Wonders of Japan

Tokyo: ¡Welcome to Japan! After completing your immigration and customs procedures, an assistant (usually Spanish-speaking, though occasionally in English) will be waiting for you. Transfer to your hotel by collective transport (SHUTTLE BUS).
18:30 hrs - We will meet our guide at the hotel reception. You will get to know the members of our group, and afterward, we will take a nighttime stroll. At the end of the afternoon, we will immerse ourselves in this fascinating country by taking the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku area. From there, we will walk to a local restaurant to discover this vibrant neighborhood, known for its lively nightlife. A welcome dinner is included at a local restaurant. We will then return to the hotel by metro, accompanied by our guide

In the morning, we include a long guided tour of about five hours in this impressive city. Its frenetic activity and ultra-modern neighborhoods coexist with areas full of peace. We’ll make a brief stop at the Zōjō-ji Temple to capture the most beautiful view of the Tokyo Tower. Notable are the hundreds of Jizō statues, stone deities who protect children, adorned with woolen hats, bibs, and pinwheels.
Next, we’ll head to the famous Shibuya Crossing, often described as the busiest intersection in the world. We’ll then continue to the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife. Our bus will take us along the elegant Omotesando Street, and we’ll pass by the most picturesque part of the Imperial Palace and its gardens. We’ll stop to visit the famous Nijūbashi Bridge.
We’ll drive through Akihabara, the “Electric City,” the center of Japanese manga and anime, and pass by the Kokugikan, the sumo wrestling stadium. We’ll conclude our visit in Asakusa, where we’ll explore the Senso-ji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel. Free time in the afternoon

We travel to the beautiful area of Mount Fuji. Scenic landscapes will accompany us along our route. First, we visit Arakurayama Sengen Park , with its beautiful pagodas. From here, you can capture the most iconic and well-known views of Mount Fuji.
Afterward, we continue to Kawaguchiko , an idyllic town of small houses, flowers, and mountains surrounding its stunning lake. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the Fuji Sengen Shrine , a magical place nestled among tall trees, where traditionally the path/pilgrimage to Mount Fuji began. We’ll give thanks at the shrine for the opportunity to visit this enchanting location.
Following this, we include a pleasant boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko . Later, we begin our ascent toward Mount Fuji via the road that takes us to the “5th Station,” passing through spectacular forests and breathtaking views until we reach an altitude of 2,305 meters.
Note: In winter, the route up Mount Fuji is often closed due to snow or other weather conditions. During those times, we will go as far as we are permitted.
Afterward, we return to Kawaguchiko, where you’ll still have time to stroll by the lake. We will stay in a Ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn), where you can enjoy the Onsen (public bath). Dinner is included.
Note: At the planned Ryokan, some rooms are in the traditional Japanese style, with tatami mats, while others are Western-style. On some occasions, accommodation may be provided in a Western-style hotel.

In the morning, following a beautiful road that winds around lakes, we will visit IYASHI NO SATO NENBA , a small village that was destroyed by a cyclone in 1966 and later restored as an open-air museum recreating a traditional mountain village. Its typical houses have been transformed into craft shops, restaurants, and traditional museums.
Afterward, we will admire THE SHIRAITO WATERFALLS , considered one of the most beautiful in Japan, with a 20-meter-high cascade of water.
We will then continue to the Nagoya region, where we include entry to the TOYOTA MUSEUM , a must-visit spot for car enthusiasts.
Finally, we will proceed to KYOTO , where we will arrive and check in for accommodation

We will have the entire day to explore the city that was the capital of Japan from the year 794 to 1868, serving as the seat of the Imperial Court. This city, during World War II, was the only major Japanese city that was not bombed, and for this reason, it retains its incredibly rich artistic heritage. In Kyoto, the 1997 protocol aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions was signed. We will include a visit to the main highlights of the city.
During the tour, we will visit Arashiyama , where we will see the Togetsukyo Bridge , which means "bridge that crosses the moon," offering a breathtaking panoramic view. We will also visit Tenryuji , one of the "five great Zen temples of Kyoto" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a stroll through its mystical bamboo forest.
We will explore the magnificent Fushimi Inari Shrine , the Imperial Palace , and the Kinkakuji Temple , "the Golden Pavilion," with its stunning gardens (the order of the visited sites may vary).
Afterward, we will have some free time before taking a walk through GION , the traditional district full of life and famous for its Geishas. Free time follows.

