11 Day Visions of Japan

Konnichiwa, Japan! 

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.

Monumental Metropolis 

Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. Then, learn to write like a local during a calligraphy lesson with a master calligrapher, and partake in a tea ceremony. Last stop is the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade. Tonight, join your travel companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. (B,L,D) 

LOCAL FAVOURITE PLANNED TO A TEA 

Participate in a tea ceremony, the ancient tradition and carefully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea.

Tokyo to Go 

Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore the city. (B)

ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE 

Tokyo has something for everyone so visit one of the city’s unique neighbourhoods like Ginza or Shibuya districts, dine at the street food markets, or catch a game at the Tokyo Dome. 

Soaring Heights & Sweeping Sights

Travel south to the beautiful Five Lakes region. From a bullet train ride to dizzying views of Mount Fuji to a cruise on Lake Ashi, your day is a feast for the eyes! (B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT SCENIC SIGHTS 

Take a thrilling bullet train ride from Tokyo to Odawara station. Continue to Hakone where you’ll take a cable-car ride for panoramic views of spectacular Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain. After lunch, cruise on Lake Ashi for more views of this beautiful area.

City to Farm to Table 

Journey to Matsumoto, gateway to the ruggedly beautiful Japanese Alps. Visit a local wasabi farm and Matsumoto Castle, a National Treasure of Japan dating back to the 16th Century. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful Japanese-style dinner at your hotel. (B,L,D) 

TOUR HIGHLIGHT WHY WASABI? 

After a traditional lunch, tour the wasabi farm to learn more about how it’s grown and the importance of wasabi in Japanese culture and cuisine. Enjoy the opportunity to sample wasabi ice cream.

Takayama Treasures 

Today begins at the morning market, where farmers display locally grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Visit Takayama Jinya, a former government office during the Edo Period from 1692-1868. This well-preserved building is a national historic site and the only remaining building of its kind in Japan. End with a fun sake tasting. This evening, you have the option to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan (additional fee and pre-booking required). (B) 

LOCAL FAVOURITE FOR SAKE’S SAKE 

Go sake tasting in the San-Machi Suji historic district—famous for lacquerware shops and sake breweries, and identified by the “sugidama,” balls made of cedar branches that adorn the entrances. 

ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE 

After included sightseeing, the balance of the day is at leisure, providing you with time to explore the narrow streets where merchants buy and sell as they have for 300 years. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHT ACCOMMODATION HIGHLIGHT 

Choose an overnight stay at a ryokan to fully immerse yourself in the Japanese culture and hospitality. Your ryokan features traditional touches like tatami mat floors, a thin sleeping mattress, and the chance to experience a Japanese style bath – as well as the modern convenience of a private bathroom. Traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast are included in your stay. Please note that space is very limited. 

NOTE: You must pre-book this ahead of arriving in Japan for your tour, and an additional fee applies.

Enchanting Valleys & Tranquil Gardens 

This morning, enjoy a scenic drive through the mountainous Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa, a remote region of Japan home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore the unique Gassho Zukuri style (joined hands) thatched houses that can be found only here. Continue to the castle town of Kanazawa, situated between the mountains and the Sea of Japan. Explore Kenroku-en Garden and take part in a gold leaf class, where you’ll learn about this ancient craft and make your own bento box. (B,L) 

TOUR HIGHLIGHT THE POWER OF TRANQUILITY 

Kenroku-en is one of Japan’s three great gardens and dates from the 1670s. Translated to English the name means “Garden of Six Qualities,” referring to the six essential attributes that make up a perfect garden: spaciousness, tranquility, artifice, antiquity, water, and magnificent views. One of the garden’s most stunning attractions is Kasumigaike pond with its island called Horai, which is meant to symbolize long life and eternal prosperity.

Golden Gift 

This morning, drive south to Kyoto. On arrival, visit the stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Next, visit Yuzen Handmade Corner to learn about the Yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. Make your own souvenir using this traditional method. End the day at Sanjusajendo Temple, famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Flanking the main statue are 1,000 more life-sized statues, covered in gold leaf, with 40 arms believed to have the power to save 25 worlds! (B)

ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE 

Join your Tour Director for a walking tour through Gion or visit more of Kyoto’s historic temples. 

Sushi, Shrines & Temples 

Today’s sightseeing starts with the city’s most important sites: Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple. Then, participate in a Japanese cooking class for lunch, and have fun with the opportunity to try on a traditional kimono. (B,L)

LOCAL FAVOURITE CULTURAL TREASURES 

Japan is known for its cuisine, which is deeply engrained into the culture. What better way to gain insights into the local way of life than through your generations of traditional dishes? Participate in a special cooking class under the instruction of a local chef to learn how to make miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and makizushi, more commonly known as a sushi roll. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHT SENSATIONAL SHRINES 

While in Kyoto one must take a step back in time to explore this historic former capital and its important wooden shrines and temples. Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly hued Torii Gates. Afterward, continue to the Higashiyama District to visit Kiyomizu Temple, the “Pure Water Temple,” with stunning views over Kyoto. Along the way, walk through the busy streets, where shops and restaurants have been catering to pilgrims for centuries. 

Larger than Life 

Travel to nearby Nara to visit Kasuga Shrine and Todaiji Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (B,D) 

TOUR HIGHLIGHT NARA GIANTS Travel to Nara Park, one of the largest in Japan, and famous for its free roaming deer amid its shrines and temples. Kasuga Shrine, the most celebrated in Nara, is a Shinto shrine with some 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. On the opposite end of the park is Todaiji Temple, one of Japan’s most significant temples. Originally built in 752 AD and again after a fire in 1692, the temple is only two-thirds its original size yet remains one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. The Daibutsu (Giant Buddha) inside the main hall is made of copper and bronze, weighs 250 tons and is 49 feet tall.

Say it Ain’t Sayonara 

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)