Compare Japan Biking by Butterfield & Robinson vs Japan in 15 days - Land of the Rising Sun - Charm by Exoticca
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 9,495 | $ 2,899 |
| Price Per Day | $ 1,187 | $ 193 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included |
All Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 6 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
Epic rides & serene hot springs Cycle the spectacular coastline of old Japan, visiting sleepy fishing villages and gorgeous ryokans along the way. Buddhist temples, tea ceremonies, and steaming onsen baths are more our speed. We bike along the Noto (sublime) and stay at the exquisite Kayotei (whose owner has raised many a glass of sake with us). |
Discover the beauty of Japan, travelling by train with an included Japan Rail Pass. Get to know the neighbourhoods of Asakusa, Shibuya and Shinjuku in Tokyo. Explore the picturesque landscapes of Kanazawa and discover the traditional district of Higashi Chaya. Fall in love with the traditions of Kyoto, discover the poignant history of Hiroshima and get lost in modern Osaka. |
Day 1:
Discover the heart of the rustic Noto Peninsula and its rugged coastlines, rice paddies, and endless farmland. Dinner will be on a menu made from fresh, local ingredients with a “strict” dress code requiring your traditional yukata (kimono).
Day 2:
Visit the asaichi, or morning market, finding anything from lacquerware and sake to fresh fish and vegetables. Ride along the scenic coast to a gorgeous waterfall and later on, take part in a special welcome ceremony at the local Shinto shrine.
Day 3:
This morning, learn about the traditional craft of paper-making. Then, stop for a dip in a local hot spring, taking in views out across the bay.
Day 4:
Ride back in time through sleepy fishing villages and past lush forests. Stop for a local lunch and head to the hot spring town of Wakura Onsen to indulge in a taste of Japan’s signature suki yaki with famous Noto Gyu (beef) as the highlight.
Day 5:
Drive through the awakening streets of Nanao to the island of Noto. Circumnavigating the island, pass through parkland and fishing communities, stopping along the way to watch for dolphins before a simple yet delicious lunch.
Day 6:
Explore the beautiful gardens of Kanazawa today. Then, experience a traditional tea ceremony before setting out on a scenic loop ride in the hot spring town of Yamanaka Onsen.
Day 7:
Bike through the winding mountains before exploring an amazing Buddhist temple. Tonight, we cap off a fantastic week in style with some local entertainment.
Day 8:
After breakfast, transfer to Kyoto and say farewells. Kyoto easily demands a stay of several nights with its temples, shrines and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Day 1: US - Night on board
Arrival at your departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to Tokyo. Night on board.* * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Tokyo
Arrive in the capital of Japan and self-transfer to the hotel. Tokyo is a dazzling metropolis rich in history and tradition. Rest of the day free to start discovering this exciting city of contrasts and its delicious cuisine. Overnight stay in Tokyo.
Day 3: Tokyo
Today, take a half-day tour of the city of Tokyo including many of the most emblematic sights in the city. See the vibrant neighbourhood of Harajuku, the charming Meiji Shrine and the National Diet Building. Discover the magnificent Imperial Palace, the primary residence of the Japanese Emperor, before passing through the varied districts of the city and arriving in Asakusa. Asakusa retains all the charms of 'old Tokyo', with its traditional architecture, craft shops and food stalls. Here you can marvel at the magnificent Senso-ji temple and Kaminari-mon Gate. End the tour at Tokyo Station and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Tokyo.
Day 4: Tokyo
Enjoy a day at your own pace. Spend the day exploring Tokyo's fascinating city-scape at your leisure. Why not visit Odaiba island high-tech entertainment hub or climb the Skytree Tower for a panoramic view of Tokyo? We recommend an exciting full-day tour to Mount Fuji and Hakone*. Overnight stay in Tokyo. * Optional full-day tour to Mount Fuji and Hakone: The bus heads up to the 5th Station along the Subaru Line, at 2,300 metres above sea level. At this height, you will be amazed by the breathtaking views from above the clouds. After lunch at Samurai Restaurant, visit scenic Owaku-dani Valley in Hakone and enjoy a peaceful boat trip on Ashi Crater Lake to admire the superb views of Mt. Fuji. Return to Tokyo by bus with the option to end the tour at Odawara station if you prefer. Please note: If road conditions or unforeseen circumstances restrict the ascent to the 5th station, you will instead travel the highest elevation possible considering the circumstances. The same also applies for the cruise on Ashi Crater Lake; if conditions or circumstances prevent sailing on the lake, alternative visits and experiences will be taken to replace the activity.
Day 5: Tokyo
Enjoy a day exploring Tokyo at your leisure, getting to know the shopping districts, discovering new parts of the city or simply soaking up the culture and sampling the cuisine. Overnight stay in Tokyo.
Day 6: Tokyo - Kanazawa
Using your Japan Rail Pass, travel to Kanazawa, a historical jewel of a city and home to some of Japan's most beautiful landscaped gardens. We recommend visiting the historic Higashi Chaya district, filled with traditional tea houses where you will be able to see the celebrated geishas perform. Overnight stay in Kanazawa.
Day 7: Kanazawa
Spend the day on a self-guided tour of the sights of Kanazawa. Catch the Kanazawa Loop Bus for an overview of the city before admiring the pristine landscaped gardens and Japanese architecture of the Kenrokuen Gardens & Seisonkaku Villa. Soak up the artistic atmosphere at a traditional Gold-Leaf Experience and refresh with tea coupons to redeem at Kikantei. Overnight stay in Kanazawa.
Day 8: Kanazawa - Hiroshima
Today, travel to Hiroshima using your Japan Rail Pass. Arrive in the modern city of Hiroshima, sadly destroyed in the most part in 1945 by an atomic bomb, making it a moving destination to explore. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hiroshima.
Day 9: Hiroshima
Today you will have the opportunity to be your own guide with a self-guided tour of the main attractions of Hiroshima. Begin at the Atomic Bomb Dome, passing by Hiroshima Castle along the way, to contemplate one of the few structures that survived the devastating explosion. Continue to the Peace Memorial Park and stop for a traditional Okonomiyaki lunch. Afterwards, head to the port for a short ferry ride to Miyajima to see the Otorii Gate and the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine. End the tour with a visit to Daishonin Temple. This tour includes a full-day ticket for Hiroden (tram and bus network in and around Hiroshima, and roundtrip ticket for Miyajima ferry), and a voucher for lunch at Okoromi-mura. The tour will take place in the order that you prefer. Overnight stay in Hiroshima.
Day 10: Hiroshima - Kyoto
Using your Japan Rail Pass, travel to Kyoto, the capital of the Japanese Empire for 11 centuries. We recommend exploring the emblematic neighborhood of Gion, known for its traditional architecture and admired geishas. Overnight stay in Kyoto.
Day 11: Kyoto
Set off this morning on an exciting half-day Kyoto tour to discover the beautiful and historical districts of Sagano. Ride the Sagano Romantic Train (trolley train), enjoy a walk through the enchanting Sagano bamboo forest, wander round Arashiyama's Tenryuji Temple and admire its famous garden and lake. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Kyoto.
Day 12: Kyoto
Spend today at your leisure, exploring the delights of Kyoto at your own pace. Perhaps explore the Kiyomizu temple, part of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site, or walk through the tranquil Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. We recommend an optional afternoon excursion to the peaceful sanctuary of Nara.* Overnight stay in Kyoto. * Optional Nara Excursion: Head to Nara on the Kintetsu Express Train, for a tour of two World Heritage Sites: Todai-Ji Temple and Kofukuji Temple. Encounter wild deer up close while walking through Nara Park, a rarity in Japan and worldwide and discover Todai-Ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest wooden structures.
Day 13: Kyoto - Osaka
Today, take a local train to travel to Osaka. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free to discover this charming city. We recommend visiting the Kuromon local market and its Floating Garden Observatory in the Umeda Sky Building, from which there is an unforgettable panoramic view of the city. Overnight stay in Osaka.
Day 14: Osaka
Spend the day on a self-guided tour of the sights of Osaka. You will have at your disposal an Osaka Metro + City Bus card to discover the city on your own. You will also have an admission ticket for the Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory. At 300m above ground, you’ll be able to see the incredible borderless day & night scenery of the city. It also includes the ticket for Osaka Castle, where you have the chance to learn about the history of one of Japan's most famous landmarks. Overnight stay in Osaka.
Day 15: Osaka
Spend the day at your leisure exploring the cultural delights of Osaka. Get to know the local area and sample the iconic local cuisine. In fact, the street food markets of Osaka are said to be the best in the country! Overnight stay in Osaka.
Day 16: Osaka - Night on board
Sadly it's time to say goodbye to the Land of the Rising Sun. At the indicated time, self-transfer to the airport for a flight** back to the US. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 17: US
Arrive in the US and end your unforgettable Japanese adventure.
