Take a stroll around the picturesque town of Fushimi at the base of Mt Inariyama and absorb the sights and tastes of this sake producing area.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Learn about traditional sake brewing methods
* Taste three types of sake
* See the bright red vermilion torii gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine
From the Miyako Hotel we take a short walk to hop on the Kinki Nippon Railway to Momoyamagoryo-mae Station. The area is famous for its sake brewing, so what better way to get into the spirit than by visiting the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, where displays show you the tools used in the traditional sake brewing process, unique to Fushimi. After learning all about the process, you get to taste three types of sake.
From Fushimi-Momoyama Station we travel to Fushimi Inari Station to see one of the most well-known and pictured shrines in Japan: Fushimi Inari Shrine. Famous for its long arcades of vibrant red vermilion torii (gates), the shrine is dedicated to the god of rice and is now visited by people in search of blessings for prosperity. Admire the must-see Senbon Torii Gate and return to Kyoto station from Fushimi-inari Station by JR.
See the best that Osaka has to offer with a tour around its main sites. Take a cruise along the river and see the city sites from afar.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Get to know Osaka; both old and new
* Head up to dizzying heights at the Floating Garden Observatory
* Enjoy a cruise for breathtaking views across the city
From Hotel Granvia we start our tour on foot to the Floating Garden Observatory; an open air skybridge overlooking the city and as far away as Awaji Island and Mt Ikoma. Connecting the two towers of the Umeda Sky Building, the Floating Garden Observatory affords spectacular views from 170m above the city.
Before we continue with our stroll through the city, we stop for a western-style lunch at the Hotel Granvia. From here we make our way by public transport to the wonder that is Osaka Castle. Surrounded by a moat and park, Osaka Castle played a central role in Japanese history. A status and power symbol, it was founded in the 16th century by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a remarkable shogun during the Sengoku period. With the help of a knowledgeable guide get to know the castle’s history, admire its intricate decoration and striking stone wall that is sits upon. Just a short walk away is where we board the Aqua Liner for an hour long cruise along the Okawa River to watch the seasonal landscapes of Osaka as well as its prominent and historical sites.
Toshogu Shrine is the dedicated place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868. Initially built in 1617, during the Edo period, while Ieyasu's son Hidetada was shogun, it was enlarged during the time of the third shogun, Iemitsu. Ieyasu is enshrined there, where his remains are also entombed. This shrine is built by Tokugawa retainer Todo Takatora.
During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate carried out stately processions from Edo to the Nikko Tosho-gu along the Nikko Kaido. The shrine's annual spring and autumn festivals reenact these occasions, and are known as "processions of a thousand warriors." The most famous 100 meter beautiful waterfalls. Located at Lake Chuzenji in Nikko National Park. The falls were formed when the Daiya River was rerouted by lava flows.
At 100 meter high, it is one of Japan's three highest waterfalls. In the autumn, the traffic on the road from Nikko to Chuzenji can sometimes slow to a crawl as visitors come to see the fall colors. Lake Chuzenji is a scenic lake in the mountains above Nikko town. It was created 20,000 years ago when Mount Nantai erupted and blocked the river.
The lake was a favourite summer haunt of Sir Ernest Satow when he was Britain's envoy in Japan, 1895-1900 as his diaries of that time attest. He constructed a house by the lake which is still owned and used to this day by the British Embassy. Shinkyo God Bridge used to be known as story of Bridge of Snakes with Wild Sedges.
The Tokyo Skytree, a new broadcast antenna in northern Tokyo was opened in May 2012.It’ 13 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower of Paris and the world's tallest self-supporting steel tower. Completed in the year 1958 as a symbol for Japan's rebirth as a major economic power, and serves as a television and radio broadcast antenna and tourist attraction. You can enjoy a view of the entire city of Tokyo from the main observatory at 150meters and the special observatory at 250 meters to get a bird's eye view of Tokyo. Under good weather conditions, Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance.
Zojoji Temple which worships 3 generation of Tokugawa Shogun family . It was built in the year 1393 and moved to its present location in 1598 by Tokugawa Ieyasu who selected it as his family temple. A mausoleum of the Tokugawa family can be found on the temple grounds. Japanese Garden(Rikugien ) the Tokyo's most beautiful Japanese landscape garden. Rikugien literally means ""six poems garden"" and reproduces in miniature 88 scenes from famous poems. Built around 1700 for the 5th Tokugawa Shogun. The garden is a good example of an Edo Period strolling garden and features a large central pond surrounded by manmade hills and forested areas, all connected by a network of trails.
Discover the history and religions of ancient Japan's capital of Kyoto and Nara. See Arashiyama, Todai-jiTemple & Nara Park. This tour is all about the most famous spots that a traveler should visit at least once.
Begin your excursion in the morning at "Arashiyama" a notable for its view of cherry blossoms and color of autumn leaves, the bridge "Togetsukyo" which spans across Katsura river is a central landmark and the most highly recommended spot is the Sagano Bamboo Forest! Walk a pleasantly cool 100m long walkway that begins from the side of the world heritage Tenryuji Temple. Spotted in the bamboo forest. The large "Okame-Ishi" rock is a famous power spot, and is said your wish will come true within a year if you rub the rock. Pause your tour for lunch, then board The Randen (Keifuku) Line from Arashiyama to Shijo Omiya, after than bus will pick you up at station.
Move on next to Nara Park, you’ll find Todai-ji Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main gate to Todai-ji Temple is a national treasure and the Great Buddha of Nara which commonly known as Nara-no-Daibutsu. Finish your excursion at Nara’s Deer Park, a famous section of Nara Park.
The Hokkaido Rail Pass is the best way to travel in Hokkaido with unlimited travel on JR trains (except the Hokkaido Shinkansen) and most JR buses in Hokkaido on three, five or seven consecutive days or on four days of your choice within a 10-day period. All ticket deliveries will be sent to you.
Trains and buses included in the pass:
All Limited Express, Rapid and local trains on JR Hokkaido lines
JR Hokkaido buses within Sapporo, JR Hokkaido Express buses between Sapporo-Otaru (Chuo buses are not included).
Fushimi Inari Taisha is in southern Kyoto, it is an important Shinto Shrine dedicated to the god of prosperity. It is famous for its thousands of vermillion torii gates that arch over a long path behind the shrine. Walking through these gates gives you a sense surrealism as in a different world. Kiyomizu-dera Temple, it is one of UNESCO world heritage historic temples in eastern Kyoto. This Buddhist Temple is built without using a single nail for its structure. The main hall has a large veranda supported by tall pillars that jut out over the hillside which gives an impressive view of the city below.
Kinkaku-ji Temple also known as the "Golden Temple" is another UNESCO world heritage Temple in northern Kyoto. It is a Zen Buddhist temple set in a magnificent Japanese strolling garden overlooking a pond with its two top stories covered entirely with pure gold leaf. Take in a beautiful variation of the temple scenery with the changing of the seasons.
A city of over 1,000 Buddhist temples, come and discover Japan’s former ancient capital with a morning tour from Osaka.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Entry to the Imperial Palace without prior application
* See Kyoto’s most popular sightseeing spots in just one morning
* Admire the city’s most important palaces and temples
Hop aboard the train from Osaka to Kyoto for a morning discovering the sights and sounds of Kyoto. Arrive in the former ancient capital to begin a tour of the many temples and palaces that adorn the city.
We start at the World Heritage Nijo Castle whose flamboyant style and sublime gardens are bound to impress. Then head to the striking Kinkaku-ji Temple, known as the Golden Pavilion for its sparkling golden exterior as well as its spectacular setting surrounded by a lake. Finish your whirlwind tour of Kyoto by visiting the former ruling palace of the Emperor of Japan: Kyoto Imperial Palace. Entry to the palace for international visitors generally requires application in advance, but participants of this tour can enter only by going through a brief procedure. If you join the tour on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, instead of the palace we visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine which was built in 947 as a shrine to bureaucrat, scholar and poet Sugawara no Michizane. The shrine is especially spectacular during the plum blossom and autumn leaf seasons.
After a jam-packed morning of sightseeing, we return to Osaka by JR Special Rapid Service or Rapid Service.
Credit for images copyrighted by ©JNTO
This package combines the Kyoto Morning Tour with a craft workshop experience. Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nijo Castle, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On weekdays, participants can enter the Kyoto Imperial Palace with no prior application (some days are excluded).
Start the day with Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the historical castle completed in 1626, which was built to provide lodging for Tokugawa Shogun and as a palladium for Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Then we will visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site, also known as the Golden Pavilion. The wooden architecture is covered in thin layers of pure gold and is surrounded by a beautiful lake.
Kyoto Imperial Palace, this used to be the palace to the former emperor of Japan, nowadays we are allowed to explore the beautiful building.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. This shrine's main hall is a designated national treasure and is famous for housing the God of scholarship. The shrine is especially great to see during the plum blossom and autumn leaf seasons.
Later, enjoy lunch then make your own way over to the Craft workshop at Kyoto Handicraft Center. The tour lets you experience block print, cloisonné work, and other crafts at the craft workshop.
Have a kayak and snorkeling adventure in Blue Cave, Okinawa! Enjoy the sunny beach and marvel at the glowing blue ocean in between crevices and tunnels.
In this experience, you'll meet your host at a handmade marine house before kayaking towards the Blue Cave where you'll enjoy panoramic views of cliffs, coastlines, and subtropical plants!
Enjoy a short tea break, and then snorkel for the remainder of the time with tropical fish among the magical Blue Cave.
Points of interest/ itinerary:
1. Gather at the guide's handmade marine house.
2. Get into a kayak and row out towards the "Blue Cave". Enjoy a panoramic view of cliffs, coastlines, and subtropical plants while you leisurely row your kayak.
3. When the huge cave appears, kayak onto the shore nearby and have some tea.
4. Snorkeling practice in the ocean near the shore.
5. Head towards Okinawa ocean!
6. Enjoy snorkeling, play with tropical fish, and explore the mysterious and magical Blue Cave with sunlight glistening from the bottom.