Golden Route of Japan
9 days - Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka
This 9-day classic tour travels Japan's "golden route" of Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto. Begin your visit in Tokyo, Japan's fashionable and bustling capital city where tall skyscrapers, world-class sights, and exquisite dining and shopping districts co-exist with beautiful parks and garden, and ancient temples and shrines. Tokyo certainly has a foot in the future while retaining all the charms and traditions of it's past. A private full-day tour features visits to Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Kannon Temple, the Imperial Palace Plaza, and includes a delightful sushi-making experience. A day trip from Tokyo will take you to Kamakura, a coastal town that was once a powerful political center ruled by the Kamakura Shogunate established in 1192. Sights include Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu, the city's most important shinto shrine, Hase Kannon Temple, and a stroll down Komachi street, lined with restaurants and artisanal shops. After Tokyo your tour continues to Hakone. A respite for Tokyo city-dwellers, Hakone is famous for hot springs, natural beauty, and it's view of nearby Mt. Fuji. Activities include a boat ride on Lake Ashi, and a cable-car ride for beautiful views of the lake and Mt. Fuji on a clear day. After an overnight stay, board a bullet train to Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital with over 2,000 temples and shrines, and a huge percentage of the country's national treasures. Upon arrival enjoy an afternoon private tour of Sanjusangendo Hall, filled with 1,001 statues of the Kannon, The Goddess of Mercy, Kiyomizu Temple, and Nijo Castle, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo Shogunate. Highlight visits the following day in Kyoto include the Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji Temple and it's famous Zen rock garden, and a tea ceremony experience. Finish your tour in the neighboring city of Osaka; the country's third largest city, known by foodies as the Japan's "food capital." During your touring program you will visit Osaka Castle, truly of of Japan's most famous and impressive castles.
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: Kamakura/Tokyo. Drive to Kamakura. Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Hase Kannon Temple, and Komachi shopping street. Rickshaw ride. Return to Tokyo. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Hakone. Drive to Hakone. Visit Owakudani Valley, Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Open Air Museum. Boat ride on Lake Ashi. Spend the night in Hakone. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Kyoto. Transfer to Odawara Station and board a bullet train to Kyoto. Upon arrival a private afternoon tour of Sanjusangendo Temple's Hall, Kiyomizu Temple and Nijo Castle. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel in Kyoto. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Kyoto. Full-day private tour of Kyoto visiting Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji Temple, Heian Shrine, and a Zen sitting meditation and tea ceremony experience. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 7: Kyoto. A free day to explore as you wish. (breakfast).
Day 8: Osaka. Full-day sightseeing in Osaka visiting Osaka Castle, Kaiyuukan Aquarium, and Dotonbori Street (breakfast). Spend the night in Osaka.
Day 9: Depart Japan. Transfer to Kansai International Airport. (breakfast).

Meals: breakfast daily (8), and five lunches.

Cost per person, double occupancy from $9,850.

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.