Japan in Bloom
20 Mar –
31 Mar 2025
- 12 Days
- Superior Tourist Class Hotels
- 13 Meals
- Group size: 10
Itinerary
We meet at O.R. Tambo International for our flight to Osaka, Japan. As we settle into our flight, we look forward to revealing the many wonders of Japan.
We land in Osaka, the third-largest city in Japan, located on the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay. On arrival, our guide meets us at the airport, and we are transferred to our hotel by a private coach. In the evening, we set out on foot for a welcome dinner, including drinks at a local restaurant.
After breakfast, we set off to uncover the sights of Osaka with our guide. Our first stop is Osaka Castle which, with luck, is surrounded by delicate clouds of pink blossoms. We continue to Dotonbori, home to the city’s best street food. Our tour ends with a visit to the Abeno Harukas skyscraper, Osaka’s tallest building and the second-tallest building in Japan. Dinner is spent at leisure.
We start our day with breakfast at the hotel and walk to the station to travel to Hiroshima with the Shinkansen, the wonderfully efficient bullet train. Later, we take a picturesque ferry ride from Hiroshimato Miyajima Island. In the afternoon, we return to Osaka with the Shinkansen. The evening is spent at leisure.
We leave Osaka for Kyoto, stopping en route in the delightful city of Nara. Next, we head to Isui-en, an elegant garden in two parts: one created in the 17th century in the Edo style and the other added in the 20th century. Before continuing to Kyoto, we take a stroll in Naramachi. On arrival in Kyoto, we check into our hotel. Later, we set out for dinner at a local restaurant, where we are treated to a geisha performance.
Today we embark on a full-day tour of Kyoto. We start at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, one of Japan’s most famous temples. We travel by private coach to the nearby town of Arashiyama, where we visit Tenryu-ji temple. We participate in a tea ceremony led by a tea master. We learn to make green tea and enjoy a Japanese sweet before returning to the hotel. The evening is spent at leisure.
We continue our exploration of Kyoto with a visit to Nijo Castle. We leave ancient Kyoto behind and take the subway to Nishiki Market. We walk to Gion, the most famous geisha district in the city. Return to the hotel by private coach, or stay behind in Gion for a meal and make your own way back.
This morning, we start to make our way to Hakone, stopping at two of Kyoto’s most famous sights. We move on to Sanjusagen-do, a Buddhist temple which houses 1 001 statues of Kannon. We do some sightseeing before checking into the hotel, where we have dinner tonight.
We have breakfast at the hotel and set out for the nearby port of Hakonemachi on Lake Ashi. Weather permitting, we take a cruise to Togendai aboard a replica pirate ship. At Togendai, we hop on the Hakone Ropeway, a gondola that travels over the steaming crater of Owakudani. We take a private coach to Tokyo in the afternoon. On arrival, we check into our hotel. The evening is spent at leisure.
We start our tour of Tokyo with a visit to Meiji Shrine, which sits at the end of a forested pathway amidst the towering city blocks. We take the Yamanote subway line to the famous neighbourhoods of Harajuku and Shibuya. Next, we take on Shibuya Crossing. The world’s busiest intersection is topped with larger-than-life video screens and glowing lights. We break for lunch in Shibuya before continuing to Ueno Park, the site of the Tokyo National Museum. We return to the hotel. The evening is spent at leisure.
After breakfast, we set off on foot for a half-day tour of Tokyo. Our guide leaves us in Ginza. Spend some time exploring the area or use it as a starting point for further adventures.
We head to the airport after breakfast and bid farewell to Japan. With her endless surprises, Japan is a destination that invites us to return again and again to discover more of her infinitely alluring sights. Seagull Travel & Tours hopes to welcome you on another trip to the Land of the Rising Sun soon.
We meet at O.R. Tambo International for our flight to Osaka, Japan. As we settle into our flight, we look forward to revealing the many wonders of Japan.
We land in Osaka, the third-largest city in Japan, located on the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay. On arrival, our guide meets us at the airport, and we are transferred to our hotel by a private coach. In the evening, we set out on foot for a welcome dinner, including drinks at a local restaurant.
After breakfast, we set off to uncover the sights of Osaka with our guide. Our first stop is Osaka Castle which, with luck, is surrounded by delicate clouds of pink blossoms. We continue to Dotonbori, home to the city’s best street food. Our tour ends with a visit to the Abeno Harukas skyscraper, Osaka’s tallest building and the second-tallest building in Japan. Dinner is spent at leisure.
We start our day with breakfast at the hotel and walk to the station to travel to Hiroshima with the Shinkansen, the wonderfully efficient bullet train. Later, we take a picturesque ferry ride from Hiroshimato Miyajima Island. In the afternoon, we return to Osaka with the Shinkansen. The evening is spent at leisure.
We leave Osaka for Kyoto, stopping en route in the delightful city of Nara. Next, we head to Isui-en, an elegant garden in two parts: one created in the 17th century in the Edo style and the other added in the 20th century. Before continuing to Kyoto, we take a stroll in Naramachi. On arrival in Kyoto, we check into our hotel. Later, we set out for dinner at a local restaurant, where we are treated to a geisha performance.
Today we embark on a full-day tour of Kyoto. We start at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, one of Japan’s most famous temples. We travel by private coach to the nearby town of Arashiyama, where we visit Tenryu-ji temple. We participate in a tea ceremony led by a tea master. We learn to make green tea and enjoy a Japanese sweet before returning to the hotel. The evening is spent at leisure.
We continue our exploration of Kyoto with a visit to Nijo Castle. We leave ancient Kyoto behind and take the subway to Nishiki Market. We walk to Gion, the most famous geisha district in the city. Return to the hotel by private coach, or stay behind in Gion for a meal and make your own way back.
This morning, we start to make our way to Hakone, stopping at two of Kyoto’s most famous sights. We move on to Sanjusagen-do, a Buddhist temple which houses 1 001 statues of Kannon. We do some sightseeing before checking into the hotel, where we have dinner tonight.
We have breakfast at the hotel and set out for the nearby port of Hakonemachi on Lake Ashi. Weather permitting, we take a cruise to Togendai aboard a replica pirate ship. At Togendai, we hop on the Hakone Ropeway, a gondola that travels over the steaming crater of Owakudani. We take a private coach to Tokyo in the afternoon. On arrival, we check into our hotel. The evening is spent at leisure.
We start our tour of Tokyo with a visit to Meiji Shrine, which sits at the end of a forested pathway amidst the towering city blocks. We take the Yamanote subway line to the famous neighbourhoods of Harajuku and Shibuya. Next, we take on Shibuya Crossing. The world’s busiest intersection is topped with larger-than-life video screens and glowing lights. We break for lunch in Shibuya before continuing to Ueno Park, the site of the Tokyo National Museum. We return to the hotel. The evening is spent at leisure.
After breakfast, we set off on foot for a half-day tour of Tokyo. Our guide leaves us in Ginza. Spend some time exploring the area or use it as a starting point for further adventures.
We head to the airport after breakfast and bid farewell to Japan. With her endless surprises, Japan is a destination that invites us to return again and again to discover more of her infinitely alluring sights. Seagull Travel & Tours hopes to welcome you on another trip to the Land of the Rising Sun soon.
Whether it’s bathed in pink or not, Japan is an alluring destination. A country of contrasts, it’s delicate and powerful, subdued and lively, ancient and cutting edge, all at once. The cultural mishmash can threaten to overwhelm even seasoned travellers, but accompanied by our expert guides and with stays in luxury accommodations, you’ll be able to get the most out of your trip. Specially curated by Seagull, this itinerary is a feast for the senses.
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We are here to help
The tour leader collects a set amount from each member of a tour. This kitty is then used to tip the local tour guide and city guides, bus drivers, any other assistants, and restaurant staff. We believe in tipping for good service as a token of appreciation, especially as many workers in tourism rely on tips to supplement their income.
Although we cannot apply on your behalf, we are more than willing to give guidance and assistance with completing forms. We do this for many clients on a near-daily basis. It does, however, remain the responsibility of the client to ensure that they get the correct visa on time.
Remember that we limit the number of guests on our tours. This means more time at stops and sites. We definitely do not do groups of 30 pax, where guests are rushed from one site to the other. There is enough time to explore on your own.
We always suggest USD/Euro 50 to USD/Euro 100 per person per day. As we mostly include two meals per day on our tours, this will be enough for lunch/dinner, some snacks, and memento shopping. Should you want to buy larger items, we suggest taking along your credit card. Remember to advise the bank that you will be travelling.
