Indulge in Japan

📍 Narita International Airport (NRT) to Central Tokyo: 1.5 h Haneda International Airport (HND) to Central Tokyo: 50 min

Upon arrival to Tokyo’s airport, our representative will be waiting to assist with transport to the hotel via private vehicle.

Overnight in Tokyo at Mandarin Oriental         5 Stars (Deluxe)

Inclusions:

📍 Time: Start (guided tour): 09:00 or 09:30 Duration: 8 h

Enjoy a full day city tour of Tokyo alongside an expert, local guide with private transport provided throughout. Among the stops of the day will be Asakusa, part of Tokyo’s shitamachi (old town), which is both the city’s oldest Geisha district and is also home to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple.
 
Afterwards, pay a visit to Meiji Shrine, Tokyo’s most famous shrine, taking part in a traditional Shinto purification dance and receiving a blessing from a Shinto Priest.

While cruising around these iconic quarters of Japan, take note of the passing Ginza area, Imperial Palace and Shibuya ‘scramble’ crossing.

The itinerary is entirely flexible and can be altered to accommodate any other sites within the city. 
 

Overnight in Tokyo at Mandarin Oriental 5 Stars (Deluxe)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Distances and journey time: Tokyo to Kamakura (68km): 1 h Kamakura to Hakone (46km): 1 hTime: Start (guided tour): 09:00 Duration: 8 h *including pick-up, drop-off, and transit times off, and transit times

Leave the hustle and bustle of Tokyo behind for a morning of private sightseeing in Kamakura. 

Start the Kamakura tour with a visit to Kotoku-in Temple, home to the Daibutsu, the second biggest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. Built in the 13th century, this impressive Buddha image stands 13 metres high. Learn how it was constructed, and also of its fascinating history, having survived through years of typhoons and other natural disasters.   

Walk from Kotoku-in to Hase-dera, a temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism. Spend time exploring the many wonders of this vast temple, including its intricately decorated staircase, the guardian statues of the temple gates and a small cave believed to have been built by the legendary Japanese Buddhist monk, Kukai. Continue to the main hall to see the impressive wooden statue of Kannon, the eleven-headed goddess of mercy.

Continue on to Fuji Hakone National Park, where the night’s accommodation will be at luxury Japanese Ryokan with tatami mat flooring and comfortable futon beds. Some rooms even feature a private outdoor hot spring bath.
 

Overnight in Hakone at Gora Kadan 5 Stars (Deluxe)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Time: Duration (guided tour): 6 h *including pick-up, drop-off, and transit times

Today, tour the surrounding national park with a guide and private car.

This morning meet the guide for a tour of a Hakone with the service of a private vehicle. 

The first stop will be at the Hakone Checkpoint which has been reconstructed to look exactly as it did during the Feudal Edo Period. Your guide will explain its fascinating history and show you around the museum before taking a short walk through the beautiful Cedar Avenue nearby. 
 
After you have taken in the beauty of the forest, travel to the foot of Mt. Komagatake for a scenic ride on the gondola lift. If the skies are clear, Mt. Fuji might be visible.
Hakone is also home to many museums and parks. Later in the day, visit the Hakone Open Air Museum, which creates a harmonic balance of nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its spacious grounds. Besides the sculptures, the Hakone Open Air Museum also features various indoor galleries, including a sizable Picasso Collection.

Throughout the day, there will be multiple opportunities to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji. Please keep in mind, however, that the mountain is notoriously shy and necessitates a completely clear day to be seen in full.

Dinner tonight will be again served in the private living quarters.
 

Overnight in Hakone at Gora Kadan 5 Stars (Deluxe)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Gora Kadan to Odawara Station: 40 min Odawara Station to Kanazawa Station: 4 hTime: Start (guided tour): around 17:00 Duration: 4 h *including pick-up, drop-off, and transit times off, and transit times

Leave Hakone behind and head to Kanazawa, a castle town that has become the center for classical and contemporary arts, from traditional handicrafts such as Kaga-Yuzen silk dyeing and gold-leaf production to modern artworks displayed at the 21st Century Museum. 

Upon arrival the after is at leisure in the city before your evening experience. 

Get an in-depth, exclusive look at Japan’s geisha culture in Kanazawa. Late this afternoon join a guide for a walking tour of Kazue-Machi and Higashi-Chaya, two of the three Kanazawa’s ancient Geisha districts, before reaching the Kenrokutei, an exclusive Japanese restaurant inside the stunning Kenrokuen Garden.　 

Learn about Kanazawa geisha culture while exploring the traditional streets before seats in the exclusive location where the Geisha performance will take place. 

Dine on a traditional multi-course meal called kaiseki ryori. During dinner, the two geisha will entertain by performing traditional dances and song. One geisha perform at the front, while the other one play the Shamisen at the back, following the classic style of ozashiki, the geisha performance. 

After the dinner, enjoy the time chatting with the geisha and learn popular Japanese drinking games. Pose for photos with the geisha, capturing memories to share with friends and family back home, before bidding farewell to the hostess and returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Kanazawa at Hyatt Centric  5 Stars (Deluxe)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Time: Duration (guided tour): 8 h *including pick-up, drop-off, and transit times

Kanazawa is a delightful city that flourished as a centre for high culture and traditional crafts throughout the Edo Period. It continues to draw visitors with its unique charm, which includes one of the top three landscape gardens in Japan, traditional geisha teahouses, and a well-preserved samurai district. 

Alongside a knowledgeable local guide, explore Kanazawa, the castle town that thrived as the centre for culture and the arts in the 17th century.

Start with the pristine Kenroku-en Garden, which is ranked as one of Japan’s top three gardens. The garden is home to the oldest water fountain in the country, a couple of teahouses, and a large villa that used to be the retirement home of one of the richest clans in Kanazawa. Adjacent to the garden is Kanazawa Castle, easily accessed through the Ishikawa-mon Gate.

Lunch will be inside Omicho Market, known throughout Japan for its fresh seafood and fine sushi. The guide will introduce a local restaurant where some fine local cuisine can be sampled.

After enjoying a delectable lunch, head to the Higashi Chaya District, one of the three, well-preserved cha-ya districts in Kanazawa. Cha-ya, which means ‘tea house’ in Japanese, were where geisha used to entertain their guests with music, songs and dances. Here, find Hakuza, the shop that sells Kanazawa’s speciality – gold leaf products. The tearoom inside the shop is totally covered with gold! Be sure to indulge in one of Kanazawa's finest products - some gold leaf covered ice cream!

Finally, head across town to the old samurai district of Kanazawa and visit Nomura House, a restored residence of a high ranked samurai family. Freshly made green tea can be enjoyed on the second floor while viewing the small but entirely enchanting Japanese garden below.  
 

Overnight in Kanazawa at Hyatt Centric 5 Stars (Deluxe)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Kanazawa Station to Kyoto Station: 2 h *via Tsuruga StationTime: Start (guided tour): around 13:00 Duration: 4 h *including pick-up, drop-off, and transit time

Today, travel to Kyoto home to an astonishing 2,000 shrines and temples, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Upon arrival, the guide will be waiting at the platform to lead the private, half-day sightseeing tour through Kyoto.  

As the former imperial capital for over 1000 years, Kyoto is a city of fine arts, crafts, and numerous religious institutions. On this half day tour of some of the city’s most classic sites, guests will explore the traditions and elegance that make Kyoto a timeless destination.
Start with Sanjusangendo, a stunning Buddhist site often overlooked by tourists. A mesmerizing display of 1001 life-sized golden Buddhist statues awaits inside the world’s longest wooden building, sure to be one of the most memorable sights of the entire trip.

Hop in a taxi for a short ride to the slope leading to Kiyomizudera Temple. Lined with traditional shops, the walk to the temple is a classic Kyoto street that leads to the most iconic site in eastern Kyoto. See the finely painted pagoda and wooden stage of Kiyomizudera, constructed only with wooden joinery and offering sweeping views of the city below. 

Walk through more traditional streets to arrive at the quiet Kenninji Zen Temple. Renowned for its artwork, this temple displays ink paintings of serene landscapes and a massive dragon mural on the ceiling of the main hall. A classic Zen rock garden completes the experience, offering a chance to pause and reflect on the meaning of the minimalist dry landscape.

Time permitting, finish with a short walk through Gion, the historic geisha district.

After this short tour of Kyoto, transport will be provided back to the hotel.
 

Overnight in Kyoto at Ritz Carlton 5 stars (Super Deluxe)                          

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Time: Start (guided tour): around 9 h Duration: 8 h *including pick-up, drop-off, and transit time

Today’s tour will begin at 09:00. Spend a day exploring the wonders of Japan’s prosperous 8th century capital on this comprehensive Nara day trip. 

Set off from the hotel with a local guide, hitting the streets of this charming city in the morning to make the most of the day. Start with a visit to Todaiji Temple, Nara’s landmark. The guide will explain the history of this 8th century monument which was built to serve as the country’s head Buddhist temple. Walk through the temple compound to enter Daibutsu-den building, the largest wooden building in the world, and admire the 15-metre tall Buddha image found inside. 

Continue to Nara Park, where friendly deer casually graze, followed by a stroll through Nara’s backstreets. Pass local shops and traditional houses, gaining a better appreciation for the blend of old and new that defines so many towns in Japan. 

Arrive at Kasuga Taisha, Nara’s most sacred Shinto shrine. See the shrine’s famous bronze and stone lanterns that hang from the roof, donated to the shrine by its devotees. Although only lit during lantern festivals in February and August, they are still an impressive site. 

After seeing the sights, return to Kyoto and end the day with a visit to Fushimi to see the excellent Fushimi-inari Taisha Shrine. People pray here for success in business, good luck, and better skills. The shrine is also the head shrine for 40,000 Inari shrines all over Japan. Red torii gates (shrine gates) donated by worshippers line the path, so close together that they resemble a tunnel, all the way to the top of Mt. Inari, rising high within the grounds. The winding four kilometre path to the summit is called the Oyama-meguri (Oyama tour), but today’s tour will explore a portion of the mountain without committing to the entire hike.

Overnight in Kyoto at Ritz Carlton 5 stars (Super Deluxe)  

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Depart the hotel by private vehicle and later in the afternoon meet the host at the entrance gate of Daitokuji, a sprawling Zen complex hiding dozens of small temples behind weathered walls. 

Explore one of these temples, taking in the dynamic Zen rock garden and learning the meaning behind the enigmatic landscape. The rich history of the temple complex is discussed, as well as the role that tea plays in the daily activities of the Zen monks.

Enter the host’s traditional wooden home on the edge of the temple complex and begin the tea ceremony. Through enlightening explanations, the ritual of tea unfolds in a friendly and relaxed manner. Watch as matcha tea is prepared, and then learn to savour both the moment and the flavour in each cup. The host seeks to find ways for his guests to connect with the concepts of tea in their own personal way. From an examination of the charcoal heating the water to the story behind the craftwork in each teacup, a focus on details makes this a unique experience.

After the ceremony, visitors are free to ask questions about the ritual and the host’s unique style of traditional living. Part ways and return to the hotel via private vehicle. 

The rest of the day is at leisure. 
 

Overnight in Kyoto at Ritz Carlton 5 stars (Super Deluxe)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Kyoto to Kansai Airport (KIX): 2 h

The rest of the day is at leisure until the included private transfer to Kansai International Airport.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast