JAPANESE HONEYMOON - 12 Days

Meet your assistant at Haneda Airport, and transfer to your hotel. Relax at the hotel before walking out for dinner at a nearby Japanese restaurant.

Today will be dedicated to Tokyo's most iconic attractions. We start with a visit to the magnificent Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji. The shrine is crowded on the first day of the year because of hatsumode (first prayers). For the rest of the year, if you are lucky, you may witness the solemn procession of Shinto weddings! You will participate in a ceremony here and receive a blessing from a monk for your healthy and prosperous life. Just outside the Meiji Shrine is Harajuku. Wander around the area and see cosplayers with bizarre, outlandish clothing. Immerse in youth culture in the back streets, and with high-end models and designers on the boulevards. The area is sprinkled with cafes and unique coffee houses - take a rest at one and try some Japanese sweets. You might choose to visit the quirky Kawaii Monster café to complete the cultural experience here. After Harajuku, we take the subway to the old downtown Shita-machi area, to get to the Asakusa area. This is the home of the grand temple Senso-ji. The colourful, popular temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple. Get your fortune told, find incense, observe Geiko (young geisha) passing by, and snack on Edo foods! A perfect place for photographs! Find yourself a kimono and get photographed as a couple in traditional dress! Finish the day with a cycling tour, in the evening, to enjoy beautiful illumination spots in Tokyo.

What would you like to do?
If you want to spend the day in Tokyo, then there is lots to see: An early morning visit to Tsukiji Fish Market, followed by a trip to see a nearby Sumo training session. Then head to Chidorigafuchi Park to see the Cherry blossom. After lunch, head to the Solamachi shopping Mall and then head up the Tokyo Skytree, where on a clear day you can see Mt Fuji in the distance from the observation decks. It's quite a sight! If heights are not your thing, then you could head over to see the Shibuya crossing – the world’s busiest crossing.

If you want to head out of Tokyo, then you could go to nearby Nikko for the day, and to see the UNESCO World Heritage Toshogu Shrine. The Futarasan Shrine and Kegon Falls are both worthy of a visit.

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Wake up early and prepare for an adventure day at Hakone National Park. Travel to Mount Fuji - the symbol of Japan all around the world in the masterpiece of Hokusai. En route visit the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, which offers a commanding view of the Fuji Five Lakes. Cruise on Lake Ashi with a replica pirate ship. Embark on a ropeway ride to enjoy the view of active sulfuric hot springs and many other scenic landscapes. Tonight, enjoy a comfortable stay in a hotel/ryokan.

Enjoy today freely in the picturesque Hakone. We recommend you the journey to Hakone Shrine, a magical place shrouded in mist or glowing with strange light. The forest path leading to the shrine is lined with lanterns, which is just as interesting and photogenic as the shrine itself. Hakone Open Air Museum is best for art lovers. There are some wonderful sculptures, in a beautiful outside setting. A Picasso Pavillion, and permanent exhibition hall. Well worth a visit.

Wake up to a hearty breakfast and head to the train station for your bullet train to Kyoto. Upon arrival, join a tea ceremony at "machiya" - a restored traditional wooden house that is typical to Kyoto and many parts of Japan. If you wish, combine this experience with a kimono fitting! The traditional dress comes in many colours, ranging from a colourful style to quite plain and simple. Have a free evening to enjoy at your leisure, to wander around Gion, where you may get a glimpse of Geisha walking through the narrow alley.

We start with the sprawling, breathtaking Nijo Castle, followed by Ryoanji - the UNESCO World Heritage zen temple with a famous rock garden. This unique garden has no plants, apart from little patches of moss around the stones. Afterward, visit Kinkakuji, the shining pavilion completely covered by gold leaf that was originally built as a shogun's summer house. In the afternoon, transfer to the outskirts of Kyoto for a gentle walk through Sagano's lush bamboo groove. The sunlight filters through the densely packed grove, projecting thin slashes of light onto this enchanting forest. Head to Tenryuji temple, which survived centuries maintaining its original design. Then continue to Jojakkoji Temple nestled in the quiet and understated wooded hill. Crossing over the iconic landmark Togetsukyo Bridge for stunning views of the adjacent cherry forest.

What would you like to do?
Today is a free day to explore on your own.
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In Kyoto you could get up early to see the Fushimi Inari Taisha – The Shrine of 10,000 Torii Gates before the crowds. Then head over to Sanjusangendo – The Temple of 1,001 life sized Kannon Statues. Follow this up with a 20 minute walk to Kiyomizu-dera, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and great for seeing Cherry Blossom!  After lunch, go to see the Heian shrine – Kyoto’s Grandest Torii Gate and then the Daigoji Temple for a Cherry Blossom, and one of Kyoto’s best hanami (flower-viewing) spots.

You may wish to visit Nara, which is second only to Kyoto as the richest collection of cultural sites in Japan. This 8th-century town is filled with boulevards that lead from shrine to shrine. Journey to the dazzling Todaiji, the iconic landmark of Nara City. The temple claims to be the largest wooden building in the world, despite being rebuilt in 1692 at only two-thirds of the original size. Nara's most celebrated Shinto shrine - Kasuga Taisha is not to be missed, if you want to meet the friendly semi-wild deer.

Today you will board a flight to the beautiful island of Okinawa to relax and rejuvenate on your final touring day. Okinawa belongs to the Mediterranean climatic zone, with temperatures averaging 22 to 25 degrees in April. Surrounding the picturesque islands is idyllic sea water, with coral reefs and abundant marine wildlife.

Today will be your free day to enjoy Okinawa. You can choose to visit Ryukyu Mura, a small theme park about traditional Okinawan culture in the form of a recreated village from the times of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Don't miss Okinawa's iconic landmark - Shurijo Castle! The castle served as the dignified center of the prosperous Ryukyu Kingdom. A masterpiece as a result of Chinese Japanese cultural fusion, the castle shows its exceptional cultural and historical values in its unique stonework and architectural design. Complete your experience with authentic Okinawa soba – Yanbaru soba.

Another free day in Okinawa! We recommend you visit the renowned Churaumi Aquarium, arguably the best aquarium in Japan. The highlight of a visit here is the massive Kuroshio Tank. The tank contains an extensive collection of species, with the most striking ones being the giant whale sharks and manta rays. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a variety of marine activities including diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, etc.

Today you will come to the end of your honeymoon. Board a flight back to Tokyo, before transferring flights, to then head back home.

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