Best of Japan
11 days - Tokyo, Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara
11 days - Tokyo, Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara
Discover the best that Japan has to offer on this 11-day touring program taking you around the main island, Honshu. Start in Tokyo, Japan's modern capital city filled with deluxe hotels, fashionable shopping areas, a myriad of dining options, and a vibrant nightlife. While in Tokyo try your hand at making sushi and learn about this famous Japanese dish now popular the world over. Next is Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture; see the incomparable 400 year-old Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's most historic and a national treasure. Continue by road to Takayama, nestled in the Japanese Alps, the city exudes old world charm, particularly in it's beautifully preserved old town. Famous Takayama Festival is held here every spring and autumn. Continue to Kanazawa, passing the famous Gassho-zukuri, houses built with distinctive steep thatched roofs said to resemble a pair of hands together. In Gokayama, a UNESCO world heritage village you will have the chance to make Gokayama-washi, traditional hand-made Japanese paper. In Kanazawa visit beautiful Kenroku-en, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, Higashi-chaya district with it's charming wooden teahouses The trip concludes with a visit to the ancient capital, Kyoto. Important sights you will see here are the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, and Kiyomizu Temple, constructed with a beautiful large veranda offering impressive views of the city and hillside. Also during your stay in Kyoto is a fun kimono-wearing experience, and a full-day visit to neighboring Nara to see Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Shrine, and Deer Park, with over 1,200 deer roaming freely around the grounds.
Private tour itinerary
Day 1: Tokyo. Arrive at Narita Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Tokyo.
Day 2: Tokyo. Full-day private tour of Tokyo visiting Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace Plaza, Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade, and a sushi-making experience. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 3: Tokyo. A free day in Tokyo to explore as you wish. (breakfast).
Day 4: Matsumoto. Drive to Matsumoto. A full day of sightseeing visiting Matsumoto Castle and The Japan Ukiyoe (woodblock print) Museum. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Takayama. Drive to Takayama in the Japan Alps. Sights today include Kusakabe Folkcraft Museum, Takayama Festival Craft Hall, Matsuri-no-Mori (Festival Forest), and experience making shio senbei (rice crackers with salt flavor). (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Takayama. Half-day walking tour or Takayama. Visit to Takayama asaichi (morning market), Takayama Jinya, Kami Sannomachi town, and a Japanese sake tasting. (breakfast).
Day 7: Kanazawa. Drive to Kanazawa enroute visiting Shirakawago Gasshozukuri Minka-en and the World Heritage village of Gokayama. Experience making Gokayama washi, traditional Japanese paper. Proceed to Kanazawa and visit famous Kenrokuen Garden. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 8: Kyoto. Half-day sightseeing in Kanazawa including Higashi-chaya street, and Japanese Gold Leaf experience. Depart by bullet train for Kyoto and transfer by sedan to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Kyoto. Full-day tour visiting Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu Temple, and experience Kitsuke (kimono wearing) and a tea ceremony. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 10: Nara/Kyoto. Full-day private excursion to neighboring Nara, the first permanent capital, to visit Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Shrine, and Deer Park. Return to Kyoto. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 11: Depart Japan. Transfer to Kansai International Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (10), six lunches, and one dinner.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $11,420.
Day 1: Tokyo. Arrive at Narita Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Tokyo.
Day 2: Tokyo. Full-day private tour of Tokyo visiting Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace Plaza, Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade, and a sushi-making experience. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 3: Tokyo. A free day in Tokyo to explore as you wish. (breakfast).
Day 4: Matsumoto. Drive to Matsumoto. A full day of sightseeing visiting Matsumoto Castle and The Japan Ukiyoe (woodblock print) Museum. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Takayama. Drive to Takayama in the Japan Alps. Sights today include Kusakabe Folkcraft Museum, Takayama Festival Craft Hall, Matsuri-no-Mori (Festival Forest), and experience making shio senbei (rice crackers with salt flavor). (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Takayama. Half-day walking tour or Takayama. Visit to Takayama asaichi (morning market), Takayama Jinya, Kami Sannomachi town, and a Japanese sake tasting. (breakfast).
Day 7: Kanazawa. Drive to Kanazawa enroute visiting Shirakawago Gasshozukuri Minka-en and the World Heritage village of Gokayama. Experience making Gokayama washi, traditional Japanese paper. Proceed to Kanazawa and visit famous Kenrokuen Garden. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 8: Kyoto. Half-day sightseeing in Kanazawa including Higashi-chaya street, and Japanese Gold Leaf experience. Depart by bullet train for Kyoto and transfer by sedan to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Kyoto. Full-day tour visiting Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu Temple, and experience Kitsuke (kimono wearing) and a tea ceremony. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 10: Nara/Kyoto. Full-day private excursion to neighboring Nara, the first permanent capital, to visit Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Shrine, and Deer Park. Return to Kyoto. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 11: Depart Japan. Transfer to Kansai International Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (10), six lunches, and one dinner.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $11,420.
Our deluxe Japan tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.
