Journeys: Iconic Japan
Deal number 31383479
G Adventures
Pricing based on 27 April 2027; other dates up to 30 April 2027 available at a seasonal surcharge
Japan
12-day tour
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12 day G Adventures National Geographic Journey departing Tokyo
10 nights accommodation in hotels.
1 nights accommodation in a traditional Inn with shared facilities
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Tsukiji Sushi Experience, Tokyo
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Zen Buddhist Meditation and Calligraphy, Kyoto
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Kembu Masters, Kyoto
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group
Your Hands On Moment: Chopstick and Gold Leaf Painting Experience, Kanazawa
Tour of Tokyo including Meiji Jingu Shrine and Asakusa and Harajuku districts
Walking tour of Tsumago Village and countryside
Kaiseki Dinner
Visit Kanazawa samurai and geisha districts
Visit Nomura Family Samurai Residence and Myoryuji Ninja Temple
Visit Himeji Castle
Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Excursion to Miyajima Island
Tour Kyoto and Nara including Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Visit Gion Geisha district
Japan Rail (JR) pass (7 days)
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
The service of a dedicated Travel Advisor managing your booking.
Earn & Redeem Points on all travel with our new loyalty program, World360 Rewards*
In Japan, tradition and modernity are celebrated side-by-side in ways that often appear contradictory. Immerse yourself in this intriguing culture, beginning in sprawling Tokyo, one of the worlds most innovative cities. Then head by rail into the countryside to visit traditional villages and tranquil shrines. Explore quaint geisha districts and inspiring gardens; savour the fresh flavours of Japanese cuisine; and get a glimpse of the ancient soul of this fascinating, futuristic country.
Itinerary
Arrive to your start hotel around 4:00 pm and join your welcome meeting at 6:00 pm. There are no activities planned today until your evening welcome meeting. Please ensure you arrive on time for the welcome meeting and bring your passport so your National Geographic Expedition Leader can collect the required information for your train tickets. Refer to your voucher for the most up to date welcome meeting time.
Spend the day exploring vibrant Tokyoone of the worlds most populous citiesby public transit. Experience the traditional side of the Japanese capital on a visit to the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. We then get a glimpse of the citys quirky, modern side on a walk through Harajuku, a centre of Japanese pop culture and a great place to sit back and people watch.
In Harajuka we catch a glimpse of the pop culture phenomenon of Kawaii. Directly translated as "cute," this Japanese cultural movement is reflected through various avenues of entertainment, toys, personal style, attitude, and cuisine.
Meals included: breakfast
In Harajuka we catch a glimpse of the pop culture phenomenon of Kawaii. Directly translated as "cute," this Japanese cultural movement is reflected through various avenues of entertainment, toys, personal style, attitude, and cuisine.
Meals included: breakfast
This morning, set out to visit the Tsukiji fish and seafood outer market. Learn about Japans massive fishing industry, and round off the experience with a sushi-making class. Learn how to identify the freshest fish, prepare, fillet, and present; then enjoy a taste of your tasty creations. After your sushi lunch, take a stroll in Asakusa, the historic heart of Tokyo.
Opt to visit Ueno park and the museums, Akihabara for cutting edge electronics, Harajuku for funky fashions, Ginza for the highest of the high end, walk the grounds of the Imperial Palace East Garden, or just stroll the streets, looking for the traditional life that still lies just under the modern surface.
Meals included: breakfast | lunch
Opt to visit Ueno park and the museums, Akihabara for cutting edge electronics, Harajuku for funky fashions, Ginza for the highest of the high end, walk the grounds of the Imperial Palace East Garden, or just stroll the streets, looking for the traditional life that still lies just under the modern surface.
Meals included: breakfast | lunch
Depart Tokyo by train. Disembark at Nagiso and continue to a local minshuku, a traditional Japanese bed-and-breakfast, where well spend the night. Enjoy a walk through the countryside, passing lush farms and rice paddies into Tsumago, a protected cultural area dating to the Edo period. Explore the charming town, where motorized vehicles are prohibited on the main street during the day and phone lines and power cables hidden from view to preserve its traditional feel. Back at our minshuku, feast on a kaiseki meala ritualistic multi-course dinner emphasizing artful presentation and fresh ingredients.
