Explore the Best Japan Trip Package

Your adventure in Japan begins with the vibrant city of Tokyo. Upon your arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport, a convenient shuttle bus will take you to your hotel located in the heart of the city. After check-in, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a welcome drink and a taste of local appetizers, setting the stage for your exciting journey ahead.

Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower Tokyo

Our day begins in Asakusa, Tokyo’s historic entertainment district, where we visit the iconic Sensoji Buddhist Temple. Established in 628, it is one of the city's most revered landmarks and has been rebuilt several times, making it Tokyo's oldest temple site. As we stroll along Nakamise, the lively shopping street, you'll experience the charm of Shitamachi (old downtown Tokyo) with its traditional wooden dolls, vibrant Chiyogami (origami paper), and tempting Japanese sweets. In the afternoon, ascend Tokyo Skytree, the tallest freestanding broadcasting tower in the world, for sweeping panoramic views of this dynamic city.

Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower Tokyo

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included Experiences:

1. Tokyo City Tour:

   • Visit Tokyo’s famous landmarks, blending ancient traditions with modern innovations, and gain a deeper understanding of the city's cultural heritage.

Today, we begin with a visit to the majestic Imperial Palace Plaza, where you can admire the iconic bridges leading to the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace. Take a peaceful stroll through the lush Imperial Palace East Gardens before continuing on our city tour. Next, immerse yourself in Japan’s rich culture at the Tokyo National Museum, home to priceless collections of Japanese art and historical treasures. Afterward, we’ll head to the fashionable Ginza district, where you’ll have the chance to participate in a hands-on sushi-making experience with a professional chef. In the afternoon, travel toward the picturesque Five Lakes District, with the breathtaking, UNESCO-listed Mt. Fuji towering in the distance.

Accommodation: Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanakako

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included & Optional Experiences

1. Sushi-Making Workshop:

   • Under the expert guidance of a professional sushi chef, you'll learn the art of sushi making, crafting your own delicious specialties, and then enjoy the fruits of your labor during a satisfying lunch.

2. Tokyo National Museum Visit:

   • Discover the cultural heritage of Japan as you explore the Tokyo National Museum’s impressive collections of Japanese art, artifacts, and archaeological treasures.

Start the day in Oshino Hakkai, a tranquil village in the Fuji Five Lakes district, famous for its eight crystal-clear spring water ponds, fed by the melted snow of Mt. Fuji. Enjoy the stunning reflections of the surrounding landscape in the pristine waters before embarking on a scenic drive to the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji, located 2,300 meters above sea level. Weather permitting, take a ride on the Kachikachiyama Ropeway up Mt. Tenjo for panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko. Later, we continue through the picturesque Japanese Alps to the charming town of Takayama, where you’ll enjoy a delightful dinner at your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Associa Takayama Resort

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included & Optional Experiences

1. Fuji Five Lakes District City Tour

   • Start your day by visiting Oshino Hakkai, a small rural village known for its eight natural spring water ponds. Then, take a 2,300-meter winding road to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station. End the day with a scenic ropeway ride up Mt. Tenjo, where you can enjoy breathtaking views.

Start your day with a stroll through Takayama’s Old Town, where the Edo-period architecture offers a glimpse into Japan’s past. Enjoy a lunch featuring Hida-gyu, a premium beef known for its exquisite flavor, raised from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed. Afterward, journey to the UNESCO-listed Gokayama, a peaceful mountain village surrounded by five valleys. Admire the iconic Gassho-Zukuri houses, built without nails and with steep thatched roofs designed to shed snow. Meet a local family in one of these traditional homes, where you can learn about their artisan techniques. Try making washi paper, supporting a small business in this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Conclude your day with an overnight stay in Kanazawa.

Accommodation: Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel Kanazawa

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included & Optional Experiences

1. Taste Japanese Sake in Takayama

   • Enjoy a guided walking tour of Takayama’s Edo-style streets, where you can sample authentic Japanese sake and learn about its production process.

2. Gokayama Washi Paper Workshop

   • Support a local artisan business by visiting a Gokayama washi paper workshop. Watch the family at work and try making your paper, directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

3. Visit Gokayama

   • Explore the peaceful mountain village of Gokayama, known for its unique Gassho-Zukuri houses with steep thatched roofs, an architectural marvel built without nails.

