Dates: 10 Apr (Sat) – 20 April (Tue) 2027 10 days


A fun, personalised, trip to Japan with cousins, Matt & Lyn. for 6 fabulous friends. We will catch the end of Japan’s famous cherry blossoms, visit some famous sites and live like locals in Lyn’s 2 charming cottages midway between Osaka and Kyoto.
Funds raised from our trip will be donated to Ibaraki Rotary Club to help their earthquake relief project.

Lyn has been sharing Japan with friends since 2019 and has a wealth of knowledge about the Kansai region, having lived there for over 27 years and raised two daughters. Lyn is excited to have Matt join us on this Spring Escape and looks forward to fine tuning the itinerary to suit your interests. We will likely look at education in Japan and visit a school/pre-school and/or university.

April nights can still be a bit cold so you might enjoy a hot bath at home or a long soak in a hot spring 800m from our house.
With two guides, you’re guaranteed to get experiences and insights into Japan that will put a smile on your face for many years to come.

Inclusions:

• Fully escorted by Lyn, a bilingual Australian with extensive knowledge of Japan

• All accommodation - most nights in a traditional Japanese home

• 1 night Himeji

• Most meals

• All transport within Japan – cars, buses, trains, bullet train, monorail, bicycles, taxis

• Most sightseeing, activities and entrance fees

• Assistance with planning should you wish to extend your time in Japan.
  
  ** All guests must have travel insurance

Cost: AU$3,950 + AU$1,000 donation to Earthquake Relief through Ibaraki Rotary.

Itinerary

Sun. 11 Apr 2027 (B,L,D)

After our first breakfast and coffee at home, we will take a guided walk around our village and pop in to a neighbour’s house to learn about how ancestors are remembered and respected. After lunch, we will explore the many natural and activities within Banpaku Park (site of 1970 World Expo) and, if the weather is good, we’ll take a picnic under the cherry blossoms. Expo City - Japan’s largest shopping mall and ferris wheel adjoin the park so we’ve got lots of options. On the way home, you may like to experience another very popular activity in Japan - soaking in an outdoor hot spring 800m from our home.

Mon. 12 Apr 2027 (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will dive straight in to the bustle of the Namba area of Osaka and learn why Osaka is nicknamed the ‘kitchen of Japan.’ We will explore this colourful area, try many of the foods Osaka is famous for, check out a chunk of the Berlin Wall and we’re going to see real sumo wrestlers. From 6 pm we will be ringside, learning a lot about the history of sumo and maybe you will compete against a real sumo wrestler.

Tue. 13 Apr 2027 (B, L, D)

Quite often, the best holiday memories involve interactions with the locals. We might start the day with an ikebana lesson at home and then visit a school. Nakaosan could show us around his sake brewery or you might like to shop in a supermarket. Lyn is always keen to drag people to karaoke and for them to experience a haircut in Japan. There is also a new display home village with over 40 homes showing the latest in Japanese architecture and interior design.
We will make dinner together tonight so you will learn how to prepare Shabu Shabu or Okonomiyaki. An early night will be good as we have 2 busy days ahead.

Fri 16 Apr 2027 (B, D)

We’re going to beat the crowds and go see Himeji Castle nice and early. The surrounding park is one of the most famous places to get iconic photos of cherry blossoms with the castle so crowds can be challenging. After that, we’ll go to see Lyn’s favourite gardens,Kokoen. Mid afternoon, we will zip home on o shinkansen (bullet train) for a relaxing evening at home.

Sat 17 Apr 2027 (B, L, D)

Today we will probably go to Nara - home to lots of World Heritage buildings and a bunch of friendly deer. On the way back home, we may stop in Namba and walk through the covered streets lined with shops to Shinsaibashi - famous for its neon lights and the Glico Man. Being a Saturday night, it’s fun to simply people watch for an update on the latest fashions.

Sun 18 Apr 2027 (B, L, D)

There are no fixed plans until mid afternoon but a 6 km drive up to Katsuoji Temple and Minoh Waterfall is a great option. Alternatively, you might like to get a haircut, find a bargain at a second-hand shop, soak in the onsen down the road, play golf, ride our e-bikes or do nothing.
Around 3:30 pm, Ogawasan will come and dress us up for a photo shoot in kimono! Our traditional house makes a great backdrop.

We might invite some neighbors for a bit of sushi and beer tonight. Lyn’s neighbor, Hide, is in Rotary and he could tell us about their work in earthquake relief too.

Mon 19 Apr 2026 (B, L, D)

Most likely we will visit another educational institution today and tick off some of those things we haven’t had time for yet.

Lunch at our local golf course (1 km up the road) is quite a treat as the bento is both delicious and beautiful. The views from the restaurant go from Kyoto to Hyogo prefectures so we’ll be able to recall all the places we’ve been.

For dinner, we might do another simple cooking lesson so you can go home with the confidence to make it in Australia.

Tue. 20 Apr 2026 (B, L)

You have this morning to do that final shop, hike, massage or whatever else. Matt and Lyn will be available to help you do that efficiently. If you are extending your trip, then we will help you get to the train. If you are returning to Australia, taxis will pick you up mid - late afternoon and drive you to Kansai Airport. (Jetstar flights to Australia leave in the evenings)