Welcome to Japan! Transfer by coach (SHUTTLE BUS) to hotel. 18H30.-
Meeting with guide. Late in the afternoon, we will pay a visit to this fascinating
country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku district
and see the crowds of people who use this modern and efficient collective
transport system. Shinjuku is one of the most important nightlife districts.
Dinner included and return to hotel by metro with our guide.

In the morning, we take part in a 5-hour trip with our guide to see this amazing
city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with
quiet, peaceful areas. Brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to make a beautiful
photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Pay attention to the hundred of Jizos, stone
traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those
who are weak (such children) and those in dangerous places, and who are
dressed including hats, robes and windmills. Then we head to the junction of Shibuya, a junction that is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji
Temple is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits. We
continue on our bus along the elegant street of Omotesando. We will edge the
most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and the gardens. Stop to visit the
famous Nijubashi Bridge. We will pass through the district of Akihabara, the
“electric town” with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime
culture and then see Kokugikan, the Sumo stadium, home of this Japanese
sport. We will also visit the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, the oldest and most
important temple in Tokyo, with its 55-metre high pagoda. Then we will have
some free time to visit the traditional commercial street of Nakamise in the
district of Asakusa. Lunch included in a local restaurant. Return to hotel.Free
time in the afternoon. NOTE: During the Japanese Olympics, accommodation
may be given near Narita airport.

After breakfast, transfer to the station to take the BULLET TRAIN to
HIROSHIMA. It takes four hours, more or less, to travel the 800 kilometers
between both cities. Arrival at Hiroshima. This city is sadly known for the
atomic bomb that fell on it in 1945 and which levelled the city. We will stroll
around the Peace Memorial, the Dome of the bomb and we will visit the
impressive Museum of Peace. After the war we will seek peace by embarking
on a ferry to the island “where men and gods live together”, with the
sanctuary of ITSUKUSHIMA dedicated to the guardian of the seas, built
partially over the sea. Time to visit the temple, to stroll around its pretty centre
and have lunch. Return to our hotel in Hiroshima. Dinner included. Note: The
order of the visits in Hiroshima may vary without affecting their content.

Today we will take a ferry to Shikoku Island, on a pleasant crossing that lasts
two hours and a half and see the many islands that make up Japan. In
MATSUYAMA we will take the cable car up to its impressive castle. Afterwards,
we will visit ISHITEJI, a beautiful Buddhist temple and a place of pilgrimage.
Lunch included. In the late afternoon, we will visit DOGO ONSEN (admission
included), a traditional Japanese bath facility built in the 19th century.

We depart for KOTOHIRA, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors and a
place of pilgrimage. The shrine stands on Mount Zosu and is reached by
climbing 785 steps. Afterwards in TAKAMATSU we will visit RITSURIN, one of
the prettiest gardens in Japan. Lunch included. Then, in NARUTO, we cross an
impressive bridge over the sea, stopping on the way to admire the
construction and walk on its glass floor with the sea 45 metres below us. Our
road is surrounded by beautiful scenery and then crosses long bridges
between islands over the sea. Arrival in KOBE, accommodation.

In Kobe we visited the Earthquake Memorial Museum, a place to remind the
tragic seism that devastated the city in 1995 and its perfect reconstruction.
Note: On some dates, the Earthquake Museum may be changed for the Sake
Museum or a climb up Kobe Tower. We go on to Osaka. We will depart from
this city to visit, MOUNT KOYA, one of Japan’s sacred mountains and Japan’s
main centre of Shingon Buddhism. There are 120 shrines and monasteries on
this mountain which is a magical place of pilgrimage. We will visit Okuno
Mausoleum, a spiritual place and an immense cemetery in the wilderness that
has more than 200,000 graves. We will visit Kongobuji temple, built in 1593. We
will spend this night at a Buddhist monastery. The monks will offer us a Zen
meditation session (Ajikan). Dinner included (vegetarian food). There is
religious ceremony at the temple early in the morning if you wish to attend it.
Note: We consider the sojourn at the monastery as an experience of great
existential value. The rooms at this place are modest, without bathrooms, in
the traditional Japanese style with tatamis. Bathrooms are communal.

Japanese breakfast at the temple. Then we leave early for KYOTO, to spend
the whole day in the city, which was the capital of Japan between 794 and
1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only
major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its
wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas
emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. The visit includes a trip to one of the
most important parts of the city. We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of
Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, “the golden pavilion”
and its wonderful gardens. Free time before visiting GION, a busy traditional
quarter famous for its Geisha. Free time. Note: If you already visited Kyoto on
your circuit, our guide will offer you information and advice on visiting the
other parts of the city unaccompanied.

After breakfast, end of our services.