From Towers to Thatched Roofs
The grand loop: Tokyo, then the whole west down to Hiroshima, back up through Kyoto, and a swing into the Japanese Alps, Kanazawa, the thatched-roof villages of Shirakawa-go and Takayama.
The points that matter.
The thatched-roof gassho-zukuri villages of Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage site
Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, one of the three finest gardens in Japan
The old town of Hida Takayama and its dark-wood merchant houses
Hiroshima's Peace Memorial and Miyajima Island
The most complete route in the catalogue, between cities, mountains and memory
A Shirakawa-go excursion designed to stay light, with no same-day hotel change
Twenty-one days, twenty nights.
Arrival in Tokyo
Transfer and check-in. The afternoon unfolds gently in the hotel district.
Tokyo and its surroundings
Five days in Tokyo, including an excursion of your choice on the outskirts.
To Hiroshima
Train to Hiroshima. First okonomiyaki dinner, the local speciality layered with noodles.
Hiroshima
The city centre, the castle and the Peace Memorial Park: the Genbaku Dome, the Peace Memorial Museum, the Cenotaph.
Miyajima
The island, thirty minutes from Hiroshima: Itsukushima Shrine and its torii in the water, then Mount Misen.
Kurashiki
The historic Bikan district, its canals, its white warehouses and the Ohara Museum of Art.
Kyoto
Three days in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, northern Higashiyama, Arashiyama.
Kanazawa
The castle, Kenrokuen Garden, one of the three finest gardens in Japan, and the traditional districts of Higashi Chaya and Nagamachi.
Shirakawa-go
A day excursion from Kanazawa by bus: the thatched-roof gassho-zukuri villages, a World Heritage site. Return in the evening, no hotel change.
Takayama
The old town of Hida Takayama: the Sanmachi Suji streets, dark-wood merchant houses, sake breweries.
Back to Tokyo
Return by train to Tokyo. A last free afternoon for one more district, or last-minute shopping.
Departure
Transfer to the airport. End of the circuit.
Included in the price
Not included
Tipping is not customary in Japan · none is planned, none is expected.