9 Day Takayama

DAY 1 TOKYO

Check into your Tokyo hotel.

DAY 2 TOKYO

Drive by National Diet Building
This is the center of the Japanese Government. Don’t let the impressive Western-style architecture fool you–this building is constructed almost entirely out of pure Japanese materials.

Drive by Imperial Palace
Formerly known as Edo Castle, this palace is the residence of the Emperor of Japan.
The grounds are lush with green foliage and provide a relaxing spot for Tokyoites and visitors alike.

Tsukiji Outer Market
Japans no.1 place for seafood with over 400 shops including fresh fish retailers, grocers, and restaurants. Enjoy shopping and try some local food while exploring this one-of-a-kind location.

Drive by Kabukiza
A classic Japanese-style Theater where traditional Kabuki performances are held.

Tokyo Skytree Town
Enjoy freely exploring Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Solamachi which features many traditional Tokyo shops, an aquarium, planetarium, and more.

Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Shopping Street
Senso-ji, Tokyos oldest temple, offers plenty to see including the bright red Kaminarimon Gate, a statue of the god of thunder, and a five-story pagoda. The bustling street known as “Nakamise” stretches for about 250 m from Kaminarimon Gate to Senso-ji Temple and is filled with a plethora of shops.

Stay at a Hotel in Tokyo city.

DAY 3 TOKYO – KAMAKURA – TOKYO

Travel from Tokyo to Kamakura by bus.

Matcha Green Tea Experience at Jomyo-ji Temple
Enjoy some of Japan’s famous powdered matcha green tea and confectionery in the highly refined and tranquil atmosphere of a tearoom constructed over 400 years ago, and enjoy the view of the temple’s Japanese rock garden.

Hokoku-ji Temple
Walk through the grounds of Hokoku-ji Temple, known as the bamboo temple for its beautiful bamboo grove.

Kotoku-in Temple and the Great Buddha
Visit Kotoku-in Temple which houses a towering, 13-meter-tall Buddha statue known as one of the three Great Buddha statues in Japan.

Enjoy lunch.

Enoshima Sightseeing
Visit Enoshima, a getaway island popular year-round for its cool ocean breezes. Cross over the 600-meter bridge that connects the island of Enoshima with the mainland and walk along Benzaiten Nakamise Street which is lined with intriguing shops bustling with customers. Afterward, take the Enoshima Escar which will whisk you easily up to Enoshima Shrine. Enjoy the beautiful ocean views from Enoshima Shrine.

Tour will conclude at Shinjuku station, early evening. Overnight in Tokyo city.

DAY 4 TOKYO – MY FUJI – HAKONE

Mt. Fuji 5th Station
The bus will head up to the 5th Station along the Subaru Line.
The 5th Station is situated at 2,300 meters (7,546 ft) above sea level. At this height, participants will be amazed at spectacular, breathtaking views from above the clouds.

Enjoy lunch.

Lake Ashi Cruise
This crater lake along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mt. Hakone was formed by a powerful volcanic eruption nearly 3,000 years ago, and provides postcard views of Mt. Fuji towering 30 km northwest. Admire the superb view of Mt. Fuji from aboard a ship.

Komagatake Ropeway
Take a 7-minute ropeway ride to the peak of Mt. Komagatake. A total of 50 minutes will be spent here, including time to walk around at the peak. Take a cableway ride up to the spiritual Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya (original shrine) that nestles at the mountaintop.

Arrive at Hotel in Hakone.

DAY 5 HAKONE – TAKAYAMA

In the morning, depart your Hakone.  Travel from Hakone to Takayama by train.
Once arrive into Takayama city, sightseeing on foot.

Yatai Kaikan (Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall)
This popular facility displays some of the colorfully decorated festival floats used in the famous Takayama Festival. Enjoy seeing the many intricately made floats.

Kusakabe Heritage House
Enjoy a visit to this historical Japanese-style townhouse and view a range of exquisite folk art and traditional handicrafts.

Kami-Sannomachi
Located in Takayama’s old quarter, this street is lined with Edo period buildings, and provides visitors a glimpse into the past.

Stay at accommodation in Takayama.

DAY 6 TAKAYAMA – SHIRAKAWAGO – KANAZAWA

Takayama Morning Market
Enjoy walking around the bustling Takayama Morning Market, where a wide array of local specialties and other products are available.

Shirakawago Observatory
Enjoy an elevated view of the World Heritage-registered thatch-roofed village of Shirakawago. Great for photography!

Lunch at a Thatched Roof House
Taste delicious regional cuisine dishes you can only enjoy in the countryside.

Wada Residence (traditional thatch-roofed farmhouse)
This is one of the thatch-roofed houses, also registered as a World Heritage Site. Look around and be fascinated by the culture and history of the village.

Shirakawago to Kanazawa (Drive-by sightseeing of Miboro Dam)
On the way from Shirakawago to Kanazawa, enjoy seeing rural Japanese scenery such as the manmade Miboro Dam and the Hakusan Mountains. Enjoy sightseeing from the vehicle windows.

Stay at accommodation in Kanazawa.

DAY 7 KANAZAWA – KYOTO

Nomura Residence, Nagamachi Samurai District
Visit a former residence of a samurai family from the Kaga Domain. Admire the traditional architecture and gaze at the beautiful Japanese garden.

Kenrokuen Garden
This beautiful garden is considered one of the top three Japanese gardens.
It offers amazing seasonal views all year round.

Higashi Chayagai
Wooden-latticed exteriors of teahouses line both sides of the stone-paved street here where something from the Edo period (1603-1868) still lingers in the air. This area is an Important Traditional Building Preservation District.

Hakuza Honten
Feel free to purchase handicrafts, accessories, cosmetics and other items made with gold leaf.

Eat lunch on your own after arrival at Kanazawa Station. In the afternoon travel from Kanazawa to Kyoto by train.

DAY 8 KYOTO

Nijo Castle
A World Heritage site. Tour the historical castle completed in 1626, which was built to provide lodging for Tokugawa Shogun and as a palladium for Kyoto Imperial Palace. The impressive, elaborate carvings and decors in the Ninomaru Palace are a must-see.

Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple
A World Heritage site. The wooden architecture is covered in thin layers of pure gold and is surrounded by a beautiful pond.

Kyoto Imperial Palace (Except Mondays)
See the Kyoto Imperial Palace, which was used as the Emperor’s residence until about 150 years ago.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (Mondays (and Tuesdays when Monday is a national holiday))
On Mondays (and Tuesdays if a national holiday falls on the preceding Monday), this tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine instead of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It is famous for housing the God of scholarship. This shrine’s main hall is a designated national treasure. The shrine is especially great to see during the plum blossom and autumn leaf seasons.

Enjoy lunch.

Heian Shrine
Don’t miss the characteristic red architecture of this beautiful shrine built to celebrate the 1100 year anniversary of the founding of the city of Kyoto.

Sanjusangen-do Temple
Visit the world’s longest wooden structure, housing 1,001 life-size statues of Buddhist Kannon deities dating back to the 13th century.

Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple

The view of Kyoto from the World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera is superb. The historic shopping lane that leads to the temple adds to a wonderful experience.

Stay at accommodation in Kyoto.

DAY 9 KYOTO

Transfer back to Kansai/Itami Airport or continue on in Japan.