Tokyo > Sendai > Burgenstock > Tono > Nikko > Hakone > Kyoto > Mt Koya > Osaka
Enjoy a great journey adventure in the land of the rising sun!
Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world as 14 million people live in and million dollars neon lights. You will start with an evening orientation and enjoy a welcome dinner with a taste of delicious Japanese cuisine at local Izakaya.
You will also get to explore Matsushima. It is known for its 260 small pine-covered islands arising from the pale blue sea highlighting the mystery, beauty, and dynamism of the bay and its islands.
Interact with the locals in Tono and discover and feel the Japanese spirit through reconstruction tourism since the Earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011 through community service. You will also visit Toshogu Shrine and the World Heritage Site & National Treasure in Nikko.
For the rest of the tour, you will explore Kyoto, the oldest city with many historic treasures. Witness the most iconic Mt Fuji view and visit sights on Mt. Koya.
This tour is perfect for someone who wants to experience a variety of adventure and exploration in Japan.
Is this package for me?
TRAVEL STYLE | Private getaway perfect for couples, families, friends or the solo adventurer. |
SERVICE LEVEL | This package is a premium quality Great Journey hosted by our Local Expert Partner – Venture Events, Expeditions and Adventures |
PHYSICAL RATING | Great for people of all ages and levels of fitness. |
TRIP TYPE | Private Package |
What’s Included?
- 4-stars accommodations in both western-style hotels and traditional Ryokans twin room based
- Temple (monastery) stay on Day 12
- All Transportation costs including airport pick-up shared shuttle transfer
- Activities indicated in the itinerary
- Meals: 13 breakfasts (at accommodation), 1 lunch, 5 dinners
- Community service fee (Day 5)
- Private van
- Private coach (Day 5 & 10)
- English speaking tour leader – will accompany the group throughout.
- Luggage transfer x 3
Pricing for Guest (USD):
Travelling Style | Price per Person |
Solo Traveller | $14,365 |
Twin Share | $9,518 |
3 Guests | $7,912 |
4 Guests | $7,109 |
5 Guests | $6,625 |
6 Guests | $5,360 |
Day 1: Tokyo (D)
Arrival airport shared shuttle service > Evening Orientation Walk > Welcome Dinner
Your guide will wait at the airport and meet up other tourists to start your adventure. The first day of this trip starts in Tokyo which is one of the biggest cities in the world as 14 million people live in and million dollars neon lights welcome the group. After the quick tour in Tokyo, group meets at the starting hotel in the evening before tasting delicious Japanese cuisine at local Izakaya.
Overnight at Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo (B, L, D)
Tokyo
After your breakfast, your guide will pick you up at the hotel to start your second day adventure. This day you will get a chance to try Japan’s public transportations while you visit the following places: Tokyo Imperial Garden, Ginza Area Walk, Hamarikyu Garden.
You will also get the chance to make authentic sushi as you will attend a sushi making class while you enjoy your lunch. In the evening, you will be served an amazing Japanese cuisine as your welcome dinner.
Overnight at Tokyo
Day 3: Matsushima (B)
Matsushima > Sendai
On the 3rd day, we will transfer your luggage to Tono in the morning with the assistance from your tour guide. Then you’ll take 3,5 hours travel time by bullet or local train to Matsushima, where we will continue this adventure.
Matsushima has been written about in waka (Japanese poetry) since ancient times. It is known for its 260 small pine-covered islands arising from the pale blue sea highlighting the mystery, beauty, and dynamism of the bay and its islands.
The bay is famous for rich and flavorful oysters (winter), anago eel (summer) and high-quality nori seaweed. Try these local specialties at restaurants or the local fish market.
Overnight at Sendai
Day 4: Tono (B)
Tono
Your guide will meet you up in the morning to start your day 4 adventure. First stop is the Zuiganji Temple. A 400-year-old temple with golden paintings surrounded by meditation caves. For centuries, the faithful made pilgrimages to Matsushima to meditate and even live in these caves. After this, you will travel for 2.5 hours by bullet or local train to get to the next destination, Tono.
Tono is a city surrounded by deep mountain range, located in the southeastern part of Iwate prefecture. “Mysterious beings” such as spirits and yokai demons appear in the book “The Legends of Tono” which is what made this land famous.
