Explore Japan

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Arrive at Narita International Airport; transfer by Airport Bus to your hotel.

Note: For arrival/departure at Haneda Airport (Tokyo International Airport); please inquire.

Day 2: Tokyo
Morning sightseeing includes the Imperial Palace Plaza, Tokyo Tower, and Asakusa Kannon Temple; drive through Ueno and Akihabara. Return to the hotel on your own. (B)

Note: Alternative “Tokyo Skytree & Asakusa Tour” is available at a supplement of $25 per person.

Day 3: Tokyo
Morning transfer to a Tea Room and participate in a traditional tea ceremony. You will learn how to enjoy Japanese green tea, and the history and tradition from a tea master. Rest of the day at leisure and return to hotel on your own. (B)

Day 4: Tokyo | Kamakura | Yokohama | Tokyo
Excursion to the ancient cities of Kamakura and Yokohama to visit the famous Great Buddha, Hasedera Temple, drive through Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and visit one of Japan’s largest Yokohama Chinatown. After lunch, visit Sankeien Garden and drive across Yokohama Bay Bridge back to Tokyo. Return to hotel on your own. (B,L)

Day 5: Tokyo | Nikko | Tokyo
Excursion to Nikko, a World Heritage site. Visit Toshogu Shrine, the mausoleum of the first Tokugawa Shogun. Enjoy a Japanese style lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit Tamozawa Imperial Villa (or Rinnoji Treasure Museum) and Kirifuri Waterfall. Drive back to Tokyo and return to hotel on your own. (B,L)

Day 6: Tokyo | Mt. Fuji | Hakone
Depart Tokyo by motor-coach to beautiful Mt. Fuji; see breathtaking views of the surrounding lake-dotted environs. After lunch, on to the scenic Hakone. Enjoy a relaxing gondola ride on the Hakone Ropeway for a sweeping view of Lake Ashi and Owakudari Valley. Also enjoy a relaxing cruise on the lake before transferring to hotel for overnight. (B,L)

Day 7: Hakone | Nagoya
Board the Bullet Train to Nagoya. Sightseeing includes Nagoya Castle, symbol of the city with its Golden Shachi (Dolphins) and the Tokyo Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology. Transfer to hotel in Nagoya for overnight. (B,L)

Day 8: Nagoya | Ise | Toba | Kyoto
Morning depart to Ise. Upon arrival, visit the ancient Ise Jingu Temple and the Okaga Yokocho shopping street. Later, on to Women Divers Huts to experience women divers culture. After lunch, drive by Mikimoto Shinju (Pearl) Island where the world’s first pearls were successfully cultivated, on to Toba Ichibangai for an Ise green tea tasting. Transfer to Toba Station for the train to Kyoto and overnight. (B,L)

Day 9: Kyoto
Morning tour to the 17th-century Nijo Castle (or Ryoanji Temple), seat of the powerful Shoguns. Continue to Kinkakuji Temple with its magnificent Golden Pavilion and the Kyoto Imperial Palace (or Kitano Tenmangu). After lunch, visit Todaiji Temple housing a great image of Buddha, colorful Kasuga Taisha Shrine with its 3,000 lanterns and Nara Nagomikan where many tame deer roam freely. Return to Kyoto in late afternoon. (B,L)

Day 10: Kyoto
Today is at leisure to explore beautiful Kyoto on your own, or, join one of our optional tours. (B)

Day 11: Kyoto | Takayama
Morning Bullet Train to Nagoya; transfer to Takayama, an ancient city called “Little Kyoto.” Afternoon visit to Yatai Kaikan Hall, and Kusakabe Folkcraft Museum. Walk along the streets of Kami Sannomachi, with traditional Japanese wooden houses. (B)

Day 12: Takayama | Shirakawago | Kanazawa
Morning visit to the famous market of Takayama. Continue on a scenic drive by Lake Miboro to Shirakawago Observatory with spectacular view of the unique structures called Gassho-Zukuri, or joined-hands farmhouses. Also, visit the Wada Family Residence. Continue to Kanazawa for overnight. (B)

Day 13: Kanazawa | Kyoto
Morning sightseeing in Kanazawa, visiting Kenrokuen Garden, Kutaniyaki Pottery Kiln, and old Samurai Residence. Afternoon train to Kyoto for overnight. (B)

Day 14: Depart Kyoto
Transfer to Kansai International Airport via airport shuttle van. (B)