Maximum Japan- Premium

Highlights of this Premium tour

PACKAGE  – 10nights / 11 Days ( Arrival at Tokyo and departure from Osaka )

Take in Japan greatest hits on this enticing and enthralling 11days & 10Nights itinerary. Travelling with a group tour-speaking guide inland.

Escorted group tour Package Includes

• • 10 nights accommodations
    • 4 nights Tokyo
    • 1 night Kaga
    • 1 night Takayama
    • 4 nights Kyoto
  • All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates. Please ask the price if you need air tickets from your place of travel †
  • 19 meals: 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
  • Wine with all dinners
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned vehicles
  • Services of local English-speaking tour manager throughout
  • Comprehensive, guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary
  • Active itinerary with unique cultural features
  • Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring

  Tour Highlights

  Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals.

  • Tour dazzling Tokyo, a city of ancient traditions coupled with state-of-the-art technology
  • Culinary demonstration led by a professional chef — learn the art of creating sushi and sashimi
  • Visit the serene Meiji Shrine honoring the first Emperor of modern Japan and his Empress
  • A day of breathtaking natural scenery as you drive to the National Park of Hakone in full view of Mt. Fuji
  • Board the famous shinkansen, or “bullet train” that takes you to Kanazawa south of the Noto Peninsula
  • Travel to the UNESCO site of Shirakawa-go, known for its village of gassho-zukuri farmhouses
  • In Kagaonsen, stay at a traditional Ryokan (inn)
  • A walking tour of Takayama’s historic district reveals its traditions dating back to the 8th century
  • Discover enchanting Kyoto, founded in the 7th century, one of the early capitals of Japan
  • Visit Kyoto’s Nijo Castle, residence of the Tokugawa shoguns, and the magnificent gilded Golden Pavilion
  • Experience the cultural heritage of Kyoto at a traditional Tea Ceremony at the Gesshin-in Temple
  • Dinner and traditional Maiko (Geisha) dance performance reflects the core of Japanese culture
  • Travel to the Imperial capital of Nara, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites

DAY 1, Sunday – Depart 

Depart for Japan from your country

DAY 2, Monday – Arrive in Tokyo

Arrive in dynamic Tokyo in the “Land of the Rising Sun”; transfer to your hotel. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6:30 PM. We recommend you select flights that arrive no later than 4 PM. Following the meeting there will be a light dinner served
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Tuesday – Imperial Palace, Tokyo National Museum & Asakusa Kannon Temple

Start your day with the Imperial Palace East Garden, a precious jewel of nature within the hectic city center and view the lovely Nijubashi Bridge that stretches over the moat in the outer gardens with its colorful displays of seasonal flowers. Afterward, visit the Tokyo National Museum, one of the largest collections of art and archeological artifacts in Japan. Later, travel to the imposing Asakusa Kannon Temple (Sensoji) enshrining a golden image of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy; its entrance is dominated by a massive paper lantern dramatically painted in vivid red and black tones. Later, learn the basics of Japanese calligraphy, during a lesson with an artist. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Wednesday – Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, Hakone National Park and Mt. Fuji Excursion*

A full day of breathtaking scenery as you drive south to Hakone, the most famous National Park in Japan. En route, stop to visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, situated in the wooded hills along the coast of Lake Kawaguchi. View exhibits of the textile artist Kubota Itchiku’s kimono creations, depicting the themes of nature and the seasons. Continue along the scenic roads of rural Japan to Hakone where a gondola takes you on the Hakone Ropeway to the Owakudani Valley’s extraordinary volcanic zone. Here, the bubbling pools cook eggs in the hot waters blackened by sulfur, and are said to prolong one’s life by at least seven years. Enjoy a relaxing cruise around placid Lake Ashi, followed by a train ride back to Tokyo. Tonight, be adventurous and explore Tokyo’s incredible variety of cuisine!
*Due to local conditions, the Mt. Fuji sightseeing might be altered. Details will be provided locally by your Tour Manager.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Thursday – Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji Fish Market, Sushi Demonstration

On today’s tour of Tokyo, witness the stark contrasts of this dazzling city of ancient traditions coupled with state-of-the-art technology. To begin, visit the serene Meiji Jingu Shrine, nestled in a beautiful forested area that honors the first Emperor of modern Japan and his Empress. After, walk the lanes of the hectic Tsukiji Fish Market, famous for fish and seafood. Afterward, enjoy a culinary demonstration led by a professional sushi chef. Learn the art of creating sushi, or sashimi and have them for lunch afterward! Return to the hotel and spend time at leisure to explore Tokyo on your own
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Friday – Kenroku-en Garden, Kagaonsen Ryokan Experience

