Japan's magnificent temples and heavenly gardens

Itinerary

1. Intro

   Introduction
2. Day 1

   Tokyo

   Tokyo Show on map
3. Day 2

   Tokyo

   Tokyo Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Sumo show with traditional chanko nabe stew dinner
4. Day 3

   Tokyo

   Tokyo Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner (Group dinner at an izakaya with Japanese specialties in a relaxed atmosphere)

   Included Activities

   • Visit to Meiji Shrine
   • View of Imperial Palace
   • Stroll through Ginza shopping district
   • Visit to Kannon Temple in Asakusa
   • Walk through Thunder Gate and Nakamise Dori shopping street
   • Visit to Tokyo Skytree viewing platform
   • Group dinner at an izakaya

   Landmarks
   Meiji Shrine
   Imperial Palace
   Tokyo Central Station
   Ginza
   Ginza Six
   Kannon Temple
   Thunder Gate
   Nakamise Dori
   Tokyo Skytree
   Mount Fuji

5. Day 4

   Tokyo

   Tokyo Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast

   Optional Activities

   • Optional excursion to Nikko UNESCO World Heritage Site - €160

   Landmarks
   Nikko National Park

6. Day 5

   Tokyo to Kawaguchiko

   Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional kaiseki dinner in Japanese style)

   Included Activities

   • Travel by coach bus along Pacific coast
   • Visit to Hasedera Temple
   • View of giant bronze Buddha in Kamakura
   • Boat ride on Lake Kawaguchi
   • Hot springs (onsen) experience at ryokan in yukata
   • Traditional kaiseki dinner

   Landmarks
   Hasedera Temple
   Lake Kawaguchi
   Mount Fuji

7. Day 6

   Kawaguchiko to Takayama

   Kawaguchiko to Takayama Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Lunch (Homemade soba noodles)

   Included Activities

   • Visit to Matsumoto Castle (Crow Castle)
   • Soba noodle preparation activity
   • Wasabi farm visit

   Landmarks
   Matsumoto Castle

8. Day 7

   Takayama to Kanazawa

   Takayama to Kanazawa Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast

   Included Activities

   • Takayama Market stroll
   • Visit to old government building
   • Stroll through old town with sake breweries and miso shops
   • Visit to UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawago

   Landmarks
   Takayama Market
   Shirakawago

9. Day 8

   Kanazawa to Kyoto

   Kanazawa to Kyoto Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast

   Included Activities

   • Visit to Kenroku-en Garden
   • Stroll through Higashi-Chaya district
   • Visit to former teahouses
   • Visit to old samurai house

   Landmarks
   Kenroku-en Garden
   Higashi-Chaya District

   

10. Day 9

    Kyoto

    Kyoto Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner (Kaiseki dinner with maiko (apprentice geisha) performance)

    Included Activities

    • Zazen meditation at Ryonji Temple with Zen rock garden
    • Guided Zen meditation with Zen master
    • Visit to Nijo Castle
    • Visit to Golden Pavilion
    • Kaiseki dinner with maiko (apprentice geisha) performance

    Landmarks
    Ryonji Temple
    Nijo Castle
    Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)

11. Day 10

    Kyoto to Nara

    Kyoto to Nara Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine
    • Sake brewery visit and tasting in Fushimi district
    • Stroll through Nara Park
    • Visit to Todai-ji Temple with Daibutsu bronze Buddha

    Landmarks
    Fushimi Inari Shrine
    Nara Park
    Todai-ji Temple

12. Day 11

    Kyoto to Koya-san

    Kyoto to Koya-san Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner (Vegetarian dinner in temple hostel)

    Included Activities

    • Visit to Koya-san sacred temple mountain
    • Walk through Okunoin cemetery
    • Visit to founder's memorial
    • Vegetarian dinner in temple hostel

    Landmarks
    Koya-san
    Okunoin Cemetery

13. Day 12

    Koya-san to Nagasaki

    Koya-san to Nagasaki Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Morning Shingon prayer participation
    • Visit to Himeji Castle (White Heron Castle)
    • Travel by express train and Shinkansen

    Landmarks
    Himeji Castle

14. Day 13

    Nagasaki

    Nagasaki Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Cogwheel train ride up Mount Inasa
    • Visit to Oura Church (Japan's oldest church)
    • Visit to Chinatown
    • Visit to Glover Garden with Western merchants' villas

    Landmarks
    Mount Inasa
    Oura Church
    Glover Garden
    Dejima

15. Day 14

    Nagasaki to Hiroshima

    Nagasaki to Hiroshima Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner (Okonomiyaki (hearty omelets prepared before your eyes))

    Included Activities

    • Travel by express train and Shinkansen
    • Ferry to Miyajima Island
    • Visit to Itsukushima Shrine (Floating Gate)
    • Group dinner with okonomiyaki preparation

    Landmarks
    Itsukushima Shrine
    Miyajima Island

16. Day 15

    Hiroshima to Okayama

    Hiroshima to Okayama Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Visit to Peace Memorial Museum
    • Stroll through Peace Park
    • Travel by Shinkansen
    • Visit to Koraku-en Garden

    Landmarks
    Peace Memorial Museum
    Peace Park
    Koraku-en Garden

17. Day 16

    Okayama to Takamatsu

    Okayama to Takamatsu Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Visit to Benesse Art Site on Naoshima
    • Visit to Ritsurin-Koen Garden

    Landmarks
    Benesse Art Site
    Naoshima Island
    Ritsurin-Koen Garden

18. Day 17

    Takamatsu to Osaka

    Takamatsu to Osaka Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner (Group shabu-shabu dinner)

    Included Activities

    • Travel by bus to Osaka
    • Umeda Sky Building visit with escalators to viewing platform
    • Group shabu-shabu dinner
    • Exterior view of Osaka Castle

    Optional Activities

    • Panoramic cruise aboard Aqua-Liner on Okawa River

    Landmarks
    Umeda Sky Building
    Osaka Castle
    Okawa River

19. Day 18

    Osaka

    Osaka Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast