16 Day Japan Discovery

Tour Route

Tokyo(5N) – Matsumoto(1N) – Takayama(1N) – Kanazawa(2N) – Kyoto(2N) – Osaka(3N)

If you are searching for a stress-free and authentic cultural experience while exploring Japan, AVG has got you covered. This 16-day Discovery tour will take you to all the essential
spots like Mt. Fuji, the lively city streets of Tokyo, the enchanting cherry blossom trees of Kyoto, and many more! You can even receive good luck for the rest of your journey
when you drink from the flowing streams of Otowa Waterfall, a sacred cultural custom of Japan.

• Enjoy the World class cuisine and soak up the cultural bounties.
• Get astounded by the breath taking view of Mt.Fuji.
• Visit numerous delights of nature in Hakone.
• Explore buzzing Osaka, or the crown jewel of Japan, Kyoto.
• Experience Tokyo’s incredible nightlife and admire the nation’s icon, Matsumoto Castle.

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Itineraries

Day 1

Australia – Flight To Japan

Depart from home by boarding your flight to Tokyo – Japan’s bustling capital – the city that mixes both the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon lit skyscrapers and anime shops to cherry trees and temples. Meal: In-flight. Accommodation: N/A.

Day 2

Japan Arrival

Welcome to Tokyo! Upon arrival, meet and transfer to Tokyo for check-in. Meal: In-flight. Accommodation: Hotel in Tokyo.

Day 3

Tokyo Sightseeing

Today after breakfast, we make our way to the Meiji Shrine. Later, stroll through the Asakusa Kannon Temple, one of Tokyo’s most colorful and popular temples, before browsing for souvenirs at Nakamise Shopping Street and Odaiba area. Lunch is on your own account. This afternoon, relax on a Water bus toward Hama-Rikyu garden. Your last stop today is Tokyo Tower and Ginza area before you head back to your hotel. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Tokyo.

Day 4

Tokyo Free Day

Today is a free day to explore the World’s most populous metropolis. Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Tokyo.

Day 5

Tokyo – Mount Fuji – Hakone – Tokyo

Today, visit Oshino Hakkai. Known as the Springs of Mount Fuji, the eight ponds are fed by melting snow filtering down from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji through porous layers of lava resulting in very clear spring water that is revered by the locals. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Later, take a cruise on Lake Ashi by Pirate Ship and savour the numerous delights of nature in Hakone region. Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo, famous for hot springs, natural beauty and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji. You will visit Hakone Shirine before returning to Tokyo. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch. Accommodation: Hotel in Tokyo.

Day 6

Tokyo Free Day

Today is a free day at leisure to enjoy the Japanese way of life in one of the World’s greatest cities. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Tokyo.

Day 7

Tokyo - Matsumoto

Today we leave Tokyo behind us and travel inland to the cultural city of Matsumoto, famed for its castle. You will have time to visit Matsumoto Castle, considered in the top 3 feudal castles of Japan and arguably the city’s most famous site. After that stroll through the former merchant district of Nakamachi, lined with well-preserved old buildings where you can find lovely local crafts, treasures, and great restaurants. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Matsumoto.

Day 8

Matsumoto - Takayama

This morning after breakfast, we leave Matsumoto and make our way to Takayama. Today we visit some of Takayama’s highlights. We begin our day with the Hida Folk Village, an open air museum exhibiting over 30 traditional houses from the region. After, we continue to the Matsuri-no-mori museum, which showcases the key aspects of the Takayama Festival, which takes place for two days each spring and autumn. You will stay in a hotel in Takayama tonight. Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Takayama

Day 9

Takayama City Tour - Kanazawa

After breakfast, we will take you to the early morning Takayama markets where local fresh product and souvenir stalls are on display. Continue with the narrow streets of Takayama’s Sanmachi Suji historic district are lined with wooden merchants’ houses dating to the Edo Period, along with many small museums. We will stop at Shirakawago Village before transfering to Kanazawa. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Kanazawa.

Day 10

Kanazawa City Tour

After breakfast, we enjoy a city tour of this colorful city. We begin with a visit to the Nagamachi Buke Yashiki district with the highlight of Nomura-ke. Nagamachi was a samurai district located at the foot of the former Kanazawa Castle, where samurai and their families used to reside. We then continue to the Kenroku-en Garden – from its scale and beauty, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful feudal lords’ gardens in Japan and has been maintained over generations. In the afternoon, explore the Higashi Chayagai district famous for its teahouses built in traditional Japanese design. We finish our day with a visit to the Omicho Market, Kanazawa’s largest fresh food market since the Edo Period. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Kanazawa.

Day 11

Kanazawa - Kyoto

This morning we leave Kanazawa and make our way to the jewel of Japan, Kyoto. On arrival we visit Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate and is designated a UNESCO world heritage site. It is then on to Kinkakuji, commonly known as the Golden Pavilion. A Zen temple and World Heritage site with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold and detailed architecture incorporating three distinct styles of Shinden, Samurai and Zen. We finish with a visit to Bamboo Groves and the Togetsu Bridge, the landmark of Western Kyoto’s Arashiyama District for over four hundred years. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Kyoto.

Day 12

Kyoto Free Day

Today is a free day to explore Kyoto at your own pace. Kyoto attracts millions of visitors every year and it’s no wonder. With over 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, palaces and gardens, who would not want to visit? You might be lucky enough to spot a Geisha in the old district. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Kyoto.

Day 13

Kyoto – Nara – Osaka

This morning we travel to Nara and visit Kiyomizu Temple and watch Kimono Show. After lunch on your own, we will visit Fushimi Inari Shrine before we wander back through Nara Park, 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. We will leave after visiting Todaiji Temple, one of Japan’s most famous temples. The massive building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). Upon arrival in Osaka, you will check-in hotel and enjoy your free evening. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Osaka.

Day 14

Osaka City Tour

This morning after breakfast, we get to know this neon powerhouse starting with a visit to Osaka Castle. We continue on to the Umeda Floating Garden Observatory for 360 degree views of Osaka. Finally we head to the Shinsaibashi Shopping District which is the city’s most famous entertainment district and offers abundant dining and shopping choices. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Osaka.

Day 15

Osaka – Depart

Today you will be transferred to Kansai Airport as per your flight time. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: N/A.

Day 16

Home Arrival

You will arrive in Australia today. Meal: N/A. Accommodation: N/A.

• Return economy airfare departing Sydney, Melbourne with Cathay Pacific (China Southern, Singapore Airlines or similar if unavailable)
• Accommodation with double/twin sharing room
• Daily breakfast and meals (Lunch/Dinner) as in the itinerary
• Transportation with air-conditioning
• English speaking guide
• Tipping for driver and tour guide
• Entrance fees for sightseeing as in the itinerary

How to book

• Step 1: Customer selects one of our ready-made tour packages along with your preferred travel date based on the availability calendar.

(In case you request a free quote for your planned vacation, simply fill in this Customize Request Form: http://www.asiavacationgroup.com.au/customize/ ).

• Step 2: Complete the Booking Form
• Step 3: One of our Representatives will contact you within 24 hours to confirm your booking request.

Please note that customers must book at least 90 days prior to departure to ensure your desired travel date and time.

Deposit Information

• A deposit of AUD500 per person upon booking to secure your travel date.
• Final Payment is due at least 60 days prior to departure. Once this payment is made, any prior payment is strictly non-refundable.
• If the Final Payment is not completed by the due date, your booking will be cancelled and all prior payments are strictly non-refundable.
• Invoices will be sent to you through Email, please take responsibility to ensure payments are made on time.

Tour Exclusion

• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program.
• Visa fee to Japan (If you need assistance with your Visa, please request it upon filling in Booking Form).
• Tipping for driver and tour guide (not mandatory) & personal expenses.
• Travel insurance (we strongly recommend you hold a valid travel insurance policy for all domestic and overseas travel).
• Trip delay or interruption by airline schedule change.
• Extra cost or missing tour caused by flight delay or cancel.
• Any service not clearly mentioned in the program.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing the Travel Insurance package as soon as you pay the deposit for a piece of mind. Please refer to Travel Insurance for further information.

Visa & Passport information: Australians who enter Japan as tourists may stay for up to 90 days as long as they hold an Australian passport which remains valid during their stay and is still valid when departing Japan.

• Surcharge of AUD300 for departures from Adelaide & Brisbane & and AUD350 for departures from Perth.
• Surcharge: AUD800 for departures in December/January/February, AUD400 for departures in April/July , $200 for departures in September and AUD300 for departures in November 2019.
• Single Supplement: AUD995
• Airline: Qantas Airways, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines or similar (20kg for checked baggage per passenger and 7kg hand luggage per passenger, 01-piece check-in baggage each person only.
• Cherry Blossom Surcharge: AUD135/person – Travel period: 19 Mar – 5 April, 24 April – 5 May.