Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Kanazawa & Kyoto by Private Car

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Arrive Tokyo, one of the world’s most vibrant cities; our representative will meet you and assist you in boarding an airport limousine bus transfer to your hotel in Tokyo.Note: Japan has one of the world best public transportation network with efficient service and punctuality. We believe you will enjoy the ride on the comfortable airport limousine bus transfer to your hotel. Please inquire if a private car transfer is preferred with a supplement.

Day 2: Tokyo
Early morning start your half day tour of Tokyo by private car. Visit the beautiful wooded grounds of the Meiji Jingu Shrine and enjoy the Kagura Shinto dance, an ancient ritual dance. Next on to the Imperial Palace Plaza, the large plaza where you can view the Imperial Palace located in the former site of Edo Castle surrounded by moats and massive stone walls. Continue to the Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo’s largest and most popular Buddhist temple; and explore the Nakamise Shopping Arcade. Return to your hotel and afternoon is free at leisure. (B)

Day 3: Tokyo
Today is free at leisure to venture out in Japan’s most cosmopolitan and vivacious city. No matter whether your interest is in art, museums, culinary experiences, cultural areas or shopping, you can find them all in Tokyo. The Tokyo Metro subway is the ideal way to travel to the wonders of this vast city. The subway system connects to all areas of Tokyo. Experience it yourself and travel like the locals! (B)

Day 4: Tokyo | Mt. Fuji | Hakone
Today’s journey by private car is to the iconic Mt. Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drive up to 5th Station. Visit the Fuji Visitor Center and have a breathtaking view of the surrounding lake-dotted environs. Depart to Lake Ashi for a relaxing cruise ride. Also enjoy a gondola ride on the Mt. Komagatake Ropeway for a sweeping view of Lake Ashi and Owakudari Valley. Later transfer to Hakone and overnight. (B)

Day 5: Hakone | Takayama
Morning transfer to Odawara Station for the famous Bullet Train to Nagoya; connect Express Train to Takayama, an ancient city called “Little Kyoto”. Takayama is ideal for exploring by foot, journeying first to the nearby Takayama Jinya, Japan’s only existing provincial government office of the Edo Shogunate. Visit the Festival Floats Exhibition Hall which features the huge floats, decorated with intricate carvings, gilded wood, and detailed metalwork, that are used for the parade during the Takayama Festival in autumn. Continue to the Kusakabe Folkcraft Museum, designated an Important Cultural Property because of its Meiji Era architecture dated from 1879. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight. (B,JD)

Day 6: Takayama | Shirakawago | Kanazawa
Depart by private car for a scenic drive to Shirakawago visiting the Gassho-Zukuri Minkaen. It’s an open-air museum with a collection of historic “gassho” praying-hands farmhouses, characterized by thick walls and sloping roofs which are designed to withstand extreme snowfall. Some of these farmhouses are more than 250 years old. The view from the ruins of Ogimachi Castle offers a panoramic view of the Gasssho-style village. Continue journey to Miboro Dam, Japan’s first and largest dam built with “rock-fill technology” using only stones and clay. Later, transfer by private car to Kanazawa for overnight. (B)

Day 7: Kanazawa | Kyoto
The first stop in your private car tour today is Nagamachi Samurai Residence. This district, where samurai and their families used to reside, preserves a historic atmosphere with earthen walls, private entrance gates, narrow lanes and water canals. Next visit the Kenroku-en Garden, one of the most beautiful feudal lords’ gardens in Japan, with an area of 11.4 hectares in the central part of Kanazawa. For pottery lovers, the Kutani Pottery Kiln is a must. You can have a glimpse of the process and history of this fine craft. Afternoon transfer to Kanazawa Station for train ride to Kyoto. Upon arrival, transfer by private car to your hotel. (B)

Day 8: Kyoto
Begin the day by visiting the Kinkakuji Temple, with its magnificent Golden Pavilion whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Continue to the Heian Jingu Shrine with its architecture design from a partial reproduction of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Also visit the 17th-century Nijo Castle, which was built as the residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Transfer back to your hotel and afternoon is free at leisure. (B)

Day 9: Kyoto | Nara | Kyoto
Morning departure by private car for a half day excursion to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital . Start your walking tour in Nara Park where tame deer, considered to be messengers of the Shinto gods, roam freely. Visit the Todaiji Temple located in the northern part of Nara Park. It houses Japan’s largest bronze Buddha statue, and is also the world’s largest wooden building. Continue to the celebrated Kasuga Taisha Shrine, famous for its hundreds of bronze lanterns hanging from the buildings. Return to Kyoto by private car and remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 10: Depart Kyoto
In time, transfer to airport by Airport Shuttle Van for your departure. (B)

(Note: Airport transfer by private car can be arranged with a supplement; please inquire.)