Essence of Japan
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Highlights:
- Be immersed in Japan’s rich culture. Start in Tokyo and see the Edo-era Hamarikyu garden, Asakusa’s Geisha district as well as Tokyo’s modern shopping areas.
- Soak in natural hot springs in Hakone, cruise across Lake Ashinoko and trek through nature trails in the shadow of Mount Fuji.
- Explore Japanese culture and history through the palaces and shrines of ancient Kyoto and absorb the essence of Japan
SKU:
Explore: Japan
Customizable Itinerary - 10 Days (from $4,499 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
Today you board your aircraft bound for Tokyo where you begin your exploration of the essence of Japan.
Day 2: Arrival in Tokyo
After your arrival in Toko you will be met by our representative who will facilitate your transfer into Tokyo and your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is left open so you can relax and adjust.
Day 3: Parks, Shrines and Boutiques of Tokyo
Meet up with your guide at the hotel to visit some of Tokyo’s major attractions. Start at Hamarikyu, a Japanese garden whose wide collection of seasonal flowers makes it one of the most visited gardens in Toko. Take a break at Nakajima-no-Ochaya and enjoy a cup of freshly made green tea as the guide describes the history of the chado tea ceremony. From there you board a boat for a scenic cruise to Asakusa the old Geisha district featuring many traditional shops. Finish the visit at the Meiji shrine which is close to Harajuku and Omotesando two of the city’s shopping districts.
Breakfast
Day 4: Tokyo and Kamakura
In the morning you board a train for the 50 minute ride to Kamakura, a seaside town that was one of Japan’s former capitals. The town is home to many ancient shrines and temples and other structures like the daibutsu a giant bronze Buddha standing 40 feet tall. Return to Toko and spend time at some of the world’s best museums and art galleries.
Breakfast
Day 5: Hakone and Mount Fuji
Today you leave the bustle of Toko for the tranquility of Hakone with a Bullet Train taking you from one to the other. Upon arrival you make your way to your ryokan, a Japanese-style Inn with futon beds, tatami flooring, paper sliding doors and hot spring baths. While some ryokan have communal hot baths called onsen for men and women, your ryokan offers a private onsen to soak away the cares of the world. This will be followed by a multi-course kaiseki dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Lake Ashinoko and the Old Tokaido Walking Trail
After a Japanese breakfast you will board a ropeway bound for Togendai where you board a ship for a cruise on Lake Ashinoko, a body of water that was formed after a volcanic eruption that took place over 3,000 years ago. Clouds permitting you will get excellent views of Mt. Fuji. You disembark at Hakone-machi and walk towards Hakone shrine, the most photographed spot in Hakone for its iconic “floating” Torii Gate. From the shrine you follow the Old Tokaido Walking Trail which is about five miles. You will stop at Amazake Chaya, a traditional house serving Japanese style snacks accompanied by Amazake, a sweet rice wine. Return to the ryokan for another soak in the onsen and a kaiseki dinner served in your room.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Kyoto, Cooking and the Geisha Tradition
You have time for one last soak in the onsen before you depart for the station and a bullet train to Kyoto the cultural capital of Japan. Home to 2,000 shrines and temples with 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the city was spared the bombing that many other cities experienced and can therefore show an authentic Japan from another era. After checking into your hotel you join a small group cooking class to learn some of the techniques and ingredients of Japanese cooking. Finish the day with a Geisha performance at a traditional theatre.
Breakfast
Day 8: Iconic Landmarks of Kyoto
Your tour starts with a visit to Nijo castle that was built in the early 1600’s. It is known for its Momoyama-style architecture, decorated sliding doors and ‘chirping nightingale’ floors. You next visit Ryoanji Temple with its serene rock garden and its role as home to the Myoshinji School of the Rinzai Buddhist sect. Just a short distance away is the stunning golden pavilion completely covered in handmade gold-leaf. After a stop for lunch you visit the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and enjoy the view from its verandah sitting 40 feet high and constructed without any nails. Complete your day with a stroll through the busy streets of the Higashiyami district, a collection of narrow alleyways lined with local stores, souvenir shops, small eateries and other merchants.
Breakfast
Day 9: Kyoto Culture and the Deer of Nara
This morning offers a unique and unforgettable chance to learn about Japanese culture in a Machiya, a traditional Kyoto-style wooden townhouse which has been beautifully restored. You start with a short tour of the house and lean about its architecture before trying on a traditional kimono the iconic Japanese garment. While in the kimono you will take part in a tea ceremony led by a tea master, a quintessential part of Japanese Culture. You will get an insight into Japan’s tea culture from making the tea to the movements involved in serving it. You then get an introduction to origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. In the afternoon you take the train to Nara, another former capital. You visit Nara Park where a large amount of tame deer roam free. It is also home to Todaiji, the world’s largest wooden building.
Breakfast
Day 10: Return to USA
You have the morning to explore on your own, shop for souvenirs and pack for the return trip. You will be transferred to Kansai airport near Osaka which is built on a man-made island. Here you board your flight bound for the USA.
Breakfast
Today you board your aircraft bound for Tokyo where you begin your exploration of the essence of Japan.
Day 2: Arrival in Tokyo
After your arrival in Toko you will be met by our representative who will facilitate your transfer into Tokyo and your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is left open so you can relax and adjust.
Day 3: Parks, Shrines and Boutiques of Tokyo
Meet up with your guide at the hotel to visit some of Tokyo’s major attractions. Start at Hamarikyu, a Japanese garden whose wide collection of seasonal flowers makes it one of the most visited gardens in Toko. Take a break at Nakajima-no-Ochaya and enjoy a cup of freshly made green tea as the guide describes the history of the chado tea ceremony. From there you board a boat for a scenic cruise to Asakusa the old Geisha district featuring many traditional shops. Finish the visit at the Meiji shrine which is close to Harajuku and Omotesando two of the city’s shopping districts.
Breakfast
Day 4: Tokyo and Kamakura
In the morning you board a train for the 50 minute ride to Kamakura, a seaside town that was one of Japan’s former capitals. The town is home to many ancient shrines and temples and other structures like the daibutsu a giant bronze Buddha standing 40 feet tall. Return to Toko and spend time at some of the world’s best museums and art galleries.
Breakfast
Day 5: Hakone and Mount Fuji
Today you leave the bustle of Toko for the tranquility of Hakone with a Bullet Train taking you from one to the other. Upon arrival you make your way to your ryokan, a Japanese-style Inn with futon beds, tatami flooring, paper sliding doors and hot spring baths. While some ryokan have communal hot baths called onsen for men and women, your ryokan offers a private onsen to soak away the cares of the world. This will be followed by a multi-course kaiseki dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Lake Ashinoko and the Old Tokaido Walking Trail
After a Japanese breakfast you will board a ropeway bound for Togendai where you board a ship for a cruise on Lake Ashinoko, a body of water that was formed after a volcanic eruption that took place over 3,000 years ago. Clouds permitting you will get excellent views of Mt. Fuji. You disembark at Hakone-machi and walk towards Hakone shrine, the most photographed spot in Hakone for its iconic “floating” Torii Gate. From the shrine you follow the Old Tokaido Walking Trail which is about five miles. You will stop at Amazake Chaya, a traditional house serving Japanese style snacks accompanied by Amazake, a sweet rice wine. Return to the ryokan for another soak in the onsen and a kaiseki dinner served in your room.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Kyoto, Cooking and the Geisha Tradition
You have time for one last soak in the onsen before you depart for the station and a bullet train to Kyoto the cultural capital of Japan. Home to 2,000 shrines and temples with 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the city was spared the bombing that many other cities experienced and can therefore show an authentic Japan from another era. After checking into your hotel you join a small group cooking class to learn some of the techniques and ingredients of Japanese cooking. Finish the day with a Geisha performance at a traditional theatre.
Breakfast
Day 8: Iconic Landmarks of Kyoto
Your tour starts with a visit to Nijo castle that was built in the early 1600’s. It is known for its Momoyama-style architecture, decorated sliding doors and ‘chirping nightingale’ floors. You next visit Ryoanji Temple with its serene rock garden and its role as home to the Myoshinji School of the Rinzai Buddhist sect. Just a short distance away is the stunning golden pavilion completely covered in handmade gold-leaf. After a stop for lunch you visit the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and enjoy the view from its verandah sitting 40 feet high and constructed without any nails. Complete your day with a stroll through the busy streets of the Higashiyami district, a collection of narrow alleyways lined with local stores, souvenir shops, small eateries and other merchants.
Breakfast
Day 9: Kyoto Culture and the Deer of Nara
This morning offers a unique and unforgettable chance to learn about Japanese culture in a Machiya, a traditional Kyoto-style wooden townhouse which has been beautifully restored. You start with a short tour of the house and lean about its architecture before trying on a traditional kimono the iconic Japanese garment. While in the kimono you will take part in a tea ceremony led by a tea master, a quintessential part of Japanese Culture. You will get an insight into Japan’s tea culture from making the tea to the movements involved in serving it. You then get an introduction to origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. In the afternoon you take the train to Nara, another former capital. You visit Nara Park where a large amount of tame deer roam free. It is also home to Todaiji, the world’s largest wooden building.
Breakfast
Day 10: Return to USA
You have the morning to explore on your own, shop for souvenirs and pack for the return trip. You will be transferred to Kansai airport near Osaka which is built on a man-made island. Here you board your flight bound for the USA.
Breakfast
