Rainbow Route: 9-Day Japan Combination Package B – Takayama & Kanazawa

DAY 1 TOKYO

An English-speaking tour conductor will meet customers at the airport, and assist them in boarding the taxi to their hotel in Tokyo.
Check into your Tokyo hotel and free time after arrival

DAY 2 TOKYO

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.
Admire the view at this National Garden that was formerly a private garden of the Royal Family. Enjoy the view of Nijubashi Bridge, which is said to be the face of the Imperial Palace, as well as the view of the Imperial Palace itself.

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.

Tokyo Tower Main Deck (View)
Tokyo Tower, the symbol of Tokyo, offers a great 360-degree panoramic view from its main observatory.

Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Shopping Street (Free Time for Sightseeing)
Senso-ji, Tokyo’s 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.

Drive by Kabukiza and Ginza 
A classic Japanese-style theater where traditional Kabuki performances are held.

Stay at a Hotel in Tokyo city.

DAY 3 TOKYO – MT FUJI – HAKONE – TOKYO

Mt. Fuji 5th Station
The bus will head up the World Heritage Mt. Fuji 5th Station along the Subaru Line. The 5th Station is situated at 2,300 meters (7,546 feet) above sea level. At this height, you will be amazed at spectacular, breathtaking views from above the clouds. *Depending on road conditions, the tour will be guided to Mt. Fuji 4th Station or 5th Station.
*If the Fuji Subaru Line is closed, the tour will visit Lake Kawaguchi Oishi Park or Fujisan World Heritage Center.

Enjoy lunch

Lake Ashi Cruise Ship Sorakaze
Hop on board the Sorakaze, a cruise ship on Lake Ashi in Hakone. Spend a relaxing time while gazing at the beautiful lake and Mt. Fuji aboard a ship where passengers can feel as if they’re in a green park floating over Lake Ashi.

Komagatake Ropeway
Take a cableway ride up to the spiritual Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya (original shrine) that nestles at the Komagatake mountaintop. Enjoy the scenery of Lake Ashi in the Hakone National Park spreading out below.

Hakone-en
Customers that descend Mt. Komagatake early can stop by the souvenir corner at the foot of the mountain.
*Depending on time management, and if the order of tour destinations was changed, there may not be time to purchase souvenirs.

Travel back to Tokyo and overnight.

DAY 4 TOKYO – KANAZAWA

In the morning, depart Tokyo.  Travel from Tokyo to Kanazawa by train.
Once arrive into Kanazawa ,  sightseeing 

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 Chaya-gai
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.

Stay at accommodation in Kanazawa . 

DAY 5 KANAZAWA – TAKAYAMA  – SHIRAKAWAGO – KANAZAWA

In the morning, depart your Kanazawa .Travel from Kanazawa to Shirakawago by bus.

Stroll around Shirakawago & Visit a Thatch-roofed House
This is one of the thatch-roofed house villages, also registered as a World Heritage Site. Look around and be fascinated by the culture and history of the village.
*After visiting a thatch-roofed house, customers are free to stroll around.

Purchase Own Lunch (Shirakawago Area)
Meals are not included. Customers can enjoy regional cuisine.

Travel from Shirakawago to Takayama by bus 
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.

Travel back to Kanazawa from Takayama by bus.
Stay at accommodation in Kanazawa . 

DAY 6  KANAZAWA – KYOTO 

In the morning, depart your Kanazawa . Travel from Kanazawa to Kyoto by train. 
Check into your Kyoto hotel and free time after arrival

DAY 7 KYOTO – NARA – KYOTO

Depart your Kyoto Hotel in the morning 

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. On days when the Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed to visitors, the tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (disembark for sightseeing) as an alternative destination. This shrine is famous for the god of learning, and its main hall is a designated national treasure. The shrine is especially great to see during the plum blossom and autumn leaf seasons.

Enjoy a Western-style lunch

Travel to Nara 

Kasuga Taisha Shrine
This Nara Period shrine is designated as a World Heritage Site. The deer of Nara Park are thought to be the shrine messengers. From 2025, the Main Sanctuary special visit area will be newly added to the itinerary. Visitors can get closer to the Main Sanctuary and view the hanging lanterns in the corridor.

Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha)/Nara Park
A World Heritage site. This is the symbol of the Nara Period and one of the world’s largest wooden structures. Its huge main hall and bronze Great Buddha are impressive to behold.

Tour will conclude early evening. Overnight in Kyoto city.

DAY 8 KYOTO 

Free day.

DAY 9 KYOTO – Kansai International Airport or Itami Airport