Visions of Japan

Konnichiwa Japan.

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan's capital city. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.

Monumental Metropolis.

Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. At an artist's studio, learn to write like a local during a calligraphy lesson with a master calligrapher, have the opportunity to try on a traditional kimono, and partake in a tea ceremony. After lunch, visit the Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest tower. Last stop is the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade. Tonight, join your travel companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. (B/L/D)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - TEA TRADITIONS: Participate in a tea ceremony, time-honoured tradition, and wonderfully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SKY HIGH: At Tokyo Skytree ascend to Sorakara Point on floor 450 at some 450 meters or 1500 feet it is the highest point visitors can explore. Here you'll have stunning panoramic views over the city and and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji.

Soaring Heights & Sweeping Views.

Drive south along the coast to Kamakura to see the 750-year-old Great Buddha. Continue to Hakone where you'll take a cable-car ride for panoramic views of spectacular Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain. After lunch, cruise on Lake Ashi for more views of this beautiful area. Conclude the day with a thrilling shinkansen (bullet train) ride back to Tokyo! (B/L)

Wondrous Wandering.

Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore the city. (B)

FREE TIME TIPS - EXPLORE MORE: Tokyo has something for everyone so visit one of the city's unique neighborhoods like Ginza or Shibuya, visit the fun Samurai Museum, or embark a sunset dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with My Account.

City to Farm to Table.

Journey to Matsumoto, gateway to the ruggedly beautiful Japanese Alps, and enjoy visits to a local wasabi farm and Matsumoto Castle. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful Japanese-style dinner at your hotel. (B/L/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - WHY WASABI: Take a private tour of a wasabi farm to learn more about how it's grown and what it means to Japanese cuisine. Eat lunch at the farm and sample wasabi ice cream.

Takayama Treasures.

Today begins at the morning market, where farmers display locally grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Visit Takayama Jinya, a former government office during the Edo Period from 1692-1868. This well-preserved building is a national historic site and the only remaining building of its kind in Japan. End with a fun sake tasting. (B)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - FOR SAKE'S SAKE: Go sake tasting in the San-Machi Suji historic district-famous for lacquerware shops and sake breweries, and identified by the sugidama, balls made of cedar branches that hang over the entrances.

FREE TIME TIPS - EXPLORE MORE: After included sightseeing, the balance of the day is at leisure, providing you with time to explore the narrow streets where merchants buy and sell as they have for 300 years. Transfers between town and your resort will run every two hours.

Enchanting Valleys & Tranquil Gardens.

This morning, enjoy a drive through the mountainous Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa; a remote region of Japan is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here explore the unique gassho-zukuri-style (joined hands) thatched houses that can be found only here. Continue to the scenic town of Kanazawa, situated between the mountains and the Sea of Japan. Explore Kenroku-en Garden and take part in a gold leaf class, where you'll learn about this ancient craft and make your own bento box. (B/L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - PERFECTION OF TRANQUILITY: Kenroku-en is one of Japan's three great gardens and dates from the 1670s. Translated to English the name means "Garden of Six Qualities," referring to the six essential attributes that make up a perfect garden: spaciousness, tranquility, artifice, antiquity, water, and magnificent views. One of the garden's most stunning attractions is Kasumigaike pond with its island called Horai, which is meant to symbolise long life and eternal prosperity.

Sushi, Shrines & Temples.

This morning, drive south to Kyoto. On arrival, participate in a Japanese cooking class for lunch. Then, you'll visit two of the city's most important sites: Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple. This evening, you have the option to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan (additional expense). (B/L)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - TURNING JAPANESE, I REALLY THINK SO: Japan is known for its cuisine, which is deeply engrained into the culture. What better way to gain insights into the local way of life than through your stomach? Participate in a special cooking class where, under the instruction of a local chef, you will learn how to make miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and makizushi, more commonly known as a sushi roll.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SENSATIONAL SHRINES: While in Kyoto one must take a step back in time to explore this historic former capital and its important wooden shrines and temples. Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly coloured Torii Gates. Afterward, continue to the Higashiyama District to visit Kiyomizu Temple, the "Pure Water Temple," with stunning views over Kyoto. Along the way, walk through the busy streets, where shops and restaurants have been catering to pilgrims for centuries.

Golden Gift.

This morning starts with a visit to stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Next, visit Yuzen Handmade Corner to learn about the yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. Make your own souvenir using this traditional method. End at Sanjusajendo Temple, famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Flanking the main statue are 1,000 more life-sized statues, covered in gold leaf, with 40 arms said to have the power to save 25 worlds. (B)

FREE TIME TIPS - EXPLORE MORE: Join your Tour Director for a walking tour through Gion, visit more of Kyoto's historic temples, or join an evening maiko (apprentice geisha) performance with dinner. This and many more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with My Account.

Living Large, No Giant.

Travel to nearby Nara, to visit Kasuga Shrine and Todaiji Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - NARA GIANTS: Travel to Nara Park, one of the largest in Japan, and famous for its free-roaming deer, shrines, and temples. Kasuga Shrine, the most celebrated in Nara, is a Shinto shrine with some 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. On the opposite end of the park is Todaiji Temple, one of Japan's most significant temples.

Originally built in 752 AD and again after a fire in 1692, the temple is only two-thirds its original size yet remains the world's largest wooden building. The Daibutsu (Giant Buddha) inside the main hall is made of copper and bronze, and is the largest in all of Japan, weighing 250 tons and standing some 49 feet tall!

Say it Ain't Sayonara.

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)