Our Manga & Anime itinerary is a fun and excitement packed 10 night discovery of the best of Japan with a twist. Combine visits to modern Tokyo and Osaka and historic Kyoto with the best manga and anime museums, shopping opportunities and fun!
Manga and anime is famous throughout the world but you really have to visit Japan to fully understand it and experience first hand the culture behind this modern phenomenon.
Our manga and anime adventure includes a full day in Tokyo with one of our experienced tour leaders who will help you explore Akibahara, visit a Maid Cafe, browse the shops of Nakano Broadway and see the cosplay kids at Harajuku. Accommodation in Tokyo within an easy walk of the electronics and manga district of Akihabara, spiritual home to every 'Otaku' anime fan in Japan.
We have also included tickets to the fabulous Ghibli Museum just outside Tokyo where you can learn all about the genius that is Hayao Miyazaki, creator of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.
Your other destinations are Kyoto and Osaka where you will be staying in centrally located hotels convenient for all the sights. These two key cities will ensure you experience the highlights of Japan including the temples and gardens of Kyoto and the neon lights of Osaka.
In Kyoto you will also want to visit the International Manga Museum and we recommend spending a full afternoon at the Toei Movie Park where you can dress as a Geisha, Samurai or Ninja and explore authentic film sets.
Using the Japan Rail pass, which is included in the package, you will also be able to visit Takarazuka just outside of Osaka. Here you can visit the Osamu Tezuka museum and take in a performance of the quirky Takarazuka Revue with tickets included.
Optional Anime & Manga drawing class - from £145 per person
As a special experience we can arrange an anime and manga drawing class at the Yoyogi Anime Gakuin. Use the inspiration gained from your adventures by creating your very own anime under expert instruction. Please ask us for details if you wish to add this to your booking.
Tokyo's Anime Fairs - Free of charge!
Why not combine your trip with a visit to the Tokyo International Anime Fair (Mar 24th 2012 to March 25th 2012) or the Tokyo Anime Content Expo (March 31st & Apr 1st) - we can get you tickets in advance for both and will provide these free of charge for all new bookings.
Yakushima 'Princess Mononoke Island' option - £530 per person
Extend your time in Japan with a 2 night stay on the World Heritage Yakushima Island. This remote island, famous for its giant cedar trees and dramatic landscapes was the inspiration for Ghibli artist Oga Kazuo when creating the forest scenes for Princess Mononoke.
A Japanese style ryokan stay with scrumptious dinner included on both nights is a highlight at this very special and off-the-beaten track destination. You will travel here from Osaka using the brand new 'Sakura' Shinkansen 'Bullet Train' from Osaka before flying back to Tokyo for your final two nights in the capital city.
Our manga and anime adventure includes a full day in Tokyo with one of our experienced tour leaders who will help you explore Akibahara, visit a Maid Cafe, browse the shops of Nakano Broadway and see the cosplay kids at Harajuku. Accommodation in Tokyo within an easy walk of the electronics and manga district of Akihabara, spiritual home to every 'Otaku' anime fan in Japan.
We have also included tickets to the fabulous Ghibli Museum just outside Tokyo where you can learn all about the genius that is Hayao Miyazaki, creator of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.
Your other destinations are Kyoto and Osaka where you will be staying in centrally located hotels convenient for all the sights. These two key cities will ensure you experience the highlights of Japan including the temples and gardens of Kyoto and the neon lights of Osaka.
In Kyoto you will also want to visit the International Manga Museum and we recommend spending a full afternoon at the Toei Movie Park where you can dress as a Geisha, Samurai or Ninja and explore authentic film sets.
Using the Japan Rail pass, which is included in the package, you will also be able to visit Takarazuka just outside of Osaka. Here you can visit the Osamu Tezuka museum and take in a performance of the quirky Takarazuka Revue with tickets included.
Optional Anime & Manga drawing class - from £145 per person
As a special experience we can arrange an anime and manga drawing class at the Yoyogi Anime Gakuin. Use the inspiration gained from your adventures by creating your very own anime under expert instruction. Please ask us for details if you wish to add this to your booking.
Tokyo's Anime Fairs - Free of charge!
Why not combine your trip with a visit to the Tokyo International Anime Fair (Mar 24th 2012 to March 25th 2012) or the Tokyo Anime Content Expo (March 31st & Apr 1st) - we can get you tickets in advance for both and will provide these free of charge for all new bookings.
Yakushima 'Princess Mononoke Island' option - £530 per person
Extend your time in Japan with a 2 night stay on the World Heritage Yakushima Island. This remote island, famous for its giant cedar trees and dramatic landscapes was the inspiration for Ghibli artist Oga Kazuo when creating the forest scenes for Princess Mononoke.
A Japanese style ryokan stay with scrumptious dinner included on both nights is a highlight at this very special and off-the-beaten track destination. You will travel here from Osaka using the brand new 'Sakura' Shinkansen 'Bullet Train' from Osaka before flying back to Tokyo for your final two nights in the capital city.
Prices:
2012
Standard:
Twin: £1230 Single: £1560
Upgrade:
Twin: £1440 Single: £2020
Click for full details of pricing including extra nights
What's Included:
- 10 nights accommodation in Japan
- Breakfast every day
- Lunch at a 'Maid Cafe' in Tokyo
- All transport between destinations incl. airport transfers
- 7 day Japan Rail Pass
- Tokyo transport card with 2500 yen of credit
- Meet and greet upon arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport
- Manga and Anime themed tour in Tokyo
- 8 hours private guide service in Kyoto
- Ghibli museum tickets
- Takarazuka Revue tickets
- InsideJapan Tours' info-pack
- International Flights
- Local transport (buses, subways, taxis) at any destination unless otherwise specified
- Any entrance fees not shown above
- Baggage handling - you will be expected to carry your own bags for the duration of the trip
Supplements
No seasonal supplement
Black Out Dates
Please note that during certain Japanese holiday periods, the prices
detailed in this brochure are NOT valid for packages if any of the
nights' accommodation fall within the following dates:
29th December to 4th January New Year
29th April to 5th May Golden Week
9th August to 17th August Obon Festival
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 Tokyo
Meals: None
You will be met on arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport and will transfer by coach and taxi to your hotel in 'electronic city' Akihabara. With the best of Tokyo's manga and anime shops on your doorstep this is a great place to start. The famous Mandrake shop is just a short walk away and we also recommend visiting Don Quijote, Liberty 8 and Gamerz. Wherever you end up we are sure you will agree that there is a real buzz in this exciting area of Tokyo.
Day 2 Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Today you will join one of our tour leaders for a full day tour taking in some of Tokyo's must-see manga and anime sights. The itinerary is up to you but we would recommend exploring the Daiba Bay area which is home to the new Gundam Park and the 'future museum' Miraikan. You should also check out the craziness of ultra-trendy Harajuku and Shibuya - where you can often witness cosplay on the streets. For a change of scene you could also visit the majestic Meiji shrine and beautiful Hamarikyu gardens. There will be plenty of time for shopping if you wish and lunch at a Maid Cafe is included. The tour leader will be able to explain all about Maid Cafe culture whilst you enjoy tea and cakes!
Day 3 Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
Today you will be visiting the Studio Ghibli Museum. Founded by master animator Hirao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli has produced some of the finest works of animation ever to come out of Japan. 2003's Spirited Away brought Studio Ghibli to the attention of the West when it picked up the Oscar for Best Animated Film, introducing Miyazaki's extraordinary work to millions of people across the globe. Entitled "Let's get lost together", the museum allows you to wonder through Miyazaki's imagination to a world where anything is possible and the surreal and sublime are to be found round every corner.
Day 4 Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast
The Shinkansen bullet train will whisk you on to Kyoto today, Japan's Imperial capital and cultural heart. This afternoon we recommend visiting the excellent Kyoto International Manga Museum before exploring Kyoto's nightlife.
Day 5 Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast
A full day in Kyoto today with our private guide. You will be able to explore some of this city's most beautiful temples, shrines and gardens including the Golden Pavilion and Kiyomizu temple. There are also cultural and craft activities available if you wish.
