Across the roof of Japan

Across the roof of Japan – Day 1 – Tokyo Arrival

Arrive in Tokyo Airport, where you will be welcomed by our airport representative, who will assist you with transferring by train or shuttle bus to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Tokyo

Across the roof of Japan – Day 2 – Tokyo (B)

This morning your guide will meet you at your hotel for a full day sightseeing utilizing Tokyo’s super-efficient metro system.

Begin the day with an early morning visit to Meiji Shrine; perfectly timed to avoid the crowds. Tokyo’s most famous shrine is dedicated to the spirit of the late Emperor Meiji and the park that surrounds the shrine is a forest of some 120,000 trees of 365 different species, making your forget you are in the world’s largest city.

Next to Meiji Shrine is Harajuku – Tokyo’s youth fashion mecca. Whether you are a Goth, punk or anything in between, there is a shop in Harajuku that caters for you.

Neighbouring Harajuku is Omotesando, commonly referred to as Tokyo’s Champs-Elysee. This broad, tree-lined avenue features a multitude of fashion flagship stores designed by internationally renowned architects.  Feel free to stop for a coffee in one of the area’s many stylish cafes and watch the beautiful people walk by.

From Omotesando, take the metro to Ginza. Named after the silver coin mint established there in 1612, Ginza is Tokyo’s famous upmarket shopping, dining, and entertainment district. 1 sqm of land is worth over 10 million yen! Adjoining Ginza lies the Imperial Palace, the main residence of the Emperor.  Whilst the Palace itself is not open to the public, you can take a stroll through the Palace East Gardens.

Your last stop for the day will be in Asakusa, a part of Tokyo’s shitamachi, or old town. Asakusa is home to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, and is also the city’s oldest Geisha district. The streets around Sensoji have many traditional shops that sell Japanese crafts and souvenirs and are a delight to wander through.

Note: The order of this itinerary may change according to the location of your hotel.

Overnight in Tokyo

Across the roof of Japan – Day 3 – Tokyo – Optional Day Trip (B)

Today is a self-guided day.

Today is a free day for you to explore this amazing city. Make an early start to visit the world-famous Tsukji Fish Market, visit the electronics district of Akihabara or discover Tokyo’s world-class museums and art galleries.

Or choose to make an excursion outside of Tokyo to one of the following places:KamakuraOne of Japan’s former capitals, Kamakura is a delightful seaside town home to many ancient temples. It is also the home of the Daibutsu, the 2^nd tallest bronze Buddha statue in the country!

Nikko Sitting high in the mountains of Nikko National Park, Nikko houses the Toshogu Shrine complex and mausoleum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features Japan’s most extravagant display of religious architecture.

We will provide you with detailed information of all the options available to you.

Overnight in Tokyo

Across the roof of Japan – Day 4 – Tokyo – Matsumoto (B)

Today is a self-guided day.

Today you will leave Tokyo behind and head into the Japanese Alps.

Located 3 hours from Tokyo, Matsumoto has flourished as a castle town since the 16^th century. In addition to its historical and cultural heritage, Matsumoto is surrounded by mountains and is acclaimed for its beautiful views. Hiking and climbing locations in the mountains are readily accessible by local bus transportation. To the west the Japan Alps rise to heights of 3,000 meters, and are known as “The Roof of Japan.”

This afternoon, you can visit Matsumoto Castle, one of the most complete and beautiful among Japan’s original castles. It is a good example of a so called “hirajiro,” a castle built on the plain rather than on a hill or a mountain. The castle is also called “Crow Castle” because of its black walls and spreading wings.

Overnight in Matsumoto

Across the roof of Japan – Day 5 – Matsumoto – Yamanouchi – Matsumoto (B)

Today is a self-guided day.Today you will have an exciting day of travel ahead of you.

In the early morning, head to Nagano and continue on by train and bus to visit Jigokudani Park to see the famous Snow Monkeys. Jigokudani literally means ‘hell’s valley’ due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, and it is in the baths of this boiling water that the resident Japanese Macaques like to soak in on.

The monkeys live in large social groups and it can be quite entertaining to watch their interactions. Accustomed to humans, they can be observed from very close and almost completely ignore their human guests. Whilst the monkeys are most numerous during the colder months, they can be observed all year round.

Overnight in Matsumoto

AAcross the roof of Japan – Day 6 – Matsumoto – Takayama (B,D)

Make your way by bus further up the Roof of Japan to the mountain village of Takayama.

Due to its previously inaccessible location nestled high on the Hida Alpine region, this beautifully preserved old town was used to be cut off from the rest of Japan that it developed its own unique culture.

Take a step back in time as you wander through the town’s old streets and make sure you visit one of the many sake breweries for a taste of the local drop, its high quality due to the area’s clean water sources.

In Takayama, you will be staying in a ryokan, or traditional Japanese-style accommodation, complete with tatami mats, shoji (rice paper) sliding doors, and onsen (hot springs). In the evening, relax in your yukata, or lightweight kimono, and dine on a sumptuous kaiseki (multi course) meal. Your dinner will surely include some of Takayama’s famous cuisine, including some local vegetables, miso, and last but not the least, Hida beef, which is said to be the second best in Japan after the world-famous Kobe beef.

An onsen after dinner is highly recommended before you bed down on your futon.

Overnight in Takayama

Dista

Across the roof of Japan – Day 7 – Takayama – Shirakawago (B,D)

Today is a self-guided day.

After breakfast, head up to the Miyagawa morning market, where locals come to sell crafts and produce. It’s also a good opportunity to try some of the region’s delicious fruit and vegetables. A short ride from the market will take you to the Takayama Festival Floats Museum, which displays the beautiful floats that parade during the famous Takayama Festival. The museum is a bit separated from all other main sightseeing spots in Takayama.