Board the famous Shinkansen, or “bullet train,” that takes you to Kanazawa south of the Noto Peninsula, with its winding cobblestone streets, Samurai residences, Geisha houses, lavish gardens and a flower filled open-air market. Stroll through Kenroku-en Garden, one of the country’s most elite gardens with its elaborate water fountains and designs. Tonight, spend the night at a traditional Ryokan (inn). Dinner together at the Ryokan is a full course Kaiseki Dinner highlighted by regional specialties
Overnight: Kaga
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Saturday – Thatched Farmhouses in Shirakawa-go, Takayama’s Old Town

Travel from Kagaonsen to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go, known for its village of thatched gassho-zukuri (praying hands) farmhouses. Visit the historic village of Ogimachi and the ruins of its castle, dating back to medieval times. From atop the observation deck, see the amazing view of an entire settlement of thatched style houses. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Next, take a tour of a sake brewery, and taste the different types of sake before continuing to 16th century Takayama, with its meticulously preserved Old Town. Upon arrival, visit the Yatai Kaikan Hall housing intricately designed wooden floats brought out only for major festivals. Later, you arrive at a scenic mountain resort for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Takayama
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Sunday – Takayama’s Historic District, Morning Farmer’s Market, Bullet Train to Kyoto

The delightful town of Takayama, with its wealth of museums, galleries, and impressive temples, is often called “Little Kyoto.” A walking tour includes the remarkably preserved Edo-period merchants’ shops and houses in the Sanno-machi Historic District. Visit the morning market along the Miya River with farmers and craftsmen selling everything from vegetables to clothing and hand carvings. Continue to Takayama Jinya, a historic government house converted to a museum. Across the river lies the Sanmachi-Suji (district) of sake breweries, cafes and immaculately preserved old private houses. Travel to Nagoya and board the bullet train to enchanting and historic Kyoto, founded in the 8th century, one of the early capitals of Japan
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Monday – Kyoto’s Cultural Heritage & Tea Ceremony, Zen Meditation

Begin your exploration of Kyoto with a tour of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603. Its ornate interior is handcrafted out of Japanese cypress. Next, familiarize yourself with Zen meditation, a calming practice deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, where you participate in the ritualized art of preparing and serving tea, savoring the hospitality of the host in an atmosphere distinctly different from the fast pace of everyday life. Continue to Nishiki Market, lined with more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Here, you will find Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles and dried seafood, as well as fresh produce, and seasonal foods. After, take a walk in Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10, Tuesday – Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kimono Dressing

Discover the beautiful cultural heritage of Kyoto that has spanned the centuries. Head outside the city to Arashiyama bamboo forest. Begin with a visit to Tenryuj Temple’s sprawling Zen garden, one of the finest gardens in Kyoto. Then, take a stroll through the stunning bamboo grove, followed by a ride on a traditional Japanese rickshaw, a unique experience! Visit the celebrated Kinkaku-ji Temple, “the Golden Pavilion,” and understand why this magnificent gold leaf covered temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, dress in an authentic kimono during a visit to a Kyoto-style home. Later, attend a traditional shamisen (Japanese guitar) show. Spend the rest of the day at leisure for individual pursuits
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11, Wednesday – Imperial Nara, Todai-ji Temple, Deer Park, Kasuga Grand Shrine, Maiko Dance Performance

This morning, travel by private bus to the 8th century Imperial capital of Nara, repository of Japan’s cultural heritage, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a wealth of historic treasures, including some of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples. Arrive at the exquisite wooden Todai-ji Temple, home of the impressive Daibutsu (Great Buddha) bronze statue, rising over 50 feet high. You then continue to Nara (Deer) Park to see the over 1,000 tame deer roaming freely in the peaceful park. Proceed to the famous and beautiful Kasuga Grand Shrine displaying over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. On the way back to Kyoto, stop at impressive Fushimi Inari Shrine with its ten thousand vermilion torii gates. Bid goodbye to your Tour Manager and newfound friends at dinner which features a traditional Maiko (Geisha) dance performance that reflects the core of Japanese culture
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Thursday – Depart Japan

Sayonara! Transfer to the airport in Osaka for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

ACCOMMODATION DURING THE TRIP

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, Tokyo – 4 nights

This first class hotel is located in the heart of the city.

Hotel Details

Kasuikyo Ryokan, Kaga- 1 night

   

This superior tourist class hotel overlooks Lake Shibayama.

Hotel Details

Associa Takayama Resort, Takayama, Gifu – 1 night

This first class resort has spectacular views of the Japanese Alps.

Hotel Details

Kyoto Century Hotel, Kyoto- 4 nights

This first class hotel is located a short walk away from Kyoto Station.