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Garden House trip to Japan 2023

* THIS EVENT HAS NOW FINISHED *

Thursday 30th March - Thursday 13th April

We are really thrilled to be able to tell you about our spring 2023 trip to Japan.  This will be the fourth time we have arranged a specialist itinerary – yes, garden-focussed, but much, much more!  

We have an amazing itinerary lined up for you (see below), many visits tried and tested by us, and some new to us. Our guides are local Japanese, whose knowledge of all the places we will visit is exceptional.  We will travel by luxury coach.

Each time we’ve visited we’ve been bowled over by Japan’s extraordinary natural beauty, and the variety to be experienced between city and rural life.  Travelling in spring, we will enjoy the beautiful season of cherry blossom. 

Cost: we have not yet pinned down all the costs, so at this stage we’re asking you to PLEASE CONTACT US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE.  

For those of you who haven’t been before on a Garden House trip we do have a great deal of fun and enjoyment, we always see some fabulous gardens, some of which are off “the beaten track”.  Enjoy amazing cultural, fun and unique experiences with a great group of people.

Itinerary: 30 March – 13 April 2023

Thursday 30 March 2023

• Transport provided from Brighton to London Heathrow
• Flying Japan Airways from London Heathrow to Tokyo, then connecting flight to Osaka
• Flight departs Heathrow at 09:40, arriving in Tokyo at 05:35 local time
• Connecting flight from Tokyo at 07:30, arriving Osaka at 08:35 on 31 March

Friday 31 March – Day 1

• Picked up at airport and taken by coach to hotel in Kyoto – Hotel Keihan Kyoto Hachijoguchi
• Lunch at hotel
• Supper in local restaurant

Saturday 1 April – Day 2

Full sightseeing tour of Kyoto:

• Ryoanji Temple
• Kinkakuji Temple
• Nishiki Market
• Free time for lunch
• Nijo
• Heian Shrine

Sunday 2 April – Day 3

Second day of sightseeing in Kyoto:

• Hozugawa river ride
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Tenryuji temple and garden
• Stroll around a bamboo grove
• Kawai Kanjiro House (a potter’s house)
• Dinner: Street food under the cherry blossoms in Maruyama park

Monday 3 April – Day 4

Experiencing Japanese customs in Kyoto

• Tea ceremony
• Sushi-making, which we’ll eat for lunch
• Afternoon free to explore

Tuesday 4 April – Day 5

A free day to do what you fancy. Those who want can join two casual visits via public transport to:

Visit the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji)

Visit the Philosopher’s Walk in Kyoto to see the cherry blossom

Dinner and music at Kito cafe

Wednesday 5 April – Day 6

Take the bullet train (Nozomi) from Kyoto station to Hiroshima

Bento box on the train for lunch

Visit the peace memorial park and museum

Visit the Genbaku Dome, the only structure left standing in the area where the atomic bomb exploded in 1945

Visit Shukkeien garden

Eating okonomiyaki in downtown Hiroshima in the evening

Stay in Ana Crowne Plaza Hotel                                                

Thursday 6 April – Day 7

Take a ferry to the island of Miyajima, near Hiroshima:

• Istukushima Shrine
• Miyajima treasure hall
• Free time for lunch
• Daishoin Temple
• Return to hotel in Hiroshima

Friday 7 April – Day 8                        

Take the bullet train (Kodama) to Kurashiki

Full day of sightseeing in Kurashiki:

• Stroll in the Bikan quarter
• Korakuen garden
• Take the bullet train to Odawara, coach to Hakone
• Stay in ryokan, Susukionohara Inchinoyu, and have dinner there

Saturday 8 April – Day 9

Sightseeing in Hakone:

• Hakone open-air art museum
• Cruise on lake Ashi – hopefully with a sighting of Mount Fuji
• Lunch in a local restaurant
• Visit the Hakone shrine
• Coach to Tokyo and check in at Keio Plaza Hotel
• Dinner in local restaurant

Sunday 9 April – Day 10

Full day of sightseeing in Tokyo:

• Meiji Jingu shrine
• Imperial Palace Plaza
• Free time for lunch in the Ginza shopping area
• Ikebana experience – Japanese flower arranging

Monday 10 April – Day 11

• Free day to explore Tokyo
• You’re free to join us to visit the best of Tokyo’s art museums

Tuesday 11 April – Day 12

• Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple
• Visit Nakamise shopping street
• Free afternoon

Wednesday 12 April – Day 13

• Free day to explore
• Farewell dinner on a boat – the Yakatabune Cruise

Thursday 13 April – Day 14

* Direct flight from Tokyo to London Heathrow, leaving Tokyo at 11:20 local time and arrives home at 15:50 local time

ENDS

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