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TRADITIONAL JAPAN
Tokyo . Matsumoto . Takayama . Kyoto . Hakone
Japan is a country of mountains. With over seventy-percent of the country being mountainous terrain, it’s no wonder that mountains have religious and culture importance to the Japanese. In particular, the Japan Alps region offers stunning views of scenic alpine landscapes. Using a variety of transportation including the famous shinkansen bullet train, you will travel through this region, then pay a visit to the ancient capital Kyoto, and finally relax in the hot springs town of Hakone with the awe-inspiring Mt. Fuji close by
The journey starts in Tokyo, with a full day of guided sightseeing of the highlights of this cosmopolitan city. A free morning allows travelers to visit places of individual interest.
Travel by bullet train to Matsumoto to explore the famous "Crow Castle" used in Tom Cruise's Last Samurai movie. Visits to Yayoi Kusama's museum, the Ukiyoe Museum or the Nakamachi merchant district are recommended. A soba cooking class is included.
Travel by coach to Takayama, famous for its riverside morning market, its old town, the festival float museum and delicious Hida beef. Stay in a Japanese Inn.
Continue on by express and bullet trains to Kyoto, home to iconic temples such as Kinkaku-ji, the gold temple, Ryoan-ji, with its minimalist rock garden, and Nanzen-ji, where monks still practice daily meditation. A full day of guided touring is included.
After your time in Kyoto, take a series of trains and a cable car to your Japanese Inn in Hakone. Your Hakone Pass offers pre-paid access to a wide range of transportation and attractions.
Finally, head to the airport in Tokyo for departure.
Note: This journey is mainly self-guided, but guides are available and can be added to the itinerary.
Details
Duration:
10 days / 9 nights
Price:
From $4199 per person sharing
Itinerary is customizable to fit all budgets
Departures:
Daily, year round
Includes:
All transfers
2 nights Tokyo hotel
2 nights Matsumoto
2 nights Takayama hotel
2 nights Kyoto hotel
1 night Hakone ryokan
2 full-day private guided tours
Hakone Pass
Travel by bullet train and local transportation
Prepaid travel card
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Sustainable/Responsible notes:
This independent journey includes walking tours, tours utilizing public transportation and long distance travel by rail. No private vehicle touring is used.
Accommodation is in Japanese hotels and inns.
Tour guides are independent contractors.
Day by day itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Tokyo
On arrival in Tokyo, board the Airport shuttle and transfer to your hotel for the following 2 nights. Rest of day at leisure.
Stay: Shiba Park Hotel, or similar
Day 2 Tokyo
Your guide will collect you from your hotel for an tour that showcases the popular highlights and experiences of Tokyo: Senso-ji Temple and shopping street in historic Asakusa, a boat ride down the Sumida River to Hamarikyu Japanese Gardens to a teahouse, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Harajuku neighborhood and Omote Sando upscale shopping areas.
Stay: Shiba Park Hotel, or similar (B)
Day 3 Matsumoto
Take an express train from Shinjuku to Matsumoto. Free time on arrival to explore the "Crow" Castle, Nakamachi old town and the art museum of Yayoi Kusama and a private Ukiyoe woodblock collection.
Stay: Matsumoto Kagestu Hotel, or similar (B)
Day 4 Matsumoto
Matsumoto is located in the Shinshu region, famous nationwide for its delicious soba: buckwheat noodles. Today you will visit the kitchen of a Matsumoto soba restaurant boasting a history of more than 130 years, to learn the secrets of soba noodles. You will join a shared cooking class to try your hand at kneading and cutting them, and then you will be able to taste your noodles cooked by the chef in the traditional Shinshu way.
Stay: Matsumoto Kagestu Hotel, or similar (B, L)
Day 5 Takayama
Travel through the Japanese Alps by coach to Takayama. With its plethora of temples, shrines, festivals, rivers and bridges the mountain town of Takayama has been called a “little Kyoto”. This afternoon we recommend visiting one of the town’s many sake breweries for a taste of the local drop, its high quality due to the area’s clean water sources.
Stay: Tokyu Takayama, or similar (B)
Day 6 Takayama
Day at leisure to explore what most interests you in Takayama, a very easy to navigate town. Start with a trip to the fabulous morning market where locals sell fresh produce, sweets and crafts. Then, head to Takayama's old town and wander the narrow streets where antique stores rub shoulders with small restaurants. In the afternoon, visit the festival float museum or take the temple to temple walk and experience firest bathing. Or, take the bus to Shirakawa-go to see the "praying hands" farmhouses. Whatever you choose to do, Takayama will delight you.
Stay: Tokyu Takayama, or similar (B)
Day 7 Kyoto
Travel by train to Kyoto (about 3 hours).
After checking into your hotel, head to a local temple to enjoy one of Japan's ritualistic practices - a tea ceremony.
Stay: Vista Premium Kyoto, or similar (B)
Day 8 Kyoto
Kyoto boasts over 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines in Kyoto! Today you will see the most popular and beautiful ones, starting at Fushimi Inari shrine with its hundreds of bright red tori and including the golden pavilion Kinkaku-ji, as well as a Ryoan-ji, with its famous rock garden. You will also walk the Philosophers Path from Ginkaku-ji temple to Nanzen-ji temple. Each temple is different and stunning in its own way.
Stay: Vista Premium Kyoto, or similar (B)
Day 9 Hakone
Take Japan’s world-famous Shinkansen bullet train to Hakone. Using your Hakone Pass, take advantage of the extensive local transport network to explore this stunning region. From switchback trains to cable cars, ropeways to buses and even a pirate ship that will sweep you across the volcanic Lake Ashi with views of Mt Fuji. Tonight, you will stay in a Japanese traditional ryokan, sleeping on futons laid out on tatami mats with delicious included meals and piping hot onsen (hot spring) baths
Stay: Ichinoyu Honkan, or similar (B, D)
Day 10 Depart
Travel back to Tokyo for your onward flight, or if you prefer, add another night or two in Tokyo.
(B)