Japan
Cherry Blossom & Snow Monkeys
23 March 2025 - 16 Nights
We are still working on this tour but we have the bones of it now confirmed. The detail below is a rough idea of our latest plans but may be altered in the coming weeks. (Dated 13 April 2024)
Proposed Itinerary
Day 1. 23 March 2025
Fly Dublin to Osaka with Turkish Airlines
Dep Dublin 4.40pm - Arr Istanbul 00.10 (4 hrs- 30m)
Dep Istanbul 02.35 - Arr Osaka 20.05 (11hrs 30m)
Day 2. 24 March 2025
Arrive Osaka 20.05hrs and transfer to our
first-class hotel for 3 nights
Check in to hotel around 11.00pm and off to bed!
There is no evening meal included tonight, so you should ensure you eat on the flights or bring something with you. You will be able to get a very-late-night snack close to the hotel if you are up for it.
Day 3. 25 March 2025 - Easy Day
Morning excursion to Osaka Castle, followed by a trip to Dotonbori and a short cruise on the river.
Afternoon excursion to the Umeda Tower, with panorama views of Osaka.
If shopping is high on your agenda, today is a great opportunity.
Dinner is included this evening. We will give you details later.
Day 4. 26 March 2025
Full day excursion to Yoshino and/or Nara
for Cherry Blossom. We will not be able to determine the exact itinerary today until we are in Japan.
Dinner is not included this evening but we hope you will follow your host, Alan, for some of Osaka;s famous street food. If you wish to eat at the hotel, we can arrange that for you, but at your own expense.
Day 5. 27 March 2025
Morning free for shopping or more sightseeing.
Afternoon train to Kyoto and transfer to hotel
4 nights in 4* Kyoto Hotel, B&B basis
We will offer a short afternoon excursion
Dinner at hotel or local restaurant (TBA)
Day 6. 28 March 2025
The Gion District, famous for Geishas and tea houses, is now "off-limits" due to over tourism and bad behaviour of tourists! Don't worry! We have other plans for you to enjoy authentic Japanese culture, later in the programme.
Morning visit to Kiyomizu Temple and Fushima Inari Shrine. Travel to Nishiki Market. Lunch on your own.
Afternoon free or visit to Japan Railway Museum
Dinner at hotel or local restaurant (TBA)
Day 7. 29 March 2025
Full day excursion to Hiroshima and Himeji.
Sorry, but it's an early start this morning, departing the hotel around 07.15am. (We will try to arrange an early breakfast). The direct daily Shinkansen (Bullet Train) departs at 08.01....and we don't want to miss it. On arrival in Hirshima, we will transfer to a local train and then the ferry to Miyajima Island. Greeted by the local, friendly Sika deer, we have a chance to visit the beautiful Itsukushima-Jinja shrine. (Let's hope the tide is in for best views!).
A different ferry takes us directly to the Peace Park and the epi-centre of the infamous A-Bomb. We have time to explore the park, the memorials and then the museum. This will be an experience you will never forget!
We set off towards Kyoto late afternoon but we have one more stop before we get there - Himeji.
Himeji by night! Another experience you 'll remember!
We'll get back to Kyoto late. Dinner is not included this evening but we'll ensure you have time and a place to eat.
Day 8. 30 March 2025
This is a free day but we are planning a number of optional excursions, should you wish to join us.
Dinner on 11th Floor, Kyoto Station. The meal is not included tonight, as there is a huge choice of restaurants and you can take your pick. (More details later)
Day 9. 31 March 2025
Very early train to Kanazawa but no need to worry about your luggage. We're sending it on to Tokyo and you'll only need a small bag for three nights.
Visit to Kenrokuen Gardens and Kanazawa Castle
Lunchtime and afternoon at Omicho Market.
Late afternoon train and 2 nights in 4* Nagano Hotel
Dinner at local restaurant or hotel
Day 10. 01 April 2025
Full day excursion to see the Snow Monkeys and, if there is time and the weather permits,Shiga-Kogen
Dinner at hotel or local restuarant. (TBA)
Day 11. 02 April 2025
Japanese Alps & Niigata
We had hoped to offer a full-day circular excursion through the Alps and back to Nagano. That will not be happeneing, as the route doesn't open until 15 April. We have a great alternative, though, transitting the Alps as far as Niigata, known as "City of Water" and also "City of Willows". We will spend one night here at a 4* hotel with an evening meal.
Day 12. 03 April 2025
We have been excluded from visiting the Gion District in Kyoto, but mass tourism has not hit Niigata and even many Japanese don't know about Furumachi - Japan's other Geisha district. Today we plan to show you some of this culture. (Optional excursion TBA) After lunch, we will take the Shinkansen to Tokyo, where we will spend the remaining four nights.
Dinner at local restaurant or hotel
Day 13. 04 April 2025
Full day excursion to Fuji. We plan to travel by train to Kawaguchiko, from where we have a short boat trip on the lake. If the weather is good to us, we should have a good view of Mt. Fuji - but, please note, this famous mountain often goes into hiding and even a thin mist can obscure the view totally! For that reason, we will start very early in the morning, departing the hotel around 07.00am. Times to be confirmed. We will return to Tokyo early afternoon.
Dinner is not included this evening.
Day 14. 05 April 2025
Free day to relax or visit some of Tokyo's famous stores. Optional morning excursion to Skytree and Senso-Ji Temple & Asakusa
Evening visit to Shibuya and dinner in local restaurant.
Day 15. 06 April 2025
Full day excursion to Nikko National Park
Dinner at local restaurant.
Day 16. 07 April 2025
Free day. Depart hotel around 5.30pm (TBC)
Flight departs Haneda Airport at 9.55pm
Day 17. 08 April 2025
Arrive Dublin Airport 08.35am
Fares: £5,755 sharing double or twin
Single supplement £960
Upgrades to Business Class £3450
Upgrades to Premium Economy – Not yet available but may be soon!
Hotel Upgrades We are awaiting exact final details but we can offer a superior room package, if you would like a bit of extra space. Currently we are looking at around £280-£300 per person, sharing.
To upgrade for a single will be around £450. These are for the entire tour and we will advise final details shortly.
Stopover in Istanbul on return.
If you would like to break your journey and add a short break, we can offer this in Istanbul. We can tailor this to your budget but for a guideline,
3 Nights
4 * hotel, B&B basis Double sharing £240
Single room £400
5* hotel, B&B basis Double sharing, from £320
Single room from £500
