Spirit of Japan (Reverse)

Travel through the spiritual side of Japan visiting centuries-old sites and scenic trails during cherry blossom season.

Destinations

Osaka / Himeji / Kurashiki / Hiroshima / Takamatsu / Naruto / Koyasan / Kumano / Ise Shima / Nara / Kyoto / Kanazawa / Shirakawa Go / Takayama / Matsumoto / Mt. Fuji / Hakone / Tokyo

Itinerary in brief

Day 1 Arrival in Osaka
Day 2 Himeji – Kurashiki
Day 3 Hiroshima
Day 4 Shimanami Kaido – Takamatsu
Day 5 Naruto
Day 6 Koyasan
Day 7 Kumano
Day 8 Ise Shima
Day 9 Nara – Kyoto
Day 10 Kyoto
Day 11 Bullet Train Ride – Kanazawa – Shirakawa-go
Day 12 Takayama – Matsumoto
Day 13 Mt. Fuji – Hakone – Tokyo
Day 14 Tokyo
Day 15 The excursion ends

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Trip description

Japan may be recognized for its technological advancements, but its culture dates back to ancient religious practices that have influenced modern society. On this tour, we will travel to many picturesque, spiritual and historical places in Japan. Since many of Japan’s spiritual sites are in heavily forested areas, visitors will be rewarded with picturesque views that invoke a sense of tranquility. In addition to experiencing the mythical side of Japan, this itinerary also offers travelers the opportunity to admire the country’s distinguished cherry blossoms.

We will first tour the historical figures of Japan, such as Himeji Castle, Kurashiki and Hiroshima. Continue to Miyajima Island, one of the three most scenic places in Japan. Then, drive through the Shimanami Kaido, a 60-kilometer toll road that connects the main island of Honshu, in Japan, with Shikoku Island, with photo-worthy views along the way. Steeped in fascinating folklore and history, Shikoku is dotted with 88 pilgrimage temples and scenic trails. While you’re here, spend time at Villa Shikoku Mura and Ritsurin Park, a masterpiece in the Japanese landscape.

Take a ferry to Wakayama Prefecture and visit Koyasan, where you can spend the night in a temple and sample the cuisine of vegetarian monks. In the morning, you will have the opportunity to join the monks in their meditation practice to better understand their traditional way of life. From there, explore a trail of temples, shrines, and other important structures along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See Japan’s tallest waterfall, Nachi Falls, located on the site of the Nachi Grand Shrine. Follow the pilgrimage route to the Ise Grand Shrine, one of the holiest shrines in Japan dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Then, stop by the century-old Okage Yokocho District and Mikimoto Pearl Island.

Travel to Nara to visit the extraordinary Todaiji Temple and the nearby Deer Park. Then spend two days in Kyoto, the center of traditional Japanese culture. The gardens and temples you will visit in Kyoto have been selected for their high-ranking cherry blossom spots. Experience an authentic green tea ceremony, interact with a maiko (apprentice geisha), and enjoy an elegant kimono fashion show. Head to Arashiyama, best known for its bamboo forest and traditional Zen landscape garden at Tenryuji Temple.

Then visit the beautiful city of Kanazawa, but it is often overlooked by Western tourists. Here you will visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of the three best gardens in Japan. Continue your tour of Shirakawa-go and Takayama, nestled among the Japanese Alps. Due to their isolated location, these places are very well preserved and have developed their own culture unique to the rest of Japan.

Visit Hakone for spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and a volcanic area known as Owakudani. Finish your tour in Tokyo, where you will learn how to make your own sushi from a professional chef. Our guides and private drivers will help you navigate through the city’s historic landmarks, trendy neighborhoods, and bustling commercial districts.

 

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Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1
Osaka Kansai Airport

Welcome to Osaka! An OOT representative will meet you at the arrival gate with a “Only One Travel” sign.
Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport or similar class
Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class (NOTE 1 and 2)

NOTE 1: If you want to stay in downtown Osaka for the first night instead of Nikko Kansai Airport Hotel, we can arrange for you to stay at Elsereine Osaka Hotel (or similar class). In this case, the airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you with directions to get to your hotel in advance.

NOTE 2: If you are flying to Itami Airport (ITM) instead of Kansai International Airport (KIX), we can arrange for you to stay in downtown Osaka (Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class) instead of Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport. In this case, the airport transfer and meetings are not included, but we will provide full directions to the hotel in advance.

NOTE 3: The meet and greet is ONLY available for flights arriving at Terminal 1 after 11:00 AM. For guests arriving at Terminal 2, airport pickup is not included, but we will provide directions to your hotel in advance.

NOTE 4: If you want to stay more nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodation.

