Japan Winter Wonder

4.4

44 reviews

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The one that fuses the best of ancient & modern Japan in 10 magical days

Travel Style

In-Depth Explorer

Take your time and explore in-detail each destination on this trip. Find out more

Duration

10 days
Places

5 places
Meals

9 Breakfasts
Transport Style

Mini-Coach + Train
Group Size

Max 20 people
Team

Expert Trip Manager and Local Guides

Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Hakone

Where I'll Stay?

Learn more about the accommodation available on this trip

9 nights

All accommodation is included on this trip

9 nights in Hotel

You'll spend this tasty adventure in twin-share hotel accommodation. Think comfy, cosy, and in sweet locations.

About this trip

Say konnichiwa to the land of sushi, samurai & sake. In a land where ancient and modern collide, this trip will take you from temples & teppanyaki to geishas, gardens & miniature deers. Yep, your head's spinning already, and that's before we've even mentioned go kart riding through the streets of Tokyo dressed as your favourite superhero...

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Map & Itinerary

Start location
End location
Trip day
Via location
River route
Plane route

Nights spent per location

2 2 nights
Osaka
2 2 nights
Kyoto
2 2 nights
Hiroshima
2 2 nights
Tokyo
via via
Hakone
1 1 night
Tokyo

DAY 1 - Arrive Osaka

Osaka

Konnichiwa friends, and welcome to the land of the rising sun. Famed for its beauty, culture, cuisine and just a touch of crazy, this is one trip you won't be forgetting any time soon. Get settled into your hotel before joining forces with your Trip Manager & travel crew & head out to explore the local area.

Stay

Monterey Grasmere Hotel (or similar)

DAY 2 - Osaka

Osaka

Universal Studios, Osaka Castle, iconic Dōtonbori - today is yours to take on Osaka as your heart desires. History lovers can experience a slice of the past at the 16th-century Osaka Castle, one of the city's best known landmarks, or those keen for a little slice of Shinto could experience Sumiyoshi-taisha, one of the country's oldest Shinto shrines. This evening, why not get to know your new travel friends over our Free Time Add-On foodie experience? We'll be heading to an Izakaya in the bustling hub of Dotonburi. These traditional little restaurants are like a trip back in time, with rice beer, sake & locals finishing up their days. Still not done for the day? We sense some traditional Japanese PATI (that's Japanese for partying) and karaoke may be on the cards....

Stay

Monterey Grasmere Hotel (or similar)

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Izakaya Welcome Dinner

JPY 4300

DAY 3 - Osaka to Kyoto

Osaka

Tuck in to your tasty breakfast this morning, you're going to need the food fuel for a full day in Kyoto.

Kyoto

Arriving into Kyoto, we'll kick things off with a guided tour of this beautiful, traditional city. Take in the sights of the city including temples, gardens, colourful shrines & world famous geisha girls. This evening is free for you to get to know Kyoto your way, most likely trying out local cuisine in the Shirakawa area & getting to grips with the buzzy Kyoto nightlife.

Stay

New Miyako Hotel (or similar)

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Guided sightseeing in Kyoto - Kinkakuji Temple (the Golden Pavilion), Nijyo-castle, Sanjyusangendo temple

DAY 4 - Kyoto

Kyoto

Didn't feel like you had enough time yesterday to really get under the skin of this utterly unique city? We've got good news for you - today is completely free for Kyoto adventuring. Ask your Trip Manager for the essentials on what to eat and where to go, then our best advice? Go get yourself a little lost, it's undeniably the best way to get to know a new city.

Stay

New Miyako Hotel (or similar)

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Visit the Kasuga Shrine and Todaiji Temple

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Take a half day trip to Japan's 8th century capital of Nara and see the giant bronze Buddha

JPY 4200

DAY 5 - Kyoto to Hiroshima

Kyoto

Ready for a totally new experience? This morning it's all aboard the bullet train, travelling at a cool 320km/hr as we make our way to Hiroshima.

Hiroshima

A city remembered as the world's first atomic bomb target during WWII, we'll learn about both the past and present on a sightseeing tour. The rest of the day will then be free to get to know Hiroshima however suits you best - food, shopping, history, it's all here at your fingertips.

Stay

New Hiroden Hotel (or similar)

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Peace Park and Peace Memorial Museum

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Taste the delicious flavours of Okonomiyaki savoury pancakes for lunch in Hiroshima

JPY 3000

DAY 6 - Hiroshima

Hiroshima

We'll start the day with a ferry ride over to Miyajima Island where beautiful scenery and miniature deer await us. If you're impressed by the traditional Japanese gates at the entrance, just wait until you've seen the main event - the stunning Itsukushima Shrine. Culture goals ticked, we'll make our way back to Hiroshima to dig a little deeper into the city's noble history.

Stay

New Hiroden Hotel (or similar)

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Itsukushima Shrine and Miyajima Island

DAY 7 - Hiroshima to Tokyo

Hiroshima

Tokyo, you're firmly in our sights...

Tokyo

Welcome to the bright lights & big city vibes of Tokyo, our home for the next 3 nights. We'll dive right into this 24 hour city with a sightseeing tour of the best bits - the home of the Emperor of Japan, the beautiful Imperial Palace, and the oldest of the city's temples, the ancient Buddhist temple Asakusa Senso-ji. We'll take a walk down Nakamise Street (one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan that dates back to the 1500's) to pick up treasures for family and friends back home, brave the busiest street crossing in the world (Shibuya), then round things off at the epicentre of youth culture & fashion, Harajuku. This part of town buzzes with cool vibes & crazy fashion, and we reckon you'll instantly fall in lust.

Stay

Shinagawa Prince Hotel (or similar)

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

See the grand Imperial Palace and the buzzy neighbourhood of Shibuya
Asakusa Senso-ji Temple
Nakamise St
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Witness the ordered chaos of Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, rumoured the busiest intersection in the world

DAY 8 - Tokyo (Day Trip To Hakone)

Tokyo

Hakone

Taking a brief reprieve from the buzz of Tokyo, this morning we'll head south to Hakone for breathtaking views of some of Japan's most famous sights, courtesy of the Hakone Ropeway.

Tokyo

Returning to Tokyo this afternoon, we've got a Free Time Add-On we reckon you'll find hard to resist - a much needed soak in traditional Japanese hot spring baths, locally known as an Onsen. Be warned though, these hot springs are not for the shy (meaning total nakedness), but are the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring the sights & sounds of the city.

Stay

Shinagawa Prince Hotel (or similar)

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Take in Japanese mountain vistas on the Hakone Ropeway & see Mt Fuji (weather dependent)

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Onsen experience

JPY 2480

DAY 9 - Tokyo

Tokyo

Today's our last day in Tokyo, and our last day on tour, so let's make it one to remember. With a free day to explore Japan your way, we have a sneaking suspicion Harajuku may be calling you back - it kind of has that affect on people. Want to make your last night the weirdest, wackiest and most space age yet? We have two words for you my friends - Robot Restaurant...

Stay

Shinagawa Prince Hotel (or similar)

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

Make your childhood Mario Kart dreams a reality as you zoom through Tokyo in a MariCAR

JPY 8500
Check out the world famous Robot Restaurant Show, Tokyo for a display of robotics, dancing and pyrotechnics

JPY 7000

DAY 10 - End Tokyo

Tokyo

And just like that, it's all over. Japan crew, it's been a hell of a 10 days, and we have a sneaking suspicion this isn't a forever goodbye…

44 Reviews

4.4

44 independent reviews

Star rating

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Michael Soukas

Travelled Mar 2020

Phenomenal trip in a phenomenal country. I can't wait to go back.

Linda Cucinello

Travelled Mar 2020

Paid alot for this frip expecting that many of free time add ons would be already included but you are instead paying now more for those activities.

Anonymous

Travelled Feb 2020

I loved my Contiki Winter Wonder tour in Japan. Toni was an awesome guide and gelled really well with the group. Had so much fun, there was the perfect mix of cultural experiences which ranged from museums, shrines, shopping and nightlife. The group was fabulous as well.

Questions group

Open Can I bring my own ski gear?

Can I bring my own ski gear?

Yes! You can bring your own ski gear. Please keep in mind however that when travelling on the train and bus to and from Hakuba, there is no luggage carriage- you’ll need to keep your equipment with you the entire time.

Open Can I hire ski gear from Contiki?

Can I hire ski gear from Contiki?

Ski gear is not available for hire through Contiki. The Hakuba Royal, the hotel you will stay at in Hakuba, will be able to tell you where the best equipment hire stores are. There are many all over the ski village.

Open Is ski gear and lift pass included in the price?

Is ski gear and lift pass included in the price?

No, ski gear and your lift pass are not included in the price. Hakuba ski resort is a part of the “Epic Pass” which includes access to ski fields all around the globe including Whistler and Perisher.

Japan Winter Wonder

The one that fuses the best of ancient & modern Japan in 10 magical days

Travel Style

Duration

Places

Meals

Transport Style

Group Size

Team