JAPAN: 11 Day Golden Route Tour for Two Including Flights - (MEL/SYD)

From cutting-edge sprawling cities to blossom-covered, volcanic mountains, Japan really is a world apart – see it all on this unforgettable 11 Day Tour. Return International Flights for Two 8 Nights of Superb Hotel Accommodation from Osaka to Tokyo See Osaka Castle, the Golden Pavilion, Mount Fuji and More! INCLUSIONS Return International Flights for Two with China Southern or China Eastern Airlines 8 Nights of Superb Hotel Accommodation Heaps of Delicious Meals as Specified in the Itinerary All On-Ground Transportation via Private Coach Including Return Airport Transfers Bullet Train from Kyoto to Mount Fuji Exciting Tours across Japan Knowledgeable English-Speaking Guides Every Step of the Way HOTELS Osaka – Kansai Airport Washington Hotel or similar Osaka – Osaka Daiichi Hotel or similar Kyoto – Kyoto Shin Hankyu Hotel (off peak) or similar Mount Fuji – Yamanakako Sun Plaza Hotel or similar Atami – Atami New Fujiya Hotel or similar Tokyo – Tokyo Dome Hotel or similar Tokyo – Marroad International Hotel Narita or similar TRAVEL DATES Available for one of the following departure dates in 2017: March: 21**, 28** April: 18* May: 23 Jun: 6, 20 July: 4*, 18 August: 1, 15, 29 September: 12, 26* October: 10*, 24* November: 7 *Peak season surcharge of $300 per person applies **Cherry Blossom season surcharge of $500 per person applies Book early to secure your preferred dates! HOW TO BOOK Once you have selected your favourite option, click on Add to Cart and follow the payment prompts Once you complete your purchase, you will be emailed a confirmation and unique booking code Please follow the instructions on your email to redeem your voucher For any other assistance or enquiries please contact support@kogantravel.com or call us on 1300 517 210. HIGHLIGHTS Visit one of Osaka’s most famous and historically significant landmarks, Osaka Castle. Enter through an enormous gate guarded by two fierce statue guardians to explore Todaiji Temple and its Great Buddha Hall. Wander through the beautiful Nara Park where over 1,200 wild sika deer roam, before heading onwards to Kyoto. Discover Nijo Castle, residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate and home to Kinkakuji: Golden Pavilion, a zen temple and World Heritage site with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold. Take in the majesty of Mount Fuji after visiting the nearby Oshino Hakkai Springs – eight ponds fed by melting snow from the iconic mountain and heated by hot lava. Bring your camera to Odawara Castle, one of the best flower spotting outlooks in Japan. Walk among giant statues and take a peaceful moment to watch cherry blossom petals fall gracefully towards the ground. Experience a special moment at the eerie but beautiful Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort. ITINERARY Day 1: Arrive in Osaka (B) Board your flight to Osaka, Japan! Day 2: Osaka Arrive in Osaka. Your friendly tour guide will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to the airport hotel. Day 3: Nara – Osaka (B) This morning, travel to Nara and visit Todaiji Temple, one of Japan’s most famous temples with its Great Buddha Hall housing the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. Wander through Nara Park, where over 1,200 wild Sika deer roam free, before travelling to Osaka. Visit Osaka Castle; which played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, before being dropped off at Dotonbori to exemplify Osaka’s vibrant food culture. Day 4: Osaka – Kyoto (B, L, D) This morning, visit Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate and Kinkakuji: Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple and World Heritage site with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold and detailed architecture incorporating three distinct styles of Shinden, Samurai and Zen. Capping off your day at the UNESCO World Heritage Kiyomizu-dera Temple and drink to your fortune from the streams of the Otowa Waterfall. Day 5: Kyoto – Mount Fuji (B, L, D) Today, visit Togetsu Bridge, the landmark of Western Kyoto’s Arashiyama District for over four hundred years. Exploring Sagano Bamboo Forest, on the outskirts of Kyoto, towering green stalks of the famously versatile plant sway in the wind, creaking eerily they collide and twist, leaves rustling. After lunch, travelling onwards to Mount Fuji by bullet train (Max. speed 320km/h). Day 6: Mount Fuji – Hakone – Shizuoka (B, L, D) Today, visit Oshino Hakkai. Known as the springs of Mount Fuji, the eight ponds are fed by melting snow filtering down from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji, through porous layers of lava, resulting in very clear spring water that is revered by the locals. Later visit Mt Fuji at the 5th Station, above the clouds to view it’s enormous summit if weather permits. Visit Owakudani Valley, an active volcanic zone with hot springs and hot spring rivers. Also visit Hakone Shrine. Standing at the foot of Mount Hakone along the shores of Lake Ashi, the shrine buildings are hidden in dense forest, its location given away only by the temple’s huge torii gates. Day 7: Atami – Kamakura – Yokohama – Tokyo (B, L, D) Today, visit Asahi Beer Factory to taste one of the most popular beers made in Japan. You’ll also get to check out Odawara Castle, known as one of the top 100 Hanami (flower viewing) spots in Japan. Then travel to Kamakura and visit Daibutsu, the Great Buddha, which is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the statue in Nara’s Todaiji Temple. After, explore Tsurugaowa Hachimangu Shrine which was established by first Shogun (general) in the Kamakura period which stands alone due to its vivid colouration. Day 8: Tokyo (B) Spend today free at your own leisure. You may spend a day in Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea (at your own expense, AUD$120). Alternatively, you can join a wide range of optional programs including a Tea Ceremony, Pottery-making Experience, Golden Joinery, Kimono Photoshoot and Cooking Class. These activities are not guided and transportation must be self-arranged. Day 9: Tokyo (B, L, D) Visit Meiji Shrine in the morning, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Later, stroll through the Asakusa Kannon Temple, one of Tokyo’s most colourful and popular temples and browse for souvenirs at Nakamise Shopping Street. Relax on a Sumida River Cruise before arriving at Hama-Rikyu, a beautiful landscape garden in central Tokyo. Your last stop today is Tokyo Tower, before heading to Narita Airport hotel for a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Haneda Airport (approx 70 min drive). An option is available to upgrade this night’s accommodation to a hotel near the CBD – contact Kogan Travel for more information. Day 10: Depart Tokyo (B) Spend the morning at your own leisure before transferring to the airport for your flight back to Australia. Day 11: Arrive Home (B) Arrive home this morning. B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner FINE PRINT Buying and Booking: Buy now – limited time offer! Top Tip: Book early to secure your preferred dates! 14 day booking guarantee – if you can’t book your preferred dates within 14 days we will refund you in full. See T&Cs here Bookings are non refundable once your travel dates are confirmed Surcharges: Surcharges apply to departures on certain dates – see TRAVEL DATES for more information A surcharge of $800 applies to those wishing to travel alone Airline upgrades are available at an extra cost Early arrival/stay behind/stopover surcharge: from $250 (subject to availability and any applicable airfare difference) For more information on surcharge please contact the Kogan Travel team on 1300 517 210 General: Valid for 2 people, twin share Not valid with any other offer Subject to availability Package Excludes: Travel insurance – strongly recommended Personal expenses Travel Advice: For the latest travel advice for your holiday please visit www.smartraveller.gov.au Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your trip overseas A visa may be required for your destination or any countries you are transiting. It is your responsibility to ensure you obtain a valid visa. Please visit http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ to assist you with any requirements. For information about how we calculate the savings and values of our deals, click here Click here for Kogan Travel FAQs