Shortly after lunch, get back on the road as you take yet another bus ride to your next destination, Shirakawago. Shirakawago, and its neighboring Gokayama region, lines the Shogawa River Valley in the remote mountains that stretch from Gifu all the way to Toyama Prefecture. Both of these prefectures are famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. They were also declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Gassho-zukuri means “constructed like hands in prayer,” as the farmhouses’ steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The architectural style developed over many generations, intricately designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls in the region during winter. The roofs, which were constructed without nails, provided a large attic space used for cultivating silkworms.

Tonight, you will stay in one of these farmhouses, a great way to experience a traditional Japanese family home or minshuku, and get the chance to become more intimate with gassho-zukuri buildings.

Tonight’s dinner will be served in your accommodation.

Overnight in Shirakawago

Across the roof of Japan – Day 8 – Shirakawago – Kanazawa – Kyoto (B)

Today is a self-guided day.

Rise up early today as you continue on with your journey by bus, heading all the way down to Kanazawa. In the 17^th century, this beautifully preserved castle town used to be Japan’s wealthiest area and a thriving centre for culture and the arts.

Take the Kanazawa Sightseeing Bus to visit some of the major highlights in the city. Start with the prisitine Kenroku Garden, which is ranked as one of Japan’s top 3 gardens. The name ‘kenroku-en’ literally means ‘Six Attributes Garden,’ and it has been said that a perfect garden comprises of these six attributes – spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water-courses, and panoramas.

Located adjacent to Kenroku-en is Kanazawa Castle, which can be easily accessed through Ishikawa Gate, one of the major gates of the castle. One unique characteristic of Kanazawa-jo is that its whitish roof tiles are made out of lead.

In the late afternoon, catch the train to Kyoto, and the 2.5-hour journey will take you to Japan’s cultural capital. Home to over 2,000 temples and shrines, inclduing 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one could spend years in Kyoto and never run out of things to see and do.

The rest of the day is free at your leisure.

Overnight in Kyoto

Across the roof of Japan – Day 9 – Kyoto (B,L)

Today you will see some of the amazing sights Kyoto has to offer, getting around as the locals do – by bike.

Kyoto is the perfect city for cycling, no hills and very little traffic, so today’s ride is suitable for everyone. Meet your tour guide at Kyoto Station and pick up your bike for the day.

Start off with a visit to the Nishi-Hongaji Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in Kyoto just located near the Kyoto Station area.

Last stop before lunch is the ornamental Nijo Castle, famous for its Momoyama architecture, decorated sliding doors and ‘chirping’ nightingale floors.

After lunch, bike to Kinkakuji, or the Golden Pavilion, which was originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun? After his death, it became a Buddhist Temple at his request and is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples.

Next, head further north and visit Ryoanji and its famous Zen rock garden, then explore the Arashiyama with its bamboo forest district before returning to Kyoto Station.

Overnight in Kyoto

Across the roof of Japan – Day 10 – Kyoto – Hakone/Mt Fuji (B,D)

Today is a self-guided day.

Say “sayonara” to Kyoto as you make the 2-hour journey to Hakone, the gateway to Mt. Fuji and its surrounding national park. This small town is famous for its onsen, or natural hot springs, and has natural beauty in abundance.

Located less than 100 km from Tokyo, this hilly, hot-spring town’s attractions are both cultural and natural.  Wedged between Mt. Fuji and Izu Peninsula, it is a large region encircled by several forested mountains and has a beauty dramatically accented by deep glens and ravines.

Popular as a resort since the 19^th century, Hakone makes an idyllic break from the mayhem of Tokyo.  On clear days there are stunning views of Mount Fuji, one of the many reasons why Hakone attracts almost 20 million visitors a year.

This afternoon, we recommend visiting the Hakone Open Air Museum. Established in 1969, the museum showcases a huge array of sculptures including one of the world’s largest collections of works by the English master sculptor, Henry Moore. The museum creates a harmonic balance of nature and art by exhibiting sculptures on its spacious grounds in combination with beautiful views of the surrounding valley and mountains.

Tonight you will stay in a ryokan, or traditional Japanese-style accommodation.

Overnight in Hakone

Across the roof of Japan – Day 11 – Hakone/Mt Fuji – Tokyo (B)

Today is a self-guided day.Today you have a full day to explore all that the Fuji Hakone National Park has to offer. Armed with your included Hakone transport pass, you can take advantage of the numerous forms of transportation on offer throughout the park. You can ride the world’s second longest cable car all the way up Mt. Owakudani, passing over sulphurous fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers in this volcanic area.

You will also have the opportunity to eat one of Hakone’s specialities, the kuro-tamago, an egg hard boiled in the sulphuric hot springs.  If you do, it will add seven years to your life! A majestic replica pirate ship will sweep you across Ashinoko, a lake that was formed by a volcanic eruption 3000 years ago. The Hakone Tozan ‘switchback train’ zigzags through the mountains, giving amazing views of the surrounding valleys.

Throughout the day you will have the chance to get a glimpse of Mt. Fuji, however please keep in mind that she is a notoriously shy mountain and it needs to be a clear day for you to see her splendour.

We will provide you with detailed information of all the options available to you.

In the afternoon, travel back to Tokyo.

*Access to Mt. Owakudani has been temporarily suspended due to volcanic activity, affecting the operations of the Hakone Ropeway. Your Travel Consultant will offer the best alternative/s in Hakone but please feel free to let us know if you have any preferences.

Overnight in Tokyo

Across the roof of Japan – Day 12 – Departure from Tokyo (B)

Today is free until your included transfer by train to the airport.