We depart for NARA, where we will visit Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752. The giant Buddha statue stands out, and you will find it delightful to take photos, pet, and feed the deer that roam freely in its park. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
Afterward, we will head to HORYUJI , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important Buddhist temple complex that includes a seminary, monasteries, and temples. Its main pagoda is one of the oldest wooden structures still standing in the world and is considered the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, as well as an important place of worship.
We will then continue to OSAKA , arriving in the early afternoon. We will stay in this modern city, the second-largest in Japan. We will take a stroll through Dotonbori , a neighborhood full of lights and bustling activity at night.
 

We will depart for HIMEJI, where we will include entry to its immense castle, showcasing the architecture of Japanese castles. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
We will then continue to OKAYAMA , where we will visit Korakuen , one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, featuring lakes, waterfalls, and traditional tea houses.
Next, we will head to the Shinto shrine Kibitsu-Jinja , where the deity Kibitsuhiko-no-Mikoto is venerated, the origin of the Momotaro legend, a symbol of Okayama Prefecture. Here, we will encounter unique architecture, including a 360-meter-long corridor.
After the visit, we will check in at our accommodation and enjoy some free time in the city, an active provincial capital with a population of just over 700,000.

We will depart for KURASHIKI, a city that boasts a beautifully preserved historic center. You will have time to stroll through this charming town, which exudes an atmosphere of the past.
We will then continue our journey to HIROSHIMA , a city sadly known for the atomic bombing it suffered in 1945, which completely destroyed it. We will walk through the Peace Memorial Park , see the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome , and visit the impressive Peace Memorial Museum.
Afterward, in our search for peace, we will board a ferry to the island "where humans and gods coexist," home to the ITSUKUSHIMA Shrine , dedicated to the guardian of the seas, partially built over the water. You will have time to visit the temple, stroll through its beautiful town center, and enjoy lunch.
We will return to our hotel in Hiroshima. Dinner is included.
Note: The order of the visits in Hiroshima may vary without affecting the content of the tour. 

Today we will take a ferry to the island of Shikoku, a pleasant crossing of about two and a half hours, which will help us understand Japan, a country made up of multiple islands.
In MATSUYAMA , we will take the cable car to ascend to its impressive castle. Afterward, we will visit ISHITEJI , a beautiful Buddhist temple and a place of pilgrimage.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
In the late afternoon, we will include entry to DOGO ONSEN , a traditional Japanese bathhouse built in the 19th century.

We will depart for KOTOHIRA, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors, a pilgrimage site built on Mount Zozu, accessible by climbing 785 steps.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
Afterward, in NARUTO , an impressive bridge spans the sea. We will stop to learn about its construction and walk on its glass floor, where you can observe the stunning sea whirlpools from 45 meters above.
Our route continues with breathtaking coastal landscapes, crossing large bridges between islands over the sea.
Arrival in KOBE , where we will check in for accommodation.

In KOBE, we will visit the EARTHQUAKE MEMORIAL MUSEUM, a place that serves to commemorate the tragic earthquake that devastated the city in 1995 and its impeccable reconstruction.
Note: On certain dates, entry to the Earthquake Museum may be replaced by a visit to the Sake Museum or a trip up the Kobe Tower.
We will then continue to OSAKA. Leaving the city, we will head toward the sacred mountain of KOYA , the most important center of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. On this mountain, a place of pilgrimage and magic, there are 120 temples and monasteries. We will visit the Okunoin Mausoleum , a spiritual site and vast cemetery in nature with over 200,000 graves. We will also visit Kongobuji Temple,  built in 1593.
Tonight, we will stay in a Buddhist monastery. The monks will guide us in a Zen meditation practice (Ajikan). Dinner is included (vegetarian meal). If you wish, you can attend the temple's early morning religious ceremony.
Note: We consider staying in the monastery to be a deeply valuable experiential opportunity. The available rooms are simple, without private bathrooms, and are in traditional Japanese style with tatami mats. The baths are communal.

