Sakura Tours "Japanese Castles" Tour

During the tour we suggest visiting the following castles:

Genuine locks:

Matsumoto - Black Crow Castle

Maruoka - Castle in the Mist, Japan's oldest castle.

Hikone - a castle on the shores of Biwa, the largest lake in the country.

Himeji - White Heron Castle, the best preserved feudal castle

Reconstructed locks:

Kanazawa - Maeda clan residence

Nijo - palace complex, was the seat of the Tokugawa clan.

Osaka - historical and cultural monument

Hiroshima - Karpov Castle, destroyed during the atomic bombing and rebuilt in the middle of the 20th century.

Detailed program

Day 1: Tokyo

Arrival at Tokyo Haneda Airport, meeting with Russian-speaking guide, transfer to Tokyo by private transportation. Familiarization with Japan will begin on the way from the airport. The car will drive over the Rainbow Bridge across Tokyo Bay, which offers one of the most beautiful views of the Japanese capital.

After 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. hotel accommodation. In Japanese hotels, the check-in time is quite late, so after leaving your things there, you can walk around the capital and have lunch in a restaurant you like.

16:00-20:00 - a tour of evening Tokyo:

Popular Odaiba district on the bulk islands in Tokyo Bay.
Japanese Statue of Liberty - a scaled-down copy of its American relative.
Shibuya Sky observation deck with a 360-degree view. From a height of 230 meters, you can admire the famous crossroads and Shibuya Station.
the Hachiko statue and the world's largest intersection. at Shibuya Station.

20:00 - Return to the hotel or transfer to the restaurant.

Day 2. Edo Castle

10:00 - Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

10:00-18:00 - Tokyo tour with a guide in private transportation.

18:00 - return to the hotel.

Day 3. Matsumoto Castle

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.

9:00 Meet your guide at the hotel lobby. Transfer to Tokyo railway station. Boarding the train.

9:32-10:53 Transfer by high-speed train to Ueda Station (Nagano Prefecture, 81 min). Meet the driver. Transfer to Matsumoto City (about 40 km, 1 hour).

12:00-17:00 ЭMatsumoto tour with a guide in private transportation.

Matsumoto Castle - A national treasure and symbol of the city. One of the three largest castles in Japan and one of the country's 12 authentic castles. Known as "crow castle" because of the black color of the walls and the spreading "wings" of the side towers. It was originally founded by the Ogasawara clan in 1504, but Japan's history has seen the castle go through several conquerors. It is one of the oldest surviving castles with a five-story donjon in Japan. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is built on a swampy area. The castle is a solid fortress with thick stone walls and is surrounded by three moats. The outer walls are located at a distance of a cannon shot, which corresponded to three kilometers in those times. In the interior there is a stone building, which served as a dwelling of the castle owner. It was opened to the public in 1950, when it was recognized as a national treasure of Japan.
Nakamati-Dori Street not far from the castle. Along the street you can find several beautifully preserved old kura merchant warehouses with massive white-painted walls. Some of them are now restaurants, stores and ryokans, Japanese-style hotels.
Kaiti High School - one of the oldest schools in Japan. It was formed in Matsumoto on May 6, 1873 on the banks of the Metoba River in the former Zenkyuin Buddhist temple where the bonzes used to live. The building was constructed by architect Seiju Tateishi and was used until 1963, but was then moved to its present location, where it is preserved as a museum.

Option! ВKahiti school site, you can take a trip to a wasabi farm in the town of Adzumino (17 km, 30 min. drive). Check for relevance.

Dayo Wasabi FarmThis is the largest wasabi farm in Japan and one of the most popular attractions. It is the largest wasabi farm in Japan and one of the most popular attractions. Visitors can walk among the plantations and visit the Dayo Shrine in the middle of the farm, dedicated to the local ancient hero Nachimen Dayo. A water mill was built here for the filming of Akira Kurosawa's movie Dreams in 1989, and it still stands today. From April to the end of October, guests are offered short inflatable boat rides (10-15 min.). After the walk around the farm, visitors can buy wasabi products and taste wasabi ice cream.

