JAPAN: EXPLORING THE ANCIENT VILLAGE OF SHIRAKAWAGO

Morning: The group lands at Chubu Airport (NGO). Guests complete immigration procedures. Then the coach and tour guide take you to Gifu for sightseeing and lunch:
Hachiman Gujo: The village is famous for making food replicas, reproducing dishes almost perfectly to look like the real thing. The villagers have practiced this craft since around the 1920s, and the industry has developed to this day. On arrival, visitors can watch artisans demonstrate their skills and try making simple dishes such as tempura and cabbage. Through the hands of the craftsmen, with just a few small movements such as pouring wax and gently flicking the hand, each dish gradually takes shape, making you hardly believe your eyes.
Shirakawa-go Old Village: Considered one of the most famous landmarks in Gifu Prefecture, attracting large numbers of domestic and foreign visitors. It is one of the oldest villages in Japan, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1995, and famous for its Gassho-zukuri architecture.
Evening: You have dinner at a restaurant and overnight at a hotel in the Gifu area.

Morning: You have breakfast at the hotel and check out. The group then travels to Matsumoto for sightseeing:
Matsumoto Castle: Also called the “Crow Castle” because of the black color of its walls, Matsumoto Castle is one of the rare original castles still standing in Japan. Located in Matsumoto city, Nagano Prefecture, the castle stands out for its unique architecture, combining wartime and peacetime building styles. Visitors can explore its long history, admire its ancient beauty and enjoy the peaceful garden surrounding the castle.
Noon: You have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, the group sets off to sightsee
Narai-juku Old Town: Narai-juku is one of Japan's oldest post towns, stretching about 1 km along the Narai River in Nagano Prefecture. The old town is a famous spot for sightseeing and photos, as its buildings have been preserved intact for more than 300 years. The rows of houses here follow the “Dashi-bari-zukuri” style with its distinctive projecting second floor, which is still largely intact, creating a rare antique scene. Visitors can feel the historic atmosphere, admire traditional Japanese architecture and enjoy simple local dishes such as oyaki and soba, or buy lacquerware souvenirs.
You are free to shop at Aeon Mall shopping center (if time allows)
Evening: You have dinner at a restaurant and overnight at a hotel in Matsumoto or nearby.

Morning: You have breakfast at the hotel and check out. The coach takes the group to Mount Fuji for sightseeing:
Fujiten Snow Resort: Known as the most beautiful ski resort in Asia, thanks to its snow-covered scenery that creates a fairy-tale landscape. At an altitude of about 1,500 m, divided into various levels, it ensures safety for beginners as well as professional athletes. Like a snowfield from a myth, Fujiten Snow Resort gives visitors complete relaxation under blue skies and fresh white snow (Guests pay for ski wear and equipment rental themselves).
Mount Fuji – symbol of Japan: If the weather is fine, guests will go up to the 5th station and see the peak of Mount Fuji glistening with silver snow in the sunshine. Guests are free to sightsee and shop in the Mount Fuji area.
Check in at Shimoyoshida Honcho: a historic district in Fujiyoshida city, famous for its breathtaking view of Mount Fuji and traditional buildings with an old-world character, with shops, eateries and signs in traditional style. Strolling along this street, visitors feel as if they have turned back the clock to the past.
Evening: The group has dinner and overnight at a hotel in the Mount Fuji area. After dinner, guests are free to take a dip in the natural hot spring baths in the hotel grounds in Japanese style (called Onsen – the Japanese believe soaking in hot springs can relieve some joint and muscle pain, fatigue and other ailments).

Morning: The group has breakfast at the hotel and checks out. The journey continues, and the group visits:
Experience early cherry blossom viewing at Kawazu Sakura: Kawazu Sakura is one of the most famous cherry blossom varieties in Japan because of its outstanding early blooming. It arrives before the official cherry blossom season, signaling that spring has come while the weather is still crisp. This flower originates from Kawazu town, Shizuoka Prefecture, and stands out with its vivid deep pink and larger, thicker petals compared with the common Somei Yoshino variety.
Please note: The early cherry blossom viewing location will be selected at the time of departure, depending heavily on the actual blooming status and local weather conditions.
Owakudani Valley: a volcanic valley formed by an eruption about 3,000 years ago, notable for its unique geological landscape and the sulfur fumes rising from the ground. A one-of-a-kind local specialty of Owakudani is eggs boiled in the hot springs, whose shells turn black, called kurotamago; it is said that eating one black egg adds seven years to your life.
Guests are free to shop at the Akihabara shopping paradise (if time allows).
Evening: The group has dinner at a restaurant and overnight at a hotel in Tokyo.
SPECIAL, during the sightseeing day in Tokyo, guests enjoy a GEISHA SHOW distinctive and entertaining, with photos and interaction with Geisha artists: Geisha are traditional Japanese entertainment artists, thoroughly trained to perform music, dance, poetry and conversation. They often appear at tea ceremonies, cultural events and entertainment districts. To become a geisha, a woman must undergo a long, rigorous and well-structured training process lasting many years. They learn to play traditional instruments such as the shamisen, sing traditional songs, perform traditional dances, and also learn how to communicate, behave elegantly and master the art of conversation. Geisha costumes are also elaborate and refined; they typically wear vivid kimono, heavy makeup and tall decorative hair combs.

Morning: The group has breakfast at the hotel. The coach and tour guide take the group sightseeing.
Asakusa Kannon Temple: The oldest temple in Tokyo, built in 645 during the Edo period. It is dedicated to Guanyin and is also the center of major annual festivals in Japan. During cherry blossom season, Asakusa Kannon is decorated with hundreds of cherry trees, creating a romantic and unique scene.
Free time to visit and shop on the Nakamise souvenir street.
Tokyo Skytree TV tower – view from the Sumida River (excluding the tower ascent fee)
You have lunch at a restaurant. The coach and tour guide take you to Haneda Airport to check in for flight VN385 HND//HAN (16h35 – 20h05) back to Noi Bai Airport.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, the tour guide says farewell to the group and the programme concludes. We look forward to seeing you again on your next journey./.

***Please note: The timing of cherry blossoms or other seasonal flowers blooming, as well as autumn leaves changing to yellow and red, are natural phenomena that depend heavily on each year's weather, such as temperature, rainfall and sunlight. Therefore, blooming and leaf-changing times may vary from year to year and are difficult to predict precisely. We sincerely hope you understand and are considerate of this force majeure factor. We hope that a small change in nature will not take away from your wonderful experience of the Japan journey, since Japan's scenery is impressive at any time, and we always strive to provide dedicated, quality service so you can fully enjoy this memorable trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.