Horyuji Temple, Nara, a National Treasure of Japan
Cherry blossoms as the shrine in Koyasan
Be mersmerized by the Ryoanji, the most famous rock garden in Japan
tour type: Heritage Sites
destination country: Japan
While Japan may be one of the most advanced countries on the planet, it has managed to keep its heritage sites well perserved and lovingly maintained.
Heritage Sites of Ancient Japan is a unique tour across the Land of the Rising Sun, to explore some of the most reverred sites of Ancient Japan. It is carefully packaged to present the best of Japanese architecture and landscape, beginning at the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto, and moving north towards the present capital, Tokyo. Along the way, we will visit places of significance to the Japanese, from the sacred Mount Fuji, to the Grand Shrine of Ise, the holiest shrine in Shintoism. We will witness age-old trades such as pearl harvesting, and unique sights such as the Wedded Rock of Meotoiwa. And as we journey across Japan, we peel through layers of its custom, lifestyle and culture.
As a bonus, the tour is planned to coincide with cherry blossom season, a time when Japan is at its prettiest, and everywhere we go, the place is bursting with beautiful cherry blossoms. Meals are all Japanese local specialties according to the towns we visit.
Heritage Sites of Ancient Japan is another specialty tour brought to you by WorldGreatestSites, a brand specializing in unique tour experiences.
Day 1: In Flight (Meal on board)
Assemble at your check in counter two hours before departure at the Penang and Kuala Lumpur International Airports for your flight to Osaka, the second largest city in Japan.
Day 2: Kyoto (Lunch and Dinner provided)
Morning, have a great view of the famous Osaka Castle (Out View), situated in the eastern part of the city. During the sakura season in March, the garden is blooming with cherry blossom. Followed the tour of Osaka Castle, we proceed straightaway to Kyoto. For one thousand years, Kyoto was the capital of medieval Japan, before it moved to Tokyo. As a result, Kyoto retains some of the most treasured sites in Japanese history. All the sites we are visiting have been honored by Unesco as Historic Sites of Ancient Kyoto. Upon arrival in Kyoto, we tour the famous Golden Pavilion, one of the best-recognized icons of Japan. Also on our itinerary is the Ryoanji, the most famous rock garden in Japan. We also visit Kiyomizu Temple, perched daringly on a steep hill side, possibly the most beloved temple in the nation. After that, tour to Hei-An Shrine, a scaled down replica of the first imperial palace in Kyoto built by Emperor Kammu in 794 and dedicated to him, was constructed in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto. The rear garden is outstanding. Next, tour visit to Golden Pavilion. After that, proceed to Arashiyama visit Ryu-Temple. Dinner and overnight in Kyoto.
Day 3: Nara (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
After breakfast, proceed to oldest city in Japan - Nara. Upon arrival, tour visit to Todaiji Temple - a temple complex in the city of Nara in Nara Prefecture, was built in the year 743. At that time Buddhism was at its height, and served as a state religion. Next tour to Nara Deer Park. After that, tour visit to Kasuga Shrine, is considered one of the Three Great Shinto Shrines of Japan. Founded in 768, it is actually four shrines consecrated to different Shinto deities. Tour continue visit Koufukuji Temple & Horyuji Temple. Overnight in Nara.
Day 4: Toba Peninsula (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
From today onwards, we leave the main cities of Japan, and begin exploring rural Japan. Our journey takes us through Toba peninsula, visiting sites in Wakayama Prefecture. We experience a rustic landscape that resides in the most sophisticated culture in the world. Even in the smallest of hamlets, Japan is a unique justaposition of old and new. We stop to visit Koyasan, headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, and recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Our tour continues Kumano Kodo, a sacred place where the Japanese gods lived since ancient times. People traverse rugged paths through the wild nature to visit Kumano.
Due to the long distance travelled today, we will arrive late at our hotel, to a meal awaiting us, and a rest thereafter.
Day 5: Ise Peninsula (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
We are now in the mountainous countryside of Central Japan. Our hotel is an inn in the mountains. After a buffet breakfast of local produce, we continue our journey. Today we visit the Ise Grand Shrine, the most important shrine in Japanese Shintoism. We will visit the outer shrines. The inner shrine, is so sacred that no one is allowed to approach it up close, but can only view from the outside. Today we will also be visiting the Mikimoto Pearl Island, a man-made island off the Pacific coast where lady divers continue to ancient craft of planting and harvesting cultured pearls. If we are lucky, we will get to see a demonstration. Later the same day, we visit the Wedded Rocks of Meotoiwa. These are sacred rock formations on the Pacific coast, linked together by a rope, and is one of the famous cultural icons of Japan.
Day 6: Mount Fuji (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
Every day, a different scenery greets us, and its no different today, when we have the chance to ascend Mount Fuji. Our exploring of Japan takes us today to Hakone, where we will take a cruise of Lake Ashi, a lake formed when the massive eruption of Mount Hakone took place 3000 years ago. If we are lucky, the sky will be clear, and we will get a beautiful view of Mount Fuji (however, most of the time it is overcast). Next, we start our journey up Mount Fuji, arriving at the Fifth Station. There we can a glorious view of the cone-shaped mountain, weather permitting. Along the way, we will also stop at Oshino Hakkai, a village in at the foot of Mount Fuji famous for its clear waters and hot spring. We reture for to a traditional Japanese inn at Yamanakako, a resort on the slopes within view of Mount Fuji.
Day 7: Tokyo (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
After a week of journeying across Japan, we finally arrive at Tokyo, a roaring city and capital of modern Japan. Our tour of Tokyo takes us to the Sensoji, also known as the Asakusa Kannon, the oldest temple in Tokyo founded in the 7th century. We will also tour the vast compound of the Imperial Palace and make a trip to Tokyo Tower, to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. We will visit the most expensive real estate in Japan, strolling down the elegant shopping district of Ginza. Having seen much of ancient Japan, today we visit Odaiba, a futuristic shopping mall built on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, for a taste of Japan of the future.
Day 8: Home (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided)
After an incredible journey, it is time for us to bid farewell to our tour guide, as we bought our flight home. We have breakfast in the hotel. Thereafter we are free until our transfer to Narita International Airport for our flight home. Sayonara Japan.
Disclaimer: Please note, the above itinerary is intended to serve only as a guide to the actual trip. While we will attempt to visit all the sites described in the itinerary, we may some times have to substitute or drop sites due to timing and other unforeseen circumstances. The sequence of sites visited may also be rearranged when practicality dictates. Participants to the trip should therefore bear this in mind, and should simply relax and enjoy the tour, which is focused on showing the heritage side of Japan.
Booking Details
Tour Price: RM5208
Fuel Surcharge, airport tax, tour guide tips: RM880
Single supplement: RM1200
Deposit of RM1000 to be paid upon registering, non refundable unless tour is cancelled
Departure Date: 29 March, 2008
Group Size: minimum 17 paying participants, maximum 24 paying participants.
English-speaking tour guide and tour leader throughout the tour.
All meals covered. All entrance fees included. Travel Insurance included. All transfers and accommodation included. Tour guide tips included.
Flight by Malaysia Airlines from Penang and Kuala Lumpur
Accommodation in 4-star hotels
In order to book this tour, kindly contact Ms Pauline Teh at Mayflower Acme Tours Sdn Bhd, at pauline@mayflower.com.my or call 04-228 0260 or 016 443 9292. We assume participation from Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Participants from Penang flies to KLIA to regroup with participants from Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Airlines offers the same fare for Penang and Kuala Lumpur participants. If you are from elsewhere, kindly contact Pauline to enquire about arrangements.
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Destination Gallery
Destination Gallery shows photographs taken at the destination of this tour. We must caution though, there there's nothing like seeing it in person. These photographs are meant to be a representation and should not be regarded as the actual scenes.
Admire the Todaiji in Nara, largest wooden structure in the world
Cherry trees in full bloom, Nara
Country lane at Oshino Hakkai
Wedded Rocks of Meotoiwa, on a moody Pacific coastline of Japan
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