Japan
The contrasts of Japan are startling. Tokyo dazzles with bright lights and high tech gadgetry while the cherry blossoms in Kyoto's Maruyama Park are symblos of peace and beauty, as they have been for over 1,000 years. Beneath the brash modernity beats an ancient heart. This is still the realm of the exquisite art of the geisha and then skill of the sumo wrestler, where ancient festivals are celebrated and food is elevated to an art form.
Much of Japan lies within a temperate zone with a mild climate and enjoys four distinct seasons. But the country stretches over 3,000km from North to South, so the climate varies a lot in different regions spanning subarctic to subtropical, encompassing everything from ice flows to coral reefs, white sand beaches to primeval forests.
Ask your travel agent for our 2010 Japan Brochure to get ideas of what you can as well as a couple of our escorted tours.
This is just a sample of what is on offer
If you don't want to travel independently through the country, one of these tours may interest you.
Scenic Japan 6 days.
View Itinerary
Japan's Golden Route 9 days.
View Itinerary
Tokyo undoubtedly one of the most exciting cities in Asia and home to over 12 million people! Metropolitan Tokyo offers century old traditions miblged with the latest technology and is home to Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace. With an extensive, efficient subway, it is very easy to get around and see the many districts the city has to offer.
Kyoto The imperial capital for more than a thousand years, Kyoto is still the heart of traditional Japan. Rest in the shade of Buddhist temples, join time-honoured tea ceremonies or unwind with a coffee at a fashionable cafe. Wander through the Gion district, home to the "Geisha" or stroll along the Path of Philosophy.
Hiroshima Said to be the epitome of Japan, Hiroshima faces the scenic Seto Inland Sea to the south and the mountainous Chugoku region to the north. Most commonly known for the nuclear bomb that hit the city on August 6, 1945, the city has now been completely rebuilt and is home to two world heritage sites, The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island.
Osaka is known as the water Metropolis due to many rivers and canals meandering around the city, built hundreds of years ago by locals to bring produce to Osaka from all over Japan. Though the surroundings may have changed, Osaka is alive - a vibrant water capital even today with both old and modern sites to be explored
Getting Around Independently with a Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass is an ideal way to move around Japan. It allows for unlimited travel on consecutive days on the extensive JR Lines including the Shinkansen trains (with the exception of the Nozomi). With 20,000 kilometres of track, Japan Rail is an intricate rail network that covers the 4 main islands - Hokkaido in the north, the main island of Honshu, and Shikoku and Kyushu in the south. You can choose from 'ordinary' passes (standard) or a 'green' pass (first class) with a validity of 7,14 or 21 consecutive days of travel from your first day of validation. Once in Japan you can prebook seats or you can just turn up and board an unreserved carriage.
Prices in NZD$ *
Standard Class
7 days = $464 per adult
14 days = $740 per adult
21 days = $946 per adult
Green Pass
7 days = $620 per adult
14 days = $1004 per adult
21 days = $1305 per adult
* Prices are subject to change at time of booking with constant currecy fluctuations
Contact your travel agent for a tour or package. We can also create a Customized Package to suit you - please CONTACT US for a quote or for more details.
