A wonderful way to experience this intriguing country! As well as taking in ultra-modern Tokyo and charming Kyoto, you'll enjoy meeting local producers as you travel through rural areas with a diverse range of visits off the beaten track. Gain an insight into Japanese customs and traditions, enjoy the vibrant food culture and soak up scenic highlights of the Land of the Rising Sun! Flights, tipping and most meals included.
PRICED FROM NZ$15,395pp
Delicious Japanese cuisine and food markets
Interesting farm visits - Wagyu Kobe beef, fruit and vegetables, tea, rice & more
Interacting with locals in their homes and on their farms
Cruising in beautiful Matsushima Bay
Experiencing a traditional Onsen hot spring and Ryokan (Inn) stay
Riding the famous high speed bullet trains!
The exquisite tradition, architecture and gardens of Kyoto
Incredible Tokyo where old and new meet head on!
Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Assemble at Auckland Airport for your flight to Tokyo - Japan’s incredible capital and home to 13 million people! On arrival this evening, transfer to your city hotel. Get to know your fellow travellers which may include a few Aussie counterparts.
Meals: In flight
Overnight: Tokyo
Today we visit Tsukiji Outer Fish Market to see how fish is presented for sale. Next visit Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest ‘free-standing’ structure with an amazing observation deck. Later explore famous Kappabashi; a fascinating street lined with 170 kitchen supply shops devoted to every conceivable culinary implement! Return to the hotel with the evening at leisure.
Meals: B, L, -
Overnight: Tokyo
A day sightseeing in Tokyo including a chance for you to try your hand at Taiko drumming! We’ll also visit the fascinating Ginza District housing some of Tokyo’s original stores, the Edo Tokyo Museum and the gardens of the Imperial Palace (Emperor’s residence). Later enjoy a group welcome dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Tokyo
An early start to bustling OTA Wholesale Market, Japan’s largest vegetable and flower market. See how produce is displayed and sold… quite different to what you see at home! After time to relax, visit interesting greenhouse and hydroponic enterprises in the greater metropolitan area - learn how they operate within this populated environment. Also gain an insight into Tokyo’s increasingly popular Urban Agriculture movement. A free evening tonight.
Meals: B, L, -
Overnight: Tokyo
Depart north by bullet train and visit farms in the Kurikoma region, including a rice producer and a Wagyu cattle operation. Continue to picturesque Matsushima Bay with its breath-taking views over hundreds of pine-clad islets scattered throughout the bay. Tonight you will stay in a Japanese Ryokan with a traditional dinner and onsen (hot spring baths). Enjoy!
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Matsushima Bay
A relaxing morning in Matsushima Bay including a scenic cruise where you may spot a little of the region’s commercial aquaculture such as mussel farms. After lunch, visit a local livestock farm then head into Sendai, interesting to visit following its tsunami recovery. This evening at leisure.
Meals: B, L, -
Overnight: Sendai
This morning travel south by bullet train to Nagano, a region surrounded by alps and known for its soba (buckwheat) noodles and miso. Take a 45 minute walk to see where troops of Japanese macaque (snow monkeys) live and bathe - depending on the weather - in hot springs at an altitude of 850m. This is a popular observation location for researchers, photographers and visitors.
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Nagano
A great range of visits today as you meet local producers and learn how crops such as Enoki mushrooms, rice and asparagus, are grown and processed for the Japanese market.
Meals: B, L, -
Overnight: Nagano
This morning visit a wasabi farm in Daio. Described as Japanese horseradish, wasabi can only be grown in cool, clear water and here it is grown in abundant natural springs. An opportunity to sample wasabi culinary delights including wasabi ice cream! You’ll also see Matsumoto Castle, known as the ‘Crow Castle’ due to its black exterior. Matsumoto is the oldest and most complete of Japan’s original castles. Check in to your hotel for a two night stay.
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Takayama
A range of farm visits today, including a beef farm and a chance to make soba noodles - complete with a cooking lesson and, of course, tasting! Soba is the Japanese name for buckwheat - it usually refers to thin noodles made from buckwheat flour in contrast to the thick wheat noodles known as udon. You’ll also visit an apple orchard and tomato grower to learn how fruit and vegetables can be grown at high altitude.
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Takayama
Take a walking tour of the charming town of Takayama this morning. Located in the mountainous Gifu Prefecture, Takayama is known for its picturesque narrow wooden merchants’ houses dating back to the Edo period. Later transfer to the station to take the limited express and bullet trains to the beautiful city of Kyoto - Japan’s former capital - on the island of Honshu.
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Kyoto
This morning we visit an established green tea plantation near Hyogo. Learn about the production process and the importance of tea in Japan. Afterwards we have lunch at a leading Kobe beef farm. Here black Wagyu cattle are housed and raised on a controlled diet which some say includes sake mash, beer and a daily massage - see for yourself! The meat produced is known for its unique flavour and aroma and you can judge the end product for yourselves. Later return to Kyoto where you have a free evening.
Meals: B, L, -
Overnight: Kyoto
Today is a day of sightseeing to fully appreciate this ancient city. Kyoto is an elegant city with a rich cultural heritage. There’s an air of old Japan here; a reminder of traditions of time long past when geishas were often seen walking quietly to secret assignations. Kyoto is a city steeped in tradition which often contrasts sharply with first impressions of the ultra-modern glass and steel train station. This evening enjoy dinner with an intriguing Maiko dance performance.
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Kyoto
Enjoy the day visiting Nara, including exquisite gardens, and further exploring Kyoto. Once Japan’s capital, Nara is a fascinating city with eight UNESCO World Heritage sites and is second only to Kyoto in significance. Visit the famous Todaiji temple and neighbouring deer park in Nara. There’s also a chance to visit a sake brewery to sample the local brew! A free evening tonight.
Meals: B, L, -
Overnight: Kyoto
After breakfast take the train to Odawara, gateway to Hakone hot springs and Fuji-Hakone National Park. With a boxed lunch, enjoy a cruise on beautiful Lake Ashi with views to Mt Fuji. Afterwards take a cable car ride over the amazing landscape with views to Mt Fuji (weather permitting!). Later visit Owakudani Valley, a fascinating volcanic valley with sulphur vents and hot spring. Enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel this evening.
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Odawara
After breakfast return by coach to Tokyo where you’ll have a buffet lunch and a final night in Japan.
Meals: B, L -
Overnight: Tokyo
After breakfast and time for packing, check in for your overnight flight to New Zealand.
Meals: B - Airline meals
*Prices are per person (pp) in NZD, twin share based on lead in season. All care is taken to promote correct pricing at time of publication but is dependent upon availability and will be confirmed at time of reservation. Valid for sale until sold out. Airfares not included unless specified. Offers are subject to availability and can change without notification due to fluctuations in charges and currency. Credit card surcharges apply. For full terms and conditions please contact a World Travellers consultant.
