Day 1. Tokyo/B
Arrive Narita Airport, Tokyo. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. Check in. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight in Tokyo. (Baggage will be put in the baggage storage in the coach.)
Day 2. Tokyo/B
Full day sightseeing tour of Tokyo by coach. The program begins by visiting Imperial Plaza Palace -the resident of Japan’s Imperial Family. The construction of new Imperial Palace was completed in 1888. The palace was once destroyed during the World War Two, and rebuilt in the same style afterwards. The next site is Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Excursion continues to Meiji Jingu Shrine – is a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji, the first emperor of contemporary Japan and his consort, Empress Shoken. The next sites to be visited are Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise Shopping Arcade-the 200 m length shopping street featuring the history of several centuries. Here one can purchase various souvenirs such as yukata (informal leisure clothing) and taste various traditional snacks. Transfer to hotel.
Day 3.Tokyo – Nikko -Toshogu Shrine - Lake Chuzenji – Kegon Waterfall- Tokyo/B
Morning departure for Nikko, town located at the entrance of Nikko National Park, most famous for Toshogu, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868. The shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Ieyasu and two other of Japan's most influential historical personalities, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Minamoto Yoritomo. Nikko National Park is famous for its scenic, mountainous landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys and hiking trails. Drive to famous Lake Chuzenji - a scenic lake in the mountains above the town of Nikko. It is located at the foot of Mount Nantai, Nikko's sacred volcano, whose eruption blocked the valley below, thereby creating Lake Chuzenji about 20,000 years ago. Visit almost 100 meter Kegon Waterfall ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful falls. Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 4.Tokyo – Mt. Fuji –Lake Ashi – Owakudani Valley – Kyoto/B
The day begins with sightseeing of 5th station of Mt. Fuji (Fujisan) (3776 m.) Japan's highest mountain located at Hakone Izu National Park. Boat Cruise on lake Ashi (Japanese: Ashinoko) was formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone after the volcano's last eruption 3000 years ago. Later on visit Owakudani Valley - area around a crater created during the last eruption of Mount Hakone some 3000 years ago. Today, much of the area is an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers can be experienced. Additionally, Owakudani has good views of Mount Fuji on clear days. Transfer to Odawara station. Leave for Kyoto by JR super express train Hikari 519. Arrive at Kyoto station and transfer to the hotel in Kyoto. Overnight in Kyoto. (Baggage will be transported separately by truck from Tokyo to Kyoto.)
Day 5. Nijo Castle-Kimono show- Kinkakuji Temple- Ryoanji Temple- Kiyomizu Temple /B
Full day sightseeing of Kyoto former Japan’s capital and the emperor’s residence from 794 until 1868. The trip starts by visiting Nijo Castle. Nijo Castle (Nijojo) was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo Shogunate, as the Kyoto residence for himself and his successors. The palace building, now known as Ninomaru ("secondary castle"), was completed in 1603 and enlarged by Ieyasu's grandson Iemitsu .After drive to Nishijin Textile Exhibition Center to attend Kimono show. The trip continues to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) - a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex. It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955. The next site to be visited is Ryoanji Temple - the site of Japan's most famous rock garden. The garden's date of construction is unknown and there are a number of speculations regarding its designer. The garden consists of a rectangular plot of pebbles surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks laid out in small groups on patches of moss. An interesting feature of the garden's design is that from any vantage point at least one of the rocks is always hidden from the viewer. The trip continues on to visiting Kiyomizudera ("Pure Water Temple") Temple - one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto, and derives its name from the fall's pure waters.In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. Kiyomizudera is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. Transfer to hotel.
Day 6.Kyoto-Todaiji Temple-KasugaTaisha Shrine- Nara Park-Tokyo/B
Early morning drive to Nara - Japan's first permanent capital established in the year 710. Sightseeing of Todaiji Temple ("Great Eastern Temple") - one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples. Todaiji Temple is housing Japan’s largest bronze Buddha statue (Daibutsu), but it is also the world's largest wooden building, even though the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple's size. A popular attraction of Todaiji is a pillar inside the temple which has a hole in its base the same size as the Daibutsu's nostril. It is said that those who can squeeze through this opening will be granted enlightenment in their next reincarnation.The tour continues to Kasuga Taisha – Nara’s most celebrated shrine. It was established at the same time as the capital and is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city.Tour to Nara Park (Deer Park )- a large park in the center of Nara. The park is home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered in Shinto to be messengers of the gods, Nara's nearly 1200 deer have become a symbol of the city and have been designated a natural treasure.Transfer to Kyoto Station. Leave for Tokyo by JR super express train Nozomi 36. Transfer to hotel in Tokyo. (Baggage will be transported separately by truck from Kyoto to Tokyo.)
Day 7. Tokyo
Transfer to Narita Airport. Departure.
