Shogun Trail

Arrive in Tokyo, the ultra-modern capital of Japan.

For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6.30pm for the welcome meeting. If some of the group are arriving on later flights then the main introductory briefing will be conducted on the morning of day 2 with everybody present. After this for those interested we will head out for dinner where you can get to know your fellow travellers. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Tokyo at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita Airport (NRT). The city centre is around an hour away from Haneda Airport and an hour and a half from Narita. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

Over one-quarter of the Japanese population live within a 50 km radius of the centre of Tokyo, making it the most populous metropolitan area in the world. The result is a bustling and exciting city - the economic powerhouse of Asia. However, scratching its neon-clad surface reveals a city bursting with history and tradition. We start our sightseeing with a morning stroll to Tokyo's oldest temple, Senso-ji, in Asakusa, a great introduction to Tokyo's unique culture. We then board a boat for a short journey along the Sumida River. Gaining a totally different perspective of the city, we drift past high rise apartments, secluded gardens and busy warehouses. After arriving in the heart of the city we visit Hamarikyu Gardens.

After some free time for lunch we visit Meiji shrine. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to seek out other areas of this fascinating city such as the trendy back streets of Harajuku, the busiest crossing in the world at Shibuya, or the skyscraper district of Shinjuku with the latest electronic gadgets.

This evening we have dinner included at a nearby local restaurant where you will have the chance to sample various types of 'izakaya' style Japanese cuisine.

Today, we spend the day exploring Hakone National Park - home to the towering Mount Fuji - after a 2.5hour drive in our private bus from Tokyo. Although distances are short, we use a variety of forms of transport including bus, boat and cable car as we make our way initially to the hot, bubbling sulphur springs at Owakudani - a volcanic crater formed during the last eruption of Mount Hakone. From here, on a clear day, there are magnificent views of the snow-capped mountain that is so synonymous with Japan. Whilst at the springs, you may wish to join the locals in eating an egg boiled in the sulphur pools - just one is reputed to increase life expectancy by seven years! Our next stop is Lake Ashi, a magnificent lake created from the eruption of the Hakone Volcano over 3000 years ago. A short boat ride takes us to Moto Hakone where you may choose to relax in one of the lakeside restaurants.

In Hakone, we are accommodated in a traditional inn, known as a ryokan, where we sleep on comfortable, folding futon mattresses. During our stay, we learn about local etiquette, such as when to take off our shoes and the pleasures of taking a Japanese bath, all of which helps enhance our stay in this traditional establishment.

We include the luggage forwarding service today to ship our main bags to Kyoto to travel light with an overnight bag. Please refer to the Trip Information; Budgeting and packing; Luggage on tour section for more information.

Leaving the mountains behind us, we catch a local bus to Odawara where we board the world-famous 'Bullet Train', or Shinkansen, to Kyoto - the cradle of all things uniquely Japanese, arriving around midday. This imperial capital was at the heart of events that shaped Japan's destiny for more than 1000 years. As the only major Japanese city to remain unscathed by World War II bombings, signs of the past are in its grand temples and palaces, and also in the many quaint shops selling traditional wares. This afternoon, we head to the famous geisha district of Gion. Here, we hope to catch a glimpse of these enigmatic entertainers as they scuttle to work in the teahouses or high-class restaurants, and we'll meet with an apprentice (maiko) for a private tea and get the chance to interact, ask questions and take photos.

Kyoto is regarded as Japan's loveliest city, with more than 2000 temples and shrines, many set in manicured landscaped gardens. We start with the Ryoan-ji Temple with its beautiful Zen gardens and famous rock garden. The exact history of the gardens is uncertain but the temple was converted from an aristocrat's villa in 1450. Whilst in the gardens try testing out the theory that at least one of the rocks is hidden from every vantage point. We then explore the famous Golden Pavilion. The temple is a three storey building with the top two tiers covered in gold leaf. Set in a lake the building appears to float on the water and the reflections, coupled with the background of forest make it worthy of its place on many Japanese postcards. We will also visit Nijo Castle. Built in 1603 as a Shogun palace, it is a great example of the sumptuous setting in which the Shogun would have held audiences with his samurai warriors. The grounds and gates are impressive but the real highlights are the nightingale floors and the extensive gardens. There is also time to stroll along Kyoto's charming streets and tree-lined canals, simply soaking up its unique atmosphere and your Explore Leader will take you to some of their own favourite sites while exploring Japan's former capital.

Today is left free for your own personal exploration of wonderful Kyoto. For an option outside of the city, it is possible to take an trip to nearby Nara, a journey of 45 minutes each way by train. Nara is one of Japan's greenest cities and is home to the Todai-ji Temple, until very recently the world's largest wooden building, it is also home to a giant bronze Buddha statue. All of Nara's highlights can be explored by foot so it makes for an easy day's exploration.

An early morning Shinkansen train takes us to Hiroshima, where we will spend the morning exploring this thought-provoking city in our own time. Completely destroyed on 6th August 1945, when it was the target of the first atomic bomb to be used in wartime, Hiroshima has literally risen from the ashes, and is now a thriving, friendly and welcoming city.

We plan a visit to The Peace Memorial Park and the well-presented museum on the site of the 1945 A-bomb hypocentre. Whilst serving as poignant reminders of the nuclear holocaust, their over-whelming message is of hope that such horrors will never reoccur. Travel around the city is easy, thanks to the provision of colourful street trams, brought in from all over Japan after the war.

This afternoon, we regroup continue our journey to Nagasaki by both Shinkansen and the excellent local train service, where we will spend the next two nights. This is a city with an eventful history and was, of course, the target of the second atomic bomb attack on Japan. In a cruel twist of fate, the city bore the unimaginable brunt of a last-minute change of plan, when the preferred target of Kokura was obscured by cloud.

We include the luggage forwarding service today to ship our main bags to Nagasaki to travel light. Note that the bags will arrive tomorrow so you will need to travel with an overnight bag. Please refer to the Trip Information; Budgeting and packing; Luggage on tour section for more information.

This morning the tour leader will lead an orientation tour of Nagasaki, which, for long periods in its history has served as Japan's main contact with the outside world. In the 16th century, the city became established as the main trade point with the Portuguese. As well as providing wealth from trade, the Portuguese introduced Christianity. After almost a century of turmoil, the religion was banned, foreign traders were expelled, and Japan closed its doors to the West.

The one exception was the artificial island in Nagasaki harbour, Dejima. This small, closely guarded enclave was the site of the Dutch Trading Mission, which remained Japan's only contact with the outside world for almost 200 years. During our visit here, we can see that some of the original features remain, as well as some excellent reconstructions of the 18th century buildings. Continuing our tour in the Glover Gardens, we will see fine foreign residences of the Meiji period and enjoy impressive views over Nagasaki Harbour, perhaps the most scenic harbour view in Japan.

The afternoon has been left free to explore this historic city in your own time. You may choose to visit Gunkanjima 'battleship island' Museum, Nagasaki Peace Park and Museum, Central Nagasaki and the Spectacles Bridge area, China Town or Mount Inasa - one of the 'three greatest night time views in Japan'.

This morning we travel by private coach along a scenic road through the Higashi-Sonogi tea growing region. We'll stop at a terraced tea plantation and walk through the fields to the tea farmer's house. There'll be an opportunity to sample some of the brew including green 'Sencha' and roasted 'Hojicha' teas before enjoying a traditional style lunch with the local tea farmers. After lunch we continue our journey north to Hirado Island, on arrival before checking in to our accommodation we will visit Kameoka shrine and park as well as Hirado Castle. Hirado city prospered as a castle town for almost 500 years. Its excellent port enabled it to become the central stage for trade with China, Holland and Portugal from the 17th century. The next two nights are spent in a simple Ryokan or japanese style accommodation with futon-style beds and the chance to take another hot spring bath. Dinner will be a traditional Kaiseki Ryori - Japanese multi-course meal.

We include the luggage forwarding service once again today to ship our main bags to Fukuoka in order to travel light, packing our rucksacks for the two-night stay on the island of Hirado. Please refer to the Trip Information; Budgeting and packing; Luggage on tour section for more information.

Today, we will explore the pristine and unspoiled islands of Hirado and Ikitsuki, connected by an impressive 400 metre-long bridge which happens to be the longest truss bridge in the world. Accompanied by a local expert on a full day tour in our charter mini-bus, we will discover rural Japan and take in the remote countryside of the Hidden Christians. Lunch today is a locally sourced Japanese bento box. Along the island shores, fishing remains one of the main occupations, but we also have the opportunity to learn about traditional industries along the way. We will discover the wonderful Matsura museum, housed in the former residence of the Matsura family who ruled the area from the 13th Century. On our journey, we will gain views of the spectacular coastlines and towering cliffs on these beautiful islands.

This morning we will travel in our mini-bus to Sasebo where we enjoy spectacular views on a relaxing cruise through the fabled 'Ninety Nine Islands'. In actual fact, 208 islands, mostly uninhabited, lie alongside the indented saw-toothed coastline. Later we travel by local train (2hrs) to Fukuoka where we spend the night, the last stop on our Shogun Trail. The rest of the afternoon is left free for sightseeing and gift or souvenir shopping.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Fukuoka.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Fukuoka at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel, while you head for some last minute shopping or sightseeing. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Fukuoka Airport (FUK) which is around 20 minutes away. The transfer will be by public transport on the metro and the Tour Leader will give instructions and your ticket for you to make the journey unescorted.