SMALL GROUP TOURS

Spring Elegance
13 Nights

CLASSICTokyo > Matsumoto > Takayama > Kanazawa > Kyoto > Hakone > Tokyo

Visit Tokyo's beautiful
Hamarikyu Gardens

Follow in the footsteps of samurai
by visiting one of Japan’s bestpreserved castles in Matsumoto
Explore traditional thatched
farmhouses at the Hida no Satofolk village in the Japanese Alps
Admire the world-famous
Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa

Meet a maiko (trainee geisha)
and attend a performance of thespring geisha dances in Kyoto
Ponder Picasso and wanderamongst the sculptures at
Hakone’s Open-Air Art Museum

IJT CLASSIC TOURS
Mid-range tours that cover Japan’s classic
sights or interest-specific itineraries (e.g.
hiking, cultural activities, specific regions)
Style Facts• Three-star accommodation• En suite rooms in all locations (except atsome unique traditional accommodation)• Airport meet-and-greet and transfers• Breakfast every day plus some lunches &dinners• Selected entrance fees included• Solo travellers: a single room is available
throughout on payment of a mandatory
supplement

Tour Overview
Spring is when Japan casts off its winterblanket and really lets its hair down. Every parkis packed with revelers gathered beneath thecherry blossoms, festivals are underway acrossthe country and nearly everyone embraces theparty-like atmosphere. This really is a wonderfultime to travel.
No trip to Japan would be complete without
seeing something of the big city, and yourtour will be bookended by stays amongst
the skyscrapers of Tokyo. You'll receive an
introduction to Japanese cuisine at a local
restaurant and experience Tokyo old and new.
Teahouses, shrines, temples and gardens give
respite from the bustle of this great metropolis,
providing a contrast with the futuristic cityscapefor which the city is famous.

Kanazawa
Takayama

MatsumotoTokyo

Mount Fuji
HakoneIn the Japanese Alps, the city of Matsumoto andthe craft town of Takayama offer a trip to theiconic Black Crow castle and an excursion to
Hida no Sato Village respectively. The former is
one of Japan’s most impressive samurai castles,
whilst the latter is an open-air museum
showcasing the steeply thatched, “praying
hands” farmhouses typical of the region.

Kyoto

Kanazawa offers a glimpse of life in a small,beautifully preserved traditional city, which hasembraced the arts for centuries. Three days in
Kyoto, meanwhile, will induct you
into Japan’s other great cultural city. The
highlights here include an audience with amaiko (apprentice geisha) and tickets to the
Miyako Odori: the annual geisha dances given
to celebrate the onset of spring. You will haveplenty of time to visit some of the city’s 17
World Heritage Sites too, of course.
Within a couple of hours of Tokyo, the FujiHakone-Izu National Park is a haven of natural
splendour. With stunning views of Mount Fuji
across Lake Ashi and a profusion of volcanic hot
springs, you’ll have the chance to relax andunwind in a traditional onsen bath stayin traditional Japanese accommodation and visit
a world-class sculpture park in
an unbeatable setting.
This is an active tour packed with opportunities
for exploration, good value mid-range
accommodation and a variety of meals
included. With your tour leader to steer you
through the most fascinating aspects of thesesuperb destinations, this tour offers a classic
sightseeing experience in comfort, at a fantastic
time of year.

Day by day
Many of our customers choose to arrive a
day or two early to get over jet-lag and get
the most out of the tour. Whatever the case,we will be happy to make arrangements tosuit your needs.
Day 1 Tokyo (D)On arrival in Tokyo you will be met at the airportby your driver and travel by shuttle bus to yourhotel in the Asakusa district where your tour leader
will be waiting to meet you in the lobby. The restof today will be free for you to explore the low-risemarket stalls and beautiful red temple of Sensoji, a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, before
a welcome meeting this evening. This will befollowed by an included group meal at oneof the area’s excellent restaurants.

