12 Day Japan, Then & Now
Starting at $4,209
Destinations & Sightseeing
Itinerary and Meals
Accomodations
800.528.9300
Destination & Sightseeing
- Small groups of maximum 22 travelers guaranteed
- Flights Los Angeles-Tokyo, Osaka-Los Angeles
Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices - Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- 10 nights accommodations
- 4 nights Tokyo
- 1 night Kaga
- 1 night Takayama
- 4 nights Kyoto
- All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
- 19 meals: 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
- Wine with all dinners
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned vehicles
- Services of local English-speaking tour manager throughout
- Comprehensive, guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary
- Active itinerary with unique cultural features
- Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring
Tour Highlights
Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals.- Tour dazzling Tokyo, a city of ancient traditions coupled with state-of-the-art technology
- Culinary demonstration led by a professional chef -- learn the art of creating sushi and sashimi
- Visit the serene Meiji Shrine honoring the first Emperor of modern Japan and his Empress
- A day of breathtaking natural scenery as you drive to the National Park of Hakone in full view of Mt. Fuji
- Board the famous shinkansen, or "bullet train" that takes you to Kanazawa south of the Noto Peninsula
- Travel to the UNESCO site of Shirakawa-go, known for its village of gassho-zukuri farmhouses
- In Kagaonsen, stay at a traditional Ryokan (inn)
- A walking tour of Takayama’s historic district reveals its traditions dating back to the 8th century
- Discover enchanting Kyoto, founded in the 7th century, one of the early capitals of Japan
- Visit Kyoto's Nijo Castle, residence of the Tokugawa shoguns, and the magnificent gilded Golden Pavilion
- Experience the cultural heritage of Kyoto at a traditional Tea Ceremony at the Gesshin-in Temple
- Dinner and traditional Maiko (Geisha) dance performance reflects the core of Japanese culture
- Travel to the Imperial capital of Nara, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites
†Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
ITINERARY
DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Japan
Depart for Japan
DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Tokyo
Arrive in dynamic Tokyo in the "Land of the Rising Sun"; transfer to your hotel. This evening, attend an orientation meeting at approximately 6:30 PM with your Tour Manager on the exciting adventure that awaits you in Japan, followed by a Welcome Dinner and drinks with your fellow travelers. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 4 PM on Day 2 of the itinerary, if possible
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Sunday - Imperial Palace, Edo-Tokyo Museum & Asakusa Kannon Temple
Start your day with the Imperial Palace East Garden, a precious jewel of nature within the hectic city center and view the lovely Nijubashi Bridge that stretches over the moat in the outer gardens with its colorful displays of seasonal flowers. Afterward, visit Edo-Tokyo Museum and learn about the history of Tokyo, formally known as Edo, through the museum's interactive exhibits. Later, travel to the imposing Asakusa Kannon Temple (Sensoji) enshrining a golden image of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy; its entrance is dominated by a massive paper lantern dramatically painted in vivid red and black tones. Later, learn the basics of Japanese calligraphy, during a lesson with an artist. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4, Monday - Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, Hakone National Park and Mt. Fuji Excursion*
A full day of breathtaking scenery as you drive south to Hakone, the most famous National Park in Japan. En route, stop to visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, situated in the wooded hills along the coast of Lake Kawaguchi. View exhibits of the textile artist Kubota Itchiku’s kimono creations, depicting the themes of nature and the seasons. Continue along the scenic roads of rural Japan to Hakone where a gondola takes you on the Hakone Ropeway to the Owakudani Valley’s extraordinary volcanic zone. Here, the bubbling pools cook eggs in the hot waters blackened by sulfur, and are said to prolong one's life by at least seven years. Enjoy a relaxing cruise around placid Lake Ashi, followed by a train ride back to Tokyo. Tonight, be adventurous and explore Tokyo’s incredible variety of cuisine!
*Due to local conditions, the Mt. Fuji sightseeing might be altered. Details will be provided locally by your Tour Manager.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Tuesday - Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji Fish Market, Sushi Demonstration
On today's tour of Tokyo, witness the stark contrasts of this dazzling city of ancient traditions coupled with state-of-the-art technology. To begin, visit the serene Meiji Jingu Shrine, nestled in a beautiful forested area that honors the first Emperor of modern Japan and his Empress. After, walk the lanes of the hectic Tsukiji Fish Market, famous for fish and seafood. Afterward, enjoy a culinary demonstration led by a professional sushi chef. Learn the art of creating sushi, or sashimi and have them for lunch afterward! Return to the hotel and spend time at leisure to explore Tokyo on your own
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6, Wednesday - Kenroku-en Gardens, Kagaonsen Ryokan Experience
Board the famous Shinkansen, or "bullet train," that takes you to Kanazawa south of the Noto Peninsula, with its winding cobblestone streets, Samurai residences, Geisha houses, lavish gardens and a flower filled open-air market. Stroll through Kenroku-en Garden, one of the country’s most elite gardens with its elaborate water fountains and designs. Tonight, spend the night at a traditional Ryokan (inn). Dinner together at the Ryokan is a full course Kaiseki Dinner highlighted by regional specialties
Overnight: Kaga
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Thursday - Thatched Farmhouses in Shirakawa-go, Takayama’s Old Town
Travel from Kagaonsen to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go, known for its village of thatched gassho-zukuri (praying hands) farmhouses. Visit the historic village of Ogimachi and the ruins of its castle, dating back to medieval times. From atop the observation deck, see the amazing view of an entire settlement of thatched style houses. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Next, take a tour of a sake brewery, and taste the different types of sake before continuing to 16th century Takayama, with its meticulously preserved Old Town. Upon arrival, visit the Yatai Kaikan Hall housing intricately designed wooden floats brought out only for major festivals. Later, you arrive at a scenic mountain resort for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Takayama
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8, Friday - Takayama's Historic District, Morning Farmer’s Market, Bullet Train to Kyoto
The delightful town of Takayama, with its wealth of museums, galleries, and impressive temples, is often called "Little Kyoto." A walking tour includes the remarkably preserved Edo-period merchants’ shops and houses in the Sanno-machi Historic District. Visit the morning market along the Miya River with farmers and craftsmen selling everything from vegetables to clothing and hand carvings. Continue to Takayama Jinya, a historic government house converted to a museum. Across the river lies the Sanmachi-Suji (district) of sake breweries, cafes and immaculately preserved old private houses. Travel to Nagoya and board the bullet train to enchanting and historic Kyoto, founded in the 8th century, one of the early capitals of Japan
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Saturday - Kyoto’s Cultural Heritage & Tea Ceremony, Zen Meditation
Begin your exploration of Kyoto with a tour of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603. Its ornate interior is handcrafted out of Japanese cypress. Next, familiarize yourself with Zen meditation, a calming practice deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, where you participate in the ritualized art of preparing and serving tea, savoring the hospitality of the host in an atmosphere distinctly different from the fast pace of everyday life. Lunch is at a local restaurant, followed by a walk in Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. Continue to Nishiki Market, lined with more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Here, you will find Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles and dried seafood, as well as fresh produce, and seasonal foods
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 10, Sunday - Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kimono Dressing
Discover the beautiful cultural heritage of Kyoto that has spanned the centuries. Head outside the city to Arashiyama bamboo forest. Begin with a visit to Tenryuj Temple’s sprawling Zen garden, one of the finest gardens in Kyoto. Then, take a stroll through the stunning bamboo grove, followed by a ride on a traditional Japanese rickshaw, a unique experience! Visit the celebrated Kinkaku-ji Temple, "the Golden Pavilion," and understand why this magnificent gold leaf covered temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, dress in an authentic kimono during a visit to a Kyoto-style home. Later, attend a traditional shamisen (Japanese guitar) show. Spend the rest of the day at leisure for individual pursuits
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 11, Monday - Imperial Nara, Todai-ji Temple, Deer Park, Kasuga Grand Shrine, Maiko Dance Performance
This morning, travel by private bus to the 8th century Imperial capital of Nara, repository of Japan's cultural heritage, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a wealth of historic treasures, including some of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples. Arrive at the exquisite wooden Todai-ji Temple, home of the impressive Daibutsu (Great Buddha) bronze statue, rising over 50 feet high. Then, continue to Nara (Deer) Park to see the over 1,000 tame deer roaming freely in the peaceful park. Proceed to the famous and beautiful Kasuga Grand Shrine displaying over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. On the way back to Kyoto, stop at impressive Fushimi Inari Shrine with its ten thousand vermilion torii gates. Time to freshen up before tonight’s Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant, featuring a traditional Maiko (Geisha) dance performance that reflects the core of Japanese culture
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12, Tuesday - Depart Japan
Sayonara! Transfer to the airport in Osaka for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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