Today you fly to Osaka.

After arrival you travel independently to the hotel by public transport or taxi; if you wish, you can book a transfer. Depending on your arrival time, there is time for first impressions of the metropolis – or simply settle in. 1 night in Osaka.

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Hotel Monterey Le Frere is centrally located in the north of Osaka and combines modern comfort with Japanese elegance – a good base for exploring. The stylish, functional rooms have air conditioning, kettle, fridge, safe, TV and modern bathroom; a breakfast buffet with regional specialities is served in the morning.

By public transport you travel to Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku: via Shin-Osaka by Shinkansen to Okayama and on the last stretch by express train. The journey itself offers insights into everyday Japanese life and changing landscapes. In Takamatsu you have lunch on your own and the rest of the day is yours – for example for a walk through the castle park or along the covered shopping street. In the evening you meet the group at Symbol Tower and enjoy the view over the city and the Seto Inland Sea with a drink. 2 nights in Takamatsu. (B) Your suitcase is transported separately and awaits you at the hotel in the evening. (Distance by public transport: approx. 250 km; travel time: approx. 2 hrs; walking time: approx. 30 min, approx. 1 km)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu is located right at the harbour, only about a minute’s walk from the station; many areas offer views of the harbour, the Seto Inland Sea and the city. It has several restaurants serving Japanese, Chinese and international cuisine. The rooms have private bathroom, Wi-Fi, TV, fridge, kettle and air purifier.

By public transport you travel to Ritsurin Garden, one of Japan’s most beautiful landscape gardens. On a long walk you discover ponds, bridges and pavilions and taste matcha with Japanese sweets along the way. After lunch on your own the afternoon is deliberately open: if you like, enjoy the view from the Yashima plateau with your guide, or explore Takamatsu on your own. In the late afternoon you learn how sanuki udon, the regional noodles, are made at a local restaurant and end the day with dinner together. (B/D) (By public transport: travel time approx. 1.5 hrs; walking time: approx. 3 hrs, approx. 3.5 km)

Through Shikoku’s mountains with deeply cut valleys and dense forests you drive into one of Japan’s most unspoilt regions. After a photo stop at Hinoji Valley you experience the steep rock walls of Oboke Gorge up close on a boat trip. In the remote Iya Valley you have lunch on your own and then explore the famous Kazurabashi, a suspension bridge made of vines. If you like, climb down to the riverbank and enjoy the view of the bridge, the clear water and the mountains. In the afternoon you continue to Awaji Island, where you have dinner together at the hotel. 1 night on Awaji. (B/D) (Distance by private bus: approx. 260 km; driving time: approx. 6.5 hrs; walking time: approx. 2 hrs, approx. 1 km)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa is located in the south of Awaji Island near the coast, overlooking the Naruto Strait, famous for its whirlpools. It has several restaurants, an onsen area with indoor and outdoor baths, a sauna and a seasonal pool. The rooms have private bathroom, TV and seating area.

Over the imposing Akashi Kaikyo Bridge you leave Awaji and travel to Nara, one of Japan’s oldest cities. A small local bus takes you to Todai-ji, whose enormous wooden hall houses a monumental bronze Buddha statue. A walk through Nara Park takes you to viewpoints at Nigatsu-do Hall and Wakakusa Hill; the tame sika deer are an integral part of the townscape. At lunchtime you eat on your own or stroll through the historic Naramachi district. In the afternoon you continue to Kyoto, arriving in the late afternoon; the rest of the day is free. 3 nights in Kyoto. (B) (Distance by private bus: approx. 210 km; driving time: approx. 4.5 hrs; walking time: approx. 4 hrs, approx. 4 km)

3 nights · Double room · With breakfast S-Peria Hotel Kyoto is located in the Shimogyo district with good connections to the main station, an ideal base for exploring. A highlight is the wellness area with whirlpool and sauna. The modern rooms, compact as often in Japan, have a bathroom with bathtub/shower, air conditioning and TV; a Japanese-Western breakfast buffet is served in the morning.

You begin the day in a calm atmosphere at Ryoan-ji with its famous Zen rock garden, which invites you to be fully present. At a leisurely pace you walk on to Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, whose gold-leaf façade is reflected in the water. After lunch on your own – your guide will gladly give tips – you visit Nijo Castle, once the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns, with its extensive gardens. Then you explore Nishiki Market, Kyoto’s lively food street. Finally there is time to explore on your own, for example in the historic Gion district. (B) (By public transport: travel time approx. 1.5 hrs; walking time: approx. 5 hrs, approx. 6 km)

In the morning you visit Sanjusangen-do with its impressive hall of 1,001 Kannon statues. Then you head to Fushimi Inari Shrine, whose countless red torii are among Japan’s best-known landmarks; you have plenty of time to walk a stretch of the wooded paths and discover quieter sections away from the main routes. After lunch on your own you go to the lively Kawaramachi district. The rest of the day is yours – for browsing shops and cafés or simply relaxing. (B) (By public transport: travel time approx. 1 hr; walking time: approx. 2–3 hrs, approx. 4.5 km)

By Shinkansen you travel to Shizuoka, enjoying a typical Japanese bento on the way. The journey offers views of landscapes and everyday life. You reach Shizuoka in the early afternoon; the rest of the day is free. In the evening you meet for dinner together at a local restaurant. 2 nights in Shizuoka. (B/P/D) Your suitcase is taken separately to Tokyo and awaits you on day 11; pack a small bag for two nights. (Distance by public transport: approx. 330 km; travel time: approx. 1.5 hrs; walking time: approx. 30 min, approx. 1 km)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast Hotel Associa Shizuoka is centrally located right at the station yet offers a quiet retreat, with views of Mount Fuji on clear days. The restaurants serve local and international dishes. The cosy rooms have TV, air purifier, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, Wi-Fi and private bathroom.

Today you visit Kunozan Toshogu shrine, picturesquely set in the hills above the coast; the ropeway ride already offers lovely views. From the Nihondaira Yume Terrace observation deck you look far across the landscape around Shizuoka – on clear days as far as Mount Fuji. Then you reach Miho no Matsubara beach with its pine grove, one of the region’s most beautiful panoramas, and walk along the coast. In the early afternoon you return to the hotel; the rest of the day is yours. (B) (Distance by public transport: approx. 40 km; travel time: approx. 1.5 hrs; walking time: approx. 3.5 hrs, approx. 4 km)

By train you travel to Tokyo, drop off your bags at the hotel and set off in the late morning. In Asakusa, one of the city’s most traditional districts, you experience a lively mix of history and everyday life around Senso-ji and Nakamise Street, where you also have lunch. In the afternoon you discover Tokyo from the water: on a boat trip on the Sumida River you glide along the skyline to Odaiba, where there is time for a walk by the water or a café visit. Your suitcase awaits you at the hotel. 2 nights in Tokyo. (B) (Distance by public transport: approx. 200 km; travel time: approx. 3 hrs; walking time: approx. 2.5 hrs, approx. 2.5 km)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel is located in the east of Tokyo on a quiet waterway of the bay, just a minute’s walk from Shiomi station. The modern hotel features colourful art; the restaurant combines Japanese ingredients with French cuisine, and there is a breakfast buffet and a wellness area with sauna. The rooms have bathroom with shower/WC and air conditioning.

On foot and by metro you experience Tokyo like the locals – trains can be crowded, but everything runs remarkably smoothly, and your guide provides orientation and breaks. From the free observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (waiting times possible) you look out over the seemingly endless sea of buildings. Then you visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his consort, where the noise of the city seems far away on the shady paths. In Shibuya you see the Hachiko statue and the famous crossing; lunch is up to you, perhaps together in a local restaurant. This is where the group programme ends: return to the hotel with your guide or explore the city on your own – your guide has tips for your last evening. (B)

After two varied weeks in Japan you travel to the airport by public transport or taxi and start your journey home. If you wish, you can book a transfer. (B) (Distance by public transport: approx. 70 km; travel time: approx. 1.5 hrs; walking time: approx. 30 min, approx. 1 km)

Today you are back home.