Explore the Inland Sea – 11 day private escorted tour of Japan
Osaka, Kobe, Tokushima, Takamatsu, Kotohira, Matsuyama, Shimanami, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Tsuwano, Hagi, Iwami Ginzan, Izumo, Matsue, Yasugi, Kurashiki, Himeji
| Duration | 10 nights and 11 days |
| Departs | Any day that suits you |
| Price (land only) | From $8,272 per person (based on twin share – 4 or more travellers)
From $13,155 per person (based on twin share – 2 travellers) *Price is determined by the time you visit and hotel availability. |
Explore the Inland Sea on an 11 day private escorted tour of Japan. The idyllic scenery will take your breath away as you learn about the abundant history and local cultures of these areas. Taking in stunning gardens, Japan’s spiritual centre and original castles, this tour takes you away from the ordinary and into Japan’s past.
You can customise this itinerary to suit your wishes.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Osaka
Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport, clear customs and immigration. Your meeting assistant will escort you to your private taxi with chauffeur to take you direct to your accommodation in Kobe. Hotel rooms will be available from 3pm. For early arrivals, you can store your luggage at the hotel and have a look around Kobe.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kobe – 1 night
Day 2: Kobe – Tokushima – Takamatsu (B)
Venture by private vehicle with your private guide to the island of Shikoku. You’ll pass through the Awajishima Island and over the Onaruto Bridge. Visit Uzu-no-michi, an ocean promenade which provides a thrilling view of the naturally forming whirlpools in the Pacific Ocean. Next, head to the Awaodori Kaikan Museum before settling in to the hotel for the night.
Accommodation: Hotel in Takamatsu – 1 night
Day 3: Takamatsu – Kotohira – Matsuyama (B, L)
Private full day guided sightseeing tour of Takamatsu, Kotohira and Matsuyama by private vehicle. Visit Risturin Park and Kompirasan, the head shrine of the Kompira shrines. Experience cooking udon noodles then head to Matsuyama to visit Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and most famous onsens.
Accommodation: Hotel in Matsuyama – 1 night
Day 4: Matsuyama – Shimanami – Hiroshima (B)
Take a private guided sightseeing tour by private vehicle in Matsuyama and Shimanami. Visit Matsuyama Castle and the Shimanami-Kaido, a 60 kilometre toll road that connects Shikoku with Japan’s main island. The road takes you over 6 small islands of the Seto Inland Sea and you’ll enjoy a short cycling tour on Imabari Oshima Island.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hiroshima – 2 nights
Day 5: Hiroshima & Miyajima (B)
Take a private guided sightseeing tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima by public transport. Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine, known for its floating torii gate in the ocean.
Day 6: Hiroshima – Iwakuni – Yamaguchi (B)
Private guided tour of Iwakuni and Yamaguchi by private vehicle. The tour will visit Kintaikyo Bridge, then head to Akiyoshidai, a plateau with the hightest concentration of karst formations in Japan. Next make your way to Akiyoshido Cave, Japan’s largest and longest limestone cave.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yamaguchi – 1 night
Day 7: Yamaguchi – Tsuwano – Hagi (B, D)
Take a private guided tour of Tsuwano and Hagi by private vehicle. Visit Tonomachi Street in Tsuwano, see the pottery of Hagi and Shoin Shrine. You can experience painting porcelain for a unique souvenir from Japan.
Accommodation: Ryokan in Hagi – 1 night
Day 8: Hagi – Iwami Ginzan – Izumo – Matsue (B)
Take a full day private guided tour by private vehicle. Visit Iwami Ginzan, a World Heritage listed former silver mine and then Izumo Grand Shrine, home of the gods.
Accommodation: Hotel in Matsue – 1 night
Day 9: Matsue – Yasugi – Kurashiki – Okayama (B)
Enjoy a full day excursion with your private guide. Start the day with a short sightseeing tour of Matsue by foot stopping in to the original Matsue Castle and a stroll along the former samurai district, dropping in to one of the residences along the way. Next, go by private vehicle to the Adachi Museum of Art, voted the most beautiful garden in Japan for 16 consecutive years. Afterwards, head to Kurashiki to enjoy the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area.
*Note, that heavy luggage is transferred from your accommodation in Matsue to Osaka. Please pack your clothes and toiletries for a one night stay into an overnight bag or backpack.
Accommodation: Hotel in Okayama – 1 night
Day 10: Okayama – Himeji – Osaka (B)
After breakfast, depart for Himeji by bullet train. Visit the impressive Himeji Castle, a 400 year old castle recently refurbished. Proceed to Osaka by bullet train and tour the Umeda Sky Building with its Floating Garden Obervatory. Take a stroll around the Namba District later, visiting Dotombori.
Accommodation: Hotel in Osaka– 1 night
Day 11: Osaka – Kansai International Airport (B)
Your escorted tour finishes after breakfast. Transfer on your own to Kansai International Airport and head off to your next destination.
We can also arrange late check out, post-tour accommodation and any other arrangements if you wish to extend your stay in Japan after the tour concludes.
Highlights:
– Lake side castle town Matsue
– Stunning manicured Japanese Garden at Adachi Museum
– The mythical town Izumo
– The historic samurai towns Hagi & Tsuwano
– The spiritual island of Shikoku: Takamatsu, Kotohira, Dogo Onsen, and Matsuyama
– Peace city Hiroshima & sacred island Miyajima
– Impressive original castle of Himeji
Package Details:
| Duration | 10 nights and 11 days |
| Departure Dates | Any day that suits you |
| Route | Osaka, Kobe, Tokushima, Takamatsu, Kotohira, Matsuyama, Shimanami, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Tsuwano, Hagi, Iwami Ginzan, Izumo, Matsue, Yasugi, Kurashiki, Himeji, Osaka |
| Tour Type | Fully escorted private tour of Japan |
Package inclusions:
– 9 nights accommodation in a standard room in 3-4 star hotels, 1 night in a Ryokan
・ 1 night in a hotel in Kobe
・ 1 night in a hotel in Takamatsu
・ 1 night in a hotel in Matsuyama
・ 2 nights in a hotel in Hiroshima
・ 1 night in a hotel in Yamaguchi
・ 1 night in a ryokan in Hagi
・ 1 night in a hotel in Matsue
・ 1 night in a hotel in Okayama
・ 1 night in a hotel in Osaka
– Guide – English-speaking guide except for Day 1 and Day 11
– Meeting Assistant – English-speaking meeting assistant on Day 1
– Transport – Private taxi from Osaka airport to Kobe accommodation. Bullet train on Days 10. Private vehicles and public transport (train/bus) except for Day 1 and Day 11.
– Meals
・ 10 breakfasts (daily)
・ 1 lunch (Day 3)
・ 1 dinner (in Hagi)
– Luggage Delivery
・ 1 piece per person from Matsue to Osaka
Package exclusions:
– Flights: We will book your flights to match your itinerary.
*If you have already booked your flight, please provide us with your flight details or send us copies of e-tickets when you book/enquire.
– Meals: Except as mentioned in the Package inclusions.
– Personal expenses
– Travel insurance (contact us for a discounted rate)
– All other expenses unless mentioned in Package inclusions
Notes:
*A fair amount of walking is involved on this tour.
*Hotels are subject to change of the same category
*Daily schedule is subject to change due to weather, transport or any other unforeseen circumstances.
*Child reduction prices are also available, please contact us.
*Double rooms can be requested upon booking. Request-based only.
*Non-smoking rooms may not be available at some properties, in which case the rooms will be deodorised.
*Please note that some of the properties/restaurants on this tour may not be able to cater for special dietary requirements.
*The locations visited may involve a considerable amount of walking and climbing stairs. We recommend that travellers with disabilities be accompanied by their own assistant, capable of providing all necessary assistance.
*Please read our term and conditions.
