TOKYO, KYOTO & JAPANESE DELIGHTS

Today visit four of Tokyo’s popular sightseeing spots on this one day shared tour on a coach with an English speaking guide: Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace Plaza, Sumida River Cruise, and Senso-ji Temple. You will also enjoy the cultural experience of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony on this popular Tokyo tour. (L)

Hakone is a natural wonderland and is famous for its hot springs, outdoor pursuits and the view of the nearby Mount Fuji. It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is less than 100 kilometres from Tokyo, providing a popular weekend destination for city residents keen to escape the frenzy of the capital. Besides the towering mountains, lakes and views of Mount Fuji, it is also blessed with charming historical sites.

This shared coach tour takes you to majestic Mt. Fuji and Hakone. It includes a trip up to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station at an elevation of 2,300 metres, a cruise on pristine Lake Ashi, and a ride on the Komagatake Ropeway which boasts great views of the surrounding Hakone National Park. (L)

Transfer from your hotel to Yokohama port in Tokyo and embark Diamond Princess for your eight night Japan cruise. (LD)

Experience all that Diamond Princess has to offer on your cruise. Revel in the rich cultural heritage of Shimzu which is rooted in the surrounding Shizuoka area’s history as the home of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, following his retirement from government. Next up is Kobe, a cosmopolitan port city with a population of about 1.5 million. The city is the point of origin and namesake of Kobe beef as well as the site of one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts, Arima Onsen. Kobe is also your gateway to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient imperial capital and the nation’s cultural and spiritual centre. The largest island in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Okinawa has been a centre of trade and is also the birthplace of karate; one of the world’s most popular martial arts, and a fusion of Chinese Kung Fu and traditional island martial arts. Taipei is Taiwan’s capital city and one of the world’s most important commercial centres. Despite its turbulent history, Taiwan today boasts an economy that is the envy of the world and is a world leader in the production of bicycles, computer chips, chemicals and computer notebooks. Taipei is a sophisticated, modern metropolis that has not forgotten its rich traditional past. The port of Keelung is your gateway to Taiwan. Visit the bustling city of Taipei and other interesting areas surrounding the fascinating island in the East China Sea. (BLD)

Disembark the ship in Yokohama and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)