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Depart London Heathrow this evening, flying Japan Airlines non-stop to Tokyo (11 hours 45 minutes).

Arriving in Tokyo, your Tour Manager will escort you to the Keio Plaza Hotel.

Morning tour of the Japanese capital, taking in some of the highlights of one of Asia’s most vibrant cities, including the majesty of the Imperial Palace Plaza and the 7th century Asakusa Kannon Buddhist Temple, the oldest in the city.

This morning we walk the short distance to Shinjuku Railway Station and take the train to the northern town of Nikko, site of the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage setting of the Toshugo Shrine and Rinoji Temple. One of the country’s premier attractions, it has been a major pilgrimage site for both the Buddhist and Shinto religions for over a millennia. We return to Tokyo by train later this evening.

We take the famous ‘Bullet Train’ to Hiroshima this morning (893 kms/3 hours 50 minutes), passing the iconic splendour of Mount Fuji en route, providing a fantastic view on a clear day. On arrival in Hiroshima early this afternoon, transfer to the ANA Hotel.

A morning tour of Japan’s ‘City of Peace’ takes in the emotive setting of its Peace Park, as well as the beautiful Japanese gardens of Shukkeien, originally constructed for a feudal lord during the 17th century. This afternoon is free.

Full day excursion by road and ferry to visit the enchanting island of Miyajima, lying amidst the serene waters of Japan’s Inland Sea. We view the famous Itsukushima Shrine and its large wooden torii (gate), before visiting some of the other attractions of one of Japan’s most celebrated and sacred islands.

We take the Bullet Train to Kyoto (380 kms/1 hour 45 minutes), Japan’s old Imperial capital and one of the country’s most beautiful cities. This afternoon we visit one of Japan’s famous ‘matsuri’, Jidai Matsuri or ‘Festival of the Ages’, held annually on 22nd October. The highlight of the festival is the Jidai Gyoretsu (historic pageant) where a mikoshi (a portable shrine) and accompanied by some 2,000 people dressed in costumes representing various eras of Kyoto's 1,200-year history parade through the city. The procession culminates at the Heian Jingu Shrine, the location of our reserved seats. Our stay in at the ANA Hotel

Kyoto is a city that exudes the very essence of Japanese culture. The capital for more than a thousand years, it is filled with many of the country’s oldest and most revered temples and shrines and boasts no fewer than 17 World Heritage Sites. Our sightseeing today includes the famous Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu Temple with its renowned Rock Garden and Nijo Castle.

Today we travel to Nara, the 8th century capital of Japan and a rich repository of Japanese culture. We will visit the gigantic bronze Buddha of the Todal-Ji (Great Eastern Temple), the world’s largest wooden building and a centre of worship for centuries, Kasuga Shrine and take a stroll through Deer Park.

At leisure in Kyoto, home to the famous Geisha, the young girls trained to become traditional entertainers and versed in the arts of the country

We drive this morning to Osaka and take the Japan Airlines flight, non-stop, back to London, arriving in Heathrow later this afternoon (12 hours).