DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Japan
Depart for Japan

DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Tokyo
Arrive in dynamic Tokyo in the "Land of the Rising Sun"; transfer to your hotel. This evening, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6:30 PM, followed by dinner. We recommend you select flights that arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Saturday - Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Fish Market, Sushi Demonstration, Meiji Shrine
On today's tour of Tokyo, witness the stark contrasts of this dazzling city of ancient traditions coupled with state-of-the-art technology. Start your day with the Imperial Palace East Garden*, a precious jewel of nature within the city center. After, walk the lanes of the hectic Tsukiji Fish Market, famous for fish and seafood. Enjoy a culinary demonstration led by a professional sushi chef. Learn the art of creating sushi, or sashimi and have them for lunch afterward! Visit the serene Meiji Jingu Shrine, nestled in a beautiful, forested area that honors the first Emperor of modern Japan and his Empress.*If the Imperial Palace East Garden is closed, the Outer Garden with the Nijubashi Bridge will be visited instead.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4, Sunday - Calligraphy Experience, Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo National Museum
Today, learn the basics of Japanese calligraphy, during a lesson with an artist. Travel to the imposing Asakusa Kannon Temple (Sensoji) enshrining a golden image of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy; its entrance is dominated by a massive iconic paper lantern dramatically painted in vivid red and black tones. Later, visit the Tokyo National Museum, housing one of the largest collections of art and archeological artifacts in Japan. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Monday - Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, Hakone National Park with Views of Mt. Fuji
A full day of breathtaking scenery as you travel south to Hakone, the most famous National Park in Japan. En route, stop to visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, situated in the wooded hills along the coast of Lake Kawaguchi. View exhibits of the textile artist Kubota Itchiku's kimono creations, depicting the themes of nature and the seasons. Continue along the scenic roads of rural Japan to Hakone where a gondola takes you on the Hakone Ropeway to the Owakudani Valley's extraordinary volcanic zone. On a clear day you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Mt. Fuji*. Here, you can embrace the beautiful nature around the crater of Mount Hakone, which was created due to an eruption. Enjoy a relaxing cruise around placid Lake Ashi, before returning to Tokyo. Tonight, be adventurous and explore Tokyo's incredible variety of cuisine!*Weather conditions around Mt. Fuji are challenging to predict, sometimes clouds will restrict views of the mountain & terrain. Poor weather conditions can sometimes prevent the operation of the cable car or boat ride in Hakone.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Tuesday - Kenroku-en Garden, Kagaonsen Ryokan Experience
Board the famous Shinkansen, or "bullet train," that takes you to Kanazawa south of the Noto Peninsula, known for its winding streets, Samurai residences, lavish gardens and rich tradition of crafts. Stroll through Kenroku-en Garden, one of the country's most famous gardens with its elaborate designs. Tonight, spend the night at a traditional Ryokan (Inn). Dinner at the Ryokan is a full course Kaiseki dinner highlighted by regional specialties.
Overnight: Kaga
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Wednesday - Thatched Farmhouses, Takayama's Old Town
Travel from Kaga to a remote mountainous region, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its villages of thatched gassho-zukuri (praying hands) farmhouses. Visit the historic village of Ogimachi. Enter a typical family house and view the castle ruins, dating back to medieval times. Lunch at a local restaurant. Next, continue to 16th century Takayama, with its meticulously preserved Old Town. Take a tour of a sake brewery, and taste the different types of sake. Later, you arrive at a scenic mountain resort for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Takayama
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Thursday - Morning Farmer's Market, Takayama's Historic District, Kyoto
Today, visit the Yatai Kaikan Hall housing intricately designed wooden floats brought out only for major festivals. Tour the morning market along the Miya River with farmers and craftsmen selling everything from vegetables to clothing and hand carvings. The delightful town of Takayama, with its wealth of museums, galleries, and impressive temples, is often called "Little Kyoto." A walking tour includes the remarkably preserved Edo-period merchants' shops and houses in the Sanmachi Historic District. Across the river lies the Sanmachi-Suji District of sake breweries, cafes and immaculately preserved old private houses. After time for lunch, travel to enchanting and historic Kyoto, founded in the 8th century, one of the early capitals of Japan
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Friday - Nijo Castle, Tea Ceremony & Zen Meditation, Kyoto's Cultural Heritage
Begin your exploration of Kyoto with a tour of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603. Its ornate interior is handcrafted out of Japanese cypress. Next, familiarize yourself with Zen meditation, a calming practice deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, where you participate in the ritualized art of preparing and serving tea, savoring the hospitality of the host in an atmosphere distinctly different from the fast pace of everyday life. After lunch, attend a traditional koto (Japanese harp) show. Continue to Nishiki Market, lined with more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Here, you will find Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles and dried seafood, as well as fresh produce, and seasonal foods. Spend the rest of the day at leisure
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10, Saturday - Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kimono Dressing
Discover the beautiful cultural heritage of Kyoto that has spanned the centuries. Head outside the city to Arashiyama bamboo forest. Begin with a visit to Tenryuji Temple's sprawling Zen garden, one of the finest gardens in Kyoto. Then, take a stroll through the stunning bamboo grove, followed by a ride on a traditional Japanese rickshaw, a unique experience! Visit the celebrated Kinkaku-ji Temple, "the Golden Pavilion," and understand why this magnificent gold leaf covered temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, dress in an authentic kimono during a visit to a Kyoto-style home. This evening, walk in Pontocho, an old entertainment district in Kyoto with traditional restaurants, bars and home to Geisha tea houses. End with an opportunity to explore on your own in Gion, Kyoto's most famous Geisha district.
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11, Sunday - Imperial Nara, Todai-ji Temple, Deer Park, Kasuga Grand Shrine, Maiko Dance Performance
This morning, travel to the 8th century Imperial capital of Nara, repository of Japan's cultural heritage, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a wealth of historic treasures, including some of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples. Arrive at the exquisite wooden Todai-ji Temple, home of the impressive Daibutsu (Great Buddha) bronze statue, rising over 50 feet high. Continue to Nara (Deer) Park to see the over 1,000 tame deer roaming freely in the peaceful park. Proceed to the famous and beautiful Kasuga Grand Shrine displaying over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. On the way back to Kyoto, stop at impressive Fushimi Inari Shrine with its ten thousand vermilion torii gates. Bid goodbye to your Tour Manager at dinner which features a traditional Maiko (Geisha) dance performance that reflects the core of Japanese culture.
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Monday - Depart Japan
Transfer to the airport in Osaka for your departure flight. The Osaka airport is approximately a one hour drive from Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast