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Colourful Japan

Your adventure awaits in a tapestry of Japan's natural and cultural wonders.

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Experience a mesmerizing journey through Japan's exquisite beauty. Witness Tokyo's modern marvels, Kamakura's timeless temples, Hakone's Mt. Fuji vistas, Shizuoka's tea paradise, and Kyoto's enchanting blend of tradition and elegance. Your adventure awaits in a tapestry of Japan's natural and cultural wonders.

Highlights

  • Stunning Koyo view of Ranzan Kyoto Kamikochi Nagano and Fuji Omuro Sengen Jinja Shrine
  • Stay at a traditional “Ryokan” (inn) at Fujikawaguchiko-machi an Osen well-being experience
  • See the historic thatched-roof farmshouses of Shirakawa-go
  • Fun Sushi Experience in Nara and Wagashi (Sweets) Experience in Kyoto

Itinerary

Day 01

Location Pin

Auckland – Tokyo

Fork & Knife

Dinner

We will meet at Auckland Airport and take a flight to Tokyo, Upon arrival , your tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel after dinner.

Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel

Day 02

Location Pin

Tokyo

Cup of coffee

Breakfast

Fork & Knife

Lunch

Fork & Knife

Dinner

After breakfast, we will visit Sensoji Temple, the oldest and most famous temple in Tokyo, and a symbol of Japan and the Asakusa area.

Next, we will go to the Imperial Palace Outer Garden and visit the Nijubashi Bridge, which is also known as the Imperial Palace Front Plaza. It is a large area surrounded by moats, including the Kitanomaru Park and Hibiya Park. The Outer Garden is covered with fine gravel and planted with pine trees, making it one of the few green spaces in Tokyo.

We will then head to Ginza, a major commercial district in central Tokyo that is known as "the most expensive place in Asia" and symbolizes Japan's prosperity. It is famous for its high-end shopping stores that offer a wide range of luxury goods from around the world. Ginza is a shopper's paradise with giant malls lining the streets and fashionable and unique clothing everywhere you look.

Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel

Day 03

Location Pin

Tokyo

Cup of coffee

Breakfast

Fork & Knife

Lunch

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Dinner

After breakfast, you can head to Shinjuku. The Shinjuku Government Building is the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and is worth a visit for its impressive architecture.Take a walk in Shinjuku Kabukicho, which is one of Tokyo's entertainment centers. It offers a variety of attractions such as movie theaters, arcades, and bars that are bustling with people from dusk till dawn.

Next, you can visit Meiji Shrine. Located in Shibuya, Tokyo, Meiji Shrine was built to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who played a significant role in Japan's modernization during the late 19th century.In the afternoon, you can explore Harajuku, which has become one of Tokyo's most iconic fashion hotspots and a representative of street culture. Harajuku is filled with trendy boutiques and cafes, making it a great place to experience cute, avant-garde, and unique styles.

Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel

Day 04

Location Pin

Tokyo – Yokohama

Cup of coffee

Breakfast

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Lunch

After breakfast, you can head to Yokohama and visit the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is a group of warehouses built from the end of the Meiji period to the beginning of the Taisho period. It is a historic building that symbolizes the development of Yokohama Port. The modern red brick warehouses now house various types of shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Next, you can visit Yamashita Park, which is Yokohama's most famous park. It is a park created by land reclamation, using waste materials from the reconstruction after the Great Kanto Earthquake. After four years of land reclamation, it was opened to the public in 1930. The park has many sculptures and monuments, as well as over 100 old ginkgo trees planted on both sides of the road, making it a beautiful place to stroll.

After that, you can head to Chinatown in Yokohama. The history of Yokohama Chinatown dates back to 1859 when Yokohama Port was officially opened and some Chinese merchants came to settle, gradually forming a small Chinese community. This area covers an area of about 500 square meters and has about 500 Chinese-style shops and restaurants. So be sure to leave enough time to enjoy a delicious Chinese feast and experience endless fun.

Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel

Day 05

Location Pin

Yokohama – Kamakura – Hakone

Cup of coffee

Breakfast

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Lunch

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Dinner

After breakfast, you can head to Kamakura. Enoshima is a small island to the west of Kamakura, connected to the mainland by a 400-meter-long bridge. It has always been a popular destination for day trips from Tokyo, especially during the Edo period (1603-1867), when many entertainers such as Kabuki actors enjoyed playing here.

Today, Enoshima has become a bustling island that blends tradition and modernity, with shops, hotels, and restaurants everywhere, and numerous tourist attractions.Next, you can continue to Hakone. Three thousand years ago, a volcanic eruption formed the Owakudani Valley, which has sulfur vents and hot springs. The volcanic activity and stunning scenery have made it one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Hakone.

