Be captivated by the beauty and traditions of Japan during this 11-day guided tour. Travel to Kyoto, a cultural hub for the country, where you can bask in the serenity surrounding the iconic Golden Pavilion. See the Giouji Temple — a Buddhist place of worship set amidst a moss-covered forest — and feast on a traditional Kyo-Kaiseki lunch as you watch an apprentice geisha perform beside you. In Tokyo, choose to make decadent sushi rolls using the finest quality fish during a private cooking class or join a Local Expert and explore the fashionable Omotesando and Harajuku neighborhoods before sampling a local lunch. Then discover the river valley of the Oirase Gorge, walking along its crystal-clear waters while marveling at the amber leaves that surround you. Later, journey to a local brewery for a private sake tasting and behind-the-scenes tour, led by a sake brew master.
Locations Visited
Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Mt Fuji, Tokyo, Sendai, Oirase Gorge, Oirase
Countries Visited
Japan
Travel Style
Luxury Gold
Accommodations
10 nights included
Age Requirements
Minimum age 5
Day 1
Enjoy a private transfer to your five-star hotel to begin your Japan luxury tour. Tonight, awaken your tastebuds with tempura and sushi over stunning views over Osaka’s skyline
Accommodation
Imperial Hotel Osaka
Meals
Dinner
Meet your fellow travellers at your dinner. Raise your glass to the start of your luxury tour of Japan.
Day 2
Take in 360-degree city views from the Floating Garden Observatory in the skyscraper, Umeda Sky. Continue your exploration of striking architecture at Osaka Castle, one of Japan's most famous landmarks and pivotal in the reunification of Japan during the 16th century. Discover Osaka’s foodie hub of Dotonbori Street on a gastronomic walking tour.
Accommodation
Imperial Hotel Osaka
Meals
Breakfast
Explore the fascinating Osaka Castle, a famous landmark that was pivotal in the reunification of Japan during the 16th century. Marvel at the variety of cultural artefacts showcasing the history of Osaka.
Discover why Osaka is known as the kitchen of Japan on a stroll through Donburi street with a Local Expert. Taste local specialities such as rounds of ground octopus wrapped in batter, called Takoyaki.
Visit the top of the Floating Garden Observatory in the Umeda Sky Building for incredible city views.
Day 3
Sit back and relax while you travel past small towns, rice fields and snow-capped mountains, arriving in Hiroshima by Shinkansen (bullet train). Explore Peace Memorial Park and Museum and meet a survivor who will share moving insights. Indulge in okonomiyaki pancakes before arriving in Kyoto, known for thousands of years as the Imperial capital of Japan.
Accommodation
The Thousands, Kyoto
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Experience a truly poignant travel moment, as you meet a survivor of the 1945 Hiroshima atomic bomb, which destroyed most of the city during World War II and changed world history forever.
Experience travelling like a local as you ride the high-speed bullet train. Catch views of snow capped mountains and quaint Japanese towns as you journey between each city. This feat of modern engineering brings new joy to train rides.
Spend some quiet moments in the emotive Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and see the A-Bomb Dome, the only structure left standing.
Indulge in the local favourite of okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake dish consisting of wheat flour batter and other ingredients cooked on a teppan.
Day 4
Uncover Kyoto’s ancient traditions and revered culture on a city tour. Marvel at the Zen Buddhist temple Kinkakuji’s famed Golden Pavilion, Giouji Temple and take a quiet stroll through a grove of bamboo and maple trees. In the Gion district, dine on classic Kyo-Kaiseki cuisine and appreciate the talents of a Maiko, an apprentice geisha. Stroll around the vibrant neighbourhood, Kyoto's primary geisha district, and perhaps enjoy the local teahouses, lantern-lit restaurants and bars.
Accommodation
The Thousands, Kyoto
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Enjoy a performance by a Maiko, an apprentice Geisha, skilled in the art of classical dance and entertainment, as you savour a lunch of traditional Kyo-Kaiseki cuisine. Admire the balance of taste, texture and colour in this Kyoto speciality.
Wander around the famous Giouji Temple, where the bamboo trees and green groves inspire relaxation. This tiny temple with the thatched roof entrance is a sanctuary and one of the most scenic temples you’ll see in the city.
Join your Travel Concierge for an orientation of Gion neighbourhood, known as Kyoto's geisha district. See well-preserved wooden machiya houses and perhaps experience the electric ambiance of a local bar or restaurant.
Visit the stunning Zen Buddhist temple of Kinkaku-ji, with its glittering Golden Pavilion and hear about its intriguing history. Then, explore the vibrant Gion neighbourhood, where you may spot a Geisha or two.
Day 5
Board the bullet train to Mishima for spectacular views of Mount Fuji and admire its reflection in Lake Kawaguchi. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before visiting Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to admire the nature-inspired kimono designs or revelling in mountain views from the Kachi-Kachi Ropeway cable car to Mount Tenjo.
Accommodation
Cerulean Tower Tokyo Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, where you’ll enjoy its unique architecture, wander the serene gardens and marvel at its collection of beautiful kimonos.
Ride the Kachi-Kachi Ropeway cable car to fully embrace the breathtaking views of the lake and the mountain.
Day 6
Visit the Tokyo National Museum and Meiji Jingu Shrine. Learn to make sushi with a Master Sushi Chef or explore Omotesando and Harajuku. Tailor your evening at a restaurant specialising in Shabu-shabu or Teppanyaki.
Accommodation
Cerulean Tower Tokyo Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Take a sightseeing tour of Tokyo with your Travel Concierge to spot many places of interest in this bustling capital city.
