Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport and begin your holiday with a pleasant flight to Japan.Upon arrival, meet and greet by local representative and transfer to hotel.

Proceed to Himeji Castle (admission fee included), one of a World Cultural Heritage and national treasure. Thereafter, visit Okayama Korakuen Garden (admission fee included), which is one of Japan’s three most beautiful landscape gardens. You can see various ponds, streams, waterfalls, bridges, teahouses, trees, stones and flowers here. Next, visit Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, a symbolic area of the town. Scenery of the old days is still mostly preserved, with white earthen-walled warehouses and villas lined up along Kurashiki River, weeping willows swinging their branches over the river, and stone bridges. Boats carrying supplies used to ply the Kurashiki River, but now sightseeing river boats operate there.

This morning, proceed to Washuzan Observatory, a 133m high mountain with a beautiful view of the Seto Bridge. Continue to Miyajima, where you will take a ferry ride to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Itsukushima Shrine and Torii Gate. It is one of Japan’s three most beautiful spots. Stroll along Deer Park where you can see many wild deers and shop for souvenirs and snacks on the Omotesando Shopping Street. Next, visit Hiroshima Peace Park Memorial, built to commemorate the spot of the atomic explosionabove the city in 1945. Stop by the Atomic Bomb Museum (admission fee included), which serves as a silent reminder of the momentous event.

After breakfast, we will carry on our journey and enjoy a stroll along the Shimanami Kaido Bridge, which provides a scenic splendour of the inland sea where the seven bridges cross-link between Honshu and Shikoku. Continue to visit the Imabari Towel Museum (admission fee included), a unique museum devoted to all different kinds of towels. Thereafter, take a Ropeway and visit the Matsuyama Castle (admission fee included). It is one of Japan’s most beautiful original castle where you can enjoy a birds’ eye view of Matsuyama city. At Dogo Onsen, take a stroll and take in the atmosphere of the rustic onsen town. Dogo Onsen is one of the oldest onsen hotsprings in Japan, with a history stretching back over 1000 years. The main building located in the center of this hotspring area was the inspiration for the bathhouse in the famousanimated movie “Spirited Away”, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Today, proceed to Oboke Iya (admission fee included) and take a Ravine Boat Ride (boat ride included). Enjoy this relaxing cruise down the calm part of Yoshinogawa River as you marvel at the beauty of the scenery. Next, visit Zenigata Sand Painting, which is a 345 meters diameter outline of Kanei Tsuho, a square holed old coin, dating from the Edo Period (1603-1868). Continue to Ritsurin Garden (admission fee included). This garden was made over the course of one hundred years, starting about 370 years ago. Considered one of the best gardens in Japan, it features many ponds, hills, historic trees and beautiful pavilions.

Today’s highlight is the Awa Odori Traditional Dance (admission fee included), which is one of the most famous local dance during the festival in Japan. Next, you can experience the natural Naruto Bridge “Uzu No Michi” (admission fee included). It is a tidal whirlpool in the Naruto Strait, a channel between Naruto in Tokushima and Awaji Island in Hyogo, Japan. You will enjoy an awesome cruise ride to watch the whirlpool in front of you (cruise ride is subject to weather condition, at your own expenses). Next, visit Awajishima Farm where you can see farms with cows and horses everywhere. Over here, you may like to try their local fresh milk (at own expense). Next, travel on top the 89km long suspension bridge that links to Kobe, Awaji Island and Naruto. Thereafter, photo stop at the famous Akashi Bridge. Explore the Kobe Chinatown and Harborland, a mosaic town along the bay, with attractions such as a garden, amusement park, restaurants and a shopping mall. Thereafter, visit Earthquake Park which is an area of the Meriken Pier which was struck by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

Commence the day with a visit to see the majestic Osaka Castle (entrance fee excluded). Continue to visit the Cup Noodle Museum (admission fee included) where you can enjoy knowing the history and production process of the noodles. Invented in 1958, cup noodles are synonymous with the efficiency and commitment to perfection that we associate with Japan. Explore the shopping paradise “Shinsaibashi” and be wowed by the many shops and departmental stores selling trendy clothes, shoes, books, etc. Visit food paradise “Dotonbori”, where many cafés, restaurants, street food stalls, etc. are located. See the colourful illuminated neon signboards by the Dotonbori Canals, with their mirror reflections on the water.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight back to Singapore. We hope that you had a memorable vacation with ASA Holidays. Note: SQ 623 2330/0510 may replace SQ 619 at times. In the event of SQ623 flight, the group will spend the day shopping at the US-originated Rinku Chelsea Premium Outlets.