Travelzoo Exclusive: Snow Monkeys and Cherry Blossoms Packages

Travelzoo Exclusive: Snow Monkeys & Cherry Blossoms Packages

21-Night Japan Cruise inc Flight, Stays & Tour

Created exclusively for Travelzoo members, this fly, tour, and cruise package from Cruiseaway sails you along Japan's stunning coastline and includes a guided tour from Osaka to Tokyo.  Departing in March 2025 - Springtime in Japan - means you'll have ample opportunities to see its famed cherry blossoms in full bloom.

While on tour, you'll discover Japan's sacred Sika Deer in Nara, ascend to Mt Fuji's 5th station, and visit Jigokudani Monkey Park to meet up to 160 of Japan's native snow monkeys. Your 14-night cruise onboard Holland America Line's Noordam takes you to 10 unforgettable destinations, you'll visit Kagoshima to see the smoldering Sakurajima volcano, Nagasaki to learn of its sombre yet fascinating history, and Niigata, known for its spectacular landscapes and high-quality sake.

Starting at just $4799 per person and with return international airfares included, this 21-night itinerary saves Travelzoo members up to 54% when compared with similar self-packaging options - an impressive saving of up to $5649 per person.

Your 3-week holiday kicks off in Osaka with the 6-night tour.

Day 1 Australia – Arrive in Osaka

Welcome to Osaka, Japan! Upon arrival, be transferred to your tour hotel in Osaka. Please note that the standard check-in time is 3pm and luggage storage can be arranged at the front desk.

Day 2 Osaka – Nara – Kyoto – Osaka 

This morning head to Nara Park to spot more than a thousand deer, which are considered the messengers of the gods. These deer have become a city symbol and have been designated natural treasure status. Deer crackers are for sale around the park, and you'll find that some deer have learned to bow to visitors to ask to be fed. 

You'll then visit the Todaiji Temple, one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples in Japan. Afterward, travel to nearby Kyoto for some free time at leisure to explore the ancient capital or participate in an optional Kyoto sightseeing tour. Finish the day back in Osaka.

Optional Kyoto Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: 5,500 JPY

The tour includes a stop at Fushimi Inari Shrine, an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It's famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The tour continues with a visit to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), a Zen temple in northern Kyoto that has gold leaf-covered floors on the top two floors. The last stop of the tour is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, one of Kyoto's top sights, and for a good reason: standing amid these soaring stalks of bamboo is like being in another world.

Day 3 Osaka - Takayama - Shirakawa Go – Nagano

Today is a fun day to visit the countryside of Japan on a trip to see how local people live. First, visit Takayama Old Town and walk along Sannomachi Street, which survives in a beautiful state with many old homes, shops, and restaurants. Takayama was once a bustling hub drawing expert artisans, farmers, and merchants from throughout the surrounding area, and Sanmachi, as well as Oshinmachi, preserve the traditional aesthetic of this time. Enter this district, and you step into the closest thing to the Edo period outside a historical drama.

Afterward, visit Shirakawa-go - declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995; it’s famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some more than 250 years old.

Finish the day in the Nagano region, where you will check into your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 4 Snow Monkey Park

Today visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park, often referred to as the Snow Monkey Park which is home to a very special troop of monkeys. Created in 1964, the park was established as a conservation area in which the monkeys, Japanese macaques to be exact, would have a refuge within what was already their natural habitat. Once in the park, the naturally-curious monkeys observed humans using the hot spring of a nearby guesthouse and before long, started copying the behaviour. The rest, as they say, is history.

Day 5  Mt Fuji – Tokyo

After breakfast, start with a drive to Mt Fuji’s 5th Station. Located 2300m above sea level, Mt Fuji’s 5th Station offers a commanding view of the Fuji Five Lakes area below, making it a popular spot even for those who do not intend on climbing the mountain, and it features shrines, torii gates, and souvenir shops.

Afterward, continue to Lake Kawaguchiko to admire the scenery while enjoying a short cruise across the lake. Surrounding mountains, including Mt Fuji and Komagatake overlook the waters. Arrive in Toyko this afternoon, check into the hotel, and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 6 Tokyo sightseeing

After breakfast, discover Tokyo’s must-see landmarks on an introductory morning tour. First, visit the stunning Meiji Shrine - a Shinto religious site dedicated to the Imperial Family in 1926. Walk among the serene gardens surrounding the shrine as you listen to more details about its importance from your guide. Then visit the Imperial Palace, the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. A world away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this calm green oasis covers an impressive 1.15 square kilometres in the central Chiyoda Ward.

The tour will end around lunchtime, and you’re free to explore this fantastic city at your leisure in the afternoon.

Day 7

Transfer to Port of Yokohama

After your beautiful 6-night tour and breakfast, you will be transferred to the Yokohama cruise terminal for the next part of your adventure

Your cruise includes:

• 14-night cruise on board Noordam visiting Kochi, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Busan (Pusan), Kanazawa, Niigata, Otaru, Aomori, Hakodate, & disembark back in Yokohama (Tokyo)
• All meals and entertainment onboard

This holiday taking you around Japan departs 24 March 2025. You must book by 3 November 2023 to secure a spot.

Cabin Upgrade: Lead prices are based on an Inside cabin while cruising; upgrade to an Oceanview cabin for an additional $200 per person and enjoy savings up to 53%, or to a Balcony for an extra $2200 per person and save up to 50%.

For the full itinerary Click here *Please note the prices on the next page are CruiseAway prices and don't include the exclusive Travelzoo member discount.

Why not extend your trip?

Add an additional 14 nights bringing together a 28-night cruise onboard Holland America Line's Noordam and the 6-night guided tour of Japan from Osaka to Tokyo seen above, this exciting itinerary from Cruiseaway has been crafted exclusively for Travelzoo members. Your additional ports of call on the cruise are Shimizu, Kobe, Kochi, Hiroshima, Scenic Cruising Kanmon Strait, Sokcho, Sakaiminato, Tsuruga, Toyama, Akita, Hakodate, & Miyako truly making your Japan experience one you'll never forget!

The prices for the extended trip start at just $6999 per person and with international airfares included, this exclusive offer saves Travelzoo members up to 48% when compared to similar self-packaging options - an impressive saving of up to $6480 per person.

For the full itinerary Click here *Please note the prices on the next page are CruiseAway prices and don't include the exclusive Travelzoo member discount.

Call 1300 407 348 to book today!