EUROPAMUNDO - JAPAN FROM TOKYO KYOTO ALPS AND FUJI

Day 1   TOKYO 

Arrival Welcome to Japan! Transfer by coach (SHUTTLE BUS) to hotel. 18H30.- Meeting with guide. Late in the afternoon, we will pay a visit to this fascinating country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku district and see the crowds of people who use this modern and efficient collective  transport system. Shinjuku is one of the most important nightlife districts. Dinner included and return to hotel by metro with our guide.

Welcome to Japan! Transfer by coach (SHUTTLE BUS) to hotel.

18H30.- Meeting with guide. Late in the afternoon, we will pay a visit to this fascinating country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku district and see the crowds of people who use this modern and efficient collective transport system. Then we will take a walk around an hour to the restaurant. Shinjuku is one of the most important nightlife districts. Dinner included and return to the hotel by metro with our guide.

Meals = Dinner

Hotel = SHINAGAWA PRINCE HOTEL Or Similar

Day 2   TOKYO

In the morning, we take part in a 5-hour trip with our guide to see this amazing city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with quiet, peaceful areas. Brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to make a beautiful photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Pay attention to the hundred of Jizos, stone traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those who are weak (such children) and those in dangerous places, and who are dressed including hats, robes and windmills. Then we head to the junction of Shibuya, a junction that is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji Temple is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits. We continue on our bus along the elegant street of Omotesando. We will edge the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and the gardens. Stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. We will pass through the district of Akihabara, the "electric town" with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture and then see Kokugikan, the Sumo stadium, home of this Japanese sport. We will also visit the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo, with its 55-metre high pagoda. Then we will have some free time to visit the traditional commercial street of Nakamise in the district of Asakusa. Lunch included in a local restaurant. Return to hotel.Free time in the afternoon.

Day 3   TOKYO - KYOTO

After breakfast transfer to the station to take the BULLET TRAIN to KYOTO. Arrival to Kyoto after almost 500 km in just over two hours, more or less. We spend the whole day in the city, which was the capital of Japan between 794 and 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. The visit includes a trip to one of the most important parts of the city. We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, "the golden pavilion" and its wonderful gardens. Free time before visiting GION, a busy traditional quarter famous for its Geisha. Free time. At the end of the evening we will return to the hotel.

Meals = Breakfast

Hotel = MIYAKO KIOTO HACHIJYO Or Similar

Day 4   KYOTO - TSUMAGO - MATSUMOTO - NAGANO

We set out for TSUMAGO, passing attractive country scenery on our way. This small village with its wooden houses is one of the prettiest places in Japan.

Free time to explore and lunch included. Then we continue to MATSUMOTO, a tourist city, where we will visit the impressive 16th century castle, known as the "Crow Castle". Free time to explore this bustling tourist city. We continue to NAGANO, accommodation. At the end of the evening we will return to the hotel.

08.00 hrs- We leave Kyoto to set out for Tsumago, passing attractive country scenery on our way.

11.15 hrs- TSUMAGO. This small village with its wooden houses is one of the prettiest places in Japan. Free time to explore and lunch included in a local restaurant.

13.30 hrs- Tsumago departure.

14.45 hrs- MATSUMOTO, arrival to this tourist city, where we will visit the impressive 16th century castle, known as the "Crow Castle". Free time to explore this bustling tourist city.

18.00hrs.- Matsumoto.- Departure.

19.15hrs.- NAGANO, arrival.

Meals = Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel = METROPOLITAN NAGANO Or Similar

Day 5   NAGANO - MONKEY PARK - KASATSU - IKAHO

In NAGANO we will see the Zenko-ji, a place of pilgrimage with the first Buddhist image in Japan. Our travellers will be included the Gomakuyo ceremony to bring luck. After this, we will travel to the beautiful Japanese Alps and in the mountains we will go to the JIGOKUDANI Monkey Park, where we will include lunch and stroll amidst its forests with its rivers and spa waters where colonies of Japanese macaques live and bathe. After this, very beautiful high mountain scenery (we go up to 2,172 metres), passing semi-active volcanoes. KUSATSU, an attractive spa town, its main square full of life. We follow this with a walk in the city park which has the open air Onsen. Then on to IKAHO, a picturesque spa town where we will stroll in its ancient centre with its staircase streets.

We will stay at a RYOKAN, a Japanese style hotel where we will continue to enjoy its baths. Traditional Japanese dinner included. NB: In the autumn, depending on the amount of fruit in the mountains, the movement of the monkeys is unpredictable. If the macaques do not come down to the park, it may be closed. The visit to Kusatsu may be cancelled due to the weather from November to April.

Total distance: 160 km

Scenery: Today our journey takes us through the beautiful Japanese Alps.

Note: Wear comfortable shoes to walk around the Monkey Park

Early in the morning, in NAGANO, we will visit Zenkoji temple, a pilgrimage site where the first Buddhist image of Japan is located. Passengers will have the opportunity to take part in the Gomakuyo ceremony that brings good luck.

10.30hrs- Nagano departure. We continue through the high mountains.

11.30hrs- Monkey Park, with lunch included and wander through its forests with their rivers and thermal fountains where colonies of Japanese monkeys live and bathe.

13.45hrs- We leave the park, our journey takes us through beautiful mountain scenery (reaching an altitude of 2,172 metres) with semi-active volcanoes.

15.00hrs- KUSATSU is an attractive spa city with a lively main square. Then we can stroll through the city park with its outdoor Onsen.

17.45 hrs- Departure from Kustasu.

19.15hrs- IKAHO, arrival to a picturesque spa town where we will stroll in its ancient centre with its staircase streets. We will stay at a RYOKAN, a Japanese style hotel where we will continue to enjoy its baths. Traditional Japanese dinner included.

NB: In the autumn, depending on the amount of fruit in the mountains, the movement of the monkeys is unpredictable. If the macaques do not come down to the park, it may be closed. The visit to Kusatsu may be cancelled due to the weather from November to April

Meals = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel = HOTEL MORIAKI RYOKAN Or Similar

Day 6   IKAHO - NIKKO - TOKYO

We continue on our way to NIKKO, and in this fantastic town we will visit the impressive Nikko-Toshogu Temple with its room with the sound of a dragon.

We will also see the Taiyuinbyo mausoleum, an impressive place full of peace. After this a stroll by the river in Kanmangafuchi, Hundreds of Jizos watch us!

We will have free time in the centre before leaving for TOKYO once more.- Arrival in Tokyo at around 18.30 in the evening.-End of our services. Please,  check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.

Total distance: 310km

07.45hrs- Ikaho Onsen. Saída.

10.00hrs- NIKKO, a fantastic town where we will visit the impressive Nikko Toshogu Shrine and the hall of the crying dragon. We will also visit the Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, set in an impressive, peaceful site, followed by a walk near the river, in Kanmangafuchi, under the watchful eye of hundreds of Jizo statues!

Free time for lunch and visit the city centre.-

15.30hrs- Departure to Tokyo.

18.30hrs- TOKYO.- arrival.

Meals = Breakfast

Hotel = SHINAGAWA PRINCE HOTEL Or Similar

Day 7   TOKYO - KAMAKURA - ODAWARA - GORA

We will leave Tokyo for KAMAKURA. This "oasis of peace" for two centuries was the capital of Japan, and treasures numerous sanctuaries, temples and gardens. In the Zen temple of Hokoku-ji we will stroll through its bamboo forest (admission included) and we can have a green tea. We also see Sugimoto-dera, the oldest temple in the city, founded in 734. Time in the pleasant city centre before seeing the Great Buddha (Daibutsu - admission included). Our route is subsequently one of scenic beauty following the Pacific Ocean. Free time for lunch and a stroll in ENOSHIMA, a small island in the ocean connected by a bridge. We continue to ODAWARA; here we include admission to the castle, an imposing medieval fortress (restored in the twentieth century) from the Edo era, one of Japan´s main castles. We will leave Tokyo for KAMAKURA. This "oasis of peace" for two centuries was the capital of Japan, and treasures numerous sanctuaries, temples and gardens. In the Zen temple of Hokoku-ji we will stroll through its bamboo forest (admission included) and we can have a green tea. We also see Sugimoto-dera, the oldest temple in the city, founded in 734. Time in the pleasant city centre before seeing the Great Buddha (Daibutsu - admission included). Our route is subsequently one of scenic beauty following the Pacific Ocean. Free time for lunch and a stroll in ENOSHIMA, a small island in the ocean connected by a bridge. We continue to ODAWARA; here we include admission to the castle, an imposing medieval fortress (restored in the twentieth century) from the Edo era, one of Japan´s main castles. Accommodation.

Meals = Breakfast

Hotel = TENSEIEN ODAWARA STATION Or Similar

Day 8   GORA - MONT FUJI - KAWAGUCHIKO - TOKYO

Today´s stage is spectacular traveling to the beautiful area of Hakone, a region of lakes and mountains near Mount Fuji. We start the day going up OWAKUDANI, the "hell valley", steam boiler, bubbling mud and sulphurous gases (Note: Access is sometimes closed due to high volcanic activity or toxic gases, in which case we would include the arakurayama sengen park). After that we go on to OSHINO HAKKAI, a small, picturesque village with 8 ponds and views of Mount Fuji. We continue to KAWAGUCHIKO, an idyllic city of small houses, flowers and mountains next to its beautiful lake, where we include a beautiful boat trip. Later we start to climb Mount Fuji where, on the road that takes us to the "fifth station" amidst spectacular forests and views, we reach a height of 2305 metres. Return to Tokyo at the end of the day.Note: In winter, the climb to Mount Fuji is often closed by snow or other weather conditions; if this is so, we will go as far as we are authorised. Today´s stage is spectacular. traveling to the beautiful area of Hakone, a region of lakes and mountains near Mount Fuji. We start the day going up OWAKUDANI, the "hell valley", steam boiler, bubbling mud and sulphurous gases (Note: Access is sometimes closed due to high volcanic activity or toxic gases, in which case we would include the arakurayama sengen park). After that we go on to OSHINO HAKKAI, a small, picturesque village with 8 ponds and views of Mount Fuji. We continue to KAWAGUCHIKO, an idyllic city of small houses, flowers and mountains next to its beautiful lake, where we include a beautiful boat trip. Later we start to climb Mount Fuji where, on the road that takes us to the "fifth station" amidst spectacular forests and views, we reach a height of 2305 metres. Return to Tokyo at the end of the day.

Meals = Breakfast