Barter's tours: 10 Day Japan Trail by Rail

TOKYO

DAIWA ROYNET NISHI-SHINJUKU - TOKYO (STANDARD - TWO NIGHTS)

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nishi-Shinjuku offers attractive 3-star accommodation well situated in the Shinjuku Ward, a great choice for travellers interested in friendly locals, shopping and local food. It's only a few kilometres from Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Meiji Jingu Shrine, NHK Studio Park, and all the shopping options of Shibuya. All rooms are equipped with flat-screen TV and refrigerator, and there is bilingual staff at the 24-hour front desk.

KEIO PLAZA HOTEL - TOKYO (SUPERIOR - TWO NIGHTS)

The Keio Plaza Hotel is located in the heart of Tokyo's famous Shinjuku district, considered by many the most vibrant of the cities within the greater city of Tokyo. A landmark and a destination in itself, this luxurious and well established hotel is just minutes’ walk from the JR station and all amenities. Of the various luxuries offered by the hotel itself, the seventh floor outdoor pool and fitness room, fully equipped business room, and Tea Ceremony room Sho-Fu-An are some of the most popular.

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HAKONE

HOTEL OKADA - HAKONE (STANDARD RYOKAN - ONE NIGHT)

Hotel Okada is a popular hot spring resort located in the heart of Hakone, Japan. The hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and nature. Guests can enjoy a variety of onsen (hot spring) baths, both indoors and outdoors, as well as traditional Japanese kaiseki meals made from fresh, local ingredients. Conveniently located near Hakone's major sightseeing spots, Hotel Okada is an excellent choice for travelers looking for relaxation and a rich cultural experience in one of Japan's top onsen destinations.

TENSUI SARYO - HAKONE ( SUPERIOR RYOKAN - ONE NIGHT)

The hotel is committed to providing the ultimate in Japanese luxury, including a view of Mt. Myojogatake, kaiseki cuisine, traditional crafts, and two types of skinbeautifying hot springs. Please enjoy a quality time with hospitality that is full of Japanese beauty and the Japanese spirit.

KYOTO

KYOTO VISCHIO BY GRANVIA - KYOTO (STANDARD: THREE NIGHTS)

The hotel “VISCHIO” of JR West Hotels retains the quality of the 5* “HOTEL GRANVIA” while placing emphasis on accommodations with a sophisticated urban and modern flair. The term “VISCHIO” means “mistletoe” in Italian, a tree that is considered holy and is said to bring luck, peace, and happiness according to Norse mythology. The name was selected out of a desire of a place with the feeling of an 'urban shelter' where guests can recover from their journey, enjoy themselves, and gain a sense of well-being during their stay. Located opposite kyoto station, you are conveniently positioned for moving in and out of kyoto on bullet trains. You also benefit from being minutes walk from the Aeon Shopping Mall which hosts a cinema, shops, restaurants, a great choice for families and friends.

THE THOUSAND KYOTO - KYOTO (SUPERIOR: THREE NIGHTS)

Arising from a Zen minimalist philosophy of ‘less is more’, the facilities and services at The Thousand Kyoto showcase simplicity and comfort rather than lavish décor. Opened in January 2019, this stylish hotel plays with light and air and greenery, drawing upon the classical ingenuity and harmony of Kyomachiya townhouses. Located in the heart of downtown and only a minute's walk from Kyoto Station, The Thousand brings all you could want to your doorstep, both traditional and modern.

HIROSHIMA

CANDEO HOTEL HIROSHIMA - HIROSHIMA (STANDARD: ONE NIGHT)

Opened in 2018 and very well located in Hiroshima, just a 5-minute taxi ride from the main station. Relax in its rooftop spa, a rare find in a city centre hotel like this. Rooms range from small (16sqm) to medium in size (24 sqm). Western and Japanese buffet breakfast is served daily from 7am.

HIROSHIMA SHERATON HOTEL - HIROSHIMA (SUPERIOR: ONE NIGHT)

Sheraton Hiroshima Hotel is conveniently located in the city next to JR Hiroshima Station, with direct access to the bullet train and bus terminals. You’ll be in the middle of the energy and excitement of Hiroshima, along with its historic sites and architecture.

TOKYO

SHIBA PARK HOTEL - TOKYO (STANDARD: TWO NIGHTS)

Shiba Park Hotel is looking super slick of late! A warm welcome awaits with complimentary coffee for its guests and a full library of books to read from. We love this hotel for its location and easy-going attitude. Just a short stroll to Tokyo Tower and the park surrounding it, you can feel like you are in residential Tokyo, versus, neon/chaotic Tokyo. A subway station is next door for easy access hopping on and off the subways. Such a fun way to see the city, especially in the rain!

