Japan Uncovered

Days 1-2: Fly Australia to Osaka

Fly overnight to the lively, fast-paced city of Osaka. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure, perhaps to sample this city's famous shopping and food.

Meals included: Dinner

Day 3: Discover Nara

Spend the morning in Nara, the small, history-filled city that was Japan's first capital. Stroll through Nara Park to Todai-Ji Temple and admire the traditional Isui-en Garden. Return to Osaka and visit the impressive Osaka Castle before cruising along the Yodogawa River.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4: Himeji Castle

Depart Osaka for Hiroshima, stopping en route to explore the magnificent 17th Century Himeji Castle and the neighbouring Koko-en, a traditional-style garden.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5: Explore Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a vibrant, forward-thinking city that is a pleasure to explore. Reflect on the city’s tragic past at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum paying homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb. Next, hop on the ferry across to the holy island of Miyajima to visit the Itsukushima Shrine and enjoy some free time.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6: Bullet Train to Kyoto

Catch a bullet train to Kyoto. Capital for a thousand years, this enchanting city is the epitome of traditional Japan. Visit Ryoanji Temple, home to Japan's most famous Zen garden and Kinkaku-Ji Temple, also known as the 'Golden Pavilion.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7: Japanese Tea Ceremony

Enjoy one of Kyoto’s most delightful spots, Kiyomizu, a 17th Century Buddhist temple, before experiencing the age-old rituals of a traditional tea ceremony. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to further explore this amazing city.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8: Travel to Kanazawa

Depart Kyoto and travel to Kanazawa. Meander through Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, before viewing the excellent art collection of the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 9: Washi Paper Making

Visit the Nomura Samurai House and Garden before departing Kanazawa. Stop in Gokayama for lunch and a hands-on washi paper making workshop. Continue to Shirakawago, where you will explore the 300-year-old Gassho-style Wada House, before reaching Takayama.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 10: Explore Takayama

Browse the local handicrafts and fresh produce at the Miyagawa morning market, wander past some of the lovely traditional houses and visit several of the excellent local museums, including the Festival Floats Museum, Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum and Takayama Jinya followed by a stroll down Kamisannomachi Street.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner.

Day 11: Travel to Nagano

Travel to Matsumoto and explore the formidable 16th-century Matsumoto Castle. Visit a miso house and learn about this famous Japanese seasoning. Also, spend some time at a wasabi farm to learn about its cultivation before continuing to Nagano.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 12: Snow Monkeys

Travel deeper into the Japanese Alps to see the Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathe and play in their hot spring pool at the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Continue to Zenkoji, one of Japan's most prolific Buddhist temples.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 13: Mt Fuji

Travel to the Fuji Five Lakes area. Ascend by road to the 5th station (weather permitting), roughly halfway up Mt Fuji, for fantastic views over the surrounding landscapes. Visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to view the elaborate dyed silk creations of artist Kubota Itchiku.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 14: Explore Hakone

Begin the day with a cruise on the peaceful waters of Lake Ashi. You will also enjoy a visit to the Hakone Shrine before taking a ride on the Komagatake ropeway. Later, continue to Tokyo.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 15: Discover Tokyo

A dazzling, high-tech metropolis, Japan's capital has wonderfully traditional roots. Start your explorations at the Imperial Palace East Garden, visit Meiji Shrine and walk the famous Shibuya Crossing.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 16: More Tokyo

Stroll the vibrant Asakusa district and soak up the ambience of Senso-Ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. Ascend to the observation deck of the 634-metre Skytree and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. The afternoon is free until the evening, when you will board a traditional yakata boat for a dinner cruise.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Days 17-18: Fly Tokyo to Australia

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or the following day.

Meals included: Breakfast

*Terms & Conditions Apply.

Offer is limited, subject to availability and change without notice. The promotion is correct and valid at the time of publication. Full booking and supplier terms and conditions apply.

Valid for new bookings only and not combinable with any other offer (unless stated).

All prices are in Australian Dollars based on twin share occupancy unless otherwise stated.

Hotels may charge resort fees or a security bond not included or mentioned in this package, payable direct upon check-in.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience of location, comfort or character, and can range from a business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. In more remote areas, accommodation may be of a lower standard and may not have all western amenities. In the Fuji area, hotels tend to be more traditional in style and culture. In this area, you may be asked to take your shoes off at the door and store them in a secure locker – this is very traditional Japanese culture. Please note, double bed requests can be made at time of booking but cannot be guaranteed. Hotels are generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note that there is no international classification system for hotels and differences in facilities and quality do exist between Australia and Japan.  Please note that in Japan, hotel rooms and bathrooms are renowned for being small. Standard single rooms are usually smaller than a standard double or twin room, contain one small double bed (or one single bed), and are designed for one person to use. All group tour hotels have private western bathroom facilities, air conditioning, TV and a telephone. Hotels in Japan often do not have porters and you will be required to carry your own luggage.
If you experience any difficulty, please speak to your National Escort/Local Guide. Rest assured that all hotels used by Wendy Wu Tours are regularly inspected by our staff and our partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.

Airfares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. All passports, visas, travel permits and vaccinations are the responsibility of the travelling passenger to secure prior to travel. Airfares are based on economy class flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth and are subject to the carriers’ flight schedules and conditions.
Please call us for prices from other airports.