Essential Japan

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. Check-into your hotel, your Special Stay for the next three nights. With direct access to four subway lines, the hotel was recently rated in the Forbes Travel Guide as Tokyo’s exclusive Japanese decor 5-star luxury hotel. Rooms overlook the most picturesque sites in Tokyo, such as the Imperial Palace, the 500-year-old Hie Jinja Shrine and beautiful landscaped Japanese gardens. This evening meet for your welcome reception and dinner. (D)

Gather your bearings of Tokyo from above as you take in the view from Tokyo Sky Tree.

Scenic Freechoice: This evening, choose from one of these Scenic Freechoice Dining options.

• Ninja Akasaka: This popular but unusual restaurant has an underlying ninja theme to create a memorable dining experience.
• Nobu Tokyo: Part of the famous international chain of Japanese restaurants by Nobu Matsuhisa, this casual but chic restaurant is known for its fusion cuisine blending traditional Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients.
• Izakaya Nightlife: Sample a Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki dinner over some drinks at small local bars. This is a chance to mingle and dine in a traditional Japanese way. (B/L/D)

Visit the Asakusa district, known as the centre of Tokyo’s shitamachi or ‘low city’ capsulizing the atmosphere of Tokyo’s past, paying your respects at Sensoji temple, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple. Surrounding the temple is the Nakamise shopping area, featuring many traditional shops that sell Japanese crafts and souvenirs.

Scenic Freechoice: This afternoon, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions.

• Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing: Explore the tranquil evergreen forest of the Meiji Shrine complex, before walking across the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world and seeing the famous Hachiko dog statue in Shibuya.
• Cultural Shinjuku and Gyoen Gardens: Stroll through Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens, one of the most beautiful areas for cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Visit Shinjuku’s shopping and entertainment districts. You can also choose to stay and join the crowds later into the night. (B/L)

Begin the day with Team Lab Borderless at the Digital Art Museum and wander freely amongst the mesmerizing light displays. Then dress up in your chefs’ clothes to make your own sushi lunch with the help of a local chef. Venture into the countryside on your drive to the Fuji Five Lakes district, known locally as Fujigoko. Later, discover the craftsmanship involved in creating kimonos during the Muromachi Period (1333-1573) at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. Soak in the views of Mt Fuji from your hotel. (B/L/D)

Drive to Hakone and cruise on Lake Ashinoko on the First-class deck (if available) of your pirate ship with Mt Fuji as a backdrop. Admire the stunning scenery during your cable car ride up to the hot springs of the Owakudani geothermal area before moving to study the art works and sculptures at the Hakone Open Air Museum, Japan’s first open air museum. Relax during your evening at your hotel overlooking Lake Ashinoko. (B/L/D)

Via Shinkansen, in your Green (Business) Class seats, travel to Nagoya and visit the Shinkansen Train Museum at the SCMaglev and Railway Park. Continue to the historic castle town of Inuyama and check into your boutique hotel, for a two-night Special Stay. (B/L/D)

Learn about the ancient history of the area with a visit to the Shiro-to-Machi Museum before wandering through the old town’s streets to Inuyama Castle, the oldest of just five castles nationwide designated as national treasures.

Scenic Freechoice: This afternoon, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions.

• Meiji Mura: Outdoor Museum for Reconstructed Buildings Meiji Mura, or Meiji Village, is a stunning demonstration of Meiji period (1868-1912) architecture from Japan. Walk around this vast theme park museum to see how Western culture inspired the architects of Japan as it moved from its samurai past to its modernised future.
• Seki Traditional Swordsmith and Museum: Seki City is one of the most well-known and highly regarded blade-producing areas in the world. To this day, Japanese swords continue to be produced by swordsmiths in the traditional forging style that has been passed down for centuries. The museum shows off the history and tradition of blade-making that date back over 700 years with a possible demonstration by the master swordsmith in action. (B/L/D)

Head north to Hirayu Onsen via Tsumago Juku, a fully restored and preserved Edo Period (1600-1868) post town in the Kiso Valley. Upon arrival in Hirayu Onsen, check-in to your resort. Tonight try on your Yukata in the Sansho Lounge before relaxing in your private onsen bath in your room. (B/L/D)

Drive to Takayama to view the impressive Yatai festival floats, then drive to the historical farmhouses of the less visited mountain villages in Gokayama, a World Heritage listed site, including Ainokura villages. Whilst here, try your hand at a Washi paper making workshop. Continue onto Toyama for the night.

Scenic Freechoice Dining: This evening, choose from one of these Scenic Freechoice Dining options.

