up the hillside to appreciate the views out to sea.
We’ll continue to Toyko later in the afternoon and check in to a hotel located just a short walk from Tokyo Tower and the nearby Shogun's Zojoji Temple.
Spend the day exploring one of the largest cities in the world, Tokyo. We begin our day with a tour of some of the city's highlights, including The Imperial Palace - the residence of the Emperor of Japan. At times, the palace feels more like a park than a residence, the grounds help tell the story of Tokyo from a 17th-century former castle to the current seat of the Imperial family.
We’ll visit Shibuya's iconic zebra crossing, rumoured to be the busiest crossing in the world. Up to 2.4 million people cross this four-way crossing per day; watch the orderly spectacle as hundreds of pedestrians patiently wait for the lights to go green before crossing in a number of directions. As we continue our tour, we’ll pass a statue dedicated to Japan's most loved dog, Hachiko, whose loyalty to his owner is celebrated outside the nearby station.
Our last stop of the day is to Sensoji in Asakusa, the oldest temple in the city. This vibrant red Buddhist temple is neighboured by the iconic five-roofed temple, the Kaminarimon Gate and Nakamise shopping street, Tokyo's biggest souvenir market.
We’ll transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Arrive back in the UK after an incredible once-in-a-lifetime tour.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
See the famous sights of Tokyo including the Imperial Palace, Shibuya Crossing and Sensoji  
Enjoy astonishing views of Mount Fuji from Lake Yamanaka and Lake Kawaguchi  
Travel at 200mph on the high-speed bullet train  
Explore Kyoto on a guided tour including Kinkakuji, an incredible golden temple, Honmaru Gardens and the famous rock garden of Ryōan-ji  
Visit the charming coastal town of Kamakura home to a great Buddhist statue, temple and gardens 
Our Price Includes
The price of this holiday is per person, based on one person in a double/twin room for sole occupancy. Price includes:  
Seven nights’ accommodation  
Daily breakfast  
Return flights  
Hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person  
5 tours and visits  
Bullet Train ticket  
All local accommodation taxes  
All airport/flight taxes  
The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager 
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel -
★★★★
About the hotel
Rooms at the hotel are compact but well appointed with free wifi, air conditioning, kettles and TV. There is an on-site restaurant as well as an open-air rooftop bath with views of Mount Fuji.
Location
Situated next to the Bullet Train station, where we arrive, and just a short stroll from the pleasant surroundings of Rakujuen park.
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Other Information
Holiday code
R632
Holiday provided by Riviera Travel
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Riviera Travel (ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430). These ABTA and ATOL bonds mean that, when you book a Riviera Travel holiday, you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.