Inland Sea of Japan
13 days - Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Kobe, Takamatsu, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, Osaka
13 days - Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Kobe, Takamatsu, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, Osaka
The scenic Inland Sea, separating three of Japan's four main islands, is the centerpiece of this 13-day touring program. The trip begins with arrival 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. After Tokyo continue to Hakone, 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. Your second week begins with departure for Takamatsu, a former castle town during the Edo period. Enroute visit Kobe, an attractive port city, and namesake of the popular Kobe beef. After sightseeing in Kobe continue to Awaji Island, largest island in the Inland Sea, before arriving in Takamatsu. After an overnight, travel by ferry to the historic city of Kurashiki, the old storehouses that once housed rice and other goods have been transformed into boutiques, museums and cafes. Visit the famous Ohara Museum of Art in Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Area before departure by bullet train for Hiroshima. Upon arrival visit Peace Memorial Park and Museum, dedicated to a peaceful world free from nuclear weapons. The next morning visit famous Itsukushima Shrine, whose iconic torii gate appears to be afloat at high tide. The final stop is Osaka, Japan's third largest city, known by foodies as the Japan's "food capital."
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: 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 in Kyoto to explore as you wish. (breakfast).
Day 8: Kobe/Awaji Island/Takamatsu. Travel by bullet train from Kyoto to Shin Kobe Station. Upon arrival sightseeing of Sonomiya District and Kitano Ijikan, the historical area where foreign residences from the late Meiji era are found. Proceed to Naruto Kaikyo Channel by way of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, also known as "Pearl Bridge". Crossing the Inland Sea and connecting Honshu and Shikoku Island, it is the world's longest suspension bridge and a true engineering marvel. Afterward transfer to your hotel in Takamatsu. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Kurashiki. Transfer by sedan to Takamatsu Port to board a ferry to Uno Port. Upon arrival embark on a half-day tour of Kurashiki, visiting the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area. Afterward transfer to your hotel in Kurashiki. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 10: Hiroshima. Morning sightseeing in Kurashiki visiting Ohara Museum of Art. Depart for Hiroshima by bullet train. Upon arrival visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Musuem. Transfer to your hotel in Hiroshima. (breakfast, box lunch).
Day 11: Hiroshima. Morning excursion to Miyajima Island. See famous Itsukushima Shrine, whose grand torii gate seems to be afloat during high tide. Return to Hiroshima. The afternoon is free to explore Hiroshima on your own. (breakfast).
Day 12: Osaka. Transfer to Hiroshima Station and board a bullet train to Osaka. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Osaka. (breakfast).
Day 13: Depart Japan. Transfer to Kansai International airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (12), and seven lunches.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $12,190.
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: 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 in Kyoto to explore as you wish. (breakfast).
Day 8: Kobe/Awaji Island/Takamatsu. Travel by bullet train from Kyoto to Shin Kobe Station. Upon arrival sightseeing of Sonomiya District and Kitano Ijikan, the historical area where foreign residences from the late Meiji era are found. Proceed to Naruto Kaikyo Channel by way of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, also known as "Pearl Bridge". Crossing the Inland Sea and connecting Honshu and Shikoku Island, it is the world's longest suspension bridge and a true engineering marvel. Afterward transfer to your hotel in Takamatsu. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Kurashiki. Transfer by sedan to Takamatsu Port to board a ferry to Uno Port. Upon arrival embark on a half-day tour of Kurashiki, visiting the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area. Afterward transfer to your hotel in Kurashiki. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 10: Hiroshima. Morning sightseeing in Kurashiki visiting Ohara Museum of Art. Depart for Hiroshima by bullet train. Upon arrival visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Musuem. Transfer to your hotel in Hiroshima. (breakfast, box lunch).
Day 11: Hiroshima. Morning excursion to Miyajima Island. See famous Itsukushima Shrine, whose grand torii gate seems to be afloat during high tide. Return to Hiroshima. The afternoon is free to explore Hiroshima on your own. (breakfast).
Day 12: Osaka. Transfer to Hiroshima Station and board a bullet train to Osaka. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Osaka. (breakfast).
Day 13: Depart Japan. Transfer to Kansai International airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (12), and seven lunches.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $12,190.
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.
