TOUR FULL Medicine in Japan in association with the Royal Society of Medicine (FULL)

Itinerary at a glance

• Day 1: Tokyo (Mon, 11 March) Arrive in Tokyo, a vast city encompassing a multitude of distinctive personalities, and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a local dinner with the group.
• Day 2: Tokyo (Tues, 12 March)  Experience the history of this modern metropolis, starting with a to the historic Asakusa neighbourhood and visit the ancient Buddhist Senso-ji. Cruise along the Sumida River to tranquil Hamarikyu Gardens and walk through the gardens to the National Cancer Centre, Japan’s leading cancer research and treatment centre. Return to the hotel before a welcome dinner with Tim Minton, Professor of English at Keio University Medical School at the Tokyo Club.
• Day 3: Tokyo (Wed, 13 March)  Walk to Jikei University School of Medicine, the only medical school founded during the Meiji era that followed the principles of British medicine. The school was founded by Kanehiro Takaki, who studied at St Thomas’ Hospital in London and brought the humanistic ideals of English medicine to Japan. Take a tour of the hospital and learn about its history and its current work. Visit fashionable Harajuku, the Woodblock Print Museum and Nezu Museum and its lovely garden.
• Day 4: Tokyo / Kanazawa (Thurs, 14 March) Take the bullet train across Japan to Kanazawa. Visit the geisha quarter (Higashichaya Old Town), including the Ochaya Bunkakan Sake House, Kaikaro Geisha House, a gold leaf house and museum.
• Day 5: Kanazawa (Fri, 15 March) Visit Kenrokuen Garden and the romantic ruins of Kanazawa Castle. Visit the Samurai Quarter, including the old pharmacy, the samurai house and garden, the Yuzen Silk Centre and the Kubani Kutaraki pottery.
• Day 6: Kanazawa / Hiroshima (Sat, 16 March) Travel to Hiroshima by train. Arrive and transfer to the hotel and enjoy a local dinner.
• Day 7: Hiroshima (Sun, 17 March) Take a cruise on the Inland Sea past the vivid red Torii Shrine set in the water, denoting that the entire island of Miyajima is sacred. Explore the island, covered in virgin forest, as felling trees is forbidden on the island - as is giving birth or dying. Return to the hotel and at leisure.
• Day 8: Hiroshima (Mon, 18 March) Hear a talk on the clinical radiation effect of the atomic bomb used in Hiroshima and the nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima. The talk will detail the current research examining the legacy of both Hiroshima and Fukushima. Local okonomiyaki lunch. Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum with its many poignant exhibits. Return to the hotel and at leisure.
• Day 9: Hiroshima/ Kobe (Tues, 19 March) Take the train to Kobe via a visit to beautiful Himeji Castle. Continue to Kobe and visit the Carpentry Museum. Transfer to the Oriental Hotel. Local dinner.
• Day 10: Kobe / Kyoto / Kobe (Wed, 20 March) Visit Kyoto, Japan’s capital of high culture. Kyoto was the imperial capital between 794 and 1868 and with its hundreds of temples and gardens it remains the cultural centre of Japan. Visit the shimmering medieval Golden Pavilion, with its sensuously contoured temple roofs and Shinto shrines, and Nijo Castle. Visit Fushimi Inari and take part in part of the Tofukuji walk through the vermillion gates.
• Day 11: Kobe / Osaka / Kobe (Thurs, 21 March) Take the train to Osaka and explore the Dotonbori district on a culinary tour. Return to Kobe and at leisure until your farewell dinner in the evening.
• Day 12: Kobe B (Fri, 22 March) Depart the hotel after breakfast.