Your flight arrives in mid-afternoon. Your guide meets you at baggage claim and guides you to a shared shuttle bus going to your Tokyo hotel. You are free to relax for the rest of the day. Or, if you still have energy after your flight, take advantage of Tokyo’s nightlife.
A day of adventure awaits you. Visit Hama-Rikyu Garden, With its saltwater moats and freshwater ponds, the garden is a tranquil oasis. Afterward, you take a leisurely cruise down the Sumida River. From your seat, view Tokyo’s amazing architecture, including the Tokyo Skytree, Senso-ji temple & Meiji Park.
Matsumoto is surrounded by mountains, which made it a formidable fortress. Visit Matsumoto Castle, one of the 12 remaining medieval castles Japan.You find many artifacts on display, from samurai armor to daily items the castle’s defenders used.
This morning, you travel to Yamanouchi, home to Jigokudani. Also known as ‘Hell Valley,’ this area has many naturally occurring hot springs. In the late afternoon, you return to Matsumoto.
Today, you enter the Kiso Valley, home to the historic Nakasendo Trail. You first arrive in Magome. You are surrounded by nature. It is quite beautiful in the spring and fall when Japan shows off her beauty. Tsumago is a much more rustic village. This evening’s dinner is a treat, a multi-course kaiseki dinner.
This morning you board a local train to Takayama. Visit the Takayama Festival Floats Museum - within, see the magnificent floats, many of them dating back to the Edo Period. In the late afternoon, check into your ryokan. Before dinner, take advantage of the many indoor and outdoor onsen baths.
After breakfast, you board a local bus for a day trip. After an hour’s journey winding through mountainous terrain, you arrive in Shirakawa-go, a sleepy village located in a mountain valley. You are free to wander the village, as many of the homes are open for exploration. In the late afternoon, you return to Takayama.
This morning, you head to Nagoya. Visit Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, along with a variety of stunning gardens. Also visit The Gion - a historically protected neighborhood. Also view a geiko performance that includes participating in a tea ceremony.
Today your guided tour is unique, as you will travel between some of Kyoto’s greatest treasures on a bicycle. Without any hills to climb, this day of biking is sure to be a relaxing one. Your first visit is Nishi-Hongaji Temple, you head to Nijo Castle. Intimidating as it is beautiful & Nijo Castle.
After breakfast at the hotel, you board an express train to Kansai International Airport, where your flight home awaits.