JAPAN’S SACRED MOUNTAINS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CHERRY BLOSSOM TOUR

14 NIGHTS

Departure: 24th March 2020

Pricing: $6,190pp twin share

Single: $6,855pp

Inclusions: • 14 nights accommodation including

one night Temple stay and two nights traditional Japanese accommodation with room overlooking the river

• 10 breakfasts : 3 lunches : 6 dinners

• All transportation as per itinerary including Shinkansen (bullet train)

• Luggage transfers

• All sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary

• Fully escorted within Japan by an Experience Japan Australian Escort

For reservations see your nearest licensed Travel Agency: ABN: 67 495 013 347 ATAS number: A14283

www.experiencejapan.com.au

“Kumano Kodo” is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Listed walks. Visit 3 unique sacred sites, visit the only UNESCO World Heritage listed Hot Springs that you can bathe in, stay in an ancient Buddhist temple. Experience age old traditions of indigo dyeing, making a bamboo speaker, taiko drumming, and enjoy Umeshu tasting.

*Terms and conditions apply. Please visit experiencejapan.com.au for more details.

Day 1 : 24th March 2020 Arrival into Narita OR Haneda Airport and transfer to Tokyo. Accommodation: Shiba Park Hotel : (3 nights)

Day 2 - 3 : 25th - 26th March 2020 At Leisure : There are optional tours available which are highly recommended to pre-book prior to your departure from Australia. Alternatively your Tour Escort is readily available for suggestions, assistance and will take you sightseeing around Tokyo by subway and train.

Day 4: 27th March 2020 : Tokyo to Nara via Kyoto : Today, travel by Shinkansen to Kyoto connecting with a local train for Nara. After checking-in we will visit Todaiji Temple, the Deer Park and the Giant Daibutsu (Buddha). Remainder of day at leisure. Accommodation: Matsumae Ryokan : (1 night)

Day 5 : 28th March 2020 : Nara to Koyasan : Depart Nara this morning for Koyasan and to our Temple accommodation for the night. We will meet with our local very experienced guide and have an escorted tour through the sacred area of the Okunoin Cemetery were amongst hundreds of centuries old towering cedar trees lie over 200,000 gravestones. Koyasan is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (D) Accommodation: Eko-In Temple Koyasan : (1 night)

Day 6 : 29th March 2020 : Koyasan to Ryujin Onsen : Early morning Buddhist ceremony including the Fire (Goma) Ceremony and after breakfast we will meet with our experienced English speaking guide and visit other important areas in Koyasan. These will include the Danjo Garan Complex and Kongobuji which is the Head Temple of Koyasan Shingon Sect of Esoteric Buddhism and displays the largest rock garden in Japan. Depart Koyasan and travel over the beautiful Skyline drive to Ryujin Onsen. Tonight relax in one of Japan’s three most beautifying Onsens and enjoy a traditional Kaiseki dinner. (B/D) Accommodation: Kamigoten Ryokan in Ryujin Onsen : (1 night)

Day 7 : 30th March : Ryujin Onsen to Kawayu Onsen : After breakfast we will drive through to Kawayu Onsen. Today is a cultural day and in the morning we will have the experience of Indigo dyeing and will also visit a local craft centre. Drive to Takahara and enjoy lunch whilst taking in some spectacular scenery. In the afternoon we will try our hand at making a bamboo speaker that you will be able to take home as a memento. Onto Yunomine Onsen for a visit and this is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Listed Hot Springs but it is the only one that you can bathe in. (B/L/D) Accommodation : Midoriya Hotel in Kawayu Onsen : (2 nights)

Day 8: 31st March 2020 : This morning after breakfast we drive to Hongu and visit the Hongu Visitor’s Centre. Those not wishing to do the walk today can remain in Hongu.Those doing the walk

will take the bus through to Kumano Kodo Hosshinmon-oji and walk the World Heritage Kumano Kodo trail through to Kumano Hongu Taisha (7.3 kms). All the walks on the Kumano Kodo Trail are graded with the most difficult walk being 5.0. Today’s walk is graded as a 2.5 degree of difficulty. We will then meet with the non-walkers and tonight after dinner we will enjoy Taiko (Japanese Drumming) (B/L/D)

Day 9 : 1st April 2020 : Kawayu Onsen : Kii Katsuura : This morning we drive through to the Jet Boat mooring. Cruise up through the rugged Dorokyo Gorge which is famous for its steep cliffs, clear emerald waters and unique rock formations. This afternoon we will visit the Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Daimonzaka, Kumano Nachi Taisha and the famous Nachi waterfalls. (B/D) Accommodation: Japan Holistic Hotel : Taiji : (1 night)

Day 10 : 2nd April 2020 : Kii Katsuura to Tanabe : After breakfast this morning we will have a brief visit to the Fish Markets, then on our way to Tanabe visit the 1000 tatami mat rock formation, Hashigui-Iwa rocks and relax our feet in the footbath at Shirahama. Lunch at Tore Tore Ichiba and then visit a liqueur tasting factory before arriving into Tanabe. Afternoon free and tonight enjoy dinner at an Izakaya Pub. (B/D) Accommodation: Hanaya Hotel Tanabe or similar : (1 night)

Day 11 : 3rd April 2020 : Tanabe to Kyoto : Today, we make our way to Kyoto. Afternoon at leisure or alternatively “Tea with a Maiko” performance. (B) Accommodation: Palaceside Hotel : (4 nights)

Day 12 : 4th April 2020 : This morning, meet with our local Tour Guide and private coach for our day tour of Kyoto. Visit the famous Ryoanji Temple with its beautiful Sand Garden which dates from the 15th century. Onto Kinkakuji “Golden Pavilion” whose walls are completely covered with gold foil. Our next stop is Nijo Castle built in 1603 as a residence for the first Tokugawa Shogun. After lunch we traverse to the opposite side of Kyoto and visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine which is the headquarters of approximately 40,000 Inari shrines all over Japan. Founded in 711 it is also noted for the sight of 7,000+ torii (shrine gates) that are positioned over a long path up to the hill behind the shrine. (B/L)

Day 13 - 14 : 5th – 6th April 2020 : Kyoto at leisure. There are optional tours available which are highly recommended to pre-book prior to your departure from Australia. Alternatively your Tour Escort is available to take you sightseeing and/or shopping. (B)

Day 15 : 7th April 2020: Transfer to either Itami Airport or Kansai Airport for your departure flights. (B)