Japan Family Journey: From Ancient to Modern Times

Welcome to Tokyo–your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travelers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the Journey ahead.

Included Experiences

• Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group: Your opportunity to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
• Airport Transfer: You will be transferred from the airport to your start hotel. Please note your arrival transfer is included from both Haneda and Narita Airports.

Today, we’ll see Tokyo from a local’s perspective, traveling by public transit. We start from a traditional Japanese taiko drumming class. Hear how these traditional wooden drums are made and learn three different playing techniques. Put your newly acquired skills to the test during a group performance together with a professional Wadaiko drummer. Later a visit to the serene Meiji Jingu shrine, dedicated to the spirit of Emperor Meiji. Then hit the streets of the buzzing Harajuku district, where kitschy-cute street fashion and candy-colored wigs are the order of the day.

Included Experiences

• Metro: Get around underground via public transit.
• Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū) Visit: Visit this shrine dedicated to the 123rd emperor of Japan, Emperor Meiji and his wife. The shrine is a great place to escape the bustle of the city and wander the grounds along the wide walking paths.
• Harajuku Visit: The Harajuku district is known as the centre of Japanese youth culture and fashion. Here, find dozens of shopping and dining options including independent boutiques and larger international luxury stores.
• Traditional Taiko Drumming Class: Take part in a Taiko drumming class facilitated by a professional Wadaiko drummer. Learn how wadaiko is made, the history of Taiko, how to stand (posture), kamae instruction (the stance), and how to hold the drumsticks. Learn and practice three different styles and then perform together as a group.
• Asakusa Walk: Discover this historic entertainment district on a guided orientation tour of the area. Take in one of Tokyo's iconic sites with a stop at Sensoji temple.

Learn Japanese secrets to longevity in a cooking class on Okinawa cuisine, originating from the Japanese island reputed to have the highest life expectancy in the world. Prepare a selection of dishes using typical ingredients and learn about the beneficial qualities of each. Savour your creations for a nutritious lunch and spend the rest of the day discovering Tokyo at leisure.

Included Experiences

• Metro: Get around underground via public transit.
• Okinawa Cooking Class: Learn about the Okinawan diet and lifestyle during a hands-on cooking class and demonstration. Residents of this Japanese island are known for their long lifespans; adopting their practises might improve your quality of life and help you avoid the onset of common diseases as you age. Prepare a selection of dishes and learn about the typical foods in this diet.
• Free Time: Enjoy some time to explore the city on your own. Opt to visit Ueno Park or head to the top of the Tokyo Tower and take in stunning views of the city.

Optional Experiences

• Ueno Park Visit: As Japan's most popular city park, Ueno is known for its museums and cherry blossoms. Stroll the pathways, admire the thousands of trees, including approximately 800 Somei-yoshino cherry trees, look for lotus on the pond, or opt to visit the temples and museums (entrance fees).
• Tokyo Tower Visit: Completed in 1958, the Tokyo Tower symbolized the rebirth of Japan as a post war economic power. Standing 13 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower, it has 2 observation decks which offer stunning views of Tokyo and the surrounding area. On a clear day, if you’re lucky, you can even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji! (1200-3000 JPY per person)

This morning, take a crash course in Japan’s national sport: sumo wrestling! Get initiated into this explosive martial art, which originated as a religious ritual more than a thousand years ago. Learn about the wrestlers’ rigorous routine and mindboggling calorie intake, earn basic technique and watch Sumo wrestling. After the class, journey to Nagano, the beautiful mountain city that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. Settle into our historic ryokan — or traditional Japanese inn — located just outside the city, in the hot springs town of Shibu Onsen. Ryokan are traditional Inns found across Japan. Featuring tatami floors (soft mats of woven straw), futon beds, Japanese-style baths, cotton kimono (casual robe worn to lounge around), and kaiseki meals (often served in the comfort of your own room); a ryokan is the perfect place to experience traditional customs and local immersion. The Ryokan is a simple, traditional Inn with few amenities and shared facilities, have fun and enjoy this relaxing opportunity to learn more about Japan’s unique customs.

Included Experiences

• Metro: Get around underground via public transit.
• Sumo Wrestling Class: Learn all about the history of sumo with a former Sumo wrestler. Wearing a traditional Sumo belt, go through sumo training and learn basic moves of this ancient martial art.
• Bullet Train: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
• Local Train: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• Free Time: Enjoy some free time to wander thought this traditional hot springs town.

Nagano is home to the Japanese macaque, or snow monkey — one of the only primate species that can survive below freezing temperatures. Venture to Jigokudani Yaen Koen (Snow Monkey Park) to watch these furry simians scampering about the rocks or taking a soak in one of the thermal pools, fed by natural hot springs. Then head into Nagano city to explore the 7th-century Buddhist temple of Zenkoji, home to the very first Buddha statue brought to Japan.

Included Experiences

• Jigokudani Monkey Park Visit: Visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild snow monkeys can be seen bathing in the natural hot springs. The pool where most of the monkeys soak is man made, fed by the hot springs. Along the walking paths up to the pools other monkeys tend to stop and watch visitors curiously.
• Local Train: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• Zenkō-ji Temple: Visit the Buddhist temple of Zenkō-ji, one of the last remaining pilgrimage sites. Built in the 7th century, the city of Nagano was built around the already standing structure.
• Free Time: Enjoy some time to explore the city on your own.

Travel to Matsumoto for a visit to one of Japan’s most treasured castles. Known as the “crow castle” for its imposing black exterior, the Matsumoto fortress dates back to the 16th century and was once a stronghold of the samurai, Japan’s elite military class. Later, visit Ishii Miso, founded in 1868 at the end of the Edo era, and see how they are still producing miso by a unique traditional method. Check out massive wooden barrels and learn about Miso— a soybean paste and essential ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Nagano Prefecture is known as the top producer of miso in Japan. Let's have a taste of Miso soup and even Miso ice cream!

Included Experiences

• Local Train: Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
• Matsumoto Castle: Stop at the castle of Matsumoto one of Japan's most treasured castles, maintaining it's original wooden interior and stone exterior. Explore this castle where 16th century Samurai once roamed before venturing out with the group to wander Matsumoto's ancient streets and or dine in a traditional storehouse.
• Miso Foodie Experience: Miso Foodie Experience is where we can learn all about why Miso is so important in Japanese culture, food & health in Japan. In National Geographic Traveller Magazine, Nat Geo agrees in the article Five Ways with Miso that Miso is quintessentially Japanese yet it is super versatile. Miso is fermented food so it is very healthy. In this foodie experience, suitable for all ages, taste delicious Miso soup straight from the source and see for yourself how great this Japanese specialty is. We’ll even try Miso ice cream. In Japanese, we say “oishii” when something is delicious!

Hop on the bullet train to Kyoto, which served as Japan’s imperial capital for more than a millennium. Delve into the aromatic alleys of Nishiki Market, one of the most popular food markets in the city. Opt to sample local specialties like barbecued quail, soy milk donuts, sesame ice cream, and more, taking your taste buds on a culinary roller coaster. This evening, venture to Gion, Kyoto’s renowned geisha district. As you wander its lantern-lit streets, you might catch a glimpse of a geisha — traditional female entertainers recognizable by their distinctive makeup. As the Imperial capital, Kyoto is an essential part of any visit to Japan. Kyoto has some of the most magnificent temples in Japan which date back centuries. There are said to be 2,000 temples, shrines, palaces, museums and traditional gardens in Kyoto. Wander past huge wooden structures and multi-storied pagodas, all linked with famous walkways.

Included Experiences

• Bullet Train: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
• Nishiki Market Visit: Take a walk through the famous Nishiki Market renowned as the best place to get your hands on Kyoto’s most famous street food.
• Gion Walk: Walk through Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. Visit shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.

This morning, pay a visit to the Fushimi Inari shrine, located just outside of Kyoto. Dedicated to the Shinto god of rice, this beautiful temple is known for its Senbon Torii — a stunning walkaway of vermilion-colored gates. Later, dive into another fun-filled cooking class, rolling up your sleeves to make a steaming bowl of ramen noodles.

Included Experiences

• Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Visit: Visit the Fushimi Inari shrine, located just outside of Kyoto. Walk under the thousands of iconic torii gates (as seen in the film Memoirs of a Geisha) and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The shrine itself is at the base of the Inari mountain but includes many trails up to smaller shrines in the area.
• Ramen Making Class: Learn about the history and cultural aspects of Ramen during a lunch time cooking class. This includes, Japanese life and Ramen, Ramen types and variety, brief explanation about the ingredients used and the cooking procedure, a “Ramen Making Experience” (making ramen from scratch under guidance of one or two guides depending on the group size) which includes: making/draining the noodles, making chashu. The best part? Enjoy your creation for lunch! and you will get a recipe later !
• Free Time: Enjoy some time to explore the city on your own.

Optional Experiences

• Tofukuji Temple Visit: This Zen temple located south-east of Kyoto City was founded in 1236 by the Fujiwara clan during the Kamakura period. While this is one of the most popular temples to visit in Kyoto at any time of the year, it’s particularly popular when the autumn colours are at their finest! (500-1000 JPY per person)
• Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion Visit: Explore Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion, named for the temple’s top two floors that are covered in gold leaf. The temple is surrounded by trees and sits on a reflective pond, making this must-see in Kyoto a perfect place for photos. While the temple can be busy, there are gardens around the area to explore once you’ve had enough of the view.

Spend the day discovering ancient Nara, where Japan’s first capital was established in the early 8th century. Immerse yourself in the ornate halls of the Todaiji temple, and gaze upon the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world, standing nearly 50 feet tall. At Kasuga Taisha, Nara’s most celebrated shrine, stroll romantic walkways lined with hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns, and wander amid the gardens of Nara Park, where herds of semi-domesticated deer roam free. Check out the shops and galleries of the Naramachi district before returning to Kyoto.

Included Experiences

• Local Train: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• Tōdai-ji Buddhist Temple Complex: Explore the famed Tōdaiji Temple which features the largest bronze Buddha in the world.
• Kasuga Grand Shrine: Visit this Shinto shrine originally built in 768 AD by the Fujiwara family. This stunning shrine is famed for its hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns.

Unleash your inner warrior this morning with a lesson on samurai swordplay. Learn how to wield a Japanese sword and witness an unforgettable performance by masters of kembu, or sword dance. In the afternoon, explore the picturesque Kiyomizudera temple, perched on a hilltop near a sacred waterfall. There is much to keep you busy here: ring giant prayer bowls, sip holy water — said to have wish-fulfilling qualities — or muster the courage to walk through the Tainai Meguri, a lightless underground tunnel that symbolizes the visitor’s journey to enlightenment. This evening, celebrate your Japan adventure at a farewell dinner.

Included Experiences

• Kembu Masters: Gain an understanding of kembu, an ancient art form that honours the culture of the Japanese warrior class, the samurai. Watch kembu masters practice this delicate artform and learn for yourself the basic moves of properly using a Japanese sword. It’s said that in feudal times, samurai would perform these traditional routines to build courage and improve concentration, thereby expressing the spirit of the warrior.
• Kiyomizu Temple Visit: Visit the Kiyomizu Temple, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto and part of Kyoto's UNESCO listed sights. Originally built in 798, the current structures were built in 1633 without the use of a single nail.

Depart any time. There are no planned activities today and you are free to depart at any time.