Highlights of Taiwan and Japan: Cherry Blossom Tour

Day 1

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

Welcome to Taiwan! You will be met at the arrival gate by an AJT representative holding an "All Japan Tours" sign.

Amba Taipei Zhongshan Hotel or similar class

NOTE 1: The meet and greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available on the first day of the tour. If you plan to stay extra nights before the start of the tour, please contact us for the transfer if needed.

NOTE 2: If you wish to stay extra nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.

Day 2

Taroko National Park (Qingshui Cliff)

Begin the day with breakfast at your hotel, then take a drive to Taroko National Park. On the way, we will drive along Qingshui Cliffs, a Taiwan natural wonder stretching along the gorgeous Pacific coastline. Then we will take time to explore the Taroko National Park, taking in its incredible features. The star attraction is breathtaking Taroko Gorge, a beautiful gorge lined in marble stone, with a river rushing through a tree-lined canyon. Another must-see is the shrine of the Eternal Spring, one of the park's most stunning locations, where a charming shrine building sits prettily atop a waterfall, making for a picturesque scene.

Breakfast / Lunch

Taroko Liiko Hotels or similar class

Day 3

Sun Moon Lake (Shuttle Boat Tour / Maolanshan Tea Plantation Tea Tour)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then we depart Hualien and travel to majestic Sun Moon Lake. Taiwan's largest lake, Sun Moon Lake is so-called for it's shape, which has a rounded eastern shore like the sun, and a curved crescent western shore like the moon. Embark on a shuttle boat tour around the lake, which includes views of Lalu Island. The lake's only island is reserved for special religious practices and so cannot be visited, but the panoramic views of the lake are wonderful to behold. If the weather is clear, look out for the elegant spire of Ci En Pagoda. After lunch, we take a special tea tour of the nearby Maolanshan Tea Plantation, where we can walk around the local hiking trail and stop for a sip of refreshing Maolanshan tea. Then we return to our lakeside accommodation for a relaxing evening.

Breakfast / Lunch

Hotel Del Lago Sun Moon Lake or similar class

Day 4

Fenqihu (Old Market Street), Alishan National Forest (Forest Hike / Scenic Alishan Forest Railway)

Today, enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing Sun Moon Lake for Chiayi. On the way, we stop in Fenqihu for the old market street. While strolling through the old market filled with charming restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops, take time to find some delicious local snacks or a native souvenir before we stop for a traditional lunch. This afternoon, our focus turns to Taiwan's astounding natural beauty as we are heading to Alishan Mountain nestled in the ancient cypress forest. Hike through the verdant Alishan National Forest, an exhilarating walk that features breathtaking mountain scenery. Then we enjoy a relaxing ride through the mountains on the Alishan Forest Railway before heading to our hotel in Chiayi and a relaxing evening.

Breakfast / Lunch

Yuh Tong Hotel or similar class

Day 5

Taichung (Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden / Rainbow Village / National Taichung Theater / Gao-mei Wetland / Fengjia Night Market)

Start off with breakfast at the hotel before we depart Chiayi and head to Taichung. We visit the Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden. Built in the 1800s, this palatial mansion was home to one of Taiwan's most influential families, and included such buildings as a Tower of Prospective Fragrance, a Great Flower Hall, and a Hibiscus-Mirror Studio. Nearby is the Lin Family Garden, which is one of the island's prettiest, with a number of little picturesque features to search for while on your relaxing stroll. Enjoy a delightful lunch before we discover the beautiful Rainbow Village - a little town of surprising street art, with houses painted in a colorful, psychedelic style. From there we visit the National Taichung Theater, built in an ultra-modern architectural style which the architect envisioned as a grand whirlpool, where the construction acts as artistic complement to the galleries on display. Then we take in views of the Pacific at Gao-mei Wetland. This wetland preserve on the coast of Taichung city has a great strolling boardwalk offering sweeping views of the pacific coast. After, we explore Fengjia Night Market, Taiwan's largest night market, before a relaxing night at the hotel.

