Highlights of Japan
8 DAYS
Tokyo 4 • Fukushima 1 • Tokyo 1
Basic Inclusions
Accommodations
Accommodations in centrally-located three-star or four-star hotels. Rooming on a double basis.
Meals
All breakfasts. Five lunches. All dinners. Lunch on Days 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Transportation
Round-trip transportation on scheduled airline. All public transportation tickets included where applicable.
Guide
English-speaking tour escort throughout. Special arrangements as noted.
Travel Protection
Passports provides a Post Departure Travel Protection Plan that includes coverage for Trip Interruption, Trip Delay and Emergency Medical Expenses.
Tour Summary
Itinerary Includes
English-speaking tour escort throughout
Days 1-2: Home - Tokyo
Arrival in Tokyo: Arrival transfer
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Ascent
Dinner
Overnight
Day 3: Tokyo
Full-day city sightseeing: Local Guide, Visit to the Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa Kannon Temple), Meiji Shrine, Harajuku District, Shibuya Crossing
Dinner
Overnight
Day 4: Tokyo
Tsukiji Fish Market
Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
Iconic Landmarks, Odaiba Waterfront
Dinner
Overnight
Day 5: Tokyo
Excursion to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park: Owakudani volcano area, Lake Ashi boat cruise, Mt. Fuji Fifth Station
Dinner
Overnight
Day 6: Tokyo - Fukushima
Train to Fukushima
Great East Japan and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum
Dinner
Overnight
Day 7: Fukushima - Tokyo
Guided walking tour in Futaba
Bullet train to Tokyo
Honjo Life Safety Learning Center
Dinner
Overnight
Day 8: Departure
Depart Tokyo: Departure transfer
UNPARALLELED STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
Detailed Itinerary
Days 1-2: Arrival in Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Ascent
After following the sun over the West Coast of the United States, the Pacific Ocean and the International Date Line, you arrive in Tokyo.
Tokyo was called Edo prior to 1868, when it became Japan's modern capital city. From humble beginnings as a fishing village, the city prospered as Edo under the rule of the Tokugawa shoguns. Today, as Tokyo, it is an influential metropolis in the financial, industrial and cultural circles of our modern world.
Head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, an impressive architectural marvel that serves as the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. As you ascend to the observation deck, you'll be treated to stunning panoramic views of Tokyo's sprawling cityscape. The building stands as a symbol of the city's modernization and technological advancements, offering an excellent introduction to your tour.
Overnight: Tokyo
Day 3: Tokyo City Sightseeing
On a tour of the city, you will see the Imperial Palace, which is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan, the National Diet Building, where the House of Representatives and House of Councillors meet, and Ginza, an area that is hailed as the world's most upscale shopping district.
A full-day local guide, well-educated and specially-trained on the history and culture of Tokyo, will accompany your group.
In the ancient Asakusa district, you will visit its most important landmark, the Senso-ji, often called Asakusa Kannon Temple and Tokyo's oldest. Founded in AD 645, it is dedicated to the bodhisattva of mercy and compassion. You'll pass through the famous Thunder Gate, and walk along the no less famous Nakamise-dori, a street line with traditional shops, on your way to the five-story pagoda at the heart of the temple complex.
Visit the Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji, who came to power in 1868 and moved the capital from Kyoto to Tokyo. This period, known as the Meiji Restoration, put an end to the feudal government of the Tokugawa shoguns.
Pay a visit to a neighborhood popular with teenagers. Take a stroll along Takeshita Street, lined with trendy clothing stores, or down Omotesando, a tree-lined avenue dubbed Tokyo's "Champs-Elysées."
Marvel at Tokyo's "Times Square," an intersection surrounded by department stores and entertainment venues that has sparked many cultural trends. It's famous for its X-shaped pedestrian crossing and the statue of the loyal dog Hachi as well as its large TV screens and advertising signs.
Overnight: Tokyo
Day 4: Cultural and Scientific Insights
The best way to be introduced to the scale of the Japanese love and demand for sushi-grade fresh fish and shellfish is a visit to the site of the world's largest wholesale fish exchange. Access to the Tsukiji Fish Market's inner wholesale area is restricted, but there's plenty to see at the outer market stalls and shops.
Visit Japan's major science centre at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. One exhibition is called 'Android: What is Human?'. It makes you question where the distinction between human and robot is. Learn about the incredible advancements Japan is making in Science and Technology.
Marvel at the view from the Odaiba Waterfront. Enjoy the illumination of the Rainbow Bridge and the replica Statue of Liberty, which is a commemoration of the France-Japan friendship.
Overnight: Tokyo
Day 5: Hakone's Natural Beauty
Today's excursion takes you to view the natural wonders in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, which was established in 1936 to preserve some of Japan's most stunning sites.
Visit Owakudani, an active volcanic zone around Mt. Hakone, whose name translates as "The Great Boiling Valley." You'll see sulfur vents and bubbling hot springs.
Why not try one of the Kuro-tamago (black eggs) that are hard-boiled in the hot springs? The black shells are due to the water's sulfur and iron content. It is said that eating one egg can add seven years to your life!
Enjoy a short cruise on Lake Ashi, which was formed 3,000 years ago within the caldera of Mt. Hakone. On a clear day, with Mt. Fuji in the distance, this lake provides a perfect setting for photos.
A drive up the flank of the mountain takes to the Fifth Station for breathtaking views.
Overnight: Tokyo
Day 6: Futaba
Board a train for a meaningful journey to the town of Futaba in Fukushima, an area deeply affected by the 2011 disaster and now undergoing remarkable revitalization. This visit offers a unique opportunity to witness resilience, recovery, and the spirit of community in one of Japan's most historically significant regions.
The Great East Japan and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum offers a profound and educational experience for visitors. It provides a detailed account of the 2011 Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and the subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Through exhibits, videos, and personal testimonies from local people who lived through the event, the museum highlights the impact on the region and its community, as well as educating about the ongoing recovery efforts.
Overnight: Fukushima
Day 7: Exploring Futaba
In the company of your tour guide, you will explore the Futaba area, which offers a unique opportunity to witness the town's quiet charm while reflecting on its resilience in the face of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Once evacuated after the 2011 tragedy, Fatuba has been partially reopened, allowing visitors to explore its preserved streets, serene temples, and monuments dedicated to the disaster's memory. This poignant journey provides insights into the town's efforts to recover and serves as a reminder of the strength and determination of its people.
Board a Bullet train back to Tokyo. Enjoy the scenic landscapes of Japan's countryside as you glide swiftly towards the bustling capital.
Visit the Honjo Life Safety Learning Center, where you can experience interactive simulations and learn essential skills for responding to emergencies such as earthquakes and fires.
Overnight: Tokyo
Day 8: Departure
Sayonara... Your suitcase full of memorabilia and of photos ready to be processed, you'll arrive home eager to share your discoveries with family and friends.
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Going Places Blog
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