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    • Cruise Add-On: Tides to Temples
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    • Cruise Add-On: Tides to Temples
      Cruise Add-On: Tides to Temples (Superior)
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    Self-Guided Adventure

    Superior
    Tailor-made

    Cruise Add-On: Tides to Temples

    8 Nights: from US$3523 per person (twin share) Trip Code: CAOS3

    Back on dry land in Kobe, this 8-night itinerary showcases some of Japan's top destinations, ranging from the ancient temples of Kyoto to the neon-lit skyscrapers, world-class galleries, and vibrant entertainment districts of the capital. Read more >

    Your cruise ends in the cosmopolitan port city of Kobe and your Japan adventure begins. A private car will take you straight from the port to your hotel in downtown Kyoto where you can unwind and get your bearings.

    Kyoto is known as the 'city of a thousand temples' and there's enough to see here to keep you going for weeks. Whether you're interested in historic sights, traditional markets, scenic spots, or simply enjoying wandering through the atmospheric districts, Kyoto is sure to captivate you. You'll have the services of a private English-speaking guide, ensuring you make the most of your time. On the second full day we'll arrange for you to have a guided day trip to Nara, once the capital of Japan in the 8th century, which is now famous for its ancient wooden temples and friendly deer.

    The next stop is Hakone, located in the foothills of Mount Fuji. This hot spring resort has been a popular choice for centuries for Tokyoites looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. These days a quirky array of transport, from cable cars to a pirate ship cruise across Lake Ashi, traverses the valleys of Hakone, allowing you to easily hop around the museums and sightseeing spots. A guide will be with you on the first full day to help you see everything you want to.

    Your final destination is the capital in all its hectic, neon glory. Each district of the sprawling city has its own character and charm, which you can discover at your leisure with the help of your guide. You might like to visit the excellent choice of museums and galleries, do a spot of shopping in upmarket, glitzy Ginza, visit Asakusa's traditional streets and temples, or rub elbows with the locals in tiny atmospheric bars in Shinjuku. Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any city in the world, making it the perfect place to have a meal to remember.

    At the end of your trip we'll arrange for a private car to take you out to the airport in plenty of your time for your onwards journey.

    At a glance

    What's Included

    What's included

    • 8 nights' accommodation
    • Breakfast every day and two dinners
    • Transport between destinations unless otherwise specified
    • Transfers by private car from Kobe Port and to the airport
    • Two-day Hakone Freepass
    • Eight-hour private guide service in Tokyo & Hakone
    • Private tea ceremony in Kyoto
    • Full day and half day private guide service in Kyoto
    • Pocket WiFi device
    • Your personalized InsideJapan Tours Info-Pack

    What's NOT included:

    • International flights
    • Any entrance fees including those for museums, shrines, and temples unless otherwise specified
    • Baggage handling and luggage forwarding unless otherwise specified

    Trip Highlights

    • Explore Kyoto, Hakone, and Tokyo with a private guide
    • Relax in onsen baths in Hakone
    • Tuck into authentic kaiseki course cuisine
    • Sip Japanese tea at a private tea ceremony
    • Speed across Japan on the sleek Shinkansen bullet train
    • Temple-hop around ancient Kyoto

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380

    What, where, when and how...

    • Map & Dest.
    • Day by Day
    • Accommodation
    • Experiences
    • How to Book

    Cruise Add-On: Tides to Temples - 9 Days

    Map for Cruise Add-On: Tides to Temples

    Destinations

    • Kyoto
      Kyoto

      Read more >

    • Hakone
      Hakone

      Read more >

    • Tokyo
      Tokyo

      Read more >

    Cruise Add-On: Tides to Temples - 9 Days - Day by Day

    • Day 1-3 Kyoto
      Day 1-3 Kyoto
    • Day 4-5 Hakone
      Day 4-5 Hakone
    • Day 6-9 Tokyo
      Day 6-9 Tokyo
    View all days

    Cruise Add-On: Tides to Temples - 9 Days - Accommodation

    • Granvia
      Kyoto
      Granvia

      Superior

    • Motoyu Kansuiro
      Hakone
      Motoyu Kansuiro

      Superior

    • Park Hotel Tokyo
      Tokyo
      Park Hotel Tokyo

      Superior

    Cruise Add-On: Tides to Temples - 9 Days - Experiences

    • The Shinkansen bullet train
      The Shinkansen bullet train

      Read more >

    • Optional day trip to Nara
      Optional day trip to Nara

      Read more >

    • Tea ceremony
      Tea ceremony

      Read more >

    • Full day private guide service in Kyoto
      Full day private guide service in Kyoto

      Read more >

    • Views of Mount Fuji
      Views of Mount Fuji

      Read more >

    • Hot spring ryokan stay
      Hot spring ryokan stay

      Read more >

    • Full day private guide service in Tokyo
      Full day private guide service in Tokyo

      Read more >

    • Neon lights of Shinjuku
      Neon lights of Shinjuku

      Read more >

    • Day 1-3

      1-3

      Step into the past in traditional Kyoto

      Welcome to Japan! A private car will be waiting at Kobe Port to take you in comfort on the 2 hour journey to your hotel in Kyoto.

