Arrive into either Narita or Haneda International Airport. After clearing Customs, you’ll
be met by an assistant who will escort you to your private transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation: Gate Hotel Tokyo ( 4 nights)

Today we travel like locals on Tokyo’s amazing network of subways & trains to visit the best sites in Tokyo, including the iconic Sensoji Temple, which was completed in 645 AD, and is Tokyo’s oldest and most colourful Buddhist temple in the vibrant Asakusashopping district. Shop for local crafts and delicious food items on Nakamise-dori,where generations of artisans have sold their wares. Witness a unique fire ceremony at a local temple and other local hidden gems

We travel by chartered coach today to the seaside town of Kamakura. Its history dates back to the 12th Century, where the Kamakura Shogunate government thrived fornearly 150years (1185 – 1333).

We will enjoy the serenity of a quiet bamboo grove as we sip freshly made Matcha tea away from the crowds. We visit important temples
and shrines, walk the backstreets like a local and enjoy a seaside stroll in Enoshima before making our way back to Tokyo

Tokyo has so much to see and do, we have added a morning tour of Tokyo with one of our local expert guides to explore more of those hidden gems. The afternoon will be at your leisure to do some sight-seeing on your own or join Juliane for a special “shopping like a local” afternoon.

Note: Your suitcase will be forwarded to Kanazawa this evening

We travel by high-speed shinkansen to the hot-spring town of Hakone, where locals escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo to relax and gaze upon majestic Mount Fuji. We arrive just after lunch and have the afternoon to explore Moto Hakone and relax in the outdoor hotspring baths which have a view of Mt Fuji. Our accommodation, Ryuguden, has hosted Japan’s Royal Family and has arguably the best views of Mt Fuji in the area from a hotel. We enjoy a delicious kaiseki dinner tonight.

Accommodation: Ryuguden Ryokan, Lake Ashi Hakone (2 nights)

Mount Fuji can be elusive and some people visit Japan many times without catching a glimpse of her beauty. Your room at Ryuguden has a lake view and on a good day, you can also see Mt Fuji from Ryuguden.

Our chartered bus will take us up to Owakudani, which last erupted some 3,000 years ago. We will enjoy a cable car ride, walk in the footsteps of feudal lords along the old Cedar route with its massive oaks trees and enjoy a demonstration from a master craftsman showing us how Hakone’s famous ‘wooden puzzle boxes’ are made. Another wonderful opportunity to purchase some truly unique Japanese souvenirs (and yes, you can take them back into Australia).

Today is a day of travel as we move from Hakone to Kanazawa on the West Coast via Tokyo. The bullet train from Tokyo to Kanazawa is extra special, as we ride in Gran Class, Japan’s most luxurious class on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Upon arrival in Kanazawa, you will have free time and dinner on your own at a local Izakaya.

Day tour of Kanazawa via chartered bus with our local expert guide. Enjoy a relaxing day exploring historical Kanazawa Castle and one of Japan’s 3 best gardens, the enchanting Kenrokuen Gardens. The Edo-era castle was the seat of power second only to the Tokugawa in its day. We visit a samurai residence and the Geisha district before trying a Gold Leaf experience and some Gold Leaf ice cream!!

We travel via chartered bus early to Takayama and enjoy the morning markets, the float museum and the old preserved streets before heading to Unesco World Heritage listed Gassho-zukuri thatched roofed houses of Gokayama.

After lunch we make our own Washi paper using a centuries old technique before heading back to Kanazawa

We say goodbye to Kanazawa and take the Thunderbird to Kyoto. The afternoon will be free time to do some shopping and relax.

We travel via chartered bus but do a fair amount of walking so wear comfortable shoes to explore Kyoto’s most famous sites today.

We visit the must see sites of Nijojo Castle – with its impressive palace architecture and singing “nightingale” floors; the shimmering Golden Pavilion, with its Zen temple and tranquil grounds; and Kiyomizudera, with its spectacular view of Kyoto and sacred water rituals for long life and love. There are also some areas we will keep as a surprise for you.

Today we travel via bullet train to the centuries old town of Kurashiki, known for its Historical quarter, museums, canals and preserved buildings. After lunch we head back to Okayama, where we get to compare Korakuen garden, known as one of Japan’s 3 best gardens, to Kenrokuen which we saw in Kanazawa.

We also visit the magnificent Okayama castle before heading back to Kyoto on another bullet train.

Today we escape the crowds via chartered bus into the country side to Shigaraki, which is Japan’s oldest pottery producing area and the birthplace of the tea ceremony.

We will visit a tea plantation, sample some modern green-tea sweets, learn about the unique kilns, visit some galleries and the Miho Museum, which houses some incredible peaces. Lunch will be something to remember as your food is served in Shigaraki-yaki pottery pieces.

We return to Kyoto to enjoy a farewell dinner in Kyoto at a local Izakaya.

After breakfast, Juliane will assist you with your transfers for further travel in Japan or your flight home.