The Essence of Japan

Day 1: Tokyo
Upon arrival at Tokyo (either Narita or Haneda) you will be met by our English-speaking assistance at the arrivals hall who will hand you your Pasmo IC card (Transportation Card that can be topped up at the stations) any vouchers and tickets that are required for this trip! The assistant can also point you to the Airport shuttle boarding area for your to self-transfer. Accommodation:  Keihan Akasaka (or similar) / Twin

Day 2: Tokyo  
Day at leisure
Suggested places to visit:
·       Pay a visit to Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, with its iconic red lantern. During the month of May you can see the energetic Sanja Matsuri!
·       A trip to the top of Tokyo Sky Tree will give you sweeping views of the metropolis and beyond.
·       Kappabashi is famous for its shops dedicated to supplying the restaurant trade. Plastic food items and kitchen utensils are popular souvenirs. 
·       Ameyoko Shopping Street is primarily known for its fabulous variety of shopping and food. 
·       Ueno Park is home to several museums, temples and shrines, and the oldest zoo in Japan. 
·       Tokyo National Museum houses an impressive number of national treasures and the world’s largest collection of Japanese art. 
·       Catch the tuna auction in action at Toyosu Market, followed by a sushi breakfast at Tsukiji’s  Outer Market.
·       Geek out on anime and stock  up on all your otaku and  electronic goods at the buzzy  shopping hub of Akihabara!
·       Tokyo Station’s red brick facade is spectacular, and the historic building is registered as an Important Cultural Property.
Accommodation: Keihan Akasaka (or similar) / Twin 

Day 3: Tokyo
Early breakfast at the hotel – Self-transfer to the SIC meeting point for your full day Tour to Mount Fuji & Hakone. Accommodation: Keihan Akasaka (or similar) / Twin 

Day 4: Tokyo
Day at leisure
Suggested places to visit:
·       Some of the very best ramen noodles in Tokyo can be found along Tokyo Ramen Street in Tokyo Station.
·       This luxury shopping complex called Ginza Six is a classy and elegant place to stop for shopping, food, and entertainment. 
·       Cross the world’s most  famous intersection, Shibuya  Scramble. Sip on a Starbucks coffee while people-watching!
·       Hachiko is the single most famous meeting spot in all of Shibuya. There is a heartwarming story behind this popular statue.
·       Omotesando is a wide, tree-lined avenue with eclectic landmarks and luxury stores that is often referred to as the Champs-Élysées of Tokyo.
·       Takeshita Street is the main attraction in trendy Harajuku, the centre of youth and pop culture in Tokyo.
·       Meiji Shrine is set within an immense forest of over 100,000 trees and is one of the most important shrines in Japan.
·       Be dazzled by the possibilities of digital art at the teamLAB  museums in Toyosu. Utterly memorable.
·       Take in the lush beauty of  Rikugien Garden. The  evening illuminations are  stunning in spring and autumn.
·       Shinjuku Gyoen is a vast urban park that is open to the public year-round. It is beautiful in all seasons.
·       Yoyogi Park is one of the most famous parks in Tokyo, and is popular with both locals and tourists for picnics and outdoor activities.
Accommodation: Keihan Akasaka (or similar) / Twin

 Day 5: Tokyo – Oita
After breakfast & hotel check-out, self-transfer to Tokyo Airport by using your Pasmo card Upon arrival you will be transferred from Oita Airport to your Beppu Hotel. A Japanese dinner is included today. Accommodation: Seaside Hotel Mimatsu Ooetei or similar // Japanese style room

Day 6: Beppu, Oita
Breakfast at hotel - Day at leisure. Accommodation: Seaside Hotel Mimatsu Ooetei or similar // Japanese style room

Day 7: Beppu, Oita
Breakfast at the hotel – Day at leisure. Accommodation: Seaside Hotel Mimatsu Ooetei or similar // Japanese style room

Day 8: Beppu, Oita
Breakfast at the Hotel/Inn – the morning is at leisure. In the Afternoon you will need to self transfer to Oita Port for your overnight Ferry Crossing to Osaka. You can enjoy this relaxing crossing on board the splendid Sunflower ferry.  Dinner & Breakfast can be purchased by cash onboard as well as the free use of the public Onsen. Accommodation: Sunflower Ferry // Room with Private Facilities

Day 9: Osaka
Early arrival into Osaka Port – once you disembark, you make your way to the train station & take the train to Umeda, from here you can get the connecting train to Nagahoribashi Station – this is the nearest station to your Osaka Hotel – (approx. 30-40mins and you can use your Pasmo card) Arrival to your hotel will be too early for check-in, however you can drop your luggage at the hotel lobby for the hotel to hold whilst you start exploration of the amazing city. Accommodation: Arc Hotel Shinsaibashi or Similar //Twin

Day 10: Osaka
Breakfast at hotel – today at leisure
Suggested places to visit:
·       Universal Studios – Popular them park at Osaka’s Waterfront
·       Minami (Namba) – Famous entertainment district that offers shopping & dinning options
·       Osaka Castle – Reconstruction of te large castle
·       Shitennoji Temple – one of the oldest temples in Japan
·       Kuromon Market – popular market for seafood, produce & more
·       Mozu Tombs – site of Japan’s ancient tombs
·       Grand Front Osaka – Shopping complex north of Osaka station
·       Asahi Suita Brewery – offers tours for beer lovers
Accommodation:  Arc Hotel Shinsaibashi or Similar //Twin

Day 11: Osaka – Kyoto
Breakfast at the hotel before check-out.  Self-transfer to the station by using the Pasmo Card for the express train to Kyoto (approx. 30-40mins). Accommodation:  Daiwa Roynet Hotel Shijo Karasuma (or similar) // Twin 

Day 12: Kyoto
Early Breakfast at the hotel. Self transfer to the SIC Tour meeting point for the Full Day Kyoto city tour. Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Shijo Karasuma (or similar) // Twin

Day 13: Kyoto
Breakfast at the hotel – At Leisure
Suggested Places to Visit:
·       Nijo Castle – former Kyoto residence of the Shogan in the Edo period (1603-1867)
·       Sento Palace – Imperial place with Beautiful Gardens
·       Kyoto Imperial Palace – The Imperial family’s residence until 1868
·       Nishiki Market – a Five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood.
·       The Higashiyama District - along the lower slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains is one of the city's best preserved historic districts. It is a great place to experience traditional old Kyoto, especially between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine,
·       Kiyomizudera Temple - literally "Pure Water Temple") is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto, and derives its name from the fall's pure waters. 
·       Fushimi Inari Shrine - an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.
Accommodation:  Daiwa Roynet Hotel Shijo Karasuma (or similar) // Twin

Day 14: Kyoto
Early Breakfast at the hotel. Self transfer to the SIC Tour meeting point for the Full Day. Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Shijo Karasuma (or similar) // Twin

Day 15: Kyoto – Homebound
Breakfast at the hotel. Free at leisure, depending on your depart flight schedule. Self-transer to the Kyoto Airport Shuttle bus stop for your shuttle bus to Osaka Airport.