10-Day Classic Japan Winter Wonder Group Tour from Osaka: Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Hakone and Tokyo

Kon'nichiwa friends, and welcome to the land of the rising sun.

Famed for its beauty, culture, cuisine and just a touch of crazy, this is one trip you won't be forgetting any time soon. Get settled into your hotel before joining forces with your Trip Manager & travel crew & head out to explore the local area.

Osaka is all yours today! Head to Osaka Castle or Sumiyoshi-taisa for a dose of history, or to Nara to meet the cutest deers ever! This evening, you have the option to gobble down a delicious meal at an Izakaya - traditional little restaurants with rice beer, sake & locals finishing up their days. Still not done for the day? We sense some traditional Japanese PATI (that's Japanese for partying) and karaoke may be on the cards....

Day Highlight:
*Half-Day Trip to Nara (Free-time add on)——Take a short train ride out to the scenic countryside of Nara with your local guide & pay homage to one of the architectural wonders of Japanese workmanship, the Todaiji Temple. The largest wooden temple in Japan is a sight to behold in itself but situated in amongst rolling hills & a short walk from the famous Kasuga Shrine, it's a day worth spending outside of the City. You'll also get a chance to meet the locals... more miniature deer for your Insta feed!
*Izakaya Welcome Dinner (Free-time add on)——Tonight's your chance to start the trip right & really rub shoulders with the locals at an Izakaya in the bustling hub of Dotonburi. These traditional little restaurants are like a trip back in time, with rice beer, sake & locals finishing up their days. From menus on the wall & lots of sharing plates to keep things social, take it slow & enjoy the vibe. The perfect way to begin the trip!

Osaka
Tuck in to your tasty breakfast this morning, you're going to need the food fuel for a full day in Kyoto.

Kyoto
Arriving into Kyoto, we'll kick things off with a guided tour of this beautiful, traditional city. Take in the sights of the city including temples, gardens, colourful shrines & world famous geisha girls. This evening is free for you to get to know Kyoto your way, most likely trying out local cuisine in the Shirakawa area & getting to grips with the buzzy Kyoto nightlife.

Day Highlight:
*Experience Traditional Kyoto (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Tea houses. Kiyomizu Temple. The Golden Pavilion. Geishas. It’s all so surreal. You’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a film set. 

Didn't feel like you had enough time yesterday to really get under the skin of this utterly unique city? We've got good news for you - today is completely free for Kyoto adventuring. Ask your Trip Manager for the essentials on what to eat and where to go, then our best advice? Go get yourself a little lost, it's undeniably the best way to get to know a new city.

Kyoto
Ready for a totally new experience? This morning it's all aboard the bullet train, travelling at a cool 320km/hr as we make our way to Hiroshima.

Hiroshima
A city remembered as the world's first atomic bomb target during WWII, we'll learn about both the past and present on a sightseeing tour. The rest of the day will then be free to get to know Hiroshima however suits you best - food, shopping, history, it's all here at your fingertips.

Day Highlight:
*Remember Hiroshima with a Peace Park Guided Tour (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Visit the Peace Park and Peace Memorial Museum to commemorate the lives lost after the atomic bomb was dropped on the city. 
*Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience (Free-time add on)——Dine with locals Hiroshima style at the traditional Yatai (street food stalls). Watch the masters & get a chance to create this crazy fusion of ingredients. A savoury pancake fried with noodles, egg, vegetables & a whole bunch of other fillings, typical of the Hiroshima area. Put your teppan skills to the test & indulge in this culinary delight! 
Please note: this cooking class may not be available on certain departures.

Hiroshima
We'll start the day with a ferry ride over to Miyajima Island where beautiful scenery and miniature deer await us.

Miyajima
If you're impressed by the traditional Japanese gates at the entrance, just wait until you've seen the main event - the stunning Itsukushima Shrine.

Hiroshima
Culture goals ticked, we'll make our way back to Hiroshima to dig a little deeper into the city's noble history.

Day Highlight:
*See the Itsukushima Shrine & Miyajima Island (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——This way to amazing! These are the sites you always see in those impossibly tranquil pictures of Japan. IRL. 

Hiroshima
Tokyo you're firmly in our sights but on route, we'll make a stop in the peaceful mountain town of Hakone.

Hakone
Breathtaking views of some of Japan's most famous sights are courtesy of the Hakone Ropeway. If the weather plays nice...you might spot the magnificent Mount Fuji.

Tokyo
Welcome to the bright lights & big city vibes of Tokyo, our home for the next 3 nights. You'll have the night to use as you wish. How about heading to Shinjuku, the epicentre of Tokyo's gritty but super fun night scene.

Day Highlight:
*Ride the Hakone Ropeway & Cruise on Lake Ashinoko (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Prepare to be impressed. An awesome cable car ride is set against dream-like views of Mount Fuji. 

We'll dive right into this 24 hour city with a sightseeing tour of the best bits. We'll take a walk down Nakamise Street (one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan that dates back to the 1500's) to pick up treasures for family and friends back home, brave the busiest street crossing in the world (Shibuya), then round things off at the epicentre of youth culture & fashion, Harajuku. This part of town buzzes with cool vibes & crazy fashion, and we reckon you'll instantly fall in lust.

Day Highlight:
*Visit Tokyo's oldest Buddhist Temple (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Check out the Sensoji Temple, one of the most significant temples in Japan, decked with a 5-storey pagoda. Don't forget to snap a pic under the giant red lantern!
*Shop for souvenirs at Nakamise Street (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Get a piece of Japan to take back home from one of the many little stalls here on Nakamise Street, just a short walk from the Sensoji Temple.
*Admire the peaceful Meiji Shrine (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Visit this Shinto shrine in Shibuya, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shōken. You'll have the chance to wander through a tranquil forest, passing under the world-famous Tori Gate. And ofc, stop for a picture in front of the many colouGrful Sake barrels, and make a wish at the sacred Camphor tree.
*Feel the energy of Harijuku (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Get ready for a riot of colour and vibrant fashion. This was (and still is) a home for Japanese fashion. Grab a vintage bag, a pair of sneakers or a kawaii outfit. And don't get us started on the food! You'll find rainbow cotton candy, candy covered strawberries or a rainbow cheese sandwich.
*Walk across the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——It's only the biggest pedestrian intersection in the world! Come watch the world go by (and grab an iconic picture) on the crossing.

Today's our last day in Tokyo, and our last day on tour, so let's make it one to remember. With a free day to explore Japan your way, we have a sneaking suspicion Harajuku may be calling you back - it kind of has that affect on people. Or even better, a chance to visit a unique remote-operated robot restaurant. You gotta see it to believe it!

Day Highlight:
*Dine on Food Served by Robots (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience) (Free-time add on)——You won't find any human waitstaff here. Instead, you'll be served by state-of-the-art robots! But don't worry. These aren't soulless AI machines. Each robot is remotely piloted by a person who otherwise wouldn't be able to work at a café. It's a peak Japan experience!

And just like that, it's all over.

Japan crew, it's been a hell of a 10 days, and we have a sneaking suspicion this isn't a forever goodbye…