Japan’s Golden Triangle

Day 2

Tokyo (Sky Tree / Asakusa Sensoji Temple / Imperial Palace / Shibuya Crossing)

You will be taken to the Sky Tree Tower which is the highest tower in the world where you can appreciate a panoramic view of Tokyo. Then we will visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple, an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. You can also explore the Nakamise Market, which is located just past the outer gates of the temple. It is a traditional style shopping street with centuries of history. Then, we will head to the Imperial Palace, the former site of Edo Castle and the current residence of the Imperial Family of Japan. Finally we will visit the busiest crossing in the world in Shibuya.

Hotel in Tokyo

Hakone

Day 3
Hakone (Hakone-Jinja Shrine / Cable Car / Owakudani), Mt. Fuji (Oshino Hakkai, Arakurayama Sengen Jinja)

First we will depart from Tokyo to Hakone in our private car. Our first stop is the Hakone-jinja shrine which was founded in 757 as the culmination of a revelation that Mangan Shonin had. Many divine forces and powers such as good fortune in marriage and descent are concentrated in this area surrounded by a multitude of sacred trees. Ascending the stone steps flanked by lustrous trees, visitors will be able to gaze at the red torii that leads into the extraordinarily beautiful Honden and Sanctuary grounds. Then, enjoy expansive views of Hakone by taking a 20-minute cable car from Togendai to Owakudani. Owakudani is known for its active volcanic zone, which was created from the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. Here, you can experience its hot springs and bubbling pools, where volcanic gases still linger. The area also affords magnificent views of Mount Fuji on clear days. We will then proceed to Mount Fuji, where you can enjoy the ever-changing landscape of forested hills and picturesque plains along the way. Depending on the weather conditions, we will stop at Mt. Arakurayama Sengen Jinja Park and Oshino Hakka are the best places to appreciate the view of Mount Fuji. Tonight, we will stay at the Onsen Hotel in Kofu, where you can enjoy a relaxing hot tub

Breakfast: Hotel in Yatsugatake or Fuefuki

Matsumoto Castle

Day 4
Matsumoto (Matsumoto Castle), Takayama (Old Town / Takayama Jinya)

After breakfast, we will drive to Matsumoto, where we will visit Matsumoto Castle (Black Crow Castle), dating back over 400 years. Then, we will continue our tour to Takayama. This city is nestled among the Japanese Alps and is sometimes called “Little Kyoto” for its preserved historical structures and surroundings. Due to its remote position in the mountains, it was isolated from the rest of Japan for most of its history and thus has maintained a unique and traditional atmosphere. As we explore Takayama Old Town, you may notice huge cedar balls hanging from the eaves of various stores. These indicate that the stores are sake breweries. Next, visit Takayama Jinya, a former local government office that now serves as a public museum. It has an interesting interrogation room and official documents from former feudal lords.

Breakfast: Hotel in Takayama

Day 5
Takayama (Morning Market), Shirakawa-go (Shiroyama Lookout – Gassho-zukuri Minkaen), Kanazawa (Kenrokuen)

This morning, we will pass the city market before heading to rural Shirakawa-go. Shirakawa-go is home to the UNESCO designated gassho-zukuri farms. Gassho-zukuri translates to “praying hands”, in which the roofs resemble praying hands. Visitors can see great views of Ogimachi Village from the Shiroyama Lookout. We will also tour the Gassho-zukuri Minkaen, an open-air museum of farms and other structures.

Afterwards, we will travel to Kanazawa to visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of the three most beautiful landscaped gardens in Japan. Here, you can find the oldest fountain in Japan and Kotoji-toro, an iconic two-legged stone lantern.
Then we visit the Museum of Contemporary Art of the XXI Century, which explores the new proposals of visual arts, design, crafts, fashion, architecture and cinema, particularly in the areas of culture, transportation, technology, gender and identity.

Breakfast: Hotel in Kanazawa

Day 6
Kanazawa – Eihei-ji – Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Shrine)

In the morning, we will visit the Eihei-ji Temple. Founded in 1244, one of the two main temples of the Soto Zen sect has been the most active Zen meditation monastery since the late 16th century. They can appreciate a totally peace and quiet environment and can experience Zen in the temple.

Next, we will travel to Kyoto, During World War II, it was saved from air raids and was saved from the atomic bomb for its cultural and historical value.

Then we drive to the picturesque and historic Fushimi district. We will visit the impressive vermilion-colored Fushimi Inari Shrine, whose 4 km tunnel of scarlet torii gates was featured in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha. This resort surrounds a bamboo wilderness that includes mountains, streams, and ponds, the perfect backdrop for a scenic hike.

Breakfast: Hotel in Kyoto

todaiji

Day 8

Kyoto, Uji (Green Tea Ceremony), Nara (Todaiji Temple / Deer Park), Osaka (Dotombori – Shinsaibashi)

We continue to Uji where we will experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. From Uji, our coach leaves for Nara, the oldest capital of Japan. We will visit the Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in Japan. This temple is also home to the largest bronze statue of the Buddha at 16.3 meters high, and the surrounding park is filled with more than 1,000 Sika deer. Our last visit of the day is Dotombori, which runs parallel to the Dotombori canal. A popular shopping, entertainment and food district, Dotombori is known for the hundreds of mechanized and neon signs that line the street, including the famous Glico Running Man and Kani Doraku Crab signs.

Hotel in Osaka

Day 9
Tour ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. And you can get to Osaka airport by hotel shuttle service.

NOTE: If you want to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to reserve hotel accommodation.