Highlights of China and Japan: Cherry Blossom Tour

Day 1

Beijing Capital Airport

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

Lake View Hotel Beijing 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

Beijing (Tiananmen Square / Forbidden City / Wangfujing Walking & Shopping Street with Peking Duck Lunch)

On your first day sightseeing in Beijing, start with the capital's central landmark: Tiananmen Square, situated just outside the famed Gate of Heavenly Peace. Wander around one of the largest public squares, amid hundreds of flowering planters, and don't forget to look for the Monument to the People's Heroes in the center of the Square. Then make your way around to the Meridian Gate to enter the Forbidden City. As the exclusive abode of China's imperial family for about five centuries, no one could enter the city except by the emperor's express permission. Now the ancient and beautiful buildings are now open to the viewing public, so visitors may explore many places with such glorious names as the Hall of Supreme Harmony or the Gate of Divine Prowess. Finally, walk one of most Beijing's most impressive commercial districts, Wangfujing Street. This long thoroughfare aims to be the equal of Paris' Champs Elysees, and is studded with name brand shops, including the Beijing Department Store and the Xinhua Bookstore Store. For lunch, enjoy one of the most delectable and well-known Chinese delicacies - Peking roast duck, prized for its crispy texture over the tender meat, carefully marinated in sweet seasoning.

Breakfast / Lunch

Lake View Hotel Beijing or similar class

Day 3

Beijing (Great Wall - Juyongguan Section / Ming Tombs)

After breakfast, take a trip to China's most famous national monument - the Great Wall. Nearest to Beijing is the section of the Wall located at Juyongguan, which is a narrow mountain pass. Called one of the three Impregnable Passes, the Juyong section of the Wall has been fortified as a military stronghold since the early Ming Dynasty. This pass is popular because it is one of the easiest to climb, and even has many wheelchair- accessible areas, so as many people can enjoy the exquisitly mantained buildings and carvings. Next, head over to another of China's UNESCO Heritage Sites - the Tombs of the Ming Emperors. This enormous necropolis holds 13 different Ming tombs, each built like large temples, which offer unique insight into Ming life and culture. Only 3 of the current Ming Tombs are open to the public.

Breakfast / Lunch

Lake View Hotel Beijing or similar class

Day 4

Free for leisure in the Morning, High Speed Rail from Beijing to Xian

The morning will be free for leisure time. At the designated time, we will transfer to the railway station for our trip to Xian by High Speed Rail to Xian. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and enjoy a delicious dinner before transferring to your hotel.

Breakfast / Dinner

Ramada Bell Tower Hotel Xian or similar class

Day 5

Xian (Terra-cotta Warrior Museum / Hua Qing Pool / Bell Tower with Dumpling Lunch)

Begin the day in Xian at the Museum of Terracotta Warriors. Built in the 2nd century BC to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, thousands of clay infantry, cavalry, and horses stand at attention in ready battle formation, each incredibly detailed, even to the point of having distinct facial features. After exploring the astoundingly detailed statues, move on to the Pool and Palace of Huaquing. Also referred to as the Huaqing Hot Springs, these bath houses were favored by numerous emperors, including the Tang Emperor Xuanzong and his consort, one of China's Four Great Beauties - Yang Guifei. A marble statue of Yang, with delicate form seeming to rise from the water, commemorating one of Chinese literature's most famous - and tragic - love stories. In the evening return to the city's historic center to see the Xian Bell Tower - a classically constructed symbol of old Xian. Two stories high, though with three golden sets of eaves, it worked in tandem with the nearby Drum Tower to maintain Chinese dominance in the area and warn of the coming of invaders. While in the area, enjoy a delicious lunch of Chinese dumplings - another cultural favorite.

Breakfast / Lunch

Ramada Bell Tower Hotel Xian or similar class

Day 6

Domestic Flight from Xian to Shanghai, Free for leisure in the afternoon.

At the designated time, transfer to the local Airport for your domestic flight to Shanghai. Then meet your local guide in the arrival hall and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Shanghai at your leisure.

Breakfast

Grand Mercure Baolong Hotel Shanghai or similar class

Day 7

Shanghai (The Bund / Yu Garden Old Town / Shanghai WFC Tower Observation Deck / Nanjing Road Walking Street)

Begin the day's journey through Shanghai by exploring The Bund - a large quay which abuts the Huangpu River. Standing along the shores of the Bund are a variety of buildings which feature different styles of European design. This architectural exhibition has given this area the nickname "The Museum of Buildings". Then head to the Old City of Shanghai, past traditional teahouses and curio shops, to explore the tranquil and prestigious Yu Garden. Built over 400 years ago by an imperial court official, this large garden features classical gardening techniques, as well as several old buildings including Huxinting Teahouse, which is still in use. Other features include a Great Rockery and a large pond full of koi fish. Then travel to the Observation Deck of the Shanghai World Financial Center Tower. It features a trapezoidal aperture near the top which gives the building a very futuristic appearance, and offers magnificent views of the city from the observation deck at the top of the aperture. Finally, take a walk down Nanjing Road - a huge shopping district in Shanghai roughly a century old, home to upscale fashion brands, electronics, books, or toys, with the addition of more traditional crafts like jade, embroidery, and silk.

Breakfast / Lunch

Grand Mercure Baolong Hotel Shanghai or similar class

Day 8

Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao International Airport, Osaka Kansai Airport

After breakfast, free for leisure until your transfer to Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao 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 after 11:00 AM. 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 9

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

Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Day 10

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

Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Day 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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.