Japanese Culture, Art & Gardens in Autumn Splendour
Travel with celebrity gardener Simon Rickard, who has a passion for Japan.
Members from: $15,836 P.P Twin ShareNon-members from: $15,995 P.P Twin Share
Type
Escorted Touring
Destination
Asia
Supplier
Botanica
Booking Code
BTJPA12
Departs
10 November 2025
3 November 2026
Travel with a small group of 15-25 guests, escorted by expert Botanical Guide, Simon Rickard
Relax aboard a comfortable coach with an experienced and informative Tour Manager
Discover Japanese strolling gardens and Zen gardens in spectacular autumn colour
Visit Byodo-in Temple and learn how to make green tea. And admire the impressive golden Kinkaku-ji
Includes 11 nights’ accommodation in centrally located four-star hotels, return private transfers from door to door, tipping and porterage, plus 29 meals and select beverages
All sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
Visit the world-famous gardens, Kenroku-en and Koraku-en, as well as the Japanese Zen garden, Ryoan-ji, with your Botanical Guide
Explore the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Kanazawa and learn about their history and culture
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, New Otani or similar
Daily: Dinner
DAY 2: Tokyo Sights, Including Meiji Shrine, Nezu Museum and Tokyo Tower
Visit Meiji Shrine, an oasis of serenity in the heart of the city, surrounded by over 100,000 trees displaying their beautiful autumn leaves. Afterwards, visit Nezu Museum, with its excellent collection of Japanese and East Asian art, hidden within a forest-like garden. After lunch, visit Kiyosumi Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden. Before dinner this evening, enjoy incredible views over Tokyo from the top of Tokyo Tower.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: Nikko Autumn Leaves, Toshogu Shrine, Tamozawa Imperial Villa and Kirifuri Falls
Travel to the town of Nikko, the historical centre of Shinto and Buddhism, renowned for its spectacular autumn colours. Visit the Toshogu Shrine complex and the Tamozawa Imperial Villa. From here, we head to Kirifuri Falls, translating as ‘falling mist’, for spectacular views.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple and Kanazawa
Visit Asakusa, Tokyo’s Old Town, where you’re able to enjoy some time to shop. Afterwards, visit Senso-ji Temple before boarding a bullet train to Kanazawa.
Stay: Two Nights: Kanazawa, Tokyu Hotel or similar
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: Kanazawa, Omicho Market and Kenroku-en Garden
This morning, visit Omicho Market, home to more than 200 stalls. We then visit Kenroku-en garden. Renowned for being one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, it is sure to be delightful during autumn. Afterwards, we visit the Nomura Samurai House, a traditional Japanese home with a tea-ceremony room, an interior courtyard garden and artefacts from the Edo period.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: Kanazawa To Kyoto, Uji, Byodo-in Temple
Travel via express train to Kyoto, which boasts many incredible gardens and is also the traditional home of the geisha. On arrival, we travel to Uji, a picturesque town known for its superior green tea. While here, learn how to make a cup of green tea. Afterwards, visit Byodo-in Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose architecture and beautiful garden we admire.
Stay: Three Nights: Kyoto, Tokyu Hotel or similar
Daily: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 7: Nara, Nara Park, Kasuga Shrine and 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 Heian Shrine, whose garden represents those of the Meiji era. 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
DAY 8: Tenryu-ji Temple and Arashiyama, Ryoan-ji Temple and Kinkaku-ji
This morning, we visit the World Heritage-listed Tenryu-ji temple, before heading to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which is unlike any other place in Japan. After lunch admire 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. Tonight, enjoy a private dinner and maiko (apprentice geisha) performance. Gain insight into the life of maiko and geisha during this unique experience.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 9: Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum 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: Kurashiki Sightseeing, Ohashi House and 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.