About this trip
Let's go to one of the most fascinating countries in the world and experience one of the most beautiful spectacles of nature: Sakura, the Japanese Cherry Blossom. For only a few weeks every year, these beautiful and unique flowers blossom in Japan, creating breathtaking sceneries all over the country.
But we are not going to stop there! We created an itinerary in which we will visit all of the major cities in Japan, from Tokyo all the way to Okinawa, experiencing all of Japan during its most beautiful time of the year. And we're even going to see an incredible phenomenon of flora and fauna: monkeys bathing in hot springs!
HIGHLIGHTS
Here are some of the things we will be doing or have the option to do:
- Visit 8 major Japanese cities: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji, Hiroshima, and Naha.
- Have a chance to see over 10 different cherry blossom occurrences
- Hike at Mt. Fuji.
- Go to Jigokudani Monkey Park, were we will see monkeys bathing in hot springs!
- Watch Sumo wrestling.
- Stay at traditional Japanese ryokans.
- Visit the. Fuji Five Lakes Area.
- Visit Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine, one of the classic postcards of Japan .
- Ride the shinkansen, the Japanese bullet train that goes as fast as 200mph.
- Visit Kiyomizu-Dera Temple one of the most important temples of Japan, over 1200 years old.
- Spend a night in a Buddhist temple.
- Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
- See the sakura at night.
- See several castles, including the Osaka Castle and Himeji Castle.
- Interact with the friendliest deer at Miyajima Island
- Visit Hiroshima and the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Museum, and the Peace Memorial Park.
- Visit Okinawa.
Activity Inclusion In-Depth
Here are some of the included places we will be going and things we will be doing (in addition to those mentioned above):
- Two Tokyo City Tours (fully guided)
- Jigokudani Monkey Park: Entrance to Jigokudani Monkey Park to see monkeys in hot springs.
- Hiking at Mt. Fuji: Hike at Mt. Fuji led by Group Leader
- Saiko Iyashinosato
- Arakura Sengen Shrine
- Sailing Lake Ashinoko: Pleasure boat at Lake Ashinoko.
- Hakone Ropeway
- Bullet Train: Transport by bullet train from Hakone to Kyoto.
- Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
- Ninnaji Temple
- Zen Experience: Zen experience with overnight at Enryakuji Buddhis Temple.
- Osaka Castle
- Himeji Castle
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial
- Naha Beach Tour
What’s included
- AccommodationsAll the hotel stays at double-occupancy (please see OCCUPANCY below).
- Meals15 breakfasts.
- Internal FlightFlight from Hiroshima to Okinawa.
- Airport TransportationTransportation from Narita Airport & to Naha Airport (if you arrive within the flight guidelines).
- Tour TransportationAll transportation to our scheduled activities as well as to and from accommodations while with the group.
- Entrances & AdmissionsEntrance to all activities, tours, & locations listed in the itinerary unless otherwise listed as optional.
- Japanese Expert GuideJapanese guides throughout the trip (guides won't be with us 24/7, but we will have guides throughout the trip).
- Group Leader1000 Treks group leader(s) throughout the tour.
- International FlightsFlights to and from Japan.
- Optional ActivitiesAny activity listed as optional or not specifically listed as included in the itinerary.
- Meals Not SpecifiedAny meal not specifically listed in the itinerary
- Travel InsuranceRequired at least 7 days before the trip start; recommended to purchase within 15 days of deposit.
- TipsGratuities to guides, drivers, staff, etc.
- RentalsAny potential rentals outside of included activities.
- Souvenirs & ExtrasSouvenirs or anything you would like to purchase.
Available Packages
You will be paired up with someone of the same gender as a roommate, unless you have someone that you are already coming with. Predominantly 3-star accommodations with a couple 4-stars.
The last people to RSVP and pay the deposit MAY have to be put in triple-occupancy rooms (if we end up with an odd number of men or women).
You will have your own room throughout the trip. Predominantly 3-star accommodations with a couple 4-stars. Subject to availability.
You will be paired up with someone of the same gender as a roommate, unless you have someone that you are already coming with. Predominantly 4-star hotels.
The last people to RSVP and pay the deposit MAY have to be put in triple-occupancy rooms (if we end up with an odd number of men or women).
You will have your own room throughout the trip. Predominantly 4-star hotels.
Itinerary
PAYMENT TERMS
- A deposit of $600.00 (non-refundable, but movable) starts your reservation. Once you make your deposit, you will need to sign our contract within 72 hours to guarantee your spot. You can read the contract in advance HERE.
- You will have until December 22, 2023 (three months before the trip) to finish making your payment. You can make payments any way you prefer, so long as you are fully paid by December 22, 2023
- Your deposit is movable. That means, if you need to cancel your participation in the trip for any reason before December 22, 2023 you may request a credit for 100% of your deposit that can be applied to any 1000 Treks Trip which departs within one year of the departing date of the original trip.
- Uplift Financing is available. Low-interest travel financing with low APR, no pre-payment penalty, and no effect on credit.
FLIGHTS
Flights are NOT included unless otherwise noted.
Flight Guidelines
Shuttles will be provided if you meet the flight guidelines below:
Arrival: Arrive at Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) on Friday, March 22 between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Check-in at the hotel is at 3:00 PM.
Departure: Leave Okinawa Naha Airport (OKA) on Saturday, April 6 between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Check-out from the hotel is at 11:00AM.
PLEASE NOTICE THAT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT IS DIFFERENT THAN THE ARRIVAL AIRPORT
IMPORTANT MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
- Trip Physical Level: 3 (With optional level 4 hikes and activities).
- All trips are governed by our comprehensive contract. You should familiarize yourself with it prior to signing up for any of our trips. You can access it by clicking HERE or visiting https://www.1000treks.com/contract/. A link to the contract can also be found at the bottom of all our web pages under CONTRACT.
- Travel insurance is required.
- As of the time of this posting American citizens don’t need a visa for Japan. If you have a foreign passport, you may need a visa. Here's the Japanese Embassy website so you can look into that: https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html
We also recommend that everyone, regardless of citizenship, periodically check to make sure visa requirements have not changed as 1000 Treks is not responsible for any changes.