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Day 2 Tokyo (B)Today will be split between a guided tour by yourtour leader in the morning exploring the metropolis
comprised of multiple city centres each with it own
distinct character and an afternoon private coachtour with a local guide, giving you extensive insight
into the history and modern aspects of Tokyo life.
The day begins by heading to the former Shogun
residence of Hamarikyu, now a beautiful publicgarden with a central pond, and grand vistas of thesurrounding skyscrapers and Tokyo Bay. Time
allowing, we can head to Ueno to experiencemarket life and have lunch before meeting our local
guide and driver for the afternoon. Next we’ll travel
by private bus across to the city’s west side, where
the wacky fashion quarter of Harajuku borders theverdant imperial shrine complex of Meiji Jingu. Witha curiosity on every street corner, Tokyo is sure tokeep you stimulated throughout.
Day 3 Tokyo (B)Today you will be free to accompany your tour
leader on an excursion to Kamakura or Nikko,
spend some more time exploring Tokyo, or perhaps
branch out on an independent day trip.
Kamakura is a lovely seaside town, famous for its
giant Buddha and numerous sacred sites,
craft shops, boutiques, nature walks and pleasantbeaches. If weather permits, your leader will offer ashort, two-hour hike to some of the famous sights,
such as the giant Buddha. Alternatively, you canhead to the same sights by taxi, bus or train.
If Kamakura doesn’t tickle your fancy, you might opt
to go it alone and visit Nikko, home to awonderfully elaborate shrine complex and resting
place of Japan’s most important shogun, Tokugawa
Ieyasu. Your tour leader will be happy to help you
plan your day.
Day 4 Matsumoto (B)Today you’ll begin your journey to the city ofMatsumoto, a river plain city close to the Kita Alpsmountain range. Our journey heads northwesterly
from Tokyo by express train, passing close to Mount
Fuji and the Minami Alps. Matsumoto is famous for
its impressive “Black Crow” castle, one of the few
remaining original samurai castles in Japan. Make
sure you take the time to explore the donjon (mainkeep) and its museum.
The city also has a very relaxed atmosphere with abeautiful riverside merchant’s quarter to wander. If
you are interested in the ukiyo-e woodblock prints
of masters such as Utamaro, Hiroshige andHokusai, a visit to the Matsumoto Ukiyo-e Museum
would be well worth your while!
For dinner this evening we recommend trying soba
noodles, a speciality of the region, or (if you’refeeling really adventurous) perhaps a bite ofbasashi - that’s raw horse! Your tour leader will, ofcourse, suggest something to suit your palate,
whatever that may be.
Day 5 Takayama (B,D)
On day five you’ll continue your adventure throughthe Japanese Alps on a spectacular bus ride as you
wind your way to Takayama, a town traditionallyknown for the high quality of its craftsmen. In fact,
Takayama’s craftmen were responsible for building
some of the greatest temples and shrines in Kyoto.

This afternoon you will have some time to explore
the lovely Sanno-machi district of Takayama, where
you can peruse craft shops and perhaps stop in at
one or two of the town’s breweries for a spot ofsake-tasting.
This evening you’ll return to your homely traditionalryokan inn for an elaborate, multi- course kaiseki
dinner, served Japanese-style. We absolutely
recommend taking advantage of the ryokan’s hot
spring baths before bed this evening!
Day 6 Takayama (B)A local guide will be at hand to lead you throughthis charming historic town today. You will be
sure to take in the wonderful riverside morningmarket, where you’ll get a look at the fresh local
produce and crafts. Hida no Sato Folk Village,
just out of town, is an open-air museum where
you can wander amongst traditional, thatchedgassho zukuri farmhouses – a great opportunity
catch a glimpse of Japanese mountain life, preindustrialisation.
Dinner is not included tonight, so we suggest
heading out to try some succulent Hida beef, thepride of the local people. It may not be as wellknown as the Kobe variety, but by all accounts it’s
just as tasty!
Day 7 Kanazawa (B)Today you will leave the mountains behind in
exchange for a day in Kanazawa on the Japan Sea
Coast. Travelling by private coach the journey willtake us through stunning scenery. Like Kyoto, thecity of Kanazawa escaped bombing during WorldWar II thanks to its wealth of historical buildings
and cultural achievements – meaning that today
it is one of Japan’s best-preserved historical cities.
Wander the geisha districts, visit Edo-period housesin the samurai quarter, – and whatever you do,don’t miss Kenrokuen – one of Japan’s top threelandscape gardens.
In the evening, why not sample some fresh sushi
from the market or head to a fish restaurant?
Kanazawa is renowned for its great seafood, so
don’t miss out.
Day 8 Kyoto (B,D)
Midmorning, we will be heading to Kyoto on
another beautiful train journey, passing Japan’slargest lake (Lake Biwa) along the way. This
afternoon you will have time to rest or may join
your tour leader in exploring the historic
Higashiyama district, before a late afternoon stroll
to Gion, the city’s traditional geisha quarter. Hereyou will enjoy a private audience with a maiko, a
trainee geisha, where you’ll have the chance tolearn about the mysterious and elegant world of
the geisha. Afterwards, we will be heading out toone of the city restaurants for an exquisite included
group meal, Kyoto-style.

