TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the 6 most important scenic sites in the west of Japan in 3 days:
- Kurashiki City’s elegant and tranquil Bikan Historic Quarter.
- Izumo Taisha, one of most important Shinto shrines in Japan, dedicated to the god of marriage
- Adachi Museum of Art, which from 2003 to 2017 were ranked No. 1 by the prestigious Journal of Japanese Gardening.
- Tottori Sand Dunes, for breath-taking views.
- Takeda Castle Ruins, the so-called Machu Picchu of Japan.
- Amanohashidate Sandbar, regarded as one of the 3 most beautiful places in Japan.
- Enjoy a luxurious meal on your second night, including 3 cuts of wagyu beef and sea urchin hotpot
- The first night will be spent at Tamatsukuri Hot Spring, one of the top 100 hot springs in Japan (according to the Kanko-keizai guide)
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1｜OKAYAMA & SHIMANE PREFECTURES
After arriving at either Okayama or Hiroshima Airport, you will be met by your English-speaking guide and then depart by private coach for Kurashiki City’s Bikan Historic Quarter, where you will have free time to explore the various local shops, cafes, and museums. This beautiful canal district preserves the elegance and tranquillity of mediaeval Japan.
In the afternoon, you will be taken by private coach to Tamatsukuri Onsen, rated as one of the top 100 Hot Spring locations in Japan. The waters of this famous hot spring are said to make the skin soft and beautiful, and the surrounding town is also well known for its ancient history.
Meal Breakfast Lunch Dinner Hotel Konya, Tamatsukuri Onsen or similar
Hotel Konya, Tamatsukuri Onsen or similar
DAY 2｜SHIMANE & TOTTORI PREFECTURES
After enjoying a Japanese or Western style breakfast in your hotel, you will go by private coach to Izumo Taisha, one of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines in Japan, where you will enjoy a guided tour. The main deity enshrined at Izumo Taisha is Okuninushi no Okami, the god of marriage and good relationships. According to legend, in the tenth lunar month of each year, all of the gods of Japan meet here to discuss the upcoming year’s deaths and marriages. Following this, you will then travel by private coach to the Adachi Museum of Art, which houses a modern art collection and has 6 Japanese gardens covering a space of 165,000 square meters. From 2003 to 2017 these gardens were ranked No. 1 by the prestigious Journal of Japanese Gardening. Next, you will travel by private coach to the Tottori Sand Dunes, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the Japanese northern coast line, take a ride on a camel, or visit the Tottori Sand Museum. In the evening you will be treated to a luxurious dinner with “10 different flavours” including sea urchin hotpot and 3 delicious cuts of top grade wagyu beef. After dinner you will travel by private coach to your hotel.
Meal Breakfast Lunch Dinner Hotel Blue Ridge Hotel, Kannabe Kogen or similar
Hotel Blue Ridge Hotel, Kannabe Kogen or similar
DAY 3｜HYOGO & KYOTO PREFECTURES
After a breakfast in your hotel, you will be taken by private coach to the Takeda Castle Ruins, in Hyogo Prefecture, where you will enjoy a guided tour. On autumn mornings the castle can be seen surrounded by mists, which is why it is known as the “castle floating in the sky”. The castle was originally built in 1411, though was abandoned at the beginning of the Edo era, in 1600. For lunch, you will visit the seaside town, Tamba, which is famous for its large black soy beans, known as “kuromame”. Afterwards, you will travel by private coach to Amanohashidate Sandbar, considered one of the three most beautiful scenic views in Japan, the name of which translates roughly to “bridge in heaven.” There are local temples, a shrine, observation decks, an amusement park, and you can even rent a bicycle to explore the area further. This marks the end of the tour, after which your private coach will take you to Itami airport.
Meal Breakfast Lunch Dinner Hotel