12 DAY Japan Highlights AHJJTR-8

Transcription

1 12 DAY Japan Highlights AHJJTR-8 This tour visits: Japan Japan blends a mix of traditional and ultra-modern in Tokyo, temples and geishas in Kyoto, and culinary capital Osaka. Robot bars, a Kyoto day trip, toobig-for-the-bowl udon, a Buddhist prayer service, the Hiroshima Peace Museum and a folk village visit (with cat cafes for good measure) will introduce you to the land known for its down-to-the-second precision.

2 The Bucket List More Inclusions Traditional Buddhist prayer service Shibuya crossing Visit Harajuku Visit Hiroshima Peace Museum Visit Itsukushima Shrine Welcome & farewell dinner Stay in a ryokan Visit sake brewery Explore Kyoto's Gion district Visit Ryōan-ji Temple 11 breakfasts, 3 dinners 8 nights in hotels, 2 nights in a ryokan & 1 night in a guesthouse Small group Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Local Trip Leader Japan Rail Pass Trip Itinerary Day 1 - Tokyo, Japan Sushi trains, karaoke, gadgets, temples and cat cafés. Get excited, get very excited. You're in Tokyo. On our city tour, spot the Sensoji Temple, dance under its giant red lantern and wander along nearby 500-year-old Nakamise Street selling mochi (sticky rice cakes) and geta (wooden shoes). Also, Shinjuku and Harajuku = amazing! Later, bond over a welcome dinner. Work that chopstick magic and feast on authentic goodies. It's gonna be an awesome 12 days! -Full day city tour -Dinner Day 2 - Tokyo Free day to hit the ground running in Tokyo. Head over to Odaiba, the man-made island in Tokyo Bay or check out Akihabara, where stores scream for the attention of anime fans and gamers. Day 3 - Tokyo Today, why not take a visit to the happiest place on earth: Tokyo Disneyland (optional). If you want something else, take the option to visit the Robot Restaurant - it's legit. You'll never look at restaurants back home the same again. Optional activities: -Disneyland

3 -Robot Restaurant (Limited availability due to high demand) Day 4 - Tokyo to Takayama This morning we pack our bags and travel at 320km/h on the bullet train before heading up to the Japanese Alps. Cue a short orientation tour upon arrival. Tonight stay in a ryokan - a traditional Japanese inn. All the authentic feels. Finish off the day with an optional hida beef foodie experience. -Stay in a traditional ryokan Optional activities: -Hida beef dinner Day 5 - Takayama Start off the day at the morning riverside markets. Then, make sure you get your walking shoes on as we embark on a half day city tour of Takayama. There's also a sake brewery visit and an excursion to Hida No Sato folk village this afternoon. -Half day tour of Takayama -Visit morning riverside markets Day 6 - Takayam to Hiroshima via Miyajima Jump on a ferry to Miyajima with its wild deer (aww!) and shrines galore. End your island jaunt watching the sunset behind the floating torii gate. -Ferry and tour of Miyajima, sunset at torii gate Day 7 - Hiroshima to Koyasan First up, Hiroshima, where we explore the Peace Museum to pay respects to the victims of the atomic bombing. Later, make your way to Mount Kōya, one of the world's most sacred mountains (with 117 temples atop it) and the headquarters of the Koyasan sect of Japanese Buddhism. Tonight, feast on a traditional Buddhist meal. -Visit the Peace Museum -Cable car to Mt Koya -Traditional buddhist meal served by monks

4 -Dinner Day 8 - Koyasan to Kyoto Start with a Buddhist prayer service, then explore the cobblestone walkway lined with Shinto Torii gates to the Okunoin mausoleum and its 10,000 lantern Torodo Hall. Later, it's time for Kyoto. Japan's traditional capital is home to over 2,000 temples and shrines. It's also the prime manufacturing hub for kimonos - a good place to pick up some new threads. Later we check out Fushimi Inari, the head shrine of Inari. Trust us, it's beautiful. -Participate in a morning Buddhist prayer service -Visit Fushimi Inari Day 9 - Kyoto Find your zen place at the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion and Ryōan-ji Temple all before lunch. Have you had your udon noodle fix yet? Note to self: essential. This afternoon you're off to Nijo Castle to channel your inner samurai and visit the Heian Shrine - built to honour the anniversary of the capital's foundation in Kyoto. -Guided tour of Kyoto Day 10 - Kyoto A free day to frolic. Get out of town and visit the lush Arashiyama bamboo forest, or go on a day trip to Nara. Cue deer roaming the streets. Do the optional and dress up like a maiko or samurai later. Optional activities: -Dress as a Geisha or Samurai Day 11 - Kyoto to Osaka

5 Today, visit the Insta-worthy corridors of torii gates at the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Land in Osaka via train, then get ready for our farewell dinner. -Dinner Day 12 - Osaka After breakfast it's sayonara to the Land of the Rising Sun. Swap numbers and plan that next adventure together. Accommodation We endeavour to select a combination of good quality hotels, hostels and guesthouses (where you actually stay will depend on your trip) that reflects the character of the local area. The accommodation is also as centrally located as possible. We strive to keep the cost as affordable as possible. Your trip will stay in a range of accommodation. Hotels are three and four-star quality. Guesthouses are basic, yet comfortable, and hostels are clean and modern. Please be aware that some rooms, especially those in major urban centres or older cities, may be smaller than what you are used to in other parts of the world. Standards and ratings may also be different to your home country. Rooms are en-suite and twin where possible and will depend on what you have booked. If you are a solo traveller, you will always be sharing a room with someone of the same sex. If you are travelling as a couple and would prefer to have a double bed, please officially request a double room with your travel agent or Topdeck Customer Service Consultant. We never presume that two people travelling together are a couple, even if you share the same surname, unless informed otherwise. Meals Your included meals are detailed in the 'More Inclusions' section of this document. We aim to make sure that breakfasts are included every morning in the accommodation (except on the first morning). They are usually 'continental breakfasts', which are typical in most countries. A typical breakfast may consist of cereals with milk or yoghurt, bread, croissants, cold meats, cheese and a range of spreads, with fruit juice, tea or coffee to drink. It is rare to get a hot breakfast in Asia. Though, on some occasions, there may be some hot food available as well. Please bear in mind that food varies across each country we visit in Asia. Included evening meals are in local restaurants or in the included accommodation. In most cases, table water is provided with the meals and if you wish to purchase additional drinks you can do so at your own expense. If you have any dietary requirements, we will make every effort to cater to your specific needs as long as you advise your travel agent or Topdeck Customer Service Consultant when you book. You can also make note of your requirements in the Topdeck app when you check in

6 (refer below). Please be aware that although we will do everything in our power, we cannot guarantee that every restaurant we eat in will be able to cater to all of your dietary needs, particularly in Asia. Also, we cannot cater for tastes or dislikes, as most of our included evening meals feature a set menu. No Tip Necessary Your Topdeck crew never expect tips themselves and will not ask for any; that s not what friends do! We also know how much tipping can cost you. So go ahead, spoil yourself with the money you will save by travelling with Topdeck (just don t forget Mum s souvenir). Topdeck Travel App Our travel app has landed! With a range of awesome features including a Currency Converter, Budget Tracker, Check-In tool and Social Timeline you can plan your trip like a pro. Think of it like your very own Topdeck Trip Leader, always on call with the latest info, weather, maps and city guides to give you the trip of a lifetime, all in the palm of your hand. Please note: The Topdeck Travel App should only be downloaded once you have booked onto your trip. You will not be able to log in unless you have a Topdeck Booking Reference Number. Get it for iphone Get it for Android Passenger safety One of the best parts of travelling is experiencing the nightlife and entertainment each city has to offer. However, amidst the fun and excitement, it s important to be aware of your surroundings and personal safety as well. Before you hit the road with us, it s important to be aware of the following: When you re on a night out, remember to avoid walking alone, particularly through deserted areas like beaches and back streets. Always stick together, take a taxi where possible, and keep a note of your accommodation details so you can find your way back to your fellow Topdeckers if you become separated. In some countries, alcoholic measures can be considerably larger than what you may be used to. Try to keep track of what you re drinking, and if you see one of your trip mates looking a little worse for wear, take them back to your accommodation. Be cautious when accepting drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended. It s also important to be aware that what you might consider harmless flirting may be interpreted differently in some countries. Be yourself and have fun, but don t be naïve, and be mindful of the signals you are sending out so that you don t find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.