 

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Day 2
Himeji (Himeji Castle), Kurashiki (Canal Area / Ohara Museum of Art)

Today we take a 2 hour ride on a private bus to Himeji to visit Himeji Castle. It is known as “White Egret Castle” and “White Heron Castle” due to its bright white exterior, which resembles a flying bird. Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and is one of the few original castles left in the country. This splendid example of traditional architecture was declared one of the first UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan. The following is a visit to Kurashiki. In the past, this picturesque town prospered as a port for rice shipments. Several old rice barns and examples of historic architecture still remain, in addition to the stone-lined canal. We will also visit the Ohara Museum of Art, considered the first Western art museum in Japan. It is a private museum consisting of three adjacent buildings next to the canal. In the afternoon, we will continue our trip to Hiroshima for two nights.

Breakfast dinner
Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima or similar class

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Day 3
Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park – A-Bomb Museum / Miyajima Island – Itsukushima Shrine)

Today our travels will continue with a visit to the Peace Memorial Park, the landmark of the Hiroshima memorial for those killed in the infamous bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. There we will also enter the A-Bomb Museum where documents are found, artifacts and videos are displayed throughout the museum. After lunch, we will take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island; the cherry blossoms on the island are a spectacular sight. At high tide we can see that the famous vermilion torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine seems to float in the middle of the sea. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Miyajima has been selected as one of the three most scenic places in Japan (nihon sankei).

Breakfast lunch
Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima or similar class

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Day 4
Shimanami Kaido (Scenic Observatory / Kirosan), Takamatsu (Shikoku Mura Village / Ritsurin Park)

In the morning, we will drive through the Shimanami Kaido to Shikoku Island. The Shimanami Kaido is a 60-kilometer toll road that connects the main island of Honshu in Japan with the island of Shikoku, passing through six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. It is also known as the Nishiseto Highway. We will stop at the Kirosan Observatory from where you can see the Kurushima Kaikyo bridges that are located between hundreds of islands that are beautifully scattered throughout the Seto Inland Sea. The modern observation deck was cleverly designed and built midway into the slope of the hillside so as not to spoil the natural environment. Then we head to Takamatsu with a stop at Shikoku Mura Village. Shikoku Mura (Shikoku Village) is an open-air museum located at the base of Yashima. This pleasant hillside park preserves and displays traditional buildings and structures that have been moved here from all over the island of Shikoku. Then visit Ritsurin Park, a Japanese landscape masterpiece 100 years in the making. This extensive park has beautiful ponds and pavilions with Mt. Shiun as the perfect backdrop.

Breakfast lunch
JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu or similar class

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Day 5
Naruto (Whirlpool Viewing Amusement Park / Shikoku Trail Pilgrimage – Ryozenji to Gokurakuji <1.2 km / 0.75 mi> / ferry from Tokushima to Wakayama, Koyasan (Temple accommodation – Shukubo / After vegetarian dinner, visit Okunoin cemetery at night)

We continue our journey today to Naruto. Naruto is known for its whirling eddies, we’ll take a small boat and get right next to and between the eddies. Naruto is also the starting point of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, which takes you around the island to visit 88 temples through Shikoku associated with the famous Buddhist monk, Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Ryozenji Shingon Buddhism temple. Naruto is the first temple of the pilgrimage. We will travel on foot for approximately 1.2 km (0.75 miles) from Ryozenji Temple to Gokurakuji Temple. From Shikoku Island, we will board a ferry to Honshu Island where we will stay at a monastery in Koyasan complete with authentic Buddhist vegetarian meals. We will experience life largely as a monk would in Japan. Koyasan is the center of Shingon Buddhism, a Buddhist sect that was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi, one of the most important personalities in the religious history of Japan. The temple complex of more than 100 temples is locate d at the top of the mountain, surrounded by cedar trees and mountain peaks. After a vegetarian dinner at the temple, you have the option to follow your guide in the evening to Okunoin’s tomb. It is the largest cemetery in Japan, where the founder of Shingon Buddhism is said to be in eternal meditation.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Koyasan Sekishoin or similar class

 

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Día 6
Koyasan (meditación temprano con los monjes / Okunoin templo / Kongobuji templo / Danjo Garan)

actividades actuales comienzan con la reflexión ya que medidate con los monjes de Koyasan. A continuación, vamos a ir a Okunoin templo que está rodeado de muchas marcas graves, la mayoría de los cuales son viejas y gastadas. La tumba es también el lugar de descanso del fundador de Shingon del budismo en Japón, Kobo Daishi. lo siguiente es Kongobuji templo que fue construido originalmente por Toyotomi Hideyoshi, uno de los generales de Nobunaga durante la época de guerra. el templo también tiene la sala Ohiroma, una sala especialmente habilitada para ceremonias y rituales con suelos de tatami y elegantemente diseñado puertas correderas. la peregrinación termina en Danjo Garan, un complejo de templos también perteneciente a bases originales de Kobo Daishi. pintado en el color bermellón brillante, una de las estructuras llamadas pagoda del Konpon Daito se destaca entre los demás.

Desayuno / Almuerzo / Cena
Katsuura Onsen Hotel Nakanoshima o clase similar

 

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Day 7
Kumano (Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail – Daimonzaka to Nachi fall <2.2 km / 1.3 mi>, on the way visit Seigantoji temple and Kumano Nachi great shrine)

This morning we headed to the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail, a world heritage site, where pilgrims have walked the forest trails for over 1000 years. The Kumano region is the mountainous southern portion of the Kii Hanto, Japan’s largest peninsula, where sacred trails are still used for pilgrimage to the three great Kumano shrines. We will walk along a short section of Daimon-zaka Trail and visit the 133-meter-high Nachi Waterfall, whose vertical torrent, pouring over the edge of the cliff into virgin forest, is said to be the highest in Japan. We slowly climbed the pilgrim’s steps to visit Seigantoji Temple, originally built in 1590, and a very picturesque 3-story vermilion pagoda that creates a perfect image of Japanese tranquility.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Toba Grand Hotel or similar class

 

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Day 8
Ise Shima (Ise Grand Shrine / Okage Yokocho District / Mikimoto Pearl Island)

The pilgrimage continues to Ise Shima where the Ise Grand Shrine is located. The Ise Grand Shrine has a two-thousand-year history, is the most important Shinto shrine in Japan, and serves as the center for all Shinto shrines across the country. Situated near the banks of the Isuzu River, the shrine is surrounded by Japanese cedars, some 800 years old. The inner sanctuary is considered the abode of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, the deity of whom it was considered a descendant. At Okage Yokocho Street we can experience the urban landscape of a bygone era, where the buildings leading to the inner sanctuary reproduce the architecture and atmosphere that surrounded the Ise pilgrims during the Edo Period (1600-1868). Our next stop is Mikimoto Pearl Island, where in 1893, Kokichi Mikimoto first perfected the cultured pearl production technique and started a global industry. Here we see ‘Ama’, pearl divers, demonstrate their skills, observe how cultured pearls are produced, and see an incredible collection of million dollar treasures made from pearls.

Breakfast lunch
Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class

 

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Day 9
Nara (Todai-ji Temple / Nara Deer Park), Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Ceremony / Green Tea with Maiko interaction)

After breakfast, we will make our way to Nara to visit the Todaiji Temple, one of the most significant temples in Japan. Its main hall is the largest wooden building in Japan, and it also houses one of the largest bronze statues of the Buddha at 16.3 meters high. Outside the temple grounds is the Nara Deer Park, filled with over 1,000 Sika deer. Our tour will continue to Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its 4 km tunnel of vermilion torii gates, which was also featured in the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha”. Lastly, you will have the opportunity to experience a traditional green tea ceremony. There will also be a meet-and-greet with a maiko, who is simply a geisha apprentice. There will also be photo opportunities.

Breakfast lunch
Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

 

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Day 10
Kyoto (Arashiyama – Tenryuji Temple Zen Garden – Sagano Bamboo Forest / Golden Pavilion / Nishijin Kimono Show / Kiyomizu Temple / Maruyama Park / Gion Geisha District)

We will spend the day touring Kyoto, which once served as Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868. It is considered the cultural center of Japan, even sparing the bombings of World War II due to its historically priceless structures. Our group will first visit Arashiyama, a particularly popular scenic area during the spring and fall seasons. Visit a traditional Zen garden at Tenryuji Temple before enjoying a walk through the Sagano Bamboo Forest. Continue to the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), distinguished by its two upper floors completely covered with 18-karat gold leaves. It was originally built as a retirement village by shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. Afterwards, our group will experience an elegant kimono fashion show and learn how they are made at the Nishijin Textile Center. Our next attraction is the famous Kiyomizu Temple, best known for its wooden stage that extends from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. The stage offers visitors a beautiful view of numerous cherry and maple trees below, as well as a beautiful scene of Kyoto in the distance. From Kiyomizu Temple, we will head to Maruyama Park, which is one of the most popular places to observe cherry blossoms (hanami) in Kyoto. Our last destination of the day will be Gion, the most famous geisha district in the city. It is full of exclusive ochaya (tea houses) where maiko and geisha entertain, and it is also renowned for its traditional machiya wooden merchant houses.

Breakfast dinner
Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

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Day 11
Bala Shinkansen train from Kyoto to Maibara, Kanazawa (Kenrokuen Garden), Shirakawa-go (Shiroyama Viewpoint – Gassho-zukuri Minkaen)

Today, you get to experience a Shinkansen bullet train ride from Kyoto to Maibara, which can reach speeds of up to 300 km / h. Afterwards, transfer to Kanazawa to visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of the three most beautiful strolling gardens in Japan. Here, you will find the oldest fountain in Japan and Kotoji-toro, the two-legged stone lantern and the iconic symbol of Kanazawa. Then, we have crossed mountains by private coach to the world heritage site of Shirakawa-go. Shirakawa-go is home to the Gassho-zukuri (“praying hands”) rural houses. We will go to Shiroyama Viewpoint to see splendid views of the Ogimachi Village. then the Gassho-zukuri Minkaen, which is an open-air museum of farms and other structures. We will continue to Takayama, a city nestled among the Japanese Alps and is sometimes referred to as “Little Kyoto” for its preserved historical structures and environment. Due to its remote position in the mountains, it has maintained a very unique and traditional atmosphere. tonigh t, you will stay at the Ryokan, where you can enjoy a relaxing bath in the onsen and try a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Okada Ryokan or similar class

 

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Day 12
Takayama (morning market / Takayama Jinya / Old City), Matsumoto (Matsumoto Castle)

Then visit Takayama Jinya, a former local government office that is now just a public museum. . It has an interesting interrogation room and official documents of the feudal lords of the past. Proceed to the very well preserved, Takayama Old Town, which highlights many buildings and entire streets of houses dating from the Edo Period (1600-1868). In the afternoon, our group will visit Matsumoto Castle, also known as “Castle of the Raven”, due to its black exterior. Inside, we can see the best examples of a traditional Japanese-style wooden castle construction. it is classified as a “hirajiro”, which means that it is a castle built on the plains rather than on a hill or mountain.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Yatsugatake Royal Hotel or similar class

 

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Day 13
Mount Fuji, Hakone (Hakone Ropeway / Owakudani), Tokyo (Shibuya – Shibuya Crossing – Hachiko statue)

Today, we are going to travel to Mount Fuji in our private luxury coach. If the weather is in our favor, we will stop by the fifth station of Mount Fuji for a great view of the famous mountain of Japan. Enjoy an extensive tour of Hakone by taking here you can experience it with hot springs and bubbling pools, where volcanic gases still linger. From there, we will travel to Tokyo and spend time in Shibuya. There, you get to see the famous Shibuya Crossing in action and cross the street with the crowd. You can also take photos with the Hachiko statue, a monument dedicated to Japan’s most loyal dog, which continued for nine years after the death of its owner.

Breakfast lunch
Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo or similar class

 

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Day 14
Tokyo (Asakusa Sensoji Temple / Ueno Park / Sushi Making Experience / Tsukiji Outer Market / Imperial Palace / Tokyo Tower)

After breakfast, you will be taken to the Asakusa Kannon Temple, the most colorful temple in Tokyo that contains the largest paper lantern in Japan. You can also explore the Nakamise Market, which is located just past the temple’s “thunder gate” (Kaminarimon). It is an Edo-style shopping street filled with traditional snacks and souvenirs. Then, head to Ueno Park, a great cherry blossom spot with over 1,000 cherry trees. Then you will have the opportunity to participate in a delicious sushi experience with a professional sushi chef. Whatever you prepare, you can eat! Our next attraction will be the Tsukiji Outer Market, which is packed with food stalls and shops. Our group will continue to the Imperial Palace, the current residence of the Imperial Family of Japan, and the former grounds of Edo Castle. It is surrounded by moats and stone fortifications, located in the heart of Tokyo. From there, we will reach our last stop of the day, the Tokyo Tower. At 333 meters high, the Tokyo Tower is 13 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower. Visitors can climb 150 meters to the main deck of the observatory and get a panoramic view of the city.

Note: For Sushi Making Experience, if you are vegetarian, have gluten-free diets, have a shellfish allergy, or don’t eat raw fish, contact us for other ingredient options.

Breakfast lunch
Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu or similar class
Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo or similar class (NOTE 5 and 6)

NOTE 5: If you want to stay in central Tokyo the last night instead of Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu, we can arrange for you to stay at Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo (or similar class). In this case, the airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you with full instructions so that you can get to the airport in advance.

NOTE 6: If you are flying from Haneda Airport (HND) instead of Narita Airport (NRT), we can arrange for you to stay at Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo (or similar class) instead of Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu. In this case, the airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you with full instructions so that you can get to the airport in advance.

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Day 15
Tour ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Check out time is at 11am. And you can get to Narita Airport by hotel shuttle service.

Breakfast

NOTE 7: If you want to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to reserve hotel accommodation.

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Check out time is at 11am. And you can get to Narita Airport by hotel shuttle service.

Breakfast

NOTE 7: If you want to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to reserve hotel accommodation.