14 days Highlights of Japan

Welcome to Tokyo! One of our representatives will greet you at the arrival gate with a sign of your name.

They will be transferred to the hotel in central Tokyo on a Limousine Bus. Upon arrival at the hotel, the client must check-in.

Tokyo – The city with a mix of past and present

Today we will enjoy a Private Tour of Tokyo, the most populated metropolis in the world. As modernized as the city can be, there are still aspects of its traditional history present. While touring Tokyo, you will have an expert local guide to take you to the best sightseeing spots. Visiting hours are entirely up to you and are flexible to the needs of the group.

For temples and shrines, we recommend visiting Asakusa Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, and Meiji Jingu Shrine, the place where Emperor Meiji and his wife are enshrined. You can also roam the outer grounds of the Imperial Palace, the current residence of the Imperial family. If you are looking for a deeper look at the history of Japan, why not visit the Edo Museum in Tokyo?

There are many shopping options available in Tokyo, but depending on your preference it can take you to different parts of the city. High-quality branded items can be found in Ginza, extreme fashion style clothing is in Harajuku, otaku (geek) products can be purchased in Akihabara, and Shibuya is the middle ground between all your shopping needs.

Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower in Japan and offers great views of the city from its observatory. There are shops as well as an aquarium located in the area. Not interested in the tower? So what about going to the man-made island known as Odaiba? On the island there are many entertainment options available in addition to the famous Rainbow Bridge.

Breakfast
Hotel Ginza Creston or similar class

Kanazawa – The City of Arts, Crafts, Gardens and Geisha

Traveling from Tokyo and entering Kanazawa, you will experience the subtle transitions from Metropolis to the countryside, making the 2-hour 30-minute journey shorter after taking in the views through the train windows. Upon arrival, enjoy a full-day private tour of Kanazawa. It offers rich heritage values ​​with its traditional arts and crafts, including ceramic productions, gold leaf, and many more valuable practices. Kanazawa is full of different attractions with its well-preserved Geisha district, historic samurai lodges, and lively fish market. The city is also proud to host one of the top three landscaped gardens in Japan, Kenrokuen.

Breakfast
ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kanazawa or similar class

Shirakawa-go – Remote countryside known for its straw farms

This morning we will visit the lively fish market at Omicho Market. Then we will travel by bus to the breathtaking landscapes of Shirakawa-go, which is a great attraction for photographers. The town is a gem in the Alps of southern Japan, deep within the mountainous beauty of the sheltered region, only enhanced by rice fields irrigated through its network of waterways. Thatched roof farms (gasshozukuri) are designed as a prayer hand to withstand heavy snowfall. The snow creates an unforgettable sight for explorers of this World Heritage Site.

Once there, take a walk through the cozy streets and its pleasant shops. Then enjoy an overview of the entire town from the observatory platform. Then we will travel to Takayama and spend 2 nights in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). There you can immerse yourself in the therapeutic waters of an onsen (hot spring) and enjoy a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner (seasonal ingredients).

Breakfast dinner
Ryokan Asunaro or similar class

Takayama – Japanese Alps with Japan’s Most Atmospheric Cityscapes

Takayama is famous for the artisans and craftsmen who reside there with techniques dating back to the 9th century. The day begins with a visit to the Morning Market, where local snacks, produce and crafts are sold. Then your guide will take you to Takayama Jinya, which was a government office that was under the direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate. From there, you will have the opportunity to explore some other notable sites in the city.

The Kaikan Museum of Takayama Yatai (floats) features elaborately decorated floats, which are over 700 years old. The yatai demonstrate the legendary craftsmanship of Takayama. Then a visit is made to Kusakabe Heritage House which is one of the oldest merchant houses in Takayama. Explore Sanmachi Suji, one of three streets in the old town that have survived in a beautiful state. Some of the businesses that exist have been around for centuries and still operate to this day.

Breakfast
Ryokan Asunaro or similar class

Okayama

The day will start with a train ride to Nagoya and then board the bullet train to Okayama, where you will have a free day to explore the area. In Okayama you can visit Korakuen Garden, which is one of the three most important landscape gardens in Japan. There is also the reconstruction of Okayama Castle, which is nicknamed U-jo or Crow Castle. When it was rebuilt, it was turned into a museum with many displays of the history of the ancient Okayama Castle.

Near Okayama is Kurashiki, where you can visit the canal area that has been there since the Edo Period. You can stroll along the canal and visit warehouses that were turned into museums, restaurants, shops, and cafes. Also on the canal is the Ohara Museum, which was Japan’s western art museum. Ivy Square is a complex of red brick buildings that are covered in ivy, which were built in 1889. There you can find more restaurants and museums. If you choose to stop by Himeji, it is recommended that you visit Himeji Castle. The castle is known as “White Egret Castle” and “White Heron Castle” due to its bright white exterior and structure that resembles a flying bird. Himeji Castle is one of the few remaining original castles and was declared one of the first UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan. Near the castle is Kokoen Garden, a Japanese-style garden consisting of nine Edo-style landscapes.

Breakfast
Hotel Granvia Okayama or similar class

Takamatsu and Kotohira, or Naoshima

On this day, you will be given the option to have the private guide take you to Takamatsu and Kotohira or Naoshima. Takamatsu is the closest port city to Honshu from Shikoku and is known for Ritsurin Garden, a landscaped garden that rivals Korakuen, Kenrokuen, and Kairakuen. Kotohira is where you can find the most popular Kompirasan Shinto shrine in Shikoku. There are 1,368 stone steps leading up to the sanctuary and there is the optional palanquin service for a fee if you are not up for the arduous journey.
Naoshima is known for its diverse collections of modern art, including architecture, sculpture, and paintings. The island is located in the Seto Inland Sea, between Honshu and Shikoku. There you can find the iconic pumpkin sculpture on the waterfront pier.