Transfer to Tobira Onsen area (15 km from the center of Matsumoto, 40 min. by mountain road).

17:00-18:00 Accommodation in ryokan, dinner and relaxation at the springs.

Day 4. Kanazawa Castle

Breakfast. Check-out from the ryokan.

8:30 Meeting with the guide in the lobby. Transfer to Ueda station (1.5 hours). Boarding the train.

10:09-11:52 Transfer by high-speed train. Meeting with the driver.

12:00-17:30 Excursion to Kanazawa with a guide in private transportation.

Attendance Kenroquan - the favorite garden of the Maeda Princes. Each ruler has contributed to the splendor of this garden, which has all the virtues of landscape gardens.
Walking deep into Kenrokuen Garden you will visit the luxurious Seison-kaku villa (mid-19th century) is a fine example of the sukiya-shonin architectural style. You will see the household items of a member of the princely family not in a museum, but in a building of that time - a rare opportunity in Japan, where many wooden buildings have not survived to this day.
Old Quarter NagamachiThe most popular and most openly viewed residence is the Nomura family's house, called the Bucheyashiki Samurai House. The most popular and open to the public is the Nomura family's house, known as the "Samurai House". Nomura-ke.
In the quiet of this prestigious residential neighborhood behind a wooden gate is one of the famous of Kootenay china gallery stores.owned by the hereditary potters of the Kaburaki family. Among their projects is a collaboration with a German manufacturer of quality glass, a kind of fusion of Japanese aesthetics and functionality.
Before leaving for Kyoto, it is possible to take a break in the Kaikaro Tea House and enjoy tea and Japanese dessert with a real geisha.

Option! For lunch, you can enjoy sushi at one of Japan's best sushi restaurants, Otomezushi (advance reservations a month in advance are required).

Transfer to Kaga Onsen (47 km, 1 hr.), Yamashiro Onsen (50 km, 1 hr.) or Yamanaka Onsen (56 km, 1 hr. 15 min.).

Accommodation in ryokan. Dinner, rest.

Day 5. Yamanaka Onsen and Maruoka Castle

Breakfast. Check-out from the ryokan.

10:00 Meet your guide in the lobby.

Before lunch, visit the workshops at Yamanaka Onsen, where you can learn about the region's exclusive handicrafts. It is possible to watch the craftsmen at the workshops, but there are no master classes.

Mika Horie's workshop for making Japanese paper vassi. Ms. Mika makes washi by hand from organic raw materials. She goes to the mountain herself to collect special branches of gampi (vickstremia), which is used to make paper. She can tell and show you how to make washi by hand in the traditional way.
Senju Kobo's workshop is closed to the public, but guests of Kayotei ryokan are made an exception. At this family-run workshop, guests can learn the traditional craft of lacquered woodwork. The workshop owner has a separate collection that has been exhibited at various exhibitions in Tokyo and Kyoto.

In the afternoon. - transfer to Sakai (25 km, about 40 min.).

Maruoka Castle - is the oldest surviving Japanese castle and one of the 12 original castles. It is also known by another name - "castle in the mist", which comes from the legend about the thick fog hiding it from approaching enemies. The castle has the status of a significant cultural object and is considered a valuable architectural monument. It was founded in 1567, but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1948. However, in 1955 it was rebuilt with original building materials. There is a park around the castle, where 400 cherry trees have been planted - this park is one of the top 100 places to admire the springtime. cherry blossoms.

Return transfer to Kaga Onsen station (30 km, 40 min.). Board the train.

17:22-19:08 Independent transfer by train to Kyoto. Meeting at the platform with local guide, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel. Rest.

Day 6. Kyoto and Nijo Castle

Breakfast.

10:00 Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

10:00-18:00 ЭKyoto tour with a guide in private transportation.

18:00 Return to the hotel or transfer for dinner with maiko, a geisha apprentice.

Day 7. Hikone Castle

Breakfast.

10:00 Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

10:00-18:00 Drive to Hikone (75 km, 1.5-2 hrs) and Lake Biwa with a guide by private vehicle.

