Departure Day

Today the adventure begins. Check in for your international flight to Japan.

Arrival Day

Upon arrival into Japan, we will transfer you to your hotel in Tokyo Metropolitan for you to check in for your three night stay.

After settling into your hotel join your Tour Manager for welcome drinks this evening and get to know your fellow tourists.

Tokyo Metropolitan

Welcome to Tokyo Metropolitan! The capital city and one of the most exciting cities in the world. Tokyo means ‘Eastern Capital’ and is made up of a patchwork of over 1000 neighbourhoods which conjoin together to create a mega metropolis. Each district has developed it’s own personality over the years which helps to refine where you choose to explore during your stay here. The Shibuya District is on most tourists must-see lists, featuring the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world with enough people crossing at rush hour to fill a rugby stadium. As is Asakusa on the north-east fringe of Tokyo Metropolitan, which pays homage to the areas cultural history thanks to it’s preservation of ancient buildings and artisan traditions. The list goes on and there are more including Ginza – noted for it’s luxury shopping, Shinjuku – noted for its entertainment and Roppongi – legendary for its nightlife. The patchwork that is Tokyo Metropolitan is endless, so you’ll need to find out for yourself!

Match Day

Today we will transfer you to the International Stadium Yokohama for Scotland's first match in the pool stages, playing Ireland. After the game we will transfer you back to your hotel.

Tokyo Metropolitan to Kanazawa

Today we depart Tokyo Metropolitan for Kanazawa on the bullet train. This in itself is a uniquely Japanese experience. The trains always depart and arrive very punctually and travel at speeds up to 270 miles per hour. Kanazawa is one of Japan's best preserved historical cities and once in Kanazawa, we will transfer to your hotel for a two night stay.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a popular tourist destination. The city translates as the ‘stream of gold’ which is fitting as almost all of Japan's gold comes from here. Indeed it is famed for its gold, gardens and Geisha. There are two Geisha districts, Higashi Chaya and Nishi Chaya, either side of the city which visitors gather to, hoping to catch a glimpse of Geisha. Not forgetting the Nagamachi Samurai quarter which is considered to be one of the best in Japan due to its well preserved streets and buildings.

Kanazawa is well known for its three tea districts; Higashiyama, Nishichaya-gai and Kazue-machi. This ancient ritual of preparing and serving tea is sure to get your taste buds going for when you venture into the Katamachi district – known as ‘The Scramble’ which is packed with people, shops, restaurants and lively bars.

Kanazawa to Kyoto

Today we leave Kanazawa feeling refreshed and immersed in the Japanese culture to head to Kyoto for three nights, a city which has one of the worlds largest collections of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Kyoto

Kyoto, meaning capital city, reflecting on its 1000 year history as the imperial city of Japan, is located on the central part of the island of Honshu. It’s significance in Japanese history resounds throughout the city. It was saved from bombing in World War II and as a result has many historical buildings in tact which attract thousands of tourists year on year. There are many ancient temples, tea ceremony masters, traditional ryokan inns, flower arranging, zen rock gardens and mysterious Geisha…all of which make Kyoto a truly mesmerising place to visit. You have the option to book onto our guided tour of Kyoto, a perfect way to familiarise yourself with this beguiling city.

There is also the option to book onto our guided day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima, one of the iconic sights of Japan.

Kyoto to Kobe City

Today we leave Kyoto for the vibrant Kobe City, ready for the build up to the next Scotland match.

Kobe City is set on a hillside sloping down to the sea and is a relatively small city that is easy to navigate around. In 1995, it was devastated by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Today, Kobe City has been rebuilt into a thriving metropolitan city and the three most pleasant neighbourhoods to explore are Kitano-chõ, Nankinmachi Chinatown and, after dark, the bustling nightlife districts around Sannomiya.

Nankinmachi is packed with shops, restaurants and food stands that sell a variety of ramen. Sannomiya ishome to the main business and entertainment area of Kobe City well known for it's vibrant nightlife. You may wish to visit the Nada-Gogō neighbourhood which has an abundance of sake brewers as afterall, Kobe is one of Japans great sake-producing cities. 

Furthermore, the city is most famous for it’s beef. Kobe beef is heavily marbled with fat giving it a luxurious flavour and velvety texture, and one kilo can cost in the region of £200! But don't worry, the beef is so rich that just a few delicate slices can be enough to satisfy your appetite.  

Match Day

This evening the action continues as Scotland take on the play off winner at Kobe Misaki Stadium. We will transfer you to the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes. 

Kobe City

Explore Kobe City at your own leisure today.

Kobe City to Tokyo Metropolitan

Today we depart Kobe City to head back to Tokyo Metropolitan on the bullet train for a six night stay in the capital city. Upon arrival into Tokyo Metropolitan we will transfer you to your hotel.

Tokyo Metropolitan

Welcome back to Tokyo Metropolitan, with its plentiful neon skyscrapers and giant video screens. You can unpack and relax at your hotel in the Tokyo Bay area of the city, before you pick up where you left off from your last visit and perhaps this time around you may wish to experience the more alternative side of the city.

The Odaiba Statue of Liberty is a replica of the iconic New York one and about a seventh of its height. There is the Godzilla head perched bedside the Toho building in the Shinjuku district, the Kan’ei temple in Ueno Park dedicated to the souls of dead insects…and, not forgetting, the many quirky cafes such as the Vampire café. A bit different, but nevertheless a glimpse into one of the many faces of Tokyo Metropolitan.

During your stay we have two optional excursions you could book onto. The first being our guided tour of Tokyo Metropolitan, a perfect way to familiarise yourself with this fascinating metropolitan area if you were too jet lagged on your previous stay, and take in some of it's most interesting sights.

There is also the option to book onto our guided tour to Hakone and Lake Ashi, giving unparalleled views of Mount Fuji.

Tokyo Metropolitan to Kakegawa

Today we travel from Tokyo Metropolitan to Kakegawa by bullet train ready for tomorrows match against Russia at the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa.

Kakegawa is a castle town on Japan's main island of Honshu, and is just less than 30 minutes drive from the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa.

Kakegawa is known for its green tea production and is surrounded by green tea fields. Kakegawa castle, a reconstructed Edo era castle near the train station, is the city's biggest landmark. Bird-lovers will also find a large variety of birds such as penguins and horned owls at the Kakegawa Kachoen. For art lovers, they can head to the Kakegawa Stained Glass Museum, which has displays such as Victorian and French stained glass, or the Shiseido Art House, which has contemporary sculptures and paintings on show.

Match Day

Today Scotland take on Russia in their third match of the pool stages at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa. We will transfer you to the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes. 

Kakegawa

Make the most of the hotel sports and leisure facilities today, or alternatively take the free shuttle bus into Kakegawa to explore the city.

Kakegawa to Tokyo Metropolitan

Today we return to Tokyo Metropolitan, enjoying the speed and efficiency of the bullet train.

On arrival back into Tokyo Metropolitan we will transfer you back to your hotel in the Tokyo Bay area of the city. Seeing Tokyo Bay from above is an experience that will be hardly outrun by anything else. As you can imagine, the best sights can be seen after the sunset. The million of little lights scattered all over the bay together with the colourful boats that fill the bay make an eerie image. The best place to do this is at Tokyo World Trade Centers observatory located at the 40th floor.

Tokyo Metropolitan

Enjoy exploring Tokyo Metropolitan at your leisure, perhaps just soaking up the buzz of this vibrant city. This evening we will be hosting an exclusive Gullivers event.

Match Day

This evening, expect the Japanese flags to be waving in support of the home team as Scotland takes on Japan in their final match of the pool games at the International Stadium Yokohama. We will transfer you to the stadium and back to your hotel and the end of the match.

Tokyo Metropolitan

Relax for a few more days in the Tokyo Bay area of the city, perhaps visit Odaiba Marine Park, the perfect place for a quiet afternoon. 

Tokyo Metropolitan

We transfer you to your hotel located in Shinjuku, for the quarter-finals. Shinjuku is probably the place you're imagining when you think of Tokyo Metropolitan: bright neon lights, crowds, tall buildings, bustling streets and energy galore.

Match Day – Quarter-final two

This evening, action begins with the first quarter-final, as the winner of pool B takes on the runner up of pool A at Tokyo Stadium. We will transfer you out the the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes. Once at the stadium, soak up the unique atmosphere that comes with a Rugby World Cup quarter-final and settle in as the teams prepare to battle for a place in the semi-final.

Match Day – Quarter-final four

This evening, action continues with the third quarter-final, as the winner of pool A takes on the runner up of pool B at Tokyo Stadium. We will transfer you out the the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes.

Tokyo Metropolitan to Kyoto

Today we take the bullet train back to Kyoto to re-immerse ourselves in this fascinating city for a four night stay.

Kyoto

A couple of days at leisure getting to know Kyoto better, fill your time with a visit to Sanjo which is an arcade full of old, family run establishments or visit the Gion district with it’s many tea salons, artisan shops, temples, shrines and traditional Japanese houses (machiya).

(If you would like an alternative option please contact us for a quote).

Tokyo Metropolitan

Welcome back to Tokyo Metropolitan! This evening we will be hosting a Gullivers Exclusive event, where our knowledgeable speakers will be sure to have opinions on the matches to come. 

Match Day – Semi-final one

This evening the penultimate stage of the competition begins with the first semi-final, as the winner of quarter-final one takes on the winner of quarter-final two at International Stadium Yokohama. We will transfer you out the the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes.

Match Day – Semi-final two

This evening the semi-finals continue as the winner of quarter-final three takes on the winner of quarter-final four at International Stadium Yokohama. We will transfer you to the the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes.

Tokyo Metropolitan

Enjoy the remainder of your time in Tokyo Metropolitan. If you have not already taken the opportunity to visit Hakone and view Mount Fuji, perhaps book onto our option excursion.

Match Day – Bronze final

This evening the semi-final runners up battle it out in the bronze final. The runners up of semi-final one take on the runners up of semi-final two at Tokyo Stadium. We will transfer you to the the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes.

Match Day – The final!

The day we have all been waiting for as tension builds for the final match. The winner of Rugby World Cup 2019™ will be crowned at the International Stadium Yokohama after six gruelling weeks of competition. We will transfer you to the the stadium in time to enjoy the unique atmosphere that comes with a Rugby World Cup final, and return you to your hotel when the match finishes.

Departure Day

Depart Japan today to head back to Scotland.

Arrive home

It's been memorable! Today we land back into Scotland and make our own journeys home with many great memories and new found friendships.