Sulle orme dei Samurai con Hiroshima, Miyajima e Himeji (2027)

Arrival at Osaka Kansai Airport. After immigration procedures, an English-speaking assistant will meet you at the exit gate and help you board the airport limousine bus to Kyoto Station. Upon arrival, transfer independently from Kyoto Station to your hotel in Kyoto, approximately a 6-minute walk. Individual check-in at the hotel, without assistance. The room is available starting from 15. Upon arrival, the skyscrapers will leave you perplexed: a modern city! Instead, the heart of Kyoto is the Japan you imagine: geishas and tea houses, zen gardens and cherry trees, a gateway to the mysterious past of the Land of the Rising Sun. Not only is this ancient capital significant for its history, but it is also the only major Japanese city spared from the destruction of World War II, and therefore it is rich in temples, shrines, imperial palaces, gardens, and traditional wooden houses: many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kyoto also has the highest concentration of artisans in the country. So, not only the temples, but also the scenes of everyday life make it an exceptional city. Available evening. Accommodation Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo.

PLEASE NOTE:. In the event of arrival at Osaka Kansai on a flight after 21.00, the "Airport Limousine Bus" transfer service will not be operating, so you will need to arrange the transfer to Kyoto individually using other means of transport.

Breakfast. Meeting with the Italian language guide. You leave your main luggage at the hotel in Kyoto and only bring the necessary items for the night to Hiroshima in a carry-on bag. Departure by high-speed train to Himeji. Himeji Castle is the most impressive of the twelve feudal fortresses miraculously survived the bombings of World War II, perhaps the most beautiful castle in all of Japan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Himeji was featured in the film "007 - You Only Live Twice" and the film "The Last Samurai" starring Tom Cruise. Visitors can also explore Koko-en, the beautiful garden at the foot of the castle, where the samurai residences once stood. In fact, it consists of nine small separate gardens, each with different types of plants according to the Edo tradition: a special and enchanting place. Then we will visit Kurashiki, which boasts a charming merchant district along a beautiful canal lined with willow trees. Lunch at a restaurant. Departure by high-speed train to Hiroshima. Transfer to the hotel using public transportation. Available evening. Accommodation Granvia Hiroshima.

Breakfast. City tour with your guide by public transport. The enchanting inland sea and the northern shore of San’in, with its lovely villages and virtually pristine landscape, are the highlights of this region. However, what brings most visitors to Hiroshima is contemporary history: the city was the target of the notorious first atomic bomb, dropped on August 6, 1945. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park comprises the Peace Museum and the Genbaku Domu – the only structure left standing near the bomb’s hypocentre, now UNESCO-listed. The island of Miyajima, less than one hour away from Hiroshima, houses the ancient Itsukushima-jinja shrine. Its torii gate, “floating” in the waters surrounding the shrine, is one of Japan’s most celebrated views – and deservedly so. The visit includes the lunch. Return to the station of Hiroshima; travel to Kyoto by high-speed train. The excursion ends at the station; the guide will explain to you how to get back to the hotel. Available evening. Accommodation Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo.

Breakfast. Day dedicated to visiting the city with an Italian-speaking guide and public transportation. The tour starts at 8.30 and ends at 18. Lunch at a restaurant. Return to the hotel. Available evening. Accommodation Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo

Breakfast. Free day. Accommodation Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo.

***OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES*** (see supplements).
Optional excursion (not included) to Nara with an Italian-speaking guide, using public transportation, with lunch. The tour starts at 9 and ends at 17. Nara is the oldest capital of Japan, the cradle of Japanese civilization, with magnificent temples and artworks that have remained intact over the centuries. The main attraction is undoubtedly the monumental bronze Buddha of Tōdai-ji. A pleasant walk through the deer park and along a path lined with three thousand bronze and stone lanterns leads to Kasuga Taisha, the most sacred Shinto temple. A Japanese experience is also available: ladies can wear a kimono (or a lighter yukata in summer) for a pleasant stroll in Naramachi, the oldest part of the city where many traditional wooden "machiya" houses can still be found. Return to Kyoto. Available evening.

Breakfast. The main luggage will be transported separately from Kyoto to Tokyo. The guide will inform you in advance of the time and meeting point for the luggage to be sent. For the nights at Kanazawa and Takayama, bring only the essentials in a carry-on bag. At 8.30 transfer to the station by shuttle bus or on foot. At 9.11 departure by express train to Kanazawa. I will arrive at 11:05. Meeting with the Italian guide for the city tour. Growing up in the 15th century around an imposing feudal castle, by the 19th century Kanazawa had become the fourth largest city in Japan, located in one of the country's wealthiest provinces. Escaping the destruction of World War II, Kanazawa still preserves the charming neighborhoods with samurai houses and geisha tea houses, Edo-era canals and winding streets, which are delightful to explore. The main attraction of the city is Kenroku-en, one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. You can also visit Higashi Chayagai, the delightful tea house district, and Nagamachi, with its ancient samurai residences that have remained unchanged over the centuries. Lunch at a restaurant. At the end of the visit, transfer to the hotel. Individual check-in. Available evening. Accommodation Hotel Vista Kanazawa

Breakfast. Departure for Shirakawago by local bus with your guide. The picturesque villages of the Shirakawa-gō region had remained practically unchanged for centuries until the second half of the 20th century in a rapidly modernizing Japan; but the exodus from the countryside in the 1960s had put their survival at risk. In 1995, Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The characteristic architecture of the villages and their idyllic location in valleys surrounded by forests and mountains enchant numerous visitors. Visit to Ogimachi, the village of Shirakawago that best allows you to see the ancient farms built in the typical "gassho-zukuri" style, which means "hands clasped", an image suggested by the steep slope of the roofs. The houses were built this way to withstand snowy winters and today they have been transformed into restaurants, museums, or family-run bed and breakfasts. Departure for Takayama by local bus with your guide. I will arrive at 17. Accommodation in a ryokan. Typical dinner. Accommodation Ryokan Hoshokaku

Breakfast. In the morning visit to Takayama. In the central Japanese Alps, Takayama was a famous center for skilled carpenters, employed by emperors to build temples and palaces in Kyoto and Nara. Today, the main attractions are the old merchant houses lined along the streets, temples and shrines, as well as shops selling local specialties: sake, sculptures made of yew and cypress wood, and lacquerware called shunkei-nuri. The morning market along the Miyagawa River is very picturesque, with flowers, vegetables, and local handicraft products. Highlights of the visit: the morning market, the allegorical floats used for the grand parades of Sannō Matsuri in April and Hachiman Matsuri in October, kept in the Yatai Kaikan hall, and the delightful historic district of Sanno-machi, with wooden merchant houses along immaculate streets lined with canals that were once used for laundry and fire prevention. Packed lunch. You can reach the station on foot. At 13.30 departure by express train to Nagoya. Train change and continuation to Tokyo with high-speed train. I will arrive at 18:15. Transfer to the hotel using public transportation. Available evening. Accommodation Villa Fontaine Shiodome.

Breakfast. Day dedicated to visiting the city with an Italian-speaking guide and public transportation. The tour starts at 9.30 and ends at 18. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: climbing up to the 45th floor of this building, one of the city's most iconic structures designed by renowned architect Kenzo Tange, offers breathtaking panoramic views. Meiji Jingu Shrine, located in the elegant Harajuku area, is a Shinto shrine nestled in an urban forest of about 70 hectares, planted with approximately 100,000 trees donated from all over Japan. Built in 1920 to honour Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, it is an oasis of peace and reflection, just a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of the city. Walking along the path leading to the main shrine, you will feel a sense of contemplation and spirituality, ideal for understanding the cultural heart of modern Japan. Continuing through the traditional neighbourhood of Asakusa, you will arrive at Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. Its origins date back to the 7th century, when a sacred statue was found in the Sumida River. Rebuilt numerous times over the centuries and after the bombings of 1945, today it symbolises rebirth and spiritual tranquillity. At the entrance stands the famous Kaminarimon (‘Thunder Gate’) with its huge red lantern, followed by Nakamise-dōri, a lively street about 250 metres long with 90 shops selling traditional souvenirs, sweets, hand-painted fans and typical snacks. Many shops have been run by families for generations, keeping alive the artisanal charm of old Edo. The last stop of the day takes you to the Akihabara district, famous worldwide as a paradise for otaku culture: video games, anime, manga, electronics and maid cafés enliven its streets and buildings. Once a centre for the sale of low-cost electronic components, today it is the beating heart of Japanese pop culture. Here you can browse gadget megastores, retro hangouts such as Super Potato, cosplay-themed venues and arcades: a dynamic and lively stop, ideal for experiencing the contemporary spirit of Tokyo. Located in northwestern Kyoto, Arashiyama attracts many visitors for its world-famous bamboo forest and beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons. The area is dotted with temples, ancient imperial villas and famous historical sites, many of which are National Treasures or have been designated as World Heritage Sites. Visit Tenryuji Temple and the bamboo forest. Return to Kyoto and visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, known as the Golden Pavilion, one of Japan's most iconic temples. Located in northern Kyoto, it is famous for its beautiful three-storey building entirely covered in gold leaf, which is elegantly reflected in the Kyōko-chi (“Mirror Pond”). Originally built in 1397 as a villa for Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, it was later converted into a Rinzai Zen temple. Each floor of the pavilion represents a different architectural style (imperial, samurai, Zen). Its garden, designed according to the principles of Japanese aesthetics, is a perfect example of harmony between nature and spirituality. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the most photographed and visited places in the entire country.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version). I will return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Accommodation Villa Fontaine Shiodome.

***OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES*** (see supplements)
Dinner at Hard Rock Café (Roppongi, Ueno or Yokohama): includes starter, main course and dessert.

Breakfast. Day dedicated to visiting Hakone / Mount Fuji with an Italian-speaking guide, using public transportation. The tour starts at 9 and ends at 18. Hakone is a beautiful location overlooking the Ashi lake, 90 km west of Tokyo. It offers a stunning alpine scenery and many hot springs (onsen). A 45-minute boat ride on the picturesque Lake Ashi and a cable car ride up to Owakudani, a valley with lively volcanic activity. If the gas emissions are particularly strong, Owakudani is replaced with a visit to the Shinto shrine of Hakone on the shores of the lake. On a clear day, the view of Mount Fuji is remarkable (although it is usually cloudy in the summer). I return to the hotel and the evening is free. Accommodation Villa Fontaine Shiodome.

Breakfast. Free day. Accommodation Villa Fontaine Shiodome.

***OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES*** (see supplements).
TEAMLAB AND ODAIBA: 9:00 am meeting with an Italian-speaking assistant for a visit to teamLab Planets in Toyosu and the artificial island of Odaiba. The visit ends at 1.00 pm
(the activity does not run for departures from 13 October to 24 November 2026).

***OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES*** (see supplements)
IZAKAYA EXPERIENCE - An authentic Japanese experience. At 7.30 pm you meet your Italian-speaking guide at the hotel, who will walk you to an "izakaya" (a type of informal Japanese pub) serving excellent food and drink. The Italian-speaking guide will give you all the guidance you need to choose your first drinks and dishes. Then he or she will leave you on your own. The return to the hotel is without a guide.

Breakfast. Check-out in the morning. Transfer to the airport at Tokyo with shuttle bus, without guide. The guide will give you the shuttle ticket on the day of the Hakone excursion. End of the tour.

PLEASE NOTE - TRANSFER:


Transfer to Narita Airport by Airport Limousine Bus (scheduled service) or by train independently.
The Limousine Bus tickets and the departure time information will be provided on day 8 by the Italian-speaking guide.
Indicative Airport Limousine Bus times for Narita (approximately 2 hours): 7:55 / 10:55 / 13:15 (Bus times may change without notice).

Flights departing after 12:55:
you can take one of the Airport Limousine Buses listed above directly from the hotel in Tokyo.

Flights departing between 9:40 and 12:50:
you can take the Airport Limousine Bus from Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT) to Narita Airport.
In this case the transfer to TCAT is at the client's expense.

Flights departing before 9:30:
it is necessary to arrange a private transfer, or to plan an overnight stay in a hotel near Narita Airport the night before departure.



Transfer to Haneda Airport by Airport Limousine Bus from TCAT, to be reached independently. Transfer from the hotel to TCAT by taxi; the cost of the taxi will be communicated by the guide on day 8.
Because of the bus timetables, if the flight departs before 8:50 it is necessary to arrange a private transfer at a supplement, or we recommend staying overnight in a hotel near the airport the night before departure.