Japan Cultural & Scenic Discovery

Upon clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be greeted by an airport guide who will provide your trip documents and take you to your hotel. After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, resting and unwinding after your flight. If you’re inclined to explore, take a leisurely walk around the Imperial Gardens.

Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to go over your itinerary and offer local insights for a confident exploration of the city. This session may take up to two hours and can include assistance with validating your Japan Rail Pass if needed. Once this part is completed, venture out with your guide to discover Tokyo’s highlights. A unique perspective of the city can be experienced by taking a ferry from Hamarikyu Gardens – known for its beautiful traditional landscapes – to the Asakusa district, where you can visit the renowned Sensoji Buddhist temple.

Enjoy a leisure day in Tokyo. We recommend taking a day trip to Kamakura, a charming seaside town just over an hour away by train. Explore the numerous temples and shrines throughout the area, and perhaps hike up to see the ‘daibutsu’ (Great Buddha), passing an intriguing shrine where locals wash their money.

Depart Tokyo for a two-and-a-half to three-hour journey to Matsumoto in the Japanese Alps. Discover Matsumoto Castle, with its striking black and white exterior, and wander through the historical old merchant district. Don’t miss the Ukiyo-e Museum, showcasing thousands of woodblock prints from the affluent Sakai family.

Travel to Tsumago, a traditional post town, by train (journey lasts one to two hours). Once in Tsumago, we recommend hiking the Nakasendo Highway, an ancient route used by tradesmen and samurai since the 8th century. This scenic walk, lasting around four hours, takes you through quiet villages, cedar forests, and picturesque paddy fields.

Travel by local bus and then bullet train to Kyoto, recognized as Japan’s cultural heart, in about three and a half hours. In the afternoon, enjoy a private cultural activity at Kyoto’s Women’s Association, where experienced English-speaking practitioners will introduce you to Japanese culture through origami, a tea ceremony, and wearing a traditional kimono. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Spend a full day exploring more of Kyoto’s treasures. Visit Nishiki Market, bustling with artisan shops and restaurants. We recommend exploring the northwest of the city, including the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) and Ryoanji, famous for its beautiful zen gardens. In the evening, your local private guide and Geisha expert will lead you on a tour of the Gion district, helping you spot these elusive ladies.

Another day at leisure awaits. Consider taking the train to Nara, Japan’s ancient capital, known for the Giant Buddha and Todaiji Temple, which is less than an hour away. On your return, stop at Fushimi Inari Shrine to walk through its breathtaking ‘tunnels’ of red torii gates. Visiting in the evening provides a more tranquil and atmospheric experience.

After a relaxing morning, return to Tokyo (approximately a one-and-a-quarter-hour train ride) for one final night in the capital. Use your last hours to explore a new area, such as the Imperial Palace Gardens, the artificial island of Odaiba, trendy Shinjuku, or the peaceful Hamarikyu Gardens.

You will be picked up and transported via shared transfer to the airport for your return flight home.