Itinerary Map
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Highlights
City sightseeing tour of Tokyo
Visit Rikugien Garden to view autumn colours
Visit to Old Tokyo City
Visit to Nakamise Shopping Centre
Visit to Asakusa Sensoji Temple
View autumn colours at Mei Jing Shrine and Shinjuku Goyen Park
Sushi making lesson
Flower arranging class
Visit to Hakone Open Air Museum
Cruise on Lake Ashi with magnificent views of Mt Fuji
Ride on the Hakone Ropeway Gondala
Visit to the town of Yamanouchi famous for snow monkeys
1 night stay in traditional Japanese Ryokans
Visit to Hida Folk Village
Visit to Kami Sannomachi "Preserved Housing" district
Washi Japanese paper-making class in Gokayama
Visit to Gold Leaf Museum in Kanazawa
Visit to Kenrokuen Garden - Top 3 landscaped gardens in Japan.
Traditional Tea Ceremony in Kyoto
Exclusive meet and greet with an "Apprentice" Geisha
Visit to Sagano Bamboo Grove
Views of autumn colors at Golden Pavilion, Eikan-do Zenrinji Temple & Nijo Castle
Screen printing class
Visit to Miyajima Island
Visit to Peace Memorial Museum at Hiroshima
Inclusions
Fully escorted tour - your Sisterhood Tour Hostess is on hand to assist with making your holiday a memorable one
Return airfares ex Melbourne including taxes (other departure cities upon request)
Specialist English-speaking guide
Private transportation throughout
All meals as described in the itinerary
All sightseeing as described in the itinerary
Comfortable accommodation as described in the itinerary
Willing to share option (subject to availability)
Meet and greet prior to departure via Zoom
Notice
Moderate Fitness Rating - A moderate level of fitness will be required for these tours due to the length and/or overall physicality of our tour itinerary. You can expect to walk more than 10,000 steps daily on more challenging terrain and longer periods. You must be capable of boarding and disembarking coaches, trains and boats unaided and at times handle your luggage. For more information on our physical ratings please click here
This tour of Japan requires you at times, to sleep on futons on the floor, sit on the floor for meals and to step into bathtubs, so you need to be physically agile and fit enough to walk a fair distance and carry your overnight luggage on occasion.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Wednesday 20 November 2024
Melbourne - Tokyo (in-flight meals)
Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel!
Meet your Sisterhood Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at Melbourne Airport for our daytime flight.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the inflight entertainment as we head towards Japan.
Upon our late afternoon arrival into Japan, we'll be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel
Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier, Tokyo (or similar)
Day 2 - Thursday 21 November 2024
Tokyo (B, L, D)
Today, we will be taken on a full-day tour of Tokyo city.
Autumn in Japan is one of Japan’s best seasons for sightseeing; not only do the trees take on brilliant gold and flaming red colours, but it is the mildest in terms of rainfall. The temperature is normally in the high teens, and outside of specific coastal regions, rain is less common than the rest of the year. We’re going to be introduced to some of Tokyo’s best autumn colours sightseeing spots on our first day of sightseeing, with an initial visit to Rikugien Garden. Located in northern Tokyo, this strolling garden was established in 1702 and often visited by the ruling leader of the time, featuring over 1000 trees made up of maple and ginkgo varieties.
This is followed by Asakusa, in the old part of Tokyo city. Asakusa Sensoji Temple is one of the most celebrated temples in Tokyo, and a visit to Nakamise Shopping Arcade here will be a good opportunity to pick up some trinkets and local goods for souvenirs.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant before heading to western Tokyo to take in the colours at Meiji Jingu Shrine, followed by some shopping time in the Ginza area.
We'll regroup for a Welcome Dinner in the evening.
Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier, Tokyo (or similar)
Day 3 - Friday 22 November 2024
Tokyo (B, D)
A relaxed start to the day, and following breakfast we will take part in a sushi-making lesson conducted by a professional sushi chef.
Next, we'll see Shinjuku Gyoen Park, followed by a lesson in Japanese etiquette.
Late afternoon will be taken to dinner on board a Yakatabune (Japanese-style houseboat), with a cruise on Tokyo Bay.
Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier, Tokyo (or similar)
Day 4 - Saturday 23 November 2024
Tokyo - Hakone (B, D)
This morning, we'll be picked up after breakfast for a unique cultural experience at Ikenobo Tokyo Kaikan - a flower arrangement lesson (ikebana),
After an early lunch, we’ll make our way by coach to Hakone National Park, a hot spring resort area on the outskirts of Mt. Fuji, by train. This will be our first traditional experience in Japanese-style accommodation; though to ease us in, this property will still have western bedding, and our own private hot spring baths.
We have the afternoon free to relax, before an exquisite Japanese banquet dinner is served.
Overnight: Hakone Kowakien Tenyu (Japanese-style rooms with western bedding and private onsen) (or similar)
Day 5 - Sunday 24 November 2024
Hakone (B, L, D)
Today we will enjoy a day tour of Hakone.
Firstly we'll take a stroll along the Old Cedar Avenue through the Hakone-machi. This will be followed by lunch at a cafe and then a cruise on Lake Ashi, where on clear days the view of Mt Fuji is excellent.
After our cruise, we'll take a ride on the Hakone Railway (gondola) across Owakudani valley, open areas in the crust revealing hot spring steam and smoke, this is a famous attraction.
Our day finishes with a visit to Hakone Open Air Museum, with world-famous artworks on display in meticulously landscaped gardens.
Dinner is included tonight.
Overnight: Hakone Kowakien Tenyu (Japanese-style rooms with western bedding and private onsen) (or similar)
Day 6 - Monday 25 November 2024
Hakone - Yudanaka (B, L, D)
After breakfast and checking out of your hotel today, we will be taken by coach to the town of Yamanouchi (lunch included along the way), famous for the Japanese Macaque, or more commonly known as “Japanese Snow Monkey”.
Jigokudani Park, located in the Kanbayashi Onsen area in Yamanouchi is the main attraction here, and you will be taken here to see the snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs among the snow.
Tonight, we will be experiencing a traditional “Ryokan” (Japanese guest house) stay. Our room will have a tatami mat with futons to sleep on.
Overnight – Yorozuya Ryokan (or similar)
Day 7 - Tuesday 26 November 2024
Yudanaka - Takayama (B, L, D)
After breakfast today we will travel to the town of Takayama in the Japanese Alps, with lunch included at a local restaurant along the way.
Takayama is a countryside farming town, famous for its traditional Japanese preserved architecture. Takayama has been well known in the past for producing some of Japan’s best architects and builders, and as such, part of the city has been preserved as National Treasures. Hida Beef, is also well known throughout Japan, rivalling even Kobe beef as some of the highest quality beef available.
We'll enjoy a Hida Beef dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Overnight: Hotel Around Takayama, Takayama (or similar)
Day 8 - Wednesday 27 November 2024
Takayama (B, L)
Today we will enjoy a full-day guided tour of Takayama. First up we will visit Takayama Morning Market, a market where farmers’ wives from neighbouring villages come each morning to hawk fresh produce.
Following this we will visit the Hida Folk Village, a museum that will allow us to learn about country farming life in the Japanese Alps. After lunch at a local restaurant, our guide will take us on a stroll around the Kami Sannomachi “Preserved Housing” district, returning to our hotel with dinner at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Around Takayama, Takayama (or similar)
Day 9 - Thursday 28 November 2024
Takayama - Kanazawa (B, L)
Today, we will travel to Kanazawa by coach, with a stopover in Gokayama to participate in “washi” (Japanese paper) making. The region of Gokayama is arguably the most famous in Japan for its washi. Lunch is included at a local restaurant, before arriving in Kanazawa mid-afternoon.
