JAPAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Day 1 - Departure

Fly from London Heathrow to Tokyo with Cathay Pacific. On arrival transfer to your hotel.

Days 2-3 - Tokyo

Free time to explore Tokyo. Tokyo is one of the World's most vibrant cities and today you will have a full day available to explore the sights, shops and restaurants! Although initially a little overwhelming Tokyo's first class public transport system makes getting around quick and easy and with careful planning you can see a lot in a short space of time. Tokyo is made up of districts each with their own distinctive flavour and atmosphere. It has so much to offer any visitor and just wandering the streets of this megalopolis is a fascinating experience with new sights, sounds and tastes to be had around every corner.

Days 4-5 - Matsumoto

The direct express train to Matsumoto leaves from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station. Journey time is in the region of two hours thirty minutes as the train takes you out through the suburbs of Tokyo before you reach the open country side with paddy fields, rivers, lakes and of course, the steep-sided peaks of the Japan Alps. If the weather is clear be sure to keep an eye open for Mt. Fuji.

Matsumoto is an alpine city surrounded on all sides by the towering peaks of the Japan Alps. While here you will go on a 2 day Bear Viewing Tour. On the first day you will travel from Matsumoto by private vehicle up to the start of the hiking trail from where you will hike up to the alpine zone (4 to 6 hours of uphill mountain trails). You will then stop for a picnic lunch and rest at a mountain lodge before doing a further short hike, looking for bears. In the evening you will have dinner in a mountain lodge and then afterwards watch a one hour presentation on bear ecology and on bear-human conflicts in Japan. Next morning, those who want can get up early and watch a beautiful mountain sunrise, with, weather permitting, views of Mount Fuji. After Breakfast in the mountain lodge hike back down to the valley and visit a site where bear conflicts are happening, or have happened in the past. Return to the Matsumoto train station between 4 and 6pm that day.

Days 6-7 - Takayama

The journey from Matsumoto to Takayama is by express bus and will see you travelling high into the Japan Alps before making the long descent into Takayama. The journey is truly spectacular: The bus winds its way up the valley and along the river past huge dams and through seemingly endless tunnels whilst the dramatic peaks of the Alps rise skywards on either side. You will feel the temperature drop and your ears pop as the bus climbs to an altitude of almost 1500 metres before beginning the journey down. Every season paints a different picture; the icy landscapes of winter, the snow capped peaks of spring, the lush greens of summer and the blazing reds and oranges of autumn. Each provides a uniquely beautiful backdrop to this journey across the Alps.

In Takayama you will have the chance to enjoy two nights at the Tanabe Ryokan. This is a high quality traditional inn located in the old town area of the city close to the morning markets and within easy walking distance of the temple area and the town museum. You will be sleeping on thick futons placed directly onto the tatami mated floors. The rooms all have attached bathroom facilities but the inn also boasts really nice large communal baths which are great for relaxing in after a day out sightseeing. The owners Mr. and Mrs Tanabe are gracious hosts and will do their very best to ensure you have a fabulous stay. A sumptuous Japanese dinner is included and will be served in your room as will your breakfast.

Day 8 - Kanazawa

Today you will be making the journey to Kanazawa by express bus. You will stop off half way at the World Heritage Village of Shirakawago where you can spend time exploring before moving on to Kanazawa. Arrival time at Kanazawa Bus Station is 6:25 PM when you will transfer to your hotel for the night.

Kanazawa is a lovely small city close to the Japan sea coast. Until the turn of the century it was the 4th biggest city in Japan but its wealth was built on rice production and traditional crafts such as weaving and gold leaf and with the full scale industrialisation of the country Kanazawa was somewhat left behind. However, today the city is flourishing and still maintains a lot of its old charms. There are several small geisha districts and one where you can go inside an old tea house and see where the clients were entertained and even take tea yourself (sadly not served by Geisha!). There are also samurai houses, a ninja temple and the city's most famous sight, the beautiful Kenrokuen garden rated as one of the three best stroll gardens in the whole of Japan. The city is easy to get around either by public transport or by using taxis which are plentiful and for journeys between the major sights, very reasonable indeed.

Day 9 - Awazu Onsen

You have the morning to do some sightseeing in Kanazawa. From Kanazawa you will take a 25mins ride by Ltd Express to Kaga Onsen where you will get a local train to Awazu Onsen and this will take 8mins. This Traditional Ryokan is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest ryokan in the world. It has been in business for over 1,300 years and has been operated by the same family for 46 generations which makes it a very special place to stay. The history of Awazu Onsen began when a Buddhist monk built a therapeutic retreat near the mineral springs of Awazu whereby he had the sick immerse themselves in the hot waters and their health was immediately restored. Ever since, it is believed that the waters of Awazu, have continued to provide visitors refreshment to both their mind and body.

Days 10-12 - Kyoto

From Awazu Onsen you will take the local train back to Koga Onse and then from Kaga Onsen you will take a Ltd Express train to Kyoto.

Kyoto, established in 794 was Japan's capital for over 1000 years. Even today when the capital has moved to Tokyo, Kyoto retains its unique position as the country’s historical, cultural and artistic centre. Kyoto was not heavily bombed during the Second World War and despite its fair share of concrete and neon it remains a living museum of Japan’s great artistic heritage and home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and nearly 2000 temples and shrines. In addition to numerous temples and shrines, Kyoto is also famous for its gardens (many of which are attached to temples), its Geishas and traditional crafts.

In the early evening take part in a walking lecture of the Geisha districts of the city. This will be conducted by long term city resident and Geisha expert, Peter Macintosh. The walk will last approximately 90 minutes and will take you through the back streets and alleyways, each lined with old wooden houses, of Kyoto’s world-renowned Geisha districts. You'll get the chance to see the Geisha/Maiko (young Geisha) make their way to their evening’s engagements. While answering your questions Peter will give you an insider's view into the past, present and future of this unique and exotic world. You will see Geisha schools / ochaya / okiya and traditional artisan's shops.

You have two full days to explore Kyoto or you may like to use the included Japan Rail Pass to make a day trip to another destination. Nara, lying just 40 minutes south east of Kyoto is always a popular choice with the rambling deer park and at its centre, Todai-ji temple housing a huge bronze statue of Buddha. The electric city of Osaka (30 mins), historic castle town of Himeji (1 hour) and Hiroshima (2 hours), now a cosmopolitan and thriving modern city are just some of the enticing day trip options available.

Days 13-14 - Kushimoto

It is here in Kushimoto that the warm current that flows along the Japanese archipelago comes closest to Honshu (the mainland of Japan), thus making this area a rich fishing ground. The sea around this area is high in transparency and most of the coastline has high cliffs, strangely shaped rocks and inlets typical of a saw-toothed coastline, which are designated as part of Kumano-Yoshino National Park. In the azure ocean stretching westward from the base of cape Shiono-misaki, table coral grow in colonies. Kushimoto Kaichu-koen Park is the first sea park ever to be designated in Japan and over 300 kinds of creatures live in the sea around here. Visitors can watch tropical fish swimming from the glass window of the sea-observation area 140 meters from the shore, or from semi-submarine style sightseeing boat. Fishing spots along the coast are crowded with fishermen looking for a big catch.

While here you will take a boat trip out into the Marine Park and hopefully be able to watch Sperm Whales, dophins and orcas as well as many other animals. The trip will be in the morning and will be around 3 hours. This is a great chance to experience these huge mammals first hand as well as enjoy the wonderful scenery and ecology of the National Park. 

Day 15 - Osaka

The journey from Kushimoto to Tennoji station in Osaka will take 3hours by Ltd Express train. It is then just 5mins by local train from Tennoji to Osaka station.

Situated just 4 minutes on foot from Osaka central station and almost directly above the Umeda subway is your hotel. The Umeda area is one of Osaka's two main districts and is full of the energy and excitement that characterise Japan's second city. You are spoilt for choice with fantastic bars, restaurants and superb shopping as well great transport links to the rest of the city and beyond.

Day 16 - Return

A direct JR Line train will take you from Osaka station to Osaka Kansai Airport. The journey takes 60 minutes.

Fly back to London Heathrow.