Discover Japan

Passengers who purchase flights will depart 1 day before the tour starts and return on the same day as the tour ends.

For flight details, see Before You Depart.

Welcome to Japan, the "Land of the Rising Sun" Tokyo is a mix of ancient Japanese culture and modern, dazzling architectural landmarks which we'll be able to explore over the next few days. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive program will be met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. This evening our tour director hosts an orientation and shares some vital information about Tokyo, Japan, and our program. This evening, we'll enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel.

Our full-day exploration of Tokyo starts with a visit to Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the deified spirits of the former emperor and his wife and one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan. We'll stop at the Imperial Palace Plaza for a photo before we enjoy a sushi-making class with a sushi chef, and eat our sushi for lunch. Next, we'll visit the 1,093 ft tall Tokyo Tower for bird's eye views of the sprawling metropolis. Our tour continues with a visit to Asakusa Kannon, Tokyo's most spectacular and sacred Buddhist temple. Narrow alleys filled with small shops, restaurants, and tranquil gardens surround the temple. Stroll along Nakamise Street nearby, filled with stores stocking treasure troves of traditional Japanese wares and crafts.

Japan's pastoral countryside unfolds as we depart Tokyo today for Mt. Fuji and Hakone. The main attraction here is majestic Mt. Fuji, a dormant volcano that last erupted almost 300 years ago. The mountain's perfectly shaped cone has inspired artists and poets for centuries. Weather permitting, we'll drive up to the fifth station of the snow capped peak for panoramic vistas. Next, we'll embark on a scenic boat ride on tranquil Lake Ashi before we enjoy a gondola ride on the Komagatake Ropeway for a sweeping view of Hakone and Mt. Fuji. We'll return to Tokyo late this afternoon.

Spend a day at leisure to explore Tokyo from our conveniently located hotel. For a real taste of Japan, get up early and head for the colorful wholesale fish market! Or consider an optional tour to Nikko, a magnificent complex of shrines dedicated to the first shogun and adorned with some of the finest woodcarvings in all of Japan.

This morning we'll take the super-express bullet "Shinkansen" train to Nagoya then transfer to a train to Takayama, a town nestled in the Japanese Alps with traditional-style architecture, ancient culture, and fascinating customs that have been proudly preserved. After settling in, our guided walk weaves through the enchanting narrow streets of the Kami-sannomachi district with beautiful old wooden homes, delightful small shops, coffee houses, and sake breweries—many of which have been in business for centuries. At the Festival Floats Exhibition Hall we'll see huge floats decorated with intricate carvings, gilded wood, and detailed metalwork. We'll visit the Folkcraft Museum, a prime example of Meiji era architecture. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, we'll join our guide for a stroll through the fascinating Miyagawa Morning Market in the old town. This 200-year-old market bustles with farmers selling fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and traditional local crafts. We'll enjoy a sake tasting at the oldest sake brewery in Japan while we learn more about how sake is made. We'll proceed to Takayama Jinya, a complex of 17th-century buildings that once housed Tokugawa Shogunate officials. Today, it is a museum with historical displays from the time of the direct rule to the Meiji Era. The balance of the day is free to explore Takayama's quaint old town independently or relax in a soothing traditional hot spring bath!

Today we'll enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque countryside to the rural region of Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where we'll discover fascinating examples of old steep thatched roof houses. This unique architectural style, harmonized into the magnificent mountain landscape, was developed over 100 years ago to survive the harsh winters. We’ll visit one of these houses and learn more about daily life in this remote area. We'll continue to the village of Gokayama where we can enjoy a demonstration of traditional Japanese papermaking techniques. Later this afternoon we'll arrive in the Kanazawa, blending modern living with traditional heritage.

Today we'll explore the historic Oumicho Market with some 200 shops selling seafood, vegetables, fruits, floewrs, regional specialties, and more. We'll be whisked back in time to the Edo period with a visit to Nagamachi district, a small neighborhood of narrow, cobblestone streets where brave samurai warriors once lived. Here we'll see the Nomura Family house's stone lanterns and bridges in the garden as well as the cypress-wood ceiling in the residence. We'll visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of the finest gardens in Japan, with its waterfalls, ponds and charming tea-houses before we stroll through the charming Higashi Geisha district followed by a gold leaf experience. Afterward, we'll take a train to splendid Kyoto which embodies Japan's rich culture and complex history.

Note: 2024 departures will have an included lunch today.

Our tour begins at the renowned Kiyomizu Temple which offers stunning views of Kyoto. We'll wander the winding alleys up to the temple, lined with magnificently preserved old houses, craftsmen's workshops, and tea houses. Afterward, we'll enjoy a tea making and tea tasting experience where we'll learn more about Japanese tea traditions. Next, we'll visit 17th-century Nijo Castle, which symbolized the power and riches of what was the newly established Edo-based Shogun. Next is one of Kyoto's most inspiring sights—the Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji). with the top two floors of this fabled pavilion covered in gold leaf. Afterward, we'll visit the Handicraft Center where we can see demonstrations of traditional arts and crafts. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner together.

Today we have a free day to explore ancient Kyoto's grace and beauty independently or join an optional tour. We can join an optional excursion to Nara, Japan's first capital and symbol of tranquility, where we can see the world's largest indoor Buddha. Or we might consider an optional excursion to Hiroshima by bullet train where we'll visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Castle.

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Travelers who purchased the air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for our return flight from Osaka, and our amazing trip to Japan ends on arrival in the USA.