Day 01
Flight to Tokyo, Japan
Day 02
Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo
Arrival at Tokyo’s international airport and transfer to your selected hotel
The remaining of the day at leisure
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel
Day 03
Tokyo
Breakfast at the hotel
Embark on a city tour of Tokyo during which you will visit the grounds of the Imperial Palace, formally known as Edo Castle, surrounded by its original inner moat; the Star Attraction, Meiji Shrine, is located in a forest that covers an area of 700,000 square meters and consists of 365 different pieces of tree; it is a picturesque Shinto shrine where cherry blossoms bloom in springtime.
During lunch, enjoy a cooking class and learn how to make Sushi in the famous Ginza district.
Continue to Asakusa and visit the Sensoji Buddhist temple. It is one of Tokyo’s most colorful and popular temples. It has been rebuilt countless times since it was founded in 628 making it Tokyo’s most famous temple site.
Visit Nakamise street, a shopping street over 200 meters long that stretches from the outer gate to the temple’s second interior gate. Alongside Japanese souvenirs are sold.
Back to the hotel
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel
Day 04
Mt. Fuji - Hakone
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure by motor coach for a full day sightseeing to visit the Five Lakes District dominated by majestic Mt. Fuji at 3776 m, it is Japan’s highest mountain and most recognizable icon.
Ascend to the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji to enjoy a spectacular view at 2300m (if weather permits).
Lunch at a local restaurant followed by a visit to Owakudani via the Hakone Ropeway
Ride over the crystal clear waters of Lake Ashi and look down on the volcanic activity.
Enjoy black eggs boiled in geysers of Owakudani before continuing to the beautiful town of Hakone, where the cherry blossoms are noted sights in this area (in Spring known as Sakura) and (in autumn as Susuk)
Back to the hotel
Free dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel
Day 05
Tokyo - Matsumoto - Takayama
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure by motor coach to visit Mastumoto Castle, one of the most beautiful and complete original Japanese castles; marvel at its unique timber and stone structure before proceeding to the Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum to see wooden crafts, bamboo wares, glassware, china and porcelain.
Matsumoto is also famous for its wasabi cultivation, cherished for decades in the East for its unique flavor and health benefits.
Lunch at a local restaurant including soba noodles with wasabi; then continue your journey through the breathtaking Japanese Alps to the beautiful hillside town of Takayama, located in the Hida Region.
Takayama gained importance as a source of high quality timber and highly skilled carpenters during the feudal ages.
Drive back to the hotel in Takayama
Free dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel
Day 06
Takayama
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure for a full day walking tour of Takayama, known as “Little Kyoto”
Discover its Edo style streets filled with amazing attractions; explore the old town, stopping at some of the traditional houses and delightful local museums, then wander through a vibrant open-air flower and fruit market (Asaichi).
Lunch at a local restaurant
After lunch, proceed to Takayama Jinya
Takayama Jinya was a former government outpost that was established in order to bring the Hida Province under the direct control of the Edo Bakufu (Shogunate) in 1629. The Takayama Jinya served as the local government office till 1969, later it was opened to the public as a museum.
Continue our walking tour to visit the Kami-Sannomachi District, renowned for its skillful local artisans. Stop to taste the delicious rice wine, Sake, a local specialty.
Walk through the narrow streets and admire the ancient Japanese wooden architecture.
Back to the hotel, the remaining of the day is free to explore on your own the beauty of Takayama city and its many restaurants in this picturesque town.
Free dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel
Day 07
Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure to visit the peaceful mountain village and UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawago, where you will find the Gasshozukuri houses built of wooden beams combined to form a steep thatched roof that resembles two hands together.
Walk around this wonderful outdoor exhibition of farmhouses and other traditional buildings typical of the region.
Lunch at a local restaurant
Later continue towards the coast to Kanazawa, a historic Castle Town which boasts beautifully preserved samurai districts; then proceed to visit the Nagamachi District with old Samurai houses, then the Normura house, an elegant Samurai mansion with beautiful small gardens belonging to a high-ranked Samurai family.
Arrival at the hotel and installation
Free dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel
Day 08
Kanazawa - Kyoto
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure for a half day visit to the gardens of Kenroku-en, rated as of one of the top 3 most beautiful gardens in Japan.
Explore the ornate landscapes, temples and ponds.
Discover the secrets of gold leaf painting, a local specialty, during a visit with a local artist.
The production of gold leaf started in Kanazawa at the end of the 16th century and now 99 percent of Japan’s high quality gold leaf is produced in the area.
A short walk through the Omicho market to see the local fish catch and enjoy an insider’s view of everyday life in a busy coastal town
Departure from Kanazawa to Kyoto by JR Express train Thunder Bird
Arrival at your hotel and installation and afternoon free at leisure to explore Kyoto on your own
Lunch and dinner on your own that day
Overnight at the hotel
Day 09
Kyoto
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure from the hotel for a full day visit to the Nijo Castle, the old Shogun residence and Kinkakuji Temple famous for its Golden Pavilion
The Kinkakuji history dates back to 1397, when the Villa was purchased by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. When Yoshimitsu died, the building was converted into a Zen temple by his son.
Lunch at a local restaurant (Kaiseki cuisine)
Late afternoon, discover the local Japanese customs as your hosts welcome you into their beautiful home.
Free dinner on your own
Overnight at the hotel
Day 10
Kyoto
Breakfast at the hotel
Free day leisure in Kyoto to explore on your own its beauty.
Or optional excursion to Nara
Lunch and dinner on your own that day
Overnight at the hotel
Day 11
Kyoto - Mt. Koya
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure to Mt. Koya a UNESCO World Heritage designated site
(Before departure from your hotel, please arrange a lightweight overnight bag for the next two days of the trip since your luggage will be sent directly to Osaka).
Mt Koya is where the Shingon Buddism sect was introduced in 805 by the priest Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi).
Visit the Kongobunji Temple and Okunoin, Japan’s largest cemetery and the site of Kobo Daishi’s Mausoleum, set in an enchanted forest of towering ancient cedar trees.
Arrival at your authentic accommodation and installation
This delightful Monastery is one of the best places to experience simple temple lodging Shukubo in Japan.
Lunch on your own and free afternoon to explore the beauty of the city
Tonight, enjoy a traditional vegetarian monk meal at Shukubo
Overnight in Fukuchi-in (Monastery Inn)
Day 12
Mt. Koya - Hiroshima
Early Vegetarian Breakfast at Shukubo
Transfer to Shin-Osaka station by chartered coach (about 2.5 hours)
Leave Shin-Osaka for Hiroshima by JR Shinkansen train
Lunch on your own on board of the train
Upon arrival, a city tour visiting the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Museum and
Shukkeien Garden before checking into the hotel
The remaining of the day free at leisure to explore on your own the city of Hiroshima
Free dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel
Day 13
Hiroshima - Osaka
Breakfast at your hotel
Leave for Miyajimaguchi by chartered coach
Ferry to Miyajimaguchi (10min) and a walking tour in Miyajima Island
Upon arrival, admire the elaborate gate and Itsukushima Shrine, rising majestically out of the sea
Spend time strolling through the park; and in the afternoon, departure by JR super express train heading to Osaka.
Arrival and transfer to your hotel and installation.
Lunch on your own and the remaining of the day free at leisure to explore Osaka
Free dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 14
Osaka
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Transfer to Osaka’s international airport for departure flight to final destination
There are no bookable dates now, please feel free to contact us.