Essence of Japan Tour

Upon arrival, local staff meet at airport and assist with prearranged transfer to hotel.

* Reverse the visiting order if first arriving at Kyoto (KIX) airport.

Highlights:

• National Diet Building (Drive-by) – The center of the Japanese Government.
• Imperial Palace (Drive-by) – Formerly known as Edo Castle, this palace is the residence of the Emperor of Japan.
• Tsukiji Outer Market – Japan’s No.1 place for seafood with over 400 shops and stands.
• Kabukiza (Drive-by) – A classic Japanese-style theater where traditional Kabuki performances are perfromed.
• Tokyo Skytree Town – Freely exploring Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Solamach.
• Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Shopping Street – Tokyo’s oldest temple and bustling shopping street.

Highlights:

• Enjoy Japan’s famous powdered macha green tea at Jomyo-ji Temple.
• Hokoku-ji Temple – known as the bamboo temple for its beautiful bamboo grove.
• Kotoku-in Temple – houses one of the three Great Buddha statues in Japan.
• Enoshima – enjoy beautiful ocean view from a getaway island.
• Explore and enjoy evening stroll in Shinjuku

Morning transfer from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji area by bus (2.5 hrs). Take cable car up to Mt. Fuji 5th Station, 7500 ft above sea level for breathtaking views from above the clouds. After Japanese style lunch, take sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashi which formed from volcanic eruption nearly 3,000 years ago and provides postcard views of Mt. Fuji from various angles. Afterwards, take cable car ride up to the peak of Mt. Komagatake and visit the spiritual Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya.

Later afternoon, transfer to Hotel in Hakone area to check-in. Overnight in Hakone.

Transfer Odawara Station and take bullet train to Takayama via transfer in Nagoya (5 hrs). Upon arrival, tour visit the Yatai Kaikan (exhibition of local festival floats), Kusakabe Heritage House, a historical Japanese style townhouse, and Kami Sannomachi, historic street filled with Edo period buildings. Overnight in Takayama city.

Morning tour visit the Takayama morning market, enjoy a bird eye view of the thatch-roofed village of Shirakawago, visit the UNESCO Wada Residence (traditional thatch-roofed farmhouse showcasing local culture and history). Afternoon, transfer to Kanazawa. (1.5 hrs).

Morning visit a Nomura Residence (former residence of samurai family), Kenrokuen Garden, considered one of the top three Japanese gardens with amazing seasonal views all year round, Higashi Chaya-gai (Traditional Building Preservation District), and stop at Hakuza Honten for a chance to purchase some exquisite handicrafts. After tour, transfer to Kanazawa Station and take train to Kyoto (2.5 hrs). Upon arrival, guide assist with prearranged transfer to hotel for check-in.

Highlights:

• Nijo Castle – UNESCO site, was a home for Tokugawa Shogun and as a palladium for Kyoto Imperial Palace.
• Kinkaku-ji Temple – UNESCO site, a wooden architecture is covered in thin layers of pure gold.
• Kyoto Imperial Palace. (Closed on Mondays)
• Fushimi Inari Taisha – the head shrine of 40,000 inari-jinja shrines.
• Sanjusangen-do Temple – world’s longest wooden structure, housing 1,001 life-size Buddhist statues.
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple – Enjoy the Kyoto city view and the historic shopping street.

Option 2 Transfer to Tokyo by evening train.

Free till transfer to Kyoto (KIX) airport for departure.

Option 2 Transfer to Tokyo airport for departure.