Japan Tours
Bird watching, National Parks, escorted, spa resorts, nature, volcanos, culture & crafts.

 

Best of Japan Tour

Off the beaten track in Japan... we take you walking along nature trails, bird watching, wildflower and wildlife viewing, finding hidden pockets of old village architecture and outdoor spa baths. Watch a craft artist at work, look down into the crater of an active volcano, we also take you up onto Mt Fuji and discover the secrets inside a Japanese castle. We take our guests to visit the best traditional gardens, a bamboo forest, historic temples and shrines.

Fully escorted means that you will be accompanied every day by an Australian Tour Director, with over 25 years experience of introducing European visitors to Japan, to the grand and the intimate sights and even the weird and the wonderful. Not only do we introduce our guests to famous attractions but also many obscure yet fascinating sights that Japanese people simply don't see as unusual or interesting. We call this Discovery Travel and we like to take our guests behind the scenes wherever possible, to discover aspects of Japan that would not be obvious to the independent traveller.

Experience Japan with travel by private luxury charter coach, cable car, underground electric bus and the famous Shinkansen bullet train. Explore central and southern Japan, see towering snow-capped mountains, tranquil lakes surrounded by forest, active volcanos and enjoying small rural villages.

Saturday 14 May to Saturday 28 May, 2011
Land Only Price ( Fukuoka to Kyoto ) AUD$ 8,518

Go to our Photo Gallery page to see pics from our last Best of Japan Tour

(Click on any photo to enlarge it )

Fully escorted, off the beaten track

A 14 day fully escorted first class tour of Japan, visiting the islands of Kyushu and Honshu, will take you away from the standard tourist attractions, to experience the real Japanese lifestyle.

A complete Japanese experience

By private charter coach and train, you will travel around central and southern Japan, past towering snow-capped mountains, tranquil lakes surrounded by forest seaside towns and small rural villages.

Experience the cultural elegance of staying in traditional Japanese style accommodation (4 nights) where you can relax in the therapeutic waters of natural hot spa baths and enjoy fine local cuisine at Japanese style banquets which are included for your pleasure.

One night you will even be staying in a hotel above the clouds, where you can see magnificent views across the snow capped Japan Alps. Here to we have previously seen Snow Grouse ( Ptarmigan ) still in their winter plumage.

See craft artisans and potters at work, and walk along the old Nakasendo Trail, now just a bush track, which was in the 1700's the main road between Tokyo and Kyoto. Then stay in a small village that has preserved the architectural heritage of that era.


Natural Wonders and Gardens

Walking through the famous gardens of Suizenji, Ryoanji, Ginkakuji, and the Imperial Palace East Garden as well as Saihoji, The Moss Garden, will give you a good insight into the various forms of traditional landscape and Zen garden design.

In May you will see wild azaleas covering the side of Mt Unzen and in full bloom, a very colourful sight.

Visit the national parks of Mt Aso and Mt Unzen (Which last erupted in 1991), Mt Fuji Hakone National Park and cross over the "Roof of Japan" in the Japan Alps National Park.


Exclusive cultural visits

Discover the cultural heritage and historic aspects that have influenced and still do create a focus for life in Japan today.

At Arita we look back at how the pottery industry started in Japan, at Kurume learn about traditional use of Indigo Dye in clothing, then further along we will see other arts and crafts such as "washi" hand made paper and fine black lacquerware.

At the famous Moss Garden of Saihoji, you will experience a meditation session before the priests allow you to view their serene garden.

In the mountainous national parks you will see active volcanoes, bubbling mud pools, steaming sulphur encrusted fumaroles and find out how they affect daily life. Special arrangements have been made for you to meet with the curator of Mt Aso Volcano Visitor Centre for a personally guided tour.

Enjoy the cultural experience of staying in atmospheric Japanese Spa Hotels and a traditional Inn. Here you can relax in the therapeutic mineral baths, savour a variety of local foods at our evening banquets, wander around the village dressed in your Yukata (gown with big sleeves) and Geta (wooden shoes) provided by your hotel. On these nights your rooms will be traditional Japanese style with Tatami floors, futon beds and an architectural decor of tranquil elegance. On other nights you will be staying in more familiar western style hotel rooms.

For Detailed Itinerary & Price Click Here

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