On arrival in Fukuoka airport, a charming city, you will be met by an English-speaking representative and transfer approximately 1 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.

Begin the day by travelling approximately 2 hours on the Limited Express train to Nagasaki. Upon arrival, enjoy a stroll through the Glover Garden, an open-air museum that exhibits mansions attributed to the Scottish merchant who contributed to the modernisation of Japan. Also visit the Oura Catholic Church and Atomic Bomb Museum before returning to Fukuoka. You will be on your feet for approximately 4-5 hours today.

Say goodbye to Kyushu and board the bullet train for a speedy 1 hour 40 minute journey to Hiroshima, located on Japan’s largest island, Honshu. Upon arrival in Hiroshima, take the ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to the holy island of Miyajima. Here, visit the Itsukushima Shrine and enjoy a momiji manju making experience. Later, return to Hiroshima. Please note that your luggage will be transferred directly to Osaka so you will need an overnight bag for 2 nights in Hiroshima.

Spend the day in Hiroshima starting with a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum where you will have the opportunity to pay homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb. 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. Enjoy okonomiyaki for lunch before ascending Orizuru Tower to view the city from above, followed by a stroll through the historical Shukkeien Garden. You will be on your feet for approximately 4 hours today.

Depart Hiroshima by bullet train, in just 1 hour you will arrive in Himeji to visit the magnificent Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s most impressive feudal era forts followed by a walk through Kokoen, an Edo-style garden just across the castle moat. The castle is largely in its original condition, so please use common sense and be mindful of your step when strolling around the castle. 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. Continue a further hour by Limited Express to Osaka.

Begin the day in Osaka starting with a visit to the Umeda Sky Building followed by a lunch at the famous Dontonburi district. Next, 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. 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. Enjoy an ink making and calligraphy class before returning to Osaka. Due to the nature of the cultural experience, you will be required to remove your shoes before entering the venue.

Journey by road for approximately 1 and a half hours to Kyoto. Capital for 1,000 years, this enchanting city is the epitome of traditional Japan. Upon arrival, stroll through the Arashiyama bamboo forest and admire the towering thickets. Also visit Ryoanji, the ‘temple of the peaceful dragon’ and the famous Kinkakuji, also known as the ‘Golden Pavilion' due to its gold-like exterior. You will need to remove your shoes at both temples. Sightseeing on foot will be approximately 4 hours today.

The day begins with a visit to Kiyomizu-dera, one the most visited temples in Kyoto. You will spend 1.5 hours on foot exploring the temple. Next, head to a restored Japanese wooden townhouse and immerse yourself in the culture and enjoy the age-old rituals of a tea ceremony and Zen meditation experience. Also try your hand at fan painting. Due to the nature of the cultural experience, you have to remove your shoes before entering the venue. Also explore Gion, Kyoto’s famous geisha district and centre of the city’s traditional arts.

This morning travel approximately 2 hours by Limited Express train to Kanazawa and upon arrival, meander your way through Kenrokuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Also visit the Nomura Samurai House and Kunani Pottery Factory. You will be required to removed yur shoes. Please note your luggage will be transferred directly to Takayama so you will need to pack an overnight bag for one night in Kanazawa.

Travel by road to Takayama stopping enroute at Inami for a sake wooden cup making experience and sake tasting. Next, continue to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shirakawago Village which is famous for its farmhouses built in gassho-zukuri architectural style and take time to explore the village to get a glimpse of rural Japan. Continue to Takayama.

Head to the Miyagawa Morning Market, where you can sample some of the delicious local fruits and vegetables (at your own expense). Later, take a leisurely stroll around the traditional houses of the area and visit the museums, stopping at Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, and Takayama Jinya. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or perhaps take a stroll through Kami Sanomachi, Takayama’s old town. You will spend approximately 5 hours on foot today sightseeing around the town of Takayama.

Travel to Matsumoto and spend time at the Daio Wasabi Farm to see the plantations and learn about its cultivation. Next, travel to Yudanaka in search for the snow monkeys (Japanese Macques) at Jigokudani Yaen-Koen Monkey Park. There is around a 30-minute walk through the forested valley along paths, occasionally on an incline, from the bus park to the main pool where the monkeys bathe. 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 and play before returning to Matsumoto.

Begin the day with a visit to the magnificent 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. Next, head to a miso house and learn about the process of making this famous Japanese seasoning. After lunch, travel approximately 1 hour by road to Narai-juku, one of the bestpreserved post towns before continuing a further 1 hour by road to Suwa.

Travel approximately 1 and a half hours by road to Hakone. The region is spectacular with the calm waters of the five lakes, formed by past volcanic eruptions, reflecting Fuji’s picture-perfect cone. 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. Continue to tranquil Lake Ashi. Take a cruise across the lake before taking the Komagatake cable car for spectacular views of Mount Fuji and the lake below. Later, continue your journey by road for around 2 hours to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city.

A dazzling, high-tech metropolis, Japan’s capital has wonderfully traditional roots. Begin the day with a leisurely stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens. Next, take part in a sushi making class and enjoy your own creations for lunch! Later, soak up the atmosphere at Sensoji Temple. Due to the limited coach parking, you may need to walk around 15 minutes on flat road, followed with a drive by the Imperial Palace Plaza. You will be on your feet for approximately 4 hours today.

Begin the day at the Tokyo Metropolitan Building and ascend to the observation deck for breathtaking views over the sprawling city. Next, soak up the atmosphere at the peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine and drive-by the world-famous Shibuya crossing. End the day with a relaxing dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay for some excellent city vistas. You will need to get on and off your boat this evening without assistance.

As the tour journeys to northern Honshu, board the bullet train for a short 1 and a half hour journey to Sendai, the largest city in Tohoku. Upon arrival, transfer by road to Matsushima and enjoy a cruise on Matsushima Bay. Also visit Zuigani Temple and the famous Nikka Whisky factory in Sendai. Please note that your luggage will be transferred directly from Tokyo to Sapporo so you will need to pack an overnight bag for two nights in Sendai and Hakodate.

Say goodbye to Honshu Island as you board the bullet train to Hakodate located on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, this journey will take approximately 3 and a half hours. On arrival, visit the Goryokaku Tower, a star shaped fortress followed by some time at leisure. This evening, journey on the Mt Hakodate Ropeway and enjoy the fabulous views of the city below (weather permitting).

Board the express train for the very last time to Sapporo, this journey will take 3 hours and 45 minutes. On arrival in Sapporo, head to the Clock Tower and Odori Park. This evening, stop by the Sapporo Beer Museum and enjoy a tasting or two, followed by a farewell dinner.

Any time before your flight is at leisure and breakfast will be included. You will be transferred from your hotel to New Chitose 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.