• Japan Sea Blessings Unkai at Hotel: Facing a beautiful Japanese garden with seasonal foliage and overlooking the lush greenery of Toyama Castle Park, UNKAI offers authentic Japanese kaiseki service in traditional Kyoto style.
• Robatayaki Tramaru: Enjoy your dinner robata style. Robatayaki is a method of grilling seafood, vegetable and meat over an elevated charcoal grill.
• Kakizato Teppanyaki: Enjoy a Teppanyaki dinner, a favourite style of Japanese cooking, where the ingredients are cooked in front of you on an iron grill. (B/L/D)

Cruise through Shogawa Gorge and its stunning scenery before continuing to Takaoka, known for its copper and tinware. Here you will have the opportunity to create your own souvenir at one of the local workshops. Later visit Zuiryuji Temple, a Soto Zen Buddhist temple and a national treasure completed circa 1659. After arriving in Kanazawa and relax at your hotel for the next two nights, located just seconds from the Kanazawa train station.

Ryokan Upgrade - For a unique insight into Japanese culture, choose to stay tonight in a Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This traditional Japanese Inn has tatami mat flooring with futon beds, sliding shoji paper doors, private facilities and includes dinner and breakfast. (B/L/D)

Wander around Kenroku–en Garden, one of Japan’s three great gardens located across from Kanazawa Castle Park. Move to the Higashi-Chaya District tea house district and try your hand at the Kanazawa Gold Leaf craft shop. Later, catch a glimpse of life in Feudal Japan with a visit to former Kaga Clan Samurai houses in the Nagamachi district. (B/L)

Travel by train to the culturally rich city of Kyoto, home to many World Heritage-listed sites. Upon arrival, glide through the surreal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by traditional rickshaw before exploring and enjoying a vegetarian meal at the World Heritage listed Tenryu-ji Temple. Afterwards visit the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion, because it is completely covered in gold leaf, before settling into your Special Stay hotel with executive lounge access. (B/L/D)

Scenic Freechoice: This morning, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions.

• Ancient Kyoto: Revel in the atmosphere of Kyoto’s ancient preservation districts on the southern Higashiyama walk, strolling through Ishibei Koji, Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka lanes.
• Philosopher’s Walk: Visit the Silver Pavilion and then stroll along the Philosopher’s Walk, one of Kyoto’s best known spots for cherry trees, particularly beautiful during blossom season.

Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, a great photo opportunity.

This afternoon, enjoy some free time in Nishiki Market, a market renown as Kyoto’s kitchen with over 100 stalls and shops. Later this evening stroll through the Gion area, Kyoto’s famous Geisha District before dinner.

Scenic Enrich: Tonight’s dinner will allow you to interact with a Geiko and Maiko who’ll host your meal presentation. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about what is involved in becoming a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality. (B/D)

Begin your day with an early morning optional visit to beat the crowds at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and its appearance in the film ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. After breakfast continue to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital established in the year 710 as Heijo, the city now known as Nara.

Here you’ll visit Todaiji Temple, constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan. The Temple grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs. Also see deer in Nara Park before returning to Kyoto and visiting Nijo castle, built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa leyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. The remainder of the day Is at your leisure. (B/L)

This morning travel by Shinkansen to marvel at Himeji Castle, an original and Japan’s most spectacular castle and one of the few remaining original feudal castles. Continue to Hiroshima via Shinkansen and check into your hotel for two nights. Tonight, sample Okonomiyaki, a delicious savoury Japanese-style pancake and specialty of the region. (B/L/D)

Sail by ferry to Miyajima Island to visit Daisho-in Temple and its famous floating Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine, also built over the water.

Scenic Enrich: Experience an emotional visit to the Peace Park and Museum, dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack. Move to Orizuru Tower to learn how to create your own special origami crane offering for the Orizuru Wall.

This evening is yours at leisure in Hiroshima. (B/L)

Travel by Shinkansen to Kobe and continue to the Kirin Beer Factory for lunch, tasting and a tour of the factory. Drive to Osaka to enjoy a three-night Special Stay with full club lounge acces. This evening ride the Osaka Metro to wander around the lively entertainment area of Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley. (B/L)

Drive to Tondabayashi to visit a restored Edo era Merchant House before continuing onto a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, the area where Sumo originated.

Scenic Enrich: Learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during your private visit with sumo wrestlers. After the welcome ceremony, see a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo.

Enjoy your Club Floor benefits before settling into your Teppanyaki dinner. (B/L/D)

Scenic Freechoice: This morning, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions.

• Historical Osaka: Learn about the history of the area by visiting the Museum of History and Osaka Castle. Originally built in the late 16th century, due to war and fires has been rebuilt many times.
• Shinsaibashi and Kuromon Mart: After catching the Metro, walk through Shinsaibashisuji shopping avenue, a 600 metre roofed arcade of countless shops. Move to the nearby Kuromon Ichiba Market, known as Osaka’s kitchen. An excellent location for strolling, sampling, and snacking on a delicious variety of fresh market foods.

The afternoon is free at leisure for last minute shopping before gathering for your private group farewell Japanese feast with a view at Restaurant ZK. (B/D)

Bid a fond farewell to the ‘land of the rising sun’.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change. (B)