One of the four main islands of Japan, Shikoku is divided into four prefectures; over the course of five days, you'll encounter the wonderful sights of three of them on your private Japan guided tour.
Beginning and ending in the lively city of Osaka, your trip will see you travelling to Tokushima and experiencing the Naruto Whirlpools and the Edo-Period town of Wakimachi on the way. Moving on to the Iya Valley, you'll encounter one of Japan's 13 rare bridges, the 1100-year-old vine bridge, before visiting the thatched village of Ochiai and taking a boat cruise on the beautiful Yoshino River.
You'll try your hand at unique cultural crafts such as paper making and indigo dyeing, as well as taking part in an udon-making class where udon itself was born. You'll visit stunning temples very important to the Japanese pilgrimage route and also the famed Makino Botanical Garden filled with over 300,000 species of plants.
Arriving back in Osaka on your penultimate night, you'll have the chance to explore this city through its food and through its lively entertainment district, Dotonburi. One of the four main islands of Japan, Shikoku is divided into four prefectures; over the course of five days, you'll encounter the wonderful sights of three of them on your private Japan guided tour.
Beginning and ending in the lively city of Osaka, your trip will see you travelling to Tokushima and experiencing the Naruto Whirlpools and the Edo-Period town of Wakimachi on the way. Moving on to the Iya Valley, you'll encounter one of Japan's 13 rare bridges, the 1100-year-old vine bridge, before visiting the thatched village of Ochiai and taking a boat cruise on the beautiful Yoshino River.
You'll try your hand at unique cultural crafts such as paper making and indigo dyeing, as well as taking part in an udon-making class where udon itself was born. You'll visit stunning temples very important to the Japanese pilgrimage route and also the famed Makino Botanical Garden filled with over 300,000 species of plants.
Arriving back in Osaka on your penultimate night, you'll have the chance to explore this city through its food and through its lively entertainment district, Dotonburi.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Naruto Whirlpools, Wakimachi City, Indigo Dye & Awa Odori Museum
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Today, you'll be driven from Osaka to Tokushima, stopping several times on the way. The first will be at the Naruto Whirlpools, created by a large amount of water that moves between the narrow strait between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Next, you'll visit Wakimachi, a town straight out of the Edo-period where historic buildings are preserved; you can try your hand at dyeing fabrics with indigo. Before arriving in Tokushima, you'll watch a traditional Awa Odori dance at the museum.
Accommodation
Hotel Sunroute Tokushima★3 star
Activities
Naruto Whirlpools
Wakimachi City Tour
Indigo Dyeing Studio Tour
Awa Odori Museum
Transportations
Private Driver from Osaka to Tokushima
Meals
Lunch and dinner
Destinations
Naruto
Mima
Tokushima
Day 2
lya-no-Kazura Bashi Bridge, Ochiai Village, Oboke Gorge & Kochi Castle
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Today, you'll visit the 1100-year-old vine bridge at Iya Valley, one of the 13 rarest bridges in Japan, a suspension bridge constructed of vines that are supported on each end by giant cedar trees. You'll then visit the beautiful Ochiai village and the many thatch-roofed houses, from Ochiai View tower. Afterwards, you'll enjoy a gentle 30-minute boat cruise on the beautiful Yoshino River. Your last visit is to Kochi Castle, the former seat of the Yamauchi lords in the Edo period.
Accommodation
The Crown Palais New Hankyu Kochi★3 star
Activities
Iya-no-Kazura Bashi
Ochiai Village
Ōboke Gorge Boat Ride
Kochi Castle
Restaurants
Hirome Ichiba
Transportations
Private Driver from Tokushima to Kochi
Meals
Lunch and dinner
Destinations
Tokushima
Miyoshi
Kochi
Day 3
Japan Guided Tour - Paper-Making Experience & Sightseeing
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Today, you'll experience Japanese paper-making at QRAUD Tosawachi before moving on to a Bonito grilling experience in Kochi city. With a full belly, you'll visit Chikurin-ji, a beautiful temple located on a hill overlooking the city and surrounded by a beautiful pine forest. Next, you'll visit Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden where you can wander through various gardens and environments filled with over 300,000 species of plants. You'll stay in one of Kotohira's old hot spring ryokans.
Accommodation
Kotohira Onsen Kotosankaku★3 star
Activities
Paper-Making Experience at QRAUD Tosawashi Kougeimura Hotel
Cooking Class at Kuroshio
Chikurin-ji
Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden
Transportations
Private Driver from Kochi to Kuroshio
Private Driver from Kuroshio to Takamatsu
Meals
Dinner
Destinations
Kochi
Ino
Kuroshio
Kotohira
Day 4
Ritsurin Kōen, Udon Making Experience, Kotohira-gu & Travel to Osaka
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This morning, you'll set off to visit Ritsurin Kōen, one of the most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan. After this, you'll enjoy a traditional udon-making experience in the very land where udon was born. After filling your belly, you'll visit Konpira-Shrine, a Japanese power spot from hundreds of years which is dedicated to marine safety and seafaring. In the afternoon, you'll drive to Osaka and check-in at hotel before heading out for a local dinner in the lively Namba district.
Accommodation
Hotel Nikko Osaka★4 star
Activities
Ritsurin Kōen
Udon-Making Experience at Nakano Udon School
Kotohira-gu Shrine
Transportations
Private Driver from Takamatsu to Ritsurin Garden
Private Driver from Ritsurin Garden to Nakano udon school
Private Driver from Kotohira-gu to Osaka
Meals
Dinner
Destinations
Kotohira
Takamatsu
Osaka
Day 5
The Vibrant Dotonburi & Departure
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Today, you'll immerse yourself in excellent local foods and the vibrant atmosphere of Dotonburi, Osaka's premier tourist and entertainment district. Lively bars, restaurants, shops, karaoke centres, galleries and museums line the streets making it one of the best places to experiences Osaka's lively soul. When you're ready, your driver will take you to the airport.
Activities
Dotonbori
Transportations
Private Driver from Dōtonbori to Kansai International AirportOptional Activity
Destinations
Osaka
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What’s included?
4 nights accommodation
16 activities
2 lunches and 4 dinners
Entrance fees
Ground transportation
Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
Airport transfer
Alcohol beverages
Domestic flights
Entry visas / airport departure tax
Gratuities
International flights
Laundry
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 4,590/ per traveller sharing
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Benefits of this trip
Japan in 5 days
4-star, 3-star accommodation
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer
