South Japan Express
South Japan Express
South Japan Express
6 Days Starting and ending in Osaka, Japan
Visiting: Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Kobe
Tour operator:
Tour code:
29757
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
36 - 72
Age range:
3-85
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the South Japan Express tour and immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Japan. Begin your journey in Osaka, where you'll have free time to explore the city. Visit the majestic Himeji Castle and the serene Korakuen Gardens in Okayama. Discover the historical charm of Kurashiki and the poignant Peace Memorial in Hiroshima. Take a ferry to Shikoku Island to see Matsuyama's impressive castle and the traditional Dogo Onsen. Climb the steps to the Kotohira Shrine, stroll through the beautiful Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu, and marvel at the engineering of the Naruto Bridge. Conclude your adventure in Kobe with a visit to the Earthquake Memorial Museum before returning to Osaka. This tour offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, historical landmarks, and cultural experiences.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Osaka
Location: Osaka
Accommodation Name: hotel
Arrival. Welcome to Japan! Transfer to the hotel and free time. You will receive information about the start of the circuit during the afternoon.
Day 2 : Osaka, Himeji, Korakuen Gardens, Okayama
Location: Okayama
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Lunch
We leave for HIMEJI, where we will include entry to its immense complex that shows us the architecture of Japanese castles. Lunch included in a local restaurant. We go on to OKAYAMA, where we will visit Korakuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, with its lakes, waterfalls and traditional teahouses. Next, we head towards the Shinto shrine of Kibitsu-Jinja where the God Kibitsuhiko-no-Mikoto is venerated, which is the origin of the legend of Momotaro, symbol of Okayama Prefecture. We find a unique architecture with a corridor of 360 meters long. After the visit, free time in the city, active provincial capital of just over 700,000 inhabitants.Note: On some dates, we may be accommodated in FUKUYAMA or KURASHIKI. When this happens, the visit to Kibitsu-Jinja Temple will be cancelled. The visit to Kurashiki can be made on the same day in the afternoon.
Day 3 : Okayama, Kurashiki, Itsukushima, Hiroshima
Location: Hiroshima
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
We leave for KURASHIKI, a city with a very well preserved historical centre. Time for a stroll in this charming place with its atmosphere from the past. We continue on our way to HIROSHIMA, a city sadly known for the atomic bomb that fell on it in 1945 and which levelled the city. We will stroll around the Peace Memorial, the Dome of the bomb and we will visit the impressive Museum of Peace. After the war we will seek peace by embarking on a ferry to the island “where men and gods live together”, with the sanctuary of ITSUKUSHIMA dedicated to the guardian of the seas, built partially over the sea. Time to visit the temple, to stroll around its pretty centre and have lunch. Return to our hotel in Hiroshima. Dinner included.Note: The order of the visits in Hiroshima may vary without affecting their content.
Day 4 : Hiroshima, Matsuyama
Location: Matsuyama
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Lunch
Today we will take a ferry to Shikoku Island, on a pleasant crossing that lasts two hours and a half and see the many islands that make up Japan. In MATSUYAMA we will take the cable car up to its impressive castle. Afterwards, we will visit ISHITEJI, a beautiful Buddhist temple and a place of pilgrimage. Lunch included. In the late afternoon, we will visit DOGO ONSEN (admission included), a traditional Japanese bath facility built in the 19th century.
Day 5 : Matsuyama, Kotohira, Takamatsu, Naruto, Kobe
Location: Kobe
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Lunch
We depart for KOTOHIRA, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors and a place of pilgrimage. The shrine stands on Mount Zosu and is reached by climbing 785 steps. Afterwards in TAKAMATSU we will visit RITSURIN, one of the prettiest gardens in Japan. Lunch included. Then, in NARUTO, we cross an impressive bridge over the sea, stopping on the way to admire the construction and walk on its glass floor with the sea 45 metres below us. Our road is surrounded by beautiful scenery and then crosses long bridges between islands over the sea. Arrival in KOBE, accommodation.
Day 6 : Kobe, Osaka
Location: Kobe
Accommodation Name: hotel
In Kobe we visited the Earthquake Memorial Museum, a place to remind the tragic seism that devastated the city in 1995 and its perfect reconstruction. We go on to OSAKA, arrival at noon. Note: On some dates, the Earthquake Museum may be changed for the Sake Museum or a climb up Kobe Tower.End of our services. Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.
What's Included
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Entry to Himeji Castle
Entry to the immense complex of Himeji Castle is included.
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Lunch in Himeji
Lunch is included in a local restaurant in Himeji.
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Visit to Korakuen Gardens
Visit to Korakuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, is included.
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Dinner in Hiroshima
Dinner is included in Hiroshima.
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Ferry to Shikoku Island
A ferry ride to Shikoku Island is included.
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Cable car to Matsuyama Castle
Cable car ride to Matsuyama Castle is included.
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Visit to Ishiteji Temple
Visit to Ishiteji, a beautiful Buddhist temple, is included.
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Lunch in Matsuyama
Lunch is included in Matsuyama.
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Visit to Dogo Onsen
Admission to Dogo Onsen, a traditional Japanese bath facility, is included.
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Visit to Ritsurin Garden
Visit to Ritsurin, one of the prettiest gardens in Japan, is included.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from Japan are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees for entry into Japan are not included.
Mode of Transport
Transportation includes transfers between cities such as Osaka, Himeji, Okayama, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Kotohira, Takamatsu, Naruto, and Kobe, with ferry rides and cable car trips included.
Check out our Q&As
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What can I expect on the first day of the South Japan Express tour?
On the first day, you will arrive in Osaka, transfer to the hotel, and have some free time. You will receive information about the start of the circuit during the afternoon.
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What activities are included on the second day of the tour?
On the second day, you will visit Himeji to see its immense castle complex, have lunch at a local restaurant, and then visit Korakuen Gardens in Okayama. You will also visit the Shinto shrine of Kibitsu-Jinja, known for its unique 360-meter-long corridor. Note that on some dates, accommodation may be in Fukuyama or Kurashiki, which could affect the visit to Kibitsu-Jinja Temple.
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What historical sites will we visit in Hiroshima?
In Hiroshima, you will visit the Peace Memorial, the Dome of the bomb, and the Museum of Peace. You will also take a ferry to the island of Itsukushima to visit the sanctuary dedicated to the guardian of the seas.
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What unique experiences are included in Matsuyama?
In Matsuyama, you will take a cable car up to its impressive castle, visit the beautiful Buddhist temple Ishiteji, and experience Dogo Onsen, a traditional Japanese bath facility built in the 19th century.
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What is special about the visit to Kotohira and Takamatsu?
In Kotohira, you will visit a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors, which is reached by climbing 785 steps. In Takamatsu, you will visit Ritsurin, one of the prettiest gardens in Japan.
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What will we see in Kobe?
In Kobe, you will visit the Earthquake Memorial Museum, which commemorates the tragic earthquake that devastated the city in 1995 and its subsequent reconstruction. Note that on some dates, the Earthquake Museum may be replaced with a visit to the Sake Museum or a climb up Kobe Tower.
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Low Deposit
Europamundo requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of europamundo charges.
Up to 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 20 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 10 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 2 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.