Best of Japan - Fully Escorted Tour
16 Days/14 Nights
- Introduction •
- Itinerary •
- Map •
- Inclusions •
- Gallery
- 2010 Dates & Prices •
- 2011 Dates & Prices •
- Download Tour PDF
- Optional Cultural Activities
- Western-Style Room Option
More than any other country, the Japanese have managed to integrate ancient traditions and bleeding-edge technology harmoniously into their daily lives. With the perfect mix of new and old, and our most popular itinerary, this well-rounded tour has something for everyone.
Destinations:
Tokyo, Nikko, Takayama, Koya-san, Osaka, Himeji, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nara
(Please Note: Beginning on April 11, 2010, Himeji Castle will be undergoing extensive restorations. As a result, the interior will be closed to the public and the main tower of the castle will be enclosed in a protective structure. As a result, after that date, we will be replacing the tour of Himeji Castle with a tour of Osaka Castle.)
Hakone Option: We can arrange for a full-day, guided tour to the Hakone region for you. Here you will get breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji (weather permitting, of course). Contact us for further details.
In the best that Japan has to offer, and our most popular itinerary, you'll enjoy a colorful mix of large cities like Tokyo and Osaka, quaint and traditional Takayama, the ambiance and solitude of Miyajima Island, the ostentatious, over-the-top shrines and temples of Nikko, the religious center of Koya-san, the ancient shrines and temples of Kyoto and Nara, the testament to peace of Hiroshima, and more.
You'll stay overnight at a mountaintop Buddhist temple where Buddhist monks will serve you meals of shojin ryori (the traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), attend prayer services at the temple early the next morning, climb to the top of a samurai castle, participate in a tea ceremony, visit the world's largest fish market, stroll through farmer's markets, meet a "maiko" (geisha-in-training) face-to-face, see where the geisha live and work, stay overnight on beautiful and quiet Miyajima Island, enjoy three gourmet Kaiseki-style dinners and one shojin-ryori Buddhist vegetarian meal, and much, much more.
Every day you'll enjoy the friendliness, fun and flexibility of small group travel by experiencing sights, Japanese restaurants and family-run ryokans that are off-limits to larger groups. From start-to-finish, all group transportation, group admission fees, travel insurance, lodging, all breakfasts, six lunches, seven dinners, and more are included. All while our tour guide brings Japan alive with exceptional insights.
Best of Japan Fully Escorted Tour Itinerary
Click here for a detailed itinerary.
| Day 01: | Leave for Japan |
| Day 02: | Arrive Tokyo's Narita Airport |
| Day 03: | Tokyo - Nakamise-dori, Senso-ji, Tokyo City View, Ginza District, Sumida River Cruise |
| Day 04: | Tokyo - Tsukiji Fish Market and Tuna Auction, Free Day |
| Day 05: | Nikko - Rinno-ji, Tosho-gu, Futarasan-jinja, Taiyuin-byo |
| Day 06: | Travel to Takayama, San-Machi-Suji District in Takayama |
| Day 07: | Takayama - Morning Markets, Takayama-Jinya, afternoon free |
| Day 08: | Travel to Koya-san |
| Day 09: | Koya-san/Osaka - Buddhist Morning Prayer Service, Okuno-in Cemetery and Temple, Garan Temple Complex, Travel to Osaka |
| Day 10: | Himeji - Travel to Himeji, Himeji Castle, Koko-en Garden,Travel to Miyajima Island |
| Day 11: | Miyajima Island - Free Day |
| Day 12: | Hiroshima - Travel to Hiroshima, Hiroshima Peace Museum and Park, Travel to Kyoto |
| Day 13: | Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera, San-nen-zaka, Ni-nen-zaka, Higashiyama District, Zen Meditation Lessons, Nishiki-koji Market, Kennin-ji Temple, "Meet a Maiko", Gion Geisha District, Kaiseiki-style dinner at the ryokan |
| Day 14: | Nara - Nara Park, Todai-ji (Great Buddha), Authentic tea ceremony, home visit, Calligraphy lesson, Kimono dyeing demonstration and Kimono dress-up in Kyoto |
| Day 15: | Kyoto - Free Day |
| Day 16: | Depart for Home/Arrive Home |