Soul of Japan

DAY 1
Arrive in Tokyo, where you will be welcomed by our airport representative who will also assist
you with boarding the right train or shuttle bus to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Tokyo

Distances and journey time:
Narita International Airport (NRT) to Tokyo City (95 km): 1 hr 30 mins Haneda International Airport (HND) to Tokyo City (25 km): 50 mins

DAY 2
This morning your guide will meet you at your hotel. The day will begin with a stroll through Hama-Rikyu Teien, the former private garden of an Edo Period lord. Take a break in the tea house known as ‘Nakajima No Chaya’ which stands elegantly in the park’s lake. Here, you will have the chance to get a taste of matcha, or Japanese green tea.
After the tea ceremony, you will then have the opportunity to see Tokyo from a different angle as you take the boat cruise along the Sumida River.
Next stop will be Asakusa, a part of Tokyo’s shitamachi, or old town. Asakusa is the city’s oldest Geisha district and also the home to Sensoji (“Asakusa Kannon”) Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. The streets around Sensoji feature many traditional shops that sell Japanese crafts and souvenirs and are a delight to wander through.

In the afternoon, head across Tokyo to Omotesando, commonly referred to as Tokyo’s Champs-Elysee. This broad, tree -lined avenue boasts a multitude of fashion flagship stores designed by internationally renowned architects.

Before the tour ends, take time to explore Meiji Shrine, which is Tokyo’s most famous shrine, dedicated to the spirit of the late Emperor Meiji. Here you will receive a blessing from a Shinto priest, right in the most representative place for Shinto religion.
Note: The order of this itinerary may change depending on the location of your hotel.

DAY 3
Today is a self-guided day.

This day is free for you to explore this amazing city. Make an early start to visit the world-famous Tsukji Fish Market; visit the electronics district of Akihabara or discover Tokyo’s world-class museums and art galleries.
Or, you can use your included Japan Rail Pass to make an excursion outside of Tokyo to one of the following:

Kamakura
One of Japan’s former capitals, Kamakura is a delightful seaside town home to many ancient temples and the Daibutsu, a giant bronze Buddha.

Nikko
Sitting high in the mountains of Nikko National Park, Nikko houses the Toshogu Shrine complex and mausoleum, Japan’s most extravagant display of religious architecture and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight in Tokyo

DAY 4
Today is a self-guided day.

Today you will leave Tokyo behind to take the 2-hour journey to Hakone, the gateway to Mt. Fuji and its surrounding national park. This small town is famous for its onsen (natural hot springs), and has natural beauty in abundance.

Thanks to your Transportation Pass you can take advantage of the numerous forms of transportation on offer throughout the park. You can ride the Guinness World Record-holder ropeway all the way up Mt. Owakudani, passing over sulfurous fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers in this volcanic area.

You will also have the opportunity to eat one of Hakone’s specialties, the kuro-tamago, an egg hard boiled in the sulfuric hot springs. They say that if you do, it will add seven years to your life!

A majestic replica pirate ship will sweep you across Ashinoko, a lake that was formed by a volcanic eruption 3000 years ago. The Hakone Tozan ‘switchback train’ zigzags through the mountains, giving amazing views of the surrounding valleys.

You will stay in a ryokan, or traditional Japanese-style accommodation, complete with tatami mats, shoji (rice paper) sliding doors, and onsen (hot springs). In the evening, relax in your yukata, or lightweight kimono, and dine on a sumptuous kaiseki (multi-course) meal.

An onsen after dinner is highly recommended before you bed down on your futon.
*Due to increased volcanic activity, Mt Owakudani has been temporarily closed to the public. The itinerary might change accordingly.

Overnight in Hakone

Distances and journey time:
Tokyo to Hakone (90 km): 65 mins

DAY 5
Today is a self-guided day.

Take one last soak in the onsen before you undertake the 2.5-hour journey via the world- famous shinkansen (bullet train) to Japan’s cultural capital, Kyoto, the home to an astonishing 2,000 shrines and temples, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Kyoto

Distances and journey time:
Hakone to Kyoto (436 km): 2 hrs 30 mins

DAY 6
Today, you will explore the former imperial capital with a knowledgeable local guide, utilizing Kyoto’s comprehensive bus and subway system to visit some of Kyoto’s World Heritage Sites.

You will start your day with a visit to Nijo Castle. This ornamental castle, surrounded by stunning gardens, was built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate as his Kyoto residence.
The main building was completed in 1603 and is well-known for its Momoyama architecture, decorated sliding doors, and ‘chirping’ nightingale floors.

Continue on to Ryoan-ji, the site of Japan’s most famous rock garden. Originally served as an aristocrat’s villa during the Heian Period, the site was later on converted into a Zen Buddhist temple in the year 1450. Now, it belongs to the Myoshinji School of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and serves as a perfect spot for a zazen meditation.

You will also visit Kinkakuji, or the Golden Pavilion, which was originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun. After his death, it became a Buddhist Temple at his request and is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples.

Next in the list is Kiyomizu, or “pure water,” Temple. From the 13-meter high veranda jutting out from the main hall, you can enjoy amazing views of the whole of Kyoto, whilst pondering the fact that both the main hall and the veranda were built without the use of nails or any kind of joiners.

Before the tour ends, stroll through the atmospheric Higashiyama district, wherein busy lanes lead up to Kiyomizu and are filled with quaint shops selling souvenirs including Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, sweets, and pickles.

Overnight in Kyoto

Note: Kiyomizu Temple has been undergoing renovation since 2008, with some of its halls and structures wrapped up with covers. The construction has a certain but not overwhelming impact on a visit.

DAY 7
This morning is free for you to explore the sides of Kyoto that interest you the most.

This afternoon, your guide will meet you at the hotel around 3pm, to take you on an afternoon you will never forget.

First you will head to Korin-in, a sub-temple of Kodai-ji, one of Kyoto’s most famous zen temples, for an exclusive Japanese tea ceremony or Cha no Yu. You can enjoy this traditional art performed by a tea master in the stunning setting of the temple. You will receive a full explanation of Japanese tea and tea ceremony, its long history and relationship with Zen Buddhism. The tea master will also explain you about the meaning behind each movement involved in the making and serving of the tea.

You will be able to try your hand at making tea, before enjoying your tea master’s green tea, accompanied by Japanese sweets.

Later, you will enjoy a private zen meditation session, guided by a Buddhist monk. After this experience you will also have time to talk to the monk, with the help of your English speaking guide.

Finally, your guide will take you on a short walk around Higashiyama, an area of Kyoto known for its picturesque views, historical temples and artisan shops. From Korin-in, you’ll walk to the main temple complex of Kodai-ji. The main temple was constructed in 1606 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a famous military general and one of Japan’s great historical figures, and features beautiful Japanese landscape gardens and a bamboo grove.

You will reach Gion, Kyoto’s geisha district on time for dinner.

Overnight in Kyoto

DAY 8
Make an early start today for the scenic journey to holy Mt. Koya (Koyasan). The 3-hour train journey is one of the best in Japan, as the local train winds its way up into the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture. The final ascent to the top of Koya is via cable car. Your knowledgeable local guide will be meeting you upon your arrival to show you Koya-san’s sights and to explain about Japanese Buddhism.

Mt. Koya is the center of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect which was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi. Since then, over 100 temples have sprung up along the streets of Koyasan. The most important among them are Kongobuji, the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, and Okunoin, the site of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum. Koyasan, together with its entire vicinity, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tonight, you will be staying in shukubo, a Japanese temple lodging. Dinner will be shojin ryori, a traditional Buddhist cuisine. This vegetarian meal is not only healthy but delicious as well!

Overnight in Koyasan

DAY 9
Today is a self-guided day.

Rise up early today to witness the monks chanting their morning prayers. This spiritual experience is followed by an shojin ryori breakfast.

Afterwards, you will have a long but interesting travel ahead of you, as you take various kinds of transport by cable cars, trains, bullet trains, and finally, a ferry to get to your next destination, Osaka.

The afternoon is free for you to explore the city or for some last minute souvenir shopping.

Osaka is widely known as “Japan’s kitchen” and our recommendation for tonight is Dotonbori district, a restaurant mecca which has long-been referred to as Osaka’s entertainment district and former “pleasure district”. In Dotonbori’s food stalls and restaurants, you can find anything from takoyaki (octopus balls) to fugu (poisonous puffer fish), amongst other Kansai delicacies.

Overnight in Osaka

DAY 10
The rest of the day is at your leisure until your included transfer by airport shuttle van to Kansai Airport.

Distances and journey time:
Kyoto to Kansai Airport (KIX) (94 km): 2 hrs