Essence of Japan

Your 7-night adventure begins by touching down into Tokyo. While it’s one of the world’s largest and most densely packed cities, it’s also one of the cleanest and relatively easy for travellers to navigate. Upon your arrival you will be welcomed to Japan by our local representative who will assist you to the appropriate shuttle bus transfer to your hotel. After getting arriving and getting settled in, you might want to stretch your legs by doing a little exploring. There’s no clearly marked center, rather a patchwork of diverse neighborhoods, some evoking the past with their wooden buildings, temples and glowing lanterns, others look like something out of the future with their soaring skyscrapers.

After a peaceful night’s rest, meet your local guide to discover some of the city’s most fascinating places, utilizing Tokyo’s user-friendly public transportation system. Your guide will first give you a practical overview of the tour to come, addressing any queries you have on public transport, trains, and activities, before you head out together to explore. Start by visiting the home of the Imperial family, the Imperial Palace and the explore the old town area, enjoying the traditional side of the city, including Sensoji Temple, its oldest and most popular temple. Journey to Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji by subway, and then if time allows, take a stroll down Omotesando shopping street, lined with the flagship stores of some of the top fashion brands in the world. This is highly flexible itinerary which can be adapted to suit your particular interests.

A half-day tour this morning delves into tasty Tokyo cuisine, starting at Tsukiji Market. Until recently it was the world’s largest fish market, selling around 450 different types of fish. Although the inner market moved to a new location, the outer market is still here with fresh fruits and vegetables, and an outstanding seafood section. Explore it with you a local guide while enjoying samples along the way. Afterwards, visit a Japanese chef nearby who will fill you in on Japanese food culture, and answer any questions you have about sushi, helping you to create a personalized selection of mouth-wateringly fresh options for lunch.

The remainder of the day is then at leisure for you to explore independently. Please ask your consultant for suggestions on how to make the most of your free time in the Japanese capital.

This morning you will take Japan’s famous shinkansen bullet train to Odawara, just 35 minutes’ west of Tokyo, gateway to the beautiful Hakone National Park. On arrival you have the rest of the day to explore Hakone independently. We recommend a cruise across Lake Ashi, where on a clear day, spectacular Mount Fuji will make an impressive appearance. Taking the Komagatake Ropeway to the summit of Mount Komagatake, you’ll marvel at it again, weather permitting. Once at the top, if luck is on your side, enjoy a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the mountain, Lake Ashi and Hakone. In the evening a sumptuous multi-course kaiseki dinner will be served at your ryokan accommodation.

This morning you’ll transfer back down to Odawara and then board the shinkansen again for the three-hour journey to Kyoto. Once arrived at your Kyoto hotel, take time to settle in and get refreshed before meeting your local guide in the lobby for a half-day tour via public transport. Start at Kinkakuji Temple, or Golden Pavilion, one of Japan’s most iconic sites, towering over a reflective pond. Next, visit the ornamental Nijo Castle, built in 1603, and then stroll through the five-block-long Nishiki Market shopping street where you’ll find some of the city’s most famous foods and kitchen items.

Meet your private guide this morning for a half-day tour that visits two of the most famous and stunning places in Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Nonomiya Shrine, which lie on the outskirts of town, surrounded by mountains. You’ll get to stroll through the towering, green bamboo forest for a fairytale-like experience before venturing to the ancient shrine where centuries ago, single imperial princesses stayed for at least a year in order to purify themselves before beginning their duties as a royal. UNESCO-listed Tenryuji Temple will be visited too. You’ll enjoy a traditional Buddhist lunch here while gazing out over the gorgeously landscaped gardens. Later in the evening you’ll meet a local foodie guide for an exceptional dining tour of Kyoto’s historic, and highly atmospheric Gion district.

Today you will make a self-guided visit to neighbouring Nara. Train tickets and guiding notes will be included in your pack. Just 45 minutes’ from Kyoto by train, Nara was Japan’s former capital during the eighth century, home to many ancient buildings from the period. Start by visiting the world’s largest wooden building, Todaiji temple with its famous Great Buddha before heading to Kasuga Taisha. Founded in 768 AD, it features hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns that have been donated by worshippers over the years. Stroll through Nara Park, often referred to as Deer Park as it’s inhabited by over 1,200 friendly deer, a symbol of the city. On your return to Kyoto, we recommend taking a slow stopping service and alighting at the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, in the southern suburbs of Kyoto.

At the appropriate time today you will join a shuttle transfer from your Kyoto hotel to Osaka Kansai International Airport for your return flight home. If you’re not ready to leave Japan just yet, contact our travel experts who will be happy to create a bespoke addition to your itinerary.