Day 1 - Arrive Tokyo

Today, you arrive into Tokyo’s Narita International Airport where, after clearing immigration and customs entry formalities, you will be welcomed by an English-speaking assistant in the Arrivals Hall.  

You will then be transferred to the city (approximately 90 minutes) and your hotel which is ideally located within walking distance of the Imperial Palace and the Ginza.

Overnight: The Peninsula Tokyo

Day 2 - Tokyo

This morning, following breakfast, meet your guide and commence a full-day tour of Tokyo that will focus on different aspects of Japan’s vibrant capital.

You begin with a visit to the Imperial Palace Plaza, part of the palace complex which serves both as the residence and administration for the imperial family. Much of the palace grounds – including the palace itself – are closed to the public and secluded behind, massive stone walls, ancient trees and Edo Period (1603 – 1868) moats.

Proceed to Tsukiji Fish Market, once the largest such market in the world. The fish market has relocated but the outer market is a thrill to explore. Discover a dizzying array of goods, from dried foods and seasonings to fresh produce and all manner of kitchen utensils.

Continue on to Asakusa site of Tokyo’s most sacred temple and the vibrant Nakamise shopping street. The Sensoji Temple which represents the heart of the district is considered to be sacred to all businesses. Take in panoramic views of Tokyo from the observation deck of the Tokyo Tower (150 metres or 490 feet). 

End the day in the busy streets of Akihabara, ground zero for Japanese die-hard fans of pop culture and electronics. Weaving your way through crowds of shoppers and sky-high stores festooned with colorful advertising and neon lights, you may be reminded of the movie Pokémon: Detective Pikachu. Before you leave, drop by a maid café for the peculiar experience of being ceremoniously waited on by young women dressed in pinafore costumes with frills, ribbons and other accessories.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After a full-day sightseeing, you will be transferred back to the hotel.

Overnight: The Peninsula Tokyo

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 3 - Tokyo

This morning meet your guide and visit TeamLab, the hottest ticket in Tokyo – this meeting of film makers and high-tech specialists results in an interactive virtual art experience like no other as you, the visitor, become an integral part of the exhibition.

Then, take a private sushi making experience led by a master sushi chef. Under the personal guidance of a sushi chef, master the process of sushi making from start to finish. The class, given in English, includes learning the proper way to wash and cook rice, prepare a fish or egg topping and mold the sushi. End the easy-to-follow lesson with a satisfying sushi lunch of your own making.

Your final visits today are to the sacred Meiji Shrine and the fashionable Harajuku district. The Meiji Shrine is the city’s most important Shinto Shrine and is dedicated to the Meiji Emperor (1868 – 1912) who initiated a series of reforms that forced Japan to leave its feudal roots and set off on it journey to modernization. Harajuku, just minutes from the shrine is all about Tokyo now – fashion, fun, and all things fabulous make Harajuku the place to be seen in Tokyo.

You will see as much of the area as possible including Takeshitadori Street, Meiji Dori Avenue and Omotesando Dori Avenue. Take a stroll down a tree-lined boulevard or a small winding street, lined with boutiques for teenagers, specializing in trendy clothes, music, DVD’s and imported British and American kitsch, especially Kiddy Land where there are hundreds of unique toys for kids of all ages.

Overnight: The Peninsula Tokyo

Meal Plan: B, L

Day 4 - Tokyo - Hakone

This morning you are met by your guide and it’s off to learn the secrets of the Samurai in a special sword class that provides instruction in the ancient art of sword play as done by the samurai warriors. 

Then transfer to Tokyo Station where you board your bullet train to Odawara Station in Hakone. On arrival enjoy the balance of the day in one of Japan’s most beautiful National Park areas. The region is picturesque with mountains, forests, crystalline lakes and volcanic landforms. Hakone is also the best place to take in Japan’s most revered landmark, Mount Fuji the highest (3,776 metres or 12,389 feet) and most sacred mountain in the country. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi which affords views onto the mountain.

After disembarking from your boat transfer to the Hakone Ropeway where you take the funitel line over the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Sulphur volcanic vents which billow volcanic steam into the atmosphere.

Later this afternoon transfer to the elegant Gora Kadan a traditional ryokan onsen that has been called the finest traditional Japanese ryokan experience. 

Overnight: Gora Kadan

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 5 - Hakone - Osaka

This morning, following breakfast, set off with your guide to visit the magnificent Hakone Open Air Museum, perhaps the world’s finest sculpture garden. Set on 17 acres of manicured lawns and gardens the collection of sculptures and installations features the works of the world’s finest artists including Rodin, Moore, and Botero among others. The museum also features a gallery devoted to the works of Picasso (the collection includes 700 works).

Following your visit to the museum continue on to Odawara station and board your bullet train to Osaka. On arrival at the Shin Osaka Station you will be met by your guide who will take you to explore Dotonbori. The Dotonbori Canal, which runs through Namba (Minami), is the Namba’s symbol; it has been used as a movie location for films such as ‘Black Rain’. The south side of the canal, Dotonbori Street, is a popular foodie district, home to 'Kuidaore' where rows of eateries feature the best of Osaka’s snack food wonders. These include crab, puffer fish, and  ‘Takoyaki (octopus balls)’.

No visit to Osaka is complete without exploring Osaka Castle, originally called Ozakajo, it is considered one of Japan's most famous castles. It played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century. Rising five stories on the outside and eight stories on the inside, the castle has been built on top of a tall stone foundation which protected its occupants from sword-bearing attackers in the past. The park which surrounds the castle is famed for its groves of cherry trees which, in spring, burst into a sea of pink blossoms making it one of the most visited sites in the city.

After sightseeing, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Conrad Osaka

Meal Plan: B

Day 6 - Osaka - Nara - Osaka 

This morning meet your guide and set off for a visit to Nara the first capital of imperial Japan and a city renowned for its early Buddhist temples, gardens, and imperial heritage.

The highlight of any visit to Nara is the Todai-ji Temple, first built in 752 and housing the world’s largest bronze casting, the giant Daibutsu (Buddha image). Commissioned by the Shommu in 743 the image required 437 tons of bronze and 130 kilograms of pure gold. When it was finally dedicated in 752 some 10,000 monks and nuns were in attendance. The Daibutsuden (the wooden structure which houses the Buddha image) is believed to be the largest wooden structure on earth (it has been refurbished and parts rebuilt several times through its history).

Visit Nara Park home to herds of deer which, in Shinto tradition are believed to be celestial messengers while in Buddhism they are respected as the first creatures to hear the words of the Buddha.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After a full-day sightseeing, you will be transferred back to the hotel.

Overnight: Conrad Osaka

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 7 - Osaka - Kyoto

This morning, following breakfast, transfer overland from Osaka to Kyoto which will take approximately 90 minutes. 

Capital of imperial Japan from 794 through 1868, Kyoto is the cradle of traditional Japanese art, architecture and tradition. First, visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine - the most famous of several thousands of shrines dedicated to the goddess, Inari (who is the deity of rice and abundance). The Fushimi Inari Shrine is surrounded by countless torii gates and offerings by worshipers that cover the hiking trails of Inarisan, the wooded mountain behind the shrine's main buildings.

Visit at “Machiya” a traditional Kyoto town house where you will be immersed in some of the cultural highlights of Japanese culture. This includes kimono wearing and origami (paper folding art).

Following your cultural class, visit the Kiyomizu Temple one of the oldest and largest of Buddhist temples in Kyoto. According to legend, Priest Enchin built his hermitage and a small chapel here in 788 A.D. With support from General Sakanoueno Tamuramaro, the temple was erected in 798. The temple is located on a hill slope where clear spring waters (which gives the temple its name) bubble forth adding a sacred ambiance to the area.

In addition to the history and culture of Kyoto you can also enjoy a class in the making of traditional mochi or sticky rice sweets for which the city is famous. To complete your culinary adventure lunch will be served in the Nishiki Market a bustling kaleidoscope of local snack foods.

Overnight: The Four Seasons, Kyoto

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 8 - Kyoto

This morning, after breakfast, set off for a full day of discovery in Kyoto which will begin with a visit to the lovely Arashiyama area famed for its verdant bamboo forests.

Your visit will include a ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway (also known as the Sagano Romantic Train or Sagano Torokko) on board a sightseeing train that runs along the Hozugawa River between Arashiyama and Kameoka. This charming old fashioned train wends its way through the mountains

Continue on to the Togetsukyo Bridge (also known as "Moon Crossing Bridge") – is Arashiyama's most iconic landmark. It was originally built during the Heian Period (794-1185) and most recently reconstructed in the 1930s. The bridge looks particularly attractive in combination with the forested mountainside in the background. A riverside park with dozens of cherry trees is located just adjacent to the bridge.

Then, visit the Sagano Bamboo Forest, where you can either ride bicycles or take a guided walk through the lush bamboo grove, taking in the stunning views of nearby mountain peaks and lush valleys. The bamboo grown in Arashiyama is still used to manufacture various products, such as baskets, cups, boxes, mats and pieces of art at workshops in the Arashiyama area.

A short hike to Monkey Park Iwatayama, home to over 170 Japanese macaques. Although wild, the inhabitants are happy to accept donations from visitors, so feel free to feed them at designated feeding sites.

Visit the most iconic image in all of Kyoto, the exquisite Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Temple whose image has become synonymous with Kyoto. Originally a villa of the Saionji family on the hills of Kitayama, it was offered to the third Shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate, Yoshimitsu Ashikaga in 1397. After his death, the villa was converted into Golden Pavilion (Rokuonji). The Golden Pavilion, a stunning gilded three story reliquary hall, is situated at the margin of a large pond named Kyokochi Pond.

Overnight: The Four Seasons, Kyoto

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 9 - Depart Kyoto

Please note that today your guide will transfer you from Kyoto to the Kansei International Airport (Osaka) where you will board your departure flight.

Please note if you are flying out of Tokyo’s Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport you will be transferred to Kyoto Station where you board a bullet train to Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. On arrival you will be met on the platform and assisted with your onward train connection to either the Narita or Haneda Airports.

Meal Plan: B