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Japan Country Highlights
Japan is a fascinating mix of ancient culture and cutting-edge modernity. More and more people are choosing to venture to this land where kimono-clad women, traditional artisans, and Buddhist monks are side-by-side with throngs of "salarymen," the newest world trends, and bustling neon streets. A visit to Japan should allow plenty of time to explore the sacred landscapes , ancient monuments, and its particular form of urban culture. We offer programs to all the well-known sites, including renowned Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, Zen rock gardens , and ancient castle towns . Our specialty is combining these sites with activities that are less known or less accessible to international travelers. If you're interested in traditional crafts, we can design an itinerary that visits weaving and dyeing centers; pottery villages ; classical theater performances; and houses that once belonged to Japan's finest craftspeople . Take a class in ikebana , the Japanese art of flower arranging , or have a formal tea ceremony . Sample sake at local breweries; dine in Kyoto's most exclusive seasonal kaiseki or Zen vegetarian restaurants .
 Tours are available that focus on Japanese folk art, traditional and post-modern architecture, regional cuisine or hands-on cooking classes, Buddhist pilgimage sites, ancient pottery kilns, treasured gardens, and small mountain towns. Tokyo touring can include visits to favorite temples and shrines, sophisticated shopping areas, exclusive residential neighborhoods, the impressive National Museum or Mingei Museum, renowned restaurants, quaint gardens, and the buzzing local neon nightlife. Nearby excursions include walks through the mountain paths of Kamakura and its fascinating shrines; Hakone , a beautiful hot spring region near Mt. Fuji with some of Japan's most spectacular scenery and luxurious hot spring resorts; and Nikko with its famed park and shrine.
 Of course, the true highlight of Japan is Kyoto to savor the spirit of old Japan. Visit rustic teahouses , homes of folk artisans, shops that have been selling traditional goods for hundreds of years, beautiful temples, and beautiful homes in some of the city's oldest neighborhoods. Nearby sites of interest include Nara , where sacred deer roam the grounds, the industrial and commercial center of Osaka , and the celebrated Miho Museum and nearby pottery district of Shigaraki.
In Hiroshima stroll through Peace Memorial Park and its powerful museum, Hiroshima Castle, and the modern city streets. Nearby is Miyajima , an island in the Itsukushima Sea with a beautiful shrine and one of Japan's memorable sights. In Kurashiki, Takayama, and Kanazawa stay in Japan's most charming ryokans to experience warm Japanese hopspitality and delicious kaiseki cuisine. If you definitely prefer to travel with a group , we also offer motorcoach tours that range from one day to two weeks. These programs are designed for travelers seeking a visit to Japan within a reasonable budget. Motorcoach programs can be arranged in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Toba, Ise, Osaka, Hiroshima, and to other, more remote World Heritage Sites. .
 Getting around is convenient and fast in Japan if you travel by bullet train . It also provides the chance to pass quaint farming towns with traditional thatched-roof houses and flooded rice paddies . The scenery is breathtaking in Japan's more remote areas. Visit pilgrimage islands with hundreds of temples; ride a horse through a national park in Kyushu, surrounded by active volcanoes; hike in the Japanese Alps or around the pristine lakes in the northern island of Hokkaido. Stroll through Tokyo's most sophisticated neighborhoods, art galleries, department stores, and exquisite restaurants. Sip green tea and try Japanese sweets while sitting on the tatami floor of an ancient tea house set amidst one of Kyoto's bamboo forests . You'll be sure to meet some locals out socializing at one of the casual izakayas , a popular gathering spot for food and drinks. We can even arrange for you to visit a family's home for tea or dinner--a rare opportunity in a country as private as Japan.
Pamper yourself with deluxe accommodation at an onsen resort with a range of natural mineral baths and hot springs. Stay at a traditional inn, or ryokan , for at least a night--the quintessential way to experience Japan's subtle beauty and finely-crafted cuisine. Enjoy the constant festivals found daily throughout the land and experience the continuing traditions of local towns and villages.
Whether you're looking for an independent tour or a comprehensive tour with your own private driver and guide, we'd be pleased to design an itinerary in any region of Japan that meets your particular schedule, interests, and budget. |
