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 The land of the rising sun is a fascinating mix of ultra-modern and deeply traditional. Immerse yourself in Japanese life – travel on the legendary Shinkansen express train, spend the night in a temple with monks, soak in the high culture of Kyoto, and experience the latest trends in the megacity of Tokyo. Japan is fascinating and impressive, Western and yet so very different, unique and multilayered, and so much more!
Tokyo and Kyoto – it’s in these two cities that Japan’s opposites
converge. Austere Zen gardens and flamboyant street life, ornate wooden houses and ultramodern skyscrapers, traditional tea ceremonies, and conveyor belt sushi restaurants – contrasts go hand in hand in Japan. And in between, glimpses of the Japanese Alps and the sacred Fuji-san.
• Travel Japanese style on the Shinkansen
• Stay overnight in a temple with meditation and Japanese bathing culture
• Keep up with the latest trends in Tokyo
• Fascinating high culture – Kyoto
• Introduction to the art of sushi making
Day 1
After your arrival in Tokyo (flights not included), you’ll have the day to acclimatise and start exploring the largest city in the world at your leisure. Let your gay adventure begin!
Accommodation: Remm Roppongi Hotel, Tokyo
Day 2
Today, you’ll embark on a two-and-a-half-hour journey on the Shinkansen express train to Osaka. From the observation deck of the Umeda Sky Building, you’ll get your first impression of the buzzing city. But then it’s time to join in the action – in the high street, it’s shop till you drop! You’ll definitely find some wacky souvenirs for your friends back home. Osaka is known for its delicious street food – your guide will show you where to find the best takoyaki in Japan! As soon as it gets dark, you’ll move on to the nightlife district of Dotonbori. In one of the many cosy izakayas (Japanese pubs), you and the other guys can raise a toast to your gay holiday with hot sake over dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Agora Place Osaka Namba Hotel, Osaka
Day 3
After getting off to an early start, you’ll take the train through the scenic mountains and transfer to the funicular for the last stretch of the journey. You’ll spend the afternoon, exploring Mount Koya - the sacred mountain. Your guide will take you on a fascinating tour of the vast and mysterious Okunoin cemetery. From there, you’ll discover the holy Garan temple complex with its one-of-a-kind revolving pagoda. In the evening, you’re invited to tap into your inner self during a meditation session with the monks. Tonight, you’ll sleep on a traditional futon and tatami mat as well as learn the ins and outs of Japanese bathing culture in the temple’s communal bath. After a restful night, you’ll be woken for morning prayers by the echoing sound of the gong.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hoon-in Ryokan, Koyasan
Day 4
After a traditional vegetarian breakfast with steaming Japanese tea, you’ll bid the spiritual heart of Japan “farewell” and continue by bus to Nara. At the gigantic Todai Temple you’ll be in awe of the enormous bronze Buddha inside. If you can fit through the legendary opening the size of Buddha’s nostril, you’ll be rewarded with eternal enlightenment. But even if you don’t fit, you’re sure to feel the energy of this sacred place. In the afternoon, you’ll continue by bus to Kyoto, the former imperial city and cultural metropolis. The first thing on the agenda is a stroll through the traditional geisha neighbourhood of Gion with its wooden merchant houses.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Ekimae Hotel, Kyoto
Day 5
No gay holiday in Japan would be complete without temple hopping in Kyoto!
You’ll start with the magnificent Golden Pavilion, which shines majestically from its surrounding gardens. At Ryoan-ji Temple, you’ll feast your eyes on one of Japan’s most stunning rock gardens. Afterwards, you’ll head to Tenryu-ji Temple in Arashiyama. On a walk through the beautifully landscaped garden, you’ll discover streams, hills, and trees in an array of vibrant colours. You’re sure to never to forget the magical atmosphere created by the sunlight shining through the branches of the emerald green trees!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Ekimae Hotel, Kyoto
Day 6
You’ll start off another unforgettable day of your gay holiday with a visit to Nijo Castle, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The expansive complex covers 275,000 square metres and includes Ninomaru Palace with its amazing "nightingale floors", which make chirping sounds when walked upon. At Nishiki Market, a narrow, five-block-long street lined by over one hundred shops and restaurants, you’ll have the chance to sample all sorts of local delicacies. The afternoon is free for you to explore Kyoto at your leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Ekimae Hotel, Kyoto
Day 7
You’re still not done with Kyoto – after visiting the ornate Heian Shrine and the Imperial Palace, the former palace of the Emperor of Japan, you’ll indulge your taste buds during an interactive Japanese sushi making class at a local restaurant. Reinvigorated, it’s back to Tokyo on the Shinkansen. You’ll arrive at the hotel in Tokyo in the afternoon, and in the evening, accompanied by a local English-speaking gay guide, you’ll explore the open-minded neighbourhood of Shinjuku Ni-chome, Tokyo’s largest gay district. A truly unique gay experience!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Remm Roppongi Hotel, Tokyo
Day 8
Get ready for the Tour de Tokyo! There’s so much to do in this amazing city that you can only begin to scratch the surface of what it has to offer. The first adventure of the day is riding the Tokyo subway – is it really as crowded as people say? Your first stop is Asakusa where you’ll visit the stunning Senso-ji temple – an absolute must-see. The street leading to the shrine is the souvenir mile par excellence, with kimonos and fans on sale at every corner. From the giant Tokyo Skytree television tower, you’ll have an unforgettable panoramic view of the mega metropolis. Make sure to take lots of selfies! Afterwards, you’ll visit the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno. Feel free to stay as long as you’d like.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Remm Roppongi Hotel, Tokyo
Day 9
Today will be wild! In Harajuku, you’ll visit the famous Meiji Shrine before diving into Japan’s pop culture. Get ready to see teenagers in fabulous manga costumes and one crazy fashion boutique after another on Takeshita-dori. In Shibuya, you won’t find any cats in Cat Street, but you will find lots of unique shops, second-hand stores, and cafés. From the Starbucks on the corner, you’ll have the best of the iconic Shibuya Crossing, probably the busiest intersection in the world – another perfect photo op. The afternoon is free for you to spend at your leisure – with a few tips from your guide, of course. After a fun-filled day of gay adventure, you’ll have a delicious farewell dinner with the guys at a local restaurant in the evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Remm Roppongi Hotel, Tokyo
Day 10
Your unforgettable gay adventure is sadly coming to an end – we hope you’ve had an amazing time! The express bus will take you to the airport where you’ll board your flight home (flights not included).
Meals Included: Breakfast
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