      On your first full day in the city we'll arrange for you to have a half day with a private guide to help you get around Kyoto to see the places you've always wanted to visit. During the afternoon you can swap temples for tea as you enjoy a private tea ceremony experience. If you have any requests of particularly places you'd like to see, let us know in advance and we can pass along your interests to your guide to ensure you have the best day possible.

      The following day you'll have a guided excursion to nearby Nara, which was the capital of Japan during the 8th century. These days it's a popular draw for visitors wanting to visit some of the oldest temples in the country, including Todai-ji Temple with its vast bronze Buddha statue, and its hordes of curious deer who've been known to interrupt a picnic or two…

      Your hotel will be within the impressive, award-winning Kyoto station building with easy access to the public transport network around the city.

      Overnight: Granvia

    • Day 4-5

      4-5

      Unwind in Hakone's hot spring pools

      This morning you'll take your first ride on the sleek Shinkansen bullet train as you speed east to Hakone, in the foothills of Mount Fuji. The hot spring resort of Hakone stretches along valleys and mountainsides around Lake Ashi, and is best enjoyed by making full use of the buses, mountain trains, and cable car that criss cross the area. Your included Hakone Freepass will be valid on all the transport, including the kitschy yet fun ‘pirate ship' cruise across the lake, which offers views of Mount Fuji on a clear day.

      In Hakone you'll be staying in an authentic ryokan inn that dates back to 1614. Ryokan inns have tatami mat flooring, and comfortable, traditional futon mattresses spread on the floor, and a highlight of any stay is the hot spring baths and the kaiseki cuisine, made up of course after course of exquisitely presented small dishes.

      Overnight: Motoyu Kansuiro

    • Day 6-9

      6-9

      Discover Tokyo's alluring mix of tradition and modernity

      Another Shinkansen bullet train will whisk you in style to Tokyo, your final destination. From upmarket shopping districts to raucous entertainment areas to serene parks and gardens and world-class galleries, Tokyo has more to do than you can possibly fit into a few days. That's why you'll have the services of a private guide on your first full day there to help you make sense of the vast yet surprisingly well-organized transport network. No matter your interests, your guide will be able to adjust the itinerary to suit your requirements.

      On the following day you can either continue to explore Tokyo at your leisure, or you might like to escape the hustle and bustle for a day trip to coastal Kamakura, majestic Nikko, or go for a leisurely hike up Mount Takao.

      Sadly all good things must come to an end, and on your final day we'll make the arrangements for a private car to take you from your central hotel out to the airport. We hope you have a safe flight.

      Overnight: Park Hotel Tokyo

    View all days
    • Day 1-3

      1-3

      Step into the past in traditional Kyoto

      Welcome to Japan! A private car will be waiting at Kobe Port to take you in comfort on the 2 hour journey to your hotel in Kyoto.

      On your first full day in the city we'll arrange for you to have a half day with a private guide to help you get around Kyoto to see the places you've always wanted to visit. During the afternoon you can swap temples for tea as you enjoy a private tea ceremony experience. If you have any requests of particularly places you'd like to see, let us know in advance and we can pass along your interests to your guide to ensure you have the best day possible.

      The following day you'll have a guided excursion to nearby Nara, which was the capital of Japan during the 8th century. These days it's a popular draw for visitors wanting to visit some of the oldest temples in the country, including Todai-ji Temple with its vast bronze Buddha statue, and its hordes of curious deer who've been known to interrupt a picnic or two…

      Your hotel will be within the impressive, award-winning Kyoto station building with easy access to the public transport network around the city.

      Overnight: Granvia

    • Day 4-5

      4-5

      Unwind in Hakone's hot spring pools

      This morning you'll take your first ride on the sleek Shinkansen bullet train as you speed east to Hakone, in the foothills of Mount Fuji. The hot spring resort of Hakone stretches along valleys and mountainsides around Lake Ashi, and is best enjoyed by making full use of the buses, mountain trains, and cable car that criss cross the area. Your included Hakone Freepass will be valid on all the transport, including the kitschy yet fun ‘pirate ship' cruise across the lake, which offers views of Mount Fuji on a clear day.

      In Hakone you'll be staying in an authentic ryokan inn that dates back to 1614. Ryokan inns have tatami mat flooring, and comfortable, traditional futon mattresses spread on the floor, and a highlight of any stay is the hot spring baths and the kaiseki cuisine, made up of course after course of exquisitely presented small dishes.

      Overnight: Motoyu Kansuiro

    • Day 6-9

      6-9

      Discover Tokyo's alluring mix of tradition and modernity

      Another Shinkansen bullet train will whisk you in style to Tokyo, your final destination. From upmarket shopping districts to raucous entertainment areas to serene parks and gardens and world-class galleries, Tokyo has more to do than you can possibly fit into a few days. That's why you'll have the services of a private guide on your first full day there to help you make sense of the vast yet surprisingly well-organized transport network. No matter your interests, your guide will be able to adjust the itinerary to suit your requirements.

      On the following day you can either continue to explore Tokyo at your leisure, or you might like to escape the hustle and bustle for a day trip to coastal Kamakura, majestic Nikko, or go for a leisurely hike up Mount Takao.

      Sadly all good things must come to an end, and on your final day we'll make the arrangements for a private car to take you from your central hotel out to the airport. We hope you have a safe flight.

      Overnight: Park Hotel Tokyo

    Close all days

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    How to book

    If you would like to book this Self-Guided Adventure, all you need to do is make an enquiry using our online form or give us a call at one of our offices in Bristol (UK), Boulder (USA), Brisbane (Australia) or Nagoya (Japan) to begin planning your holiday.

    There are no blackout dates for this trip. However, please be aware that at the busiest times of the year the named accommodation may not be available, in which case the price can not be guaranteed. However, we will always do our best to match the prices you see here as closely as possible.

    All of our Self-Guided Adventures are completely flexible, so if you like what you see here but would like to make a few changes - where it's to add in destinations, request special experiences, upgrade accommodation or plan extra nights - please don't hesitate to get in touch and one of our expert consultants will help you tailor a trip to suit you.

    Self-Guided Adventure Styles

    To help you get a feeling for our Self-Guided Adventures, we have divided the itineraries into four grades outlined below. Of course this style of travel is fully tailorable, so it’s not a problem to mix elements and grades to suit you!

    Essential Tailor-made

    Just the basics included so you can choose how much you spend

    Style Facts

    • Two- to three-star accommodation
    • No airport transfers (but a city transport pass and detailed airport transfer instructions are provided)
    • Ordinary class Japan Rail Passes
    • Breakfast every day plus some dinners
    • Cultural experiences

    Classic Tailor-made

    Mid-range hotels and Japanese inns, some private guiding and cultural experiences

    Style Facts

    • Three-star accommodation
    • Local professional guides for sightseeing in key destinations
    • Airport meet-and-greet and transfers
    • Ordinary class Japan Rail Passes
    • Breakfast every day plus some dinners
    • Cultural experiences

    Superior Tailor-made

    Enjoy in-depth cultural immersion while staying in high-quality accommodation

    Style Facts

    • Four- to five-star accommodation
    • Local professional guides for sightseeing in key destinations
    • Entrance fees and lunch included with the private guides
    • Private airport transfers
    • Green car (first class) Japan Rail Passes
    • Breakfast every day plus several lunches and dinners
    • In-depth cultural experiences

    Deluxe Tailor-made

    Luxurious hotels and Japanese inns, fine dining and exclusive experiences with a focus on comfort and ease of travel

    Style Facts

    • The very best five-star accommodation
    • Exclusive cultural experiences
    • Local professional guides with drivers and private cars for sightseeing in key destinations
    • Entrance fees and lunch included with the private guides
    • Private airport transfers
    • Private car transfers between stations and hotels
    • Green car (first class) reserved seat train tickets
    • Breakfast every day plus several lunches and dinners

    Contact us

    • GB Inside Japan UK office

      + 44 117 244 3380
    • US Inside Japan US office

      + 1 303 952 0379
    • AUS Inside Japan Australia office

      + 61 7 3186 8800
    • JAP Inside Japan - Japan office

      + 81 52 253 6068

    ABTA: Travel with confidence ASTA: American Society of Travel Agents Click for the Business Review of Inside Japan Tours, a Japan Specialist Tour Operator in Boulder CO ATOL: Air Travel Organisers Licensing ATAS AFTA AITO: Association of Independent Tour Operators ABTOT: The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust JATA logo ACTA logo

    Order a brochure or enquire today

    If you'd like any help or want to know more about Japan, feel free to either enquire today, give our Japan travel experts a call, or why not get one of our beautiful Japan brochures.

    Order a brochure Make an enquiry
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