Grand Tour of Japan

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • UK - In Flight

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Johannesburg.

• Day 2 • Tokyo

  We arrive in Jo’burg this morning and transfer to Pretoria, where we’ll enjoy an orientation tour. The attractive centre is less cosmopolitan than you’d expect and we’ll see leafy neighbourhoods, wide streets lined with jacarandas and old architecture. We’ll stop by the hilltop monument that commemorates the settling of South Africa’s interior by the Afrikaner pioneers, known as Voortrekkers. We stay overnight in Sandton, a hub, where there are plentiful shopping opportunities.

• Day 3 • Tokyo

  Today we head eastwards into the province of Mpumalanga. We’ll pass through Pilgrim’s Rest - a historic spot frozen in time since the 19th-century gold rush. If the weather is good, we’ll stop at God’s Window for captivating views across a 900m gorge filled with trees, shrubs and wildlife. If the skies are clear enough, you’ll even be able to spot Kruger National Park in the distance.

• Day 4 • Hakone

  We delve deep into the Kruger this morning on our first game drive of the trip. We set off before sunrise and watch the bush wake up around us as we seek out our first sightings of the Big Five - lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos. Don’t forget your camera and your binoculars - there’s always something to see, with 150 species of mammals roaming the bush, together with hundreds of birds and Lowveld flora. After a morning spent spying on lions and snapping photos of glorious giraffes, we’ll stop for a well-earned break at a rest point. But not for too long - we’ll do it all over again this afternoon.

• Day 5 • Tokyo

  A full day to do as you like. You can spend today at leisure to recuperate by the pool, or return into the Kruger on an optional game drive for more wildlife action.

• Day 6 • Nagano

  This morning we make the drive back to Johannesburg for our flight to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Steeped in history and edged by long swathes of golden sand, it doesn’t take long to get a sense of what Gqeberha is all about. A world away from the bustle of Johannesburg, this laid-back city takes it one day at a time.

• Day 7 • Nagano - Kyoto

  We head off for one of the most scenic drives in South Africa - the Garden Route. This thrilling drive offers dramatic coastline, idyllic beaches and rolling hills - there’s a picture-worthy moment at every turn, so make sure you keep your camera handy. We’ll pause at Storms River to soak up the views of the forest and famous coastline. There may be time to walk through the forest to the suspension bridge over the river mouth. We arrive in Knysna, the real heartland of the Garden Route, this afternoon. This vibrant town hugs a sparkling lagoon - the hub of activity.

• Day 8 • Kyoto

  With the lagoon a real part of day-to-day life in Knynsa, we’d be missing a trick if we didn’t take to the water during our stop here. We board our ferry and head out across the lagoon to the western headland to stop at Featherbed Nature Reserve. Our guide will ensure we see the most magnificent viewpoints as we explore, and you can choose a guided walk through the coastal forest and fynbos - all before lunch! Stepping back into Knynsa, the afternoon is yours to explore as you please.

• Day 9 • Kyoto

  Leaving Knysna behind, we cross the Outeniqua Mountains that separate the lush coastal area from the arid Klein Karoo. We arrive in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, where you’ll get up close to these fascinating creatures on a guided tour. This afternoon we continue to the last stop on our tour, Cape Town.

• Day 10 • Kyoto - Osaka

  The ‘Mother City’ is a vibrant fusion of culture, cuisine and scenery. The Atlantic Ocean claws at its bustling waterfront, while flat-topped Table Mountain crowns the city to the south. We’ll spend a day exploring all that lies between the two, starting with a half-day city tour taking in the buzzing waterfront and the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood. If weather allows, we’ll also take a cable car trip to the top of Table Mountain to drink in the views of the city and beyond. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy Cape Town at your leisure or to join an optional excursion.

• Day 11 • Koyasan

  Cape Town sits at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula. Our journey today takes us to the extreme south of the peninsula - all the way down to Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. We’ll stop at Chapman’s Peak, Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach, home to waddling African penguins. An unforgettable day of sights and experiences.

• Day 12 • Takamatsu

  You’ll have today completely to yourself. Perhaps head back down to the V&A Waterfront for some people-watching in the sunshine, dive into the city’s poignant history at the District Six Museum or wander along Cape Town’s string of beaches. The city’s four beaches are located behind Signal Hill at Clifton - they’re a great choice for a picnic or an ice-cream, although the water comes straight from the Antarctic, so it’s a little chilly for a swim! Alternatively, opt for an excursion into the winelands of Cape Town.

• Day 13 • Naoshima

  Some free time this morning before we transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

• Day 14 • Okayama - Hiroshima

  Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

• Day 15 • Hiroshima

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Johannesburg.

• Day 16 • Beppu - Aso

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Johannesburg.

• Day 17 • Aso - Kumamoto

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Johannesburg.

• Day 18 • Nagasaki

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Johannesburg.

• Day 19 • Nagasaki

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Johannesburg.

• Day 20 • Dazaifu - Fukuoka

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Johannesburg.

• Day 21 • Fukuoka - UK

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Johannesburg.