After that, we can visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum, also known as the "Sculpture Forest Museum." The museum is located in the mountains of Hakone, covering an area of 70,000 square meters and surrounded by beautiful mountains. While admiring great works of art, visitors can also enjoy a leisurely stroll in nature, which is why the museum has become a popular spot for taking photos and sharing them on Instagram.

Hotel Accommodation: Hot Spring Hotel

Day 06

Location Pin

Yokohama – Shizuoka

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Breakfast

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Lunch

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Dinner

After breakfast, you can depart for Shizuoka to visit the Oigawa Railway and the beautiful "Oigawa Eight Lakes." The lakes are named after the eight clear springs that are scattered throughout the area in a picturesque manner. It is said that the Oigawa Eight Lakes have existed for 1200 years, formed by snowmelt from Mount Fuji that filters through the ground.

Next, you can visit the Asama Shrine, a Shinto shrine named after the Asama deity, who was created by deifying Mount Fuji. The shrine also honors the goddess Konohanasakuya-hime from Japanese mythology.Afterward, you can head to Lake Kawaguchi and take a cable car to the top of Tenjo-Yama Park Observatory to enjoy a close-up view of Mount Fuji's stunning scenery.

Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel

Day 07

Location Pin

Shizuoka – Kyoto

Cup of coffee

Breakfast

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Lunch

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Dinner

After breakfast, we will visit the famous Gion Hanami-kōji street, a historic street that retains the old-fashioned appearance of Kyoto. It stretches about 1km from Sanjo-dori in the north to Kennin-ji Temple in the south, passing through four major streets in between. The street is paved with cobblestones and lined with traditional tea houses, restaurants, and old-style townhouses. It is a must-visit attraction in Kyoto and a designated historical preservation district.

Next, we will proceed to Yasaka Shrine, which has a history dating back to at least 876 AD. At that time, a priest named Enshu invited the god of disease prevention, Gozu Tenno, to the shrine to stop the epidemics and disasters that were plaguing the people of Kyoto. This event marked the beginning of the famous Gion Matsuri festival, which features gorgeous floats and people dressed in traditional clothing parading around Yasaka Shrine. It has now become one of the three major festivals in Kyoto and attracts visitors from all over the world.

Afterward, you can visit the Nishiki Market, also known as "Kyoto's Kitchen," which is a covered arcade about 400 meters long with 130 shops selling all kinds of food and goods. There are also many long-established shops selling Kyoto's unique ingredients and food, as well as shops where you can eat while walking. It is a popular tourist attraction for both locals and visitors alike. The covered arcade of Nishiki Market is connected to the Shin-Kyogoku Shopping Street and the Teramachi Shopping Arcade, so you don't have to worry about shopping on rainy days.

Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel

Day 08

Location Pin

Kyoto

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Breakfast

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Lunch

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Dinner

Many people are amazed by the exquisite beauty of wagashi, which looks like a concentrated version of seasonal flowers and scenery. They often say things like "I can't bear to eat it" or "It's like a work of art," and they hope to experience the fun of making wagashi themselves.

Today, we will take you to a wagashi-making workshop where you can experience making wagashi by hand, which we believe will be an unforgettable and precious memory for you. We will then visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka, which are traditional streets in Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera is the oldest temple in Kyoto and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The temple's main hall features the famous Kiyomizu stage, which is a National Treasure of Japan and is known for its stunning views of cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn foliage. Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka are both sloping streets that are considered important traditional buildings in Japan. The streets are lined with old-fashioned Japanese buildings and many shops selling traditional souvenirs. It's not uncommon to see women dressed in traditional clothing walking along these streets.

Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel

Day 09

Location Pin

Kyoto

Cup of coffee

Breakfast

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Lunch

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Dinner

After breakfast, we will visit Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion. It is a iconic attraction in Kyoto and an important architectural site recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. The exterior of Kinkaku-ji is adorned with gold leaf, creating a dazzling visual impact when illuminated by sunlight. It is a grand and magnificent sight to behold. Inside the temple, there is a precious relic of the Buddha's ashes, which attracts devout worshippers every year.

Next, we will proceed to the Arashiyama Scenic Area to visit the Togetsukyo Bridge. Spanning 155 meters across the Katsura River, which flows gently through the scenic Arashiyama area, the bridge is a famous landmark in Kyoto. From there, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the western hills. The elegant design of the bridge embodies the essence of traditional Japanese aesthetics. Sure! You can take a leisurely stroll along the bamboo forest path to visit the Tiantan Temple. The temple was founded in 1343 by the national master and high monk Mengchu Shushi. It is nestled among the mountains and waters, surrounded by bamboo and flowers. From the grand mountains and rivers to the small plants, everything is exquisitely pieced together in this beautiful scenery.

Most of the buildings in the temple were rebuilt during the Meiji era. The entire temple and garden were listed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1994

Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel

Day 10

Location Pin

Kyoto – Osaka

Cup of coffee

Breakfast

Fork & Knife

Lunch

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Dinner

After visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha, which was built in the 8th century and mainly enshrines the various Inari gods led by the Uka no Mitama no Kami, we will have the opportunity to learn about Japanese tea ceremony, taste tea, smell the aroma of tea, and learn about the profound history and culture of Japanese tea. Kyoto is the main production area for Japanese tea.

After lunch, we will head to Osaka to visit Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and Dotonbori Food Street. Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi are two intersecting streets that are very close to each other. Shinsaibashi is the most famous shopping area in southern Osaka, with a history of more than 380 years. Here you can find large department stores, century-old shops, as well as various small shops and drugstores for ordinary people. The shops along the street are lined up in an orderly manner, gathering all kinds of department stores, clothing, shoes, jewelry, and fashionable clothing. In addition, Shinsaibashi has a trendy area called "America-mura" and a cost-effective "second-hand" store for young people who want to keep up with fashion. After dinner, we will check into the hotel.

Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel

Day 11

Location Pin

Osaka

Cup of coffee

Breakfast

Fork & Knife

Lunch

Fork & Knife

Dinner

After breakfast, we will visit Osaka Castle Park, one of the famous scenic spots in Osaka and part of the projects commemorating the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Showa. The park is a vast historical park with various trees planted throughout, and it is a great place to enjoy cherry blossoms and plum blossoms in season.

Next, we will head to Nara Park, located on the east side of Nara city at the foot of Mount Kasuga. The park has beautiful scenery all year round, and hundreds of wild sika deer live on the open grasslands. We will also visit Todai-ji Temple, a famous historical site in Nara. The temple was established in 728 by Emperor Shomu, who was a devout Buddhist. Todai-ji Temple is the head temple of all 68 provincial temples in Japan.

In the afternoon, we will go to Umeshu Sushi School to learn how to make sushi with a teacher.

Day 12

Location Pin

Osaka – Beijing – Auckland

Cup of coffee

Breakfast

Own arrangement until catch a flight from Kansai airport to Beijing by flight

Day 13

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Auckland Arrival

Upon arrival in Auckland, our enjoyable journey comes to an end!

Inclusions

  • International flights (economy class with air tax)
  • Accommodation in 3-4 star hotels, twin share rooms
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary
  • Local Professional, English-Speaking Guide
  • Gratuities & Admission fees for sightseeing as per itinerary.

Upgrades

We are pleased to offer the opportunity to upgrade to premium economy or business class. Kindly inquire about the pricing details during the booking process. deposit amount will be adjusted accordingly as well.

Cost

Twin Share Single
AprilCost per person* AKL - AKL $8,299 +$2,360
April Land Only $5,499
MayCost per person* AKL - AKL $7,699 +$2,360
May Land Only $4,999

*Itinerary and costs subject to change. Airline, fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

  • Japan Visa fees
  • Personal expenses
  • Tipping ($8 NZD per day per person)
  • Other misc. expenses

Terms & Conditions

  1. Please make a deposit of $2500 NZD per person at the time of registration. If the tour is confirmed, please make the final payment before August 30th. Once the deposit is paid, it is non-refundable unless China Travel Service (NZ) Ltd confirms the cancellation of the tour or if local laws require a refund. After August 30th, no full refunds will be provided.
  2. This tour requires a minimum group size of 15 people. In the event that the minimum group size is not met, China Travel Service (NZ) Ltd reserves the right to cancel the tour. In such cases, we will refund the full deposit amount to the guests. We will provide the initial and final confirmation regarding the departure of the tour by July 5th.
  3. We strongly recommend that guests purchase travel insurance.
  4. To ensure the tour is enjoyable for you and others in the group, a reasonable standard of fitness and mobility is required.
  5. China Travel Service (NZ) Ltd reserves the right to make temporary itinerary changes or terminate the tour due to force majeure factors, including but not limited to war, natural disasters, strikes, and other unforeseen circumstances. If this tour is cancelled/postponed due to Covid-19 Government travel restrictions China Travel Service (N.Z) Ltd reserves the right, in addition to any supplier imposed amendment and cancellation fees, to charge a service and administrative fee of $500 per person.
  6. China Travel Service (NZ) Ltd will assist in every way possible but accepts no liability for any additional costs incurred.Note: China Travel Service (NZ) Ltd reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.* Itinerary subject to change

Please view our full Terms & Conditions here.