Japan, Singapore & Thailand Beach Escape

After clearing customs and immigration formalities you will be met by Goway's local representative and transferred to your accommodation in the city.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax or explore Tokyo at your own pace.

Take a day tour of fascinating Tokyo. First up is Asakusa, Tokyo's old town where you can soak in the atmosphere of old Tokyo. Visit Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple, and wander down Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries. Next, travel down the Sumidagawa River on Tokyo's Water Bus, a unique means of transportation. You'll arrive directly at Hamarikyu garden, an Edo Period Japanese garden surrounded by the Shiodome district's futuristic skyscrapers, a great example of how Japan is the land of contrasts. Enjoy a cup of steaming matcha in a tea house in the garden. After lunch, enjoy a visit to Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings. Finally, as the sunlight dims, take a walk down the sparkly Omotesando shopping street, a broad tree-lined avenue, home to the flagship stores of the world's top fashion brands and some fantastic modern architecture.

This morning, a guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to a "sumo beya" or sumo stable. Here, you will have a peek behind the scenes at the world of sumo beya. All rikishi (wrestlers) belong to heyas, or sumo stables, where they live, train and eat. You will be able to visit one of these heyas to get up close and personal with these giant men and watch their asa geiko (morning training). The day begins in the early morning when the lowest-ranked men wake up and put in some practice before going about their assigned duties, which include cleaning the building and preparing the food for the main meal of the day. Higher ranked sekitori appear at a more reasonable hour, and they begin a practice session that runs from about 7 am until about 10 am. After several hours of warm-up and technique practice, the wrestlers play an exciting "King of the Castle" game where one wrestler stays in the ring fighting bouts without any rest until he is defeated. As the end time for training is in flux, the tour disbands at the stable. Your afternoon is free to explore Tokyo at your own pace.

In the evening visit Shinjuku with your private guide. Some say that Tokyo truly comes alive at night, and nowhere is this truer than Shinjuku. Almost a city within a city, Shinjuku is full of tens of thousands of bars, restaurants and clubs. It is the "bright lights big city" neon wonderland Tokyo that you see in the movies. Tonight, your local guide will take you on a walk through Shinjuku' s entertainment district of Kabuki-cho. Stop for a drink in a local bar, many of which are only large enough to fit 4 or 5 people, and have a chance to interact with the local Tokyoites, relaxing after a hard day in the office. Finish the evening how the Japanese do, with an hour in a private karaoke booth.

Meet your guide in the morning and transfer together to the bullet train station to take the train to Odawara (in Hakone). Your guide will help you board the train in Tokyo and then say goodbye. On arrival in Hakone, meet your guide for the day and begin your sightseeing tour of Hakone National Park. First take a boat ride across Lake Ashi where you might catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji. Then make your way up the Komagatake Ropeway, to the summit of Mt Komagatake, from which you can see amazing panoramic views of Lake Ashi, Hakone and Mt. Fuji, weather permitting. Also visit Hakone Motomiya Shrine, located on Mt. Komagatake with 2400 years of history. Heading down the ropeway, you will pick up a cruise again across to Sekisho-Ato, once part of Hakone's old town. After lunch (not included) stop by a local craft shop selling puzzle boxes on your way to one of the few original stretches of the Tokaido Road that ran from Tokyo to Kyoto. Walk along the 500 meter stretch of the Tokaido Road that preserves the original tall cedar trees and some of the old paving stones. The walk is very flat and takes just about 20 - 30 minutes to complete.

At the end of the tour your guide will escort you to your ryokan. Enjoy the hot spring baths and an authentic kaiseki cuisine dinner prepared with seasonal ingredients.

This morning make your own way from Hakone to Kyoto (bullet train tickets provided). Meet your guide on arrival at Kyoto Station and begin your afternoon private guided tour. Visit a celebrated site, the world-famous Fushimi Inari Shrine. Thousands of bright red torii gates line the mountain trail of Fushimi Inari Shrine. Walking through the truly unique vermillion gate pathway is a visually stunning experience. The shrine complex spans over the entire Mt. Inari (233m/765ft). On your tour, you will visit the main shrine hall. Then, you will proceed through the famed vermillion gate tunnel. Next, visit a temple that once caught fire and was reconstructed a century after it was first constructed. At 120 meters, Sanjusangendo is the longest wooden structure in Japan. Inside, you will find 1001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist saint of Mercy. Then stop at a celebrated UNESCO site, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which is older than Kyoto as the capital of Japan. Built for Kannon, the Buddhist saint of mercy, this temple is said to grant wishes of all kinds. After the tour your guide will escort you to your hotel. 

In the morning visit Northern Kyoto and Kinkakuji Temple, a favorite to millions of visitors each year, you will quickly see why this jewel set into the northern hills is one of the most visited sites in Japan. It is covered in real gold leaf and vibrant at any time of year no matter the weather. Continue to Kintano-tenmangu, a remarkable shrine to scholarship that was built to appease the spirit of an angry ghost. The shrine's surrounding entertainment district was first built after a fire in 1444, when a large section of the temple had to be rebuilt, and the remaining timber was used to construct 7 tea houses that became the first 'flower town' or Geisha district in Kyoto. Explore the Kamishichiken district, every bit as charming as its more touristy cousin the Gion district, with the added bonuses of fewer crowds and excellent photo opportunities.

In the afternoon, have a few hours of leisure time in Kyoto before your evening excursion to Osaka, one of Japan's most vibrant cities. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kyoto and take you to Osaka by local train (30 min). Learn about the splendors of Osaka's casual cuisine, venturing into the epicenter of street food culture in Osaka: Dotonbori. Dotonbori is a famous pedestrian-only restaurant street in Osaka's boisterous Namba district. Famous for its vast array of culinary options, Dotonbori is known as a food paradise throughout Japan. This is where Kansai people come to celebrate! Colorful eateries and bars line the neon-filled streets: hole-in-the-wall takoyaki stands and street side ramen bars rub shoulders with upscale eateries serving the finest wagyu beef - and everywhere, people - young and old -- out to enjoy the culinary pleasures of the nation's most famous restaurant district. You'll have the chance to sample a variety of local foods, including the famous and ubiquitous takoyaki (commonly known as 'octopus dumplings') and kushikatsu (skewered meats and vegetables). The cost of these - and one drink a piece - is included. Your guide can also take you to a huge variety of other establishments, from ramen noodles to izakaya bars. The cost for your orders here will be on you. Afterwards your guide will take you back to Osaka station where you will make your way back to Kyoto, or direct you to elsewhere nearby if you prefer to keep eating and drinking!

A full day to explore historic Kyoto at your own pace. Please ask your destination specialist about option excursions available to Arashiyama and other regions of Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima or elsewhere. 

Following breakfast, transfer to Osaka's Kansai Airport for your onward flight to Singapore. Meet, greet on arrival in Singapore and private transfer to your hotel.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax or explore Singapore at your own pace.

Take a morning orientation tour of Singapore. Begin your journey at Kampong Glam, an area where modernity meets tradition. This district has a history that dates back to Singapore's colonial era as the allocated area to the Malay, Arab and Bugis communities. Explore the city by driving round the Civic District, passing by the Padang, Singapore Cricket Club, historic Parliament House and the National Gallery Singapore. The Gallery consists of the former Supreme Court Building and the City Hall. Next, stop at the Merlion Park and enjoy the impressive views of Marina Bay. Do not miss out this picture taking opportunity with The Merlion, a mythological creature that is part lion and part fish.

Visit Thian Hock Keng Temple, one of Singapore's oldest Buddhist-Taoist temples, before driving past Chinatown. Proceed to Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Singapore Botanic Gardens and walk through the National Orchid Garden which boasts a sprawling display of 60,000 orchid plants.

The rest of the day is at leisure to continue exploring Singapore.

A full day to explore Singapore at your own pace. Please ask your destination specialist about option excursions available.

Following breakfast, transfer to Singapore’s airport for your onward flight to Phuket in Southern Thailand. Meet, greet on arrival in Phuket and private transfer to your hotel.

Phuket is the largest island in Southern Thailand and is one of Asia’s most popular beach destinations. Surrounded by the Andaman Sea to its west and various bays to its east, Phuket features powdery white beaches, magnificent coves, lush mountains, and hospitable people.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax at your beach resort.

Kicking off in the late morning at 11:00, transfer from the hotel to the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery around noon, just in time for a delicious lunch at the distillery. After lunch, be welcomed with a refreshing Chalong Bay Mojito, followed by visiting the one-and-only distillery of Phuket. Observe the inner working process. Learn how award-winning rum is produced from sustainably-grown Thai sugarcane and observe the French copper still and on-site bottling facility in action. After the 30-minute guided distillery tour, come back to the bar to taste 6 different flavors of rum. Have a chance for shopping before departing the distillery. Chalong Bay rums will be packed nicely as a perfect souvenir to bring back home! After the distillery tour, drive up the hill to where the white Big Buddha of Phuket is viewed attractively from the foothill. The Big Buddha whose official name is Wat Phra Phuttha Mingmongkol Eaknakakeeree is a hilltop temple, home to Southeast Asia's largest Buddha Statue. Once up there, enjoy the stunning bird's eye view of Phuket island down below. Then take a scenic route for a great view of Phuket's beaches at a few stops of the viewpoint. Cap off the evening at the famous Phromthep Cape for the best sunset of the day before returning back to the hotel.

Today, spend a day at sea visiting beautiful Phang Nga Bay from Phuket. After breakfast, you'll be met and driven to the jetty where a private, longtail boat awaits. Climb aboard and cast off to begin your adventure! Cross the emerald-green waters of the bay, passing by dramatic limestone karsts and uninhabited islands. Go ashore at 'James Bond Island', a distinctive rocky island that is a popular place for photos. The day is filled with several fantastic stops. Cruise through a pristine mangrove forest, getting a close look at the incredible ecosystems created by these ancient plants. Stop at secluded beaches to go swimming alongside colourful tropical fish. There is plenty of time to explore secluded beaches and soak up the sun. Around midday a scrumptious picnic lunch will be served in a scenic location. Enjoy the fresh air and tropical breeze while dining on a delicious meal. As the sun begins to dip low into the sky, return to Phuket arriving in time to watch the sunset at the end of the day. You'll be transferred back to your hotel.

Start your Thai culinary journey with a visit to Phuket's morning market where you'll learn to select and buy the perfect Thai ingredients for your personal cooking lesson at Blue Elephant Cooking School. After a morning market, you will head over to the school for an insightful culinary class. The instructor will explain the culinary techniques and demonstrate how to prepare each dish. Then you will begin to learn how to cook a variety of popular dishes with a qualified Thai chef. The class is followed by a meal in Blue Elephant's delightful restaurant sampling your own cooking as well as additional Thai dishes.

Your afternoon is at leisure. In the evening take a closer look at Phuket's rich cultural heritage. Start with a visit to the island's historic quarters, where a delightful mix of old and new buildings can be found. See Phuket's oldest Chinese shrine, learning about the Chinese migrants who came to the island in the 19th century to work in the tin mines. Continue past Sino-Portuguese buildings, which attest to the island's past as a key stop on the Asian trading routes. There is also a chance to visit a colorful fruit market where locally-grown tropical fruits are sold. Following this insightful walking tour, return to the vehicle and drive to the summit of Rang Hill. Enjoy sweeping views of the town, seeing the heritage buildings from a different point of view. A refreshing cocktail and light snack will be served at this scenic location. The tour comes to a close with dinner at a great local restaurant. Afterwards, you'll be transferred back to your hotel.

Three full days to export this tropical island or simply relax and enjoy the resort's facilities. Please ask your destination specialist about option excursions available.

Transfer to Phuket’s airport for your onward journey.