Essence of Japan

Day 1  Tokyo                    
Transfer from the airport to your hotel and meet with your fellow travellers and tour director for a welcome reception.  

Day 2  Tokyo  
This morning, visit the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of the Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shokenn, and enjoy a Kagura ceremonial blessing with origins that date to the 8th century. Stroll the narrow streets lined with shops brimming with local food specialties in Tsukiji Market. Have lunch at Nobu followed by a hands-on class in a traditional art of drumming called taiko. Your evening is free.

Day 3  Tokyo
Begin the day with a guided visit to the Tokyo National Museum, Japan's oldest and largest art museum. As you move through its galleries, the story of Japan unfolds - from ancient Asian antiquities to exquisite collections of art, photographs, and rare books. After a lunch sampling regional flavors, step into the world of sumo at a professional wrestling stable. Here, you'll witness the wrestlers' daily routines: disciplined warm-ups, time-honored rituals, and intense sparring sessions, all illuminated by a guide who reveals the cultural traditions behind this iconic sport.

Day 4  Tokyo to Hakone            
This morning, board the renowned bullet train for a short ride south to Odawara, and continue on to the scenic hot springs town of Hakone. Have lunch at a local restaurant on the shores of Lake Ashi, then visit the Hakone Open Air Museum before continuing on to your ideally located spa resort in Hakone. This afternoon, get your hands around an authentic Japanese culinary tradition during a private sushi and miso making demonstration.  

Day 5  Hakone              
Start the day off with a visit to the Itchiku Kubota Museum, set amidst magnificent views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. Itchiku Kubota (1917-2003) is considered one of the most important Japanese textile artists of the 20th century; he rediscovered, revived and subsequently modernized a traditional Japanese kimono dyeing technique, creating exceptional artistic kimonos. The museum you'll visit today celebrates his art and legacy. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel and get your hands around an authentic Japanese culinary tradition during a private sushi making demonstration. Dine on Western or Japanese cuisine at your resort's dining room tonight. 

Day 6  Hakone to Matsumoto        
Depart Hakone and head north through forested mountain landscapes of the "Japanese Alps," through winding valleys dotted with rice farms, lakes, rushing rivers, and small villages, and visit a private farm. Continue on to the hot springs town of Matsumoto, where, after lunch, you'll see 400-hundred-year-old Matsumoto Castle. Arrive this afternoon at your onsen (hot springs) hotel, combining the authenticity of a traditional Japanese ryokan with the comforts of a contemporary hotel, including western-style and Japanese rooms.  

Day 7  Matsumoto to Kanazawa                
Head for Takayama, a mountain city long famed for its artisans and woodworkers. Do some sightseeing along the narrow lanes of its historic centre, and have lunch at a local restaurant known for its Hida beef. Following a lesson in sake making and a tasting at a local brewery in Takayama, continue on to Kanazawa, just inland from the Sea of Japan.  

Day 8  Kanazawa      
Explore the historic Samurai District, where samurai homes are tucked among narrow lanes and canals. Afterwards take a guided stroll through the celebrated Kenroku-en Gardens, considered among the country’s top three landscaped gardens.  

Day 9  Kanazawa to Kyoto      
Depart Kanazawa by train for the next stop on your journey - Kyoto. The capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's most populous island, Honshu, Kyoto is one of the oldest municipalities in Japan (dating back to 794 A.D.) as well as its cultural capital. Your introduction to the city begins with a sightseeing excursion. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. 

Day 10  Kyoto              
Kyoto sightseeing today begins with a visit to the famous golden-topped Kinkaku-ji Temple (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), set in an ancient garden on the edge of a lake – a position symbolizing its place "between heaven and Earth." Hear the story of how this 14th-century temple was burned to the ground by a young monk and then completely reconstructed. Continue on to Nijo Castle, surrounded by stone walls and a moat; tour this 17th-century shogun's residence and UNESCO World Heritage Site – and discover the secret of its "nightingale" floors. After lunch at a local restaurant, meet up with a geisha expert who leads an exploration of the back streets of one of Kyoto's geisha districts, and shares insights on the "flower and willow" world of the geishas, past and present. The evening is free to spend as you wish.  

Day 11  Kyoto to Hiroshima         
Travel by train this morning to Hiroshima. Your time here begins with a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, and the A-Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome) – the only structure left standing in the area of the WWII atomic bomb blast that destroyed the city in August 1945, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch at a local restaurant, return this evening by bullet train to the historic city of Kyoto, where you'll enjoy dinner like a local upon arrival.  

Day 12  Kyoto                  
Begin your day with a prayer at the Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple) established in 778; the current buildings were rebuilt in the 17th century. Drink the water here in long-handled cups as you wish for longevity, success or love. Kyoto is known as the craft capital of Japan, and many traditional arts have been passed down through the generations. Experience the revered customs of Japanese culture firsthand during a visit to a private home here; take your shoes off, come in, and your gracious hostess will demonstrate the very specific rituals of a Japanese tea ceremony, followed by a lesson in the paper art of Origami. Return to your hotel where the afternoon is free for you to enjoy Kyoto's charms as you like. Join us for a special farewell reception and dinner tonight.
 
Day 13  Kyoto              
Transfer to the airport where your tour concludes.