Day 01 / Depart United States.

Your outbound flight aboard Japan Airlines wings you across the Pacific waters to the islands of Japan in preparation to unravel some of the long held mysteries of the Far East. ​

Cross The International Date Line 

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Japan: ​

Day 02 / Arrival Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo, a dynamic city of some 14 million inhabitants. Having acquired your Japan Rail Pass prior to arrival, you have the opportunity to activate your card for transport into the city and arrival at your hotel. Tokyo Station Hotel

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Day 03 / Tokyo

Today’s guided tour offers an array of sensory delights awaiting your presence as you view the many sleek skyscrapers and vivid neon signs of the city. Contrast this slice of ultra-modern Tokyo with the serenity of its traditional palaces and shrines. Visit the Imperial Palace Square and see the National Diet building, seat of Japan’s government. Thereafter, visit the Skytree for a view of the city, and continue on tour to see the Meiji Shrine, set among some 170 acres of forested land. The shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji becomes a haven for newly-wed Japanese on the weekend. After enjoying a leisurely lunch at a popular local restaurant, join with your guide to stroll the beautiful setting at the Rikugien Gardens. Tokyo Station Hotel (B)

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Day 04 / Excursion by rail to Nikko    

Journey with your guide aboard the Shinkansen (Bullet-Train) that whisks you to the northern highlands to visit two of the major shrines of Japan. The Futarasan is considered the religious heart of Nikko, and a place where the religions of Japan meet. Founded by the Buddhist monk Shodo Shonin during the 8th century, its path is joined by the Shinkyo Bridge, known as the sacred bridge that marks the entrance to Nikko. Nikko was designated a World Heritage site in 1999 with the Toshogu Shrine being the most famous and popular of Shinto shrines in the north of Japan. The beauty of the forested hillsides cannot be overstated, be it a time  of year for cherry blossoms to display their magnificence. A late afternoon return by rail to Tokyo. Tokyo Station Hotel (B)

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Day 05 / Tokyo ~ Hakone

A morning passage by train brings you to Odawara station to be met by your guide for transport by private car to Hakone National Park, where across the waters of Lake Ashi stands majestic Mount Fuji. Upon entry at Hakone, begin your exploration of the park, beginning with a boat ride to capture the beauty of the surrounding environs. A ropeway to a nearby hilltop, weather permitting, provides a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji and the beauty of the lakes below. A stroll along old Tokai-do road, lined with cedar trees, takes you back centuries, which in earlier times led both horse and foot traffic to Tokyo. End your tour with a visit to the Amazake Chaya tea house, the oldest in Hakone. Gora Kadan Ryokan (B, D)

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Day 06 / Hakone

After a restful evening and a leisurely breakfast, on your freeway today, choose to travel to the nearby Hakone Open Air Museum to view what is meant to be a harmonic balance of nature and art placed both outdoors and within the exhibition halls. The Picasso exhibition is one of the more brilliant displays. Upon arrival, request an audio-guide to assist with your exploration of the many wonders that are offered both within and outside the museum. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure, exploring more of the surroundings as suggested by your guide or perhaps to partake in some of the Ryokan’s fine amenities. Gora Kadan Ryokan (B, D)

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Day 07 / Hakone ~ Nagoya ~ Magome

The concierge at the Gora Kadan will arrange for a taxi service back to the Odawara station, where you will board the train to Nagoya. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and tour the town of Naraijuku, and thereafter will accompany you to Nagiso for your arrival at Magome, unique from other towns within Japan for its location on a rather precipitous terrain. Upon arrival at your accommodation, enjoy a bit of rest prior to joining in for your dinner meal. Toaya Kisoji (B, D)

 

Day 08 / Excursion to Tsumago

Today’s activity shall be one of the more memorable experiences on your exploration across the breadth of Japan. Leave Magome with your guide and begin the three hour trek to Tsumago along the Kiso Road, chronicled as a footpath since 701 AD. It is one of the more fascinating treks, passing shrines, waterfalls, bamboo groves, terraced rice paddies and tea houses, along a footpath laid with large stones centuries ago in the early 1600’s. Arrive at Tsumago for an exploration of the town, and thereafter a return by rail back to Magome. Your exciting day now complete, enjoy some of the amenities offered at your hotel prior to sitting for dinner. 

Toaya Kisoji (B, D)

 

Day 09 / Magome - Takayama

Your morning departure by rail aside the Japanese “Alps” brings you to the town of Takayama, known as “Little Kyoto.” The town offers a wonderful blend of simplicity and beauty. Situated in the mountainous region of the Gifu Prefecture it gained notoriety for its excellent timber and has maintained its traditional touch like few other cities within Japan. Upon arrival at the train station, transfer by taxi to your hotel to enjoy and evening of rest and relaxation. Tokyo Stay. (B)

 

Day 10 / Full Day Guided Tour of Takayama  

Meet with your local guide for a full day’s tour, beginning with a visit to the Miyagawa Market aside the riverfront where locals come in search of the freshest of foods and local products. Visit the former offices of the local government, now turned into a museum. After a leisurely lunch, walk along the streets of the Old Town, with many old homes, shops, coffee houses, and sake breweries, some of which have been in business for centuries. Be certain to enjoy a sake or tea at one that captures your eye. Tokyo Stay. (B)     

         

Day 11 / Takayama ~ Kanazawa  

All aboard for your departure to the city of Kanazawa, the highlight of which will be your visit to the Kenrokuen Park, considered by many to be the most beautiful landscape garden in Japan. Met by your guide, your visit to the city will include a walking tour of the park, as your guide describes its history and the history of the city with a step and a story. Thereafter, visit the the old Geisha District, built some 200 years ago, and having been refurbished with restaurants and tea houses. The remainder of the evening is set aside for rest and relaxation. Hyatt Kanazawa (B)     

             

Day 12 / Leisure Day in Kanazawa  

A full day of leisure is set aside to further explore the wonders of Kanazawa. Perhaps begin your day with a visit to the Omicho Market where you will find a wealth of products, both sea and land, and if timing is right, observe the generations-old tradition of auctioning off the best of the day’s catch. The Kanazawa castle is worthy of consideration, as is a return to stroll the narrow lanes of the Geisha District to find a wealth of smaller shops, tea houses and eateries. Hyatt Kanazawa (B)

 

Day 13 / Kanazawa ~ Kyoto

Having enjoyed the brilliance of your visits to the smaller towns along the route and the magnificence of the gardens in Kanazawa, join your rail passage across the peaceful countryside to exquisite Kyoto. This festival city was the capital of Japan from 794 until 1868. Interlaced throughout the city and hillsides are some of the 16,000 shrines, temples, and pagodas that will make your visit to Kyoto one of the treasured highlights of your journey. Upon arrival at the train station, kindly taxi to your accommodation for an evening of rest and relaxation. Nohga Hotel (B)   

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Day 14 / Kyoto

Begin your day with your private guide who will meet you at your hotel and accompany you on a day long tour of Kyoto, transferring from site to site by trolley, taxi and afoot. Visit the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, the most prestigious shrine of Inari, one of the most prominent gods of the Shinto religion, the Kyoto Imperial Palace and a walking tour that takes you to one of the sake breweries that use the generations old methods of brewing. This evening is at leisure, perhaps to visit the Gion District, where you might spot Geisha en route to entertain their clients. Nohga Hotel (B)

 

Day 15 / Day trip to Mount Kurama

Mount Kurama stands out as perhaps the best day trip outside Kyoto. A thirty-minute local train ride whisks you up the mountain side lined with lush forests and known in folklore to have mythical creatures that haunt the hillsides. Disembarking at Kurama, visit the Kuramadera Temple, which was built in the eighth century, and thereafter, continue your mountain pilgrimage afoot to Kifune, which is about a 2 mile trek, passing a wondrous display of ancient wooden structures, beautiful forests and a well maintained footpath leading you to Kifune. Completing your trek, board the local train to Kyoto to enjoy an evening at leisure. Nohga Hotel (B)

 

Day 16 / Excursion to Hiroshima/Miyajima Island

All aboard the Shinkansen train en route to Hiroshima, where you will meet your local guide and thereafter board the ferry to Miyajima Island, where deer freely roam the streets, and the environs are considered to be one of Japan’s most beautiful venues. The floating Tori gate stands as the entry to the island, which is dotted with innumerable Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. After a leisurely lunch, return across the bay to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Return by rail to the Nohga Hotel (B)

 

Day 17 / Kyoto - Mount Koya at Koyasan

Travel by rail to Koyasan, situated in a forested area of Wakayama Prefecture, site for the Shingon school of Buddhism, and grounds for more than 100 temples and monasteries. Founded in 819, it is renowned as a highly respected spiritual retreat and one of the holiest places in all of Japan. Enjoy an afternoon tour walking the footpaths that intertwine throughout the forested landscape, one of Japan’s most sacred sites, which you will find encrusted within the forest nearby the mausoleum of its founder, Kobo Daishi’s

Koyasan Rengejoin ( D )

 

Day 18 / Mount Koya - Osaka

An early riser has the opportunity to participate in the morning Buddhist ceremony, followed by enjoying a breakfast meal prior to boarding the cable car transport back to Gokurakubashi station to board your train bringing you to Osaka to enjoy the evening at leisure, and perhaps to enjoy a local favorite dish of Onamayaki. (B)

 

United States

Day 19 / Osaka – Homeward

All too soon your holiday to fascinating Japan has drawn to a. close. It is time to board your return flight homeward, having made new friendships and carrying with you those special memories that are certain to be rekindled over a lifetime. (B)