An inspiring Tour of Japan Tokyo, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka

Day 1 Arrive Tokyo
Upon arrival and after clearing Customs and Immigration, be met and transferred to your hotel by private car 

Day 2 Tokyo
Today, enjoy a morning walking tour of Tokyo accompanied by your private guide (using public transportation). Visit Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings. Continue to Tsukiji Market, formerly the world’s largest fish market that is now a vibrant local market lined with street food stands, seafood, produce vendors and sushi stalls. Last and certainly not least, visit Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, and wander down Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries. Last stop of the day is Ueno famed for its Ueno Park comprised temples & shrines, museums, and a zoo. Afterwards, take a stroll through nearby Ameya-Yokocho market that boasts an array of local eats and fresh seafood stands. Return to your hotel. (B)

**Alternatively, we can arrange a visit to the Teamlab Planets Digital Art Museum in place of Ueno. 

Day 3 Tokyo 
Full day free at leisure to relax and explore Tokyo on your own. Optional tours (Night Foodies Tour, Hakone, Kamakura, Kawagoe Ancient Town, Yokohama, etc.) are available upon request. (B)

Day 4 Tokyo / Takayama
This morning, travel by Shinkansen and Express Train for Takayama. Upon arrival in the afternoon, enjoy a tour of this quaint heritage town with visits to Takayama Jinya, a historic government house built during the Edo-period that remained in use for nearly 300 years that offers a glimpse of the Samurai culture. The building showcases administrative rooms, a courthouse, and interrogation room, even a prison. Next, explore the streets of Kami Sannomachi, famous for its preserve traditional Japanese wooden houses, and enjoy Sake tasting at a local Sake brewery. Overnight in Takayama. (B)

**Ryokan accommodations (deluxe hotel option) includes Kaiseki Dinner at hotel for first night’s stay. 

Day 5 Takayama 
Free day at leisure to relax, explore Takayama or venture out to nearby Hida-Furukawa Town or Kamikochi Nature Preserve to fully immerse in Gifu’s natural beauty and cultural gems. (B) 

Day 6 Takayama / Shirakawa-go / Kanazawa
Begin your day with a leisurely stroll through the renowned Takayama Morning Market, nestled alongside the picturesque Miyagawa river. This bustling market is a feast for the senses, offering an exquisite array of fresh fruits, verdant vegetables, fragrant flowers, and tempting street snacks. It’s a beloved gathering spot for both locals and tourists, each drawn in by the lively ambiance and the opportunity to savor the essence of the town.

Next, take a one-hour express bus ride takes you through the Japan Alps to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site, famed for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses some dating 250 years back. Gassho-zukkuri translates as ‘Praying Hands’, as the farmhouses’ steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer, and are designed to withstand the heavy snowfalls in this mountainous region. Enjoy a walk though this historical village and up the hill to the observation platform that offers a birds-eye-view of the village and surrounding region. Continue by bus to Kanazawa. Check-in at your hotel and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to eat, shop and explore the vibrant area surrounding your hotel. (B)

Day 7 Kanazawa
Today, enjoy a full day tour of Kanazawa. We’ll start a short walk to Omicho Market, — the hub of Kanazawa’s food culture with rows of fresh seafood and produce. Continue to Kanazawa Castle, the seat of the powerful Maeda Clan from 1583 to the end of the Edo Period. The castle burnt down several times over the centuries and was later rebuilt. On the grounds of Kanazawa castle lies Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens, blending seasonal beauty, tranquil ponds, and centuries-old landscape artistry. Afterwards, proceed to Higashi Chaya, Kanazawa’s famed Old Town lined with wooden homes and shophouses, even the occasional Geisha sighting, for a stroll through this beautifully preserved district. Time and energy permitting, continue to Nagamachi Samurai district and visit the Nomura Samurai House before returning to your hotel. (B)

Day 8 Kanazawa / Kyoto
Travel by express train for Kyoto. Upon arrival, be met and enjoy an afternoon tour of beautiful Kyoto visiting the famed Golden Pavilion, a former shogunate villa in the 1400s turned Buddhist temple adorned in gold leaf surrounded by classic gardens. Continue to Kiyomizu Temple, one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. This UNESCO world heritage site is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below boasting panoramic views of Kyoto City. From the temple, stroll through the two famous shopping streets (Ninen-zaka & Sannen-zaka) to Yasaka Shrine before checking in to your hotel in Kyoto. (B) 

Day 9 Kyoto (Nara)
This morning, enjoy a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates straddling a network of trails behind its main buildings leading into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari. Afterwards, travel via Express Train to the outskirts of Kyoto to Nara, Japan’s first Capital from 710-784 A.D. and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Todaiji Temple, famed for being the world’s largest wooden building that houses the country’s largest Buddha statue; Nara Park where over 1,000 free roaming deer abound; and Kasuga Taisha, one of the most celebrated Shrines in all of Japan. Return to Kyoto in the afternoon. (B)

Day 10 Kyoto
Full day free at leisure to soak up Kyoto’s serene atmosphere and explore its many temples, shrines and heritage sites on your own. (B)

Day 11 Kyoto / Hiroshima (Miyajima)
This morning, travel by Shinkansen to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour of Hiroshima starting with a visit to the A-Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park and Peace Museum. Afterward, proceed to Miyajima Island by river boat to the remarkable Itsukushima Shrine and its Floating Torii Gate. Take a stroll along the colorful Omotesando Shopping Street lined with colorful shops and delectable food stands before returning to Hiroshima. Overnight in Hiroshima. (B)

Day 12 Hiroshima / Osaka 
Today, make your way to Osaka by train. Stops at Okayama’s Korakuen Garden, Kurashiki’s beautiful heritage town, and/or Himeji’s stunning Himeji Castle are highly recommended. Check-in at your hotel in Osaka for your next 2 nights’ accommodations. (B) 

Day 13 Osaka
Full day free at leisure to eat, shop and explore Osaka city on your own. Our travel specialists would be happy to offer recommendations based on your interests. (B) 

Day 14 Return Home
Transfer to Kansai or Itami Airport by private car for your departure flight home. (B)

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
• Price includes entrance fees, hotel taxes & service charges
• Price excludes all airfares, personal expenses, beverages during included lunches, meals not specified in itinerary
• All sightseeing on private basis via use of public transportation
• Tour commences in Tokyo and ends in Kyoto
• Tour prices are based on travel completing within the above said period. Due to hotel rate differences, pro-ration of tour price may be required for travel spanning two calendar months. Contact us for details.
• Peak Season Surcharges or blackout dates apply during Sakura season (Cherry Blossoms in late March – mid April), Golden Week Holiday (April 29-May 6) & December Holiday period (Dec. 24- Jan. 03). Please contact us for details and restrictions.
• All hotels and tours are subject to availability at time of reservation