DAY ONE – KYOTO

Depart Australia on your international flight to Kansai / Osaka, Japan.  

Airport Limousine Bus to Kyoto.  

Overnight: Kyoto inn/hotel – Breakfast included

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DAY TWO – KYOTO / NARA 

A full day to explore some of Kyoto and Nara’s famous temples and shrines with a coach tour including an English-speaking guide. 

Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the official Kyoto residence of the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu.  To safeguard against treachery, the Shogun had the interior fitted with ‘nightingale’ floors (intruders were detected by the squeaking boards) and concealed chambers where bodyguards could keep watch.  

Kinkakuji is one of the most beautiful temples in all Japan.  A trip to Japan would not be complete without a photo in front of this Golden Pavilion.   The first floor is palace style, the second floor is the style of the samurai house and third floor is a Zen style temple.  Both the second and third floors are covered with gold leaf on Japanese lacquer.  Your tour includes a visit to Kyoto Imperial Palace (except Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and specific days) or Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and specific days).  

Lunch at local restaurant in Kyoto is included on the tour.  

After lunch see the great sights Nara has to offer! Travel from Kyoto to Nara by bus, where you can visit Todaiji, the largest wooden structure in the world and home of the Great Buddha, the largest Buddha statue in Japan. Mingle with the many deer at Nara Park, then proceed to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara’s most famous shrine. Finally visit Nara Nagomikan, a famous souvenir shop.

Dinner at a buffet restaurant in AEON Mall near Kyoto Station after the tour.

Overnight: Kyoto inn/hotel – Breakfast included

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DAY THREE – KYOTO

Send luggage by Takkyubin courier service from Kyoto inn/hotel to Hiroshima youth hostel.

Lunch at sushi making seminar in Kyoto Tower.  Enjoy professional sushi making experience and taste your own made sushi!

Suggested sightseeing: Kiyomizu / Gion area using Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass.

Kyoto’s most famous landmark - Kiyomizudera Temple is the longest wooden structure in the world.  This temple was founded in 798 and rebuilt in 1633 without the single use of a nail.  The winding entrance to Kiyomizudera is known as ‘Teapot Lane’ and sells the best souvenirs and handicrafts in all of Japan.  

Gion – Heart of Kyoto’s world famous Geisha districts.  As you stroll through the Gion area in the early evening you will see maiko and geiko moving between the evening’s engagements.  Saizen Tours can arrange for your group to visit a local teahouse in Gion and learn about the secret world of Geisha first hand.  You can watch the young maiko perform before they serve you tea and pose for photos with the group.  

Dinner at shabu-shabu hot pot restaurant near the teahouse.

Overnight: Kyoto inn/hotel – Breakfast included

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DAY FOUR – HIMEJI / HIROSHIMA

Commence 5-Day JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, head to Himeji and visit Himeji Castle.  It is widely considered Japan's most spectacular castle. Unlike many other Japanese castles, Himeji Castle was never destroyed in wars, earthquakes or fires and survives in its original form. It is both a national treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Travel from Himeji to Hiroshima, the City of Peace.

Dinner at okonomiyaki cooking studio at Hiroshima Station.  Skilled staff will support you and give you tips on how to make delicious okonomiyaki.

Overnight: Hiroshima youth hostel – Breakfast included

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DAY FIVE – MIYAJIMA

A short ferry ride will take you to Miyajima Island known as one of Japan’s ‘Three Most Beautiful Places’.  The island is famous for its shrines, tame deer and monkeys.  You certainly won’t miss the large red torii gate that marks the entrance to the floating ‘Itsukushima Shrine’.  This is Japan’s largest torii gate and dates from 1875. 

Momiji Manju sweet making experience on Miyajima Island.  This maple leaf shaped waffle is the most famous special sweets on Miyajima.

Dinner at local restaurant in Hiroshima.

Overnight: Hiroshima youth hostel – Breakfast included

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DAY SIX – HIROSHIMA / OSAKA

Suggested sightseeing in the morning: Hiroshima Peace Park/Museum and Atom Bomb Dome is located nearby.  The Industrial Promotion Hall is the only ruined building still allowed to stand after the devastation in 1945, its dome the symbol of the destruction.  The Peace Park is built around this building.  You will see the statue of ‘Sadako’ above thousands of paper cranes from all around the world.

Farewell Hiroshima and board the shinkansen bullet train to Osaka, a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu, is known for its modern architecture, boisterous nightlife and hearty street food.

Plastic Food making experience in Doguyasuji, Namba.  Doguyasuji near Namba Station is Osaka's shopping destination for professional and amateur chefs. This short arcade sells all manner of cooking accessories, from restaurant grade stove tops to staff uniforms to pots, pans and dishes.

Dinner at kushikatsu restaurant in Dotonbori or Namba.  Dotonbori near Namba Station is one of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations. This street runs parallel to the Dotonbori canal.  At night it is lit by hundreds of neon lights and mechanized signs, including the famous Glico Running Man sign and Kani Doraku crab sign.  Dotonbori is perfect for having dinner.  Osaka’s obsession with food is often summed up with the expression “kuidaore” which is interpreted to mean “eat till you drop” but actually means to spend so much on food that you fall into financial ruin!  Dotonbori is said to be the best place in Osaka to experience this kuidaore style extreme love of food.

Overnight: Shin-Osaka youth hostel – Breakfast included

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DAY SEVEN – USJ

Visit to one of Japan’s most popular theme parks, Universal Studios Japan.  Jurassic Park, Back To The Future and ET are some of the best rides not to be missed. World of Harry Potter and Minion Park have newly opened, and Super Nintendo World will be opening soon!

Overnight: Shin-Osaka youth hostel – Breakfast included

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DAY EIGHT – OSAKA / KOYASAN

Cup Noodle making experience in Osaka.  Create your own completely original CUPNOODLES package, which is unavailable anywhere else in the world. Design your own cup, select your favourite soup from among four varieties as well as four toppings from among 12 varieties.

Send luggage by takkyubin courier service from Shin-Osaka youth hostel to Kansai Airport.

Commence 2-Day Kansai Thru Pass and make your way to Koyasan, the spiritual centre of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. The temple lanterns have continued to burn since its founding in the year 816.  Stay in a temple and be attended by young, trainee Buddhist Priests, enjoy traditional *shojin-ryori vegetarian cuisine, have the opportunity to participate in evening meditation and attend the morning service.  

*Traditional Japanese cuisine is listed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as well! 

Overnight: Koyasan temple – Dinner and breakfast included

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DAY NINE – KOYASAN

Half day fully escorted walking tour of Koyasan with an English-speaking local guide in the morning. You will visit famous places such as Okunoin Temple, Garan andKongobuji Temple.

Okunoin - Considered the holiest location in Koyasan, along the 2 km path to monk Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum are more than 200,000 tombstones and commemorative monuments. Walking down this cedar-lined path is like flipping through the history pages of Japan.

The Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex marks the center of Koyasan, and was the first site built on, as a venue for secluded ascetic training. Here stands the 48.5 meter tall vermillion-colored Konpon Daito (Great Tower), believed to be Japan’s first square two-storied pagoda.

As the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, Kongobu-ji Head Temple is one of the most prominent sites at Koyasan and features elegantly painted sliding doors (fusuma) and the Banryutei, Japan’s largest rock garden. Architectural buffs will enjoy the traditional fire prevention system, consisting of barrels collecting rainwater to dampen the cypress bark roofing.

Travel to Kansai Airport, Osaka late afternoon for your return flight to Australia.  Meals and movies on board your overnight flight to Australia. 

Overnight: In transit - late dinner and light breakfast included on board

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DAY TEN

Arrive Australia early morning.

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Note: Tour Itinerary is based on self-escorted sightseeing suggestions.