FLY AUCKLAND TO TOKYO
Fly from Auckland to Tokyo Narita direct with Air New Zealand.
On arrival in Tokyo, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private car.
- Economy Class Flights from New Zealand.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check-in Baggage Allowance.
- Arrival transfer by Private Car.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Tokyo accommodation Tax (approx NZ$2-4 per person per night payable locally).
TOKYO - FULL DAY TOUR
Enjoy an efficient, one-day tour of Tokyo accompanied by an English-speaking government-licensed guide. Your guide will introduce both modern and traditional aspects of Japan's dynamic capital.
Due to the enormous size of Tokyo, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, a one-day tour is best focused on one or two areas.
Tokyo is where you can experience both modern and traditional, and your experienced private guide will help you efficiently enjoy a full day in this dynamic Japanese capital.
Let us know what you would like to experience, and we will customise a six-hour tour that's best for you!
Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customised itinerary.
You will be able to design your tour by choosing 3-4 spots to focus on from the below.
- Asakusa
- Imperial Palace
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Shibuya Crossing (Pass by)
- Tsukiji Fish Market
- Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Akihabara
- Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
- Hama Rikyu Gardens
- Tokyo National Museum
- Tokyo Skytree
- Senso-ji Temple
- Edo-Tokyo Museum
- Rikugien Garden
- Yoyogi Park
- Takeshita Street
- Roppongi Hills, Shop & Restaurant
- Odaiba District
- Shibamata
- Tokyo DisneySea
- Takaosan Yakuo-in Yuki-ji Temple
- Nezu
- Shinjuku Golden Gai
- Breakfast.
- Full Day Tour.
- English Speaking Guide for 6 hours
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Tokyo accommodation Tax (approx NZ$2-4 per person per night payable locally).
- All entrance fees and public transportation fees as mentioned in the itinerary
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TOKYO - DAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy the day at leisure in Tokyo.
- Breakfast.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Tokyo accommodation Tax (approx NZ$2-4 per person per night payable locally).
TRAVEL TO HAKONE
Today you will need to make your own way to Shinjuku Station in order to catch the Romance Car directly to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
Armed with your Hakone Free Pass you will be able to travel by Funicular Railway, Cable Car, Bus and even by Pirate Ship to explore this beautiful area of hot springs, pine clad hills and lakes in the shadow of Mount Fuji.
We have included a Romance Car upgrade for your journey to Hakone today. The Romance Car offers panoramic windows, in seat service and a faster service to Hakone than the regular train.
On arrival at Hakone-Yumoto we suggest you set off to explore the Hakone region first, rather than going to the hotel to check-in.
Japan has a superb luggage forwarding service which can be used to forward your bags onward to your next destination. This can be organised directly with your hotel. We highly recommend doing this in conjunction with your Japan Rail Pass as Japanese Railways Stations are often large and busy, so having only hand carry bags with you will make your journeys so much easier.
- Breakfast.
- Romance Car from Shinjuku (Tokyo) to Hakone.
- 2-day Hakone Free Pass.
- Dinner in Hakone.
- Overnight Accommodation.
TRAVEL TO TAKAYAMA
Make your own way to the Railway Station and on to Takayama by rail.
On arrival in Takayama make your own way to the hotel which is within walking distance of the hotel.
You'll be travelling ion the Hida Wide view Train today from Nagoya to Takayama. It's one of the most scenic trains in Japan, with wide panoramic windows.
- Breakfast.
- 2-day Hakone Free Pass.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Overnight Accommodation.
TAKAYAMA - HALF DAY TOUR
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Takayama!
Takayama features an atmospheric townscape, with Meiji-era inns and hillside shrines in a riverside setting. In addition, many museums, galleries and temples make their home in the city's 17th century layout.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customise a four-hour tour that's best for you!
Be sure to come see the Takayama Festival, held once in spring and once in autumn, but be prepared for the crowds as the festivals attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Ask us for dates if you're interested.
For today's tour, choose 2 or 3 places in Takayama you would most like to see. The old town and the Folk Village are probably the two places you will most benefit from having a guide with you.
- Sanmachi Suji (the old town)
- Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village (Hida no Sato)
- Takayama Jinya
- Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hal
- Higashiyama Walking Course
- Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
- Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market
- Hida Kokubun-ji Temple
- Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine
- Kusakabe Folk Museum
- Breakfast.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- 4 hour Walking Tour.
- English-Speaking Tour Guide.
- Overnight Accommodation.
TRAVEL TO KANAZAWA
Make your own way to Takayama Station and travel by rail to Kanazawa.
On arrival in Kanazawa make your own way to your hotel.
KANAZAWA
Enjoy the day at leisure in Kanzawa.
- Breakfast.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Overnight Accommodation.
TRAVEL TO HIROSHIMA
Make your own way to the railway station for your train journey to Hiroshima.
On arrival in Hiroshima, make your own way to your hotel.
You could also make a stop at Himeji to see Himeji Castle on the way to Hiroshima today.
- Breakfast.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Overnight Accommodation.
HIROSHIMA & MIYAJIMA ISLAND
Enjoy the day at leisure.
- Breakfast.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Overnight Accommodation.
TRAVEL TO KYOTO
Today, make your way to the railway station for your train journey to Kyoto.
On arrival in Kyoto make your own way to your hotel.
This evening, make your own way to Gion and meet your guide in front of Gion Omoide Museum (connected to the Izutsu Yatsuhashi pastry shop).
Experience one of the most popular walking tours in Kyoto, joined by nearly 5,000 guests annually. This 100-minute guided walk is led by a licensed English-speaking guide and takes you through nighttime Gion.
The tour begins at Gion Omoide Museum, connected to a traditional pastry shop.
Walk down the classic cobblestoned streets next to the Shirakawa River, and admire the scenery that was featured in the book and film, Memoirs of a Geisha.
As you walk beside this beautiful stream, the guide will tell you about the history of geisha and give you a detailed explanation in regards to their kimono, hairstyle, traditional rules, and what their daily life is like.
Although it is not guaranteed, during the walking tour guests often encounter geisha walking along the street.
Kyoto is without doubt the highlight of any trip to Japan. It can be a little bit overwhelming with so much to see, and a bit of planning will go a long way to ensuring you see the best sights, don't spend time getting lost and don't get 'templed-out'.
- Breakfast.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- 100 minutes Guided Group Walking Tour.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Kyoto accommodation Tax (approx NZ$3 per person per night payable locally).
KYOTO - FULL DAY EXCURSION
Temples, shrines, and tea ceremonies. The traditions of ancient Japan are still alive and well in the old capitol, Kyoto.
Walking around this beautiful city can feel like you are in a time machine as its architecture has been preserved for centuries.
Today's tour, accompanied by an English-speaking guide is flexible to suit your interests. Choose 3 to 4 spots that you wish to visit and your guide will plan a personalised itinerary for you.
We have suggested some of the best things to see Kyoto.
Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customised itinerary.
You will be able to design your tour by choosing 3-4 spots to focus on from the below.
- Kibune River
- Kurama-dera
- Ryoanji Temple
- Arashiyama
- Kokedera Suzumusidera
- Katsura Imperial Villa
- Daikaku-ji Temple
- Tenryuji Temple
- Yoshimine-dera
- Togetsukyo Bridge (Pass by)
- Bamboo Forest Street (Pass by)
- Okochi Sanso Garden
- Monkey Park Iwatayama
- Tenryuji Temple
- Daikaku-ji Temple
- Jojakkoji Temple
- Nisonin
- Gio-ji Temple
- Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
- Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
- Katsura Imperial Villa
- Shugakuin Imperial Villa
- Breakfast.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Full Day Tour.
- English Speaking Guide for 6 hours.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Kyoto accommodation Tax (approx $2-3 per person per night payable locally).
- All entrance fees and public transportation fees as mentioned in the itinerary
KYOTO - DAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy the day at leisure.
- Breakfast.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Kyoto accommodation Tax (approx $2-3 per person per night payable locally).
TRAVEL TO KOYA SAN
Today travel from Kyoto to Mount Koya (Koya San for an overnight stay in a temple residence). You will travel directly to Koyasan by highway bus (seasonal).
On arrival at Mount Koya Station, catch a local bus or taxi to your accommodation (just a few minutes away).
Set in the peaceful wooded area of Wakayama Prefecture among magnificent ancient forests and towering sacred mountains, the secluded temple town of Koya San is one of Japan’s most enchanting destinations.
First founded as a tranquil retreat in 816 by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan's most revered religious figures, the town is now inhabited by roughly 3,000 people, features a university dedicated to religious studies as well as over a hundred sacred temples.
Koya San is a must-see destination for those interested in Buddhism, history, traditional culture and spectacular natural scenery.
This evening visit Okunoin Cemetary at night, which offers a fantastically different experience than the daytime. The tour will meet at 7 pm and will take about two hours, walking slowly along the approach to Okunoin.
A monk living in Koyasan (qualified as a guide in the precincts of Kongobuji) will be your guide.
- Breakfast.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Dinner.
- Evening Tour.
- Overnight Accommodation.
TRAVEL TO OSAKA
Every day at 7 am, a Religious Service is held in the main hall.
The deities Fudo Myoo, Kobo Daishi, and the Ryokai Mandala are enshrined around the principal image of Amida Nyorai, while offerings are made to the spirits every morning.
You are welcome to participate in this service.
Following the morning service, a Goma (Homa) Fire Ritual is performed every day at 7:30 am at the Bishamondo.
This prayer is based on the teachings handed down from the Tang Dynasty by the Odaishi. You are welcome to participate.
When you have checked out of your temple lodging, hop on the bus or catch a taxi back to the cablecar station, get the cable car back down to Gokurabashi Station and travel on to Osaka. You will need to pay for your train ticket at the station - the cost should be about NZ$40 per person.
On arrival in Osaka make your own way to your hotel.
- Breakfast.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Train ticket to Nanka Namba Station, Osaka.
OSAKA - HALF DAY TOUR
Today you’ll join a local Osaka host for an exhilarating half-day experience of their city.
From local food to must-see sites like Osaka Castle, you’ll discover the city’s unique charm and local culture.
Customised to suit your taste, you’ll visit a creative area like the neon lit Dōtonbori, grab some lunch at a trendy market and discover iconic temples, historic landmarks and bustling shops.
Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests.
Based on your responses, youll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique.
You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.
- Breakfast.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Half Day Tour.
- English Speaking Guide for 4 hours
- Overnight Accommodation.
- All entrance fees and public transportation fees as mentioned in the itinerary.
FLY TOKYO TO AUCKLAND
Make your own way to Shin-Osaka Station and catch the bullet train to Shinagawa where you will connect on to the Narita Express to Narita Airport for your flight back to New Zealand (other flight options are available).
Fly overnight from Tokyo Narita to New Zealand.
- Breakfast.
- 14-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Economy Class Flights.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check-in Baggage Allowance,
ARRIVE AUCKLAND
Arrive back in New Zealand.
