15 Day Highlights of Japan with Qantas Flights

Osaka Nara Osaka

Today, enjoy a day trip to Nara.

Once you arrive in Nara, it is a short walk to the main attractions. Visit Todaiji Temple and its Great Hall as it houses one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world. On your return to the station, wander back through Nara Deer Park where you can see hundreds of deer roaming around. Nara’s 1,200 deer have become the symbol of the city as it comes from the Shinto idea that every creature, nature or object is a messenger of god. While you are here you can feed the deer with crackers and enjoy some of the local foods they have to offer. As well as their cute deer souvenirs and activities that relate to the history of Nara. After enjoying your morning in Nara we will head back to Osaka.

As you arrive back in Osaka city, stop at Osaka Castle. Osaka Castle came to be of great importance throughout Japanese history, especially during 1583 and 1585 when warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi built it and ruled Japan there. After that, finish off your day with a tour of one of Osaka’s central food and entertainment centres Dotonbori. Enjoy wandering around trying the local foods, shopping districts and posing with one of Osaka’s famous icons, Gurico! We will eat our welcome dinner here together.

Accommodation: Sarasa Namba Hotel or similar, Osaka

Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Osaka Kyoto

Today you'll take the bullet train from Osaka to the historical capital Kyoto reaching within 15 minutes. In Kyoto, visit the Kinkakuji Temple otherwise known as the Golden Pavilion. Kinkakuji is a Zen temple and World Heritage site with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold and detailed architecture incorporating three distinct architectural styles of Shinden, Samurai and Zen. After that, head to Nishijin Textile Centre and enjoy a traditional kimono show. Kimonos are still used today in Japan for formal ceremonies and festivals.

Accommodation: Hotel Tetora Otsu or similar, Kyoto

Meals included: breakfast

Kyoto - Free Day

Kyoto is the old capital of Japan and has a long history and traditional culture. Today you could visit the former residence of the Emperor of Japan, the famous Kyoto Imperial Palace and Heian Jingu Shrine built for the 1100 anniversary of the capital’s foundation in Kyoto. Other places you should definitely visit are Sanjyusangendo Temple, one of the world’s longest wooden structures housing 1001 life size Buddhist Kannon deities; Kiyomizu-dera Temple that is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site and is famous for its Otowa Waterfall. Take a stroll down the narrow streets of Gion where you can see the historical Geisha quarters and tea houses. Or you could climb up the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for its thousands of torii gates lined up to reach the top of the mountain where you can see a statue of the fox deity.

Accommodation: Hotel Tetora Otsu or similar, Kyoto

Meals included: breakfast

Kyoto Kanazawa

This morning visit Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate and is designated a UNESCO world heritage site. It is then on to Togetsu Bridge and the Bamboo Grove, landmarks of Western Kyoto’s Arashiyama District for over four hundred years. The Togetsu Bridge leads the way to the traditional shrines, temples, bamboo forest, monkey park and hot springs. Standing amongst the Bamboo Grove is like being in another world and is nothing like any other forest you have seen before. It is mesmerizing and peaceful. We then continue to the city of Kanazawa.

Accommodation: Toyoko INN Kanazawa Kenrokuen or similar, Kanazawa

Meals included: breakfast

Kanazawa

Today explore Kanazawa, once known as a castle town established around 300 years ago. First up you'll visit Buke Yashiki (a samurai house) and learn about how the high ranked samurais lived during the Edo period. Later you'll make your way through the streets of Higashi Chaya, a district lined with quaint old buildings that were once teahouses used by the local geisha (traditional Japanese female entertainers) and their guests. Next, visit Kenrokuen Garden one of Japan’s “three best landscape gardens” and considered the most beautiful of them all with spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water features and panoramas. Then  head to the Omicho Market to try the local foods and see the local crafts.

Accommodation: Toyoko INN Kanazawa Kenrokuen or similar, Kanazawa

Meals included: breakfast

Kanazawa

Today you can enjoy your day at leisure in Kanazawa. Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, on Japan's central Honshu Island. It's known for well-preserved Edo era districts, art museums and regional handicrafts. Today while you are in Kanazawa, there are many attractions you can check out. From the temple equipped with secret doors and traps, Ninjadera to the beautifully designed Kanazawa Castle, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Nishi Chaya District, Oyama Shrine, Seisonkaku Villa, the 21st century Museum and D.T. Suzuki Museum are all must see attractions. You can never go wrong in this quaint, peaceful and nature surrounded city of Kanazawa.

