DAY 1 FRI 26 MAR

HOME TO TOKYO

Welcome to Tokyo. Check-in to your hotel conveniently located at Haneda Airport. Settle in and meet your Tour Leader and fellow travellers the following morning. 

For guests on the group flight, meet your Ross Tour leader, Colin Barlow at Sydney International Airport for your Qantas daytime flight to Tokyo. 

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport

DAY 2 SAT 27 MAR

TOKYO TO NIKKO (B/D)

Travel to Nikko with a stop at the 100 year old Omiya Bonsai Village and the Bonsai Art Museum which offers a great introduction to this ancient art. 

Accommodation: Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel, Nikko

DAY 3 SUN 28 MAR

NIKKO (B/D)

First photo stop this morning is the famous red lacquered bridge over the Daiya River. Climb the steps to Toshogu Shrine, the resting place of the Tokugawa Ieyasu. Walk the ancient avenue of sacred Japanese Cedars that leads to the shrine.

Accommodation: Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel, Nikko

DAY 4 MON 29 MAR

NIKKO TO AWAZU (B/D)

Train eastwards this morning through the mountains to Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan. Remnants of 300 years of Maeda rule with walls, gates and Kenroku-en Garden, our destination this afternoon. Formerly part of the Maeda Estate this fine example of a ‘Strolling-Style’ garden is one of the three top gardens in Japan. Overnight ryokan accommodation with onsen. Traditional banquet dinner tonight. 

Accommodation: Mantenno Tsukinoya, Awazu Onsen

DAY 5 TUE 30 MAR

AWAZU TO KANAZAWA (B/D)

This morning, we visit Nomura Samurai house with a garden of meandering streams, waterfalls, lanterns and plants. The remainder of the day is free.

Accommodation: Hotel Nikko, Kanazawa

DAY 6 WED 31 MAR

SHIRAKAWA-GO (B)

Deep into the Shogawa River Valley today to UNESCO listed Shirakawa-go, famous for traditional 250 year-old gassho-zukuri farmhouses. 

Accommodation: Hotel Nikko, Kanazawa

DAY 7 THU 1 APR

KANAZAWA TO NAGOYA (B/D)

Travel by bullet train to Nagoya. Nabana no Sato lhis afternoon, a new concept in world-class show gardens. Stay for dinner and then enjoy the famous illuminations after dark.

Accommodation: Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel

DAY 8 FRI 2 APR

NAGOYA TO KYOTO (B)

Visit the iconic Nagoya Castle this morning. Hommaru Palace re-opened in 2018 after 10 years of restoration, showcasing Japan’s finest example of Shoin-zukuri Samurai style residential architecture. This afternoon travel by bullet train to Kyoto, the beautiful former imperial capital of Japan.

Accommodation: Westin Miyako Hotel, Kyoto

DAY 9 SAT 3 APR

KYOTO (B/L)

Serene zen this morning at Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) then nearby Hakusa Sonso. Learn the legacy of renowned artist Hashimoto Kansetsu. Traditional Tea Ceremony in the tea house. Hakusa Sonso garden is a designated National Site of Scenic Beauty, with an unparalleled aesthetic. Afternoon stroll along the Philosopher’s Path, lined with weeping cherries that were planted in 1922 by Hashimoto Kansetsu.

Accommodation: Westin Miyako Hotel, Kyoto

DAY 10 SUN 4 APR

KYOTO (B/D)

Covered in gold leaf, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) shines above its reflecting pond. Now a Buddhist temple, it dates to 1397. Ryoan-ji Temple is next with its fine example of Sekitaki (Rock and Raked Sand), founded 1450. The garden is made with an austere collection of 15 carefully placed rocks, ‘adrift’ in a sea of sand. Shabu Shabu Dinner included tonight.

Accommodation: Westin Miyako Hotel, Kyoto

DAY 11 MON 5 APR

KYOTO (B/D)

Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple (AD798) is our destination this morning, perched in the Higashiyama Mountains overlooking Kyoto. Nijo Castle is next, built in 1603 with imposing stone walls and ramparts, as the official residence of the first Tokugawa shogun, Ieyasu. Hidden behind we will find a superb palace surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Accommodation: Westin Miyako Hotel, Kyoto

DAY 12 TUE 6 APR

KYOTO TO TOKYO (B)

Visit Heian Shrine, a Meiji-era strolling garden with unique architecture and hundreds of weeping flowering cherries. Board the bullet train for Tokyo.

Accommodation: New Otani Hotel, Tokyo

DAY 13 WED 7 APR

TOKYO (B/D)

Rikugien Garden is first this morning, built in 1695. Nezu Shrine is next, one of the ten shrines of the Meiji Era, a cultural treasure. Farewell Dinner tonight in our hotel.

Accommodation: New Otani Hotel, Tokyo

DAY 14 THU 8 APR

TOKYO TO HOME (B)

Free day today with late check-out included. Evening transfer to Haneda Airport for your Qantas overnight flight.

DAY 15 FRI 9 APR

ARRIVE HOME