Day 10 Kyoto (B)Day ten of your tour will be free for you to continue
exploring Kyoto’s myriad sights, or to make a day
trip out of the city. Your tour leader will be headingout to one of their favourite day- trip spots –perhaps the nearby ancient city of Nara or the
spectacular samurai castle at Himeji. You may evenwant to head (unguided) as far away as Hiroshima
and the wonderful Miyajima Island, famed for its
huge red Shinto gate in the sea, roaming deer andmaple forests. If there is somewhere you would
particularly like to visit, your tour leader will behappy to help you make independent
arrangements for today.
Day 11 Hakone (B, D)
It’s all aboard the bullet train for the journey to
Hakone, one of Japan’s most popular hot spring
resorts, and part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National
Park. This afternoon we’ve included tickets to the
Chokoku no Mori Open-Air Museum, where you’ll
find sculptures by Moore, Rodin, Kusama andPicasso amid beautiful scenery. Take your time toabsorb the great works of art and alpine setting.
After you’ve worked up a healthy appetite in the
fresh mountain air, relax for the evening as we treat
you and the group to a scrumptious dinner at oneof the fabulous restaurants nearby.
Day 12 Hakone (B)Your included “Hakone Free Pass” tickets allow
unlimited travel on nearly all of the diverse
transport in the Hakone region. With a full day to
explore the sights with your tour leader you’ll use
the pass to travel by, amongst others, cable car,funicular railway and even a pirate ship!
On today’s itinerary is a visit an old samurai
checkpoint to find out about Hakone’s past as a
post-town on the ancient Tokaido trail, a visit to
Owakudani volcano and if the weather obliges,
spectacular views of Mount Fuji! There
will, of course, be time to look at the area’s famedmarquetry crafts, on offer in Hakone town.
Day 13 Tokyo (B, D)
After a delicious breakfast, a private coach will arrive
to take us back down to Hakone Yumoto stationfrom where we will get the train back to our finaldestination, Tokyo. Our stay in Shinjuku offers afinal reminder of the modern and traditional
contrasts of this great country.
Why not use the time to wander through the finegrounds and Japanese gardens at Shinjuku Gyoen
Park?
Then dip into the chaos of Kabukicho – shops,
restaurants and…anything goes! Those with lastminute shopping requirements will not bedisappointed in the retail heaven of Shinjuku.
To round off the tour we have included a final
dinner with your group. We hope you enjoy looking
back over an amazing two weeks.

Day 9 Kyoto (B)On day nine we will have a private minibus anda local guide at our disposal, ready to demonstrate
why Kyoto is known as the “City of Ten Thousand
Temples”! It’s not about all religious sites,
however, as you may also get a chance to see the“nightingale floors” of Nijo Castle and enjoy the
bamboo groves of Arashiyama.
We have tickets for the Miyako Odori geisha
dances later this afternoon, so we will aim to get
you back to the hotel in time to freshen up.

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Day 14 Tour Ends (B)Finally it’s time to say goodbye, and you’ll makeyour way back to the airport, by arranged transfer,in time for your flight home. If you are continuing
your holiday, enjoy the rest of your Japaneseadventure!

Our tours aim to be as flexible as possible,
so there is no set-in-stone itinerary for eachday. You will be provided on the ground with
Day-by-Day sheets and the tour leader will
outline what they are going to do each day indetail. If you would like to break away from thegroup and do something different, they will beavailable to offer advice, and help you plan
your day.

What’s included

Your comprehensive InsideJapan Info-PackAirport transfers and all transport between
destinations in JapanIC transport card with 2,500 yen credit forcity transport

Full-time services of your InsideJapan tour
leader

13 nights’ accommodation
Breakfast daily and four evening meals
Entrance fee to Hamarikyu Gardens in Tokyo
Half-day guide & private coach in Tokyo
Takayama bus passTransfer from Takayama to Kanazawa by
private coachEntrance to the Hida no Sato folk village andfull-day guide in Takayama

Private afternoon tea with a maiko (trainee
geisha)Tickets to the Miyako Odori spring geisha
dancesThree-day Hakone Free Pass for transport in
the Hakone region

Entrance to the Hakone Open-Air Museum
Luggage forwarding from Tokyo to Takayama,
Takayama to Kyoto and from Kyoto to Tokyo

Full day guide in Kyoto
Shared portable Wi-Fi access throughout trip
NOT Included

r International flightsr Any local transport (subways, taxis, buses)

unless covered by the included transport passesr Any entrances fees (including those formuseums, temples & shrines) unless otherwise
specified

Sample Accommodation
Please note that accommodation is subject tochange. Final details of the accommodation
will be included in your Info-Pack, which will
be sent out approximately four weeks before
departure. If you’d like to know more, pleasespeak to your travel consultant.
The Gracery Asakusa, Tokyo
The Gracery Asakusa is a great location forsightseeing, based just a few minutes’ walk fromthe main attractions in the area; Kaminarimon
Gate, Senso-ji temple, Kappabashi Kitchenware
Street as well as many restaurants. The Ginza andAsakusa subway lines are also just a short walkaway, allowing for easy access to the rest of Tokyo.
The hotel has modern ensuite rooms and aconvenient coin operated laundry room. The
breakfast is buffet style with Western dishes.
Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel, Matsumoto Thismodern hotel is, in part, a conversion of a classic
Meiji-era bank building giving the whole place a
sense of history and meaning the location issomething only a bank could afford! The hotel
offers comfortable rooms, modern in style andwith bathrooms more spacious than at many midrange hotels. Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel also
has its own restaurants and English speaking staff
are available
Tanabe Ryokan, Takayama
Just a short walk or even shorter taxi ride from
Takayama Station, Tanabe Ryokan is a high-quality
traditional inn on the fringe of Takayama’s oldquarter.
During your stay here you’ll be conveniently close
to the morning markets and within easy walking
distance of both the Higashiyama temple area andtown museums – a great location for sightseeing.
As is usual at traditional ryokan accommodation,
you will be sleeping on thick futon placed directlyon the tatami-mat floors. The rooms all haveattached bathroom facilities, but the inn also
boasts beautifully presented, single-sex communal
baths, which are a great way to relax after a day ofsightseeing. The owners, Mr and Mrs Tanabe, aregracious hosts and will do their very best to ensure
you have a fabulous stay. Meals here are
traditional Japanese, with coffee freely available in
the lobby lounge.

Vischio Kyoto, Kyoto
It’s all about the location at the Vischio Kyoto, justtwo minutes’ walk from the south exit of Kyoto
Station, and with numerous transport links forsightseeing around the city.
Guest rooms are clean and bright, with large
windows and plush Simmons mattresses. While allrooms are ensuite, the hotel also has communal
Japanese-style baths and saunas – perfect forresting your weary post-sightseeing legs! Coinoperated laundry facilities and a free gym are alsoavailable during your stay.
A huge breakfast buffet is available in the mornings,
while at night the hotel restaurant offers a la carte
dining and teppanyaki.
Laforet Club Hakone Gora Yunosumikal, Hakone
We’re sure your stay at Laforet will be one of thehighlights of your trip. This Japanese-style hotel
is in one of the best locations in Hakone, close to
Gora station which has links by cable car andmountain railway to the rest of the area.
The rooms here are very generously sized withmodern comforts like low beds, but with lovely
Japanese design throughout. After a day ofsightseeing, there’s no better way to relax than bytaking a soak in the communal hot spring baths
with indoor and outdoor pools.
JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku, Tokyo
Blossom Shinjuku is a lovely mid-range hotel
in a great location just a short walk from JR
Shinjuku Station. The hotel has bright and modern
reasonably sized rooms.
Free Wi-Fi internet is available throughout and there
is a PC corner available on the first floor. The hotel’s
restaurant is a branch of the ‘Akasaka Umaya’ chain
and serves a good buffet breakfast and a range ofJapanese cuisine for lunch and dinner.

Mitsui Garden Kanazawa , Kanazawa
The Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa is a stylish
mid-range hotel located right in the centre ofKanazawa, with the main train station, the famous
Kenrokuen Garden, and the shopping and dining
district of Korinbo all within easy walking distanceof the hotel. Rooms combine clean, modern stylewith traditional Japanese touches, with décor
showcasing dyed kimono fabrics in the local Kaga
Yuzen style. Head to the top floor for panoramic
views of Kanazawa Castle Park from thecommunal hot spring baths, the ideal way relax at
the start or end your day of sightseeing.

r Baggage handling and luggage forwarding
unless otherwise specified - you will be
expected to carry your own luggage

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Important Tour Information
Fitness
Even when not using public transport, sightseeingin Japan often involves walking between sights,
climbing up steps in temples and being ‘on thego’ for much of the day. To enjoy any of our Small
Group Tours you should be of moderate fitness,able to walk and climb stairs without difficulty andable to maintain a pace that is comfortable for the
majority of the group.
Dietary Requirements
There are a number of meals included on all our
tours. Please let us know in advance if you haveany special dietary requirements and we will try toensure that included meals meet these needs.
In addition, please note that dietary requirements(such as vegetarianism, gluten-free diets and evensome allergies) are very uncommon in Japan someals for those with specific requirements may be
simpler and less varied.
On this tour you’ll stay at a Japanese styleaccommodation, you will be served a traditional
dinner, as well as a Japanese breakfast in themorning.
En suite / shared facilities
We aim to secure rooms at all accommodation
with attached en-suite facilities. Culturally,
communal bathing is common practice in Japan.
Shared facilities (when included) will always be
separated by gender.
Policy on single rooms
Single rooms are guaranteed at all night stops on
this tour through payment of a mandatory single
supplement.
Double rooms
Please note that in Japan, twin rooms are verymuch the norm, and there are far fewer double
rooms available. Please understand that we will
not be able to offer a double in every hotel on thistour.
A double grade does not guarantee double rooms
throughout.

Luggage
We highly recommend that to make your stay
more enjoyable you pack reasonably light. Large
suitcases will be an inconvenience to you as you
will have to carry your bags for short distances attimes and some stations do not have escalators
or elevators/lifts
For ease of transit, we will be forwarding yourluggage on three occasions and you will be
without your main bag for 1 night in Matsumoto,1 night in Kanazawa and 2 nights in Hakone.
You will need a small overnight bag (e.g. backpack)for use when we forward our main bags to thenext location.
Transport on tour
Please note that most transfers are by public
transport making use of Japan’s first-rate transport
network. This tour uses a mixture of trains, taxis,
public buses and boats, as well as private coaches
for some transfers and sightseeing.
International Flights
This tour starts and finishes in Tokyo for arrivals
and departures at Tokyo Narita Airport or Tokyo
Haneda Airport. Please note that the included
meet and greet, shared shuttle airport transfer tothe first hotel is ONLY available from these two
airports.
Check-inUpon arrival you will probably be tired after a longinternational flight. Please note that rooms at theTokyo hotel are only available from 2pm.
Hotels in Japan operate strict check-in policies.
Check-in will be at three or four in the afternoon
for most accommodations. If you have an earlyarrival you can either book an extra night for
any-time check-in, or the hotel will be happy tosecurely store your luggage for you whilst you go
for a drink or explore the local area.
The tour leader will be staying at the first hotel for
two nights before the tour starts so they will beavailable for advice if you choose to book pre tournights. We recommend booking at least one extra
night to check in and relax before the tour begins.

Your tour leader
Our tours are led on the ground by a fluent English
speaker, now a resident of Japan and able tospeak Japanese. They are there to ensure that you
get the most out of your trip and that the wholeadventure goes smoothly. The tour leader travels
with the group and stays at the same hotels andryokan, so please feel free to ask for help or advice
at any time.
Your tour leader is not a guide so may not know
every historical detail of every shrine, temple orpalace, yet they are available pretty much all day
every day and will even be happy to accompany
tour members out at night on occasion!
Please note that the tour leader reserves the rightto deny participation in an activity if they feel that
it is in the safety or best interest of you and/or any
other members of the group. Similarly, dangerous
weather conditions may lead to cancellation ofsuch an activity.

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www.InsideJapanTours.com • info@insidejapantours.com UK: 0117 244 3380

US: 303 952 0379

AUS: 07 3186 8800

ABTA No.Y6295