Saturday 3rd August – Tokyo, Japan

• Arrival at your own convenience in Tokyo. The capital of Japan is well-connected to the rest of the world thanks to its two international airports, Narita and Haneda
• Self transfer to the Via Inn Prime Akasaka hotel
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 10:00am to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• Our first stop will be the famous Tokyo Tower. At 333 metres, it’s just a hair taller than the Eiffel Tower, and offers a beautiful view of Tokyo and its main skyscrapers. On the horizon, you may see the silhouette of Mount Fuji, 90 kilometres away, if the weather is good.
• We’ll then take the metro – quite an experience, as it’s probably the cleanest and most efficient metro system in the world – to go to the Tokyo Imperial Palace, the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is a large park-like area with several buildings where the Emperor has his living quarters and where various ceremonies and receptions take place.
• The Imperial Palace, a symbol of Japan’s history and continuity, has its gardens open to the public for peaceful strolls.

Afternoon

• Not far from there, we’ll visit the infamous Yasukuni Shrine. It serves as a memorial site for over 2.5 million people who died in conflicts, primarily during World War II. It is surrounded by controversy due to the inclusion of 14 convicted Class-A war criminals in the shrine, especially after visits by Japanese prime ministers.

• Next will be the Soka Gakkai Headquarter, a Japanese Buddhist religious movement, sometimes described as a cult, that is still viewed with suspicion in Japan and has found itself embroiled in public controversies.
• For dinner, we’ll go to Sasaya, a restaurant that specialises in fugu. Also known as blowfish or pufferfish, fugu is a delicacy in Japan, but it must be prepared carefully due to its toxicity.
• There’s about as much to do in Tokyo at night than at day, so our itinerary continues with a visit to the Muscle Girls Bar. In this remarkable place, customers sit around the bar counter while muscular and friendly staff in brightly coloured shirts chat with them. During the “muscle show time,” staff members scatter around the room, dance, and cheer to lively music. 
• Depending on what services customers order, the main lights will go out, and disco lights will splash rays of colour around the room as staff members dance, flex, and chug protein shakes. That’s the kind of drinking experience we like!
• To stay on the topic of muscles, we’ll then head to the Fightclub Shibuya, the place for you if you like MMA and martial arts. You’ll be able to watch – and even participate in – MMA action while enjoying your drinks.
• If you’re not ready to call it a night yet, we’ll continue to Burlesque Tokyo, a bustling venue with a festive vibe, offering a floorshow, dancing, plus drinks and snacks.
• Overnight in Tokyo

Sunday 4th August – Tokyo

• Breakfast at hotel
• We’ll take a local train to the edge of Tokyo and visit a feat of engineering, the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel.
• This is one of the world’s largest underground discharge channels. It collects overflow from small to mid-size rivers and directs the water to the Edogawa River through a 6.3 km tunnel running 50 metres below ground.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll head to the Maruha, Pachinko Parlour. Unlike typical pachinko parlours with flashy neon lights and bustling noise, the Maruhan parlour stands out in its modern, well-designed and tastefully decorated building. Rumour has it that this place has ties to the North Korean community and that all winnings go to North Korea.
• If you’re new to pachinko and don’t speak Japanese, the MARUHAN Shinjuku Building is a good place to start playing because staff members are fluent in English, Chinese, Korean, Turkish, and Spanish.
• We’ll then visit Shinjuku Takano, famous for their decadent dessert creations.
• For dinner, we’ll go to the Zauo fishing Restaurant. Here, you can catch and eat your own fish!
• In the past, visitors flocked to the legendary Robot Restaurant in Kabukichō. While it’s now closed, fear not! The new Samurai Restaurant, which recently opened, is equally crazy. More than a restaurant, it’s a two-hour mind-bending show, with drinks included, that you won’t forget anytime soon.
• We’ll finish the evening in the legendary Golden Gai area in Shinjuku. This festive and popular city district is famed for its narrow, winding alleys and numerous snug taverns.
• Overnight in Tokyo

Monday August 5th – Kuronagi Onsen 

• Breakfast at hotel
• We’ll start our journey across Japan with a 3-hour train trip to the Kuronagi Onsen, located in the forests of the Kurobe Gorge, Toyama prefecture,
• Kuronagi Onsen is one of the few mixed onsens (natural public baths) in Japan. They are illegal in Tokyo since 19th century.
• Kuronagi Onsen is a secluded Ryokan (traditional inn) nestled between tall trees on a riverbank. This is the perfect place to experience complete relaxation, with no TV or internet, just the sound of the effervescent Kuronagi River and the smell of the forest. 
• After going crazy in Tokyo, soaking in the soothing hot springs and enjoying home-cooked traditional Japanese meals will be much welcome.

Tuesday 6th August – Osaka

• Traditional Japanese breakfast in the ryokan
• This morning we’ll again extensively use the amazing Japanese train network for our 5-hour journey to Osaka.
• Lunch in the train

Afternoon

• Osaka is referred to as the “stomach of Japan” due to its amazing food scene.
• We’ll explore Namba District, a bustling area known for its lively atmosphere, just a short walk from the famous Kuromon Ichiba Market and the iconic Dōtonbori entertainment district.
• Stop at the Shinsekai Toei Cinema, one of the last remaining old-style grind house movie theatres in Osaka. Films run almost continuously, with a brief break between 5 am and 9 am. The machine to buy tickets is easy to use: press the yellow buttons samurai movies, blue buttons for pink movies, and red buttons for gay pink movies.
• We’ll have dinner at Akadori Haruka, known for its raw chicken dishes.
• For the evening, we’ll head to Tobita Shinchi, an old red-light district that emerged in the early 1900s. Despite the official prohibition of prostitution in Japan since 1958, Tobita Shinchi retains its authentic character and the old brothels, now officially converted into “Japanese restaurants”, still harbour their true activities with rooms showcasing women behind glass, often dressed provocatively.
• Even if you’re not interested in such services, the district is worth a visit as its atmosphere offers a glimpse into the past, with remnants of the Taisho era (1912-1925) visible in the surviving old wooden buildings adorned with sculptures, billboards, and lanterns. 
• We’ll end the day (or the night) in BCB Rock Bar Cherry Bomb, a dive bar that caters to music enthusiasts. The atmosphere is gritty, authentic, and perfect for those who appreciate raw music. 

Wednesday 7th August – Hiroshima

• Breakfast at hotel
• We’ll take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Osaka to Hiroshima. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hour and offers scenic views of the countryside.
• On arrival, we’ll check in at the KIRO Hotel Hiroshima. It’s an old hospital, whose structure has been transformed into a minimalist yet vibrant establishment. 
• We’ll then transfer to Okunoshima, also known as “Rabbit Island”. Friendly wild rabbits roam freely there, in very picturesque surroundings.
• There’s a darker side to Okunoshima Island. We’ll visit its Poison Gas Museum, a former WWII Lab where you’ll see photos and equipment chronicling the manufacturing of poison gas and its devastating effects during World War II.

Afternoon

• We’ll head back to Hiroshima and visit the Peace Memorial Sites, commemorating the atomic bombing of August 6th 1945, that killed between 80,000 and 150,000 people. 
• We’ll also see the Atomic Bomb Dome, a haunting reminder of the atomic bombing. It stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbolizes peace and resilience.
• For dinner, we’ll go to Lopez Okonomiyaki, a cozy, laid-back eatery specialising in traditional savoury pancakes cooked on an open grill. What makes it even more special is that it’s run by a Spanish/English speaker, making it an excellent place to get an introduction to Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, which is considered the best in town.
• Following the tradition of the last days, we’ll also explore Hiroshima’s nightlife by going to Flat Sake Bar, a great spot to unwind and enjoy sake while enjoying live performances.

Thursday 8th August – Nagasaki

• Breakfast at hotel
• Our last Shinkansen ride will take us from Hiroshima to Nagasaki, a 3.5 hours journey journey that offers scenic views of southern Japan
• The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes and offers scenic views along the way.
• On arrival, we’ll check in at the Candeo Hotel. As we are in Japan, and that baths are part of the culture, we chose a hotel with a rooftop open-air bath. How cool is that?
• We’ll then take a ferry across the beautiful Nagasaki Bay to Hashima Island (Gunkanjima).
• Also known as Battleship Island, Hashima is an eerie sightseeing spot. It was once an offshore mining city and one of the densest cities in the world. It is now abandoned, and visitors can tour its overgrown industrial sites, semi-ruined concrete workers’ quarters, and the infamous “stairway to hell.” At the centre of the island, you’ll find a quiet Shinto shrine. 

Afternoon

• Back in Nagasaki, we’ll visit the 26 Martyrs Museum, that commemorates the 26 Christians who were martyred in Nagasaki in 1597. The museum showcases documents, mementos, letters, and saint statues collected worldwide, dating back to the 15th century, providing a glimpse into the propagation of Christianity in Japan during that era.
• We’ll then visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, that serves as a remembrance to the atomic bombing of the city on 9 August 1945, at 11:02:35 am. Next to the museum stands the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, built in 2003.
• For dinner, we’ll go to Ramen Hiiragi. It serves a special Tomato Ramen that stands out from the usual fare. The tonkotsu-based soup pairs perfectly with grilled chunks of eggplant. 
• We’ll celebrate our last evening in Japan at Tatanbaa. The payment system here is quite simple: you place cash inside the bowl in front of you, and subsequent drinks are deducted from it. With more than 100 types of alcohol and snacks starting at 100 yen, it’s a great spot to unwind.

Friday 9th August – End of tour

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Tour concludes. YPT are able to arrange additional nights in Tokyo and advice for further transport.

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