Breakfast / Lunch

In Sky Hotel Taichung or similar class

Day 6

Taipei (Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall / National Palace Museum / Taipei 101)

After breakfast, we continue our route back to Taipei. Our first stop is the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, which is one of Taiwan's major monuments. Considered a Founding Father of the modern state of Taiwan, Chiang Kai-Shek was a famed military general and president of China who administered his government from Taiwan. Many Taiwanese people hold him in especially high regard, and his memorial is a grand reflection of his legacy, with a large bronze statue seated under an opulent pagoda. After lunch, we visit the National Palace Museum, a magnificent museum complex boasting an expansive collection peering back through 8,000 years of Chinese art. Finally, the tour proceeds to the Taipei 101 shopping mall, which is located in the tallest tower in the city and at one time tallest in the world. The shopping mall on the lower levels offers a perfect chance at finding that perfect memento from your vacation. After, we return to the hotel for a last relaxing night in Taipei.

Breakfast / Lunch

Amba Taipei Zhongshan Hotel or similar class

Day 7

Taiwan Taoyuan Airport - Osaka Kansai Airport

After breakfast, free for leisure until your transfer to Taoyuan International Airport for your flight to Japan. Upon arrival Osaka, an AJT representative will meet you at the arrival gate holding an "All Japan Tours" sign.

Breakfast

Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport or similar class
Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class (NOTE 4)

NOTE 3: The meet and greet is ONLY available for flights arriving in Terminal 1. For guests arriving in Terminal 2, airport pickup is not included, but and we will provide you with directions to get to your hotel in advance.

NOTE 4: If you wish to stay in the center of Osaka instead of Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport, we can arrange for you to stay at Hotel Elsereine Osaka (or similar class). In this case, airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you directions to get to your hotel in advance.

Day 8

Nara (Todai-ji Temple / Nara Deer Park), Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Shrine / Green Tea Ceremony with Maiko Interaction)

This morning you will travel to Nara, the oldest capital city of Japan, by private coach. We will first visit Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in Japan. The temple also houses one of the largest bronze statues of Buddha at 16.3 meters high. Just outside the temple grounds is the Nara Deer Park, filled with over 1,000 Sika deer, where you can greet and feed them deer crackers. We continue our tour to Kyoto, where we will visit the stunning vermilion colored Fushimi Inari Shrine, whose 4km long tunnel of scarlet torii gates was featured in the film "Memoirs of a Geisha". This complex wraps around a bamboo wilderness that includes mountains, streams, and ponds, the perfect backdrop for a scenic hike. Finally, you will partake in a traditional green tea ceremony, where you will also have the chance to meet a maiko. A maiko is simply an apprentice geisha. There will be photo taking opportunities and time to interact with the maiko.

Breakfast / Lunch

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel or similar class

Day 9

Kyoto (Arashiyama - Tenryuji Temple Zen Garden - Sagano Bamboo Forest / Golden Pavilion / Nishijin Kimono Show / Kiyomizu Temple / Maruyama Park / Gion Geisha District)

Today, we will continue our tour of Kyoto, the former capital of Japan and arguably its biggest cultural center. First, you will go to Arashiyama, well known for its natural scenery and popular during the spring and fall season. Visit the Zen garden of the Tenryuji Temple, which is ranked first among the city's five great Zen temples. Afterwards, enjoy a pleasant walk through the Sagano Bamboo Forest. We will then make our way to the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), a temple with two floors completely covered with 18 carat gold leaves. Next, you will have the chance to see an elegant kimono fashion show at the Nishijin Textile Center and learn how kimonos are made. Our next attraction is the famous Kiyomizu Temple, best known for its wooden stage that extends from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. The stage affords visitors a nice view of numerous cherry and maple trees below, as well as a beautiful scene of Kyoto in the distance. From Kiyomizu Temple, we will head to Maruyama Park, which is one of the most popular places for cherry blossom viewing (hanami) in Kyoto. Lastly, we will tour Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. Here, you will find many restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where maiko and geisha entertain.

Breakfast / Dinner

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel or similar class

Day 10

Koka (Miho Museum), Hikone (Hikone Castle - Genkyuen Garden), Shinkansen Bullet Train Ride

This morning, we will visit the famous Miho Museum. The Miho Museum is known for its stunning architecture that allows visitors to appreciate the surrounding nature and natural light. It exhibits many works from different ancient civilizations. There is also a tunnel that leads from the museum to a road lined with hundreds of cherry blossom trees. It was designed by the renowned architect, I. M. Pei, and is named after Koyama Mihoko, one of the richest women in Japan and the founder of the museum. The group will continue to Hikone to visit Hikone Castle, an attractive hanami spot during the cherry blossom season. Hikone Castle is an original castle, meaning it has survived the post feudal era without undergoing destruction and reconstruction. It is regarded as a national treasure next to four other castles, the highest designation a cultural property can receive. Afterwards, visit the tranquil Genkyuen Garden, located on the grounds of Hikone Castle. Next, our group will experience a Shinkansen bullet train ride, which can reach speeds of up to 300 km/hr. Tonight, you will stay at the Onsen Hotel at Hamanako Kanzaiji Onsen, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a spa bath (onsen) and feast on a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Breakfast / Dinner

The Hamanako or similar class

Note: If Miho Museum is close, we will visit Kyoto National Museum or Sagawa Art Museum instead.

Day 11

Hakone (Hakone Ropeway / Owakudani), Mt Fuji, Tokyo (Shibuya - Shibuya Crossing - Hachiko Statue)

After enjoying a Japanese breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Hakone and take a 20 minute ropeway from Togendai to Owakudani. Much of the area here is considered an active volcanic zone since its creation from the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. There, you can experience hot springs and bubbling pools, where sulfurous fumes and steam vents still linger. Owakudani also has splendid views of Mount Fuji during pleasant weather conditions. From Hakone, we will proceed to Mt. Fuji on our private coach. Along the way, enjoy the changing scenery, from thick vegetation to lowlands and rolling clouds. We will stop at the Mt. Fuji 5th station (depending on the weather) to admire the world famous peak. In the afternoon, we will travel to Tokyo. Our final stop of the day will be in Shibuya. There, you will get to see the famed Shibuya Crossing in action and cross the street with the crowd. You will also be able to take photos with the Hachiko Statue, a monument dedicated to Japan's most loyal dog, which continued for nine years after his owner's death.

Breakfast / Lunch

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class

Day 12

Tokyo (Asakusa Sensoji Temple / Ueno Park / Sushi Making Experience / Tsukiji Outer Market / Imperial Palace / Tokyo Tower)

Today, you will be taken to the Asakusa Kannon Temple, an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. You will also be able to explore the Nakamise Market, which is located right after the temple's outer gates. It is a traditional-style shopping street with centuries of history. Continue to Ueno Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot with more than 1,000 cherry trees. Afterwards, you will be able to participate in a sushi making experience with a professional sushi chef. Whatever you make, you will get to enjoy for lunch! Our group will continue to the Tsukiji Outer Market, which is lined with shops that sell fresh produce and other food-related goods. Then we will proceed to the Imperial Palace, the former site of Edo Castle and current residence of Japan's Imperial Family. It is surrounded by moats and stone fortifications, located in the heart of Tokyo. In the afternoon, we will visit Tokyo Tower, the world's tallest self supporting steel tower standing at 333 meters high. You will get to tour 150 meters up to the main observatory and enjoy a bird's eye view of Tokyo.
Note: For Sushi Making Experience, if you are vegetarian, on gluten-free diets, have seafood allergy, or don't eat raw fish, please contact us for other ingredient options.

Breakfast / Lunch

Hotel Mystays Premier Narita or similar class
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class (NOTE 5 & 6)

NOTE 5: If you wish to stay in the center of Tokyo for the last night instead of Hotel Mystays Premier Narita, we can arrange for you to stay at Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro (or similar class). In this case, airport transfer is not included. We will provide full instructions for you to get to the airport in advance, or we can arrange shared shuttle service for you at US$65.00 per person per way.

NOTE 6: If you will be flying out from Haneda Airport (HND) instead of Narita Airport (NRT), we can arrange for you to stay at Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro (or similar class) instead of Hotel Mystays Premier Narita. In this case, airport transfer is not include. We will provide full instructions for you to get to the airport in advance, or we can arrange shared shuttle service for you at US$60.00 per person per way.

Day 13

Tour Ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am and Narita Airport can be reached by hotel shuttle bus.

Breakfast

NOTE 7: If you would like to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.