Japanese breakfast at the temple. We will depart early to KYOTO, where you will have the entire day free. Our guide will provide you with information so you can make the most of your time and visit the places that interest you the most in this beautiful city on your own.

Traveling through beautiful rural landscapes, we arrive at TSUMAGO, a small wooden town and one of the most picturesque villages in Japan. Free time to stroll around. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
Later, we will continue to MATSUMOTO, a tourist city where we will visit its impressive 16th-century castle, known as "the Crow Castle".
We then proceed to NAGANO for accommodation.

In NAGANO, we will visit Zenko-ji, a pilgrimage site that houses the first Buddhist image ever brought to Japan. We will include for our travelers the Gomakuyo ceremony to attract good fortune.
Afterward, we will venture into the beautiful Japanese Alps, surrounded by towering mountains, and head to JIGOKUDANI Monkey Park . Lunch is included, and we will take a walk through its forests, rivers, and hot spring sources, where colonies of Japanese macaques reside and bathe.
Later, we will enjoy stunning high-mountain landscapes (reaching up to 2,172 meters) and pass by semi-active volcanoes.
In KUSATSU , an attractive hot spring town, we will explore its lively central square. We will include attendance at the Yumomi performance , where actresses and their songs tell the story of the traditional method used to cool the hot spring waters. Afterward, we will take a stroll through the town’s park, which features open-air Onsen baths.
We will then continue to IKAHO , a picturesque hot spring town, where we will walk through its historic center with its charming stairway streets. We will stay in a RYOKAN , a traditional Japanese-style hotel, where we recommend enjoying its baths. A traditional Japanese dinner is included.
NOTE: In autumn, depending on the abundance of food in the mountains, the movement of the monkeys is unpredictable. If the macaques do not descend to the park, it may be closed. The visit to Kusatsu and the Yumomi performance are canceled from November to April due to weather conditions.

We continue to NIKKO, a fantastic town where we will visit the impressive Nikko-Toshogu Temple, renowned for the hall with the sound of the dragon. We will also explore the Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, set in a breathtaking location filled with peace. We will take a walk along the river in Kanmangafuchi, where hundreds of Jizo statues watch over us! You will have some free time in the city center before departing for TOKYO. Arrival in Tokyo around 6:30 PM. End of our services.
Please check your flight time to determine if you will need an additional night. The departure transfer to the airport is not included; our guide will advise you on the best public transportation options for your journey

• General Services by Europamundo: Tour in an air-conditioned coach with a guide in Spanish and Portuguese, basic travel insurance, hotel accommodation, and breakfast buffet.
• Includes arrival transfer.
• Panoramic tours included in: Tokyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
• Boat rides: Lake Kawaguchi
• Night transfers included: Shinjuku, Traditional Gion District, Dotonbori in Osaka, Traditional Gion District 
• Entrance fees included: Metro tickets; Zojoji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple; Arakurayama Sengen Park, Fuji Sengen Shrine, Open-air Museum Village, Toyota Museum; Tenryu-ji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Imperial Palace, Kinkaku-ji Temple; Todai-ji Temple, Horyu-ji Temple, Castle, Korakuen Gardens, Itsukushima Shrine; Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Dogo Onsen, Ishiteji Temple, Shinto Shrine, Ritsurin Garden; Naruto Bridge, Earthquake Memorial Museum, Okunoin Mausoleum, Kongobuji Temple, Ajikan or Zazen meditation on Mount Koya; Toshogu Shrine, Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum in Nikko. 
• Ferry rides included: Hiroshima - Miyajima, Hiroshima - Matsuyama. 
• Funicular ride included: Matsuyama Castle.
• Included meals:  
  7 lunches: Tokyo, Nara, Himeji, Matsuyama, Takamatsu, Tsumago, Nagano.
  
• 5 dinners: Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Hiroshima, Mount Koya, Ikaho