HIGHLIGHTS

Seasonal Scenery:

Sakura viewing at Kawazu Zakura Matsuri, Matsudayama Herb Garden

Unique experiences:

Suruga Bay Ferry, Hananomai Sake Brewery Tour, Bullet Train Shinkansen, Ishikawa Sake Brewery Tour, Onouchi Hyakkei Icicles, Fruit Picking Experience, Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

Sightseeing & Shopping Experiences:

Enoshima, Kadode Ooigawa, Ryugashido Cavern, Hamamatsu Castle, Museum of Musical Instruments, Mt. Takao, Showa Memorial Park, Teamlab Planets, Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai, Ginza

Special Gourmet Delights:

Sumptuous Japanese multi-course dinner Japanese Kaiseki or buffet in Ryokans/Hotels, local delights at restaurant

Hotel / Ryokan Stays:

01 night of authentic Japanese Onsen experience in Odawara. 06 night of centrally located hotel in Tokyo & Shizuoka

ITINERARY

Day 1 Singapore – Tokyo 新加坡 - 東京

Hotel: Keio Plaza Hotel or similar / Western Room

Meal: Meal on Board / - / D

JL712 SIN-NRT 0800-1610

Upon arrival at Narita Airport, coach transfer to a local restaurant for dinner [Japanese Course]. After that, transfer to the hotel for check in.

Day 2 Tokyo – Enoshima – Odawara 東京 - 江の島 - 小田原

Hotel: Tenseien Station Hotel Odawara or similar / Western Room

Meal: B / L / D

This morning, coach transfer to Enoshima (江の島). Start exploring the island from Benzaiten Nakamise-dori (弁財天仲見世通り). This is the first attraction visitors see upon arrival. Beyond the bronze torii gates are rows of souvenir shops serving local treats such as whitebait croquettes, grilled squid, sweet dumplings, ice cream monakas and more! The next attraction is Sea Candle (シーキャンドル). One of the symbols of Enoshima, it is an observation lighthouse that is located in Samuel Cocking Garden. The garden is bursting with seasonal flowers, with over 250 kinds of camellias and roses gifted from Canada. Enjoy lunch [Western Set] at a local restaurant before moving off to our next stop. Next, you will visit Matsudayama Herb Garden (松田山ハーブガーデン) ✿. There is a large variety of herbs and flowers such as nemophila and lavender. Every year, from February to March, the Matsuda Sakura Festival is held. The early cherry blossoms bloom alongside yellow Hoary Mustard flowers. The vibrant pink blossoms, yellow flowers, and blue sky create a beautiful scene, making it feel like spring even in February. The herb building houses an herb shop on the 1st floor where you can purchase products that uses the herbs and flowers such as sakura jam in spring. Finally, transfer to Odawara for check in. Tonight, dinner [Japanese Set] will be served at the hotel restaurant.

Day 3 Odawara – Kawazu – Shimizu – Hamamatsu小田原 - 河津 - 清水 - 浜松

Hotel: Hotel Okura Act City Hamamatsu or similar / Western Room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, start your day at the Kawazu Sakura Matsuri (河津桜祭り) ✿, a month-long cherry blossom festival. There are over 8,000 early-blooming Kawazu-zakura cherry trees and most are planted along the Kawazu River. As one of the earliest opportunities to view cherry blossoms near Tokyo, the event attracts almost 2 million visitors annually during the month-long event. After that, have your lunch [Seafood BBQ] at a local restaurant. You will then transfer to Toi Port and board the Suruga Bay Ferry (駿河湾フェリー). The 70-minute boat ride will be bringing you along the coasts of the Izu Peninsula, with sights of Mt. Fuji. Enjoy the breeze while taking in the panoramic views. Next, you will be visiting Kadode Ooigawa (かどでおおいがわ). A new landmark in Shizuoka, it is an experience-based tea and agriculture theme park. Shizuoka is one of the largest green tea producers in Japan. Learn about the tea production process, get to try various types of tea, make your own brewed tea and purchase various snack souvenirs unique to the prefecture. Finally, head to the hotel for check in. Tonight, dinner [Western Course] will be served at the hotel restaurant.

Day 4 Hamamatsu – Tokyo 浜松 - 東京

Hotel: Keio Plaza Hotel or similar / Western Room

Meal: B / L / D

Luggage delivery to Tokyo, please prepare 1 night bag

After breakfast, visit Ryugashido Cavern (竜ヶ岩洞). This is the largest stalactite cavern in Tokai, that has formed over 250 million years. Inside the cave lies a 30-meter-high waterfall, Ogon no Otaki as the main attraction of the caves. You can even dip your feet in a cool foot bath at the end of the climb. This afternoon, your lunch [Tempura Soba Set] will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to Kamakura and visit Hananomai Sake (花の舞本店). The sake brewery was founded in 1868 and is famed for sake brewed with 100% rice from Shizuoka prefecture. A sake brewery tour will bring you around the factory grounds, introduce the brewing process and a sampling of the award winning products. This afternoon, have lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Hamamatsu Castle (浜松城). The castle was the home of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate and was destroyed in the Meiji Restoration. However, it was rebuilt in 1958 on the original site that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Thereafter, we will visit the Museum of Musical Instruments (浜松市楽器博物館). The first of its kind in Japan was opened in 1981 and aims to collect and preserve musical instruments from around the world and to also cultivate a vast knowledge and understanding of music, its instruments and culture. We will proceed to Hamamatsu Station to take the Bullet Train Shinkansen to Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. Upon arrival, have dinner [Spanish Course Menu] at a local restaurant before heading to the hotel for check in.

Day 5 Tokyo – Mt. Takao – Tachikawa – Tokyo 東京 - 高尾山 - 立川 - 東京

Hotel: Keio Plaza Hotel or similar / Western Room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, we will head up to Mt. Takao (高尾山). Considered a sacred mountain, it has been a centre of mountain worship for more than 1000 years. Yakuoin Temple is located near the summit, and many visitors make a stop here to pray for good fortune. Near the top station is an observation deck where you can look out over Tokyo and Mt. Fuji on clear days. This afternoon, have lunch [Irori Sumiyaki Tori Kushi Course] at a local restaurant before the next stop, Ishikawa Sake Brewery (石川酒造). This brewery has been in business for over 150 years and still preserves the original Kura buildings where Tamajiman sake was brewed since the 19th century. Brewing not just sake but Tokyo craft beers as well, try the unique drinks that the brewery has to offer. Following that, take a walk at the Showa Memorial Park (昭和記念公園). Spanning over 160 hectares, there is a huge variety of natural spaces, seasonal flowers, water features, museums and more. There is always something spectacular all year round here, from cherry blossoms in spring and bright yellow ginkgo trees in autumn, the dreamy winter illumination also draws a crowd in the evenings. Enjoy your dinner [Sushi Set] at a local restaurant. At the end of the night, transfer back to the hotel.

Day 6 Tokyo – Chichibu – Tokyo 東京 - 秩父 - 東京

Hotel: Keio Plaza Hotel or similar / Western Room

Meal: B / L / -

After breakfast, we will depart for Chichibu and visit the Onouchi Hyakkei Icicles (尾ノ内氷柱). One of the three icicle winter spectacles of Chichibu, they are located deep in the Okuchichibu mountain range. Although artificially formed by locals, the breath-taking icicles are not to be missed. The short viewing season that varies with climate, means many flock to appreciate the magnificence. Next, proceed to a local restaurant for lunch [Japanese Set]. After lunch, the fruit orchard awaits you! Enjoy Fruit Picking Experience, which is just in season. Make our way back to Tokyo. This evening, enjoy free and easy time and dinner will be at your own expense.

Day 7 Tokyo 東京

Hotel: Keio Plaza Hotel or similar / Western Room

Meal: B / L / D

This morning, visit Teamlab Planets (チームラボプラネッツ). A new generation museum that combines digital art and the beauty of nature. Fully immerse yourself in the experience and explore the various artworks. Next, visit Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai (豊洲千客万来), the new shopping complex that recreates an Edo Period town. It offers fresh seafood from the nearby Toyosu Market, eateries serving traditional dishes and a footbath garden with panoramic views of Toyosu. Lunch [Shabu-Shabu Course] will be served at a local restaurant. After that, spend some time exploring the Ginza area, Japan’s premier shopping district with numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries and more. This evening, enjoy dinner on board a Yakatabune. It is a traditional Japanese houseboat that cruises along the port of Yokohama, giving gorgeous night views of Minato Mirai, Yokohama, and Tokyo Bay and on clear evenings, you can even see Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Skytree and Tower! Finally, head back to the hotel.

Day 8 Tokyo – Singapore 東京 - 新加坡

Meal: B / - / -

JL711 NRT-SIN 1800-0045

After breakfast at the hotel, free at your own leisure until departure. Meals will be at your own expense.

Bid farewell to Japan this morning as we depart for Singapore. We hope that you have enjoyed this vacation with JTB and we look forward to helping you create your next perfect moments, always!

Day 9 Singapore 新加坡

Arrive at Singapore