Classic Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, Takayama, Hiroshima and Naoishma

Yokoso! Welcome to Japan! At your arrival at Narita Airport in Tokyo, a welcoming service will greet you at the airport arrival gate and escort you to the shuttle bus to your hotel.

Itinerary will be adjusted according to your flight schedule.

Accommodation in Tokyo Option 1: Hilton Tokyo Hotel

Accommodation in Tokyo Option 2: Park Hotel Tokyo

Accommodation upgrade in Tokyo: Mandarin Oriental Tokyo

In the next few days, you will discover Tokyo - the center of modern Japan. You will spend each day exploring the main sights of the city, getting a thorough introduction to a typical Tokyoite life by public transportation, one of the best subway systems in the world. Tokyo is a huge metropolis, which has surprises in store for us at every street corner. This is an exciting, vibrant and bustling city, where everything and everyone moves on high speed. At night, Tokyo reveals yet another side to it with its neon signs brightening the sky, thousands of lively restaurants and bars, and colorful entertainment districts, which you can explore independently.

Today, explore Tokyo with your private guide.

A special schedule for art lovers! Your private guide will take you (by public transportation) to some of the leading modern and contemporary art museums in Tokyo and Japan, along with some sightseeing spots as time allows. Your guide is an art specialist who will explain more about contemporary art in Japan.

On this day you will take the train (in first class seats) to the "backyard" of Tokyo. Hakone is a nature reserve and hot springs area with great museums as well as the possibility on a clear day to enjoy one of the best views of Mt. Fuji. Another highlight in this area is the open-air museum, a renowned space for contemporary art which uses the beauty of the surrounding nature as a backdrop for the exhibits. In the evening, you can enjoy one of the highlights of any visit to Japan - the hot springs.

Accommodation: Hyatt

Accommodation upgrade option: Ryokan Ginyu

Leaving Hakone, you will travel by train (in first class seats) deep into the Japanese Alps to Takayama. Takayama is a small town which has kept the charms of olden days with preserved areas from the feudal period, allowing you to soak in an atmosphere reminiscent of past centuries. The afternoon will be devoted to exploring the gems of the old town and its heritage, starting with the morning market. In the evenings you can enjoy soaking in the hotel’s hot springs. In the evening, you can also indulge in one of Takayama’s delicacies – Hida beef, a high quality marbled beef equal to the famous Kobe beef.

Accommodation in Takayama: Hotel Associa Takayama Resort

Accommodation upgrade in Takayama: Wa no Sato Ryokan

Takayama is renowned for its morning market, where you can find old ladies selling fresh fruit and mountain vegetables, flowers and other knick-knacks. After strolling in the market, you will take a highway bus to Shirakawa-go, one of Japan’s most scenic views, a delight for photographers. Shirakawa-go is a quiet, picturesque village located in a secluded area deep in the Southern Japanese Alps. The village is dotted with houses and small rice fields connected by a network of watercourses. A World Heritage Site, Shirakawa-go is best known for its Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, a traditional mountain farmhouse style featuring steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snow. After walking along Shirakawa-go’s small streets and charming shops and going up to the viewpoint for a view of the whole village, you will continue by bus back to Takayama.

Moving from the traditional countryside, you will take a train (in first class seats) to urban Osaka, one of Japan’s biggest cities. Osaka is renowned across Japan as the city of comedians and outgoing people. Walking in the city center is an experience not to be missed – with many shops open late, lively restaurants and bars and one of the busiest entertainment quarters, this promises to open another window into Japanese modern urban culture.

Accommodation in Osaka: Nankai Swiss Hotel

Taking the bullet train (in first class seats), you will leave Osaka and change to a ferry to Miyajima, an island near Hiroshima, known for its large red shrine gate: the Grand Torii which looks as if it’s afloat at high tide. A ropeway to the top of the mountain provides stunning views of the Inland Sea islands. If time permits, you can visit a temple with many small sculptures and unique ceremonies.

From Miyajima, you will take the ferry and train to Hiroshima, the city which entered the world’s collective memory in that moment of horror on August 6th 1945. You might be surprised to find a modern, fast-paced, vibrant city. You will begin your tour with a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, commemorating that historic moment of terror. In the evening you can enjoy the local delicacy called Okonomiyaki, at various food stalls and restaurants across the city, as well as the active night life.

Accommodation: Sheraton Hiroshima

After completing sightseeing in Hiroshima, you will take a train (in first class seats) and then a private taxi to Uno port, from where you will continue by ferry to the island of Naoshima, which has been transformed to an impressive art project. This island, while still maintaining its traditional functionality as a fisherman village, boasts 3 impressive museums and a unique art project which uses houses in the village. The museums are highly acclaimed for their architecture, as well as their exhibitions, designed by Tadao Ando, one of Japan’s most appreciated architects. Some exhibitions display fascinating uses of light and darkness while others are interactive, making this an incredibly unique experience. In the evening, you will stay at the hotel that was designed as part of this remarkable project.

Accommodation in Naoshima: Benesse House

The morning will be dedicated to completing completing sightseeing in Naoshima, starting with the spectacular House Project. In the afternoon you will head by train (in first class seats) towards Japan’s old capital: Kyoto. You will dedicate the next few days to this hub of traditional culture, a city that for hundreds of years has been and continues to be an island of tradition in the swirling whirlpool of progress. Kyoto has 17 World Heritage Sites – the most properties in one city – each a representative masterpiece of the era in which it was constructed. Over these days you will encounter the various tales that make up the Japanese puzzle and discover the past rippling through the everyday life of locals.

Accommodation in Kyoto: Kyoto Hotel Okura

Continuing your journey in Kyoto with your private guide by public transportation, you will be exposed to the fundamentals of esthetics, Zen, architecture, and horticulture through visits to famous places such as the distinguished stone garden at Ryoanji temple, the spectacular Golden Pavilion, the Shogun’s castle, and a downtown market as well as walking along picturesque streets trying to get a glimpse of a Geisha rushing on her way to work.

Today you will begin with a half-day guided walking tour which offers a fascinating exploration of the tastes and flavors of the Japanese cuisine. The tour will take you to some famous food related places such as an old Sake brewery, Miso shop, tea shop, and a very esthetic food court as well as the famous food market, Nishiki, downtown. Through this tour, you will deepen your knowledge of the Japanese kitchen and you will be exposed to the variety of unique produce and other ingredients that make Japanese cuisine renowned around the world.

In the afternoon, you can continue exploring this fascinating city, or wander around the downtown and do some shopping, or relax at your hotel.

Independently, with our detailed instruction file, you will visit the acclaimed Silver Pavilion and enjoy a leisurely walk along the celebrated Philosopher’s Path, continuing on to one of Kyoto’s most photogenic slopes with winding streets filled with small specialized shops and cafés set against the backdrop of the Eastern Mountains.

Sayonara, Mata Ne! See you again!

Itinerary will be adjusted according to your flight schedule.

Today, you will start your way back home. A private car will pick you up for a private transfer to Kansai AP. We wish you a pleasant and safe trip.