Day 6 Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast
Today is free for you to explore this wonderful city at your leisure. Our info-pack has lots of ideas for things to see and do and you might want to spend a good few hours at the Toei Movie Park - become a Ninja for the afternoon and explore the Japanese film sets here. You could also use your Japan Rail Passes to visit the old capita city of Nara or Hiroshima if you wished.
Day 7 Osaka
Meals: Breakfast
On to the exciting and ultra-modern city of Osaka. Famous for its food and its comedic local dialect, Osaka is a fun place to be. We recommend strolling the neon-lit Dotonburi dining street, exploring America-mura and taking in the views from the Umeda Sky Building.
Day 8 Osaka
Meals: Breakfast
Use your Japan Rail Pass to good effect by taking a trip to Takarazuka city, just outside Osaka. Here you can spend the morning at the Osamu Tezuka museum whilst in the afternoon we will provide tickets for the all-female 'Takarazuka Revue'. Combining opera, broadway musicals and traditional theatre this uproarious show is bound to inspire and amuse!
Day 9 Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
You will take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo today for a final two night stay in the metropolis. This time your base is the trendy Shibuya/Shinjuku area, great for shopping, people watching and exploring the city. It is also an easy trip from here to Nakano Broadway, a suburban arcade which rivals Akihabara as a centre for manga and anime shops.
Day 10 Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
We are confident that Japan will have fascinated and inspired you. And what better way to put this to use and record your experiences for time immemorial than to create your very own anime. We can arrange an optional 3 hour workshop for you today at Tokyo's premier anime college - ask us for details. Alternatively you can continue to explore Tokyo or take a day trip to the seaside in Kamakura and pay a visit to the Giant Buddha.
Day 11 Depart
Meals: Breakfast
Alas time to head home! Your airport transfer is included by comfortable reserved seat train.
Photos
No photos currently available.
Pricing Information
| 2012 | |||
| Standard Price: | £1230 (Single Price: £1560) | ||
| Upgrade Price: | £1440 (Single Price: £2020) | ||
Extra Nights: |
|||
Standard Grade |
|||
| Start: Twin Share pp £60
Single pp £65
End: Twin Share pp £70 Single pp £75 |
|||
Superior Grade |
|||
| Start: Twin Share pp £80
Single pp £90
End: Twin Share pp £90 Single pp £130 |
|||
Accommodation
Toyoko Inn Akiba Asakusabashi
Tokyo
Business Hotel
Located a short distance from the electronics and manga town of Akihabara, this brand new Toyoko Inn is a great base for a fun stay in the capital city. Rooms are compact but clean and comfortable. Asakusabashi station is on the JR line so it is easy to travel all round Tokyo from here.
Dotonbori Hotel
Osaka
Business Hotel
Renovated in 2009, the Dotombori Hotel is a smart business hotel located in downtown Osaka, just a short walk from the restaurants, bars and neon lights of Dotombori. Guest rooms are compact but of modern designed and have everything you need for a comfortable stay. A buffet breakfast is prepared each morning with a mix of western and Japanese dishes. The hotel also offers a range of extra services such as free bicycle rental, a complimentary phone call home and internet access. The hotel is a great base for exploring this vibrant and fascinating city.
Toyoko Inn Shinjuku Kabuki-cho
Tokyo
Business Hotel
Located in the heart of Shinjuku's famous entertainment district of Kabuki-cho, the Toyoko Inn offers great value accommodation with all the amenities you will need. A light complimentary breakfast is also included.
Hearton Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto
Business Hotel
The Hearton Hotel is located in the centre of Kyoto just 2 minutes walk from the Kyoto International Manga Museum. The hotel features modern en-suite rooms, has free internet PCs for guest use, a handy coin laundry and has its own Japanese restaurant and a coffee shop. Kyoto Imperial Palace is five minutes on foot and other major historic sights in Kyoto are easily reachable by subway or bus. All in all this is a very convenient place to stay!
E-mail to a Friend
Order a
-2010.jpg "The Guardian, The Observer - Travel Awards 2010 Winner - Best tour operator (small)")
.jpg "Inside Japan Tours - Silver at the British Travel Awards 2009")
