Japan Short Tours
TOKYO
8 Days (7 Nights)
$4389+ Airfares pp T/S
Tokyo short tour
Japan is the land of endless discovery. It has everything from futuristic high-tech cities, stunning snow-capped mountains to ancient temples and shrines. Part of its unique charm is how the old and new blend seamlessly together making it one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.
Our 7-night Tokyo short tour provides an opportunity to look at Tokyo, and surrounds, a little more in-depth. You will see where old meets new, the dazzling neon landscape of Tokyo by night and the history of old Japan – the Edo period, where Samurai ruled, a place you can wander around the historic architecture and see the period costumes. Tokyo is packed with opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else in the world and this 7 night tour is an ideal way to see the best that Tokyo has to offer.
Day 1 – Tokyo begins
All Day: Depart Australia for Tokyo
Evening: Arrive Tokyo around 7:00 PM
On arrival at the hotel, we will check in and meet for welcome to Japan drinks. We will discuss what you can expect from the tour and chat about the plan for the coming days.
Day 2 – Tokyo
Morning: Imperial palace & East garden
Afternoon: Tokyo sightseeing bus
Evening: Ginza
First up we take a stroll around the outside of the Imperial palace with its EDO period style stone walls before heading inside the grounds to wander the East garden – a remarkable example of a traditional Japanese garden. We will then head down to Tokyo station to board our sight-seeing bus, that will take us on a visual look around Tokyo, before we head to the up-market shopping district of Ginza. With its high fashion shops, high-tech electronics and ritzy sushi bars and neon lights, Ginza is one of the places to be in Tokyo. A great place to visit some of the small restaurant alleys for dinner.
Day 3 – Mount Fuji
All day: Mount Fuji
Today we head out of town to Mount Fuji, one of Japan’s most sacred mountains. An active volcano, 100 km south of Tokyo, the snow-capped mountain stands some 3776 meters above sea level. You can take in the magnificent view from the Chureito Pagoda before we head around to the ice cave below the mountain, with its all-year-round ice, deep inside. From here we head around to the Saikyo Iyashi No Sato Nenba historic village for a leisurely stroll around, and through, the thatched -roof houses. Our last stop will take be on a hill-side gondola to a viewing station with an un-obstructed view of Mount Fuji.
Day 4 – Tokyo
Morning: Sumida River Cruise
Afternoon: Tokyo Sky-Tree
Evening: Sanso-Ji temple
We start the day with a leisurely river cruise on the Sumida River – a different look at Tokyo. We then head to the tallest tower in Tokyo, the Tokyo Sky-Tree for a panoramic look at the whole of the Tokyo area (even Mount Fuji in the distance). Later, we take a stroll around the Sanso-ji Buddhist temple and Hozomon Gate (built around 945) in the heart of Asakusa. Here you will find an abundance of shops (good for souvenirs) and some magnificent little restaurants for a great dinner.
Day 5 – Nikko
Morning: Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Afternoon: Edo Wonderland and movie set
Evening: Shinjuku
This morning we head to the world heritage site of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, up in the mountains to the North of Tokyo. After a relaxing wander around, we will head to Edo Wonderland, an EDO period town that doubles as a movie set. Observe and interact with the people (in traditional period clothing) as you wander through the historic town as if you were living 300 years ago. We will then leave here for the relaxing drive back to Tokyo for a brief rest before we head out the exciting and bustling area of Shinjuku city with its neon-lit clubs and karaoke rooms, upscale hotel bars and restaurants in this Skyscraper District.
Day 6 – Tokyo
Morning: Hamarikyu Garden
Afternoon: Sumo museum
Evening: Akihabara
Today is a relaxing day as we stroll around one of the most idyllic gardens in Tokyo by the Sumida River. From here we will head over to the Sumo museum before heading across to Akihabara – Electric town, one of Tokyo’s brightest and high-tech areas with its multi-story anime and gaming shops nestled in with the largest duty-free area in Tokyo.
Day 7 – Tokyo
Morning: Yokohama waterfront
Afternoon: Kirin beer factory
Evening: Harajuku/Shibuya
This morning we travel, by train, to the waterfront area of Yokohama, the home of the ramen noodle and cup-noodle museums. You can wander the waterfront historic buildings and parks before we head to the Kirin beer factory for a very informed tour followed by free tastings. We head back to the hotel for a brief rest before heading out to Harajuku, with its quirky and colourful street art mixed with people dressed ready for cosplay before we head over to Shibuya, home to the worlds busiest road crossing and hundreds of fantastic little restaurants.
Day 8 – Tokyo
Morning: Free time
Afternoon: Free time/Airport transfer
Evening: Fly to Australia
Today is our last day in Tokyo. This morning and part of the afternoon is free time for those who wish to explore on your own, revisit an area or just go shopping (the groups decision) before we head to the airport at 4:00pm for our flight home.