Classic Japan: 15 days Fukuoka to Tokyo

Welcome to the island of Kyushu, Japan. Enjoy your welcome reception at your hotel in Fukuoka, your luxury hotel in the centre of the city.

Begin your exploration of Fukuoka with stops at the Shofukuji Temple, Japan’s first Zen Temple, Kushida Shrine and Hakata Machiya Folk Museum. This museum shows the old daily life and culture of Fukuoka city in Meiji and Taisho period, focusing especially on urban houses of that period.

Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, choose from one of these Scenic Freechoice options.

Kawakudari boat ride and Yanagawa Ohana: Drive to Yanagawa, dubbed the ‘Venice of Kyushu’ for its 930km of canals. Cruise along the tranquil waterways, learning about the town’s history and culture, and stop at Yanagawa Ohana, the villa of the Tachibana family who ruled the town from 1600-1868.

Old & new Fukuoka: Visit the 234m tall Fukuoka Tower, the tallest seaside tower in Japan, with a 360-degree observation deck. Then explore the Edo Period ruins of Fukuoka Castle in Maizuru Park.

This evening head down to Fukuoka’s open air food stalls (Yatai) to choose your own meal of Yakitori, Oden or Hakata Ramen dinner.

This morning, drive to the Moji Port District. Moji Port developed into a hub for international trade with China and other countries when it opened as an international trading port in 1889. Afterwards, visit the iconic TOTO Museum, dedicated to Japan’s famed high-tech toilets. Then travel by Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima on the island of Honshu.

Scenic Enrich
Experience an emotional visit to the Peace Park and Museum before visiting Orizuru Tower to create your own special origami donation.

Later check into your hotel in Hiroshima for two nights. Tonight, sample Okonomiyaki, a delicious savoury Japanese-style pancake and specialty of the region.

Sail by ferry to Miyajima Island to visit the Daisho-in Temple and the floating Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine. Later enjoy free time in Hiroshima.

Scenic Enrich
Tonight (April-Dec) attend a performance of Kagura, a type of Shinto ritual ceremonial dance.

Travel by Shinkansen to Okayama. Upon arrival visit the 300-year-old Korakuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Later learn all about the brewing process and try some examples of local sake. Check into your hotel for the next two nights.

Take the ferry from Uno Port to the artistic island of Naoshima - known for its modern art museums, architecture, and sculptures including the famous giant pumpkin created by Yayoi Kusama. Visit the many sites and experiences of the Art House Project, a collection of abandoned houses, workshops, a temple and a shrine that have been converted into art installations. After lunch at Benesse House, visit Lee Ufan Museum, a semi-underground structure resulting from the collaboration between internationally acclaimed artist Lee Ufan and architect Tadao Ando. Later visit Chichu Art Museum, constructed in 2004 as a site rethinking the relationship between nature and people. Return to Okayama for the night.

En-route to Osaka on the Shinkansen train, stop at Himeji Castle and marvel at Japan’s most spectacular and one of the few remaining original feudal castles. From the castle drive to Osaka to enjoy a three-night Special Stay with full club lounge access.

This morning, wander through Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, an icon of the city that dates back almost 400 years. Then explore Kuromon Ichiba Market, known as Osaka’s kitchen.

Scenic Enrich
Learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during a private visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, said to be the birthplace of sumo. After your welcome ceremony, see a demonstration of Jinku (traditional folkloric songs) and watch the wrestlers in action in the dohyo.

Later this evening, enjoy more of your Club lounge benefits, including complimentary refreshments and evening cocktails, before catching the Osaka Metro to explore the lively entertainment area of Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley.

Drive to Todaiji Temple, one of the World Heritage-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. Constructed in 752, it was the largest wooden building in the world until the end of the 20th century and houses one of Japan’s largest statues, a 15-metre tall bronze Buddha. See the curious deer in Nara Park, before continuing to Kyoto, the home to many World Heritage-listed Sites.

Scenic Enrich
Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, a great photo opportunity.

Settle into your Special Stay at your hotel Kyoto with executive lounge access.

Ryokan Upgrade - For a unique insight into Japanese culture, choose to stay tonight in a Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This traditional Japanese Inn has tatami mat flooring with futon beds, sliding shoji paper doors, private bath facilities, and includes dinner and breakfast.

This morning, explore the captivating city of Kyoto, a place where old Japan is still alive. Begin the day wandering around the gardens of the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion, so named because it is completely covered in gold leaf.  Afterwards glide through the otherworldly Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by traditional rickshaw.

Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Samurai & Ninja Museum: Your local guide will lead you on a 30-minute guided tour diving into the fascinating history of samurai and ninja through legendary stories and historical insights. Experience life as a Samurai, wearing authentic Samurai armor and holding a sword and learn how to throw ninja stars. Test your targeting skills by throwing a shuriken!

Nijo Castle: First built in 1603 as the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1868). After the Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867, Nijo Castle was used as an imperial palace before being donated to the city and opened up to the public as a historic site. Its palace buildings are arguably the best surviving examples of castle palace architecture from Japan’s feudal era, and the castle was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Begin your day with an early morning optional visit to beat the crowds at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its corridor of thousands of vermilion torii gates that appeared in the film ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. Later travel by Shinakansen to Hakone. After lunch study the art works and sculptures at the Chokokuno Mori (Hakone Open Air Museum). Afterwards drive to the Fuji Five Lakes district, known locally as Fujigoko, located beneath Mt Fuji. Soak in the views from your hotel for the night.

Visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum this morning, dedicated to the Japanese textile artist. Kubota is renowned for his use of the tsujigahana technique, used to dye kimonos during the Muromachi Period (1333-1573), and has created an unparalleled collection of these traditional garments.

Drive to Tokyo for lunch, then spend time at the dazzling teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum. Wander freely amongst the immersive displays, created by hundreds of projectors, lights and computers. Later check-into your hotel, your Special Stay for the next three nights. With direct access to four subway lines, the hotel was recently rated in the Forbes Travel Guide as Tokyo’s exclusive Japanese decor 5-star luxury hotel. Rooms overlook the most picturesque sites in Tokyo, such as the Imperial Palace, the 500-year-old Hie Jinja Shrine and beautiful landscaped Japanese gardens.

Scenic Freechoice Dining:
This evening, choose from one of these Scenic Freechoice Dining options.

Ninja Akasaka: This popular but unusual restaurant has an underlying ninja theme to create a memorable dining experience.

Nobu Tokyo: Part of the famous international chain of Japanese restaurants by Nobu Matsuhisa, this casual but chic restaurant is known for its fusion cuisine blending traditional Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients.

Izakaya Nightlife: Sample a Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki dinner over some drinks at small local bars. This is a chance to mingle and dine in a traditional Japanese way.

Visit the Asakusa district, known as the centre of Tokyo’s shitamachi or ‘low city’. Capturing the atmosphere of Tokyo’s past, the narrow laneways are lined with traditional shopfronts, food stalls and ancient temples. You can pay your respects at Sensoji temple, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple built in 645.

Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing: Explore the tranquil evergreen forest of the Meiji Shrine complex, before walking across the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world and seeing the famous Hachiko dog statue in Shibuya.

Cultural Shinjuku and Gyoen Gardens: Stroll through Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens, one of the most beautiful areas for cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Visit Shinjuku’s shopping and entertainment districts. You can also choose to stay and join the crowds later into the night.

Gather your bearings and get a bird’s eye view of Tokyo from above as you take in the panorama from Tokyo Sky Tree, the world’s tallest tower at 634 metres.

Scenic Enrich
Partake in an interactive, private group demonstration and lesson in playing the Taiko drums, led by renowned Taiko masters.

Afterwards, the remainder of your day is at leisure for some last-minute shopping before joining your fellow guests for your farewell dinner tonight.

Say goodbye to the land of the rising sun with many wonderful memories.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.