Itinerary

Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to the Four Seasons Hotel.

In the evening you are escorted to Tokyo Station to board the Yamanote Line, a commuter train, for an overview of the city.

Ryogoku District
Begin your day with a visit to a Sumo Stable in the Ryogoku District to watch athletes exercise. Out of respect, viewers must sit on a pillow (that is provided) on folded knees and the bottoms of your feet must never face the sumo. Viewers must be quiet. Ask your guide before watching the sumo practice about what it is like to live in a stable, seniority, sumo diet and lifestyle, and how the sumo competitive schedule works as a sport for life.

You must make a reservation or accompany a tour to visit a sumo stable and see the morning practice. Not all sumo stables are open to the public.

Asakusa District
Continue on to the Asakusa District for a glimpse of the last vestiges of old Tokyo. Visit the Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo's most sacred and spectacular temple. The nearby streets of Nakamise-dori and Kappabashi-dori are a souvenir-hunter's paradise.

Odaiba Waterfront District
Our next stop is the Odaiba Waterfront District. Undeveloped until recently, this area now boasts an impressive number of entertainment and shopping facilities.

Harajuku District
We move on to Harajuku for a glimpse of Japanese pop culture. Tokyo's young and innovative have gravitated here since the 1964 Olympics put its international stamp on the area.

Ginza District
Toyko's most expensive and glamorous district offers chic shopping by day and sophisticated entertainment by night. This evening, enjoy a traditional kabuki performance at the Shinbashi Enbujō theater (this is the main venue for kabuki in Tokyo while the famed Kabuki-za theater is being rebuilt).

5:15 am. Begin your day at the Tsukiji Fish Market. Every day except Sunday, 15,000 buyers and restaurateurs from all over the world buy seafood here from some 1700 stalls. Beware of pickpockets. Tourists are currently not allowed to enter the tuna auction areas.

8 am. Continue to Asakusa Station to board an express train to Nikko, 90 miles North of Tokyo. Train change at Shimo-Imaichi. Enjoy views of countryside.

10 am. Nikko National Park
This magnificent park set in rugged mountain terrain features volcanoes, waterfalls, lakes, temples and shrines. The best seasons to visit are summer and fall because of the gorgeous colors of the vegetation.  You'll visit the Tosho-go Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home of the famously lavish Yonei-mon Gate; see the dazzling Futara-san Shrine with its iconic red-lacquered bridge; and drive to spectacular Kegon Waterfall.

Board first class compartment on the bullet train to Kyoto, approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes from Tokyo. There are several non-stop trains per day.

Depending on the arrival time you may wish to check into your hotel. In Kyoto one can stay at a traditional Ryokan or a more western hotel. We would recommend the traditional stay at Tawaraya Ryokan.

Lunch

Take an afternoon tour to learn your way around the city. Options include Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Temple, the Imperial Palace, Maekawa River bank lined with cherry trees, Nijo Castle, Heian-jingu Shrine and the Nishiki Market.

Evening Entertainment - Karaoke and gaming for the kids.

Gion District
Elegant and gaudy by turns, Gion is Kyoto's traditional geisha quarter and main entertainment district. Highlights include tea houses, the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and a number of famous shrines, as well as the flagstone-paved roads of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, within a preservation district.

Spend today browsing Gion's temples, shrines and historic lanes.

Evening Entertainment:
See a performance of cultural arts, including ikebana and bunraku, at Gion Corner.

Morning: 20-min bullet train ride from Kyoto to Himieji. The castle is 15-minute walk due north of Himeji Station via Otemae Dori.

Himeji Castle
The grandest of Japan's 12 remaining feudal castles, this great compound has never been damaged by warfare, earthquakes or fires. It's now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Afternoon or Evening: Return to Kyoto by bullet train.

Dinner and perhaps a karaoke rematch.

Morning: Enjoy the Philosopher's Walk and Silver Pavilion

Philosopher's Walk
No one should miss this 1.6 mile walk along the tree-lined Shishigatani Canal. The walk begins at Nanzen-ji and ends at Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion). We recommend that you stop for a cup of tea in one of the many quaint cafes along the way.

Afternoon: Shopping in Kawaramachi-dori