Meals included: breakfast | dinner
Meals included: breakfast | dinner
Continue by train to the historic city of Kanazawa, the seat of the powerful Maeda clan during the Edo period. Venture to Nagamachi, the citys well-preserved samurai district located at the foot of Kanazawa Castle, and learn about the lifestyle of Japans ancient, elite warrior class. Well also visit the Nomura residence, the beautifully restored home of a wealthy samurai family, boasting a collection of antique heirlooms and a stunning garden.
Meals included: breakfast
Meals included: breakfast
Spend the day exploring Kanazawa. Visit the Myoryuji Templecommonly known as the Ninja Templewhich doubled as a military outpost, and discover its many hidden defenses and escape routes. Take a walk through the Higashi Chaya geisha district and gain insights into geisha culture, viewing one of the districts traditional wooden houses. Then visit a local craft studio, where well learn about the citys time-honoured crafts and learn to paint chopsticks with gold leaf.
Meals included: breakfast
Meals included: breakfast
Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima. Here, well pay a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, located in the heart of the city, which commemorates the tragic atomic bombings of 1945. Take your time to wander through the park, pausing at memorials dedicated to the victims of the attack, and visit the moving statue of Sadako Sasaki at the Childrens Peace Monument, a reminder of the thousands of young lives lost as a result of the bombings. The large Peace Park in the centre of the city is an extremely moving place dotted with memorials of those known to have been killed in the explosion and others who died as a result. A burning flame waits in the park to be extinguished when all nuclear weapons in the world have been destroyed.
Meals included: breakfast
Meals included: breakfast
Catch a ferry to Itsukushima Island, popularly known as Miyajima. Here, youll find one of Japans most beautiful and sacred temples, the 12th-century Itsukushima Shinto shrine. This UNESCO World Heritage site is built over the water, with a red torii or wooden gateway that appears to float at high tide. Spend the afternoon at leisure and explore on your own.
Meals included: breakfast
Meals included: breakfast
This morning, visit the World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle, widely considered Japans most spectacular and best-preserved castle. The castle was completed in the early 17th century and features an elegant white facade with multiple wooden roofs. Later, we hop on a train to Kyoto, which served as Japans imperial capital for more than a thousand years. Explore the citys stunning temples, shrines, and gardens at leisure. This afternoon, take a guided stroll through the lantern-lined streets of Gion, Kyotos renowned geisha district. As the Imperial capital, Kyoto is an essential part of any visit to Japan. Kyoto has some of the most magnificent temples in Japan which date back centuries. There are said to be 2,000 temples, shrines, palaces, museums and traditional gardens in Kyoto. Use your time to wander past huge wooden structures and multi-storied pagodas, all linked with famous walkways.
Meals included: breakfast
Meals included: breakfast
Venture to the breathtaking Fushimi Inari shrine just outside of Kyoto, dedicated to the Shinto god of rice. Walk under the temples iconic red gates, where a scene from Memoirs of a Geisha was filmed. Spend the rest of the day discovering ancient Nara, the site of Japans earliest capital. Visit the impressive Todaiji templehome to the largest bronze Buddha statue in the worldand wander the walkways of Kasuga Taisha, one of Japans most sacred Shinto shrines.
Meals included: breakfast
Meals included: breakfast
This morning, we visit a local temple to learn about the history and practice of Zen Buddhism in Japan. Meet with a local monk for a lesson in Zen meditation and calligraphy; then head to the shimmering Kinkakuji, or temple of the golden pavilion, one of Kyotos most magnificent sites. Later, well learn the basics of samurai etiquette and the practice of kembu, or traditional Japanese swordplay. Try your hand at this delicate art form, and witness a memorable performance by kembu masters.
Meals included: breakfast
Meals included: breakfast
Depart at any time.
Meals included: breakfast
Meals included: breakfast
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