Accommodation: Toyoko INN Kanazawa Kenrokuen or similar, Kanazawa

Meals included: breakfast

Kanazawa Shirakawa Go Takayama

Today you'll embark on a half day tour of Shirakawago to explore the small village and the gassho style houses. On this tour you will stop at the observation point so you can view the whole of Shirakawago and while you are there your English speaking tour guide will teach you about the history of this unique village. You will be able to look inside the traditional houses and get a feel of what it is like to live in Shirakawago. You can also try the local food and snacks as part of this wonderful village of Shirakawago.

Enjoy your day in Shirakawago! After your tour in Shirakawago you'll continue towards Takayama where you will stay the night in your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Associa Takayama Resort or similar, Takayama

Meals included: breakfast

Takayama Nagano

Today we will spend the day exploring Takayama city. Takayama is a city located in Japan’s mountainous Gifu Prefecture. Takayama retains a traditional touch like few other Japanese cities, especially in its beautifully preserved old town. While you are in Takayama we will visit the preserved Old Town, the open air museum of Hida Folk Village, the former local government office, Takayama Jinya, an impressive museum called Matsuri no Mori, pass by temples, and enjoy seeing a range of festival floats at the Yatai Kaikan. Upon finishing your tour in Takayama board the bus to Nagano.

Accommodation: Hotel Metropolitan Nagano or similar, Nagano

Meals included: breakfast

Nagano Matsumoto

Ohayou-gozaimasu! (Good morning!) After breakfast, we will gather together and head off to Hokusai Museum to discover the great artworks of Katsuhika Hokusai (1760-1849) one of Japan’s leading Edo period ukiyo-e painters. His most famous artwork is the “Thirty six views of Mt Fuji” which is a woodblock print that was influential to many talented painters such as Vincent Van Gogh.

After that we will continue on to Zenkoji Temple which was founded over 1,400 years ago and houses one of the first ever Buddhist statues to ever be brought into Japan. Enjoy this unique and fascinating temple. We will then continue on to Matsumoto city where we will view one of Japan’s most complete and original castles, Matsumoto Castle. A short stroll from the castle we will finish up our tour in Nakamachi Street where we can see nicely preserved buildings, warehouses, massive white walls, small shops, restaurants and traditional ryokans. Enjoy your day in Nagano and Matsumoto city! Rest up and enjoy your stay in Matsumoto.

Accommodation: Hotel Ambient Tateshina or similar, Matsumoto

Meals included: breakfast

Matsumoto Mt Fuji

Today we will visit one of Mount Fuji’s springs, Oshino Hakkai. Oshino Hakkai is one of the eight ponds fed by melting snow filtering down from the slopes of Mount Fuji through porous layers of lava, resulting in very clear spring water that is well-regarded by the locals. Afterwards we will visit Mount Fuji’s 5 station, which is above the clouds and allows you to view its enormous summit (if the weather permits). Stay the night in Mt Fuji area and enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow tour members.

Accommodation: Hotel Route Inn or similar, Gotemba

Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Mt Fuji Tokyo

Today we will visit Gotemba Peace Park to capture another breathtaking view of Mt Fuji and Hakone Checkpoint, which used to be an important checkpoint on the highway connecting Kyoto to Tokyo in the Edo period. Then we’ll take a cruise down Lake Ashi where you’ll be able to see the beautiful nature around you. Enjoy your stay in Tokyo tonight.

Accommodation: Nest Hotel Hanzomon or similar, Tokyo

Meals included: breakfast

Tokyo

Enjoy a free day in Japan's mega city, Tokyo! You may like to spend a day in Tokyo Disneyland or Disney Sea ($120). Or alternatively, you can join our wide range of optional programs (tea ceremonies, pottery making experiences, golden joinery, kimono photo shoots or cooking classes). All activities are not guided and transportation is self-arranged.

Some other places you may interested in going are: the Imperial Palace, Ginza District, Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple, National Museum of Nature and Science, Ueno Park and Zoo, Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Western Art, Meiji Shrine, Miraikan and Edo-Tokyo Museums, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Ghibli Museum, National Art Centre and Kabuki-za Theatre.

Accommodation: Nest Hotel Hanzomon or similar, Tokyo

Meals included: breakfast

Tokyo Australia

At the appropriate time you will be transferred to the airport for your homeward flight.

Meals included: breakfast and inflight.

Australia

Arrive home today.

Meals included: breakfast