Majestic Japan
Majestic Japan
Majestic Japan
11 Days Starting in Tokyo, Japan and ending in Hiroshima, Japan
Visiting: Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Okayama, Matsue, Hiroshima
Tour operator:
Tour code:
OG-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Rail Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Majestic Japan" tour and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Japan. Begin your journey in Tokyo, exploring iconic sites like Meiji Shrine and Asakusa Kannon Temple. Travel by bullet train to Nagoya to visit the historic Nagoya Castle and enjoy a sake tasting. In Kyoto, marvel at the Fushimi Inari Shrine and the golden splendor of Kinkakuji. Cruise around Amanohashidate sandbar and experience a traditional tea ceremony. Discover the ancient pottery of Bizen, the serene Koraku-en Garden, and the Edo-period charm of Kurashiki. Visit Matsue Castle and the Adachi Museum of Art, and reflect at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park. Conclude with a ferry ride to Miyajima Island, visiting Itsukushima Shrine and participating in a Japanese cooking class. Enjoy luxurious accommodations and guided tours throughout this unforgettable cultural adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Tokyo,Japan
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation Name: Hilton Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.
Day 2: Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation Name: Hilton Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TOKYO Monumental Metropolis Hop on Tokyo’s subway system to explore this fascinating city with guided sightseeing, featuring the Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Kannon Temple, and Nakamise shopping arcade. . Tonight, join your travel companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTSMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Exploring Tokyo on the metro starts with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. Then, visit Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade, the oldest of their kind in Tokyo.ENHANCED FREE TIMEEXPLORE MORE Tokyo has something for everyone so visit one of the city’s unique neighborhoods like Ginza or Shibuya districts, dine at the street food markets, or catch a game at the Tokyo Dome.
Day 3: Tokyo,Nagoya
Location: Nagoya
Accommodation Name: Hilton Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast
TOKYO–NAGOYA Fourth with a Bullet Today, travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya, Japan’s fourth-largest city. Visit Nagoya Castle, a proud symbol of the city, then enjoy a sake tasting. (B)LOCAL FAVORITESMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Celebrate with your small group with a sake tasting in Nagoya’s yokocho, traditional Japanese alleyways, today hosting many small restaurants, pubs, and shops.
Day 4: Nagoya,Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation Name: The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
NAGOYA–KYOTO Textiles & Temples This morning, visit the Toyota Commemorative Museum, showcasing the rise of the company’s start as a textile machinery manufacturer to a worldwide industrial superpower. Then, board a train for Kyoto. Upon arrival, visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly hued Torii Gates. (B,D)FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE Join your Tour Director for a walking tour through Gion or visit more of Kyoto’s historic temples.
Day 5: Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation Name: The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
KYOTO A Golden Gift Cruise on the tranquil waters surrounding the pine-covered Amanohashidate sandbar, home to one of Japan’s three most scenic views. Return to Kyoto and visit to stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion, then partake in a [LF] tea ceremony. (B,L)LOCAL FAVORITEPLANNED TO A TEA Participate in a tea ceremony, the ancient tradition and carefully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea.
Day 6: Kyoto,Himeji,Bizen,Okayama
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation Name: Ana Hotel Okayama
Meals Included: Breakfast
KYOTO–HIMEJI–BIZEN–OKAYAMA Palace Aisles & Pottery Styles Take the shinkansen bullet train to Himeji to visit Himeji Castle. Drive south to Bizen, where you’ll visit a traditional pottery workshop to learn more about Bizen-yaki, one of Japan’s six ancient pottery styles dating back over 1,000 years. Continue to Okayama. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SIGHTS Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Himeji Castle to marvel at the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture.
Day 7: Okayama. Excursion To Kurashiki.
Location: Okayama
Accommodation Name: Ana Hotel Okayama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
OKAYAMA. EXCURSION TO KURASHIKI. Garden Sights & City Whites This morning, visit Koraku-en Garden. Journey to Kurashiki, to visit the Ohara Museum and Bikan Historical Quarter, once the political and commercial center of the city. The canal-lined, white-washed, stone streets reflect the Edo period (1603-1867) and are quintessentially Japanese. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTTHE POWER OF TRANQUILITY The 30-acre Koraku-en Garden features ponds, plum groves, and tea fields, earning its place as one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan.” The wide lawns, believed to uplift the spirit and promote open mindedness, are unique to Koraku-en and not a traditional feature of Japanese gardens.
Day 8: Okayama,Matsue,Yonago
Location: Matsue
Accommodation Name: Ana Hotel Okayama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
OKAYAMA–MATSUE–YONAGO Picturing Japan Drive northwest to Matsue and visit Matsue Castle on the shores of Lake Shinji. After lunch, continue to the Adachi Museum of Art to view the renowned work of artist, Yokoyama Taikan. Your hotel tonight is in the city of Yonago on the coast of the Sea of Japan. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARTISTRY Revel in the Japanese-style gardens of the Adachi Museum of Art and admire the revolutionary style of painter Yokoyama Taikan. Considered one of Japan’s greatest painters, this major figure in pre-WWII Japanese painting helped create the stunning technique of Nihonga—ink and mineral pigments on silk or paper canvas.
Day 9: Yonago,Hiroshima
Location: Hiroshima
Accommodation Name: Hilton Hiroshima
Meals Included: Breakfast
YONAGO–HIROSHIMA Serenity & Solemnity Drive south to Hiroshima this morning. Upon arrival, visit the 400-year-old Shukkei-en Garden, where natural landscapes are represented in miniature form. Also visit the moving Peace Memorial Park. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTMONUMENTS & MEMORIALS Peace Memorial Park is home to the Peace Memorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been preserved just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the devastating bombing. You will also visit the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost that day.
Day 10: Hiroshima
Location: Hiroshima
Accommodation Name: Hilton Hiroshima
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HIROSHIMA Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island. Visit Itsukushima Shrine and take cable-car ride to the top of Mount Misen for panoramic views of the Seto Island Sea, and on a clear day, Hiroshima city. Participate in a Japanese cooking class for lunch. Return to Hiroshima for some time on your own. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (B,L,D) LOCAL FAVORITESMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Learn how to make Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, delicious savory pancake layered with ingredients as you choose. This legendary dish of Japan comes from the words okonomi (as you like it)and yaki (to grill).
Day 11: Hiroshima
Location: Hiroshima
Accommodation Name: Hilton Hiroshima
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Meals
Daily breakfast, selected lunches, and dinners are included.
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Transportation
Travel by shinkansen (bullet train) and ferry as part of the tour.
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Guided Tours
Guided visits to Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Kannon Temple, Nagoya Castle, Toyota Commemorative Museum, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkakuji, Himeji Castle, Koraku-en Garden, Ohara Museum, Bikan Historical Quarter, Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum of Art, Shukkei-en Garden, Peace Memorial Park, Itsukushima Shrine, and more.
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Special Experiences
Participate in a sake tasting, tea ceremony, and Japanese cooking class.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to Himeji Castle, Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Itsukushima Shrine, and Temple of the Gold Pavilion.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
Flights to and from Japan are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and related expenses are not included.
UNESCO Sites
Himeji Castle|Hiroshima Peace Memorial|Itsukushima Shrine|Temple of the Gold Pavilion
Accommodation
Stay at Hilton Tokyo in Tokyo, The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto in Kyoto, Ana Hotel Okayama in Okayama, and Hilton Hiroshima in Hiroshima.
Accommodation
Tokyo:Hilton TokyoNagoya:Nagoya Tokyu HotelKyoto:The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto Okayama:Ana Hotel OkayamaMatsue:ANA Crowne Plaza YonagoHiroshima:Hilton Hiroshima
Notes
Miyajima Island cable-car ride is dependent upon weather conditions. Due to limited space on the bullet train to Nagoya, please plan to pack an overnight bag while main luggage will be sent via complimentary 2-day luggage service.
Meals
10 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation will be used during the tour?
Travel will primarily be by shinkansen (bullet train) between cities such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. Additionally, local subway systems and ferries will be used for city exploration and island visits.
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What types of accommodations are included in the tour?
The tour includes stays at Hilton Tokyo in Tokyo, The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto in Kyoto, Ana Hotel Okayama in Okayama, and Hilton Hiroshima in Hiroshima.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, daily breakfast, selected lunches, and dinners are included in the tour package.
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What special experiences are included in the tour?
Special experiences include participating in a sake tasting, a tea ceremony, and a Japanese cooking class.
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Are there any UNESCO World Heritage Sites included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Himeji Castle, Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Itsukushima Shrine, and the Temple of the Gold Pavilion.
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What activities are planned for the visit to Hiroshima?
In Hiroshima, you will visit the Shukkei-en Garden, Peace Memorial Park, and take a ferry to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine. You will also participate in a Japanese cooking class and have some free time to explore.
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What can I expect during the visit to Kyoto?
In Kyoto, you will visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, cruise around the Amanohashidate sandbar, visit Kinkakuji (the Temple of the Gold Pavilion), and participate in a tea ceremony.
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What is the significance of the visit to Nagoya?
In Nagoya, you will visit Nagoya Castle and enjoy a sake tasting. You will also visit the Toyota Commemorative Museum to learn about the company's history.
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What are the highlights of the visit to Okayama and Kurashiki?
In Okayama, you will visit Koraku-en Garden. In Kurashiki, you will explore the Ohara Museum and the Bikan Historical Quarter, which features canal-lined, white-washed, stone streets reflecting the Edo period.
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What will I experience on Miyajima Island?
On Miyajima Island, you will visit Itsukushima Shrine and take a cable-car ride to the top of Mount Misen for panoramic views of the Seto Island Sea and Hiroshima city.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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