On arrival in Haneda or Narita International airport, the capital of Japan, you will be met by an English-speaking representative and transfer approximately 1.5 hours to your hotel. Please note: Early check in is not included. If your flight arrives in the morning and you wish to arrange this, please speak to your reservations consultant. You will be transferred by shared coach with other passengers who are not part of a Wendy Wu Tour. If you are on a shared bus transfer, you may have to walk for a few minutes to get to your hotel. Transfers will differ depending on group size. An informal Welcome Dinner will be held on Day 1. If you miss this due to your arrival time, all information will be provided to you at breakfast the following morning. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged.

Tokyo is the ultimate 24-hour city, but look behind its frantic, high-tech frontage and you’ll find plenty of tranquil backstreets and old temples to explore; today take a tour by coach of this fascinating city. Begin your full day tour of Tokyo starting with a stroll through the Imperial Palace East Garden (you will not enter the palace itself). Next, continue to the Meiji Shrine, dedicate to the Emperor and his wife. Enter through the 12-meter high tori gate, where you will need to wash your hands as part of the cleansing ritual before entering. After lunch, head to the fashionable district of Shibuya and walk on the world's most famous pedestrian crossing. Enjoy some free time, before transferring to the pier for your dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay onboard a traditional yakata boat. You will be on your feet for approximately 4-5 hours during your touring in Tokyo. You will need to get on and off your boat this evening without assistance.

Begin the day with a leisurely stroll through the district of Asakusa for an opportunity to pick up some souvenirs on Nakamise Shopping street and visit Sensoji Temple. Due to the limited coach parking, you may need to walk around 15 minutes on flat road. After lunch, head to the 1st observatory of the 634-meter high Tokyo Skytree for panoramic views over the city. You will be on your feet for approximately 3-4 hours during your touring in Tokyo.

This morning, transfer to Hakone, a drive of around 2 hours. Throughout today you will have a chance to take a glimpse at this awe-inspiring Mt. Fuji (weather permitting). Upon arrival, enjoy a boat ride onboard a pirate ship and set sale across the peaceful waters of Lake Ashi. After lunch, take the Hakone Ropeway (cable car) from Togendai Station and soar over the hilltops to the volcanic Owakudani Valley. You will be on your feet for approximately 2-3 hours today. Please note, if Hakone Ropeway and Owakudani Valley is closed due to volcanic activity, you will visit Hakone Shrine and take the Komagatake Ropeway instead.

Head up Fuji’s 5th Station for spectacular mountain vistas, please note it is only possible to reach the 5th station if weather permits. If the 5th Station is closed, the Fuji San World Heritage Centre (formerly Fuji Visitor Centre) will be visited instead. Also visit Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to view the elaborate dyed silk creations of artist Kubota Itchiku. Continue by road to Nagano, a journey of 2.5 hours. You will be on your feet for approximately 2-3 hours today.

Travel deeper into the Japanese Alps to the town of Yudanaka. Upon arrival, take a light hike of around 30 minutes through the forested valley along paths, occasionally on an incline to reach the Jigokudani Yaen-Koen Monkey Park. Here, if you are lucky you will see the infamous macques (snow monkeys) bathing in the natural hot springs. Accustomed to humans, the monkeys can be observed up-close, and they almost completely ignore their human guests. Please keep in mind that the snow monkeys are wild, not domestic animals and sighting them is never guaranteed, particularly during the breeding season which runs from late September through to November. Also visit the 7th-century Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan’s most prolific Buddhist temples. You will be on your feet for approximately 3-4 hours today. Return to Nagano.

Begin the day with a visit to the Daio Wasabi Farm to learn about its cultivation as well as tour the farm by boat. Next, spend some time in the Ishii Miso House to learn more about world-famous Japanese seasoning, a staple in all Japanese household. End the day at the formidable 16th-century Matsumoto Castle, also known as ‘Crow Castle’, due to its intense black exterior. You will have to remove your shoes before walking along some of the wooden floors and there are some steep wooden steps to reach certain areas. From the coach parking to castle, it is around 15 minutes walk on flat road. You will be on your feet for approximately 3-4 hours today. Continue by road to Takayama, a journey of 1 hour and relax in the hot springs at your hotel.

Head to the Miyagawa Open Air Market, where you can sample some of the delicious local fruits and vegetables (at your own expense). Also take a leisurely stroll around the traditional houses of the area. Next, visit the Yatai Kaikan, a museum and exhibition hall that displays traditional Japanese floats that are often used in festivals, and the Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum. End the day at Takayama Jinya, a former Government office for nearly 300 years. You will be on your feet for approximately 4 hours today.