THE BLOSSOM HIBIYA - TOKYO (SUPERIOR: ONE NIGHT)

The Blossom Hibiya is a modern hotel located in the Hibiya area of Tokyo. It offers stylish accommodations with a focus on comfort and convenience. Guests can enjoy amenities such as a restaurant, fitness center, and meeting facilities. Its central location provides easy access to major attractions, parks, and public transportation, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers.

TOKYO

Everything you've heard about Tokyo is true – and it is not. For if ever there was a city that you could not confine to one definition, this would be it. The never-ending hustle and bustle of the city creates an energy that is quite contagious. One minute you may be elevated 450 metres above ground overlooking Tokyo’s sprawling metropolis, the next you might be cheering on two sumo wrestlers tackle each other in the sumo stadium. Despite the presence of people and stores everywhere, there is an order that allows things to work efficiently, seemingly against the odds. Tradition and technology stand side by side in this city that can be whatever you want to make of it.

HAKONE

Hakone is a beautiful national park area around 50 miles west of Tokyo and just to the south of Mt Fuji, Japan's most sacred peak. The area consists of a handful of small villages and hamlets all connected by a variety of local transport, including buses, cable cars and a mountain railway that winds itself through the region's hills and valleys. Hakone has plenty to see and do, from tasting eggs boiled in volcanic waters to taking a boat trip across beautiful Lake Ashi. The outdoor sculpture park and Picasso gallery is a great place to wander around for an afternoon. Or maybe you will just sit back and relax whilst soaking in one of the many therapeutic hot spring baths that Hakone is so famous for. The other main draw to this area is the proximity to Japan's most sacred and iconic mountain, Fuji- san with its near perfect symmetrical form soaring skywards and towering over the surrounding hills. From Hakone you have one of the best chances of getting a view of Mt. Fuji from the various view points to be found throughout the area. However, be sure to have your camera at the ready; Fuji is notoriously shy and you do not want to miss that precious photo opportunity!

KYOTO

Brimming with tradition, Kyoto is the ultimate destination for anybody who wants to soak up time-honoured Japanese culture. Home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, over 1,600 Buddhist temples, and 400 Shinto shrines, this ancient city showcases the heart and soul of traditional Japan. Kyoto boasts an array of world-class gardens, majestic festivals and delicate cuisine, all of which make much of the rhythms of nature and the changing of the seasons. While on first glance visitors may find themselves struck more by the ubiquitous grid-like structure of modern metropolitan Japan, a great part of the magic of Kyoto is in picking out its treasures: sacred shrines tucked in among shopping arcades, time-honoured teahouses nestling among modern businesses and the geisha of legend sweeping down backstreets among the tourists and souvenirs. Kyoto’s charm lies in these details and whether you’re here for three days or three years, the closer you look, the more you’ll discover.

HIROSHIMA & MIYAJIMA ISLAND

Hiroshima is of course well-known for being the site of one of two atomic bombs dropped on Japan at the end of the Second World War. In the decades since, a bright and vibrant city has risen phoenix-like from the ashes. The Peace Park and Museum with visitors daily from all walks of life around the world are a poignant reminder of this source of Hiroshima's fame, and its stories of the importance of striving for fellowship over destruction are especially powerful. Other areas to visit in the city include Hiroshima Castle and the baseball stadium. The Shukkei-en garden is well worth an afternoon stroll, with a number of tea houses dotted about the grounds. No visit to Hiroshima would be complete without sampling okomiyaki, a kind of Japanese savoury pancake before your eyes using the ingredients of your choice. If you have your first okonomiyaki here, it's certainly not likely to be your last. Miyajima Island, located just off the coast of Hiroshima, is one of Japan's most loved places with a charming rural atmosphere to match the beautiful surroundings. The island is perhaps best known for the red torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine which appears to be floating in the sea. In the evening this gate and the shrine behind it (as well as other traditional buildings in the area) are floodlit and the atmosphere is magical. A cable car takes you to fantastic views across the Inland Sea from Mount Misen, the highest point of the island. There are many pleasant walks on Miyajima among the temples and along the bustling shopping street in the island's small village. You may also see some of the island's native fauna; the sacred deer are easy to spot as they roam freely, but you'll have to work a little harder to spot any of the resident monkey population; keep your eyes peeled! Miyajima is a wonderful place to slow down, unwind and relax, so take your time and let the magic of this island enchant you!

PRICE - STANDARD PACKAGE PRICE (LAND ONLY)

• Twin/Double: €3,200 ~ per person sharing
• Single Supplement (With 2 guests or more): +€980 ~ per person
• Solo Traveller (1 guest throughout): €5,850 ~ per person

PRICE - SUPERIOR PACKAGE PRICE (LAND ONLY)

• Twin/Double: €4,450 ~ per person sharing
• Single Supplement (With 2 guests or more): + €1,800 ~ per person
• Solo Traveller (1 guest throughout): €7,900 ~ per person