JAPANESE SCENES END SAPPORO - EUROPAMUNDO

Meals

• Greetings from Japan! Transfer to the hotel via coach (SHUTTLE BUS). We will pay a visit to this intriguing country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku neighborhood in the late afternoon and witness the throngs of people that utilize this cutting-edge and effective communal transport system. One of the most significant areas for nightlife is Shinjuku.
• Dinner is included.
• Transfer to your hotel.

Meals

• After breakfast in the morning, we take part in a 5-hour trip with our guide to see this amazing city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with quiet, peaceful areas.
• A brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to take a beautiful photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Pay attention to the hundreds of Jizos, stone traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those who are weak (such as children) and those in dangerous places, and who are dressed including hats, robes, and windmills.
• Then we head to the junction of Shibuya, a junction that is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji Temple is dedicated to Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits. We continue on our bus along the elegant street of Omotesando.
• We will edge the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and the gardens. Stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. We will pass through the district of Akihabara, the “electric town” with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture, and then see Kokugi Kan, the Sumo stadium, home of this Japanese sport.
• We will also visit the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo, with its 55-meter-high pagoda.
• Then we will have some free time to visit the traditional commercial street of Nakamise in the district of Asakusa.
• Return to the hotel.
• Overnight stay at hotel.    
• Meals; Breakfast, Lunch
• NOTE: During the Japanese Olympics, accommodation may be given near Narita airport.

Meals

• After breakfast, transfer to the station to board the BULLET TRAIN for HIROSHIMA. The 800 kilometers between the two cities may be covered in around four hours. Arrival in Hiroshima. Sadly, this city is famous for being completely levelled by an atomic bomb in 1945.
• We will take a trip past the Peace Memorial, the Bomb Dome, and the spectacular Museum of Peace.
• Later we will travel by ferry to the island "where men and gods live together," where the sanctuary of ITSUKUSHIMA honors the sea guardian and is partially submerged in the water. It's time to go to the temple, meander through its charming Centre, and eat lunch. 
• Dinner is included, Return to our hotel in Hiroshima.

Meals

• After breakfast, we are boarding the ferry to Shikoku Island, where we'll have 2.5 hours of sightseeing the various islands that make up Japan. We'll ride the cable car to reach MATSUYAMA's magnificent castle. Then, we'll go to the renowned Buddhist temple and shrine known as ISHITEJI.
• Lunch is included.
• We will go to DOGO ONSEN, a nineteenth-century traditional Japanese bathhouse, in the late afternoon (entry is free).
• Over night stay at the hotel.

Meals

• After breakfast, we will depart towards KOTOHIRA, a well-liked pilgrimage site in honor of the God of Sailors and a Shinto shrine. To reach the shrine, which is situated on Mount Zosu, one must ascend 785 stairs.
• The next stop is RITSURIN in TAKAMATSU, one of Japan's most exquisite gardens.
• Lunch is included.
• We next cross a spectacular sea bridge at NARUTO, stopping along the way to admire the structure and walk on its glass floor with the water 45 meter's below us. Our route traverses beautiful farmland and extensive coastal bridges that connect islands.
• Arrival in KOBE, over night stay at the hotel.

Meals

• After breakfast, we will proceed to visit the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum, which honors the devastating earthquake that devastated the city in 1995 and its immaculate reconstruction. On specific days, the Sake Museum or a climb up the Kobe Tower may be swapped out for the Earthquake Museum.
• Then we moving  to Osaka! From here, we'll go to MOUNT KOYA, one of Japan's holiest mountains and the country's principal Shingon Buddhist Centre. This magnificent mountain has 120 shrines and monasteries, making it a popular destination for pilgrims.
• We will visit the Okuno Mausoleum, a sizable, remote cemetery with more than 200,000 graves.
• The 1593-built Kongobuji Temple is our next stop. This evening, we're visiting a Buddhist monastery. With the monks, we'll partake in a Zen meditation (Ajikan). Dinner is included (vegetarian food). If you choose to go, there is an early morning religious service at the temple. We consider our stay in the monastery to have been a profound existential experience. The hotel's small, non-bathroom rooms are styled in traditional Japanese way with tatamis. Public restrooms are available.

Meals

• This morning after Japanese's breakfast at the temple we leave early for KYOTO, where we shall stay all day. Between 794 and 1868, KYOTO, where the Imperial Court is situated, served as Japan's capital. Kyoto's rich creative heritage has survived since it was the only important Japanese city to escape bombing during World War II. The renowned Kyoto Protocol reducing greenhouse gas emissions was ratified in 1997. One of the city's most significant neighborhoods is visited during the tour.
• Later we will take a tour of the Imperial Palace, the magnificent Kinkakuji temple, popularly called "the golden pavilion," the Shinto shrine of Fushimi Inari, and its wonderful gardens. Before visiting GION, a lively traditional area well-known for its geisha, take advantage of some free time. Note: If Kyoto was a stop on your tour, our guide will provide you tips and information about exploring the rest of the city on your own.

Meals

• After breakfast, we will  travel to TSUMAGO enjoying lovely rural landscapes along the way. One of the finest spots in Japan is this small town with its wooden cottages. Lunch is included, as well as free time to explore. Then we travel to MATSUMOTO, a popular tourist destination, where we will see the magnificent "Crow Fortress," a 16th century castle, in person. Free hour to tour this hopping tourist destination.
• Over night stay in the NAGANO.

Meals

• After breakfast, we will go to The Zenko-ji, a temple that houses the first Japanese Buddhist statue. is located in NAGANO. Here the Gomakuyo ceremony, intended to bring luck, will be performed for our travelers.
• After that, we will take a trip to the stunning Japanese Alps and visit the JIGOKUDANI Monkey Park, where we'll have lunch and take a stroll through the forests, rivers, and spa waters where colonies of Japanese macaques reside and take baths.
• After that, we travel up to 2,172 meter's in elevation passing through stunning scenery and partially active volcanoes. We will arrive in KUSATSU is a charming resort town with a bustling central plaza.
• We will experience Yumomi performance, where the actresses and singers will educate us on the conventional technique used to cool the bath waters.
• After that, we take a stroll through the city park, where there is an outdoor Onsen (Hot spring).
• Then we will travel to IKAHO, a charming spa town, where we'll stroll through its historic district with its staircase streets.
• We will end our day by a enjoying relaxing bath at the hotel's baths while staying in a RYOKAN (a Japanese-style hotel).
• We have also arranged for a traditional supper to enjoy Japanese delicacies. 
• Kindly note: The monkeys' movements in the autumn are erratic and depend on the availability of fruit in the highlands. The park might be closed if the macaques don't descend to it. From November through April, the Yumoni show and the visit to Kusatsu are postponed because of the weather.
• Over night stay at the hotel 

Meals

• After breakfast, we leave for NIKKO and arrive at this fantastic city at 10.30am. There we will visit the impressive Nikko Toshogu Shrine with the room of the crying dragon.
• Then we will proceed to Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, set in an impressive, peaceful site, followed by a walk near the river, in Kannanga Fuchi, under the watchful eye of hundreds of Jizo statues!
• Free time in the city Centre before leaving for SENDAI, a modern, bustling city with over 1 million inhabitants. Passengers can explore the city and have dinner in its busy, thriving Centre.
• Overnight stay at hotel.

Meals

• After breakfast we depart for the marvelous city of MATSHUSHIMA, on the “Thousand Islands” Bay in the Pacific Ocean and considered one of the most attractive cities in Japan.
• After arriving, we will visit a magnificent “tea house” overlooking the sea and enjoy a cup of traditional tea while our guide tells us about the city. Then we will go on a 50-minute cruise (included).
• Lunch is included.
• We continue to HIRAIZUMI to visit its temples and the UNESCO World Heritage. In a first step we visit the magnificent Buddhist temples of Chusonji. We take time to relax in the gardens of Motsuiji temple, where passengers can take part in a Zen ceremony (admission included).
• Finally, we will know Site of Takkoku no Iwaya, carved in the rock in 801. We then carry on to MORIOKA, the pleasant capital of Iwate province, where we settle in at our hotel and have some free time to explore.
• Overnight stay at hotel

Meals

• After breakfast, we travel to HIROSAKI, where we will visit its castle in a beautiful park where more than 2,500 cherry trees blossom in the spring.
• After this we go on to AOMORI, the provincial capital of the Bay of Mutsu. We will see the Nebuta Museum where we will learn about the Japanese traditional parties that remind us of carnival, with their painted and lit up floats. Lunch included in a local restaurant.
• Then we board the ferry to HOKKAIDO Island. The crossing takes just over three and a half hours.
• HAKODATE –Arrival-. Before going to our hotel, we will ascend Mount Hakodate, which has wonderful views. We make the descent by cable car. Time in the beautiful city pedestrian Centre in which to admire the influence of other cultures in the city (Russian Orthodox and Christian churches).
• Overnight stay at hotel

Meals

• After breakfast, we visit the impressive and busy fish market. Then we climb the GORYOKAKU Tower with its impressive views, from where we can make out the star-shaped fortress of Hakodate.
• Then we will take a stroll through the castle area before continuing to ONUMA.
• Free time in this wonderful tourist site, with its countless small islands in which to explore the islands, go on a boat trip.
• Lunch is included.
• In the afternoon our journey takes us towards the ocean and NOBORIBETSU, an impressive volcano site, where we can walk amidst geysers in Jigoku Dani (Hell’s Valley), admire the hot spring lake of Oyunuma and follow the path next to the hot spring to the site of the footbath. Then we carry on to SAPPORO.
• At the end of the day, we arrive at this beautiful city, the capital of North Japan.
• Overnight stay at hotel

Meals

• After breakfast, City tour (included) stopping at the clock tower and Odori Koen avenue-park, dominated by the telecommunications tower.
• We will see the beautiful Shinto shrine of Hokkaido Jingu. The visit includes a ceremonial Kito (prayer session) in which we give thanks for the journey
• Lunch is included.
• We will leave Sapporo, we know the HILL OF BUDDHA, new centre of avant-garde architecture opened in 2015, the hill covered with lavenders keeps the giant statue of Buddha, in the complex we will also see the replica of the statues Moai (Easter Island).
• We then continue to OTARU, a small city with a European air and streets filled with shops, an old canal, and tiny museums.
• We return to Sapporo at about 4.30 hrs. Free time in the afternoon.
• Overnight stay at hotel

Meals

• After breakfast, proceed to airport on your own for your flight back to Indian 

• Europamundo General Services: Travel by bus with English speaking guide, basic travel insurance and breakfast buffet.
• Includes arrival transfer
• City tour in: TOKYO, KYOTO, SAPPORO
• Excursion: Otaru and Hill of Buddha
• Boat: Cruise in Matshushima
• Evening transfer: Shinjuku , Traditional quarter of Gion
• Ticket admission: Metro, Zojoji Temple, Meiji Temple, Sensoji Temple , Peace Museum in Hiroshima , Dogo Onsen, Ishiteji Temple , Shinto shrine , Ritsurin Garden , Naruto Brigde , Earthquake Memorial Museum , Okuno Mausoleum,Kongobuji Temple and Ajikan or Zazen meditation in Mount Koya , Shrine of Fushimi Inari, Imperial Palace, Kinkaku-ji Temple , Matsumoto Castle , Zenko-ji Temple, Gomakuyo ceremony,Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano , Yumomi performance in Kusatsu , Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum in Nikko , Traditional tea in Matshushima , Chusonji, Zen practice in Montsuiji, Takkoku no Iwaya Temple , Castle , Nebuta Museum in Aomori , Goryokaku Tower in Hakodate , Sanctuary of Hokkaido Jingu and Kito prayer session , Ainu Village Museum (Pirko Kotan)
• Ferry: Hiroshima - Miyahima, Hiroshima- Matsuyama , Aomori  Hakodate (Hokkaido Island)
• Funicular: Matsuyama castle, Hakodate Mountain
• High speed train: Tokyo - Hiroshima
• 8 Lunch included in: TOKYO, MATSUYAMA, TAKAMATSU, TSUMAGO, NAGANO, MATSUSHIMA, AOMORI, SAPPORO
• 4 dinner included in: TOKYO, HIROSHIMA, MOUNT KOYA, IKAHO

• Govt. service tax of 5% is applicable on total billing (GST will be applicable as per Govt regulation)
• TCS
• All Flight Tickets / All Train Tickets.
• Excludes Visa charges.
• Any increase in the rate of exchange leading to an increase in all land arrangement which may come into effect prior to departure.
• Cost of extension of the validity or deviation from route of your air ticket.
• Porterage, Tips, laundry, telephone charges, all items of person, all nature and food and drinks not forming part of the group menus.
• Anything not specifically mentioned in ‘What your Tour Price includes’ box.
• Taxes as applicable to be paid extra on the total tour price.
• If the payment is through Credit Card, extra charges 2.5% on the total billing