Best of Kyoto and Beyond Tour
9 Days/7 Nights
Steeped in history and tradition, Kyoto has in many ways been the cradle of Japanese culture. A stroll through Kyoto today is a walk through 11 centuries of Japanese history.
Destinations:
Kyoto, Himeji, Nara
Kyoto is endowed with an almost overwhelming legacy of ancient Buddhist temples, majestic palaces, and gardens of every size and description. For many, just the name of Kyoto conjures up the classic images of Japan: streets of traditional wooden houses, the click-clack of geta (wooden sandals) on the paving stones, geisha in a flourish of brightly colored silks, and a tea master deliberately warming water and making tea.
You will meet a "maiko" (geisha-in-training) face-to-face, climb to the top of a Samurai castle, participate in an authentic tea ceremony, copy a Buddhist Sutra in the middle of one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, marvel at the world's largest bronze Buddha statue built in the 8th century, enjoy one gourmet Kaiseki-style dinner, 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 and admissions, lodging, travel insurance, all breakfasts, five lunches and two dinners including one gourmet Kaiseki-style dinner and more are included. All while our tour guide brings Japan alive with special insights.
Combine this tour with the Best of Tokyo and Beyond tour for a more complete Japanese experience. Or, if you only want to spend a few days in Tokyo either before or after the tour, we can arrange this for you. Contact us for details.
Best of Kyoto and Beyond Tour Itinerary
Click here for a detailed itinerary.
| Day 01: | Leave for Japan |
| Day 02: | Arrive in Japan |
| Day 03: | Kyoto - Ginkaku-ji, Sanjusangendo, Sannen-zaka, Ninen-zaka, Higashiyama District, Yasaka Shrine, Kennin-ji, Gion Geisha District, "Meet a Maiko" |
| Day 04: | Himeji - Travel to Himeji by Shinkansen, Himeji Castle, Koko-en Garden, Travel to Kyoto by Shinkansen, Kaiseki-Style dinner at the ryokan |
| Day 05: | Kyoto - Nijo Castle, Imperial Palace, Nishiki-koji open-air market, authentic tea ceremony |
| Day 06: | Nara - Travel to Nara, Kasuga Shrine, Nara Park, Todai-ji, Travel to Kyoto |
| Day 07: | Kyoto - Koke-dera (Moss Temple), Arashiyama |
| Day 08: | Free day, sayonara dinner |
| Day 09: | Depart for home/Arrive home |