Japanese Culture, Art & Gardens in Autumn Splendour
Travel with celebrity gardener Simon Rickard, who has a passion for Japan.
Members from: $14,846 P.P Twin ShareNon-members from: $14,995 P.P Twin Share
Type
Escorted Touring
Destination
Asia
Supplier
Botanica
Booking Code
BTJPA12
Departs
4 November 2024
11 nights in quality hotels with airport transfers on first and last day, tipping and porterage
Discover Japanese strolling gardens and zen gardens in spectacular autumn colour
Explore the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto & Kanazawa and learn about their history
Explore Matsue castle and the impressive golden Kinkakuji
Enjoy traditional Japanese meals and western options. Includes 30 Meals
Visit world-famous Kenroku-en and Koraku-en gardens with your Botanical Guide
Visit Meiji Shrine in the heart of Tokyo and learn about Japanese traditions
Visit the Japanese Zen garden Ryoanji and learn about this style of gardening
DAY 1: Tokyo
Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner to meet your fellow travellers and Botanical Guide.
Stay: Three Nights: Tokyo, Keio Plaza Hotel or similar
Daily: Dinner
DAY 2: Tokyo Art, Gardens And Sights
Visit Meiji Shrine, an oasis of serenity in the heart of the city, surrounded by over 100,000 trees which will be displaying beautiful autumn leaves. Afterwards visit Kiyosumi Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden as well as Nezu Meseum, with its excellent collection of Japanese and East Asian art, hidden in a forest like garden. Finish the day with incredible views over Tokyo from Roppongi Hills Mori Tower.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: Nikko Autumn Leaves
Travel to the town of Nikko, the historical centre of Shinto and Buddhism, and renowned for its spectacular autumn colours. Visit the Toshugu Shrine complex and old Imperial Villa, then Kirifuri Falls, which translates to ‘falling mist’.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4: Tokyo To Kanazawa
Visit Asakusa, Tokyo’s old town, where you can enjoy some time to shop. Afterwards visit Sensoji Temple and Kiyosumi Garden before boarding a bullet train to Kanazawa.
Stay: Two Nights: Kanazawa, Tokyu Hotel or similar
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: Kenroku-En Garden
This morning visit Omicho Market, home to more than 200 stalls. We then visit Kenroku-en garden, classified as one of Japan’s most beautiful, which will be delightful in the autumn. Afterwards visit the Nomura Samurai House, a traditional Japanese home with a tea-ceremony room, an interior courtyard garden and artifacts from the Edo period.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: Kanazawa To Kyoto
Travel via express train to Kyoto, with many incredible gardens and home to the famous geisha. On arrival, visit the World Heritage-listed Tenryuji temple, then travel through the the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove which is unlike any other place in Japan.
Stay: Three Nights: Kyoto, Tokyu Hotel or similar
Daily: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 7: Ryoan-Ji Temple And Kinkaku-Ji
Visit Ryoan-ji Temple, a World Heritage-listed site known for its rock garden, which is considered to be one of the finest in the world. Our travels then take us to Kinkaku-ji, also known as the ‘Golden Pavilion’. Its top two floors, covered completely in gold leaf, render it resplendent. Nijo Castle then presents its sprawling grounds, alive with autumn colour. We round out our day with a visit to Ginkaku-ji Temple, the ‘Silver Pavilion’, whose beautiful moss garden is complemented by a unique dry sand garden.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8: Todai-Ji Temple
Today, we travel to the former capital of Nara to admire the imposing Todai-ji Temple, which was once the world’s largest wooden structure. At Nara Park, we share the open green spaces with a large population of tame deer. From here, we head to Kasuga Taisha shrine, the Shinen Manyo Botanical Garden and the Heian Shrine, whose garden represents those of the Meiji era.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 9: Matsue Castle And Shimane
Travel by bullet train to Matsue to visit Matsue Castle, known as the ‘Black Castle’. It is one of only a few wooden medieval castles remaining in Japan today. A visit to the Adachi Museum of Art then proves an exciting experience. The museum’s picture-perfect garden is manicured and maintained to a breathtaking level by no fewer than seven highly skilled full-time gardeners. This is truly one of the most magnificent gardens in Japan.
Stay: Shimane, Matsue Excel Tokyu Hotel or similar
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 10: Mount Daisen, Koraku-En And Okayama
Travel to Mount Daisen this morning and see the autumn leaves of the surrounding landscape before continuing to Okayama. The city’s famed Koraku-en is one of Japan’s most significant gardens – its name means ‘garden of pleasure after’.
Stay: Okayama, ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama or similar
Daily: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 11: Okayama To Osaka
We make our way to nearby Kurashiki today and visit its canal area, where we find many traditional rice storehouses – the city was once a critical distribution point for the country’s most important commodity. At Ohashi House, we see the former home of one of Japan’s wealthy merchant families. Afterwards, we are taken east by bullet train to Osaka, where we enjoy a Farewell Dinner this evening.
Stay: Osaka, Granvia Hotel or similar
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 12: Osaka
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport as your journey concludes.
Daily: Breakfast
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All prices are per person in Australian Dollars unless specified. Prices are based on costs, charges, tariffs, rates, prices, taxes, levies, exchange rates and other considerations.
All are subject to change. For up-to-date pricing contact National Travel. No surcharges regarding cost or currency fluctuations will be made to the land only price once the deposit is received.