CHERRY BLOSSOM JAPAN 2024
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CHERRY BLOSSOM JAPAN 2024
CHERRY
BLOSSOM JAPAN
Each spring, Japan’s landscape is host to fragile pink SPECIAL EXPERIENCES
and white sakura blooming; stunning colour that The ultimate sushi-lovers experience in Tokyo
Tokyo
is celebrated throughout the entire country. Start A sushi master will guide us through making
making sushi
sushi rolls
rolls and
and
this journey in bustling Tokyo and see its impressive nigiri which we will then enjoy for lunch.
lunch.
gardens, go in search of the famous ‘snow monkeys’ monkeys bathing
Visit steaming hot springs to see monkeys bathing
and the alpine ‘old town’ of Takayama. On to Visit Yudanaka Onsen where we hope to to see
see wild
wild ‘snow
‘snow
cultural Kyoto and poignant Hiroshima, ending in the
monkeys’ (Japanese Macaque) relaxing in the steaming
steaming hothot
with spectacular views of Mt Fuji from the top of springs surrounded by thick forest.
Mt Owakudani. This unique and incredibly scenic Shirakawa-go and
Tour the historic villages of Shirakawa-go and
country with enchanting culture, wonderful cuisine, Gokayama
Located in a mountainous region that was was cut
cut off
off from
from the
the
and gracious people awaits you. time, these
rest of the world for a long period of time, these villages
villages
with their Gassho-style houses subsisted on on the
the cultivation
cultivation
17 DAYS • HOSTED JOURNEY
JOURNEY of mulberry trees and the rearing of silkworms.
silkworms. On On this
this tour
tour
their steeply
we will see the fascinating houses with their steeply pitched
pitched
DEPARTS 26
DEPARTS 25 March – 11
10April
April2022
2024 their kind
thatched roofs, the only examples of their kind in
in Japan.
Japan.
JAPAN
Yudanaka
Tokyo
Kanazawa Takayama
Shirakawa-go Mt Fuji Hakone
& Gokayama
Kyoto
Nara
Osaka
Hiroshima
Miyajima
Osaka
Osaka Castle
Castle
YOUR JOURNEY AT A GLANCE
‒ Visit some of the best spots for cherry blossom colour
‒ Enjoy Tokyo’s mix of traditional and modern culture
‒ Visit the ‘snow monkeys’ in Yudanaka
‒ Japan’s most atmospheric townscape, Takayama
‒ See beautiful Buddhist temples, imperial palaces, and the
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto
‒ Visit poignant yet vibrant Hiroshima
‒ See spectacular views of Mt Fuji, an iconic landmark
‒ A World Journeys host to guide you every step of the way
Snow
Snow Monkey,
Monkey, Yudanaka
Yudanaka
CHERRY BLOSSOM JAPAN
CHERRY BLOSSOM JAPAN ITINERARY
ALL FLIGHTS INCLUDED BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
— MARCH 2024 day tour to see the Kinkakuji Temple and Ryoanji Temple,
MON 25 AUCKLAND > TOKYO
ending with Kiyomizu Temple, perched on a hill overlooking
Morning flight to Tokyo. On arrival we will be transferred to the Kyoto basin and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner
your hotel for an evening at leisure. at a local restaurant.
TUE 2 KYOTO
TUE 26 TOKYO
Full day tour of Tokyo visiting Meiji Shrine, Tokyo’s most Visit Nijo Castle then Arashiyama for a visit to the Sagano
famous Shinto shrine which is wonderfully serene and austere. Bamboo Grove with thick green bamboo stalks which seem to
Visit Tokyo Tower, Omotesando Street, Asakua Kannon continue endlessly in every direction. See the ‘Moon Crossing
Temple, Akihabara Electronic Town and drive by the famous Bridge’ a central landmark famous for its cherry blossom
intersection of Shibuya, the bustling shopping district. Lunch viewing. Finish with a visit to Tenryuji Temple. Afternoon
is included at a local restaurant. Enjoy a welcome dinner this at leisure.
evening. WED 3 KYOTO > NARA > OSAKA
WED 27 TOKYO
Touring today includes Nara en route to Osaka. Visits include
Full day tour of Tokyo where you will visit the Tsukiji Outer Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, the Kasuga Shrine, with great
Fish Market, then visit a restaurant to learn how to make sushi views from Osaka Castle.
from a local chef. Visit Ginza Mitsukoshi, the oldest surviving THU 4 OSAKA
department store in Tokyo. See the Imperial Palace Plaza, Enjoy a half day tour of Osaka including the Kaiyukan
Hamarikyu Garden and Ueno Park, a popular spot for cherry Aquarium. See Umeda, the commercial and business district,
blossom parties with more than 1000 cherry trees lining the with its prominent skyscrapers. Enjoy time at leisure.
streets. Evening at leisure.
FRI 5 OSAKA > HIROSHIMA
THU 28 TOKYO > YUDANAKA We drive to Kobe to visit a sake brewery then have lunch at a
This morning depart for Nagano by bullet train and then Teppanyaki restaurant. In the afternoon take the bullet train
travel by train to Yudanaka, the spa town. Here we visit to Hiroshima.
the Jigokudani Monkey Park where we hope to see ‘snow
SAT 6 HIROSHIMA & MIYAJIMA
monkeys’ bathing in the steaming natural onsen pools. Check
in to our hotel complete with indoor and outdoor onsens Hiroshima has rebuilt itself as one of Japan’s most laid back
(spas). Enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner at your ryokan. yet vibrant cities full of wide boulevards and art museums,
great food and friendly, welcoming people. Visit the Peace
FRI 29 YUDANAKA > TAKAYAMA Memorial and Museum, A-Bomb Dome and take a short ferry
Continue to the historical town of Takayama, set in the heart ride out to Miyajima Island, a small wooded island located in
of the Japanese Alps, visiting the Zenkoji Temple, a wasabi the Inland Sea. Here you will find the famous, floating Torii
farm and Matsumoto Castle en route. This town is beautifully Gate, a shrine known worldwide for being built over water,
preserved with many buildings dating from the Edo period, seemingly floating in the sea.
when the city thrived as a wealthy town of merchants. They
SUN 7 HIROSHIMA > HAKONE
provide a glimpse into the former living quarters of the
merchants and exhibit traditional household goods and local Take the bullet train to Hakone via Nagoya. Visits the
arts and crafts. Dinner at the hotel this evening. Ichiku Kubota Museum and scenic Lake Kawaguchi before
transferring to our hotel. Some great views of Mt Fuji today
SAT 30 TAKAYAMA > SHIRAKAWA-GO weather permitting.
> GOKAYAMA > KANAZAWA
Visit the morning markets and the former government MON 8 HAKONE > TOKYO
house of Takayama. See the Shirakawago UNESCO World Ride the cable car up Mt Owakudani, passing over sulphurous
Heritage Listed site, famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri vents and hot springs. In this volcanic area, you can eat a
farmhouses, with their steeply pitched thatched roofs, some of hard-boiled egg from the sulphuric hot springs, adding seven
which are more than 250 years old. Visit the Japanese Paper years to your life! From the top, if it’s a clear day, we will
Village of Gokayama. Finish in Kanazawa a pristine castle see stunning views of Mt Fuji, Japan’s highest and most
town with an array of cultural attractions. worshipped mountain, and Lake Ashi. We end with a cruise
on Lake Ashi then continue by road to Tokyo where we enjoy
SUN 31 KANAZAWA > KYOTO our farewell dinner.
Visit Kenrokuen garden, one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens.
In spring, visitors can see plum and cherry blossoms. We TUE 9 TOKYO > AUCKLAND
also visit the Samurai House, Gold Museum and Ohmi-cho Morning at leisure before we transfer to the airport for our
Market. Then we travel a little over two hours by train to Kyoto. overnight flight to Auckland.
TUE 10 AUCKLAND
— APRIL 2024
Morning arrival in Auckland.
MON 1 KYOTO
Kyoto is Japan’s cultural heart, known for its Buddhist
temples, beautiful gardens and colourful shrines. Enjoy a full
CHERRY BLOSSOM JAPAN
HANAMI THE BULLET TRAIN
Each year, from late March to early May, Japan welcomes Travelling on the bullet train or shinkansen is a joy and an
the blooming of its iconic sakura trees – cherry blossoms. experience like no other. These trains are punctual, run at
Witness people gather around cherry blossom trees to enjoy speeds of up to 300 km per hour and are remarkably quiet.
picnics with family and friends under the soft pink and Travel in comfort and safety, with forward facing seats, as
white flowers. This is the perfect time to experience Japan, the scenery flashes past our window.
its culture and traditions.
Departs 25 March 2024 Twin per person Single per person
Tour Cost $19,890 $23,990
Premium Economy Please enquire
Business Class Please enquire
INCLUDED BOOKING CONDITIONS
‒ Economy Class airfares ex Auckland A non-refundable deposit of $1,500 per person is required,
‒ Airline and airport taxes with the balance due 22 Dec 2023. In order to maintain
‒ A World Journeys host the advertised tour price, it may be necessary to collect
‒ Accommodation in 4 star hotels the airfare portion earlier than the final balance date. As
‒ Transfers, sightseeing, and entrance fees as per cancellation fees apply, travel insurance is mandatory.
the itinerary Please refer to World Journeys terms and conditions
‒ Train journeys as per the itinerary www.worldjourneys.co.nz.
‒ Meals as indicated NOTE:
NOT INCLUDED Due to the lack of porters in Japanese railway stations and
‒ Items of a personal nature the unavailability of storage on Japanese trains your luggage
‒ Travel insurance (mandatory) will travel separately from you on days that involve train
‒ Visas (if applicable) travel. From Osaka your luggage will travel directly to Tokyo
‒ Optional activities so you will travel with a small overnight bag for 3 nights. The
GRATUITIES
separate transfer of luggage within Japan is done by courier
Tipping is neither required nor expected in Japan. and is in the interest of your safety and comfort on the tour.
WELCOME BACK
If you have travelled on one of our Hosted Journeys before,
we would like to welcome you back with an extra saving of
$400 per couple or $200 for a single traveller.
CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL
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