After your flight lands at Kansai International Airport, your guide meets you at baggage claim. Porters take your bags as you board a private bus to your Kyoto hotel. After checking into your hotel, there is time to freshen up before a welcome dinner at a restaurant in the city center.
Kyoto’s two most majestic sites are Kinkaku-ji and Kyomizu-dera. The first, located in northern Kyoto, is best observed in the early morning when the soft light of dawn reflects off the temple’s gold leaf surface. You discover that a second temple stands proudly in the still waters of the temple moat.
This morning, you leave Kyoto behind for a day of adventure. Your first stop is Nara, Japan’s first national capital. The city’s deer are sacred to Japan’s Shinto religion and are allowed to live freely in Nara Park. Visit Todai-ji, the largest wooden building in the world & Mt. Koya.
After a vegetarian breakfast, you depart Mt. Koya by train and ferry to Miyajima, the ‘shrine island.’ Known worldwide for its ‘floating’ bright red torii gate, the island is home to peaceful nature and delectable food. Visit Itsukushima Shine. In the evening, you have the option to stay at a Japanese ryokan on Miyajima, or make the short journey into Hiroshima.
Your tour begins at the Genbaku Dome, the epicenter of the explosion & Peace Memorial Park. In the early afternoon, board the shinkansen for Osaka. Osaka is one of the busiest cities in Japan. This afternoon and evening, you tour a variety of markets and attractions, getting to know the locals as you join in on their merriment.
Today you head north to Kanazawa, Japan’s seafood jewel on the Sea of Japan. Known as the ‘little Kyoto’ for its springtime cherry blossoms and fall foliage. Dinner this evening is at one of the city’s premier sushi restaurants. Your chef creates a platter that is both appetizing to the eyes and mouth.
For the next two days, you venture into Japan’s interior. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains known as the Japanese Alps, you arrive in Shirakawago. From Shirakawago, you continue to Takayama. In the evenings, watch portable shrines and lanterns. The next morning, begin your day at Takayama’s farmers’ market & visit Takayama’s old town.
You arrive at Matsumoto, home to the ‘crow castle’. Leaving the castle, you head to Nakamachi street, a long row of old storehouses converted into shops, cafes, and restaurants. In the afternoon, you have the choice of train or private car to take you to Yudanaka, where you discover that onsen baths are enjoyed by animals other than human beings.
Not only is it home to Mt. Fuji, but Hakone also features some of the most intriguing scenes of nature in all of Japan. A volcanically active area, sulfur steam rises from the rocks of Hakone National Park, giving the area the nickname ‘Hell Valley’. Experience the Hakone Open Air Museum.
Tokyo - The largest city in the world, Tokyo is seemingly endless. Visait Tokyo Skytree. Visit Meiji Park, one of the largest parks in Tokyo. During your time in Tokyo, there is the option to take a day trip to Nikko. Once the burial site of Japan’s shoguns, Nikko has some of the most ornate shrines and temples in all of Japan.
Transfer to the airport with lots of memories and fly to your hometown.