Japan Discovered

Your local guide will meet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast. Together, you will explore Takayama on foot, visiting:

• Takayama Morning Market
• Takayama Yatai Kaikan (Festival Float Hall)
• Takayama Jinya (preserved Government town hall)

You will have free time in the afternoon to walk through the streets by yourself, sampling the street food and visiting local artisans’ shops.

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April & October Festival Tours will experience one of Japan’s most impressive Street Festivals. Takayama’s Spring & Autumn Festival ranks as one of Japan’s three most beautiful festivals. It is centered around the Hie Shrine and is held to pray for a good harvest. Festival highlights include a parade of magnificently carved yatai or giant wooden floats, and mechanical puppets in colourful costumes who play out an ancient drama from within the yatai in a spectacle not to be missed. Early booking is highly recommended on these tours as this is the towns busiest time of year.

During festival tours (April & October) this itinerary will be subject to our guide’s recommendations. The night-lights and entertainment during festival season brings great excitement to the tour. Highly recommended.

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Japan Discovered comes to an end after breakfast today and you will be provided with an airport transfer service from your hotel. If you would like to stay longer in Tokyo, discuss some post-tour options with your travel consultant. Don’t forget to send us your flight details as soon as you know them. Transfers need to be booked early!

Daiwa Roynet Nishi-Shinjuku Premier (or similar)

Set in a convenient location with a chic and modern atmosphere, get comfortable. Spacious guest rooms feature French-brand beds, and some have massage chairs. Stay connected with free WiFi, and connections for mobile phones are also available.

At Light Metropolis restaurant sample Japanese Modern with a variety of rich Japanese and Western breakfasts. Menus regularly change according to the season. Offerings include homemade smoothies, colourful cold DERI, and the long-established Yamayasu dried vegetable toppings for a Chinese-style porridge. Take a five-minute walk to Nishi-Shinjuku Station and a minute walk to Shinjuku Station. Attractions nearby feature the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and the Samurai Museum.

Kanbayashi Senjukaku (or similar / Japanese Style)

Founded in 1928, Senjukaku was a famous rural retreat of the Meiji Era and one of the earliest hotels to introduce a mix of Japanese and Western aesthetics. It has been the favorite of many cultural figures historically. During the post-War Occupation, it was also used as a resort by the American army. Rebuilt in 1989, with its wooden beams and family treasures on display, this expansive ryokan resort very much retains the same “modern” mood as the original. Senjukaku’s offerings include garden walks on site, indoor and outdoor hot spring baths and a massage service, as well as superb service from the staff and delicious and generous multi-course meals. In short, Senjukaku continues to uphold its proud tradition as a perfect country getaway.

Takayama Wood Hotel (or similar)

The Square Hotel Kanazawa (or similar)

The 3-star Square Hotel Kanazawa provides quick access to Omicho Market, with plenty of restaurants and shops on your doorstep. Kanazawa Castle Park is 700 metres walk, while Kenrokuen Garden is 1.1 km away.

Kyoto Okura Hotel (or similar)

Okura Hotels are Japan’s finest traditional hotels providing 5* service throughout. Kyoto Okura is centrally located, just a short walk from downtown.

Hiroshima Sheraton Hotel  (or similar)

Located next to Hiroshima station you will be conveniently located for our movements on this day and the next day. Walk from station to your hotel is just 3 minutes. Rooms are generous in size, nicely decorated, with great views towering the city. Bars, restaurants, shops, and trains are on your doorstep.

Setsugetsuka (or similar / Japanese style)

Setsugetsuka boasts a public hot spring bath with free flowing natural spring water, drawn from 2 different hot springs. The property operates 2 restaurants and a souvenir shop on site. Guests can try yukata robes offered for rental at the souvenir shop on site, or grab a drink anytime from the drink vending machines in the building. Hakone Open-Air Museum is 600 m from the property, while Pola Museum is 2.5 km away.

Park Hotel Tokyo (or similar)

Stylish and funky, as friendly staff await in an atrium rising ten floors above the main lobby. Request one of the rooms designed by artists, inspiration Bamboo, Sumo and Geisha Goldfish (images of colourful fish swim across walls). The Shiodome business district has skyscrapers and salarymen a plenty in this central location with views of top attractions. A short walk to Shimbashi Station an energetic area of Izakayas. Enjoy an impressive buffet breakfast, restore at THANN spa, then dine on lacquer-box lunches or chic French. Finish off with sparkling views and a nightcap from a marble bar at The Society.