16 Day Unforgettable Japan Small Group Tour

After breakfast we'll depart Osaka to visit the so-called 'White Heron Castle', Himeji – it's the largest surviving example of a traditional Japanese castle. Comprising 83 buildings, the white roof of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex is said to evoke the wings of a heron taking flight, hence the popular name Shirasagi-jō (White Heron Castle). This is the most visited castle in Japan and the site offers some wonderful views of surrounding Himeji city. We will have time for lunch around the castle. After our visit here we'll transfer to our hotel in Hiroshima. Inspiring Highlights Himeji Castle Special information Today your main luggage will remain at the hotel in Osaka to meet you upon your return in two days time. Please ensure you have an overnight bag packed for your two evenings in Hiroshima. Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After breakfast this morning our guide will meet us in the hotel lobby. Together we'll visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, otherwise known as the Genbaku Dome, or the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. A shell of a building that was one of very few left standing after the United States bombed Hiroshima in 1945. In Hiroshima today, locals have mixed feelings about the UNESCO World Heritage-listed structure: some see it as a reminder of war, while others consider it a tribute to the lost that ensures we'll never forget the tragic events that took place here. Later, we'll visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which contains many poignant, yet important, exhibits. The flame in the cenotaph is intended to burn until the last nuclear weapon has been destroyed. After lunch, we'll board a ferry for the short trip to Miyajima, an island known for its forests and ancient temples. Just offshore, there's a 'floating' torii, which becomes partially submerged at high tide. It marks the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine, which was first built in the 12th century. Nearby, the Museum of History and Folklore has cultural artifacts in a 19th-century merchant's home. We'll take a walk along Omotesando Shopping Street before returning to Hiroshima by ferry. This evening is at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Miyajima Island Itsukushima Shrine Miyajima Museum of History and Folklore Atomic Bomb Dome Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Special information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours

Today is a full free day in Osaka to spend at your leisure. Be sure to ask your guide for recommendations on great places to see and eat.This evening we'll enjoy an izakaya dinner as a group at a local restaurant.