Essence of Japan

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Essence of Japan



Tour Description:

Inspirational, innovative and intriguing, Japan is a favorite destination with Tauck travelers... where gilded temples and glittering skyscrapers reign over streets steeped in history and tradition.
Discover the revered customs and unique sense of beauty that infuse life here... On the main island of Honshu, from Tokyo to the hot springs resort town of Hakone to Kanazawa and the cultural treasure trove of Kyoto, visit a private home for a tea ceremony and Origami... explore castles, temples, shrines, a samurai home, and world-class gardens... spend a night at a ryokan with traditional Japanese cultural experiences... make sushi, taste sake, cruise Lake Ashi to see Mt. Fuji... enjoy a taiko performance, Shinto music, Kagura dancing, a sumo wrestling demonstration... and meet a geisha expert. Join us for a Japan trip to remember.

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Dates & Pricing

Monday 01 Apr 24 — Saturday 13 Apr 24Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Monday 08 Apr 24 — Saturday 20 Apr 24Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Thursday 18 Apr 24 — Tuesday 30 Apr 24Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Saturday 20 Apr 24 — Thursday 02 May 24Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Thursday 25 Apr 24 — Tuesday 07 May 24Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 06 May 24 — Saturday 18 May 24Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Thursday 09 May 24 — Tuesday 21 May 24Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 13 May 24 — Saturday 25 May 24Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Saturday 18 May 24 — Thursday 30 May 24Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 20 May 24 — Saturday 01 Jun 24Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Monday 27 May 24 — Saturday 08 Jun 24Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 03 Jun 24 — Saturday 15 Jun 24Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Monday 10 Jun 24 — Saturday 22 Jun 24Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Thursday 29 Aug 24 — Tuesday 10 Sep 24Starting at $13,990 Get a Quote
Monday 23 Sep 24 — Saturday 05 Oct 24Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Monday 30 Sep 24 — Saturday 12 Oct 24Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Monday 28 Oct 24 — Saturday 09 Nov 24Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Sunday 09 Mar 25 — Friday 21 Mar 25Starting at $13,990 Get a Quote
Monday 10 Mar 25 — Saturday 22 Mar 25Starting at $11,990 Get a Quote
Thursday 13 Mar 25 — Tuesday 25 Mar 25Starting at $14,990 Get a Quote
Saturday 15 Mar 25 — Thursday 27 Mar 25Starting at $14,990 Get a Quote
Monday 14 Apr 25 — Saturday 26 Apr 25Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Monday 21 Apr 25 — Saturday 03 May 25Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Saturday 26 Apr 25 — Thursday 08 May 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Saturday 03 May 25 — Thursday 15 May 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Thursday 08 May 25 — Tuesday 20 May 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Saturday 10 May 25 — Thursday 22 May 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 12 May 25 — Saturday 24 May 25Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Thursday 15 May 25 — Tuesday 27 May 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Saturday 17 May 25 — Thursday 29 May 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 19 May 25 — Saturday 31 May 25Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Thursday 22 May 25 — Tuesday 03 Jun 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Thursday 29 May 25 — Tuesday 10 Jun 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Saturday 31 May 25 — Thursday 12 Jun 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 02 Jun 25 — Saturday 14 Jun 25Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Monday 25 Aug 25 — Saturday 06 Sep 25Starting at $11,990 Get a Quote
Thursday 28 Aug 25 — Tuesday 09 Sep 25Starting at $13,990 Get a Quote
Thursday 11 Sep 25 — Tuesday 23 Sep 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Thursday 18 Sep 25 — Tuesday 30 Sep 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 22 Sep 25 — Saturday 04 Oct 25Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Thursday 25 Sep 25 — Tuesday 07 Oct 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Thursday 02 Oct 25 — Tuesday 14 Oct 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 06 Oct 25 — Saturday 18 Oct 25Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Thursday 09 Oct 25 — Tuesday 21 Oct 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Saturday 11 Oct 25 — Thursday 23 Oct 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 13 Oct 25 — Saturday 25 Oct 25Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Thursday 16 Oct 25 — Tuesday 28 Oct 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 20 Oct 25 — Saturday 01 Nov 25Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Thursday 23 Oct 25 — Tuesday 04 Nov 25Starting at $15,990 Get a Quote
Monday 27 Oct 25 — Saturday 08 Nov 25Starting at $14,590 Get a Quote
Thursday 30 Oct 25 — Tuesday 11 Nov 25Starting at $14,990 Get a Quote
Monday 10 Nov 25 — Saturday 22 Nov 25Starting at $12,990 Get a Quote
Thursday 13 Nov 25 — Tuesday 25 Nov 25Starting at $13,990 Get a Quote


Destination & Sightseeing

Inspirational, innovative and intriguing, Japan is a favorite destination with Tauck travelers... where gilded temples and glittering skyscrapers reign over streets steeped in history and tradition. Discover the revered customs and unique sense of beauty that infuse life here... On the main island of Honshu, from Tokyo to the hot springs resort town of Hakone to Kanazawa and the cultural treasure trove of Kyoto, visit a private home for a tea ceremony and Origami... explore castles, temples, shrines, a samurai home, and world-class gardens... spend a night at a ryokan with traditional Japanese cultural experiences... make sushi, taste sake, cruise Lake Ashi to see Mt. Fuji... enjoy a taiko performance, Shinto music, Kagura dancing, a sumo wrestling demonstration... and meet a geisha expert. Join us for a Japan trip to remember.