Be ready for a Tono Local Walking Tour on the Folktale Road, and interact with locals!
Overnight at Tono
Day 5: Tono(B)
Tono
After your breakfast, your guide will meet you at the pick up location as you will visit the coastal areas severely devastated by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami disaster.
You will also paricipate with the Perform Meaningful Community Service.
Local guide shares their own experiences and lessons learned from the (Tono) disaster driving through flooded areas.
Overnight at Tono
Day 6: Tono (B,D)
Tono> Farm stay > Dinner
This day will let you experience how Japan farmers and their families manage their day to day lives in their laid back comfort zone. Your day will start as soon as your guide pick you up at the hotel and you will head to the next destination.
Discover the Tono’s “real face” while spending time relaxing, experiencing rural areas, and learning old-fashioned wisdom. You will stay in a private house and you will be assisted by a farmers family. An authentic Japanese food awaits for you.
Overnight at Tono
Day 7: Nikko(B)
Nikko
After you enjoy your authentic Japanese breakfast, your guide will pick you up and will begin your travel for 5 hours to Nikko by bullet train.
Three main tourist spots that you will visit in Nikko are: Nikko Toshogu Shrine, World Heritage Site & National Treasure, known as a power spot. You can spend some peaceful and soothing time in nature’s lap – it is home to shrines and temples that quaintly lie on the Honshu Island’s mountains in the Tochigi prefecture. With spectacular mountainous backgrounds, scintillating waterfalls, and amazing hot springs, the Nikko temple complex abounds in natural charm – it provides a feast of surprises to devotees, nature enthusiasts, and cultural as well as history buffs.
Overnight at Nikko
Day 8: Kyoto(B)
Kyoto> Hakone > Lake Ashino Cruise >Hot Spring
As early as 8am, once you had your breakfast, we will transfer your luggage to Kyoto and it takes 2 hours travel time. Once settled, your guide will accompany you to express mountain train for a 4 hour travel time to Hakone.
A Lake Ashino Cruise willl surely pleased you. The lake is known for its great views of Mt. Fuji and its numerous hot springs. Several pleasure boats and ferries travels the lake. You can also enjoy fishing, boat riding and hiking in this lake. You will also enjoy hot springs!
Overnight at Hakone
Day 9: Kyoto(B)
Hakone Ropeway > Owakudani > Kyoto
After your breakfast, your guide will accompany you to Hakone Ropeway.
Second destination is Owakudani, it was once called “Daijigoku (Great Hell)”, but before the visi of the Emperor and Empress Meiji on August 5, 1873 (Meiji 6), it was renamed to its current name of “Owakudani”. You will also get a chance to try the Onsen Egg.
Then you will take a 3.5 hours travel time to go to Kyoto. It is considered the cultural capital of Japan and a major tourist destination. After your tour in Kyoto, your guide will take you back to your hotel.
Overnight at Kyoto
Day 10: Kyoto(B)
Kyoto > Golden temple > Ryoanji > Nishiki Market > Kiyomizudera
Your guide will meet you after your breakfast and you will have a full day to explore Kyoto by private vehicle. Places you will visits are Golden temple, Ryoanji, Nishiki Market and Kiyomizudera.
Additionally, you will participate in a tea ceremony experience. And before the day ends, you will stop by at Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka.
Overnight at Kyoto
Day 11: Kyoto(B)
Kyoto
Your guide will pick you up in your hotel and take you to Fushimi Inari. You will also be given an option to have a free afternoon where you could go to anywhere you want in Kyoto or visit Shrine at Nara. It is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara.
Overnight at Kyoto
Day 12: Mt Koya(B,D)
Mt Koya > Koyasan mountain monastery > Garan sacred area > Dinner
Your guide will assist you to transfer your luggage to Osaka. It would take a 3 hour travel time to Mt Koya by train and cable car. Visit sights on Koyasan mountain monastery: Garan sacred area; Okunoin cemetery and Kobo Daish (founder of Shingon branch of esoteric Buddhism) mausoleum.
Savor a traditional dinner of shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) will be served as your dinner.
Overnight at Mt Koya
Day 13: Osaka(B,D)
Osaka> Dotonbori > Dinner
Your guide will accompany you to attend in a morning prayer ceremony and go a fire ceremony with taiko drumming. After that, a 2 hour travel time by local bus, cable car, and train to Osaka will be your next destination. Osaka is a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu. It’s known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food. The 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle, which has undergone several restorations, is its main historical landmark. It’s surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees. Sumiyoshi-taisha is among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.
Once in Osaka, you will do a Dotonbori Walking Tour. It is a great way to see and visit Dotonbori Bridge, Shinsaibashi Arcade, Dogu Yasuji Arcade in one day. Dōtonbori or Dōtombori (道頓堀, pronounced [doːtomboɾʲi]) is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan, running along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of the city’s Chuo ward. Historically a theater district, it is now a popular nightlife and entertainment area characterized by its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signboards. This tour is ideal for shopping fans and food fans. You will mostly walk.
The evening will end with a delightful Japanese dinner Osaka style. Your guide will take you back to your hotel after dinner.
Overnight at Osaka
Day 14: Departure(B)
Departure Day > Airport shared shuttle service
This is the end of the trip, but the guide can provide any useful information to spend more days in Osaka or other interesting cities in Japan. For people who go back to countries, the shuttle service will be prepared from the hotel to the airport.
End of services
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These are our selected Hotel Partners and prior to final booking confirmation, we will confirm the availability of your requested hotel and room type. We cannot guarantee your preference and in the unlikely chance that all of our Partner Hotels are unavailable we reserve the right to provide an alternative comparable hotel. If you are not satisfied with the available alternative then Guests have no obligation to continue with booking.
GREAT JOURNEY
Exclusions
- Visa fee
- Flights & airport taxes
- Other personal expenses
- Beverages
- Other activities
- Tips, and all services not clearly mentioned
- Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
- Travel Insurance which is required
Remarks
- Prices are net per person in Japanese Yen (JPY) and are subject to change without prior notice
- Prices are based on twin-share basis except solo travellers and are subject to room availability upon Package booking
- No refund for any un-utilized Package
- Surcharge for other languages speaking guide (Advise at time of booking)
- Airport transfer surcharge of USD 5 per person each way for pick-up or send-off from 21:00 hrs to 06:00hrs (adjust based on group size)
Child policy
- Child under 2: Free of charge
- Child 2 years old and above: 50% of adult cost
CANCELLATION:
- Period before arrival* Amount of Cancellation of the holiday price
- More than 60 days before arrival- Free Of Charge (FOC)
- More than 45 days before arrival– 30%
- Less than 21 days before arrival – 50%
- Less than 14 days before arrival – 80%
- Failure on traveling date at point of arrival 100%
Local Culture
The Japanese people are very modest, so avoid wearing clothes that are too short or revealing in public and in particular at religious or culturally significant places.
Ask permission before taking someone’s photo.
Due to the nature of travel in Japan, a backpack can sometimes be more suited to this trip than a suitcase.
Local Dress
In Japan, the dress standard can be more conservative than it is back home. When packing, try to choose long, loose, clothing that will keep you comfortable in the season you are travelling in.
Local Flights
There are no flights on this Package
Joining Hotel
For details of your joining hotel, please refer to your Green Cultural Travel tour voucher. Alternatively, contact the Green Cultural Travel office or your travel agent.
Arrival Complications
We don’t expect any problems, and nor should you. However, if you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled for any reason, please contact us immediately. Please refer to our emergency contact details.
Emergency Contact
If you need to contact us in an emergency, it is best to call either the Green Cultural Travel Local Representative or our Green Cultural Travel Local Office first. If you don’t receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message with your contact information so they can return your call as soon as possible.
Emergency contact numbers
Venture Events, Expeditions and Adventures
Contact Person: Fusako Fujita
Phone: 81-50-5534-1798
Fax: 03-4520-9659
What to Take
What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit during your entire vacation. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible.
Most travellers carry a small to medium size backpack or rolling bag or suitcase.
You will also need a day pack or bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like iPods and mobile phones.
Visas
Please note that visas for entry into your Destination are the responsibility of each individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from, and where you are going. Rules do change. For the most up-to-date information, please check your government’s foreign ministry website or contact your travel agent.
Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others, while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs. Consider your likely spending habits when budgeting for drinks, shopping and tipping.
Money Exchange
During your holiday, you will use the Japanese Yen. Because currency exchange rates in Asia do fluctuate quite frequently, we ask that you refer to the following website for the most up to date information on exchange rates: www.xe.com
The best way to access local currency in Japan is from an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) with a debit card. ATMs are readily available throughout Japan and will usually accept cards from both the Visa and MasterCard international networks. If possible, travel with both a Visa and a MasterCard to provide backup in case of loss or access problems with one card. Please note, your bank will usually charge a fee for overseas withdrawals.
You should bring some cash with you for emergency situations (please refer to our trip dossier) but not a substantial amount as carrying only cash is high risk. The ideal mix is two or more ATM card/s with some cash as back-up.
Credit cards are accepted at some upmarket hotels and restaurants, and some larger stores if shopping for big items.
Cash advances with your credit card are also possible at some banks. However, the process is time-consuming and tends to attract high fees.
Traveller’s cheques can be tricky, time-consuming and expensive to exchange. While we do not recommend that you bring them as your primary source of funds, you may choose to bring one or two cheques in case of emergency. American Express travellers’ cheques in US currency are the easiest to exchange.
Tipping
Depending on the service, it is customary in Asia to tip service providers, such as waiters, approximately 10%. Though not compulsory, tipping is expected and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your holiday. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is an opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use.
Health
Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.
We recommend that you carry a small First Aid kit, hand sanitizers or antibacterial wipes, and any personal medical supplies you might require.
Please be aware that for those Packages that are in remote areas and away from medical facilities. For legal reasons, our Green Cultural Travel representatives are prohibited from administering any drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In Asia, pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs available in your home country, but they are usually locally produced and may have different names. To ensure you can access to the right treatment, ask your doctor for the details of the active components and dosage instructions if you think you might need to purchase prescription medication while here.
When selecting your trip, please read the brochure and itinerary carefully to assess your ability to cope with our style of travel.
Safety and Security
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government’s advice for their latest travel information before departure.
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt for keeping your passport, air tickets, travellers’ cheques, cash, and other valuable items safe. Leave your expensive jewellery at home. You won’t need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables while on tour. We recommend a lock for securing your luggage.
During your journey, you will have some free time to pursue your own interests. You can relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your Green Cultural Travel representative can assist you with options available in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary. We, therefore, offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your personal judgment before selecting an activity in your free time.
Although the locations you will visit on your selected Package are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering about at night. We recommend our guests stay in small groups and take taxis for any night time excursions, including restaurant visits.
Protests and Demonstrations- Protests and demonstrations, even those that are well intended, have the potential to turn violent with no warning. Counter protests can also turn violent. Action by security forces to disperse demonstrators and protesters may occur at any time. If you are in an area where demonstrators or protesters are gathering, avoid the temptation of staying for a photo opportunity and leave the area immediately.
Medical Form
As a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their personal luggage. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. These requirements ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to complete their chosen trip comfortably.
While our Representatives work hard to ensure all our traveller’s needs are catered for, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day’s activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.
A Word of Warning
When exploring on your own carry only the necessary minimum with you and use a well-hidden money belt for cash and credit cards. The majority of your valuables, including your passport, should be left in the hotel safe. You can organise use of the safe at the reception of your accommodation. There is no need to get paranoid, just be cautious.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory to participate in any of our packages. Your Green Cultural Travel representative will communicate with you prior to your departure to ensure you have insurance in place and we will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy, please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance, we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name.
Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage, and emergency contact telephone number.
Green Cultural Travel – Community Programs
As we are owned by Green Cultural Travel Hub Limited UEN 201705140R a Singapore registered “Not for Profit” company our profits allow us to continue our support of community projects in the destinations our guests visit.
Purchasers of our Packages will automatically become members of our Green Cultural Travel Hub and Members of our Hub receive a bi- monthly magazine and access to some great travel specials and follow the progress of the community programs we support. Guests can also take the opportunity when booking a Package to make their own donation to Green Cultural Travel Hub Limited.