Japan

DAY 1 - Fly to Japan

Today we fly from Tucson on our overnight flights to Japan. We cross the International Date Line, so we arrive the following day.

DAY 2 - Welcome to Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan! Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel for a 3-night stay. We enjoy our evening and dinner independently tonight.

Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku (western side of Tokyo) – 3 nights

DAY 3 - Tokyo

This morning, after a wonderful breakfast at our hotel, we depart for a guided tour of Tokyo. Included in our City Tour is a visit to the Hama Rikyu Garden, an imperial garden with history dating to 1654. We’ll enjoy a stop at a Tea House, and if operating (currently suspended) we’ll enjoy a boat ride on the Sumida River, in addition to a stop at Asakusa to visit Sensoji Temple. After an independent lunch, we stop at the Imperial Palace East Garden before we make our way back to the hotel. Tonight we enjoy a group Welcome Dinner, hosted by our Tour Escort.

Meals included: (B, L, D)

DAY 4 - Tokyo

Today we further explore the city of Tokyo, with a walking tour, subway ride and visit to Roppongi Tower, with stunning views across all of Tokyo and a wonderful art museum with frequently changing exhibitions. After lunch near the Tower, we make our way to Meiji Shrine, a vast park with tall trees and the famous Ota Memorial Museum of Art.

Meals included: (B, L)

DAY 5 - Tokyo to Takayama

This morning, we have a private coach to travel from the metropolis of Tokyo to the countryside and visit the town of Takayama, with local flavor along the way. We stop for lunch with of the north side of Mount Fuji (weather permitting). After more local touring, we check into our hotel for a two night stay and later enjoy a group Kaiseki dinner, with many small courses such as sushi, cooked meats and tofu, served on small individual tables and where guests are encouraged to come in their “samue” pajama tops and pants that are worn to the onsen.

Meals included: (B, D)

Takayama Green Hotel for 2-nights. 

DAY 6 - Takayama

You will love our adventure this morning to the local market area and traditional Samurai-era warehouses in our city tour of Takayama. After a group lunch at a local restaurant, we visit local museums in town, including one dedicated to festival float and with a precise model of the famous Nikko temple. Independent evening and dinner tonight, with choices of several wonderful restaurants close by.

Meals included: (B, L)

DAY 7 - Takayama to Hiroshima

After our breakfast at the hotel, we depart on the Hida Limited Express Train from Takayama to Nagoya, a scenic 2 hours and 16 minute trip though a mountainous region. When when arrive in Nagoya, we have a quick lunch and change trains to depart to Hiroshima on the Bullet train. This 2 hour 16 minute trip has us traveling upwards of 186 mph in scenic comfort. Upon arrival in Hiroshima, we check in to our hotel for a two night stay, before an independent evening and dinner close to the hotel.

Meals included: (B)

Rihga Royal for 2-night stay.

DAY 8 - Hiroshima

This morning is one of reflection, as we visit Peace Park, in memory of those who lost their lives in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at the end of World War II. Lunch and the afternoon is free to visit Hiroshima Castle, shop or return to the hotel. Later in the afternoon we journey to Miyajima Island, known for its forests and ancient temples. Just offshore, the giant, orange Great Torii Gate is partially submerged at high tide. It marks the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine, which was first built in the 12th century. Nearby, the Museum of History and Folklore has cultural artifacts in a 19th-century merchant’s home. Tonight’s group dinner includes such local fare as okonomiyaki (Japanese “pancake” with egg-based batter poured over noodles).

Meals included: (B, D)

DAY 9 - Hiroshima to Kyoto

After breakfast at the hotel, we board our private coach to travel from Hiroshima to Kyoto. We stop along the way at Himeji Castle – considered the best preserved in Japan – a photogenic outing with lovely gardens. More hearty travelers can climb about 6 flights of stairs to the top of the castle, with tremendous vistas. After our lunch in Himeji, we make our way through the countryside to Kyoto, where we check into our hotel for a four-night stay.

Meals included: (B, L)

Hotel Okura Kyoto or Solaria Premier Kyoto for a 4-night stay

DAY 10 - Arashiyama

Our private coach today takes us to the exquisite gardens of Tenryuji Temple. We enjoy a delicious vegetarian Buddhist lunch in the the pavilion next to the gardens before taking a rickshaw ride through the nearby atmospheric bamboo forest. We stop at Kinkakuji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) on way back to the hotel. Independent dinner and evening tonight.

Meals included: (B, L)

DAY 11 - Miho Museum

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart by private coach into the mountains north of Kyoto to visit the incomparable Miho Museum, designed by IM Pei, with permanent exhibits from several ancient civilizations.The location in the mountains and architecture (including entry through a long tunnel) are as much a part of the experience as the art and sculptures. A small café allows lunch on your own at the Museum. In the afternoon we return to the hotel, with a brief stop at a temple overlooking the city, before an independent evening and dinner tonight.

Meals included: (B)

DAY 12 - Kyoto Higashiyama

This morning we visit some of the most iconic sites in Kyoto, such as the Kiyomizu Temple – multiple colorful buildings high on a hillside overlooking the city – Japan’s nominee for the “New 7 Wonders of the World” contest in 2007. Also Fushimi Inari – a hillside path covered by red torii gates, and Sanjusangendo Temple – much-less-visited home to 1000 Kannon Buddha statues, dating from 1164 AD. We finish the day with a group Farewell Dinner to celebrate our immersive tour to Japan.

Meals included: (B, D)

DAY 13 - Fly Home

This morning we depart our hotel and fly back home from Kyoto, with glorious memories of our tour to Japan!

Itinerary subject to change.