Head to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Shirakawago, famous for its traditional Gassho-Zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. You will spend 1-2 hours on foot exploring the area. There are some stairs in the house if you want to explore the higher levels. Next, continue by road, a journey of around 1 hour to Gokayama and try your hand at making washi paper. Continue another 1.5 hours to Kanazawa, stopping by Nomura Samurai House enroute.

This morning, visit the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden, which is one of the finest gardens in Japan, home to waterfalls, ponds and charming tea houses. After lunch, drive 4 hours to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. You will be on your feet for approximately 1-2 hours today.

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Kyoto starting the day by visiting the spectacular Kiyomizu Temple. You will spend 1.5 hours on foot exploring the temple. Later, experience the age-old rituals of a traditional tea ceremony accompanied by a Tea Master. Due to the nature of the cultural experience, you will be required to remove your shoes before entering the venue. After lunch, visit the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of vermillion torii gates. You will walk up part of the mountain and the incline allows a steady-paced walk around 15 minutes with flat road and steps to reach tori gates. Due to the limited space of Fushimi Inari Shrine coach parking, you may need to walk from coach parking for 15 minutes. You will be on your feet for approximately 3-4 hours today.

Spend the morning further further discovering Kyoto's temples. Start the day at the famous Kinkakuji, also known as the ‘Golden Pavilion' due to its gold-like exterior. Continue to Ryoanji, the ‘Temple of the peaceful Dragon’, a zen temple which boasts the most famous rock garden in Japan (please remove your shoes before entering this temple). Sightseeing on foot will be approximately 3-4 hours on foot today. After lunch, transfer to Kyoto Station and take the bullet train to Hiroshima, a journey of 1 hour 40 minutes. Please note: You will need to pack a smaller overnight bag for tonight as your main luggage will be transferred separately this morning to your Hiroshima hotel and arrive the next day.

Transfer to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Please be aware that the museum may be confronting and upsetting for some group members and it is at your discretion if you wish to visit or enjoy time at leisure exploring the Peace Memorial Park. After lunch, take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, where sightseeing will be at a leisurely pace on foot. Visit Itsukushima Shrine and enjoy free time on Miyajima Island to explore the local streets or make the walk up to Daisho-in Temple. Later this afternoon, return by ferry and coach to your Hiroshima hotel for dinner. Sightseeing on foot will be approximately 3-4 hours on foot today.

Journey around 1.5 hours by coach to Himeji and explore the magnificent 17th Century Himeji Castle and the neighbouring Koko-en, a traditional-style garden. The castle is largely in its original condition, so please use common sense and be mindful of your step when strolling around. You will have to remove your shoes before walking along some of the wooden floors and there are some steep wooden steps to reach certain areas. You will be on your feet for 3-3.5 hours during the visit. After the reopening in March 2015, Himeji Castle has welcomed a large number of visitors. As such, they now issue numbered tickets to visitors in order to limit the number of people who can enter the Main Keep, reducing congestion, waiting time, and to protect the cultural properties. Please note that this means that there may be cases where some visitors are not allowed to enter the Main Keep. Also take a leisurely stroll through Kokoen Garden. Later, transfer approximately 1.5 hours to Osaka for your overnight stay. Please note: There will be a substantial amount of walking today, including a large number of steps.

Transfer by coach to Japan’s former imperial capital Nara, a journey of approximately 1 hour. Visit Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden structure and home to Japan’s largest Buddha. Also visit Isui-en Gardens, known for its natural ponds – sightseeing here will be about 3 hours on foot. Due to the congestion of Nara Park coach parking, you may need to walk from coach parking to Nara park for 15 minutes on flat road. Continue to Osaka by coach, approximately an hour’s drive. On arrival, enjoy lunch in the vibrant Dotonbori District, a restaurant mecca, where you can sample delicious local delicacies. This afternoon, visit Osaka Castle. At Osaka castle park, you will reach to the castle for 15 minutes` walk from coach parking on flat road.

Any time before your flight is at leisure and breakfast will be included. You will be transferred from your hotel to Kansai International airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Late check-out is not included. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged. Transfers: In the event that your flight departs outside of the majority group departure time, you will be transferred to the airport by a shared coach (not with other Wendy Wu Tours passengers). If you are on a shared coach transfer, you may have to walk for a few minutes to get to the coach.