Day One
Depart Melbourne. Arrive at Narita International Airport, Tokyo. Once clearing customs make your way into Tokyo to board the Shinkansen bullet train and travel to Japan鈥檚 ancient capital city, Kyoto. Kyoto was Japan鈥檚 capital city from 794 鈥� 1868. It has more than 1600 Buddhist Temples and 270 Shinto Shrines. Kyoto is the 7th largest city in Japan. After lunch you will visit one of Kyoto鈥檚 most famous landmarks - Kiyomizudera Temple, the longest wooden structure in the world. The temple was founded in 798 and rebuilt in 1633 without the single use of a nail. The winding entrance to Kiyomizudera is known as 鈥楾eapot Lane鈥� and sells the best souvenirs and handicrafts in all of Japan. Late afternoon your group will make their way to Gion, the heart of Kyoto鈥檚 world famous Geisha districts, where you will visit a local teahouse and learn about the secret world of Geisha first hand. As you stroll through the Gion area in the early evening, you will see Maiko and Geiko moving between their evening鈥檚 engagements. Your Maiko Experience will commence at 4:00pm. This one hour session will include an English introduction into life as a Maiko followed by a tea ceremony and individual photos up close with a Maiko. Your day will conclude with a delicious dinner in the Sweets of Ninja Restaurant.
Overnight: Matsubaya Ryokan, Kyoto
Day Two
Using your Japan Rail Pass, your group will spend the day in nearby Osaka and visit one of the world鈥檚 largest aquariums - Kaiyukan Aquarium. A Japanese word, KAIYUKAN literally means "Playing in the Sea Pavilion." In this aquarium, visitors can enjoy creatures as if they are playing together in the sea. After lunch your group will make its way to the colourful shopping district of Osaka - Shinsaibashi. This 700m long arcade is where you can find a variety of dazzling, bustling shops. The Shinsaibashi-Suji Arcade leads through to the Dotombori, where your group will visit the Dotombori Konamon Museum and enjoy 鈥榯akoyaki plastic food making鈥�.
Overnight: Matsubaya Ryokan, Kyoto
Day Three
An early morning start to visit Kinkakuji, one of the most beautiful temples in all of Japan. A trip to Japan would not be complete without a photo in front of this Golden Pavilion. The first floor is palace style, the second floor is the style of a samurai house and the third floor is a Zen style temple. The afternoon will be enjoyed at Toei Movie Land, known as Eigamura. Numerous movies and over 200 television period dramas are filmed here every year. You can take part in the acrobatic Ninja show and have your photo taken with a geisha or samurai.
Overnight: Matsubaya Ryokan, Kyoto
Day Four
This morning you might like to take a short train ride to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. This famous Shrine with all the red torii gates featured in the movie 鈥楳emoirs of a Geisha鈥�. In the afternoon travel to Tokyo by bullet train.
Overnight: Tokyo Princess Garden Hotel
Day Five
Full day at leisure to explore some of Tokyo鈥檚 attractions in the futuristic area of Odaiba. Sega World, Panasonic Building, Toyoto Mega-Web and one of the largest ferris wheels in the world are popular with the young tourists. You may also enjoy a visit to Legoland Discovery Centre Tokyo, where there are more than 3 million lego bricks under the one roof, and a 4D Cinema.
Overnight: Tokyo Princess Garden Hotel
Day Six
Ride the latest rides, watch the street parade and meet Mickey Mouse at the world鈥檚 most famous themepark, Tokyo Disneyland. There is so much to see and do here, including the Teacup ride, Space Mountain ride and Buzz Lightyear ride. The 鈥楧isney Electric Light Parade鈥� in the evening is spectacular.
Overnight: Tokyo Princess Garden Hotel
Day Seven
This morning you will scale the heights of the Tokyo Skytree. At 450m high, Tokyo Skytree is the world鈥檚 tallest self-supporting steel tower. On a clear day Mt Fuji can be seen in the distance. Nearby is the best place to experience a carnival atmosphere any day of the year - Asakusa. Famous for its covered walkways of souvenir, fashion and toyshops that extend for several blocks, plus Tokyo鈥檚 oldest temple. Sensoji Temple was founded in the 7th century and is dedicated to Kannon, Goddess of Mercy, and is therefore popularly called the Asakusa Kannon Temple. Final stop is Shibuya, famous for its scramble crossing. It is located in front of the Shibuya Station Hachik艒 exit and stops vehicles in all directions to allow pedestrians to inundate the entire intersection. The statue of Hachik艒, a dog, between the station and the intersection, is a common meeting place and almost always crowded. Your day will conclude with dinner at the Kowaii Monster Caf茅.
Overnight: Tokyo Princess Garden Hotel
Day Eight
Depart Narita International Airport
Day Nine
Arrive Melbourne International Airport