Taiwan and Japan Tour, 22 days

Japan and Taiwan tour: day-by-day

Day 1 Flight from Amsterdam or Brussels to Taipei

Day 2 Taipei
Depending on the airline, you arrive in the morning or in the afternoon. After going through customs, you will be greeted by our representative who will arrange the private airport transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon take your time to explore the city. Day 3  Taipei
After breakfast you can join a half day tour of Taipei (not included), that includes a visit to the impressive the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, the Martyrs’s Shrine and the National Palace Museum. On the memorial hall’s first floor, there are several permanent exhibitions going on and at exactly 9 am, there is a changing of the guards’ ceremony at the Martyr’s shrine. Finally, you‘ll visit another temple and finish the tour at the Taipei Handicraft Center. In the afternoon you are free to explore the city on your own.

Day 4 Taipei – Sun Moon Lake
Today you can pick up your rental car. Drive to Sun Moon Lake, which is, according to Taiwanese, the largest and most beautiful lake on the island.The Wen Wu temple by the lake is dedicated to Confucius (the master of the pen) and Kuan Ti (the master of the sword). After walking around the lake, check-in into your hotel and continue exploring by foot or bicycle in the afternoon.The whole area around the lake is crisscrossed by narrow farm paths and proper mountain trails. Hiking at Sun Moon Lake is a great way to experience the island’s natural side.

Day 5 Sun Moon Lake – Foguangshan – Tainan
Drive to Foguangshan and visit Taiwan’s most famous Buddhist temple complex in Taiwan. Get a tour of the monastery by the friendly monks who are happy to answer your questions and explain things about Buddhism. You can join them for a vegetarian lunch. Then, continue to Tainan.

Day 6 Tainan
Until the 20th century, Tainan was Taiwan’s capital. Want to know what The Netherlands looked like in the past? Simply head to Fort Zeelandia for a glimpse of Dutch influence which surrounded Taiwan in the 1600s. In the Anping Fort area, you can vist the remains of the fort and walk through Old Street, which was the original Dutch settlement. The small streets and alleyways are packed with vendors, eateries, shops and some authentic old merchants houses. In the afternoon, visit Ten Drums Art Village, an abandoned sugar refinery converted into a cultural park that provides visitors with an exquisite, fun and eye-opening experience which both the young and old will love. Enjoy the exciting drum performances.

Day 7 Tainan –  Chiphen
It takes 4,5 hours to drive to Chiphen. Set in a canyon in the foothills of the Dawu Mountains, Chihpen is Taiwan’s most famous hot spring resort. A region boasting abundant natural scenery including tropical and banyan forests, waterfalls, rivers and of course, hot springs, Chihpen offers visitors the opportunity to make the most of the outdoors, before benefitting from a rejuvenating hot spring bath.

Day 8 Chiphen – Taroko Gorge
After breakfast, explore Taiwan 170 km east coast, one of Taiwan’s most popular scenic spots. Amazing odd-shaped rock formations can be seen everywhere on the islands, a result of wind and sea erosion, inverted sandstone and mudstone layers. This unique geological landscape can be seen at Xiaoyeliu, Asnxianti and Shipping. In the late afternoon you arrive at te Laat Taroko Gorge National park, where you will spend the night.

Day 8 Taroko Gorge – Taipei
Taroko Gorge National park is Taiwan’s top tourist destination. Explore its marble-walled canyons and caves, lush vegetation and mountainous landscape. The blue-green Liwu River cuts through the centre, forging deep slitted valleys and ravines before emptying into the sea. After visiting the park, drive to Taipei and return your car to the car rental agency. When you booked this Taiwan tour as an international group tour, you will leave the group upon arrival in Taipei.

Day 9 Taipei – Osaka – Kyoto
Your visit to Taiwan is coming to an end and a new adventure begins: Japan. In 2,5 hours you fly to Osaka. Upon arrival, our local representative will meet you at the airport and organise your airport transfer (90 min) to your accommodation in Kyoto. Kyoto is the cultural and historical capital of Japan. Here you have the choice between a stat at a nice boutique hotel or a traditional Kyoto townhouse. Take time to explore the area or rest for tomorrow’s sightseeing. 

Day 10 Kyoto
Kyoto is a must-visit in Japan. The city has remained virtually untouched by World War II and is home to over 2000 temples and shrines. The Nijo palace, which was during 300 years the residence of the shogun, the Kinkakuji temple or ‘Golden Pavilion’ and the Ryoanji Zen tempel with its beautiful and meditative rock gardens, are definitely worth a visit.

Day 11 Kyoto
After breakfast you can visit the Kiyomizu temple. The temple’s main hall has a large veranda supported by tall pillars, that juts out over the hillside and offers impressive views of the city. It’s nice stroll along picturesque alleys to the Heian temple. A giant vermilion coated torii gate marks the approach to the shrine.The surrounding park is heaven for newly married couples.

Day 12 Kyoto – Hiroshima
Travel by Shinkansen (bullet train) to Hiroshima. On August 6, 1945, during World War II  an American B-29 dropped the world’s first deployed atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima.The many different monuments and exhibitions in the Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Museum commemorate the atrocities of war and its victims.

Day 13 Hiroshima – Miyajima – Hiroshima
Making use of your Japan Rail Pass and make a day trip to Miyajima. Miyajima island is most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water. The sight is ranked as one of Japan’s three best views. Miyajima is famous for the Itsukushima Shrine, which is a Shinto shrine. At 500 meters above sea level, Mount Misen is the highest peak on Miyajima. On clear days, it affords spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea and as far as Hiroshima City. On the summit, you’ll be greeted by the local residents: macaque monkeys. After visiting, travel back to Hiroshima by ferry and train.

Day 14 Hiroshima – Tsumago
From Hiroshima to Nagiso, the station of Tsumago, it takes about 5 hours by train. During the Edo Period, the Nakasendo route was an important road, which connected Kyoto and Edo (present day Tokyo). A hiking course from Nagiso Station through Tsumago, then on to Magome, is very popular among foreign visitors. Here you can still feel the remaining atmosphere of the Edo period and enjoy many historic elements of Japan. Then, walk back to your minshuku.

Day 15 Tsumago – Matsumoto
In the morning, travel by train through the Kiso Valley to Matsumoto, where you can visit one of the most authentic samurai castles in Japan, commonly called the “Black Crow Castle”. There is a pretty vermillion bridge in the unique and popular castle grounds.

Day 16 Matsumoto – Mount Fuji
The journey by train to Kawaguchiko takes 3 hours. Kawaguchiko is a hot spring resort town, located by a lake right at the base of Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 3778 meter. Definitely make a boat trip or a walk by Lake Sai. The best views of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from the lake’s northern shores.

Day 17 Kawaguchiko Mt.Fuji
The climbing season for Mt. Fuji is from early July to early September. In other periods and during the snow season, climbing Mt. Fuji is prohibited. Take a bus to 5th station and climb in 5 hours to the top. It takes minimum 3 hours to descend. There is no better way to end a hard day’s trekking than by taking in a hot spring bath – with a view of Mount Fuji – at your ryokan or minshuku. Even when not climbing up, there are many hiking or cycling opportunities in the vicinity of your minshuku. The Kubota Art museum is definitely worth a visit.

Day 18 Kawaguchiko – Tokyo
The journey by Shinkansen to Tokyo takes about 2 hours. Tokyo is a gigantic, ultra-modern metropolis with a pleasant surprise waiting around every corner. The Edo Museum’s permanent exhibition vividly illustrates the past of Tokyo (known as Edo until 1869) through its exhibits and covers many features of the capital from the Edo Period to relatively recent decades.The Asakusa Kannon Temple, commonly called Senso-Ji temple, is Japan’s oldest temple, built in 628. Nearby is the Nakamise, an ancient shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and souvenirs since the 17th century. Don’t miss Akihabara Electric City, Japan’s best-known marketplace for electronic equipment. Tokyo comes to life at night, so evenings are a good time to wander around.

Day 19 Tokyo
Pay a visit to Shibuya where you’ll find the world famous Shibuya crossing. When the lights turn red at this busy junction, they all turn red at the same time in every direction. Traffic stops completely and pedestrians surge into the intersection from all sides. The Omotesando, nicknamed “Tokyo’s Champs Elysées”, is known as one of the foremost ‘architectural showcase’ streets in the world, featuring a multitude of fashion flagship stores, such as Dior, Prada, Hugo Boss, Chanel, etc…, all within a short distance of each other. Then, continue to the Meiji shrine where on Sundays you can spot traditional wedding ceremonies and baptisms. For a terrific view of the city, head to Tokyo Sky Tree tower. Exactly 634-meters tall, this massive tower really stands out in Tokyo’s skyline. The observation deck at 350 meters is great for watching the sun set and the city lights come to life.

Day 20 Tokyo
Early birds can visit the very impressive Tsukiji fish market and attend the auction of frozen tuna. Quite an experience! Grab a bite at one of the many street stalls around the central market and then head to Ginza, Tokyo’s most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district, featuring numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, night clubs and cafes. Takashimaya is a reputed department store, perfect for some last minute souvenir shopping. The Kabuki theater is must-visit.

Day 21 Tokyo – Amsterdam / Brussels
After breakfast, proceed to the airport for check-in and return flight home.You probably arrive on the same day in your home country.

Family Tour Japan and Taiwan

Day 1 Amsterdam/Brussel – Taipei
Day 2  Taipei
Day 3 Taipei
Day 4 Taipei – Sun Moon Lake
Day 5 Sun Moon Lake – Foguangsan – Tainan
Day 6 Tainan – Chiphen
Day 7 Chiphen – Taroko Gorge
Day 8 Taroko Gorge – Taipei
Day 9 Taipei – Kyoto
Day 10 Kyoto
Day 11 Kyoto
Day 12 Kyoto – Hiroshima
Day 13 Hiroshima
Day 14 Hiroshima – Tsumago
Day 15 Tsumago – Matsumoto
Day 16 Matsumoto – Mount Fuji
Day 17 Mount Fuji
Day 18 Mount Fuji – Tokyo
Day 19 Tokyo
Day 20 Tokyo
Day 21 Tokyo – Amsterdam/Brussel

Price Japan and Taiwan tour:

The starting price of the tailor made Japan Taiwan Tour is € 2.247,-per person, based on double occupancy and depending o the chosen travel dates.

Different ways of traveling

There are many kinds of travellers, all with different preferences, so also many different  ways of traveling. Some travellers prefer simple but good, others prefer good but with a bit of luxury. Therefore we offer tours in many different price categories: