08 AUG
Welcome to Tokyo! On arrival, you will be met at the airport by your private driver who will transfer you to your hotel to relax and refresh (international / domestic flight costs not included in quotation)
The Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza offers high-floor views of the city and Tokyo Bay, with chic and stylish rooms that are well appointed. It is a 4-minute walk from Shinbashi Station and a 10-minute walk from the Ginza area. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the property. Located above the 16th floor, all rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV on the wall, a fridge and an air purifier/humidifier. Guests can make coffee and tea, enjoy a soak in the private bath, or watch one of the video-on-demand movies available for purchase. Tsukiji Fish Market is just an 8-minute walk from Ginza Premier Mitsui Garden Hotel, while Hama Rikyu Park is a 10-minute walk away. Nearby Shinbashi Station features a direct 40-minute train connection to Haneda Airport.
Overnight Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza- Moderate Queen room, breakfast included
09 AUG
This morning after breakfast, meet your private guide for your special day in Tokyo! The day begins with a visit to the Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken; surrounded by a forested area offering tranquility in the heart of Shibuya.
This area is home to the iconic Shibuya Scramble, this instantly recognizabl pedestrian crossing is surrounded by neon lights and bustling with pedestrians from all directions; a symbol of modern Tokyo. One of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world, famous for its bustling activity and surrounding shopping and entertainment districts. The famous Hachiko dog statue in front of the station is also a popular landmark here. Catch a glimpse each time the walk signals change
Then, head to a special sushi making class guided by a Michelin starred chef who will teach you how to make your own perfect rolls using various toppings and vinegared rice along with tuna, salmon, shrimp, and rolls (requests also accepted).
After the workshop, you can compare your own creation with the professionally made sushi and enjoy your Michelin star sushi course!
Then, its onward to Rappongi.. This has been an entertainment district since the Edo period and has developed into a cosmopolitan area popular with expatriates, lending it the image of being a main international hub throughout the whole country. Roppongi offers visitors superb international dining, a vibrant nightlife and world-class cultural attractions. The area is home to Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown, both large indoor complexes offering excellent art museums, shopping and dining.
Return to the hotel for your evening at leisure.
Overnight Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza- Moderate Queen room, breakfast included
10 AUG
Today after breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby to head to Mount Fuji for the day! (Note, the drive via private car will take approximately 140 minutes)
Oishi Park is a beautiful lakeside park on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi, offering stunning, unobstructed views of Mt. Fuji. It’s an ideal destination for visitors who want to relax in a natural setting while enjoying the majesty of Japan’s most famous mountain. The park is famous for its seasonal flowers, including vibrant lavender in the summer and colorful autumn foliage. The lush flower gardens create a picture-perfect setting, especially with Mt. Fuji in the background. Stroll along the peaceful walking paths that wind through the gardens and along the lake, providing plenty of spots for photographs and reflection.
Kubota Itchiku was the artist who revived the lost art of Tsujigahana silk dyeing, used to decorate elaborate kimono during the Muromachi Period. An intriguing museum devoted to Kubota Itchiku stands in the wooded hills along the northern coast of Lake Kawaguchiko. Exhibited are several of the artist's kimono creations, depicting themes of nature, the cosmos and the seasons. Also on display are parts of his unfinished masterpiece "Symphony of Light", a huge work comprised of 80 kimono that together form of a picture of Mount Fuji.
The extensive gardens, which were designed by Kubota Itchiku himself and stretch from the entrance gate far into the wooded slopes behind the museum buildings, are also worth a stroll. Artworks from various places in Asia and Africa are placed around the museum grounds.
We suggest enjoying lunch at Houtou Fudo a loal noodles in Fuji Lakes area (to be paid locally onsite)
Then, it is onward to Arakura Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine and its pagoda which sit proudly in beautiful Arakurayama Sengen Park.
The park begins at the base of Mt. Arakurayama and extends up the mountain. At the top of a 398 stair hike is an observation deck that looks out over the cityscape of Fujiyoshida City and majestic Mt. Fuji towering above. Though the Spring sakura (cherry blossom) season is best for capturing the symbolic image of Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms and five-storied pagoda, the park can be enjoyed throughout the year with a stunning view that changes with the seasons.
After this beautiful full day, return to your hotel in Tokyo for an evening at leisure.
