Essence of Japan

Guests will arrive at the Kansai International Airport and reach the hotel independently. 
In the afternoon, a briefing and quick orientation session with the tour leader.
The rest of the day is at leisure. 

Overnight in Kyoto

Services Included:
-Tour leader
 

Inclusions:

Today, a full day exploration of the highlights of Kyoto together with our tour leader. 

Nijo Castle: This ornamental castle, surrounded by stunning gardens, was built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate as his Kyoto residence. The main building was completed in 1603 and is well-known for its Momoyama architecture, decorated sliding doors, and ‘chirping’ nightingale floors.

Kinkaku-ji: Also known as the Golden Pavilion, originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun. After his death, it became a Buddhist Temple at his request and is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples.

Ryoan-ji: This Zen Buddhist temple is most famous for its dry landscape garden and located in a beautiful park-like area.

(Optional) Nishiki Market: The place in Kyoto to mingle with locals and tourists and browse the small shops for traditional local food and snacks.  

Overnight in Kyoto

Services Included:
-Tour leader
-Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

This morning a day trip by local trains to the south of Kyoto. 

Together with our tour leader, visit Nara, one of the ancient capitals of Japan to visit the impressive Todai-ji Temple and the surrounding Nara Park populated by hundreds of wild deer.

Next, explore Kasuga Taisha, the most celebrated Shinto shrine in Nara, famous for its bronze and stone lanterns. The bronze lanterns hanging from the building’s roof have been donated to the shrine by its worshippers. Both the stone and the bronze lanterns are only lit during the lantern festival in February and the one in August. The best way to access Kasuga Taisha from Todai-ji is definitely by taking a stroll through the backstreets, passing by some local shops and traditional houses and enjoying the walk through a small forest. Lunch around 13:00.

Move back to Kyoto after lunch and stop at the Fushimi Inari Taisha with its thousands of vermilion torii gates. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds.

Early evening stroll around Gion: the old entertainment district of Kyoto where geisha and maiko still provide classical entertainment for the upper class in atmospheric tea houses. This area also houses the Yasaka Shinto shrine.

dinner at leisure.
Overnight in Kyoto

Services Included:
-Tour leader
-Return train transfer Kyoto – Nara 
-Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

A day at leisure to explore the city of Kyoto.
Overnight in Kyoto

Services Included:
-Tour leader (available for recommendations and emergencies)
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

An early start this morning and a 2 hour journey by shinkansen bullet train to the city of Hiroshima.
Hiroshima is well known for one moment in history: on 6 August 1945, it became the first target of an atomic bomb. However, Hiroshima has risen phoenix-like from its ashes, and rebuilt itself as one of Japan's most laid back and vibrant cities, full of wide boulevards and museums and famous for its great food and friendly, welcoming people.

First pay a visit to the Peace Park and Museum for a sobering reminder of the events of 1945. Far from being a depressing experience, the theme of the Museum and surrounding park is one of hope and peace. 

Next, make a short trip by ferry to Miyajima Island, a famous wooded island located in the Inland Sea near Hiroshima. Here you will find perhaps the most photographed site in Japan - The Floating Torii Gate. 

Back to Kyoto later in the evening – dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Kyoto

Services Included:
-Tour leader 
-Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary
-Hiroshima transportation pass
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

*To travel more lightly, this morning a luggage transfer service is included. Guests will receive their main luggage directly in Matsumoto– please prepare a smaller hand luggage for the 2 night ryokan stay in Takayama

On the train again this morning to Takayama, a beautifully preserved old town that was used to be cut off from the rest of Japan due to its previously inaccessible location nestled high on the Hida Alpine region.

Upon arrival at the station, a leisurely walk (approx. 30 mins) to Hida no Sato Folk Village, which holds more than 30 thatched farmhouses and traditional buildings typical of Hida region. Visitors can enjoy the view of the village set against the great Japan Alps and, occasionally, a couple of demos by local artisans, showing some of the crafts in the region such as weaving and pottery.
Some workshops of local arts and crafts are also available (extra charges apply).