Highlights
In Kyoto, enjoy a private home visit with tea ceremony & Origami demonstration, explorations with a local Geisha expert, visits to Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple & Pure Water Temple (Kiyomizu Temple) 
Multiple-night stays in premier hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone & at a hot springs resort & spa in Gero Onsen
Tokyo's Kagura dancing, taiko drums & sumo wrestling
A ferry ride on Lake Ashi highlighted with views of Mt. Fuji, Japan's largest mountain, in the distance
In Hakone, visit an open-air museum and attend a flower arranging class

ITINERARY

Arrive Tokyo
Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Shangri-La Tokyo. A transfer is included from Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport to the five-star Shangri-La Tokyo, located in central Tokyo and just a short walk away from some of the city's most popular shopping areas. This evening, please join us for a welcome reception and dinner at the Meiji Kinenkan featuring a larger-than-life demonstration by sumo wrestlers.

City Sights & Traditional Arts
A drive through Tokyo this morning gives you an overview of one of the world's most dynamic capital cities, touching on both history and modern life. Begin today's sightseeing in Japan's capital city with a visit to the the Asakusa Kannon Temple – also known as the Senso-Ji – and the center of one of country's largest and most popular annual festivals, Sanja Matsuri. After a stop at the bustling Nakamise Street, have lunch at the celebrated restaurant Nobu. Following lunch, enjoy a Tauck Exclusive – an exhilarating taiko drumming performance, including a hands-on instruction session and demonstration; try your hand at this time-honored tradition where rhythm, melody, and movement combine to create an extraordinary musical experience. The rest of the day and evening are free for further exploring on your own. Many good restaurants can be found in the vicinity of your hotel, and your Tauck Director can make suggestions for places to try.

Roots of Tokyo
Another day of discoveries in Japan's historic capital includes visits to the Meiji Shrine – honoring the deified spirits of Japan's Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, who died in 1912 and 1914, respectively; a live performance of traditional Shinto music and Kagura dancing and a visit to Tokyo's renowned Tsukiji Market, the largest fish and seafood market in the world, for a walk around the outer market. Enjoy a teppanyaki lunch of food cooked on an iron griddle, then visit the Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Street Shopping Arcade. The remainder of your day is free to explore as you please.

Exploring Traditions in Hakone
This morning, board the renowned bullet train (shinkansen) in Tokyo for a short ride south to Odawara, and continue on to the scenic hot springs resort town of Hakone in Kanagawa. En route, a ferry ride on Lake Ashi; weather permitting, introduces you to views of Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, looming over the landscape. 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 making demonstration; later, gather for a "homey" dinner at your resort.

A day in 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. Return to your hotel for an afternoon as you wish. This evening, you'll then have an opportunity to learn the art of ikebana – Japanese flower arranging – from a teacher who gives a class and demonstration of this time-honored tradition. Dine on Western or Japanese cuisine at your resort's dining room tonight.

Nagoya and on to Gero Onsen
Board a train bound for Nagoya. Upon arrival, a short drive through the countryside brings you to Gero Onsen and your traditional onsen hotel. Take the opportunity to soak in the hot springs (onsen) and have dinner Japanese style, shoes off, yukatas and slippers on, in a private room, where authentic Japanese traditions prevail.

Sake brewery in Takayama
Depart Gero Onsen this morning and head for Takayama, a mountain city long famed for its artisans and woodworkers. Do some sightseeing along the narrow lanes of its historic center, 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. Enjoy an included dinner at your choice of your hotel's restaurants tonight.

Samurais and Gardens in Kanazawa
A full day's sightseeing in Kanazawa includes: time exploring the historic Samurai District, where samurai homes are tucked among narrow lanes and canals behind earthen walls and private entrance gates, with a visit to the restored Nomura Samurai Family Residence for a look at the lifestyle of the samurai during feudal times, when they were prosperous; a guided stroll through celebrated Kenroku-en Gardens, considered among the country's top three landscaped gardens; lunch at a Paul Bocuse restaurant; and a walk through the city's Omicho Market. Cap the day with a Tauck Exclusive, a private Samurai show at a local temple, then spend the rest of the evening as you please at your hotel or exploring on your own in Kanazawa.

A Train Ride to Hiroshima
Depart Kanazawa by train for Osaka, then continue on by train to the city of Hiroshima for an overnight stay. After lunch at your hotel, take a ferry ride to Miyajima Island and visit the iconic Miyajima-Itsukushima Shrine that seems to float on water (a photographer's dream). Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant.

Monuments of Hiroshima
In Hiroshima today, you'll visit 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 – and Orizuru Tower. After lunch at a local restaurant, return this afternoon by bullet train to the historic city of Kyoto, where your evening is free to spend as you wish.

Kyoto... a Temple and a Castle
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.

Traditional Arts in Kyoto
Begin your day with a prayer at the Kiyomizudera (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.

Journey home
Tour ends: Kyoto. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto to the airport. Please allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport. 

Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

People have asked, What's the relationship between Pavlus and Tauck. It's simple, Pavlus Travel is the Worlds largest seller of Tauck tours. We enjoy a close working relationship. Another question, Are Tauck tours worth the money? They sure are. Yes, Tauck is a bit more expensive. Everything is taken care for you on your tours. Tauck tour directors are all employees of Tauck unlike virtually every other escorted European Tour Company. We highly recommend Tauck verses any other tour company. There are two other questions asked often of our staff, What is the Tauck guest protection plan and what is the Tauck cancellation policy? Our staff will be pleased to provide complete answers to you. We always welcome questions on any travel topic.