Japan Adventure By World Journeys
Japan Adventure By World Journeys
11 Days / 10 Nights from $21,350 Price Per Person
Sales from 10 May 2023 to 31 December 2026
**Day 1: Tokyo**
On arrival at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, you will be welcomed by your English speaking assistant. They will transfer you to your hotel by Narita Express rail service and local taxi.
**Day 2: Tokyo**
Today you have a full day tour with your guide using public transport and local taxi. Visit Tsukiji Outer Market before your hands-on sushi making experience and lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Palace Plaza before you head to Asakusa to see the temple and stroll the atmospheric Nakamise shopping street.
**Day 3: Tokyo > Tokushima**
Today make your own way to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and fly to Tokushima Airport (flight not included). On arrival at the airport in Tokushima, you will be met by your guide for a half day tour of the area using private vehicle. Your first stop is at the Historical Museum Ainoyakata (The House of Indigo). This home and factory displays all the tools of the trade, and you will have the chance to experience the traditional indigo dyeing process while here. Next, visit the Tokushima Prefectural Awa Jurobe Yashiki Puppet Theatre & Museum, which is dedicated to a unique regional art similar to bunraku. Dramatic storytelling, puppetry and the music of the shamisen blend together to create a wonderful performance.
Your last stop is the Awa Odori Kaikan Festival Hall, where you can witness an Awa Odori dance show. Tokushima is famous for the Awa Odori dance festival, held every August around the Obon holiday.
**Day 4: Tokushima > Shikoku Pilgrimage Route**
Today you can prepare a smaller overnight bag for your stay along the Shikoku Pilgrimage route, and your main luggage will be sent by overnight transfer to your Iya Valley ryokan. This morning meet your guide and travel by local train to Bando Station, the starting point of your walk today along the Shikoku Pilgrimage Route. It includes 88 official temples and is about 1,200 kms long, and you will be travelling from the first to the sixth temple (30 kms – a mix of walking and taxi where required).
Your guide will help you to understand the reasons that many Japanese embark on this pilgrimage, and you will also have the opportunity to purchase a sedge hat (sugegasa) or white vest (hakui or hakue) that are often worn by pilgrims. Your journey ends at Anrakuji (Temple 6), where you will stay overnight at the temple, with dinner included.
**Day 5: Shikoku Pilgrimage Route > Iya Valley**
This morning travel with your guide by taxi to Kamoshima Station, and then by Limited Express train to Awa Ikeda. Farewell your guide after being shown to the platform for your onward Limited Express train to Oboke. On arrival in Oboke, you will be met by your guide and taken on a tour of the Iya Valley by private vehicle.
A short shared cruise along the Yoshino River will allow you to admire the steep cliffs of the Oboke Gorge up close. Next, visit the Iya Kazura vine bridge, the largest of the area’s suspension bridges that were traditionally made by weaving vines together. You will also have the chance to see Koboke Gorge and the Biwa Waterfall. After your introduction to the Iya Valley, you will be taken to your ryokan in time for your included dinner.
**Day 6: Iya Valley**
Today you have a full day tour of the Iya Valley area with your guide using private vehicle. Your first stop is the Oku Iya double vine bridge, consisting of two bridges situated deep in the mountains. They were built by the Heike clan some 800 years ago as a way to access their riding grounds at Mt Tsurugi. See the local village famous for having more scarecrows than people, as well as the Ochiai village. Here, groups of traditional homes are perched on steep hillside some 390 metres high.
Next, take part in a soba noodle making experience with a local chef, enjoying your creations for lunch afterwards. This afternoon, stop at the Higashi-Iya Museum of Local History and Folklore for insight into the lives and culture of the people that call this remote area home. Return to your ryokan for another included dinner.
**Day 7: Iya Valley > Matsuyama > Dogo Onsen**
Today you can prepare a smaller overnight bag for your stay in Dogo Onsen and your two nights along the Shimanami Kaido, and your main luggage will be sent by overnight transfer to your Osaka hotel. Transfer by local taxi to Oboke Station, then travel by Limited Express train to Matsuyama via Tadotsu.
On arrival in Matsuyama, your time is free at leisure to explore the city as you wish. Perhaps make a visit to Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan’s few original castles. Later, make your way to your ryokan located in the Dogo Onsen area of the city. You might like to take a relaxing soak in Dogo’s hot spring waters before enjoying an included Japanese Kaiseki dinner at your ryokan.
**Day 8: Dogo Onsen > Shimanami Kaido**
This morning, transfer by private vehicle with Japanese speaking driver to Itoyama, where you will meet your guide. After organising your rental e-bike and transferring your luggage to tonight’s hotel, head out with your guide on the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.
This is one of the country’s most famous bike routes, crossing over six islands in the Seto Inland Sea and offering wonderful ocean views. Today you will cycle 50 kms (4 to 6 hours), riding from Imabari to Ikuchijima via Oshima, Hakatajima and Omishima. Tonight enjoy an included French dinner at your hotel.
**Day 9: Shimanami Kaido**
Today is free at leisure on Ikuchijima. Perhaps explore Setoda town, visit Hiryama Ikuo Museum of Art, or check out Kousanji Temple. You may use your e-bike today.
**Day 10: Shimanami Kaido > Osaka**
This morning continue your cycling trip along the Shimanami Kaido with your guide (your luggage will be transferred same day to Osaka). Today you will cover 30 kms on your e-bike (3 to 4 hours) as you ride from Ikuchijima to Onomichi via Innoshima and Mukaishima.
On arrival in Onomichi, farewell your guide and make your own way to Shin-Onomichi Station in time for your bullet train to Shin-Osaka Station (via a change of train in Fukuyama). On arrival in Osaka, you will be welcomed on the platform by an English speaking assistant. They will transfer you to your hotel by local taxi. The rest of your time is free at leisure in Osaka.
**Day 11: Osaka > Kansai Airport**
Today make your own way to Nankai Namba Station and transfer to Kansai Airport by Limited Express train in time for your onward flight.
Type of Journey: Tailor-made journey: This itinerary can be tailor-made, with the number of days, places visited, and activities varied to suit you.
Inclusions
- 4 nights’ hotel accommodation
- 5 nights’ in ryokans
- 1 night in a shukubo
- 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 5 dinners
- Private or shared transfers as per itinerary
- Shared airport trains as per itinerary
- English-speaking local guides
- Private sightseeing as per itinerary
- Shared Oboke Gorge sightseeing cruise
- Tourist class train Kamoshima > Awa Ikeda > Oboke > Tadotsu > Matsuyama and Shin-Onomichi > Fukuyama > Shin-Osaka
- Local train Tokushima > Bando
- E-bike rental for 3-days
- Overnight luggage transfers (1 bag per person) Tokushima > Iya > Osaka
