Begin in Tokyo - 3 days
Start Your Adventure in Japan's Capital, the bustling city of Tokyo

While in Tokyo, you will visit to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, and a trip to Asakusa, the center of Tokyo's shitamachi (literally "low city"), one of Tokyo's more traditional districts. 


You will end day 1 with a visit of Tokyo's Skytree. With a height of 634 meters, it is the tallest structure in Japan and was the second tallest in the world at the time of its completion. The Skytree has two observation decks, the Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria. Experience walking in the sky from the sloped Tembo Galleria from (Floor 445) to its summit at the Sorakara Point, Floor 450.


The next day will include the Meiji Shrine, Harujuku and a sumo demonstration. You will end day 2 with a visit to the psychedelic teamLab Borderless, a world of artworks without boundaries, a museum without a map created by art collective teamLab. 

Follow the Itinerary Through the Cities of Japan
Kyoto

Kyoto is Japan's ancient imperial capital, known for its rich culture, numerous temples, traditional wooden houses, and beautiful gardens. The city served as the imperial capital for over a thousand years and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan and a center for refined cuisine and traditional arts like tea ceremonies and geisha performances.


The 2 days include:

  • Kyoto's western Arashiyama Mountains, one of Kyoto's most charming sightseeing districts. Arashiyama is home to a fine collection of temples, including one of Kyoto's finest Zen temples and the single most beautiful villa in the country. 
  • Gioji Temple, a small but charming temple with a beautiful moss garden. 
  • Sagano Bamboo Forest. This bamboo forest has become extremely crowded and popular but most still want to see it.
  • Tenryuji Temple, founded in 1339, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the major temples of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Although fires ravaged the temple eight times and the present building dates from 1990, the 14th-century Zen garden is one of the oldest in Japan.
  • Traditional lunch of shojin ryori (Zen temple vegetarian cuisine) surrounded by the natural beauty of Tenryuji's gardens. This lovely lunch is hosted at Tenryuji Temple.
  • Adashino Nenbutsuji, built for the interment of unclaimed deceased, has more than 8,000 stone Buddhas and pagodas. These are the nameless gravestones of people who died in the Adashino area from the Heian to Edo periods. 
  • Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, with its authentic and exquisite Japanese-style garden. Its three-storied pavilion is entirely covered in gold foil with a golden phoenix perched on the roof. The original temple dating from 1397 was built by the shogun Yoshimitsu as a retirement villa. 


Nara/Osaka

Nara is Japan's first permanent capital (710-794 AD) and a historic city in the Kansai region, famous for its ancient Buddhist temples, including Tōdai-ji with its giant Buddha, and the freely roaming, sacred sika deer in Nara Park. 


Second only to Kyoto, as a repository of ancient Japanese culture, Nara boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each considered a priceless national treasure.


Upon arrival, stroll through the Nara Deer Park where more than 1,000 virtually tame deer roam freely in the verdant 1,250-acre park. Then we will proceed to Todaiji Temple, home to the Great Buddha. This temple is the world's largest wooden building—a wonder of religious architecture. 


After lunch, with your guide, explore through Naramachi (old Nara) and view the original machiya-style merchant homes. End the day with a visit Kasuga Shrine, the most famous and beautiful Shinto shrine in Nara, featuring more than 3,000 antique stone and bronze lanterns. 

 

Osaka is a charming, relaxed city best known for its food, fun and nightlife—with some history and culture peeking through. Osaka is only a short shinkansen ride from Tokyo, but has a very different personality to Japan's capital city. You'll have some free time to enjoy the city before we visit a Michelin rated street food stop for Osaka's favorite snack—takoyaki (grilled octopus fritter). We will also visit a very local izakaya, or Japanese pub, with seasonal dishes that will intrigue and delight. You can try yakitori (grilled skewers), tempura and other regional dishes and sake with your meal.  

Hiroshima/Kurashiki

Hiroshima is a modern Japanese city significant as the location of the first use of a nuclear weapon in warfare when the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb  on August 6, 1945, devastating the city and causing immense casualties and long-term health effects. Today, the city serves as a global symbol of peace, with the Hiroshima Peace Memorial being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's where you will begin your tour.

In the afternoon, meet your local guide to discover Hiroshima's vibrant food scene, tasting signature dishes like Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and regional sake. As you walk through lively neighborhoods and buzzing arcades, enjoy four unique culinary stops that highlight the city's flavors and culture - ending with a sweet local treat to round out this immersive evening.

 

Kurashiki is a beautifully preserved historical town. It has a charming merchant district along a pretty canal lined with willow trees and is famous for its white kura storehouses. The city is known as the birthplace of jeans in Japan.


Begin exploring the Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter which is one of the best-preserved neighborhoods in Japan from the Edo Period (1603-1867). At that time, Kurashiki was an important point along the distribution route of Japan's most important commodity, rice, and grew wealthy and stately because of it. After lunch, visit the Ohara Museum of Art. Founded in 1930, this was the first museum of Western art in Japan. It houses a large collection of European art including works by Cezanne, Degas, El Greco, Gauguin, Monet, Munch, Picasso, etc. 



Final Stop: Hakone

Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo. Famous for its hot springs, natural beauty and the view across Lake Ashinoko of nearby Mt. Fuji, 


Enjoy a cable car ride to get up close and personal with the steaming Owakudani Crater—it is considered lucky to eat an egg cooked in the boiling water, as it will add seven years to your life. Weather premitting, enjoy a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji. Hakone Shrine stands at the foot of Mount Hakone along the shores of Lake Ashinoko. The shrine buildings are hidden in the dense forest, but are well advertised by its huge torii gates, one standing prominently in the lake and two others over the main street of Moto-Hakone. A path leads from the torii gate in Lake Ashinoko up a series of steps flanked by lanterns through the forest to the main building of the shrine, which sits peacefully among the tall trees.


Finish the day with a visit to the fabulous Hakone Open-Air Museum (Chokoku-no-mori). This world-renowned outdoor sculpture garden focuses on the works of 19th and 20th century Japanese and Western sculpture. Artists featured include Bourdelle, Despiau, Rodin and Moore. There is also a small indoor Picasso exhibition.

Hotels for the Journey


Tokyo (Oct 16 – Oct 19)

Hotel: Kitano Tokyo (Superior King Rooms)


Kyoto (Oct 19 – Oct 22)

Hotel: Thousand Kyoto (Deluxe Double Rooms)

 

Osaka (Oct 22 – Oct 24)

Hotel: Royal Classic Osaka (Standard Rooms)

 

Hiroshima (Oct 24 – Oct 25)

Hotel: Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima (Superior Double Rooms)

 

Kurashiki (Oct 25 – Oct 26)

Hotel: Royal Park Hotel Kurashiki (Deluxe Twin Rooms)

 

Hakone (Oct 26 – Oct 28)

Hotel: Hyatt Regency Hakone (Standard Hollywood Twin Rooms)