Japan: Temples, Tea & Mount Fuji
Old customs, fast trains, and the quiet of a temple garden.
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Fifteen days from Tokyo to Kyoto by bullet train, with a night by Mount Fuji, a tea ceremony, and time to wander the lanes of Gion at dusk.
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From the founder
Why we love Japan
Gordon
Ireland has been one of the most in-demand programs in our travel community. So what is it about Ireland that captivates the imagination of so many of us?
The humour and charm of the Irish people is certainly part of it, as well as the subconscious pull of heritage for those of us with Irish descendants. And of course there are the landscapes, and that marvellous, iridescent shade of green that covers the hills dotted with sheep.
It's that green that stands out most to me. There is something about the aliveness in those shades that speaks to the mysterious allure of Ireland, where the stories of the fae and other elemental energies have seeped into the landscapes and communities across the island. To hear it from the Irish, they are not just stories; they are often presented more as memories.
Perhaps Ireland is one of those places where you can reawaken that child-like sense of wonderment that, just maybe, there really is magic out there in the world. After all, this is why we travel, is it not?
Upcoming departures
Japan: Temples, Tea & Mount Fuji
New departures for this trip are being planned. Talk to a specialist to hear about them first.
The moments
Six moments to look forward to
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01
Mount Fuji
Seen at its best in the early morning, before the cloud rolls in.
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02
A tea ceremony
An hour of slow, precise ritual with a tea master in Kyoto.
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03
The shinkansen
Tokyo to Kyoto in under three hours, exactly on time.
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04
A sake brewery
A tasting in Fushimi, where the water is said to be the secret.
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05
Nara
Ancient temples and a park full of polite, bowing deer.
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06
Gion at dusk
Wooden teahouses and lantern-lit lanes in Kyoto's old quarter.
Photographs
Memories from past trips
In their words
What past travellers said
- Rated by 27 members who travelled this trip
- 89% of members book another trip
- Solo traveler favorite
- 11 repeat travelers
I was nervous about Japan. I needn't have been: every day was smooth and every meal a surprise.
The tea ceremony alone was worth the trip.
Japan felt like another planet, in the best way.
Practicalities
Things you'll want to know
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No. Your host and local guides translate, and signs in cities are in English too.
How much walking is there?
Quite a lot in the cities, often 10,000 steps a day, on flat ground.
Is Japan expensive?
Less than you'd think. Our hotels, trains and most meals are included.
Ready to look at timing?
Check out the dates for this tripKeep exploring
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