Kanazawa is a city famous for Kenrokuen Garden, samurai heritage, and cultural goods production, some of which we will have the opportunity to experience. Upon arrival, we'll visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Hotel Mystays Premier, Kanazawa (or similar)
Day 10 - Friday 29 November 2024
Kanazawa (B, L)
Today we will have a full-day tour of Kanazawa. We’ll be heading through the Nagamachi Bukeyashiki, a preserved samurai housing district in Kanazawa; on our way to a local Gold Leaf Museum. Kanazawa is famous for producing these cultural goods, along with ceramics, Kutaniyaki Pottery, and silver leaf; in fact, Kanazawa produces 99% of the gold leaf used throughout Japan.
A picnic lunch is included today, before a visit to Kenrokuen Garden. Kenrokuen Garden is considered one of the 3 best landscaped gardens in Japan, and will likely be one of the most beautiful we will ever see.
Touring concludes today at our hotel late afternoon with dinner at leisure tonight.
Overnight: Hotel Hotel Mystays Premier, Kanazawa (or similar)
Day 11 - Saturday 30 November 2024
Kanazawa - Kyoto (B, L, D)
This morning, we will travel to Kyoto by coach, with a picnic lunch included at Lake Biwa along the way. We’ll be doing some autumn leaves viewing at Eikando Zenrinji Temple in Kyoto’s east, one of the most celebrated autumn colours spots in Kyoto, showcasing Japanese maples at their finest.
Following a quick check-in at the hotel, we will visit a traditional Japanese restaurant for a beautiful Japanese banquet dinner including an exclusive meet & greet with an apprentice geisha. This will be a fun evening!
Overnight: Hotel Watermark, Kyoto (or similar)
Day 12 - Sunday 1 December 2024
Kyoto (B, L, D)
This morning, we will visit the Golden Pavilion, a World Heritage site featuring a picturesque gold leaf-covered pagoda beside a pond.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
After, we'll visit Sagano Bamboo Grove, an area reminiscent of feudal-era Japanese films. A fun Kimono fitting and stroll through this area has been arranged for us - what a truly unique experience.
Dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Overnight: Hotel Watermark, Kyoto (or similar)
Day 13 - Monday 2 December 2024
Kyoto (B, L)
There will be further autumn colour viewings this morning at the World Heritage site of Kiyomizu Temple (constructed without nails, overhanging a cliff with a great view of Kyoto city) and the World Heritage site of Nijo Castle (former Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the ruling party of Japan before the current royal family).
Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
Later we have organized a local tea ceremony experience and then we will take part in a unique kimono fabric dyeing program, learning about the various techniques.
Dinner at leisure tonight.
Overnight: Hotel Watermark, Kyoto (or similar)
Day 14 - Tuesday 3 December 2024
Kyoto - Hiroshima (B, D)
This morning our main luggage will be couriered overnight to our hotel in Osaka, while we take a detour to the island of Miyajima.
We will travel by bullet train to Hiroshima, and board a ferry across to Miyajima Island; an island famous for its natural scenery, many wild deer, and for Itsukushima Shrine. The view from Itsukushima Shrine is considered one of the best 3 in Japan.
We return to Hiroshima with some free time for lunch, then a visit to the Peace Memorial Museum as well as the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Dinner at a local restaurant has been booked for us this evening.
Overnight: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima (or similar)
Day 15 Wednesday 4 December 2024
Hiroshima - Osaka (B, D)
Today, we will head to Osaka by bullet train with lunch at our own expense.
Shinsaibashi, along with Namba, is the most popular area in Osaka, famous for its “Eat-til-you-drop” food culture, and is arguably the best place to finish up our trip. Diversity of cuisine is abundant here, as are cheap shopping opportunities.
A farewell dinner at a local restaurant will be included this evening.
Overnight: Hinode Hotel Osaka (or similar)
Day 16 Thursday 5 December 2024
Osaka - Melbourne (B)
After some last-minute shopping, we will transfer to Osaka Itami Airport for our flights to Melbourne.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the inflight entertainment of our airlines as we head towards home.
Day 17 - Friday 6 December 2024
Welcome home!
Welcome Home! Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure!