A Private Japan Family Tour – Tokyo, Yudanaka Snow Monkeys, kanazawa, Kyoto & Lake Biwa

Day 1 Arrive Tokyo
Upon arrival and after clearing Customs and Immigration, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in Tokyo by private taxi for your next 3 nights’ accommodations.

Day 2 Tokyo
Today, enjoy a day of fun exploring Tokyo’s “cool” spots. Visit Akihabara, also known as Electric Town, this area was originally famous for its many electronics shops sporting the latest and greatest Japanese electronics. In addition, Akihabara has also become the center of Japan’s otaku (diehard fan) culture, where you’ll find many anime-themed shops and establishments. Next, visit Mirakan or The National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation for some of the planet’s most advanced gadgets and technologies. Continue to the super cool Teamlab Planets, a fascinating digital art museum where visitors wade through mesmerizing light installations, interactive projections, and sensory experiences, blurring the boundaries between art and reality. (B)

Day 3 Tokyo
Today, enjoy a morning visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo’s most famous Shinto Shrine dedicated to the late 19th-century emperor who opened Japan to the West, home to a 40-foot-high torii gate and a 200-acre park made of 1,500-year-old cypress. Next, head to the Old Tsukiji Fish Market, an enormous market lined with produce and seafood stalls, sushi eateries and street food stands. Last but not least, visit Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist Temple at Senso-ji in Asakusa, followed by a stroll through the colorful Nakamise Shopping Street. Afternoon free at leisure to explore Tokyo on your own. (B)

Day 4 Tokyo / Yudanaka 
This morning, board a bullet train for Nagano, followed by an express train to Yudanaka. Upon arrival, transfer to your ryokan by hotel shuttle van and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax and explore the nearby Shibu Onsen Village, which is just a few minutes from your hotel by foot or taxi. A Kaiseki Dinner (multi-course Japanese Banquet) is served at the ryokan this evening. (B,D)

Suggestion: While in Nagano between trains, suggest taking a short 10-minute bus ride to Zenko-Ji Temple located approximately 1.5 miles from Nagano Station (bus stop is located directly in front of Nagano Station main entrance/exit). Zenko-ji is one of the most important and popular Buddhist temples in Japan founded in the 7th century. It features an underground tunnel beneath the temple that is completely pitch black. Visitors can make their way through by feel, without seeing a thing. It’s a fun experience not to be missed!

Note: no guide is provided on this day. Specific instructions on getting from Tokyo to Yudanaka will be provided. 

Day 5 Yudanaka (Snow Monkey Park):
After breakfast at the ryokan, proceed by hotel shuttle to Snow Monkey Park, where you’ll spend the morning exploring the park and observing the playful snow monkeys bathing, swimming and jumping in and out of the hot spring pools. Afternoon free at leisure.  Overnight in Yudanaka. (B,D)

Day 6 Yudanaka / Kanazawa 
Continue your journey by rail to Kanazawa (with connection at Nagano Station). Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon tour of the city visiting Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens, and formerly the outer garden to the Kanazawa Castle. Next visit Myoryuji, a.k.a. Ninja Temple, a former military outpost during the Edo Period, famed for its many deceptive defenses and secret escape routes in the event of an attack. Continue to Higashi Chaya District, Kanzawa’s beautiful old town lined with quaint shops and tea houses. Tourists have also been known to have an occasional Geisha sighting. Overnight in Kanazawa. (B)

Day 7 Kanazawa 
This morning, enjoy a fun-filled cooking lesson featuring Sushi-making, Tempura-making or local Kanazawa cuisine, including a visit to the Omicho Market. Afternoon free at leisure to relax and explore charming Kanazawa on your own. (B,L)

Day 8 Kanazawa/ Kyoto 
Board your bullet train for Kyoto. Upon arrival, commence sightseeing of beautiful Kyoto, visiting the Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Ryoan Temple (Rock Garden). Check in to your hotel in Kyoto for your next 3 nights’ accommodations. (B)

Day 9 Kyoto (Lake Biwa)
This morning, enjoy an invigorating cultural and scenic tour of Lake Biwa. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride along a beautiful lakeside road up to the stunning rice terraces where you’ll spend a relaxing and culturally-inspiring day in a traditional farm village. The tour showcases a slow-paced, off-the-beaten-path experience of the countryside to see a different side of Japan. Here, get a chance to visit a local family’s residence where a simple Japanese lunch is prepared (with your help). Depending on the season, you may participate in various cultivation activities such as rice harvesting, fruit picking or mochi-making. Return to Kyoto from Shiga Station on your own and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B,L)

Day 10 Kyoto 
Full day free at leisure to relax and explore a few of Kyoto’s two thousand temples and shrines by foot or by bicycle. A visit to nearby Nara, yet another ancient capital and Japan’s first, is highly recommended. (B)

Day 11 Return Home
Transfer to Itami or Kansai Airport in Osaka by shared shuttle van for your departure flight onward. (B)