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Explore your land journey options
Deepen your immersion into Japan’s natural beauty and rich culture with our options to extend your escorted tour.
Explore how to make the most of your Scenic journey below.
Ibaraki Prefecture Extension from Tokyo
3 Day Journey Extension, Toyko > Tokyo
Japan’s Ibaraki Prefecture, is home to the Japanese space exploration organisation, the country’s premier science centre and fields of majestic flowers, including the stunning blue nemophila flowers in spring and bright red kochia bushes in autumn.
You can add this extension on selected departures before and after your Scenic land Journey.
Drive from Tokyo to Tsukuba and visit Japan’s Space Centre. Home to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Tsukuba Space Center is the operations facility and the leading institution directing Japan’s space research and development programs. Here you can see the Astronaut Training Area, the space flight control room of KIBO, as well as an exhibition area featuring satellite models, astronaut training equipment, and other items related to the history of space exploration. You can also witness the operators in the flight control room at work communicating with the astronauts on the ISS, as well as with other space flight operation centres around the world.
Later take the cable car up to Mt Tsukuba for surrounding views back to Tokyo before continuing to Kashima Jingu Grand Shrine, said to be the oldest and largest Shinto Shrine in the Kanto region. The shrine is dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, the Shinto deity of martial arts. After visiting the shrine, see the crystal blue Mitarashi Pond. Finish the day with your final picturesque drive along the coastline to Mito, the Prefectural capital of Ibaraki. Check into your hotel for a two-night stay.
Meals: Lunch
Begin your day with a highlight of Ibaraki Prefecture, the Hitachi Seaside Park. Arguably, this vast park is Ibaraki's most famous tourist destination, known for its Instagram-friendly fields of flowers including daffodils, tulips, sunflowers, and oil-seed rape blossoms. However, it is best known for the stunning blue nemophila flowers in spring (mid-April onwards) and bright red kochia bushes in autumn (October). It is also home to some traditional Japanese farmhouses.
Next stop is Kairakuen Garden, ranked among Japan’s top three most beautiful gardens, alongside Korakuen in Okayama and Kenrokuen in Kanazawa. Established in 1842 by Nariaki Tokugawa, the ninth feudal lord of the Mito Domain, it is now a public place of relaxation and recreation. This garden is famous for its Plum Blossom Festival (Ume Matsuri) held from late February to early March due to it being a home for around 3,000 plum trees from 100 different varieties. Cherry blossoms and azalea in the spring and Japanese bush clovers in autumn keep Kairakuen looking beautiful year-round.
After lunch visit Kodokan, a former school for samurai children which was established in 1841 by Nariaki Tokugawa, the ninth feudal lord of the Mito Domain. Comparable to a university by today's standards, students could study medicine, pharmacy, astronomy, Confucianism and history as well as military arts like fencing, martial arts and horseback. Such was its reputation that Japan’s last shogun, Yoshinobu Tokugawa, was educated at the Kodokan for five years from the age of six. After its closure in 1872, it became a prefectural government office before being opened to the public.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
After a morning at leisure, return to Tokyo.
Meals: Breakfast
Contact your local Travel Advisor or Scenic reservations consultant to add the Ibaraki Prefecture extension to your journey.
Explore Pre & Post Journey Accommodation
Discover our handpicked accommodation, available to add to your Japan journey. You may wish to arrive before the start of your escorted tour, to further explore. Or you may decide to stay on after your journey, to be truly well rested before returning home.
Whatever your preferences, we offer you the choice to extend your stay in luxury hotels that seamlessly connect with the start or end of your journey.
A tranquil haven located in the heart of Tokyo and recently rated in the Forbes Travel Guide as Tokyo’s Exclusive Japanese decor 5-star luxury hotel. The Capitol Hotel Tokyu offers a modern take intertwined with traditional Japanese furnishings and features a wide range of facilities including restaurants/bars, a spa, fitness club and a large swimming pool.
Situated in the heart of the business district, connected to a large shopping mall, the Hilton Osaka offers modern amenities, large windows and beautiful views over the city from your Executive Club Room.
A Western-style hotel with a large range of accommodations and amenities and located amongst Chuo’s most iconic landmarks including Hanamaru JR Tower Stellar Place. Guests are spoiled for choice amongst the wide range of places to visit as well as delicious cuisine options within the hotel.
Connected to Canal City Hakata entertainment and shopping complex, the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka offers modern design and a range of services including fitness centre and spa, complimentary Wi-Fi and handy smartphone. The hotel is also walking distance to the Nakasu yatai food stalls.
Contact your local Travel Advisor or Scenic reservations consultant to add the Ibaraki Prefecture extension to your journey.
Singapore and Bangkok Stopovers
Uncover more of this fascinating region of the world with our selection of stopovers. Discover Singapore, a cosmopolitan mix of contrasts offering visitors unique sightseeing and culinary opportunities. Or choose to immerse yourself in Bangkok. From the delicacies of its busy street markets to moments of quiet reflection inside its serene monasteries.
A luxury landmark set in the heart of a historic precinct, InterContinental® Singapore is deeply rooted in the heritage of the arts and cultural districts of Bugis and Bras Basah, and the hotel architecture encompasses an elegant blend of modern touches with Peranakan undertones representative of colourful shop houses, once home to a multi-ethnic community of settlers known as Bugis from Indonesia.
Value added inclusions:
- Lounge Access for minimum 2 night package
- Complimentary high tea (2 and 5 night package)
- Complimentary dinner for two at LUCE (3 night package)
- Complimentary dinner for two at LUCE (5 night package)
- Return airport transfers
- Breakfast daily
Set in the heart of Singapore, with the MRT at its doorstep, Swissotel The Stamford provides an ideal base to explore. One of the tallest hotels in South East Asia, offering contemporary guest rooms with cutting-edge technology, ergonomic seats and spacious desks. Luxuriate at the spa, try the fitness facilities, or dine on innovative cuisines at one of the 15 restaurants and bars.
Value added inclusions:
- Return airport transfers
- Breakfast daily
The Fairmont Singapore is ideally situated at the crossroads of Singapore’s cultural, entertainment and shopping districts. Enjoy this captivating city by staying in unrivalled elegance and luxury. Indulge in gastronomic delights at one of the 15 restaurants and bars, sip artisan cocktails by the pool or pamper yourself at Willow Stream Spa.
Value added inclusions:
- Return airport transfers
- Breakfast daily
Banyan Tree Bangkok is located just 10-minutes’ walk from the excitement of the Silom area. This hotel is a prime example of the marriage of luxury and comfort in the heart of Bangkok offering a wide range of facilities including a rooftop swimming pool, two brilliantly appointed rooftop bars with stunning views of the Bangkok skyline, world-class dining experiences and an award-winning spa.
Value added inclusions:
- Complimentary drink upon arrival
- Complimentary club lounge access for all bookings
- Return airport transfers
- Breakfast daily
Experience a vibrant and luxurious stay at the Hyatt Regency Sukhumvit Bangkok. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining experiences as well as swimming and exercise facilities. Situated in the centre of the main shopping district Sukhumvit, wander various malls and street stalls or try some of the local cuisines on the streets of Bangkok.
Value added inclusions:
- Return airport transfers
- Breakfast daily
Contact your local Travel Advisor or Scenic reservations consultant to add the Ibaraki Prefecture extension to your journey.
Ready to book?
Our reservations team or your local Travel Advisor can assist you with booking these exclusive journey enhancements.
*Terms & Conditions Apply
All hotels are twin share and include breakfast, transfers and taxes. Rates vary based on seasonality and surcharges may apply during certain periods, which you’ll be advised of at time of booking. Please refer to specific tour itinerary for hotel allocated at tour start and end points. Please enquire for single room prices. The itinerary for extensions is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Departure dates are correct as of 31 July 2024 however are subject to change due to independent operator requirements. Please refer to our full terms and conditions for further information.
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