8 Nt Fall Foliage Gardens, Temples & Bullet Trains Land Tour & Circle of Japan Voyage cruise

Itinerary

• Day 1-2 - Flight departs
  Say goodbye to your current destination, for it’s time to head somewhere new! Flight information will be available closer to your embarkation date, but this will be when you’re hopping on a plane to continue your adventure – be that travelling somewhere new, or heading home.
• Day 2-4 - Osaka Hotel Stay - 2 Nights
  A welcoming city known as much for its fun attractions and vibrant nightlife as its incredible culinary landscape and laid-back atmosphere, Osaka is a fascinating destination unlike any other. As part of this incredible tour package, you’ll be invited to spend some time here with a hotel stay in Osaka. Despite being a short Shinkansen ride from Tokyo, the Japanese capital, Osaka has its own personality for you to uncover during your time here. And, with Osaka home to some of the nation’s most interesting historical sites, every type of traveller will find something to enjoy here. Further details about your hotel accommodation will be available closer to your departure date.
• Day 3 - Himeji - Himeji Castle & Kokoen Garden Tour
  Today, you’ll be invited to explore the breathtaking Kokoen Garden, a collection of nine Edo-style walled garden spaces, before exploring Himeji Castle. Initially built in 1333, Himeji Castle is the largest and most-visited castle complex in Japan; it’s also often known as Shirasagi-jō (White Heron Castle) due to its bright white exterior and apparent resemblance to a bird taking flight. Combining Kokoen Garden’s stunning natural beauty with the staggering man-made structures of Himeji Castle, this is a sightseeing experience you won’t want to miss.
• Day 3 - Osaka - Kuromon Market
  Affectionately known as Osaka’s Kitchen, Kuromon Market is a fascinating covered marketplace renowned for its sensational street food and its vast array of shops and stalls. Here, you’ll find around 150 shops and stalls selling fresh fish, meat, and produce alongside sweet treats, clothing, homeware, and more. During your time exploring Osaka, you’ll be invited to explore this vibrant hub of activity, sampling some of the best bites, learning more about Japanese culture, and immersing yourself fully in this destination’s lively atmosphere. A stark contrast to some of the sightseeing experiences you’ll enjoy in this region, a visit to Kuromon Market gives you a chance to see a different – yet equally interesting – side of Japan.
• Day 3 - Osaka - Dotonbori Photo Stop
  During your exploration of Osaka and its surrounds, you’ll have the chance to stop and marvel at Dōtonbori, one of Osaka’s principal tourist hotspots and home to vibrant nightlife you won’t want to miss. Running alongside the Dōtonbori canal, this area’s stunning neon signs make for an excellent photo opportunity, and you’ll certainly find yourself tempted to stay by the lively bars and inviting restaurants here.
• Day 4 - Garden Tour - Nara Yoshikien Garden
  Located in the heart of Nara, Yoshikien Garden is one of the most scenic spots in this fascinating part of Japan. Boasting three unique gardens, it’s a fantastic place to see more than one type of traditional Japanese garden at once, inviting you to explore a pond garden, a moss garden, and a tea ceremony garden. During your time here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore this scenic spot, admiring the vibrant foliage and the interesting techniques employed to create these serene and welcoming spaces. Built on the site of Kofukuji Temple’s former priest residences, this is almost a spiritual experience, and certainly a sightseeing opportunity you won’t forget.
• Day 4 - Kyoto - Nara Deer Park
  While exploring Kyoto and its surrounds, you’ll be invited to explore the sprawling Nara Park, a must-see area of this fascinating city. Spanning over 650 hectares, Nara Park is renowned for its large population of free-roaming deer and several world-famous temples. Feeding these deer is an attraction in itself, but Nara Park is home to so much more – from staggering landmarks like Todaji Temple and Kasugataisha Shrine to Isuien garden and Nara National Museum.
• Day 4 - Uji Tea Town Matcha Experience
  At this stage of your tour, you’ll travel to Uji, a quaint town renowned for its green tea and matcha. Here, you’ll be invited to enjoy a traditional matcha experience; this is not only a fantastic chance to indulge in a delicious cup of Matcha, but also an opportunity to learn more about this nation’s fascinating tea ceremonies.
• Day 4-6 - Kyoto Hotel Stay - 2 Nights
  Formerly the capital of Japan, Kyoto is a city steeped in rich history, fascinating culture, and stunning sightseeing opportunities you won’t want to miss. During this insightful tour of Japan, you’ll be invited to spend some time in Kyoto with a hotel stay. While here, you’ll be met with fascinating histories, impressive landmarks, indulgent cuisine, and the chance to learn much more about Japan’s traditions, ceremonies, and culture. Every moment in Kyoto is sure to be unforgettable. Further details about your hotel accommodation will be available closer to your departure date.
• Day 5 - Kyoto - Ryoanji Temple & Rock Garden
  Today, you’ll be invited to explore Ryōan-ji Temple, home to Japan’s most famous rock garden and historic structures dating back to 1450. Once an estate of the Fujiwara clan, this Zen temple is a stunning destination that invites mindful reflection and meditation. The rock garden here is one of the finest surviving examples of kare-sansui, though the temple itself is also home to a water garden worth spending some time admiring. This is an incredible place to spend any amount of time in, and promises to be another memorable stop on your tour of this fascinating nation.