Begin your day with a fascinating visit to a gold leaf painting factory, where a Local Specialist will share the secrets of this delicate craft, perfected in Japan since the 16th century. Afterward, immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Kenroku-en, one of Japan's most celebrated gardens. Wander through its meticulously designed landscapes, featuring ponds, temples, and lush greenery, all reflecting a harmonious balance between nature and art. Next, stroll through Omicho Market, where you can explore the local fish catch and gain a true sense of daily life in this bustling coastal town. In the afternoon, visit the historic Nagamachi District, home to well-preserved samurai houses. Discover the rich history of the samurai during a tour of the elegant Nomura House.

Accommodation: Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel Kanazawa

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included & Optional Experiences

1. Visit a Gold Leaf Painting Factory

   • Join a Local Specialist and learn the intricate art of gold leaf painting, a Japanese craft that has been refined for centuries.

2. Kanazawa City Tour

   • Stroll through the vibrant Omicho Market, then experience the peaceful beauty of Kenroku-en Gardens, which have evolved over 100 years to become one of Japan’s most renowned landscapes.

3. Shabu Shabu Dinner with Unlimited Drinks – Additional cost applies

   • Enjoy a traditional Washoku Japanese buffet with unlimited drinks, featuring shabu-shabu hot pot, sushi, tempura, soba, and appetizers. Shabu-shabu, a hot-pot dish of thinly sliced meat and vegetables, originated in Osaka in the 1950s and has since spread worldwide. Vegetarian options are available.

   • The meal is priced at ¥6,500 per adult. Optional experiences can be booked through your Travel Director during the tour.

This morning, travel by Express train to Kyoto, Japan's cultural heart. Upon arrival, enjoy an authentic Be My Guest experience at a traditional Japanese restaurant. Connect with the Nakamura family and gain insight into local customs as you share a delicious kaiseki lunch. Afterward, visit Kinkakuji, the iconic Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple originally built as a 14th-century villa. Its stunning gold-leaf exterior reflects the serene beauty of Kyoto’s landscapes, making it one of the most visited UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Accommodation: The Hotel Higashiyama

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included & Optional Experiences

1. Lunch at a Traditional Japanese Restaurant

   • Savor a kaiseki lunch at a traditional restaurant near Kyoto, hosted by the Nakamura family. Learn about Japanese dining customs and enjoy a memorable meal in a welcoming atmosphere.

2. Visit Kinkakuji Temple

   • Admire the breathtaking Golden Pavilion at Kinkakuji Temple, a symbol of Kyoto's rich history and Zen traditions.

Start your day with a visit to the mesmerizing Fushimi Inari Shrine, where the iconic orange torii gates lead you through a forested path, offering a peaceful journey toward the sacred mountaintop. This shrine, revered for centuries, is a symbol of prosperity and happiness. Continue to Sanjusangen-do Hall, where you'll marvel at the intricate details of the 1,001 "thousand-handed" goddesses of mercy statues. Next, take a leisurely walking tour through Kyoto's historic Gion district, known for its traditional tea houses and geisha culture. This evening, enjoy a delightful dinner with your Travel Director and fellow guests.

Accommodation: The Hotel Higashiyama

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included & Optional Experiences

1. Kyoto City Tour

   • Explore Kyoto’s most iconic sites, including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Sanjusangen-do Hall, and the charming streets of Gion, where the traditional culture of Kyoto comes to life.

2. Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience – Additional cost applies

   • Experience a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony led by a professional Tea Master, trained in the Zen Buddhist-influenced art of tea making. Learn about Japan’s tea culture, observe the preparation of matcha using a bamboo whisk, and understand the Japanese way of making and drinking tea. Enjoy Japanese sweets and, after watching the process, try making your tea.

   • The experience is priced at ¥4,500 per adult. Optional experiences can be booked through your Travel Director during the tour.

As your unforgettable journey through Japan comes to a close, take a transfer by shuttle service to Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport for your onward flight. Alternatively, extend your adventure with the 13-day Splendours of Japan itinerary, continuing your exploration to Hiroshima.

Included Meals: Breakfast