Hickone Castle. After the decisive Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu presented Sawayama Castle to General Ii Naomasa for his outstanding services in battle. By order of the shogun, the old castle was demolished and construction of Hikone Castle began in 1604, which took about 20 years. In 1868, during the Meiji Restoration, most castles in Japan were destroyed because they were considered symbols of the feudal system. Hikone Castle was to be demolished, but the emperor decided to preserve the castle after visiting the area.
Treasury MuseumLocated at the main gate of the castle, where the collection of the Iya family - armor, swords, calligraphy, costumes of the theater - is presented but, ceramic.
Ryotanji Temple of the Rinsai Zen sect.The temple was founded by Naotaka Ii in 1617. The temple has a landscaped garden of white sand and 48 stones.
Lake Biwa - is the largest lake in Japan. Because it is rich in fish, the most famous dish of the area is the Funazushi - fermented raw fish. In most countries, rotten fish is thrown away, but not in Japan - here it takes 3-4 years to make the expensive delicacy of Funazushi. Raw fish is salted and left for a year. It is then dried, put with rice and again left to ferment for 3 years. As you might expect, Funazushi has a strong specific odor that scares many people away from tasting this dish. To taste, the dish is spicy and vinegar flavored. Funazushi can also be added to soup or fried in batter.

18:00 Return to the hotel. Rest.

Day 8. Osaka Castle and Himeji

Breakfast.

10:00 Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

10:00-18:00 A trip to Osaka (60 km, 1-1.5 hrs.) with guide by private transportation and Himeji by bullet train from Osaka (37 min.). Transfer to Osaka (60 km, 1-1.5 hrs).

Osaka-jo - the city's main historical landmark. The beautiful castle was erected by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1585-98. This serious for those times fortification structure provided echeloned defense on three borders. From the outside, the castle seemed light and bright thanks to the 42-meter-high watchtower with white walls. Osaka-jo was called the "golden castle" because of the abundance of gold ornaments on the gables of the castle. The castle, which later became an important symbol of the Tokugawa clan's rule over western Japan, was almost completely destroyed in 1868 by troops loyal to the emperor. In 1931, only the main tower was rebuilt from the original structures, which offers a beautiful view of the city. Now there is a Historical Museum, which tells about the life and culture of samurai. At the end of World War II, the castle was damaged by American air raids, but was rebuilt in 1995-97.
Dotonbori Entertainment District is located on the southern bank of the canal of the same name. It is in this area that the world-famous Bunraku Puppet Theater originated. Walking through the streets of this neighborhood, you can feel the cheerful disposition of the city's inhabitants. Dotonbori is especially beautiful in the evening, when it is drowned in colorful illuminations.

Transfer to Shin-Osaka station, board the train. Transfer with a guide on the shinkansen bullet train to Himeji (37 min.). Transfer to Himeji Castle by cab.

Himeji CastleAlso known as "White Heron Castle" because of its elegant exterior, it is considered the most impressive castle in Japan. One of the 12 original castles. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993. Unlike other castles, it has never been destroyed by war, earthquake or fire. Until March 2015, it was closed for several years for extensive restoration. The first fortifications were laid out in the 1400s and gradually the size of the castle was expanded over the centuries by the various clans that ruled the region. The castle complex we can see today was completed more than 400 years ago and includes 83 buildings constructed of wood.

Return to Kyoto by guided shinkansen (53 min). Transfer to the hotel in Kyoto.

Day 9. Hiroshima and Miyajima Castle

Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel.

10:00 Meet your guide at the hotel lobby. Transfer to Kyoto station, board the train.

10:27-12:08 Transfer by shinkansen to Hiroshima. Meet the driver.

12:00-18:00 A tour of Hiroshima and on the Miyajima Island with a guide in private transportation.

Hiroshima CastleThe castle, also known as Carp Castle, was built in the 1590s by the powerful feudal lord Mori Terumoto, but was destroyed in the atomic bombing. The castle was partially rebuilt in 1958, and features a temple, ruins, and several restored buildings of ninomaru (the castle's second line of defense). Inside the tower is a museum of the history of the city and the castle, as well as an observation deck with a panoramic view of the city.

Independent transfer by shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo. Meeting with local guide, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation, rest.