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.
Alongside your Japan Rail Pass, a Suica, or PASMO travel card is the other essential thing you will need in Tokyo. It's a rechargeable smart card which will allow you to travel on Tokyo's Metro lines. We'll give you instructions about how to purchase these on arrival.
- Economy Class Flights.
- 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
- 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
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 the short distance 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 or can be booked via ourselves. We will provide information on how to organise this with your booking documentation.
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.
If you're active and like a good walk, you could take the Ropeway, cross the lake on the Pirate Ship (yes, there's a pirate ship!), and then make your way back on foot to Hakone-Yumoto.
It's a beautiful walk, but you'll need to be fit and ready to walk for 4 hours, although it's almost all either flat or downhill.
Some of the route goes along the ancient Tokaido Trail, including passing alongside some magnificent cedars.
- Romance Car from Shinjuku (Tokyo) to Hakone.
- 2-day Hakone Free Pass.
- Dinner in Hakone.
- Overnight Accommodation.
TRAVEL TO TAKAYAMA
Make your way to the Railway Station and on to Takayama by rail.
Today you will ride on the scenic Hida Wide View Train to Takayama.
On arrival in Takayama make your own way to your hotel.
From traditional wooden machiya houses, nostalgic shops that line streets, historical Japanese buildings that have stood since the Edo Period, to eateries that showcase culinary delights using local ingredients.
Slip back in time as you stroll along the stone-cobbled streets of Takayama Old-Town (Sanmachi Suji district), visit the riverside Miyagawa morning market, or explore the shrines that dot the surrounding mountain ranges.
- Breakfast.
- 2-day Hakone Free Pass.
- 7-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.
- 7-day Japan Rail Pass.
- English Speaking Guide for 4 hours
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Transportation.
- Admission Tickets.
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 - HALF DAY TOUR
This morning's tour will show you the best of Kanazawa in the company of a professional local English-speaking guide.
Since the Edo era Kenrokuen Garden has been regarded as one of the most beautiful feudal gardens in all of Japan. You'll begin your tour with a visit to one of the best Japanese gardens in the country.
From Kenrokuen head to Kanazawa Castle Park, where you can feel the power and influence of the Lords of Kanazawa by visiting the Kanazawa Castle grounds and park area. View the beautiful white lead roof tiles, touch the formidable Ishikawa Mon gate, and enjoy the tranquility of Lord Maeda’s personal gardens.
Afterwards, head to Higashichaya Old Town where the Kanazawa Geisha district tour will introduce you to this beautiful and intriguing quarter of Kanazawa city’s long held culture and charm.
Head down the enchanting back streets to visit the less commercial aspects of this charming tea district, where untouched enclaves take you back to samurai times when this entertainment district was in its heyday.
Finally visit Nagamachi Neighborhood and step back in time to one of the best preserved Samurai Districts in Japan. The streets are lined with mud & straw walls encapsulating the unspoilt extravagance of the Samurai era.
- Breakfast.
- 7-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
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.
HIROSHIMA - DAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy the day at leisure.
We suggest spending the morning in Hiroshima and the afternoon on nearby Miyajima Island.
- Breakfast.
- 7-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'.
Take your time a little bit in Kyoto and don't try to rush through everything.
The Philosopher's Path is a lovely canalside walk in the centre of the city. It's a great place for a stroll and for serendipitous discoveries of temples and gardens along the way.
- Breakfast.
- 7-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
- 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.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Kyoto accommodation Tax (approx $2-3 per person per night payable locally).
KYOTO - DAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy the day at leisure.
Today you could add on a tour of Nara or make your own way by train.
A morning trip to Nara is a great excursion from Kyoto. It's full of historic treasures and is only an hour from Kyoto.
An evening in Osaka is also a great option. It's only a few minutes by train from Kyoto and it's an exciting city to experience in the evening.
Osaka is only 20 minutes or so on the Bullet Train from Kyoto and is well worth a visit, especially in the evening when the Dotonbori District really comes alive.
Have a walk around this district, abuzz with the sound of Pachinko parlours and bathed in neon light. There are hundreds of bars and restaurants and it's one of the best people-watching places in Japan.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Kyoto accommodation Tax (approx NZ$3 per person per night payable locally).
FLY TO AUCKLAND
Spend the morning in Kyoto.
Make your own way to Kyoto 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.
Fly from Tokyo Narita to Auckland with Air New Zealand.
- One Way Train Tickets Kyoto - Tokyo Narita.
- Economy Class Flights.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check-in Baggage Allowance.
ARRIVE AUCKLAND
Arrive back in New Zealand.
