In the footsteps of the Samurai - September 2012

This group tour offers a unique opportunity to travel with expert guide Michael Jay who will bring to life traditional Japan in the days of the samurai. He is in a unique position to explain the classical warrior culture of Japan being the only non-Japanese person to hold a samurai rank since William Adams, the first Englishman in Japan who, in 1600, became an adviser to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.

As a Group Commander in the Soma Horse Association, Michael was featured in a prestigious BBC 'The World About Us' programme about Soma Noma Oi, a three day celebration of skill in samurai horsemanship, and is a senior swordsman of Japan's premier and most ancient classical combat school, the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu.

25th September 2012 - Depart London
Depart London Heathrow today on your flight to Osaka via Tokyo Narita Airport.

26th September 2012 - Arrive Kyoto
On arrival at Osaka airport, board a private coach and reach our hotel in Kyoto (a journey of around 1 hour). The Hyatt Regency Hotel is located in the heart of the richly cultural Higashiyama area amidst the famous Chishakuin, Sanjusangendo and Yogenin Temples.

27th September 2012 - Kyoto
On your first morning in Kyoto, visit Gion with its traditional wooden buildings, cobbled streets and famous geisha. You may be lucky enough to photograph them in formal kimono on their way to perform their classical entertainment. Take a short walk to the complex of temples in Maruyama Park in the foothills of the mountains east of Kyoto and take part in the temple tradition of ringing the bell at the entrance.

After lunch, head uphill to the iconic Kiyomizu temple resting against the hill slope supported by 20 metre high wooden stilts and with fantastic views over the whole city. In the evening, enjoy a seasonal performance of 'Miyako Odori', a special celebration of spring and join the welcome dinner of sukiyaki, cooked in Japanese tradition at your table.

28th September 2012 - Kyoto
This morning explore the world famous Golden Pavilion and Ryoanji temples, the headquarters of differing sects of Buddhism where many make personal pilgrimages. The gardens, lakes and architecture of Nijō Castle in central Kyoto was ostentatious for its day - designed to demonstrate the Shogun's growing power. A fascinating feature is the nightingale floor which still sounds to detect intruders.

In the afternoon follow an ancient route through the countryside to Nara, to explore the natural beauty of the huge Deer Park. Try Japanese snacks from traditional food stalls, watch turtles in the ponds and walk in the hills for views over the parkland. Even if shopping is not your idea of fun, it is well worth wandering through shopping areas to see how Japanese people live day to day - it is quite different from the average UK high street.

29th September 2012 - Kyoto/Mount Koya
Today we move by train to the holy mountain, Mount Koya. Spending the night at Mount Kōya's temple lodgings within beautiful gardens against the backdrop of the ancient forests will without doubt be one of the highlights of your tour. Try zazen meditation and enjoy their delicious culinary speciality 'Shojin-Ryori' a vegetarian dinner that is the traditional diet of the Buddhist monks. Please note that rooms in temple accommodation do not have ensuite facilities.

30th September 2012 - Mount Koya/Osaka/Hiroshima
Today descend via the funicular railway to Osaka for your journey on the Shinkansen Bullet Train on its fastest stretch west to Hiroshima. Watching the landscape whiz by, you realise how the inaccessibility of mountainous Japan has protected it from human impact. The trains travelling just 3 minutes apart are a masterpiece of organisation that surely only the Japanese could achieve.

Arriving early afternoon, make straight for the city's speciality lunch, Okonomiyaki, a savoury dish between a pancake and an omelette, but far more exotic. Spend the afternoon visiting the Atomic Dome and Peace Memorial Museum commemorating the events leading up to the dropping of the atomic bomb on 6th August 1945 and the tragic destruction of the city. Stay at the newly renovated ANA Crown Plaza Hotel, conveniently located just minutes from both the Peace Park and Hiroshima Station.

1st October 2012 - Hiroshima
Take a ferry from Hiroshima to spend a full day on Miyajima Island. At high tide the Inland Sea swells around the spectacular shrine stilts and the red torii gate appears to float magically on the waves. At low tide you can stroll across the sand to the huge gate. The town has many fascinating shops and is populated by friendly, photogenic deer eagerly awaiting you to feed them.

2nd October 2012 - Hiroshima/Kanazawa
Taking the Shinkansen back east, change to the Thunderbird express which follows the shoreline of Lake Biwa on its way to Kanazawa. Kanazawa was once one of Japan's richest cities, one of only a handful to escape damage during the Second World War and consequently remarkably well preserved. Geisha districts rub shoulders with temples and the newly reconstructed castle in this city famed for its ceramics, lacquerware and Kaga-ryori cuisine. Kanazawa's old samurai district is characterized by earthen walls which surround its historic residences. Many of the houses can be visited such as the Nomura-ke residence, now a museum and well known for its verdant garden. Stay overnight in the elegant European atmosphere of the Hotel Nikko Kanazawa, the tallest hotel in the Hokuriku area. After a day of sightseeing, enjoy a meal or cocktail in one of the unique restaurants as you drink in the views.

3rd October 2012 - Kanazawa/Takayama
Today travel deep into the Japanese Alps, spending an afternoon in the picturesque valley of Shirakawa-gō. For many centuries the surrounding mountains and heavy winter snowfalls made Shirakawa-gō district nearly unreachable and the villagers continued their traditional lifestyle until very recently. Continue to Takayama where staying at a traditional Japanese ryokan allows you to enjoy the very best of Japanese hospitality in surroundings little changed in the past century. The distinctive rice-straw scent of tatami floors is wonderfully evident as you enter your ensuite room. Wandering the hot spring town in your yukata before dinner is the traditional way to explore the area. In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous kaiseki meal, with dozens of tiny dishes brought to you in stages by your hostess. With meticulous attention to aesthetics and detail, this is as much a feast for the eyes as the stomach.

4th October 2012 - Takayama
Tucked into the forested foothills of Japan's Central Alps, Takayama has an enduring legacy of woodworking and many of its skilled carpenters were once employed by emperors to build Kyoto's architectural gems. Early this morning, see the markets on the bank of the Miya River with farmers' stalls selling local vegetables, produce and handicrafts. In the afternoon visit the San-machi Suji area of wooden merchant houses, old inns and sake breweries. Takayama's clear mountain water and high quality rice are the perfect combination for brewing sake. The breweries on San-machi Suji can be easily identified by their traditional sugidama mark, a ball of cedar leaves. Although special tasting events are only available over the winter months, all breweries will willingly loan you an o-choko (small sake cup) to taste the different sweet and dry varieties.

5th October 2012 - Takayama/Tsumago
Continue the journey through the Japanese Alps taking the long train ride through the dramatic valley towards Nagoya. The imposing Inuyama Castle, the oldest in Japan, has survived all natural disasters, wars and changes of master, and was designated a National Treasure in 1952. Continue east to the old Nakasendō Road that runs through the very centre of Japan connecting Kyoto and Tokyo, brushing the shoulders of the mountains and winding along river valleys and over forested passes. Of the nearly seventy post towns between the old and new capitals, the eleven in the Kiso Valley offer a glimpse of rural Japan as it once was - cobbled stretches of the old highway run between rows of ancient wooden houses in the mainly pedestrian villages surrounded by forests. Stay overnight at The Hanaya on the outskirts of Tsumago, a small family run ryokan with a 300 year history. All the rooms are Japanese style and bathroom facilities are shared among the guests, but separated by sex as is usual in these wonderful old inns. Please note as this is a small family run ryokan, room sizes may vary.

6th October 2012 - Tsumago/Tokyo
This morning travel on to Tokyo stopping on the west side of the city to visit Sengakuji Temple where poignant graves tell of the heroic 47 Samurai who, in 1703, exacted a terrible revenge for their lost lord. This afternoon visit Asakusa, as close to the old Shitamachi atmosphere as it is possible to get in modern day Tokyo. Sensō-ji Temple, bright red and pleasantly crowded, is the oldest and most important Buddhist site in Tokyo and home to a small golden statue of the goddess Kannon so sacred that it cannot be viewed. Asakusa's bustling, festive streets are lined with stalls selling freshly grilled rice crackers, Buddhist charms and paper fans. Local cinemas play old films, catering to nostalgic elderly Japanese tourists and pilgrims.

Behind the temple lies Tokyo's famous geisha quarter, where you can occasionally catch a glimpse of the geisha on their way to work. Take a rare chance to see a samurai swordsmith in his workshop and learn of the art of this uniquely Japanese weapon. Stay overnight at The Park Hotel Tokyo, standing tall on the 25th floor of the Shiodome Media Tower. The colourful hotel rooms are finished with carefully designed accessories and glittering night views of the metropolis.

7th October 2012 - Tokyo
Today enter a traditional martial arts dojo for a rare demonstration of classical martial skill before proceeding to the beautiful historic town of Narita and the Boso no Mura Village. This is an open air museum that aims to expose its visitors to the traditional local lifestyle and crafts of the Boso region. It reproduces a typical local village of the Edo Period complete with merchant houses, workshops and farms. At the various craft workshops you can participate in traditional crafts such as papermaking, ironwork and the tea ceremony. At the old samurai residence you can take the opportunity to try on the old armour of the warrior class. In the evening enjoy a special farewell dinner before heading to the Narita airport hotel. Spacious guest rooms ensure you can relax before your long journey home.

8th October 2012 - Depart Narita
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be escorted to Tokyo Narita Airport for your flight back to the UK.

Pricing
Cost per person from £4,195 (excludes international flights). For international flights from London to Japan, please contact your Abercrombie & Kent consultant for latest prices and offers. Single room supplement from £1,285.