Note: If you want to see both Takamatsu and Naoshima, please contact us to add one more night in Okayama. If you would like to spend the night (s) at Benesse House in Naoshima, please contact us for more information.

Breakfast
Hotel Granvia Okayama or similar class

Hiroshima: the world’s first atomic bomb catastrophe

Take the bullet train to Hiroshima. The journey is approximately 45 minutes. Upon arrival, your private guide will meet you at the train exit. Enjoy a private tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Island. While we are in Hiroshima we will visit the Peace Memorial Park, which was built after the atomic bomb. The park symbolizes the hope of a world without nuclear weapons. From the park you can see the Genbaku Dome or Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the few surviving structures of the attack. We will also pass by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which has detailed records of life after the atomic bomb fell. In the afternoon we will explore Miyajima, an island near Hiroshima.

Located on the island is Itsukushima Shrine, which is known for its large torii gate that is built into the sea. At high tide, the famous vermilion torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine seems to float in the middle of the sea. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Miyajima has been selected as one of the three most scenic places in Japan (nihon sankei). Itsukushima Shrine is said to have been first built in the 6th century at the foot of Mt. Misen as a place of worship for the holy mountain. The main deity of the sanctuary is the daughter of the mythical Susanoo and niece of the Goddess of the Great Sun Amaterasu.

Breakfast
Hotel Granvia Okayama or similar class

Kyoto – The heart of traditional Japan

Our day begins with a trip on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto, the traditional and cultural center of Japan. For more than 1000 years, Kyoto has influenced politics and culture in the country. It was the ancient capital before Edo (Tokyo). When the feudal era came to an end, much of the nation modernized, but the city set out to preserve its proud history. As a traditional center, history, religion, and culture remained unadorned. For two days you will have a private guide to take you to the most desired places.
There are many sites to see in Kyoto and they can be divided into the southern, eastern, central, northern and Arashiyama districts. No matter where you choose to visit each site, it has invaluable historical value that will leave you in awe. Just for quick reference, the Fushimi Inari Shrine has over 1000 torii gates; The Tofukuji Temple has the Hojo Garden that surrounds the four sides of the building, the Kiyomizudera Temple has the stage and the main hall that was built without nails, the Kinkakuji Temple is known as the Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama has the photogenic bamboo forest, and Gion is where you can find the Geisha district.

Breakfast
Keihan Kyotoeki Minami Hotel or similar class

Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital with excellent examples of traditional architecture

Located about 1 hour from Kyoto, it is the first permanent capital, Nara. The city marks the change in history where a centralized government was established because before the capital changed its location when the Emperor died. During this time, culture in Japan had time to develop and evolve, which can be seen in the architecture and other structures that have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There you can see the largest bronze Daibutsu (Big Buddha) in the iconic Todaiji Temple. Around the temple is Nara Park, where there are more than 1000 free roaming deer, which are considered deities of the city. The brief reign of the Nara Period ushered in cultural change in the nation and left its mark on history. The sites in the city signify a beginning that is often forgotten, but is well preserved.

Our last stop of the day will be in Osaka. We will spend time in Dotonbori, a popular shopping, entertainment and food district. It is known for the hundreds of mechanized and neon signs that line its streets. Our group will also pass through Shinasaibashi, one of Osaka’s oldest shopping destinations.

Breakfast
Keihan Kyotoeki Minami Hotel or similar class

Tokyo: Back to Tokyo to shop, eat, have fun, and have fun before heading home

Take the bullet train back to Tokyo. The trip is approximately 3 hours. Upon arrival, proceed to your hotel. Tokyo has many services to offer to foreigners and locals as one of the most active and interesting metropolises in the world. He spends half the day following his own plans; last minute shopping, dining and entertainment all for you! Public transportation in Tokyo may have been overwhelming for some, but when you get used to it, you can carefully plan your wait time and see a lot in a short time.

Breakfast
Miyako City Tokyo Takanawa or similar class

Another free day in Tokyo, or you can choose one of the following optional tours with additional cost.

Hakone – A national park with the best views of Mt. Fuji

Pass through Hakone, an iconic hot spring destination, and you’ll be greeted with magnificent views of the surrounding nature. Enjoy a panoramic view of the area from the Hakone Cable Car. Complementing the natural beauty, there are great museums like the Open Air Museum that we will visit. While there, you can take a leisurely boat cruise on Lake Ashi and get a chance to see the mighty Mt. Fuji in the distance weather permitting.

Nikko – Home of the Mausoleums of the Tokugawa Shoguns

Nikko has been the center of both Buddhist and Shinto mountain worship. There is the lavishly decorated Toshogu Shrine, where the Tokugawa Ieyasu Mausoleum is located. Near the shrine is the Taiyuinbyo, the mausoleum of Iemitsu Tokugawa, Ieyasu’s grandson. Villa Tamozawa was once the residence of the imperial family and is open to the public. At Nikko, you will be surrounded by beautiful nature as you go from one place to another.

Breakfast
Miyako City Tokyo Takanawa or similar class

Tour ends

After check-out, proceed to Narita Airport using Express Train or Limousine Bus International Airfares for your departure flight.

Note: If you want the private airport transfer to be included, please contact us for the agreement.