In Takayama, guests will be staying in Japanese-style accommodation. In the evening, relax in your yukata, or lightweight kimono, and dine on a Japanese traditional meal (Japanese traditional multi-course cuisine). Your dinner will surely include some of Takayama’s famous cuisine, including some local vegetables, miso, and last but not the least, Hida beef, which is said to be the second best in Japan after the world-famous Kobe beef.

An onsen bath after dinner is highly recommended before bedding down.

Overnight in Takayama

Services Included:
-Tour leader 
-Luggage transfer to Matsumoto
-Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

A day at leisure in the traditional city of Takayama.

Overnight in Takayama

Services Included:
-Tour leader (available for recommendations and emergencies)
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

This morning on the train again to the medieval town of Tsumago, located in the Kiso Valley, famous among trekkers and hikers for its amazing views of the surrounding Japan Alps, flowing Kiso River, and well-preserved Edo villages. The most visited area in the valley is the Magome-Tsumago portion of Nakasendo Road, the famous trade route that runs from Tokyo all the way to Kyoto. Today guests will have a chance to walk a small part of this route.

Later, the journey by train continues to Matsumoto, in the heart of the Japanese Alps.

Overnight in Matsumoto

Services Included:
-Tour leader 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

*To travel more lightly, this morning a luggage transfer service is included. Guests will receive their main luggage directly in Tokyo– please prepare a smaller hand luggage for the 1 day ryokan stay in Yudanaka onsen.

This morning a walking tour of Matsumoto, including its famous castle, considered one of the most complete and beautiful among Japan's original castles. It is a good example of a so-called "hirajiro," a castle built on the plain rather than on a hill or a mountain. The castle is also called “Crow Castle” because of its black walls and spreading wings.

Later, a short trip to the onsen town of Yudanaka where another Japanese style multi-course dinner awaits followed by onsen baths.

Overnight in Yudanaka

Services Included:
-Tour leader 
-Luggage transfer to Tokyo
-Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

This morning, guests will be led to Nagano and continue by train and bus to visit Jigokudani Park to see the famous Snow Monkeys. Jigokudani literally means ‘hell’s valley’ due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, and it is in the baths of this boiling water that the resident Japanese Macaques like to soak in on.
 
The monkeys live in large social groups and it can be quite entertaining to watch their interactions. Accustomed to humans, they can be observed from very close and almost completely ignore their human guests. The monkeys are very numerous during the colder months, while tend to hide in the forests more often during the warmer season.

In the afternoon, a journey to Japan’s capital Tokyo.

Overnight in Tokyo

Services Included:
-Tour leader 
-Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Today is a free day for you to explore this amazing city. You can make an early start to visit the world-famous Tsukji Fish Market, visit the electronics district of Akihabara or discover Tokyo’s world-class museums and art galleries. 

Or choose to make an excursion outside of Tokyo to one of the following places:

Kamakura
One of Japan’s former capitals, Kamakura is a delightful seaside town home to many ancient temples. It is also the home of the Daibutsu, the 2nd tallest bronze Buddha statue in the country!

Hakone
Start the morning by boarding the train to Hakone, the gateway to Mt. Fuji and its surrounding national park. This small town is famous for its onsen, or natural hot springs, and has natural beauty in abundance.

The tour leader will provide guests with detailed information of all the options available.

Overnight in Tokyo

Services Included:
-Tour leader (available for recommendations and emergencies)
 

Inclusions:

Today is a guided day of the city of Tokyo including highlights such as Ueno Park, very famous for their cherry blossoms, Asakusa district, the city’s ancient geisha district and Senso-ji Temple, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple famous for its bright colors.

Overnight in Tokyo

Services Included:
-Tour leader 
 

Inclusions:

A last day at leisure to enjoy the many sides of Tokyo.

Optional Karaoke night.

Services Included:
-Tour leader (available for recommendations and emergencies, they will also be in charge of organizing a last dinner for the group. Pax will pay on the spot)

Inclusions:

Today is departure day.The tour leader will be at breakfast to say goodbye to clients and provide assistance in case someone needs indications to go to the airport.

Services Included:
-Tour leader 
 

Inclusions: