Western Japan 18 Days

Welcome to Kansai International Airport! Transfer to Kyoto by taxi (about 1 hour). Please refer to your tour handbook for more information. Rest at the hotel and be ready to start your exciting tour tomorrow.

Your trip starts from Japan's ancient capital, Kyoto. In order to closely feel the local atmosphere of Kyoto, our walking tours use public transportation to experience the everyday life of Kyoto. During the 7-hour tour, your private guide will show you around the city covering four major must-see spots taking the appropriate amount of time for each. Visit Bamboo grove in the Arashiyama area, Rock Garden at Ryoanji Temple, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle or the Nishiki food market.

Continue walking guide tour to Gekkeikan Sake Brewery, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (thousands of red torii gates), Sanjusangendo Temple, Kiyomizudera Temple andNinenzaka and Sannenzaka Slope at a relaxing pace.

Heading to Sea of Japan side today, travel from Kyoto to Tottori by express train (about 3 hours).

After arrival to Tottori station, take a private taxi to Tottori sand dunes before heading to your hot spring accommodation tonight, enjoy the view and have a relaxing time in the hot baths located atop the lake.

Meals will include an elaborate dinner in the evening. Meals are typically kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine) that feature local and seasonal specialties. Along the Sea of Japan you will usually enjoy seafood.

Travel from Kurayoshi to Yasugi by JR train (42 min) along Sea of Japan coast.

You will visit Adachi Museum of Art and its unique gardens where have been ranked as number one in the "2019 Japanese Garden Ranking," and this marks the 17th consecutive year in the number one spot.

The gardens vary in appearance every day. In fact, we might never see each beautiful moment again, and this is why the whole garden is always full of beauty. The founder Adachi Zenko, with the belief of "the garden is also a picture", devoted himself to gardening until he died at the age of 91. The six gardens, including the Dry Landscape Garden, are about 165,000 square meters in total. They show various seasonal faces, and have good balance with the surrounding natural mountains. Thus, Adachi's gardens are said to be a "living Japanese painting."

In morning, you will join walking tour with our knowledgeable local guide.

The guide will take you to Matsue Castle, Lafcadio Hearn Memorial museum, Samurai house and tea ceremony.

In the afternoon, you can visit to Yushien garden, Shimane open museum etc.

Travel from Matsue to Hagi by JR train (about 3.5 hours).

Hagi has historical area where the old cityscape of the Edo period still remains and beautiful nature.

The Hagi City Circular Hop-on Bus Service is a convenient way to get around the city. The service operates on two routes around Hagi at 30 minute intervals. Hagi is very flat, so renting a bicycle is another great way to get around.

We recommend visit Uragami Museum, Shoin Shrine, Tokoji Temple, Shizuki Park, Castle ruins and Hagi Pottery Museum. Wander through the old town Samurai area.

Travel from Hagi to Hiroshima by JR trains & bullet train (about 3.5 hours).

Today you take long train journey from Sea of Japan to Seto island Sea through inland of Yamaguchi Prefecture.

In afternoon, you can visit piece memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome.

Train & Ferry trip to Miyajima island and explore the world heritage island, Miyajima today.

Miyajima Island is in southwest Hiroshima and has long been regarded as an Island of Gods on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. The mountains, sea, and red shrine buildings blend together in harmony, and the entire island is designated as an historic site. It is regarded as one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan. You can visit Mt Misen by ropeway for the spectacular view. If you would like to walk from the ropeway to the summit of the mountain, it is about 30 min walk.

Travel from Hiroshima to Matsuyama across Seto inland Sea by Tram & ferry (about 2.5 hours).

In Matsuyama, you can take a chairlift up to Matsuyama castle before heading to Dogo Onsen to stay. Matsuyama Castle is the twelve "original castles", i.e. castles which have survived since 1868 intact. It is one of the most complex and interesting castles in Japan.

Dogo-onsen Hot Spring, the oldest spa in Japan, is said to be 3,000 years old. Legend says that it healed a deity's illness in ancient time. A good quality spring, noteworthy tradition, and easy access from downtown have made Dogo-onsen a popular destination.

Travel from Dogo Onsen to Takamastu by tram & JR train (about 3.5 hours).

After arriving in Takamatsu, you will visit Shikoku village (Shikoku-mura open-air museum) at the base of Mt Yashima. This pleasant hillside park preserves and exhibits traditional buildings and structures that have been relocated and restored here from all over Shikoku Island.

Takamatsu is well-known as 'Udon Kingdom' of Japan and every restaurants are cheap and delicious, so we strongly recommend to visit some Udon restaurant with "Udon-taxi".

In morning, you can visit Ritsurin garden. Ritsurin Koen, a 75 hectare historic and beautiful garden, is designated as a "Special Palace of Scenic Beauty". Landscaping begun in 1642, took 100 years to complete. The garden has six ponds and 13 artificial hills (tsukiyama), set against the deep green *shakkei of Mt Shiun. The effect is evocative of a Japanese painting.

* Shakkei is the technique of using borrowed scenery such as mountains in the distance in the design of a garden.

In afternoon, train journey to Oboke (about 1.5 hours). You will enjoy beautiful mountain scenery through the window.
Upon arrival at Oboke station, private taxi will be waiting for you in front of the station and take you to the accommodation which is in thatched roof farmhouses of a remote region by stopping at a rope bridge.

The vine bridge over the Iya River, called "Iya-no-Kazura-bashi," is a 45 meters long and 2 m wide suspension bridge, 14 m above water level. It is one of Japan's three rare bridges. This bridge is made of Actinidia auguta (a kind of kiwi vine) and in Heike times (9th century) it was only access over the deep canyon into the mountainous.

Enjoy quiet time, peaceful mountain village experience here. The dawn veiled in the morning haze, the mountains covered by the see of clouds, the bluish river, and the silent settlement in snow in winter.

When you walk along, you can touch the Japanese regular life. You will also meet the mothers who are friendly and love to chat, and the fathers who give you fresh vegetables in their gardens.

After check-out, transfer to Oboke station by private taxi and take JR train to Tokushima (about 2.5 hours).

In Tokushima, visit to Awa Jurobe Yashiki (Puppet theatre museum) where you can enjoy traditional puppet show. Awa Ningyo Joruri is a puppet show created by the fusion of three artistries, joruri (dramatic recitation) of gidayu-bushi (ballad drama music), futozao-shamisen (thick-necked and three-stringed instrument) and sannin-zukai (three puppeteers). Awa Ningyo Joruri has been passed down to this day as a traditional art that Tokushima can proudly show.

Or you can visit to Indigo dye shop where offers visitors a hands-on experience in traditional aizome textile dyeing.

This morning, cruising comfortably for two hours from Tokushima port to Wakayama port.

After arrival at Wakayama port, take trains and cable car to Mt. Koya (about 2 hours).

Mt Koya (Koyasan) is the centre of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect, introduced in 805. Located in an 800 m high valley amid the eight peaks of Mt Koya. In the last 1,200 years, the teachings, rituals and traditions in Koyasan have not changed. You can visit Daimon gate, Kongobuji temple.

Early Morning, you can join prayers and Goma Fire Ritual. After breakfast, enjoy walking from Ichinohashi to Okuno-in (2km, about 40 min) etc.

Travel from Mt Koya to Nara by cable car and trains (about 3 hours).

Nara is Japan's first permanent capital was established in 710. It flourished as a Buddhist centre under the direction of the imperial family and aristocrats. Many temples and shrines were built along with an enormous number of cultural assets, many of which are still preserved.

Your pleasant and memorable Japan tour ends today.

You can visit Todaji Temple, Kasuga Shrine and the deer park before you leave Nara.

Fly home with cherished memories or enjoy your extended stay in Japan.