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Experience Japan's autumnal glory on a garden tour

15th August 2013 Print
Japan

Japan's stunning cherry blossom season in spring is well known but, come autumn, when the maple trees blaze into vivid displays of scarlet, saffron and gold, the gardens of Japan also put on a spectacular show of autumnal colours.

Japan Journeys offers leaf-peepers and gardening enthusiasts an expert-guided, 10-night Classic Gardens Tour, from just £2,895pp (including flights) departing 15-26 November, 2013.

Highlights of the trip include a visit to the landscaped gardens at K?raku-en in Okayama. Built by daimy? Ikeda Tsunemasa in the 17th Century, K?raku-en is reputed to be one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan (the other two are Kairaku-en in Mito and Kenroku-en in Kanazawa).

The expansive lawns (unusual for Japanese gardens) and vast pond create a tranquil atmosphere within the garden, and the spirit of the tea ceremony is found within its teahouses.  With cherry blossoms in spring and white lotuses in summer this is a garden to be enjoyed throughout the seasons but particularly in autumn when the maple trees explode into a mix of faming reds and butter-yellows.

Even amid the bustle of Tokyo city, a hodgepodge of ochre, auburn and rusty hues can be found in the tranquil Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens, Tokyo.  Covering nearly 60 hectares and featuring over 20,000 trees (including species that are not seen elsewhere in Japan, such as the tulip tree, plane tree and Himalayan cedar tree), these gardens skilfully combine three distinct styles: English Landscape, French Formal and Japanese Traditional.

The 1,500 cherry blossom trees create a beautiful display in spring, and in the autumn, the chrysanthemums and striking red maple leaves take centre stage. These gardens offer weary tourists a delightful oasis and escape from the metropolis of Tokyo.

Guests will also visit several gardens in Kyoto including those in the Daitoku-ji shrine complex as well as the award-winning Adachi Museum of Art Garden at Yonago, which is dotted with beautiful temples and shrines and surrounded by fire-red maple trees. During the trip guests will be able to experience the world-famous Bullet Train to Hiroshima in order to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, before taking the ferry to the island of Miyajima to see the famous gate of Itsukushima Shrine. There will also be an opportunity to stay in a traditional ryokan.

Details

The 10-night Classic Gardens Tour costs £2,895pp based on two sharing and includes return scheduled flights, transfers, bed and breakfast hotel accommodation (a mix of hotels and traditional Japanese ryokan), some evening meals, a 7-day Japan Rail Pass, all train and subway fees, entrance fees and the services of a knowledgeable, bilingual guide throughout.

For further information, or to book, visit japanjourneys.co.uk.

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Japan