The Golden Route, Bullet Trains, Mountains & The Best of Japan, 23 August 2024 (21 nights)

• Kyoto Half Day Tour - This afternoon tour will take you to some exciting highlights that Kyoto has to offer. You will first make your way to Fushimi Inari Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the Shinto god of rice.It is a very striking shrine, made up of thousands of red vermilion tori gates leading up into the forest area of Mt. Inari. Scattered along the way you will find many statues of foxes, thought to be Inari's messengers. You will then venture on to Sanjusangen-do Temple, famous for the 1001 Kannon statues, the goddess of Mercy. 1000 life-sized statues flag a much larger statue and are an impressive site to behold. The temple was originally founded in 1164, but fire destroyed much of the structure which was rebuilt a century later. A number of the Kannon statues did survive the fire and remain in the temple today. Your last stop of the day is to Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist Temple. This temple is well known for the views it offers out across the Maple and Cherry Blossom trees below. Depending on the time of year you visit you may see an explosion of colour surrounding you. The temple is steeped in history and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Hiroshima & Miyajima Full Day Tour - The day begins with a Shinkansen (Bullet Train) ride to Hiroshima, followed by a boat trip across to Miyajima. The first highlight of the day is the very old Itsukushima Shrine with its renowned 'floating' torii gate. Built over the water it appears to be floating in the sea when the tides are in. You will have some free time to grab some lunch on the island before heading back across to Hiroshima where you will visit the thought-provoking Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Atomic Bomb Dome. The day finishes with the Shinkansen ride back to Kyoto.
• Mt. Fuji & Hakone Tour - Enjoy a day of taking in the different views of Mt. Fuji. First, you will travel to Lake Ashi for a relaxing cruise. This lake, formed by a volcanic eruption 3,000 years ago is set with Mt. Fuji as the backdrop. With most of the shores not particularly developed, you can enjoy some beautiful scenery and mountain views. Next you will travel to the Hakone Sky Gondola for a ride over the Owakudani Valley, where you will see sulphur fields, as well as views out to Lake Ashinoko and Mt. Fuji. This is followed by the Shinkansen (Bullet train) back to Tokyo, where the tour completes and you are free to continue exploring, or travel back to the hotel if you wish.
• IC Travel Card (Suica or Pasmo) pre-loaded with 1,500 Yen. Use your card on JR East trains, the subway, monorail and buses. Additionally, you can use the credit to purchase soft drinks and coffee from train vending machines, or small items from convenience stores.

• Luxury accommodation
• A fully-equipped Fitness Centre
• A wide array of included and speciality restaurants
• Unforgettable entertainment in the Celebrity Theater
• 5 stylish bars and lounges, including the Martini Bar and Cellar Masters
• An exclusive sundeck, lounge and more for guests of The Retreat

Revolutionised in February 2019!  Redesigned onboard accommodations, refreshed dining venues & bars, new spa & retail facilities, & upgraded Suite Experience with the added Suite Sun Deck & Retreat Lounge.