6-Day South Japan Express from Osaka

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival, we'll provide a transfer to the hotel, where you'll have free time to relax. In the afternoon, you'll receive information about the start of the tour.

We'll depart for Himeji, where admission to its immense complex, showcasing the architecture of Japanese castles, will be included. After lunch at a local restaurant (included), we'll continue to Okayama, where we'll visit Korakuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, with its lakes, waterfalls, and traditional teahouses. By crossing a pedestrian bridge over the river, you'll have the opportunity to visit Okayama Castle, a sixteenth-century Japanese fortification rebuilt in 1966 after being destroyed in a World War II bombing (visit inside the castle not included). Afterward, you'll have free time to explore the city, an active provincial capital with just over 700,000 inhabitants.Note: On some dates, we may stay in Fukuyama or Kurashiki. The visit to Kurashiki may take place on the same day in the afternoon.

We'll set out for Kurashiki, a city renowned for its beautifully preserved historic center. You'll have time to enjoy a leisurely stroll through its charming streets, where the atmosphere of the past is still alive.Our journey will then take us to Hiroshima, a city forever marked by the atomic bomb that devastated it in 1945. We'll visit the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the moving Peace Memorial Museum, where the history and resilience of this city are powerfully remembered.Seeking serenity after these reflections, we'll take a ferry to the island known as the place "where men and gods live together." Here, we'll visit the famous Itsukushima Shrine, dedicated to the guardian of the seas, and partially built over the water. You'll have time to explore the shrine, wander through the picturesque town center, and enjoy lunch.Afterward, we'll return to our hotel in Hiroshima, where dinner will be included.Note: The order of visits in Hiroshima may be adjusted without altering the overall tiinerary.

Today, we'll take a ferry to Shikoku Island; a pleasant two-and-a-half-hour journey that will help us understand Japan, a country made up of numerous islands. In Matsuyama, we'll ride the cable car to visit its impressive castle. After that, we'll visit Ishiteji, a beautiful Buddhist temple and a popular pilgrimage site. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. Later in the afternoon, we'll include admission to Dogo Onsen, a traditional Japanese bathhouse built in the 19th century.

We'll head to Kotohira, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors and an important pilgrimage site built on Mount Zosu, accessible by climbing 785 steps. Next, in Takamatsu, we'll visit Ritsurin, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.Afterward, in Naruto, we'll stop at an impressive bridge that spans the sea. Here, we'll explore its remarkable construction and walk along its glass floor to observe the powerful sea whirlpools from 45 meters above. Our scenic route will then take us across stunning bridges connecting islands over the sea. Finally, we'll arrive in Kobe for accommodation.

In Kobe, we'll visit the Earthquake Memorial Museum, a place dedicated to remembering the devastating earthquake that struck the city in 1995 and showcasing its remarkable reconstruction (on certain specific dates, the visit to the Earthquake Museum may be replaced by the Sake Museum or a trip up the Kobe Tower). We'll then continue to Osaka.Our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories. Please check your flight time in case you require an additional night. While the departure transfer to the airport is not included, our guide will provide recommendations for the best public transportation options to suit your journey.