11 Days Discover Japan Tour Package

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Priced From: $2,999 pp dbl. occ
Dates: Apr - Oct

From bustling cities to quiet mountain villages, experience the distinct culture of the “Land of the Rising Sun” during this vacation to Japan. Start your trip in Tokyo, Japan’s capital, and see the Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. Visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple with the Nakamise shopping arcade, and take a walking tour among the dazzling neon lights of Tokyo. Also enjoy a full day in Tokyo to explore this remarkable city on your own.

Then stop in Matsumoto, gateway to the Japanese Alps. See the famous Matsumoto Castle, which dates back to 1593, and the Japan Folklore Museum on your way to Takayama. Here, your tour includes visits to the Kusakabe Heritage House for a glimpse of late 19th-century architecture and the Hida Minzoku-Mura Folk Village, a collection of traditional buildings, farm houses, and artifacts relating to life and work of local villagers. Next, see the unique Gassho-Zukuri (joined hands)-style thatched houses in Shirakawa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then head to Kanazawa to tour one of Japan’s greatest gardens, Kenroku-En, the “Garden of Six Qualities,” dating from the 1670s. Marvel at the Fushimi Inari Shrine en route to Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan.

Day 2 Arrive in Tokyo

The bustling city of Tokyo at night, Japan
Japananese temple

Welcome to Japan’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 3 Tokyo

Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions prior to a morning sightseeing of Tokyo, home to more than 8 million people. Your tour takes you to the MEIJI SHRINE, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest, followed by a drive to see the Imperial Palace Plaza. Next, visit an ARTIST’S STUDIO and enjoy demonstrations by a master calligrapher before trying it yourself. You will also have an opportunity to try on a traditional KIMONO and enjoy a TEA CEREMONY. Last stop is the ASAKUSA KANNON TEMPLE with the NAKAMISE SHOPPING ARCADE. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps stroll through the famous Ginza area. Tonight, join your traveling companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. After dinner, join your Tour Director for a WALKING TOUR among the dazzling neon lights of Tokyo. (B,D)

Day 4 Tokyo

A free day for independent activities. You may wish to join a full-day optional excursion to Kamakura, home of the 750-year-old Great Buddha, followed by a scenic drive to Hakone and a cable car ride for panoramic views of Mount Fuji

Spectacular view of the majestic Mount Fuji

(weather permitting). Your optional tour concludes with a thrilling bullet train ride back to Tokyo. During your evening at leisure you may want to experience a local Japanese restaurant. (B)

Day 5 Tokyo–Matsumoto

The Matsumoto Castle displays armor and weapons from the Sengoku Period–Takayama

The historic Hida Takayama Folk Village features traditional buildings from the Hida region

Journey to Matsumoto, gateway to the Japanese Alps

A beautiful view over the Japanese Alps. Visit famous MATSUMOTO CASTLE, dating back to 1593, and discover the history at the JAPAN FOLKLORE MUSEUM. After lunch, continue by motorcoach through the ruggedly beautiful Japanese Alps to the quiet, isolated town of Takayama, where old traditions are untouched by the passage of time. The balance of the day is at leisure, providing you time to explore the narrow streets where artisans sell traditional crafts. (B,L)

Day 6 Takayama

Today begins with a visit to the morning market, where farmers display locally grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Then on to the San-Machi Suji historic district, famous for sake distilleries and tiny lacquerware shops where merchants buy and sell as they have for 300 years. Visit the KUSAKABE HERITAGE HOUSE for a glimpse of traditional Japanese architecture of the late-19th century. In the afternoon, a short ride brings you to the HIDA MINZOKU-MURA FOLK VILLAGE, a collection of traditional buildings and farmhouses, as well as numerous artifacts relating to the life and work of the local villagers. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful Japanese-style dinner. (B,D)

Day 7 Takayama–Shirakawa–Kanazawa

Stroll through the scenic gardens in Kanazawa

This morning, enjoy a drive through the mountainous Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa. This remote region of Japan is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significance

due to the unique GASSHO-ZUKURI (joined hands)-style thatched houses that can be found only here. Continue to the scenic town of Kanazawa, situated between the mountains and the Sea of Japan and once the country’s richest region. Your Tour Director leads you on a tour of one of Japan’s greatest gardens, KENROKU-EN, the “Garden of Six Qualities,” dating from the 1670s. Adjacent to the garden is the ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE CRAFTS MUSEUM, displaying more than 30 traditional crafts, including the locally famous Kanazawa Haku gold leaf produced since 1593. Your included dinner tonight is at your choice of one of three restaurants within your hotel. (B,D)

Day 8 Kanazawa–Kyoto

The bustling Kyoto Station includes a shopping mall, theater, and hotel

This afternoon, travel along the Sea of Japan to Kyoto. Upon arrival, visit the FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE, renowned for the thousands of brightly colored Torii Gates. Here you will witness an exclusive performance of MIKO (Shinto girls). Afterward, visit YUZEN HANDMADE CORNER to learn about the Yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate Kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. You will be invited to participate in making your own souvenir using this traditional technique. Next, visit Kinkakuji, the TEMPLE OF THE GOLD PAVILION, and the HEIAN SHRINE

Admire the beauty of the Shinto inspired Heian Shrine & GARDEN. (B)

Day 9 Kyoto

This morning’s city tour features the extraordinary NIJO CASTLE

The elaborate main gate surrounding the Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the official residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. For lunch, participate in a special JAPANESE COOKING CLASS. Under the instruction of a local chef you will learn how to make a popular Japanese dish. Perhaps join the afternoon optional excursion to Nara, the oldest capital of Japan, where you will visit Todaiji
The illuminated Todaiji Temple at night

Temple with its Great Buddha; Kasuga Shrine, famous for stone and bronze lanterns; and Kofukuji Temple with its 5-story pagoda. (B,L)

Day 10 Kyoto

A full day at leisure to explore more of Kyoto’s temples, shrines, palaces, and pagodas. Or, for an authentic taste of Japan, consider a visit to a traditional sake brewery for a tasting and to learn about the brewing tradition that has been passed down through the generations. Tonight your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (B,D)

Day 11 Kyoto–Osaka

Transfer to Kansai Airport. Your homebound flight leaves later this afternoon and arrives the same day. (B)

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