Garden Tours

14 Day Art and Garden Tour

Discover some of Japan's finest gardens and popular art destinations including Naoshima Island, home to the Benesse Art Site, and the Adachi Museum of Art whose gardens are said to be a "living Japanese painting".

*inclusions shown in the bullet points - package does not include airfares

Day 01 - Arrive Japan

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Narita International Airport clear customs with your luggage and make your way to the Arrivals Lobby.

Take the escalator downstairs to the train station and at the JR East Travel Service Centre (06:30 - 21:45) issue your Japan Rail Pass.

Board the Narita Express train from Narita Airport to Shinagawa Station. (65 min)

Your accommodation at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel is a two minute walk across the road from the Takanawa Exit of JR Shinagawa Station. Shinagawa is the ideal place to stay for its convenient access to wide range of restaurants and shops. Shinagawa Station is a major stop on the JR Yamanote Line loop system which circumnavigates Tokyo.

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 1/4

Day 02 - Tokyo

This morning board a JR Yamanote Line train to Shinjuku Station. (21 mins) At Shinjuku Station, take the West Exit and walk to the Keio Plaza Hotel, which is the meeting place for your 1-Day Tokyo Tour. Please be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour's departure time.

At 09:10, you will be collected from the JTB Sunrise Tours Sales Office on the 3rd Floor of Keio Plaza Hotel for your 1-Day Tokyo Tour operated by Sunrise Tour. You will be guided by an English-speaking Japanese local and transported by coach to the following sites:

Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge) - Once home to Edo Castle, the center of development of Edo-Tokyo, this is now where you can find the Imperial Palace

Tsukiji - Tsukiji, an area known as "Tokyo's Kitchen" for many years. Even after the market relocated, the Outer Market remains bustling with its many shops offering food and food-related items. Walk along the alleys throughout the Outer Market and enjoy shopping for goods and tasting local food.

Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Shopping Street - Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, offers plenty to see including the bright red Kaminarimon Gate, a statue of the god of thunder, and a five-story pagoda. The bustling street known as "Nakamise" stretches for about 250 m from Kaminarimon Gate to Senso-ji Temple and is filled with a plethora of shops.

(Lunch)

Tea Ceremony Experience - Watch a graceful tea ceremony, then experience preparing tea yourself

Tokyo Tower - Enjoy a panoramic view of the famous Tokyo skyline from the main observation platform

The tour disbands upon arrival near Shinjuku Station West Exit around 6pm.

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 2/4

Day 03 - Tokyo

From Shinagawa Station board a JR Yamanote Line train to Harajuku Station. (14 mins)

Visit the Ota Memorial Museum of Art (10:30-17:00/JPY700~) which is a three minute walk from the Omotesando Exit of the station. The Ota Memorial Museum of Art is home to the collection of 12,000 pieces of Ukiyo-e woodblock prints collected by the late Seizo Ota V, former president of the Toho Insurance Company and keen enthusiast of Ukiyo-e, or 'pictures of the floating world'.

A short walk from the museum is Takeshita-dori Street, the lively pedestrian street which prides itself as the font of new teenage Tokyo street fashion. Explore the side alleys off Takeshita-dori for a variety of tasty treats.

Next, board a JR Yamanote Line train from Harajuku Station to Shinjuku Station (4 mins) - the busiest train station in Japan. Change trains to the Metro Lines and use your Pasmo Cards to board a Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line train from Shinjuku Station to Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station. (3 mins)

Take Exit 1 for Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (09:00 - 16:30/JPY200). Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, once an imperial garden, was deisgnated as a national garden for the public after the Second World War. The large park, spanning over 144 acres, is a blend of formal garden, landscape garden and Japanese traditional garden.

Return to Shinjuku and take time to explore some of the great shopping that surrounds the station. A walk to Takashimaya Times Square and an exploration of a shop called Tokyu Hands which sells a range of unique gadgets is recommended.

From the West Exit of Shinjuku Station walk 10 minutes through the high-rise business district to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building to view the city skyline which is best seen at night (9:30am-10:30pm / free entry).