Overnight Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza- Moderate Queen room, breakfast included
11 AUG
Today after breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby for your privately guided day in Tokyo beginning in Asakusa.
Asakusa was historically a bustling entertainment district and continues to celebrate its heritage with festivals and cultural events and a lively central area. The neighborhood retains a traditional atmosphere with its narrow streets, traditional shops, and rickshaws. The area is also home to Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest and most significant temple, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Sometimes referred to as the Kitchen Town of Asakusa, Kappabashi is a unique shopping district nestled in Tokyo's Taito Ward. With roots tracing back to the late 19th century, Kappabashi originated as a center for wholesalers supplying restaurants and food establishments. Today, it remains a vibrant destination, attracting both locals and visitors keen on acquiring top-quality kitchen essentials while immersing themselves in Japan's culinary heritage. Celebrated for its extensive range of kitchenware, restaurant essentials, and culinary tools, it spans multiple streets, offering products tailored to both professional chefs and home cooks. Visitors encounter an eclectic mix of items, from knives and cookware to plastic food models, restaurant furnishings, and specialized tools like sushi-making kits and ornate chopsticks. Kappabashi serves as a haven for culinary enthusiasts and those eager to explore Japanese gastronomic culture.
Then it is onward to a unique cultural experience with retired sumo wrestlers.
Watch wrestlers perform the traditional sumo stance of Shiko, and experience the practice of Suppari face-to-face. For lunch, a main course of tonkatsu, a typical Japanese home-style meal, and chanko-nabe soup, a sumo stable tradition, will be served. (13:00 - 15:00)
Then, take in ultra impressive views from Japan's tallest structure, Tokyo Skytree before returning to your hotel for your evening at leisure.
Overnight Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza- Moderate Queen room, breakfast included
12 AUG
It’s time to move on to culturally-rich Kanazawa. Please prepare a small bag for your next 2 nights and the remainder of your luggage will be transferred ahead for you.
Your car will collect you after check out to bring you to the bullet train for your rail journey which will take approximately 2 ½ hours.
Once in Kanazawa, your guide will collect you for a day of unique sightseeing. Begin at the iconic Omicho Market, a bustling market known for its fresh seafood, produce and unique specialties often referred to as Kanazawa’s kitchen and enjoy lunch nearby at a local restaurant (to be paid locally)
Onward to famed Kanazawa Castle- this historic site was the seat of the Maeda Clan and its impressive defensive structures and beautiful gardens will enchant and delight you.
Round out the day with a stroll through Higashi Chaya District, a well preserved geisha district where visitors can visit its traditional tea houses and historical buildings still in tact.
Your Kanazawa base will be Yunoki Tensyo, a Japanese-style hotel with 156 guest rooms and large bath areas with different atmospheres. All three large bath areas are available for men and women alternately by time, offering the guests 18 different types of bath to chose from during their one-night stay. The hotel is located within the Yamashiro Onsen hot spring area, which has about 1,300 years of history, at the Kaga Onsen resort in the Hokuriku district.
Overnight Yunoki Tensyo- Double room, half board basis
13 AUG
Today, meet your guide after breakfast for a culturally immersive day which begins with a pottery making experience at MUTAN. Learn how to use the traditional technique of Kinrande that utilizes golf leaf to create decorations on the surface of multi colored porcelain. Tweezers must be used to lay the incredibly fine gold leaf and the masters will show you how to create different patterns on the ceramics with this very simple tool- such as cherry blossoms, pine trees or plum trees
After a local lunch (paid onsite locally), you’ll head to Natadera Temple which is a historic and scenic Buddhist temple located in Komatsu. Founded in 717 by the monk Taicho, it is part of the Shingon sect of Buddhism and was originally built as a place of worship for the sacred Mount Hakusan which is considered one of Japan’s 3 holiest mountains.
Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.
Overnight Yunoki Tensyo- Double room, half board basis
14 AUG
After check out, meet your guide in the lobby who will deliver you to Kaga Onsen station via private car. Depart for your train to Kyoto (changing at Tsuruga Station) where your driver onsite will meet you to start your tour for the day.
Enjoy lunch (to be paid locally onsite) and head to Kiyomizu-dera, the iconic Kyoto Buddhist temple offering panoramic views of the city from its wooden stage, surrounded by cherry and maple trees. Quite the site!
Then, stroll the historic streets of the city with its traditional shops, cafes and teahouses preserved to reflect Kyoto’s Edo-period charm and atmosphere.
Check in to your hotel base, Dhaw Yura Kyoto and enjoy the evening at leisure.
A charming boutique hotel where East meets West in a historic city…Travel back in time to a mysterious hideaway in the ancient capital city of Kyoto, Japan. Contemporary design meets historical features in this luxury boutique hotel near the Kamo River, telling the story of an era that marked Japanese history with its blend of old and new, East and West. Located in Sanjo in the heart of Kyoto, Dhawa Yura Kyoto by Banyan Tree Group sits within walking distance of temples, shrines, shopping, restaurants and museums.
Overnight Dhaw Yora Kyoto- Premier room, breakfast included
15 AUG
Met your guide in the lobby to head out on a full day of exploration. Begin at Fushimi Inara Taisha, the iconic Shinto shrine famed for its thousands of vermillion torii gats lining forested trails up Mount Inari, dedicated to this deity of rice and prosperity.
You’ll visit Sanjusangendo, officially known as Renegeo-in, a Buddhist temple in the Higashimaya district renowned for its stunning architecture and the impressive collection of statues it houses.
Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant (to be paid onsite locally) and then you’ll experience an authentic Tea Ceremony and Formal Kimono Course.
This program features a tea ceremony experience in a kimono. You can choose the kind of casual kimono from a rich collection of more than 200 types- hair arranging for women is also included as well as a traditional tea ceremony by a well-experienced tea master at Kyo-machiya traditional wooden house. A memorable once in a lifetime experience.
Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight Dhaw Yora Kyoto- Premier room, breakfast included
16 AUG
After checkout, meet your guide at the hotel to head out on more Kyoto adventures. Begin today at The Golden Pavilion, an iconic temple famed for its gold leaf coverage that reflects on a pond surrounded by lush gardens. You’ll then experience Ryoan-ji, a zen temple known best for its unique rock gardens.
Lunch will be a unique treat of shojin ryori (Zen vegetarian cuisine) at Shigetsu, a large temple-style restaurant surrounded by the natural beauty of Tenyu-ji’s World Heritage Gardens. Shojin ryori has its roots in Chinese Zen and was brought to Japan together with the Zen teachings during the 13th century.
Round out the day with a visit to Tenyu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s 5 great Zen-inspired monuments before heading to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a serene bamboo forest with towering stalks creating a peaceful atmosphere, adjacent to temples and the famous Togetsukyo Bridge offering scenic views of the Hozu River.
Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight Dhaw Yora Kyoto- Premier room, breakfast included
17 AUG
Today, meet your guide at the hotel to embark on your privately guided adventure today which begins in Nara, approximately 60 minutes from Kyoto.
Your first stop wil be Kofuku-ji, a historic temple with 5 story pagoda, one of Nara’s iconic landmarks and a treasure containing Buddhist Artifacts.
At Todai-ji, you’ll witness its Great Buddha statue- one of Japan’s most famous along with historically significant splendid temples.
Enjoy lunch nearby (to be paid locally onsite ) and end your day at Nara Park, famous for its free roaming deer which are considered sacred and are friendly to visitors.
Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight Dhaw Yora Kyoto- Premier room, breakfast included
18 AUG
Today after checkout, your driver will collect you to bring you to the airport for your flight home (flight costs not included in this quotation and to be booked separately)
PRICING:
Cost per person- US $ 8, 999 / double occupancy
US $ 10, 249 / single occupancy
(Land only- airfare not included )
NOTE- this group itinerary only operates with a minimum of 6 guests.
INCLUSIONS
· Accommodations as listed above
· Transfers, touring and any meals listed above
EXCLUSIONS
- International airfares to and from the US
- Any visa fees for clients.
- Expenses of a personal nature.
- Gratuities.
- Any meals not mentioned in itinerary.
- All optional activities.
- Travel Insurance- we strongly recommend each passenger purchase travel insurance – we can assist with facilitating this for you
PAYMENT & PAYMENT POLICY:
50% DEPOSIT to hold booking due at time of booking
Full payment to be received 75 days prior to date of travel
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Groups
All other services
90-75 days days prior to arrival 50%
74 - 0 days prior to arrival 100%
Rates are entirely subject to change and not confirmed until itinerary is booked with deposit. Not responsible for errors or omissions in the content of this proposal.