Travel to the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan

Meet at the airport and fly via an intermediate station to the capital of Japan, Tokyo, located on the island of Honshu, the central and largest of the islands that make up Japan. Tokyo was originally a fishing village called Edo, meaning "estuary", but when it became the imperial capital in 1868 it was renamed Tokyo (Tō: east + Kyo: capital)

Arrival in Tokyo, the most populous city in the world - the population of the metropolitan area together with the suburbs reaches 38 million. Transfer and check-in at the hotel.

Morning city tour, during which we will visit the magnificent gardens of the royal palace, browse the streets of Nakamise with electronics, Harajuku with its youthful collection and Shinjuku with its shops and the Godzilla statue, as well as the shopping streets with the luxury shops of the Ginza area. We will also visit the Senshoji and Meiji Jingu temples, as well as the Tokyo Skytree telecommunications tower to admire the view of the city from above! Finally, we will transfer to Ueno Park and walk along its main path - the famous "Cherry Blossom Avenue", one of the best places in Tokyo to enjoy the spectacle of around 800 trees in bloom.

Return to the hotel.

Morning departure for Kamakura, capital of Japan in the period 1192-1333. Arrival and city tour, during which we will see the Great Buddha Temple (Kotoku-in) with its 11.4 meter high and 100 ton bronze statue - one of the two largest bronze Buddha statues in Japan ( the other is in Nara). Then we will visit the most important Shinto shrine of Kamakura, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and walk along the picturesque Komachi Dori street with its restaurants, cafes and characteristic old shops. Also, on our way to Tokyo, we will make a stop at Yokohama's futuristic Minato Mirai waterfront. Return to the hotel. Dinner

Morning departure for the "holy city" Nikko. Arriving we will see the arched Shinkyo Bridge, one of the most beautiful in Japan and we will visit the impressive Toshogu Temple with its elaborately decorated buildings and the famous three carved monkeys. Then we will admire the impressive Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji by cable car. Return to Tokyo. Dinner

This morning we will depart by road for Hakone (an area known for its natural hot springs). We continue with a "pirate" boat ride on the beautiful Lake Ashi with a view of the sacred Mount Fuji (depending on the weather conditions). We continue to Mishima railway station, from where we will board the bullet train bound for Hiroshima (change train at Shin-Kobe station). Arrival in the historic city, known for the holocaust after the explosion of the first atomic bomb in 1945. Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Dinner.

Note: The group's luggage is transported by road from the Tokyo hotel to the Kyoto hotel. For this reason, on train journeys, as well as for overnight stays in Hiroshima, make sure you only have one carry-on bag with the essentials.

Morning visit to the picturesque islet of Miyajima, "the island of water", with the famous Shinto shrine of Itsukushima and its famous floating gate (a much-photographed feature of the country). Then we will visit the Peace Park, the corresponding museum and the Dome of the Atomic Bomb Memorial. Hiroshima is known for a sad event that shocked humanity: it was the first city in history to be bombed with an atomic bomb on August 6, 1945 by the USA, instantly killing around 70,000 people. In the following months, an estimated 60,000 more people died from injuries or exposure to radiation, the tragic effects of which were felt for many decades afterwards. Also, about 70% of the city's buildings were completely destroyed. Only the Dome (made of concrete) and the skeleton of the building that housed the "Hiroshima District Trade Fair" were saved from the city. The Dome still exists today, exactly as it remained after the explosion, and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After our visit we will go to the Railway Station and board the train to Kyoto, a city-living museum of Japanese culture. To understand Japan, one must live in the streets and in the environment of the country's 1,000-year-old capital. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner.

Morning departure for the Arashiyama area ("the Mountain of Storm"), where we will have the opportunity to visit the impressive and beautiful Bamboo Forest. Apart from its natural beauty, one of the most interesting elements of this particular forest is the special sound produced, as the wind passes through the reeds and the bamboo foliage. A unique wonder of nature, which leaves every visitor speechless! Then we will see the traditional dwellings of the priests at the Temple of the Heavenly Dragon (Tenryuji). This is followed by a visit to the famous Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, known for its wooden temple and Kodaiji temple. After the traditional tea ceremony we will walk through the picturesque district of Gion and watch the show at the theater of the same name (if it is not already closed due to covid). Return to the hotel. Dinner

This morning we will depart for Nara, the first capital of the country, home of the art of Ikebana flowers and the melodrama "No". Here is also the largest bronze statue of Vairokana Buddha in the world, 16 meters high and weighing 550 tons. Arrival and visit Todaiji, Kiyomizu and Sanjusangendo temples, as well as the famous Deer Park. After our tour we will return to Kyoto and enjoy a traditional "Sukiyaki" dinner at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel.

Morning departure for Osaka, the "Great Hill", as its name translates, one of the most important manufacturing and commercial ports in the world. Arrival and guided tour of the city during which we will visit the famous and well-preserved Castle, which is located in its center and still impresses with its volume, its exterior decoration with gold leaf and its green surroundings. Today it is a very interesting museum with valuable exhibits of clothing from the medieval times, military objects and representations of the hard daily life of the Samurai, while the park with cherry trees that surrounds it, is an oasis of coolness and is suitable for romantic walks. Next is the Umeda area with its oversized futuristic buildings. Climbing the Umeda Sky Building, the 19th tallest building in Osaka Prefecture, is a unique experience. Consisting of two interconnected 40-story towers, it houses many offices of multinational companies and the 360-degree view from the top floor is breathtaking and reveals what is described as a "Japanese wonder". We will end up in the Dotombori area, where Osaka's commercial heart beats, with hundreds of shops and restaurants. After the end of the tour we will transfer to Kansai Airport and board the return flight to Athens via an intermediate station.