Return to Shinagawa from Shinjuku on the JR Yamanote Line. (20 mins)

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 3/4

Day 04 - Tokyo - Hakone - Tokyo

We recommend an early start this morning as a busy day awaits. Take a day trip to Hakone - the beautiful resort at the base of Mount Fuji. Should the weather be kind you should see a magnificent view of Mount Fuji in the distance. Board a Kodama bullet train from Shinagawa Station to Odawara Station. (30 min)

Purchase a 2 day Hakone Free Pass (JPY4,600) on the spot and spend the day exploring Hakone's many museums and gardens including the Hakone Open Air Museum, POLA Museum of Art and the Okada Museum of Art.

From Odawara Station use all the local connecting transport that starts from Odawara Station and will bring you back to Odawara Station. The Ropeway ride and Pirate Ship cruise across Lake Ashi are the highlights of what will be a busy day. Return to Tokyo in the late afternoon.

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 4/4

Day 05 - Tokyo - Kanazawa

Check-out of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel and from Shinagawa Station board a JR Yamanote Line train to Tokyo Station. (12 mins) Make your way to the bullet train lines and from Tokyo Station board a Kagayaki bullet train to Kanazawa Station. (150 mins)

Your accommodation at the Hotel MyStays Premier Kanazawa is a five minute walk from the West Exit of the station.

After check in, spend the afternoon exploring the city of Kanazawa.

Your sightseeing should include a trip to the Omicho Market which is a 15 minute walk from the station, or board the Kanazawa Loop Bus (left loop) from bus stop #7 at the Kanazawa Station East Exit bus terminal to Musashigatsuji-Omicho Market. (4 mins)

Omicho is the liveliest of all markets in Kanazawa and is popular with the residents of the city. Many of the 170 shops specialise in fresh fish and vegetables. Lovers of seafood will delight in some of the surrounding sushi bars and restaurants that serve fresh seafood from off the coast of Kanazawa. For those who prefer their seafood cooked, tempura and grilled options are available.

For a rare look inside Japan's traditional entertainment culture, make a visit to Kanazawa's famous "Higashi Geisha District" where you can walk down the winding lanes which features rows of old geisha houses. Late in the afternoon and early evening you may see a geisha scampering between appointments in full traditional costume. Shima, a former geisha house, is open for public viewing (9:00 - 18:00/JPY500) where you can also enjoy a cup of green tea and a traditional Japanese sweet.

Stay: Hotel Mystays Premier Kanazawa - 1/2

Day 06 - Kanazawa

Today visit the Kenrokuen Gardens by boarding the Kanazawa Loop Bus (right loop) from stop #7 at the Kanazawa Station East Exit bus terminal to Kenrokuen Garden - Kanazawa Castle Park. (16 mins)

Kenrokuen is an exquisite garden constructed over 300 years ago and is said to be one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan along with Kairakuen in Mito and Korakuen in Okayama.

The literal meaning of Kenrokuen is "The Garden of Six Sublimities" which refers to its spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad views.

It took 150 years to complete the ponds, streams, waterfalls, flowers and teahouses which are all truly breathtaking.

Surrounding Kenrokuen is a number of popular sightseeing spots including Kanazawa Castle Park, Kanazawa Museum of Art, the 21st Century Museum of Modern Art and the Kanko Bussankan where local Ishikawa traditional crafts, confectionary and sake are sold.

In the evening make your way to the bright lights of Katamachi which is Kanazawa's lively entertainment district. The area's Izakayas (Japanese-style pubs) are a must to visit where cold drinks and inexpensive dishes are served.

Stay: Hotel Mystays Premier Kanazawa - 2/2

Day 07 - Kanazawa - Takamatsu

Check-out of the Hotel Mystays Premier Kanazawa and from Kanazawa Station board a Limited Express Thunderbird train to Shin-Osaka Station. (155 mins) Change trains and board a Sakura bullet train to Okayama Station. (45 mins) At Okayama Station change trains and board a Marine-Liner train to Takamatsu Station. (53 mins)

Your accommodation at the JR Clement Inn Takamatsu is one minute walk from Takamatsu Station.

After check-in, visit Ritsurin Koen (06:00 - 17:30/JPY410), a beautiful landscape garden set in front of the wooded Mt. Shiun, which provides a lovely backdrop to the scenic gardens. The gardens feature many ponds and pavilions across the Japanese-style gardens in the south, and the western-style gardens in the north. Stroll through the park and visit the folk museum and shops, or stop for some tea on the verandah of the Kikugetsu-tei teahouse which overlooks the pond. To get there, board a local train from Takamatsu Station to Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi Station. (5 mins) The garden's entrance is a 5 minute walk from here.

Walk back via the shopping arcade which stretches between the gardens and Takamatsu Castle. At nearly 2.7km, it is claimed to be the longest shopping arcade in Japan. The stretch between Kawaramachi and Kataharamachi is paralleled by Lion Dori, a street containing mostly restaurants, including many that serve Kagawa prefecture's specialty - Sanuki Udon - a firm, chewy noodle served cold with a dipping sauce or hot in a soup.

Stay: JR Clement Inn Takamatsu - 1/2

Day 08 - Takamatsu - Naoshima Island - Takamatsu

Make a day trip to the Island of Naoshima. From Takamatsu Port board the ferry to Miyanoura Port at 08:12 or 10:15. (50 mins/JPY520)

Naoshima consists of three main areas with a concentration of art; Miyanoura, Honmura and Benesse House area.

Explore the Miyanoura area around the port where you will find a number of art installations including the famous 'Red Pumpkin' by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Use your map to explore the area.

Board the Town Bus from Miyanoura-ko bus stop to Nokyo-mae bus stop. (10 mins)
Here you will find the Art House Project (10:00 - 16:15), a permanent art project which combines the space of old houses and buildings, together with the history of the people who once lived there. Start at the Honmura Lounge and Archive (next to the bus stop), which was once an agricultural cooperative supermarket. Here you can purchase tickets for the Art House Project (single tickets JPY410, tickets for 6 locations JPY1,030).

Next, board the Town Bus from Nokyo-mae bus stop to Tsutsuji-so bus stop. (6 mins) From here, the Museum Area free shuttle bus which departs every 15-30 minutes and stops at the Benesse House Museum (08:00-20:00/JPY1,030), the Lee Ufan Museum (10:00-17:30/JPY1,030) and the Chichu Art Museum (10:00-17:00/JPY2,060). Each of the museums are an approximate 10 minutes' walking distance between each other.

Return to Miyanoura Port from Tsutsuji-so on the Town Bus. (12 mins) The last ferry departs Miyanoura Port at 17:00.

Stay: JR Clement Inn Takamatsu - 2/2

Day 09 - Takamatsu - Matsue

Check-out of the JR Clement Inn Takamatsu and from Takamatsu Station board the Limited Express Uzushio train to Okayama Station. (60 mins) Change trains and board a Limited Express Yakumo train to Matsue Station. (155 mins)

Your accommodation at the Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu is a three minute walk from the North Exit of the station.

After check-in, commence exploring the many sights of Matsue. A city sightseeing loop bus, the Lakeline Sightseeing Bus, departs the station every 20 minutes and runs through the major attractions of Matsue. An all-day pass can be purchased for JPY500.

You may like to visit:

Matsue Castle - one of the 12 remaining original castles in Japan. The castle's elegant swooping roofs are likened to the wings of a plover bird, lending to the castle's nickname 'Plover Castle' (Chidori-jo). The top floor offers panoramic views over the city. (08:30 - 18:00/JPY560)

Shiomi Nawate Street and Samurai Residence - Running alongside the castle moat, this street is flanked with traditional Japanese houses on one side and pine trees on the other. Halfway along the street is a finely preserved samurai residence which is open to the public. (08:30 - 18:10/JPY510) Browse the souvenir shops and other attractions along the street.

Kyomise Shopping District - a quaint red-brick street with a selection of restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops.

In the evening, be sure not to miss the magnificent sunset over Lake Shinji, regarded as one of Japan's top 100 best sunsets. Best viewed from Shirakata Park, the Shimane Art Museum or along the lakefront promenade which is where you can get the closest view of Yomegashima Island. The beautiful sunset can also be enjoyed from the 'Sunset Cruise' which departs from two piers along the south side of the Ohashi River. (JPY1,450)

Stay: Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu - 1/2

Day 10 - Matsue

From Matsue Station board a Limited Express Yakumo or Limited Express Matsukaze train to Yasugi Station. (15 min) From here, board the courtesy shuttle bus to the Adachi Museum of Art. (20 min)

The Adachi Museum of Art (09:00 - 17:30/JPY2,300) features a collection of modern Japanese paintings as well as a beautiful Japanese Garden which is viewed from the museum building and is described as the 'living Japanese painting' of founder, Adachi Zenko.

Return to Matsue in the afternoon to continue your sightseeing.

Stay: Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu - 2/2

Day 11 - Matsue - Kyoto

Check-out of the Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu and from Matsue Station board a Limited Express Yakumo to Okayama Station. (155 mins) Make your way to the bullet train lines and board a Hikari bullet train to Kyoto. (90 mins)

Your accommodation at the Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo is a two minute walk from the Hachijo Exit of the station.

After check-in, board a JR Nara Line train from Kyoto Station to Inari Station. (5 mins)

From Inari Station visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine which was featured in the film Memoirs of a Geisha. It is one of the oldest Shinto Shrines in Kyoto which is famous for its thousand red torii gates which lead up the mountain.

Return to Inari Station and board the JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station. (2 mins) Tofukuji Temple is a 10 minute walk from the station and is home to the Hojo Gardens, one of the great Zen gardens of Japan.

Next return to Tofukuji Station and board a Keihan Main line train to Gion-Shijo Station. (5 mins)

Walk towards Gion, Kyoto's famous entertainment district which is open until late at night. Gion is the one place in Japan where you may see Maiko or Geisha scampering between appointments. As darkness falls, watch the traditional lanterns gradually come to life as you wander down tiny alleys housing a variety of restaurants offering tempting cuisine.

Stay: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo - 1/3

Day 12 - Kyoto

Commence your exploration of the ancient city of Kyoto. Please make your way to the Sunrise Tours Desk (B1F) within the Avanti shopping complex and arrive 10 minutes prior to the official pick up time. Refer to your tour voucher and you will see the Avanti shopping complex is directly opposite the Hachijo East Exit of Kyoto Station. At 08:30am, you will be collected to join your Kyoto Morning Tour operated by Sunrise Tours.

Your English-speaking local guide will take you by bus to Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The tour will disband at the Kyoto Station with a likely return being around 1:30pm.

In the afternoon, from Kyoto Station bus terminal board a local bus #100 or #206 and get off at the Gojozaka bus stop. From the bus stop take the 10 minute walk to Kiyomizu-dera Temple (6am - 6pm/ JPY 300).

Walk up this attractive winding road lined with colourful souvenir and craft shops. Kiyomizu-dera is famous for its giant wooden stage overlooking panoramic views of Kyoto and its main hall purely constructed of wood and sustained by huge columns and beams without the use of a single nail, screw or bolt.

Return to Kyoto Station in the late afternoon. Be sure to visit the Sky Plaza Observation Deck on top of Kyoto Station for a free panoramic view of the surrounding area of Kyoto. This modern station also contains a large shopping mall, including hotels, theatres, specialty shops, restaurants and event venues.

Stay: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo - 2/3

Day 13 - Kyoto

Today make a trip to visit the Miho Museum. From Kyoto Station board the JR Special Rapid Service (bound for Yasu) to Ishiyama Station. (15 mins) From Ishiyama Station, board the Teisan Bus from bus stop #3 to the Miho Museum. (60 mins)

The Miho Museum is open from 10:00 to 16:00 and entry costs JPY1,100 (cash only). Named after its founder, Koyama Mihoko, the museum sits amongst natural surroundings in the valleys southeast of central Kyoto. The museum displays Mihoko's private collection of Asian and Western antiques.

Buses return to Ishiyama Station on the hour between 12:00 and 15:00, with the last two services at 16:07 and 17:14.

Stay: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo - 3/3

Day 14 - Kyoto - Airport

Check out of your accommodation and leave your luggage in storage at the porter's desk for your later return.

Spend your last morning in Kyoto completing any final sightseeing or shopping.

For those departing from Tokyo, board a Hikari bullet train from Kyoto to Shinagawa Station. (2.5 hrs) Within Shinagawa Station board the Narita Express Train to Narita Airport. (65 min)

For those departing from Osaka, board the direct Haruka train service from Kyoto Station to Kansai International Airport. (80min)

*Please note all airport trains must be reserved in advance.

Be sure to check in for your scheduled flight at least 2 hours prior to its departure