During a Your Choice Evening, choose from two hand-picked restaurants, each specialising in local delicacies. Try Shabu-shabu, sizzling hotpots of meat and vegetables, or Teppan-yaki, where rice, meats and vegetables are freshly cooked on the grill in front of you.
Participate in a private sushi-making class in Tokyo and discover why it takes ten years to perfect this 2000-year-old Japanese art from a master sushi chef. Afterwards, enjoy a freshly prepared Highlight Lunch where you can marvel at his culinary brilliance.
Join a Local Expert and head to the Omotesando and Harajuku neighbourhoods known for their fashion, art and design before indulging in lunch.
Day 7
Hear insights into island life in Sendai, joining the owner of a local inn for a fresh seafood lunch. A private cruise shows off the impressive views of Matsushima Bay before a traditional tea ceremony.
Accommodation
The Westin Sendai
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Take in views of the many pine clad islets in Matsushima Bay on a private cruise. Hear about the many haikus featuring the bay describing it as a place of love and wonder.
Meet the owner of a traditional Japanese inn set in the dazzling Matsushima Bay, which has inspired poetry over the centuries. Hear more about her life and local traditions in the pine covered islands as you cruise between them.
Experience a truly Japanese tradition when you enjoy a tea ceremony at a traditional tea house. Learn the art of making the perfect matcha green tea as you follow the custom.
Day 8
Today, journey from Sendai to Shin-Aomori in supreme comfort aboard the sleek Shinkansen. Pause for a sumptuous lunch at a local restaurant, before stepping into the storybook setting of Hirosaki Castle. Here, meet a cherry blossom expert who unveils the secrets of Japan’s beloved sakura. A gentle stroll leads you to the vibrant Tsugaru han Neputa Village, where festival decorations dazzle, and a private performance of Tsugaru Shamisen and Taiko drums stirs the spirit. Continue to Miurashuzo Brewery for an intimate tour and sake-making masterclass with the esteemed Toji (master brewer), complete with a curated tasting. Later, retreat to your hotel and unwind in the soothing embrace of an onsen, a serene close to an extraordinary day.
Accommodation
Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Learn about the meticulous care and nurturing of cherry blossom trees from a specialised cherry blossom doctor who ensures that each one, from sapling to mature tree, is healthy and thriving during the beautiful season each April.
See the colourful decorations, which take a year to create, being prepared for the summer Neputa Festival by local craftsmen. Witness a private musical performance of Tsugaru Shamisen and Taiko, a traditional style of Japanese guitar and drumming.
Enjoy a rare opportunity to meet a brewmaster, Takeshi Miura, and learn about the essence of sake in a special guided visit of his brewery. Share some of the sacred drink of Japan in the stunning surroundings of Oirase.
Day 9
Explore the natural splendour of Oirase Gorge, following a scenic trail alongside clear streams and waterfalls framed by ancient forest. Savour a light lunch at a local restaurant before visiting Towada’s cultural landmarks. At the Towada Art Centre, discover a collection of world-class contemporary artworks set within striking modern architecture.
Accommodation
Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Ideally situated moments away from the serene Oirase Keiryua stream, the Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel is a luxurious resort hotel and offers spacious bedrooms, five-star facilities and easy access to natural hot springs situated in the nearby forest.
Take a gentle walk along the Oirase Gorge in the Hachimantai National Park. Each season brings its own colour palette while unique rock formations and the burbling river is a pleasure to follow.
Admire cutting-edge works by world-renowned artists at the Towada Art Center. This striking museum in northern Japan showcases contemporary sculptures and installations in a setting designed to stir the senses, with light-filled pavilions and outdoor art seamlessly connecting creativity with the natural landscape.
Day 10
Explore Askusa neighbourhood's Senso-ji Buddhist Temple, the oldest temple in Japan. Stroll down Nakamise Street, where colourful Japanese souvenirs of traditional dress such as yukata and folding fans are on display. Celebrate your travels over fine dining at Hoshinonaruki.
Accommodation
Cerulean Tower Tokyo Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Pay a visit to the Sensō-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo and the site of a large late spring festival, which many international visitors attend. This significant place of worship is dedicated to Kannon Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of compassion.
Wander down one of Japan's oldest shopping streets, Nakamise Street, which dates back to the 17th century. If you're feeling peckish, visit Kappabashi, the back street that is also known as the foodie hub of Tokyo.
Tradition meets innovation as you enjoy a fine dining experience with new friends at Hoshinonaruki. Using age-old Japanese culinary techniques and seasonal ingredients, this is a dining experience that truly brings the flavour of the country to life.
Day 11
Your Osaka to Tokyo luxury tour ends with your private car to Narita or Haneda International Airport for your onward journey.
Meals
Breakfast
Title
Enjoy seamless personal assistance throughout your journey. From securing exclusive reservations, to organising transportation, your Travel Concierge ensures every aspect of your travel is tailored to your tastes and preferences.
In select destinations, our network of Local Expert Guides will illuminate your journey on a deeper level.
On days where a Relaxed Start (RS) is indicated, you can select to indulge in breakfast in bed.
Included at all hotels.
Hotel taxes, porterage and tips, as well as tips for included dining experiences, are included.
Enjoy breakfast every morning, and an array of incredible dining options throughout your journey, infused with discovery and adventure.
Enjoy complimentary hotel Wi-Fi. And, on select coaches, onboard Wi-Fi may also be available.
Transfers are included on your journey start and end dates, and where additional accommodation has been booked in advance through Luxury Gold. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city as the itinerary, may be requested.
Trip Notes:
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