DAY 1: ARRIVE IN TOKYO, JAPANTOKYO Welcome to Tokyo! Hotel check-in available mid-afternoon.
DAY 2: TOKYOTOKYO Guided visit to the Meiji Shrine. Orientation drive past the Imperial Palace. Visit a local artist’s studio and participate in a calligraphy class, kimono fitting and traditional tea ceremony. Guided visit to Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise Shopping Arcade. Free time this afternoon.
Breakfast
Dinner
DAY 3: TOKYO. EXCURSION TO MOUNT FUJIMOUNT FUJI AREA Cable-car ride with views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. Guided visit to Churieto Pagoda.
TOKYO Free time late this afternoon and evening.
ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME in Tokyo with suggestions from your Tour Director.
Breakfast
Lunch
DAY 4: TOKYO–MATSUMOTO–TAKAYAMA
MATSUMOTO Guided visits to Matsumoto Castle and Matsumoto City Museum. Scenic drive through the Japanese Alps en route to Takayama.
TAKAYAMA Traditional Japanese-style dinner this evening.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 5: TAKAYAMATAKAYAMA Guided sightseeing includes visits to the morning market and Takayama Jinya historic site. Free time to browse in San-Machi Suji historic district before a sake tasting at a local brewery. Free time this evening.
Breakfast
DAY 6: TAKAYAMA–SHIRAKAWA–KANAZAWATAKAYAMA Scenic drive through Shokawa Valley en route to Shirakawa.
SHIRAKAWA Visit the Gassho-Zukuri thatched-roof houses (UNESCO World Heritage Site)..
KANAZAWA Guided visit of Kenroku-en garden, followed by a gold-leaf design class to make your own keepsake bento box.
Breakfast
DAY 7: KANAZAWA–KYOTOKANAZAWA Thunderbird Express train trip to Kyoto.
KYOTO Guided sightseeing includes visits to Sanjusagendo Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, and a guided walk through Kyoto. Choose to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan (additional expense).
Breakfast
Lunch
DAY 8: KYOTO
KYOTO Guided visit to the Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Learn the ancient kimono fabric-dyeing techniques and create your own souvenir at Yuzen Handmade Corner. Prepare miso soup, teriyaki chicken, sushi and more with a local chef during your Japanese cooking class. Free time this afternoon and evening.
Breakfast
Lunch
DAY 9 KYOTO. EXCURSION TO NARAKYOTO Excursion to Nara includes guided sightseeing at Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage Sites). Free time this afternoon before a farewell dinner.
Breakfast
Dinner
DAY 10 KYOTOYour vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Schedule departing flights from Kansai International Airport in Osaka after 11 am.